Place an Ad Calendars Classified Forums Sports Weather

sptimes.com Text-only News sections Arts & Entertainment AP The Wire Business Citrus County Columnists Floridian Hernando County Hillsborough Letters Movies Neighborhood Times News Update North Pinellas North of Tampa Obituaries Opinion Pasco County South Pinellas Sports State Tampa Bay TV Times World & Nation  Find your local news section Weekly sections Brandon Times City Times Homes Outdoors Perspective Personal Tech Taste Travel Weekend Xpress Special Sections Arena football Buccaneers College football Devil Rays Lightning Police reports Schools Seniority Subscriber Services Subscribe Renew Help Advertise Place an ad In print Online Market Info Join Us Internships Scholarships Times Jobs Contact us

NFL briefs

Compiled from Times wires

© St. Petersburg Times, published February 3, 2001

Dungy: Rules hurt coaches’ outlooks

Bucs coach Tony Dungy says race was not the only thing that affected the chance of Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis getting a head coaching job.

Dungy told CNNSI.com that Lewis, who is black, was at a disadvantage during the post-season because of NFL rules prohibiting assistants from interviewing while their teams are alive in the playoffs.

"It's clear that those guys that have to wait are disadvantaged," said Dungy, a member of the league's Competition Committee, which is responsible for such rules. "And it's clear when you look at this situation that something needs to be done about the way we do things."

Including expansion Houston, nine of the league's 32 teams had head coaching openings after the season started. Buffalo was the only team to interview Lewis, on Monday night, the day after the Ravens won the Super Bowl.

Buffalo hired Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Gregg Williams on Thursday.

Dungy also told CNNSI.com it was a "shame" Lewis got only one interview and that he would have gotten more if he were white.

"You can only beg the question in your own mind: If he were white, would it have been one out of nine? I don't think so. I think it would have been more than one out of nine," Dungy said.

Three teams besides the Bills were considering Lewis for their coaching job, the Web site said -- the Jets, Lions and Browns. Only Buffalo waited to hire until it talked to Lewis and John Fox, the Giants defensive coordinator.

"Everyone knows the (tampering rule) is unfair," Dungy said. "Everyone knows the inequities. But no one has come up with a good solution for it. It's a rough call. The spirit of the rule is definitely good. ... But the reality of it is those guys do lose out."

Wannstedt signs extension

DAVIE -- Dolphins coach Dave Wannstedt signed a one-year contract extension through 2003, a reward for leading the team to its first AFC East title in six years.

Terms of the extension, announced Friday, were not disclosed. Wannstedt replaced Jimmy Johnson a year ago and signed a three-year, $3.9-million contract. "I'm very pleased," he said.

BILLS: Williams, introduced as coach, has received permission to interview Titans secondary coach Jerry Gray and quality control assistant Ronnie Vinklarek for jobs. Williams, Tennessee's defensive coordinator last season, said Gray is ready to be his defensive coordinator. Vinklarek is expected to land an offensive coaching post.

Williams said he also plans to interview Kevin Gilbride, recently fired as the Pittsburgh Steelers' offensive coordinator.

With a reputation as being meticulously organized and an admitted "football junkie," Williams said he will draw on a list he has maintained ranking all college and NFL coaches since 1992.

"I've been looking forward to this opportunity right here, and I've been preparing for an awful long time for this opportunity," Williams said.

JETS: Phil Pettey was named tight ends coach and Mike Henning offensive quality control coach for new coach Herman Edwards. Kevin Winston will be director of player development. Winston and Edwards worked together in Tampa Bay, where Edwards was assistant head coach and defensive backs coach. Winston was the director of player programs.

RAIDERS: The NFL asked a Los Angeles judge to dismiss the remaining three claims of a suit brought by the team, which contends the NFL owes it money for losing the Los Angeles market. Judge Richard Hubbell said he would consider the matter. If he does not grant the NFL's request, the trial is scheduled to begin March 7.

TITANS: Linebackers coach Jim Schwartz will replace Williams as defensive coordinator.

CHMURA TRIAL: Mark Chmura chose not to testify in his sexual assault trial after his lawyer told him there was no need because the case has gone so well.

Defense attorney Gerald Boyle rested his case in Waukesha, Wis., telling Judge Mark Gempeler he told the former Green Bay Packers tight end not to take the stand.

"Your decision is you do not wish to take the stand?" Gempeler asked Chmura.

"Yes, that is true, your honor," Chmura replied, the first time he has spoken in court during the nine-day trial. Closing arguments were expected this afternoon.

A teenager who used to babysit Chmura's two sons told police Chmura pulled her into a bathroom during an April 9 post-prom party at his friend Robert Gessert's home, pulled down her pants and had sex with her without her consent. Chmura is charged with third-degree sexual assault and child enticement, both felonies.

The teenager testified that Chmura called her jailbait and asked her about the length of legs.

Chmura's wife, Lynda, testified Friday she has never heard her husband refer to a woman's body in a demeaning way. "Mark doesn't make comments like that, especially to young girls," she said.

"Your marriage is solid?" Boyle asked.

"As a rock," Lynda Chmura replied. "I know the truth about my husband, and I love him very much."

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright