Pat Shurmur top candidate for Browns’ coach
Pat Shurmur, the St. Louis Rams’ offensive coordinator and a former Michigan State player and assistant coach, emerged Wednesday as the leading candidate to be the Cleveland Browns’ next coach, ESPN.com and the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.
Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg appears to be out of the running, the Inquirer said. Mornhinweg, the Lions’ former coach, was considered a hot commodity this season after quarterback Michael Vick blossomed under his tutelage. Mornhinweg worked under Browns president Mike Holmgren in Green Bay.
But Shurmur also has ties to Holmgren. his uncle, Fritz, was Holmgren’s defensive coordinator with the Packers. the Browns also reportedly interviewed Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey and Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell.
More NFL: new York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez said his right shoulder is feeling the best it has in “three, four weeks,” and he’ll be “ready to go” for Sunday’s playoff game against the new England Patriots (14-2). Sanchez has had a sore shoulder since falling awkwardly against Pittsburgh on Dec. 19. But he has played well through the injury and led the Jets (12-5) to a 17-16 victory over the Colts in Indianapolis last Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Jets placed starting right tackle Damien Woody on injured reserve with a left Achilles tendon injury. the former Lion returned from a right knee problem to play all but the final three plays of the wild-card win at Indianapolis. He was injured on the final drive and replaced by Wayne Hunter, who will start Sunday at new England.
Baseball: Free-agent reliever Kyle Farnsworth is approaching an agreement on a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Rays, the associated Press reported, citing an anonymous source. the deal could be agreed to today or Friday and will be worth about $3.25 million. the Rays declined to comment. Farnsworth, a former Tiger, split last season between the Kansas City Royals and Atlanta Braves, going 3-2 with a 3.34 ERA in 60 games.
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