The Atlanta Falcons are interested in Southern California coach Pete Carroll for their head coaching job.
A person familiar with the team's coaching situation said yesterday the Falcons want to speak with Carroll, who is on vacation in Hawaii. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the Falcons have not officially met with Carroll.
Carroll spoke with USC sports information director Tim Tessalone yesterday and told Tessalone there are no developments worthy of comment.
"He reiterated that to me this morning on the phone," Tessalone said.
Last week, Carroll told reporters his name would be mentioned in speculation for NFL jobs. Carroll said then he wouldn't fuel speculation by making comments.
"There's nothing going on, no reason to even talk about it," Carroll said last week.
Cowboys' Owens still can't practice
Terrell Owens still wasn't able to practice because of an ankle sprain, continuing the drama of whether the Dallas Cowboys will have their newest All-Pro receiver for the playoff game Sunday against the New York Giants.Coach Wade Phillips didn't even see Owens yesterday, but knew he was doing all he could to get healthy. And if T.O. says he's ready to go at game time, Phillips will let him play.
"The guy played pretty good in a Super Bowl game that they said he wasn't going to play in," Phillips said. "So I'll be hopeful. But I really don't know."
Crennel to get pact extended
As a reward for Cleveland's comeback season, the Browns plan to extend coach Romeo Crennel's contract. "We have every intention of doing something right by Romeo," Browns general manager Phil Savage said . . . Bills tight end Kevin Everett was selected the team's Ed Block Courage Award winner following his remarkable recovery from a serious spinal cord injury . . . Clemson running back James Davis has decided to give up his senior season to enter the NFL draft in April . . . Tennessee linebacker Jerod Mayo will skip his senior year to enter the NFL draft after leading the Southeastern Conference with 140 tackles this season . . . Florida State linebacker Geno Hayes will forgo his senior season to enter the NFL draft.
