NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue said Tuesday the officiating errors made at the end of the NFC wild-card game between the New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers were “totally unacceptable.” and said the league is already looking into ways to avoid a recurrence of the errors.
McNABB BACK IN ACTION: Donovan McNabb will start the Philadelphia Eagles’ playoff game against the Atlanta Falcons on Saturday night, his first action in nearly two months. The two-time Pro Bowl quarterback hasn’t played since breaking his right ankle against the Arizona Cardinals on Nov. 17.
“I’m excited about where I’m at and getting back on the field,” McNabb said Tuesday. “I’m able to do a lot of things I was able to do before I got hurt, and I learned a lot by watching.”
PORTIS IS TOP ROOKIE: The Denver Broncos just keep finding dominant young running backs. The latest, Clinton Portis, beat college teammate Jeremy Shockey for The Associated Press NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award Tuesday. Portis ran for 1,508 yards this season and scored 17 touchdowns.
GREEN TALKS TO JAGS: Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver interviewed Dennis Green on Tuesday for the team’s head-coaching vacancy, a team spokesman said.
The former Vikings coach is one of three or four candidates Weaver is expected to interview. Green is said to want significant input on personnel issues, which is an issue that could hurt his chances in Jacksonville.
CAMPO TO CLEVELAND: The Browns cleared a path Tuesday for Dave Campo to join the team as defensive coordinator.
Foge Fazio officially announced his retirement in a statement released by the team. The Browns also confirmed defensive line coach Ray Hamilton had been fired.
PAIR CHARGED IN BEATING DEATH: Two men who claimed they were acting in self-defense were ordered Tuesday to stand trial on charges they fatally assaulted a man in a diner after an apparent argument over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Dustin Garger, 24, of Brentwood, Pa., and Brian Frisbie, 23, of Carrick, Pa., have been charged with homicide in connection with the death Dec. 24 of 49-year-old James Miller.
