NFLWIRE.Net

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Browns ended the year talking to candidates they hope will make it a better 2009. Browns owner Randy Lerner interviewed Scott Pioli, New England’s vice president of player personnel, on Wednesday to be his new general manager. It is not known whether or not Lerner offered the job to Pioli, who has been Bill Belichick’s right-hand man with the Patriots for the past nine years.

To reach the Super Bowl again, the Giants spared the road and the wild-card round need to win only two games at home as the bull’s-eye in the target.

A day after Bill Cowher abruptly withdrew as a candidate to replace the fired Eric Mangini, the Jets considered other potential coaches.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indianapolis’ defenders can still hear the echoes ringing from September.

Mike Singletary knows what he wants to see from the San Francisco 49ers’ offense, and thinks he’ll need mostly new coaches to create it on that side of the ball. The no-longer-interim head coach announced two more adjustments to his coaching staff Wednesday, firing quarterbacks coach Ted Tollner and running backs coach Tony Nathan.

The Denver Broncos are a team in need of a comeback. No surprise, then, that John Elway’s name keeps popping up. The Hall of Fame quarterback has been mentioned as a possible part of the management team that replaces Mike Shanahan, who was terminated as coach and executive vice president of football operations.

Jerod Mayo wasted no time showing he could be an NFL star. Now he’s biding his time until he becomes the leader of the Patriots’ defense. In between, there’s more he wants to accomplish: defensive player of the year and, more importantly, a Super Bowl championship. But he certainly appreciates winning The Associated Press 2008 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award.

Chad Pennington won The Associated Press 2008 NFL Comeback Player of the Year award Wednesday, the second time in three years Pennington has received the honor.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Brian Westbrook could only smile and shrug when asked if he expected the Philadelphia Eagles to use him more as a blocker this week.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee Titans returned to practice Wednesday with Pro Bowl defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, end Kyle Vanden Bosch and center Kevin Mawae all watching.

IRVING, Texas (AP) — The Dallas Cowboys have fired special teams coach Bruce Read, making him the first assistant ousted in the wake of a disappointing 9-7 season.

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) — The Detroit Lions are interested in speaking to Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier for their vacant coaching job.

They were best friends as much as employee and boss. Nothing told that story better than the tears in the eyes of Pat Bowlen and Mike Shanahan as they talked about their sad farewell. “This is as tough as it gets,” Bowlen said Wednesday, his eyes moist, as he explained his day-old decision to fire the coach who finally brought the Super Bowl trophy to Denver.

The Dallas Cowboys have fired special teams coach Bruce Read, making him the first assistant ousted in the wake of a disappointing 9-7 season. Read’s special teams unit made costly gaffes, including a blocked punt in overtime at Arizona that ended in a game-winning Cardinals touchdown. Breakdowns in kick coverage also beset Dallas, and Adam “Pacman” Jones fizzled as a return man.

Brian Westbrook could only smile and shrug when asked if he expected the Philadelphia Eagles to use him more as a blocker this week. Adrian Peterson doesn’t hear those questions. He’s the main reason the Minnesota Vikings got this far. The biggest difference between Westbrook and Peterson is this: Westbrook goes into every game wondering how many carries he’ll get, while Peterson knows he’s carrying…

The NFL has given the Minnesota Vikings and the Arizona Cardinals extensions to sell more tickets and avoid local TV blackouts of their playoff games this weekend. Arizona hosts the Atlanta Falcons on Saturday, and the Philadelphia Eagles play at Minnesota on Sunday. The Cardinals have until 4:30 p.m.