NFLWIRE.Net

Sean Payton doesn't like the idea of the New Orleans Saints finishing their best regular season in franchise history on a three-game losing streak. He isn't pleased with some of the statistical trends that have coincided with the Saints' last four games, which included two slim victories over non-playoff teams, followed by two losses at home.

The NFL fined Tennessee defensive coordinator Chuck Cecil $20,000 on Thursday for verbal abuse of a game official for his sideline comments in the Titans' 42-17 loss to San Diego on Christmas night. The Titans had just been flagged for roughing Philip Rivers when an official heard Cecil say something.

Buddy Nix recalled how difficult it was explaining exactly what his role was in February, when the Buffalo Bills lured him out of retirement to be their national scout. Nix's new title in Buffalo is far more defined: General manager. Bills owner Ralph Wilson took the first step in reshaping his front office on Thursday by providing Nix full control of football operations and putting him in…

The NFL has fined Tennessee defensive coordinator Chuck Cecil $20,000 for prohibited verbal abuse of a game official as a result of his sideline comments in the Titans' 42-17 loss to San Diego on Christmas night. The Titans had just been flagged for roughing Philip Rivers when an official heard Cecil say something.

The NFL has fined Denver Broncos receiver Brandon Stokley $25,000 for making contact with an official that led to his ejection from last weekend's game at Philadelphia. Stokley said he plans to appeal the fine. The 11-year veteran was upset over the lack of an interference call on a third-down play in the first quarter against the Eagles when his route was disrupted by a defender.

Cowboys special teams coach Joe DeCamillis has become just the fourth recipient of the Special Courage Award. The only previous honorees in the NFL were Dick LeBeau (2008), Vince Papale (2006) and Eddie Jones (1999). DeCamillis oversaw offseason practices two weeks after surgery to repair a broken neck and missed only two days after undergoing an emergency appendectomy that also led to a hernia…

No confusing answers from Jerry Gray this week. The Washington Redskins' secondary coach instead stuck to "no comment" when asked about his interview for the head coaching job. Gray stayed mum on the subject Thursday — even though the Fritz Pollard Alliance confirmed earlier this week Gray has interviewed for the position currently held by Jim Zorn.

For a coach on the hot seat, Eric Mangini is acting pretty cool. Mangini will learn next week if he'll be back for a second season with the Cleveland Browns after meeting on Monday or Tuesday with new team president Mike Holmgren. The Browns (4-11) have won three straight heading into Sunday's season finale against Jacksonville.

The New York Giants placed running back Brandon Jacobs and cornerback Aaron Ross on injured reserve on Thursday, ending their seasons. The Giants also announced that they had signed quarterback Rhett Bomar and safety Sha'reff Rashad from the practice squad. The signing of Bomar and Rashad will allow the Giants to keep Bomar and Rashad under contract.

The Jets said Wednesday that alcohol would not be sold Sunday night when they host the Cincinnati Bengals in what will probably be the last game at Giants Stadium. ”The organization approaches the decision of whether to serve alcohol on a game-by-game basis, with input from the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority,” Bruce Speight, a team spokesman, said in a statement. ”With the late start of Sunday’s game, coupled with this being the final regular season and final game at the stadium,…

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Rex Ryan sees a lot of his own team in the Cincinnati Bengals.

ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — Jim Zorn’s departure as Washington Redskins coach has such a feeling of inevitability that even one of his assistants speaks of it as a foregone conclusion.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Three days before ending their season, the struggling Buffalo Bills promoted Russ Brandon to chief executive and appointed national scout Buddy Nix as general manager on Thursday.

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) — The lasting image of Minnesota’s most recent loss was a stunned Adrian Peterson, his helmet shed to reveal steam coming off his mostly covered face on a cold Chicago night.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The NFL fined Tennessee defensive coordinator Chuck Cecil $20,000 on Thursday for verbal abuse of a game official for his sideline comments in the Titans’ 42-17 loss to San Diego on Christmas night.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Since being voted to his first Pro Bowl on Tuesday, DeAngelo Williams had been as elusive with the media as would-be tacklers.