Bears unload Angelo, Martz
Bears general manager Jerry Angelo was fired Tuesday.
Also out is offensive coordinator Mike Martz, who resigned after a meeting with coach Lovie Smith at the team’s headquarters in Lake Forest, Ill.
Angelo’s ouster wasn’t expected, but the team’s injury issues exposed a lack of depth that was traced to the Bears’ top decisionmaker.
Angelo was hired in 2001 and his contract wasn’t due to expire until 2013, but he did shrug off reports last month that he was considering retiring.
George Mccaskey, in his first year as the Bears’ chairman, made the decision.
“Philosophical differences” reportedly were behind the split between Martz and Smith. Martz had turned down an offer of a one-year extension after last season.
Quarterbacks coach Shane Day also will not return.
Chargers President Dean Spanos said coach Norv Turner and general manager A.J. Smith will return next season, ending speculation that the duo would be fired after the team missed the playoffs for a second consecutive season. The Chargers won four of their last five games to finish 8-8. … Owner Jeffrey Lurie said the Eagles’ 8-8 season was the most disappointing in his tenure with the team, but the fallout won’t claim coach Andy Reid. Lurie said he wants Reid back even though the Eagles fell far short of their Super Bowl expectations.
The Dolphins interviewed Jeff Fisher in Miami as they continue their search for a new coach. Fisher spent 17 years as the coach of the Titans but resigned in February and did not coach in 2011. Todd Bowles, the interim coach who went 2-1 after replacing Tony Sparano in December, and Bears special teams coach Dave Toub have been interviewed. Jets defensive coordinator Mike Pettine also is a candidate. … The Tennesseean newspaper reported the Buccaneers plan to interview Titans defensive coordinator Jerry Gray as they look for a new coach.
The Vikings promoted Rick Spielman to general manager. Spielman had been the Vikings’ vice president of player personnel since 2006. Spielman will have the final say on all roster-related decisions, in addition to running the scouting departments and the draft. … Steelers coach Mike Tomlin won’t allow safety Ryan Clark to play Sunday in Denver because the danger to Clark’s health is too risky. Clark has the sickle cell trait, and his body was attacked from the high exertion in high altitude in Denver in 2007 and he lost his spleen and gall bladder from the stress. Ryan Mundy will start for Clark at free safety. … The Ravens cut backup kicker Shayne Graham and replaced him on the roster with offensive lineman Justin Boren. Regular kicker Billy Cundiff returned from a left calf injury Sunday against the Bengals. … The Saints placed rookie running back Mark Ingram and linebacker Will Harring on injured reserve, ending their seasons. Ingram missed the last four games because of a sprained toe on his left foot. Herring has a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee.