NFL NOTEBOOK
The Eagles are sort of going back to their glory days. Doug Pederson, who helped groom Donovan McNabb for the starting quarterback job and a successful playoff run, w- as hired Monday to be Phila delphia’s coach. Pederson was Kansas City’s offensive co- ordinator under Andy Reid for the past three seasons. “Doug is a strategic thinker, a c- ompelling leader and com municator, and someone who truly knows how to get the best out of his players,” Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie said. “All of these factors were what initially attracted us to Doug and we believe that he is the right man to help us achieve our ultimate goal.” Pederson accepted the offer to become Philadelphia’s coach last week. The team had to wait for the Chiefs to be eliminated from the playoffs before making it official. Pederson started nine games at quarterback for the Eagles in 1999 when Reid was a firstyear coach and McNabb was a rookie. He prepared McNabb to take over later in the season and the Eagles started a string of playoff appearances.
The Rams have begun taking deposits for season tickets to their first season back in Los Angeles. The team reported heavy traffic Monday on a website set up to take $ 100 refundable deposits for the chance to buy tickets when they become available. The Rams say their first deposit came from Lakers great and Dodgers co- owner Magic
Johnson. The Rams will play next season downtown at the Coliseum. Season ticket hold ers at the Coliseum will have priority for season tickets at t- he new stadium under con struction in Inglewood, slated to open in 2019.
Chiefs linebacker Tamba Hali said after Saturday’s game he will spend some time contemplating his future and may retire. He dealt with swelling in his knees much of the season, and rarely practised. After more than a decade as one of the game’s top pass rushers, he could ultimately decide to call it quits. But if he does come back, it would likely be with Kansas City. Hali values the organization that drafted him so much that he willingly r-estructured his deal to re main with it this season. “I’m proud of the fact that we call ourselves family,” he said. “I’m proud of the family. We rally and it’s unfortunate to end this way, but it’s a season that you can remember.”