Giants promote McAdoo; Eagles go with Chiefs aide Pederson
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Ben McAdoo needed two seasons to fix the New York Giants offense.
His job now is to get the franchise back on track.
The Giants confirmed Thursday that the 38-year-old McAdoo was hired to replace Tom Coughlin, who stepped down a little more than a week ago after 12 seasons.
McAdoo faces a big challenge. After winning their second Super Bowl under Coughlin, the Giants have missed the playoffs the past four seasons. They have posted losing records the past three seasons, going 6-10 the past two.
McAdoo, who has been the Giants offensive coordinator the past two seasons, will be introduced at a news conference today.
“I have been preparing for this moment my entire professional life, and without the guidance and support of many people, I would not be here right now,” McAdoo said.
EAGLES: Kansas City offensive coordinator Doug Pederson has accepted Philadelphia’s offer to become its coach,
Pederson can’t be officially hired as long as the Chiefs are in the playoffs. Kansas City plays at New England on Saturday.
Pederson started nine games at quarterback for the Eagles in 1999 and began his NFL coaching career as an assistant under Andy Reid in Philadelphia in 2009. Pederson followed Reid to Kansas City in 2013.
PATRIOTS: Defensive lineman Chandler Jones apologized to his teammates and New England fans Thursday for “a pretty stupid mistake” that brought him, shirtless and disoriented, to a local police station. Police who went to his house said it smelled like burning marijuana.
According to police records released earlier Thursday, Jones showed up at the back door of the Foxborough Police station at 7:40 a.m. Sunday. When approached by officers, he dropped to his knees and locked his hands behind his head.
RAMS: The NFL has announced the St. Louis Rams’ pending move back to Los Angeles, but an Internet domain name that carries the Rams’ former and future full team name resides in South Dakota’s Black Hills.
Rapid City used car salesman Brian Busch tells the Argus Leader that he bought the losangelesrams.com domain name in 1997, two years after the team packed up and moved from Los Angeles to St. Louis.
The owner of Anytime Auto Sales and Storage grew up rooting for the Rams, but Busch had no idea the squad would ever move back to Los Angeles. He figured he might build a fan site on the domain. He never did, and the domain he’s held on to for nearly two decades has suddenly become more valuable.
MORE RAMS: Owner Stan Kroenke and others violated Missouri law by lying about their desire to keep the NFL team in St. Louis, according to a lawsuit filed by fans that seeks class-action status and unspecified damages.
VIKINGS: Minnesota kicker Blair Walsh says the messages sent to him by a group of firstgraders after he missed the field goal that would’ve won a playoff game for the Vikings were so touching that he visited the kids at school.
Walsh gave a pep talk, answered questions and roamed from room to room signing autographs Thursday at Northpoint Elementary in suburban Minneapolis.
MORE VIKINGS: Defensive end Everson Griffen has been selected as a replacement to the Pro Bowl.
He will replace injured Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt.
… Minnesota hired former Miami Dolphins coach Tony Sparano to supervise their offensive line.
TITANS: Tennessee has agreed to terms with Jon Robinson, Tampa Bay’s director of player personnel, as their general manager.
The Titans announced the deal Thursday night. They also confirmed interviewing Doug Marrone for their head coach opening.
Robinson interviewed with the Titans last week. A native of Union City, Tenn., Robinson just finished his second season running Tampa Bay’s scouting department.
DRAFT: Colorado State junior receiver Rashard Higgins is entering the NFL draft.
The explosive wideout announced his decision on Twitter late Wednesday night. He addressed his letter to “Ram Nation” and wrote there is “no place like home and y’all will forever have my heart.”