Falcons defensive coaches get axed
After squandering a 25-point lead in the Super Bowl, the Atlanta Falcons are shaking up their defensive staff.
The team said yesterday that coach Dan Quinn has dismissed coordinator Richard Smith and defensive line coach Bryan Cox, though there’s a chance Smith could stay with the Falcons in an advisory role.
The changes mean the NFC champions will have two new coordinators next season. Kyle Shanahan left to become head coach of the San Francisco 49ers and was replaced as offensive coordinator by Steve Sarkisian.
Also, the Falcons promoted Keith Carter to running backs coach with Bobby Turner reportedly leaving to join Shanahan’s staff. In addition, they will need a new quarterbacks coach, as Matt LaFleur was named yesterday the offensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Rams. . . .
The New York Jets signed free agent offensive tackle Jeff Adams, who spent the last three seasons with Houston.
The Texans claimed Adams off waivers in 2014, and he was the starter at left guard for the first two games in 2015 before injuring his right knee and missing the rest of the season. Adams spent most of last season on Houston’s practice squad. . . .
The Green Bay Packers released cornerback Sam Shields, who was never cleared from the concussion protocol after getting hurt in the season opener.
A seven-year veteran, Shields joined the Packers as an undrafted free agent out of Miami in 2010 and entered the 2016 season as Green Bay’s top cornerback. Shields was three years into a four-year, $39 million deal signed in 2014. . . .
The Eagles released cornerback Leodis McKelvin, saving $3.2 million in salary cap space. He started 12 games and had two interceptions, including one returned 29 yards for a touchdown. . . .
The Charlotte Panthers re-signed backup linebacker and versatile special teams player Ben Jacobs to a two-year contract. Jacobs, 28, would have been a restricted free agent had he not re-signed.
Baseball: Royals sign Hammel
The Kansas City Royals announced yesterday their $16 million, two-year contract with Jason Hammel, a move designed to shore up the starting rotation after the death of Yordano Ventura in a car accident last month.
He slots into a starting rotation that includes left-handers Danny Duffy and Jason Vargas and right-hander Ian Kennedy, with the fifth spot up for grabs. . . .
Reds starter Homer Bailey had arthroscopic surgery to remove bone spurs from his pitching elbow and is expected to be on the disabled list at the start of the season. He will resume throwing in 4-6 weeks. . . .
Athletics right-hander Daniel Mengden had right foot surgery in Houston after breaking a bone during a bullpen session at home Jan. 31. He is expected to wear a walking boot for six weeks and a return date is not known. . . .
Infielder Gordon Beckham agreed to a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants and will attend big league spring training. The 30-year-old hit .212 with five homers, 16 doubles and 31 RBI in 88 games last year for Atlanta and San Francisco. . . .
Veteran outfielder Drew Stubbs agreed to a minor league deal with the Minnesota Twins, and the outfielder will report to big league spring training.
Colleges: Big 12 punishment
The Big 12 said it will withhold millions of dollars in conference revenue from Baylor until an outside review determines the university and athletic department are complying with Title IX guidelines and other regulations in the wake of a sexual assault scandal that has rocked the school.
The Big 12 paid out $30.4 million to each conference member last year. Baylor is not being fined; the money is being placed in escrow pending third-party verification of reforms at Baylor.
The Big 12 said its board of directors voted unanimously to withhold the money. Baylor did not take part in the vote. . . .
Southern California kicker Matt Boermeester was suspended from the football team while the university investigates an undisclosed conduct issue.
Misc.: New NASCAR rules
NASCAR will not permit damaged race cars to return to the track this season unless the repairs can be made on pit road within a tight window, part of a series of a rule updates for the 2017 season.
Beginning later this month at Daytona, if a car receives enough damage during an on-track incident that it must go to the garage for repairs, the team will not be allowed to repair it in an effort to get back on track. Damaged vehicles can be repaired on pit road during a five-minute cumulative time limit. . . .
Erik Guay led the veteran Canadians over the favored Norwegians in the superG and became the oldest gold medalist at the world ski championships in St. Moritz, Switzerland.
The 35-year-old Guay beat Olympic super-G champion Kjetil Jansrud by 0.45 seconds for his first victory in almost three years.