Colts moving on from Pagano after 4-12 season
The Indianapolis Colts fired coach Chuck Pagano on Sunday, less than two hours after they ended a 4-12 season with a 22-13 victory over Houston.
Team owner Jimmy Irsay made the announcement in a statement, wishing Pagano and his wife well in the future.
The move comes after Indy missed the playoffs for the third straight year, the team’s longest postseason drought since a seven-season absence from 1988-94.
The Colts wound up with their first losing season since 2011, their second since 2002, and the first in Pagano’s six seasons.
Gates ready for more
Antonio Gates wants to play in the NFL next season, and the record-setting tight end intends to talk to the Los Angeles Chargers about staying with the team.
Gates expressed optimism about his football future shortly after the Chargers’ resurgent season ended with a 30-10 rout of the Raiders.
“I have a little saying that I say to my kids: I’ve still got the juice,” Gates said with a grin.
Texans GM taking leave
Houston Texans general manager Rick Smith says he will take an immediate extended leave of absence to help his wife battle breast cancer.
Smith made the announcement in a statement less than an hour after the Texans finished their season with a 22-13 loss Sunday at Indianapolis.
Houston (4-12) lost its final six games of the season and nine of its last 10, prompting speculation there may be a shake-up in the front office, on the coaching staff or both.
Lewis wants to stay
Marvin Lewis had just snagged a victory well worth celebrating, yet the focus of his postgame session had very little to do with X’s and O’s. What everyone really wanted to know after Cincinnati’s 3127 win over Baltimore on Sunday was: Would this be the last game for Lewis as coach of the Bengals?
“I want to coach this team,” Lewis said.
Though it has been rumored that Lewis is ready to walk away from the job after 15 seasons and 125 wins, he insisted that’s not necessarily the case.
Lewis is scheduled to meet with owner Mike Brown, perhaps as soon as Monday, to discuss his future in Cincinnati.
Short yardage
• Miami Dolphins receiver Jarvis Landry and two teammates have been ejected following a fourthquarter fight with the Buffalo Bills.
Also disqualified were running back Kenyan Drake and offensive lineman Jake Brendel. Landry was cited for disrespecting an official, and Drake for throwing his helmet 20 yards in anger. Unsportsmanlike conduct penalties were called against both teams.
• James Harrison, signed by New England last Tuesday after being cut by Pittsburgh, had two sacks on consecutive plays to end Sunday’s game vs. the Jets and finished with five total tackles and a forced fumble.