NFL News and Notes

Alabama renewed its courtship of Dolphins Coach Nick Saban, and he declined to say whether he'll remain with Miami.

"I've got a rule that I'm not talking about any of that stuff," Saban said.

The Birmingham News reported on its website that Alabama Athletic Director Mal Moore left Tuscaloosa on a plane Monday headed for a Miami-area airport. The News and other newspapers reported that Alabama was prepared to offer Saban a seven-year deal that would make him college football's highest-paid coach.

Saban suffered through his first losing season as a coach in 13 years after the Dolphins went 6-10 this season. He has a 15-17 record in two years of coaching and a 92-42-1 record as a college coach.

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Brett Favre sounded like someone on the verge of retirement, getting choked up after the Green Bay Packers' victory in Chicago on Sunday night.

But the man who would be first in line to replace the three-time most valuable player isn't convinced that's the case.

"He's an emotional guy, but there weren't really any tears … in the locker room," quarterback Aaron Rodgers said.

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Miami Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor says he'll consider retirement at age 32, despite concluding his best season with 13 1/2 sacks…. Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Dan Morgan said he had been cleared to return to football next season despite multiple concussions.

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On Sunday, the Patriots were fuming over what they considered an intentionally dirty block by Titans receiver Bobby Wade on Rodney Harrison. On Monday, the team learned it might be without its star safety for the rest of the postseason.

According to the preliminary diagnosis, Harrison suffered a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee that is expected to keep the 13-year veteran on the sideline for the Patriots' playoff opener against the New York Jets on Sunday, the Boston Herald reported on its Web site Monday night. Citing unidentified sources, the paper reported that the injury is a mid-level MCL sprain and could keep Harrison out of action for 2-4 weeks. The Super Bowl is in five weeks.

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Twenty-four hours after completing another forgettable season, the Detroit Lions will be making a coaching change on the defensive side of the ball.

Defensive coordinator Donnie Henderson, after one season with the club, will not be retained, the Detroit Free Press reported in Tuesday's editions. Henderson and Lions coach Rod Marinelli agreed to a mutal parting, according to the newspaper, due to a difference in defensive philosophy.

Neither was available for comment Monday, the Free Press said. Marinelli is scheduled to make an announcement Tuesday.

Detroit finished 3-13 following Sunday's 39-31 victory over the playoff-bound Cowboys, but lost by winning; the Lions gave up the No. 1 overall pick by scoring their most points since the 2003 opener.

The Lions allowed 398 points this season. Only the 49ers (412) and the Titans (400) surrendered more. Detroit finished fifth-worst in the NFL (345.6 yards per game).


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