Schottenheimer Fired; Arrington Cut

The San Diego Chargers fired Marty Schottenheimer as their coach last night, only weeks after losing in the second round of the AFC playoffs but then announcing that they would retain Schottenheimer.

Club president Dean Spanos announced the decision and cited the ongoing feud between Schottenheimer and General Manager A.J. Smith, as well as the recent defections from Schottenheimer's coaching staff.

"The process of dealing with these coaching changes convinced me that we simply could not move forward with such dysfunction between our head coach and general manager," Spanos said in a written statement released by the team. "In short, this entire process over the last month convinced me beyond any doubt that I had to act to change this untenable situation."

The Chargers lost both their coordinators to head coaching jobs, with offensive coordinator Cam Cameron being hired by the Miami Dolphins and defensive boss Wade Phillips by the Dallas Cowboys. Tight ends coach Rob Chudzinski left to become the offensive coordinator of the Cleveland Browns and linebackers coach Greg Manusky was hired as the defensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers.

Schottenheimer and Smith barely were on speaking terms at times. The Chargers had a league-best record of 14-2 during the regular season but lost an AFC semifinal at home to the New England Patriots, dropping Schottenheimer's career postseason record to 5-13.

The Chargers announced soon thereafter that they were retaining Schottenheimer but he had rejected an offer for a one-year, $4.5 million contract extension through the 2008 season with a $1 million buyout if he was fired.

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The New York Giants released linebacker LaVar Arrington and two other starters in the first major shakeup under new general manager Jerry Reese.

New York also cut linebacker Carlos Emmons and offensive tackle Luke Petitgout, both of whom were slowed by injuries over the last two seasons.

The release of Arrington ended a brief and unsatisfying tenure with the Giants for the former Pro Bowler, who was signed last year for $49 million over seven years but suffered an Achilles' injury against Dallas on Oct. 23 and played in only six games.

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Recently retired Tiki Barber will work for NBC next year after spending most of the 2006 NFL season entertaining bids from various networks for jobs in both news and sports.

Barber will work both on the "Today" show and on the network's Sunday night football show. It is unlikely he would be in the broadcast booth with the longtime team of Al Michaels and John Madden.


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