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Chargers hire Rams DC Brandon Staley as head coach

The 37-year-old Staley's name is prominent in NFL circles this month as the league's less successful teams plot their next head coaching hire. (AP Photo/Doug Murray, File)COSTA MESA, Calif. – Brandon Staley won't have to move that far for his first head coaching opportunity. Staley agreed to become the Los Angeles Chargers' coach on Sunday night after one season as the defensive coordinator for the crosstown Rams. “It’s not just that Brandon possesses a tremendous football mind that makes him the ideal head coach to lead our team forward,” general manager Tom Telesco said in a statement. He is the third assistant under Rams coach Sean McVay to get an NFL head coaching job, joining Green Bay's Matt LaFleur and Cincinnati's Zac Taylor.

Mr. Smith goes to Washington, takes another team to playoffs

Washington Football Team's Alex Smith plays during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Philadelphia. Alex Smith is the biggest reason Washington became the first team in the Super Bowl era to start 2-7 and make the playoffs. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton, File)If the Alex Smith story becomes a movie, Alex Smith doesn't want to see it. “When Alex Smith plays quarterback, they’re a heck of a football team,” Tampa Bay coach Bruce Arians said. "They’re an extremely well-coached team, a ton of talent on that defensive front, but Alex Smith is really the key to everything.”How is that possible?

Frustrated Watt unleashes postgame tirade about effort

Houston Texans J.J. Watt sits on the bench during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, in Houston. (AP Photo/Dave Einsel)HOUSTON – Frustration boiled over for star J.J. Watt after the Houston Texans dropped their fourth straight game on Sunday. The Texans were driving after Perine’s second score when Deshaun Watson was sacked by Sam Hubbard, who forced a fumble that Margus Hunt recovered. After the game Watt, a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, was asked if this was the most difficult season of his 10-year career. Watt responded with an impassioned and expletive-laced rant that lasted almost two minutes.

Bengals beat Texans 37-31 for first road win since 2018

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) is tackled by Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Houston. That preparation paid off on Sunday when Samaje Perine scored a 3-yard touchdown late to give the Bengals their first road win in more than two years with a 37-31 victory over the Houston Texans. It’s the first road win for Taylor, who is in his second season, and the first time the Bengals (4-10-1) won away from Cincinnati since a 37-36 victory at Atlanta on Sept. 30, 2018. Perine put the Bengals up 17-10 when he ran 46 yards for a touchdown early in the third quarter. The Bengals took an early lead when Allen found Drew Sample wide open for an 8-yard touchdown on their first drive.

Longtime Bengal Dalton returns to Cincy as Cowboys starter

COLUMBUS, Ohio – A week after the Cincinnati Bengals drafted Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow with the No. 1 pick in the spring, they kicked longtime quarterback Andy Dalton to the curb. Because of an injury to Prescott, Dalton is returning to Cincinnati as the Cowboys' starting quarterback on Sunday against the woeful Bengals (2-9-1). In a twist, Cincinnati lost Burrow to a season-ending knee injury and will start an inexperienced former practice squad player against Dallas. Cincinnati lost a wild-card game every season from 2011-15, and it's been downhill from there for the frustrated organization and fan base.

Burrow, Bengals hit road vs Browns on NFL's 100th birthday

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) reacts after running for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Cincinnati. Outside, Burrow got lessons on Paul Brown, Jim Brown, Boomer Esiason, Bernie Kosar, The Ickey Shuffle and Dawg Pound. “In my eyes I played terrible through 3 1/2 quarters and then played up to my standards in the last drive and almost won the game,” Burrow said. RUN OVERThe Bengals significantly overhauled the NFL’s worst run defense of last season — 149 yards allowed per game —- and had a tough start against the Chargers, who ran for 155. Bengals coach Zac Taylor expects Bullock, who fully practiced on Tuesday, to handle kicking duties against the Browns.

Joe Cool: Burrow confident in adapting to Bengals offense

CINCINNATI Back in pads for the first time since he won a national championship at LSU, Joe Burrow got a baptism in NFL red-zone defense. The new Bengals quarterback fumbled a snap a steady rain contributed and had trouble completing passes in tight quarters. Asked if he's nervous in adapting to the NFL, Burrow responded:Absolutely not," he said. Burrow got to run the offense in short-field situations for the first time with the scheduled season opener less than a month away. It wasn't what you'd like to see on a red-zone day, but it was the first one, Burrow said.

More than half of NFL coaching staffs not at team facilities

More than half of the 32 NFL teams did not have coaching staffs at their facilities Friday even though the league has approved such returns where local governments allow them. Most of the Bengals coaching staff returned to the facility today, including head coach Zac Taylor. NFL teams have been performing all offseason duties virtually since Commissioner Roger Goodell closed club facilities in late March because of the coronavirus pandemic. The league is taking a slow approach to reopening those team buildings, with the latest step allowing coaching staffs to return. The Saints are working up protocols to allow coaches the choice of working from team offices or home depending on individual circumstances.

Patriots deny stealing Bengals' signs, say filming on sidelines was for documentary

The Cincinnati Bengals reportedly think the Patriots tried stealing signs after a Patriots production crew was caught filming the Bengals' sideline during their game Sunday against the Cleveland Browns. The Patriots, who were punished in 2007 for taping opponents, said the crew was there to film for a documentary series. As the Cleveland Browns claimed victory over the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, suspicions brewed in the press box above. A Bengals official said he saw a Patriots employee inappropriately filming the sidelines during the game, and notified the NFL. "I'm aware that there was an incident but I know the league is investigating it, so I have no comment," Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said.

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