They were best friends as much as employee and boss. Nothing told that story better than the tears in the eyes of Pat Bowlen and Mike Shanahan as they talked about their sad farewell. "This is as tough as it gets," Bowlen said Wednesday, his eyes moist, as he explained his day-old decision to fire the coach who finally brought the Super Bowl trophy to Denver.

Pennington named Comeback Player again (AP)
Yahoo! Sports - NFL News [2008-12-31 12:35:31]

Chad Pennington has mastered NFL quarterbacking. And personal comebacks. For the second time in three years, Pennington is The Associated Press 2008 NFL Comeback Player of the Year. The Miami Dolphins star is the first player in the 11 seasons of the award to win it twice. "This time last year, I'm getting ready to watch the ball drop in Times Square.

With Cowher out, Jets look elsewhere (AP)
Yahoo! Sports - NFL News [2008-12-31 14:25:58]

The New York Jets have received permission to speak with Baltimore defensive coordinator Rex Ryan for their vacant coaching job, a person familiar with the search told The Associated Press on Wednesday. With Bill Cowher withdrawing his name from consideration Tuesday night, the Jets are setting their sights elsewhere, with an ever-growing list of candidates that could include fired Denver coach...

Lions interested in Vikings' Frazier (AP)
Yahoo! Sports - NFL News [2008-12-31 13:12:09]
The Detroit Lions are interested in speaking to Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier for their vacant coaching job. Vikings coach Brad Childress confirmed the contact Wednesday by the Lions, who fired coach Rod Marinelli after an NFL-worst 0-16 finish. Childress said no date had been set for an interview with Frazier, who was passed over by Atlanta and Miami last year after...

LB Mayo wins AP Defensive Rookie of Year (AP)
Yahoo! Sports - NFL News [2008-12-31 15:18:05]
Jerod Mayo wasted no time showing he could be an NFL star. Now he's biding his time until he becomes the leader of the Patriots' defense. In between, there's more he wants to accomplish: defensive player of the year and, more importantly, a Super Bowl championship. But he certainly appreciates winning The Associated Press 2008 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award.

Cowboys fire special teams coach Read (AP)
Yahoo! Sports - NFL News [2008-12-31 14:19:34]
The Dallas Cowboys have fired special teams coach Bruce Read, making him the first assistant ousted in the wake of a disappointing 9-7 season. Read's special teams unit made costly gaffes, including a blocked punt in overtime at Arizona that ended in a game-winning Cardinals touchdown. Breakdowns in kick coverage also beset Dallas, and Adam "Pacman" Jones fizzled as a return man.

Niners' Singletary fires 2 more coaches (AP)
Yahoo! Sports - NFL News [2008-12-31 14:58:34]
Mike Singletary has made two more adjustments to his new coaching staff, firing quarterbacks coach Ted Tollner and running backs coach Tony Nathan. On Tuesday, Singletary fired offensive coordinator Mike Martz after one season with the 49ers. Nathan also was in his first year with the team, while Tollner had two stints with the club during the past decade.

Eagles vs. Vikings features 2 star RBs (AP)
Yahoo! Sports - NFL News [2008-12-31 14:12:28]
Brian Westbrook could only smile and shrug when asked if he expected the Philadelphia Eagles to use him more as a blocker this week. Adrian Peterson doesn't hear those questions. He's the main reason the Minnesota Vikings got this far. The biggest difference between Westbrook and Peterson is this: Westbrook goes into every game wondering how many carries he'll get, while Peterson knows he's carrying...

Vikes, Cards get extensions to sell tix (AP)
Yahoo! Sports - NFL News [2008-12-31 14:05:25]
The NFL has given the Minnesota Vikings and the Arizona Cardinals extensions to sell more tickets and avoid local TV blackouts of their playoff games this weekend. Arizona hosts the Atlanta Falcons on Saturday, and the Philadelphia Eagles play at Minnesota on Sunday. The Cardinals have until 4:30 p.m.

Report: Favre has torn biceps tendon (AP)
Yahoo! Sports - NFL News [2008-12-30 15:22:08]
Jets quarterback Brett Favre reportedly has a torn biceps tendon in his right arm that will not need major surgery to repair, ESPN said Tuesday. The 39-year-old Favre routinely underthrew receivers and appeared to lose some velocity on his throws late in the season as the Jets went 1-4 down the stretch and failed to make the playoffs.