Vikings' Childress signs extension
The Minnesota Vikings have signed coach Brad Childress to a contract extension.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed. But ESPN.com reported Thursday the extension would keep Childress in Minnesota through the 2013 season.
Childress was hired in 2006 by owner Zygi Wilf and is in the fourth year of a five-year, $10 million deal. The Vikings have improved each year under his watch. They went 6-10 in 2006, 8-8 in 2007 and 10-6 with an NFC North title last season. With Brett Favre at the helm, the Vikings are 8-1 and battling with the undefeated Saints for the top seed in the NFC.
Wilf says Childress has instilled a positive environment and created a strong foundation for future success.
Broncos' Simms likely to start: Chris Simms' comeback is nearly complete. The backup quarterback for the Denver Broncos took the snaps with the starters again Thursday, making it increasingly likely he'll start against San Diego on Sunday in place of Kyle Orton, who hasn't practiced since spraining his left ankle last week at Washington. Simms hasn't started a game since Sept. 24, 2006, when he played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and was battered so badly by the Carolina Panthers that he needed emergency surgery to remove his spleen.
Bills owner to make changes: Firing coach Dick Jauron was merely the start of a major overhaul Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson is prepared to conduct this off-season in order to make his team a contender again. Outlining his plans in a telephone interview with The Associated Press on Thursday, Wilson said he's open to going after a high-profile coach, is willing to hire a general manager with a football background, and warned that no position on his team is safe.
"I tell you, we have a lot of work to do," Wilson said from his home in suburban Detroit. "We've got to revamp and take a look at the whole operation and that's what we're going to do."
Dungy to lead advisory forum: Tony Dungy is taking a lead role in improving communication between the NFL and its players. Dungy will lead a new NFL player advisory forum that will meet with players about league policies, programs and issues that affect their lives on and off the field. Those subjects will include player health and safety, personal conduct, game rules and procedures, career transition and player development. Dungy, who retired as coach of the Indianapolis Colts after last season, is a special adviser to Commissioner Roger Goodell.
Extra points: Quarterback Brian Brohm rejected an offer to stay in Green Bay in order to pursue a fresh start in Buffalo with a team that's suddenly losing confidence in Trent Edwards. The Bills plucked Brohm off the Packers' practice squad, signing the 2008 second-round draft pick to a two-year contract. In agreeing to play for the Bills, Brohm said he turned down a last-minute bid by the Packers to keep him. ...
Atlanta running back Jerious Norwood (hip flexor) practiced for first time in nearly five weeks on Thursday, giving the Falcons hope he could play against the Giants if they are without injured starter Michael Turner. ... St. Louis Rams defensive end C.J. Ah You has been lost for the season with a knee injury. Coach Steve Spagnuolo said that Ah You will be placed on injured reserve. ...
Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis will miss his second straight game as he recovers from a concussion. Coach Jim Zorn ruled Portis out for Sunday's game at Dallas.