Jordan Palmer to join Carson on Bengals
Jordan Palmer was packed for Phoenix, ready to take his career to the Arena Football League, when he got a most unusual offer.
The Cincinnati Bengals wanted to know if he would like to try to earn a spot as his brother's backup. They didn't have to wait long for an answer.
He signed a two-year deal Wednesday that will give him a chance to play behind his brother, quarterback Carson Palmer.
There have been dozens of brother tandems on NFL teams. Akin and Remi Ayodele in Dallas, Chris and Nic Clemons in Washington, Jake Reed and Dale Carter in New Orleans, Andre and Kevin Dyson in Tennessee are recent examples.
Having two brothers at quarterback is rare. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, no brothers have played quarterback for the same team during the Super Bowl era. Koy Detmer was on injured reserve for Philadelphia while his brother, Ty, played for the Eagles in 1997.
Jordan Palmer, who is five years younger than Carson, set school records at Texas-El Paso by throwing for 11,084 yards and 88 touchdowns. Washington drafted him in the sixth round last year, and he played in one preseason game before being waived Sept. 1.
Carey to referee Sunday: Mike Carey will head the officiating crew for Sunday's Super Bowl between the New York Giants and New England Patriots on Sunday, the first black referee at a Super Bowl. The NFL confirmed Wednesday an Associated Press report two weeks ago that 18-year veteran Carey will head the crew, which also includes two other black officials, line judge Carl Johnson and field judge Boris Cheek.
The rest of the crew: umpire Tony Michalek; head linesman Gary Slaughter; side judge Larry Rose and back judge Scott Helverson. Ken Baker will be the replay assistant.
McGahee in Pro Bowl: San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson withdrew from the Pro Bowl on Wednesday, paving the way for Baltimore Ravens running back Willis McGahee to receive his first appearance in the game.
McGahee, a second alternate, earned a trip to Hawaii because Tomlinson has a sprained knee. McGahee missed Baltimore's regular-season finale with broken ribs but has sufficiently recovered and is eager to be part of the AFC squad.
Rams hire Saunders: The St. Louis Rams hired Al Saunders as offensive coordinator on Wednesday, another step in a coaching staff overhaul following a 3-win season.
Saunders, who received a three-year contract, was fired by the Washington Redskins on Saturday after two seasons in the same position. He'll begin his second stint with the Rams after serving as an assistant under Dick Vermeil in 1999 and 2000, helping the Rams win their first Super Bowl after the '99 season.
Saunders replaces Greg Olson, who has been hired by the Bucs as quarterbacks coach after two seasons in St. Louis.