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Lions’ Mariucci takes fall

Lions coach Steve Mariucci had this look on his face often during his tenure in Detroit. (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press
Lions coach Steve Mariucci had this look on his face often during his tenure in Detroit. (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)

The Detroit Lions fired coach Steve Mariucci on Monday and promoted defensive coordinator Dick Jauron to succeed him on an interim basis.

Mariucci’s record with the Lions was 15-28. His 2003 hiring was hailed by fans and media alike, but he was not able to turn around a team that has won one playoff game since 1957.

“We started off this season with high expectations. I believed this was a roster that was capable of making a playoff run,” team president Matt Millen said at an afternoon news conference. “We have not lived up to our expectations. We have underachieved as a football team.”

The Lions have lost four of five games since a solid start put them atop the NFC North with the Chicago Bears. The team has collapsed on and off the field with players failing to produce and some bickering with one another and questioning the coaches’ game plans.

McNabb has surgery

Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb had season-ending surgery for a sports hernia.

Philadelphia coach Andy Reid said McNabb will be “off his feet” for three weeks. Dr. William Meyers operated at Hahnemann Hospital.

McNabb, a five-time Pro Bowl player, was shut down after nine games and placed on injured reserve last week.

“Sean Landeta, the second-leading punter in NFL history, signed with the Eagles.

Around the league

Alex Smith will be the 49ers’ starting quarterback for the final five games of the regular season, coach Mike Nolan said. … Raiders defensive tackle Warren Sapp will undergo rotator cuff surgery on his injured right shoulder. … Cowboys linebacker Dat Nguyen is considering retirement after being placed on the season-ending injured reserve list with neck and knee injuries. Dallas signed 12-year veteran Michael Barrow to take the roster spot. … Browns long snapper Ryan Pontbriand will miss the rest of the year after injuring his back against Minnesota.