Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Dolphins offer job to LSU’s Saban


LSU football coach Nick Saban talks with Marcus Spears during practice in Baton Rouge, in preparation for the Capital One Bowl.
 (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press

The Miami Dolphins offered their coaching job Wednesday to LSU’s Nick Saban, the favorite for the position since Dave Wannstedt resigned last month.

Louisiana State athletic director Skip Bertman said Saban told him of the offer late in the afternoon, but did not divulge details of the deal or indicate if he planned to accept.

“They made him an offer. I don’t know what it is,” Bertman said. “I didn’t even ask him. Now he has a decision to make, and it’s a tough decision. … My feeling is it’s 50-50.”

Saban has been courted as a potential NFL coach for nearly a decade. He was approached previously by at least five teams, including a year ago by Atlanta and Chicago, but turned down every offer.

Owens undergoes surgery

Terrell Owens likely has had his last flamboyant end-zone celebration of the season.

The doctor who performed surgery on Owens’ injured ankle refused to rule out the Eagles star wide receiver’s return for the Super Bowl, but it remains a long shot – if Philadelphia makes it that far.

“While it is not unreasonable to hope that he returns to play in six weeks, it is not something we would expect,” Dr. Mark Myerson said.

Bills’ running backs ailing

Starter Willis McGahee and backup Travis Henry missed practice, leaving Buffalo’s battered offensive backfield uncertain for Sunday’s game at San Francisco.

Coach Mike Mularkey listed both running backs as questionable, saying they’ll be evaluated on a daily basis.

McGahee bruised and hyperextended his right knee in Buffalo’s 33-17 win at Cincinnati on Sunday. He was walking around the Bills’ training facility without a limp, but did not make himself available to reporters.

In a telephone conference call with San Francisco-area reporters later in the day, McGahee said he was “pretty sure,” when asked of his chances of playing against the 49ers. “I just know that I’ve got to contribute,” he said.

Henry has missed four games with torn ligaments in his right ankle, and ruled himself out, adding he might not be ready to return unless the Bills make the playoffs.

Around the league

New York Jets Pro Bowl defensive end John Abraham jogged for the first time since spraining his right knee earlier this month, but probably won’t play again in the regular season. Abraham hurt his lateral collateral ligament against Houston on Dec. 5. … Defensive end Andre Carter will miss the rest of the season after the San Francisco 49ers placed him on injured reserve with a new back problem. Linebacker Jamie Winborn also is expected to miss the final two games with a broken shoulder blade, but wasn’t immediately placed on IR. … The New England Patriots re-signed running back Rabih Abdullah and wide receiver Kevin Kasper and waived linebacker Justin Kurpeikis and defensive back Omare Lowe. … Quarterback Carson Palmer didn’t practice with the Cincinnati Bengals and was listed as questionable to play against the New York Giants. Palmer sprained his left knee when he was tackled in a game against New England on Dec. 12. He sat out a 33-17 loss to Buffalo last Sunday. Bengals running back Chris Perry will miss the final two games because of a hernia. … Star linebacker Brian Urlacher saw his season end when he was placed on injured reserve by the Chicago Bears. Urlacher pulled his left hamstring Dec. 12 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, forcing him to leave the game early and to miss Sunday’s 24-5 loss to the Texans. Prior to this season, Urlacher had never missed an NFL game.