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A year ago, Ted Cottrell was a finalist for the San Francisco 49ers' coaching job. Now he is out as defensive coordinator of the New York Jets.
After ranking 21st overall in defense, the Jets on Monday fired Cottrell and three other members of the defensive staff - line coach Rubin Carter, secondary coach Bill Bradley and assistant David Merritt. Linebackers coach Bob Sutton was retained.
The Jets made the playoffs in Herman Edwards' first two years as coach, but struggled through a 6-10 season in 2003. The preseason injury to quarterback Chad Pennington and a faltering defense were primarily responsible for New York's worst season since 1996.
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Edwards reacted by shaking up his defensive staff. The Jets were especially
poor against the run, ranking 28th overall at 143.4 yards per game. In 2002,
the Jets ranked 18th against the run.
"I just feel that at this point in time it is better for us to go in a different direction," Edwards said.
The slow development of rookie defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson, the fourth overall pick in last April's draft, was probably the biggest factor in the dismissal of Carter.
The Jets also tied a franchise
low with 11 interceptions, spelling the end for Bradley.
Statement from Steve Spurrier, who resigned as coach of the Washington Redskins on Tuesday:
``I am announcing my resignation as head coach of the Washington Redskins effective today, December 30, 2003.
``I thank Dan Snyder for the opportunity to coach this team for the past two years and I apologize to Redskins fans that we did not achieve a level of success that we had all hoped.
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``This is a very demanding job. It's a long grind and I feel that after 20 years
as a head coach, there are other things that I need to do. I appreciate all
the support, especially from former Redskins players in the area and again,
I wish we would have come closer to the success those players enjoyed under
Coach Joe Gibbs.
``There are many outstanding players on the Redskins team and I wish them all the best. I'll always be pulling for the Redskins. I simply believe that this is the right time for me to move on, because this team needs new leadership. Hiring a new head coach will allow him to hire a new coaching staff and hopefully point the Redskins in the right direction.
``I've enjoyed my time in
Washington. Obviously, all of the losing can wear you down, but I believe that
the franchise is headed in the right direction. Again, I'll always be pulling
for the Washington Redskins.