NFL Playoffs News and Notes

Pittsburgh Steelers safeties Ryan Clark and Troy Polamalu are interchangeable, reports Scott Brown of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

New York Jets defensive end Shaun Ellis has drawn praise for his performance against the Patriots.

Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith is looking forward to a third meeting with the Packers.

The Green Bay Packers are comfortable bringing their game on the road, writes Lori Nickel of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

NFL News and Notes

New England Patriots safety Patrick Chung took full responsibility for the failed fake punt call.

The Buffalo Bills' special teams units fell to the middle of the pack in 2010, reports Allen Wilson of The Buffalo News.

Former Browns offensive coordinator Brian Daboll will be hired by the Miami Dolphins to coordinate their offense.

The 2011 Baltimore Ravens' roster could look a lot different than the one that cleaned out their lockers on Monday, writes Ken Murray of The Baltimore Sun.

Former NFL head coach Dave Wannstedt will interview for the defensive coordinator position with the Cleveland Browns.

Former Cincinnati Bengals linebacker David Pollack is pursuing a career in broadcasting.

Tony Dungy and his wife will be signing copies of their children's book in Indianapolis on Thursday.

Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert could interest the Tennessee Titans in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft.

The Jacksonville Jaguars need plenty of upgrades, writes Gene Frenette of the Florida Times-Union.

Houston Texans offensive assistant Bruce Matthews interviewed for an offensive line coaching position with the Dallas Cowboys on Monday.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel's tutor will remain with the team.

Denver Broncos head coach John Fox is close to hiring Jim L. Mora to coordinate the team's defense.

The San Diego Chargers have been bracing for the departure of tight ends coach Rob Chudzinski, writes Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Oakland Raiders offensive coordinator Hue Jackson has been promoted to head coach.

San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh will be multi-tasking in Mobile, writes Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com.

Labor issues were on the minds of the Seattle Seahawks as they cleaned out their lockers on Monday.

The Arizona Cardinals are still looking for a defensive coordinator.

St. Louis Rams safety O.J. Atogwe can void the final four years of his five-year contract, reports Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Minnesota Vikings special teams coach Brian Murphy has joined the Carolina Panthers' coaching staff.

Detroit Lions first-round defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh handles football, while his sister handles the rest, writes Tim Twentyman of The Detroit News.

New York Giants safety Antrel Rolle thinks head coach Tom Coughlin is too uptight, Paul Schwartz of the New York Post reports.

Though it hasn't yet been offered to him, family may keep Jim Mora from accepting the Philadelphia Eagles' defensive coordinator position.

Washington Redskins special teams coach Danny Smith plans to return to the team in 2011.

Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera has his offensive and defensive coordinators lined up.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan expects another playoff run in 2011.

The New Orleans Saints will not raise ticket prices for 94% of the Superdome seats next season.

Increasing their win total will be a challenge for the 2011 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, writes Ira Kaufman of The Tampa Tribune.

Today's NFL birthdays: Falcons rookie tight end Michael Palmer (23), Bears defensive end Julius Peppers (31) and rookie running back Harvey Unga (24), Jaguars wide receiver Nate Hughes (26), Dolphins fifth-round cornerback Nolan Carroll (24) and offensive tackle Nate Garner (26), Patriots rookie nose tackle Kyle Love (25), Giants guard Chris Snee (29), Jets tight end Matthew Mulligan (26), Chargers cornerback Traye Simmons (24), free agent cornerback Josh Abrams (25), defensive end Kirston Pittman (26), linebacker Tyrone Pruitt (26), defensive tackles Nate Robinson (26) and Larry Tripplett (32), linebacker Derek Smith (36), wide receiver Mario Urrutia (25), and Jermaine Wiggins (36).

Former NFL defensive tackles Shane Burton (37) and Ed Jasper (38), tight ends Dwayne Carswell (39), and linebacker Rob Morris (36).