NFL roundup: Chiefs hire Reid; Kelly near deal to coach Browns
The NFL coaching vacancies are starting to fill up.
The Kansas City Chiefs reportedly have hired former Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid, and Oregon coach Chip Kelly seems to be close to signing a deal to become the Cleveland Browns head coach.
The Chiefs reached an agreement Reid on Friday, according to multiple reports that confirmed speculation for several days that Reid would take the job.
Fox Sports reported that terms of the contract were to be reviewed by both sides before becoming final. Reid was fired earlier this week by the Eagles after 14 years in Philadelphia.
Reid also had drawn interest from San Diego and Arizona in their searches for a new coach. The Chiefs fired coach Romeo Crennel after finishing 2-14 this season.
Also on Friday morning, the Chiefs parted ways with general manager Scott Pioli.
Pioli, 47, became the Chiefs general manager in 2009 after moving over from the New England Patriots.
Kelly, whose Ducks beat Kansas State in Thursday's Fiesta Bowl, had interviews lined up with the NFL teams - the Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles. But he reportedly is close to reaching agreement on a deal to become the Browns' head coach, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported.
Kelly, 49, was considered the top choice of Browns owner Jimmy Haslam, who apparently is willing to spend a lot to land Kelly.
Kelly hasn't been hired yet, and there is always a chance the deal could fall through.
---Indianapolis Colts general manager Ryan Grigson says he wants to keep offensive coordinator Bruce Arians in the fold. But that could prove difficult.
Arians, 60, has received inquiries from NFL teams seeking to fill head-coaching vacancies. The Eagles announced on Friday that they have been granted permission to interview Arians. That interview is expected to take place next week. The Bears also have received permission to speak to Arians.
NFL.com also reported that Colts director of player personnel Tom Telesco was scheduled to interview with the Chargers on Friday.
---Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera will sit down with team owner Jerry Richardson on Saturday to discuss the future.
Richardson hasn't commented publicly on Rivera's status since October but has told Rivera that he wanted to see improvement in the team, The Charlotte Observer reported Friday.
The Panthers finished with a 7-9 record and in second place in the NFC South Division following a 44-38 victory on Sunday over New Orleans.
---Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder played perhaps the best game of his career in the Vikings' victory over Green Bay last week that got the Vikings into the playoffs. But he sustained an injury in that game that could keep him out of Saturday's wild-card playoff game against the Packers.
Ponder is listed as questionable for Saturday game with an elbow injury, and he has been limited in practice all week.
Joe Webb, who has not thrown a pass in a game this season, would be the Vikings' quarterback if Ponder can't play of if Ponder aggravates his injury during the game.
---The Cincinnati Bengals could be without starting safety Chris Crocker for their AFC wild-card playoff game Saturday against Houston.
Crocker missed practice throughout the week after the Bengals' regular-season-ending win over Baltimore last Sunday and was listed as doubtful with a quadriceps injury.
Nate Clements or Taylor Mays likely would move into the starting lineup to replace Crocker.
---Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh confirmed that linebacker Ray Lewis will return from a torn triceps injury for Sunday's AFC wild-card game against the Indianapolis Colts in Baltimore.
Lewis suffered the injury Oct. 14 and had missed 10 games in the regular season. He returned to practice on Dec. 5 in order to be eligible to be added to the roster for the postseason.
---The Washington Redskins have activated cornerback Cedric Griffin from the Reserve/Exempt list to their active roster.
Griffin was reinstated by the NFL on Monday following a four-game suspension for a violation of the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances.
---The Colts will face the Baltimore Ravens in their AFC wild-card game without left guard Joe Reitz.
Reitz will miss Sunday's matchup because of a concussion after he took a blow to the head during an extra-point attempt in last Sunday's victory over Houston.
---San Francisco 49ers receiver Michael Crabtree and running back Frank Gore were fined $10,500 each for throwing the ball into the stands after scoring touchdowns on Sunday.
Players are allowed to hand the ball to a fan in the first or second row if they can do so without causing a problem, but they cannot throw the ball into the stands.
---The New York Giants will not return to Albany, N.Y., for training camp to prepare for the 2013 season.
