The move came less than a week after the Bears completed a disappointing 8-8 season. They parted with Martz, who had an expiring contract, on the same day general manager Jerry Angelo was fired.
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
OAKLAND, Calif. — The Oakland Raiders have landed their new personnel man, who faces the daunting task of helping fill the void left by late owner Al Davis.
The Raiders said Friday they have reached an agreement with Green Bay Packers director of football operations Reggie McKenzie to become their new general manager. They scheduled a news conference for Tuesday to introduce McKenzie, who will fulfill many of the duties handled by iconic owner Davis until his Oct. 8 death at age 82.
One of McKenzie’s first orders of business likely will be sitting down with coach Hue Jackson, who handled many personnel decisions in recent months. Jackson, who just completed his first season as head coach after being elevated from offensive coordinator, pulled off the highly debated October trade for quarterback Carson Palmer after starter Jason Campbell broke his collarbone.
BRONCOS S BRIAN DAWKINS RULED OUT FOR PLAYOFF GAME
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Brian Dawkins’ biggest contribution Sunday in the AFC wild card playoffs will be with his talking and not his tackling.
Hampered by a neck injury, the Denver Broncos’ emotional leader hasn’t practiced in weeks and was ruled out Friday for the first-round game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Still, Dawkins will be heard, even if it’s screaming from the sideline instead of barking out the calls.
STEELERS’ ROETHLISBERGER OK, POUNCEY QUESTIONABLE
PITTSBURGH — A sprained left ankle won’t keep Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger out of Sunday’s AFC wild card game in Denver, but one could sideline starting center Maurkice Pouncey.
Pouncey was listed as questionable on the Steelers’ injury report and was unlikely to play after missing practice Thursday and Friday because of increased soreness in his left ankle. The Pro Bowl center played in the regular season finale against Cleveland last week after missing two games but complained of problems with the ankle following Wednesday’s practice.
BEARS PROMOTE TICE TO OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR
LAKE FOREST, Ill. — The Chicago Bears promoted offensive line coach Mike Tice to offensive coordinator Friday, replacing the departed Mike Martz.
The move came less than a week after the Bears completed a disappointing 8-8 season. They parted with Martz, who had an expiring contract, on the same day general manager Jerry Angelo was fired.