Holmgren steps down as GM, still will coach

Kirkland, Wash. — Mike Holmgren stepped down Tuesday as general manager of the Seattle Seahawks but will remain the coach, a move that Holmgren and team officials hope will deliver a Super Bowl title someday.

“We wanted to free up Mike to do more coaching. There’s only so many hours in the day,” team president Bob Whitsitt said. “Clearly, we need Mike on the field as much as possible.”

Whitsitt said he didn’t have a candidate to succeed Holmgren as general manager. However, there has been speculation that he’s interested in Randy Mueller, former GM of the New Orleans Saints, or giving the job to Ted Thompson, currently Seattle’s vice president of football operations.

In other changes, the Seahawks fired defensive coordinator Steve Sidwell, line coach Larry Brooks, linebackers coach Johnny Holland, secondary coach Ken Flajole and offensive assistant and quality control coach Jerry Colquitt.

Parcells won’t be named coach before Thursday

Irving, Texas — Jerry Jones knows all about Bill Parcells’ history of walking away from deals. So the Dallas Cowboys’ owner wants to announce an agreement as soon as he can.

As of Tuesday, he was still waiting. And he probably will be until at least Thursday, despite reports that Parcells already has agreed to a four-year contract to coach the team.

Newsday reported on its Web site Tuesday night that the Cowboys would formally introduce Parcells as their coach on Thursday.

Maybe nothing more than logistics and the New Year’s holiday are in the way. Still, Parcells’ track record raises some doubt about whether the coach known for turning around woeful teams will try doing so with the Cowboys.

Parcells jilted Tampa Bay twice and Atlanta once. Last year, he got so close with the Buccaneers that he signed a contract, and now Tampa Bay wants compensation from any team that hires him. The Bucs will present their case to the commissioner’s office Thursday.

Newsday cited two sources familiar with the situation as saying the Bucs would not receive any compensation because the deal Parcells signed was not forwarded to the league office and therefore never approved by commissioner Paul Tagliabue.

The Cowboys’ job opened Monday when Dave Campo was fired after three straight 5-11 seasons.

Bills player sued

Old Bridge, N.J. — Charlie Rogers of the Buffalo Bills is being sued by a police officer who contends he was injured while trying to break up a fight outside an after-hours club in July.

Giants sign snapper

East Rutherford, N.J. — The New York Giants signed veteran long-snapper Trey Junkin on Tuesday and placed long-snapper Dan O’Leary on injured reserve with a torn thumb ligament. The signing of the 19-year veteran comes five days before the Giants travel to San Francisco to play the 49ers in an NFC wildcard game.

Bengals looking outside

Cincinnati — For the first time during their 12-year run as the NFL’s worst team, the Cincinnati Bengals are looking outside the organization for head coach candidates. The Bengals have received permission to talk to Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey, and reportedly also have approval to interview Washington Redskins defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis. St. Louis Rams defensive coordinator Lovie Smith also could be on the list of candidates.

Lions keep coach

Allen Park, Mich. — President Matt Millen and coach Marty Mornhinweg got another chance to turn around the Detroit Lions, keeping their jobs Tuesday despite a 5-27 record over two seasons.