Lions, Marinelli Close

Rod Marinelli was nearing an agreement with the Detroit Lions on Wednesday night to become their head coach, a team source said.

The Lions scheduled a news conference for today but did not provide any details.

Marinelli, a graduate of Rosemead High who spent one season as defensive line coach at USC under John Robinson, spent the last 10 seasons in Tampa Bay as defensive line coach. His unit helped establish an NFL record of 69 consecutive games with at least one sack from 1999 to 2003. His title of assistant head coach was added in 2002.

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Seattle Seahawk Coach Mike Holmgren said running back Shaun Alexander would play in Sunday’s conference championship game against Carolina.

So will starting right tackle Sean Locklear, who spent the previous two days in jail on a domestic violence charge.

Alexander suffered a concussion Saturday in the first quarter of Seattle’s win over Washington. The league rushing champion later said he was unconscious initially and then “out of it” for about 20 minutes.

But Holmgren said Wednesday that this season’s league most valuable player will be ready for the Panthers.

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As expected, Dallas Cowboy assistant Sean Payton was introduced as the Saints’ head coach in New Orleans.... Pittsburgh linebacker Joey Porter won’t be fined by the NFL for criticizing officials after the Steelers beat Indianapolis. NFL coaches are subject to fines for criticizing officials, but players usually aren’t fined.... The San Diego Chargers fired offensive line coach Carl Mauck and assistant secondary coach Albert Lewis.... The New York Giants hired Peter Giunta as secondary coach. Giunta spent the last five seasons as the Chiefs’ defensive backs coach.... An assault case was dismissed against Kansas City running back Larry Johnson, who had been accused of shoving a woman in a bar.