Chow, Leinart reunion possible

L.A. Times Archives

Jan. 9, 2007 12 AM PT

From the Associated Press

Norm Chow became the seventh candidate to be interviewed for the Arizona Cardinals’ coaching job, and expressed great interest in a potential reunion with quarterback Matt Leinart.

Leinart even dropped by for lunch while Chow was meeting with Cardinals ownership and front-office personnel on Monday.

“Obviously I have a real fondness for Matt,” Chow said after his interview. “We were together for all three years that I was at USC. He’s a very unique young man. I think he’s a very special young man, and in time he’s going to be a premier quarterback in the National Football League.”

Chow has spent the last two seasons as offensive coordinator of the Tennessee Titans, where he helped mold top draft pick Vince Young into a quarterback so successful he was named NFL offensive rookie of the year.

The Cardinals have one more candidate to be interviewed. Russ Grimm, Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line coach, is to be in Tempe today.

LaDainian Tomlinson, Jason Taylor and Champ Bailey capped superb seasons by unanimously making the Associated Press NFL All-Pro team.

Tomlinson, San Diego’s record-setting running back, also won the AP most valuable player and offensive player of the year awards. Miami end Taylor was the defensive player of the year.

Bailey tied for the league lead with 10 interceptions even though opponents tried to avoid throwing to the Broncos cornerback’s side of the field.

The Chargers had the most All-Pros with five: Tomlinson, tight end Antonio Gates, fullback Lorenzo Neal, defensive tackle Jamal Williams and linebacker Shawne Merriman, who made it despite serving a four-game suspension for violating the league’s steroids policy. Merriman still wound up with a league-best 17 sacks.

Saints quarterback Drew Brees edged the Colts’ Peyton Manning 25 votes to 24 for the quarterback spot.

Philadelphia Eagles Pro Bowl cornerback Lito Sheppard will sit out Saturday’s second-round playoff game against New Orleans because of a dislocated right elbow. William James, who was inactive against the Giants, will take Sheppard’s roster spot and join Rod Hood, Sheldon Brown and Joselio Hanson in the secondary.

San Diego Chargers third-string tight end Ryan Krause was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence during the weekend. Krause was arrested early Saturday and later released on bail.... The Jacksonville Jaguars hired former Arizona State coach Dirk Koetter as their offensive coordinator.... Kansas State defensive coordinator Raheem Morris returned to the NFL, rejoining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as defensive backs coach.... Long snapper Ethan Albright re-signed with the Washington Redskins.... San Francisco, Seattle, Miami, Buffalo, Kansas City and Seattle were selected as potential home teams for a regular-season game next year in Britain or Germany.

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All-Pro team

Associated Press NFL All-Pro team selected by a national panel of media members:

OFFENSE

* Quarterback: Drew Brees, New Orleans.

* Running backs: LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego; Larry Johnson, Kansas City.

* Fullback: Lorenzo Neal, San Diego.

* Tight end: Antonio Gates, San Diego.

* Wide receivers: Marvin Harrison, Indianapolis; Chad Johnson, Cincinnati.

* Tackles: Jammal Brown, New Orleans; Willie Anderson, Cincinnati.

* Guards: Shawn Andrews, Philadelphia; Alan Faneca, Pittsburgh.

* Center: Olin Kreutz, Chicago.