NFL

The Bucs have informed first year head coach Raheem Morris that he will be retained in 2010. Morris’ team finished 3-13, which was good for dead last in the weak NFC South. The blame can partially be placed on a rookie QB, defensive playcalling turnover and the fact that the Bucs where young at several key positions. Bucs fans certainly have to be scratching there heads over the firing of Jon Gruden as Morris’s team ranked 28th in total offense and 27th. GM Mark Dominik will have to make much better personnel decisions this offseason for the Buccaneers to be competitive in 2010.

Elsewhere around the NFL:

New York: The Giants and Bears are reportedly competing for the services of recently fired Bills interim head coach Perry Fewell as defensive coordinator. NFL.com’s Jason LaCanfora reported that Fewell was “very likely” to lead the Bears defense, but the former Bills coordinator is reportedly scheduled to interview with the New York Giants Thursday. The Giants have been tight-lipped about their search for a new coordinator and have already been rumored to be looking for an external candidate for the position.

Pittsburg: According to Ken Laird of ESPN 1250 in Pittsburgh, Pittsburg Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians is expected to be fired “in the near future.” NFL.com’s Jason LaCanfora calls the report “premature.” Arians came under heavy criticism in Pittsburgh for bucking the traditional ground game to go with a pass-heavy offense, often with questionable playcalling. If fired, Arians would be scapegoated for the defense’s season-long troubles after he led the offense to one of the most productive seasons in franchise history.

Cincinnati: Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis reiterated that Chad Ochocinco’s knee is fine and that he’s only suffering from a bruised ego. “He’s healthy as I think he’s Twittered all over America,” said Lewis. Ochocinco is practicing with the knee bruise Tuesday, so he should be fine for his rematch with Revis Island on Saturday.

New Orleans: Saints placed LE Charles Grant on injured reserve with a torn triceps muscle, ending his season. Sean Payton said nothing of the injury in his Monday news conference, but it’s believed to have occurred in the second quarter of Week 17. The loss of Gant on defense is a big blow to the New Orleans Saints postseason march.

Houston: The Associated Press has voted Texans SLB Brian Cushing the Defensive Rookie of the Year.
He won in a landslide, getting 39 votes to Jairus Byrd’s six, Clay Matthews’ three, and Brian Orakpo’s two. Cushing recorded 134 tackles this season, which ranked fifth in the NFL.

Miami: Coach Tony Sparano wouldn’t fully commit Monday to Chad Henne as the Dolphins’ starting quarterback for 2010. “I haven’t really discussed it yet,” Sparano said. “I haven’t really looked at the whole body of work.” Sparano did admit he was “really pleased with what Chad did” in his 13 starts.