NFL

Chan Gailey

FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer reports that ex-Chiefs offensive coordinator Chan Gailey has emerged as the frontrunner for the Bills’ head coaching vacancy.

Barring a breakdown, the hire is reportedly expected within the next 24-48 hours. Gailey as a serious NFL head coaching target seems odd considering he was fired from his offensive coordinator post before the ’09 season and spent the year out of football. But his offense in K.C. during the 2008 stretch run was among the league’s most productive despite having current Miami Dolphins third-stringer Tyler Thigpen at quarterback and Mark Bradley at No. 2 receiver.

Gailey could provide a quick fix for Buffalo’s woeful offense, if nothing else. However, it is certainly surprising that the Bills did not wait to speak with the top coordinators still left in the playoffs.

Elsewhere around the NFL:

Denver: The Denver Broncos have announced the resignation of defensive coordinator Mike Nolan. Nolan and head coach Josh McDaniels agreed to “mutually part ways,” presumably over issues of control. Nolan was also surprisingly not pursued for any head jobs after coaching up a defense laden with mediocre talent. Nolan proved he still has a golden touch as a coordinator, transforming the NFL’s No. 29 overall defense in 2008 into the seventh-best unit with just one season on the job. Nolan’s loss is a crushing blow to Denver on paper. Nolan should be immediately pursed by several clubs seeking a defensive coordinator.

Arizona: A Monday MRI revealed that Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie chipped his left tibia and injured his MCL in the Arizona Cardinals‘ second-round playoff loss. The MCL was not torn and Rodgers-Cromartie’s ACL is intact. He’ll undergo tests this week to see if surgery is needed, but this gives the Cards some silver lining after Saturday’s blowout loss to New Orleans.

Arizona: Impending free agent Karlos Dansby says he has had no contract talks with the Cardinals “whatsoever.” Locking up Dansby was a priority for Arizona late into last summer, but talks shut down during the year. “If I have to leave, that’s the way the game goes,” he said. “I’ve seen a lot of people come, a lot of people go. That’s how this business goes.” Dansby, 28, will be one of the top UFAs regardless of position if he hits the market.

Tennessee: Kenny Britt was arrested in New Jersey on Friday evening for a traffic violation and three outstanding traffic warrants. This is hardly a big deal, but Britt might want to start paying his tickets. Officers pulled over the former Rutgers star after seeing him stopped in the middle of the road. The outstanding warrants, totaling $865, were discovered after the stop.

Baltimore: Impending free agent Derrick Mason said Monday that he is leaning toward retirement.
According to Baltimore Ravens beat writer Aaron Wilson, Mason initially told reporters Monday that he’s “done,” then backtracked by calling himself “60-40″ to retire. The 36-year-old knows the Ravens desperately want him back, so he’s slyly putting the ball back in their court.