NFL

Browns president Mike Holmgren has informed head coach Eric Mangini that he and his entire staff will keep their jobs in 2010. A month ago this news would have been unthinkable, but Mangini managed to save his job with a four-game winning streak in December and by impressing Holmgren during initial team meetings. This will certainly be a one-year audition as Holmgren will not stand for losing. We suspect that Holmgren may have a coach in mind to replace Mangini, but he is not available at this time.

Elsewhere around the NFL:

Jacksonville: According to Profootballtalk.com, Jack Del Rio will be “interviewing for his job” when he meets with owner Wayne Weaver next week. Del Rio will reportedly have to be “on his best behavior” while setting aside his “moody” tendencies. The only thing saving Del Rio at this point is the $15 million he’s owed for the next three seasons, thanks to Weaver picking up the coach’s option earlier in the season. Expect Del Rio to remain the head coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars for at least the 2010 season.

Arizona: Anquan Boldin (ankle, knee) is expected to be a game-time decision Sunday. “It’s getting better every day,” Boldin said of his ankle Thursday. “I’m still optimistic. As long as it keeps improving, I should be all right.” Boldin has yet to practice this week, but Ken Whisenhunt cited his history of playing through injuries in refusing to rule him out. Considering that this is a playoff game and Boldin’s pain threshold, expect the off-injured WR to play.

St. Louis: Marc Bulger is considering retiring, sources tell the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
This explains his oft-disinterested play over the last three seasons. Bulger’s Rams career was already over due to performance that didn’t measure up to an $8.5M salary in 2010, but he’s only 32 and would’ve drawn plenty of interest on a paper-thin free agent market, if not brought back the St. Louis Rams a seventh-round pick via trade.

Cleveland: The agent for Josh Cribbs told NFL.com late Wednesday that his client will formally request a trade from the Cleveland Browns. The Browns, under Mike Holmgren even, are offering Cribbs a raise to just $1.4M a year. Another of Cribbs’ player reps hinted at a trade demand earlier today. Agent J.R. Rickert confirmed it. “We’re going to formally put in a request for a trade,” Rickert said. “(Cribbs) will not set foot in that facility again. If they had offered even something like $2.5 million per season we could have worked with them, but to me this offer is indefensible.”

2010 NFL Draft: Ole Miss QB Jevan Snead has reportedly decided to forego his senior season and enter the NFL draft. Originally though to be a potential first round pick, Snead has never completed even 57 percent of his passes in a season.

2010 NFL Draft: Iowa OT Bryan Bulaga will forgo his senior year with the Hawkeyes and enter the 2010 NFL Draft. Highly athletic at 6’6/315, Bulaga’s profile is similar to that of Joe Thomas. Bulaga will be an idea tackle in the zone-blocking scheme-are you listening Oakland and Washington?