Browns' GM Phil Savage strongly backed coach Romeo Crennel on Thursday, temporarily snuffing speculation the club was on the verge of another coaching change. "Romeo has the total support of (owner) Randy Lerner and myself," Savage said during a news conference. "He has the respect of the team. We believe in him."

Losing isn't the only thing contagious on the Giants these days. Blowups are just as popular, and Michael Strahan on Wednesday joined the ranks of Jeremy Shockey and Tiki Barber in mouthing off in what is quickly becoming a season of frustration for the team. Unlike Shockey and Barber, who criticized coach Tom Coughlin and his staff following losses earlier this season, Strahan did his best to intimidate an ESPN reporter who attempted to question him about comments he made on radio Monday about Plaxico Burress quitting on plays.

Matt Leinart says he would not be surprised if Pete Carroll eventually made his way back to the NFL and it could be with the Cardinals. "I would never rule out that possibility in the future," Leinart said. "I'm not one to say next year or the year after or whatever, but he's a competitive guy and he wants to win. "What he has at SC is something special, though. He could go down as one of the greatest college coaches ever. I think he already is. We'll see what happens." The Cardinals will be interested in Carroll, should they fire Dennis Green and sources say that the job intrigues the USC coach.

WAFB, a television station in Baton Rouge, reported Thursday that fifth-ranked Louisiana State will play in the Rose Bowl on January 1. Citing information from a member of the Rose Bowl Board who spoke on the condition of anonymity, the CBS affiliate reports the Tigers will oppose either Michigan or Southern California in the game.

Terrell Owens isn't just sorry to see his pal Mike Vanderjagt go. He thinks the Cowboys made a mistake by releasing the kicker. "I don't see what he did wrong to warrant him being cut," Owens said Wednesday. "I hope it doesn't come back to haunt us. Whoever made that decision, I'm pretty sure they're hoping the same thing."

The Raiders' soap opera season took another strange turn Wednesday when coach Art Shell accused a member of the organization of trying to undermine the coaching staff and rooting against the team. Shell did not name the person, but said it was not a coach or a player. He said the person has been calling media members around the country and criticizing coaches.

Track star Justin Gatlin worked out for the Texans on Tuesday, but coach Gary Kubiak said signing him was "not something we would do right now." Gatlin, an Olympic gold medalist and co-world record holder in the 100 meters, tested positive for testosterone and other steroids in April.

Bill Cowher is not interested in coaching alma mater North Carolina State, even though the Super Bowl-winning Steelers coach has only one season left on his contract. Cowher, a former NC State linebacker, has seen his name mentioned prominently in speculation since Wolfpack coach Chuck Amato was fired last weekend.

Michael Vick has been fined $10,000 by the NFL for an obscene hand gesture toward fans following last week's loss to New Orleans. The fine was confirmed Wednesday by Reggie Roberts, the Falcons' vice president for communications.

Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck had an MRI on Tuesday on his left (non-throwing) hand that according to a KING-5 TV report showed a broken finger. The injury happened when he banged the hand against a helmet during Seattle's 34-24 victory over the Green Bay Packers on Monday night. The Seahawks couldn't confirm the injury or the MRI, but coach Mike Holmgren likely will address Hasselbeck's status today at his weekly news conference. The injury is less serious because it involves Hasselbeck's non-throwing hand, but could affect his ability to take snaps.