Marinelli, Mangini and Crennel Are Fired Day After Season Ends

The firings of coaches began the day after the NFL's regular season concluded.

The first to go were the Detroit Lions' Rod Marinelli, the New York Jets' Eric Mangini and the Cleveland Browns' Romeo Crennel.

The Lions fired Marinelli the day after a loss to the Green Bay Packers made them the first team to go winless in a 16-game season.

The Jets dismissed Mangini a day after losing to the Miami Dolphins and missing the playoffs in a season in which expectations were raised by several expensive free agent signings and a training camp trade for QB Brett Favre.

The Browns announced the firing of Crennel one day after their disappointing season ended with a defeat in Pittsburgh and owner Randy Lerner dismissed GM Phil Savage. Former Steelers coach Bill Cowher already has told the Browns he's not interested in their coaching job.

In Detroit, Marinelli's firing completes a housecleaning of sorts by Lions owner William Clay Ford, who ousted Matt Millen as the team's president and general manager in September. Marinelli was hired by Millen in 2006 and went 10-38 in three seasons.

"You can't go 0-16 and expect to keep your job," Marinelli said at a news conference. "You understand. I hold myself responsible. Nobody else."

Along with the firing of Marinelli, the Lions announced they promoted Tom Lewand to team president and Martin Mayhew to general manager.

· COWBOYS: According to the Dallas Morning News, QB Tony Romo collapsed in the shower in the locker room from a rib injury following Sunday's 44-6 loss to the Eagles in Philadelphia.

A stretcher was taken into the shower, but Romo was helped to his feet and was taken to a trainer's room, according to the report.

Romo later said he was "just a little banged up, I guess," according to the Morning News.

· CHANGE IN VENUE: The Pro Bowl, as expected, will be played on the Sunday before the Super Bowl in the Super Bowl host city beginning in 2010. The Associated Press reported that the Pro Bowl will be played in Miami in 2010 one week before the Super Bowl is to be held there. Both games are to be played at Dolphin Stadium.

-- Mark Maske

BEST READER COMMENT Brett [Favre] and Lance Armstrong need to develop a new life outside sports. It would be tough to see "your best years" in the rear view mirror, but football and/or biking aren't what real life is about anyway. May each of them discover new and meaningful lives outside sports. FamillePetersen YOUR TURN The League's team of experts will select the best comments to appear in the Sports section and online. Learn more at http://washingtonpost.com/theleague.