Tuesday, January 13, 2015
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[January 13, 2015]  Jan 12 (The Sports Xchange) - In what could be the beginning of a big shakeup in Denver, the Broncos and coach John Fox agreed to part ways Monday -- a day after they were eliminated from the playoffs.

"John Fox and I met for more than an hour on Monday afternoon to discuss the 2014 season and our goals for the future," team president John Elway said in a statement. "During our open and candid conversation, it became clear that it was best for both the Denver Broncos and Coach Fox to move on and make this change."

Fox leaves the Broncos with a .719 winning percentage, the best in franchise history. In four seasons, he went 46-18 -- thanks largely to the presence of quarterback Peyton Manning.

However, the Broncos were bounced from the divisional round by the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, losing 24-13. It was the second time in three years Fox's Broncos had been knocked out in their first playoff game. In between, they reached the Super Bowl, where they were blown out 43-8 by the Seattle Seahawks.

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Denver quarterback Peyton Manning reportedly played the final month of the season, including Sunday's divisional playoff loss, with a torn right quadriceps.

Two sources told ESPN that Manning initially injured his thigh Dec. 14 in a win over the San Diego Chargers.

Over the team's last four games and Sunday's 24-13 playoff loss to the Indianapolis Colts, Manning accounted for four touchdowns and eight turnovers. Manning finished 26-of-46 passing for 211 yards and a touchdown against the Colts.

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The Buffalo Bills officially announced the hiring of former New York Jets coach Rex Ryan to lead their team.

The five-year deal reportedly is worth $5.5 million per year.

Ryan, 52, will become the 18th coach in team history, replacing Doug Marrone, who opted out of his contract on Dec. 31.

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Jason Garrett, a free agent now that his season has concluded, said Monday that he wants to continue as the coach of the Dallas Cowboys.

The Cowboys lost 26-21 to the Green Bay Packers in Sunday's divisional playoff game.

On Monday, Garrett was asked on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas if he wants to return as the Cowboys' coach.

"Absolutely. This is a great organization," Garrett said. "I think we really built a football team that we can be proud of, and there are some really good things ahead for this team."

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Owner Jerry Jones called Garrett "my coach of the year" after Sunday's loss. Garrett has a 42-32 career record.

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The Oakland Raiders will interview Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio for a second time, according to reports Monday.

Del Rio is free to talk with any team after Denver's 24-13 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Sunday's divisional playoff game. He has served as the Broncos' defensive coordinator for three years.

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"I'm not dying tonight," Rob Konrad told himself as he made a determined effort to finish a 9-mile, 16-hour swim to shore after he fell off his fishing boat last week.

On Monday in Palm Beach, Fla., the former Miami Dolphins fullback emotionally recalled the harrowing odyssey that began last Wednesday when he fell off his 36-foot boat and could not catch up to it as it motored away under its own power.

He said he began to swim toward shore. "After about probably five hours, I said, 'I can do this. I'm going to swim all night and hit the shore.'"

Konrad said he was encouraged by thoughts of his daughters, ages 8 and 10.
 


"After some time, I just said, 'I'm not dying tonight. I have two beautiful daughters. I'm hitting that shore.'"

Konrad reached shore in Palm Beach County about 4:30 a.m. Thursday and made his way to a nearby beach house. He was taken to a hospital and treated for hypothermia and dehydration. He was released Sunday. (Editing by Steve Keating.)

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