New Arizona Cardinals coach Bruce Arians brought in Tom Moore and Harold Goodwin to help him overhaul the worst offense in the NFL.
And, as expected, he hired Todd Bowles as defensive coordinator.
The 74-year-old Moore, who will serve as Arians’ assistant head coach/offense, has 34 years of experience as an NFL assistant, 12 as Peyton Manning’s offensive coordinator in Indianapolis.
Goodwin, offensive line coach for the Colts last season and an assistant with Pittsburgh five years before that, will be Arizona’s offensive coordinator, although Arians will call the plays.
Bowles comes from Philadelphia, where he was promoted from secondary coach to defensive coordinator with the Eagles on Oct. 16.
SHURMUR JOINS EAGLES
Former Browns coach Pat Shurmur is joining Chip Kelly’s staff with the Philadelphia Eagles, a person familiar with the hiring told The Associated Press on Monday.
Shurmur is expected to be Philadelphia’s offensive coordinator, according to the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the Eagles haven’t announced any coaching moves.
Shurmur coached the Browns to a 9-23 record in two seasons in Cleveland. He was fired along with general manager Tom Heckert on Dec. 31.
TV RATINGS DOWN
Television viewership for the NFL’s conference championship games was down from last season.
Three of the four teams were the same in 2013 as the year before. But the 2012 title games stayed closer for longer.
Last season, the AFC Championship game between New England and Baltimore was decided in the final seconds of regulation, and the NFC Championship between the New York Giants and 49ers went to overtime.
The Ravens pulled away from the Patriots in the fourth quarter Sunday in their rematch, while San Francisco’s win over Atlanta was decided in the final minutes.
The 2012 AFC Championship game on CBS in the early slot drew 48.7 million viewers; Sunday’s game had 47.7 million viewers in the late slot. Last year’s NFC title game on Fox was watched by 57.6 million people in the late slot, while this season’s was seen by 42 million in the early slot.
BRADY’S SLIDE CRITICIZED
Tom Brady’s foot-up slide in the AFC Championship game did not sit well with Baltimore Ravens strong safety Bernard Pollard.
During the final minute of the first half, Brady slid to end an impromptu run. The quarterback’s upraised leg hit onrushing Ravens free safety Ed Reed, who emerged from the play without injury.
But Pollard said he thinks Brady should be disciplined by the NFL, which levies fines on defensive players for helmet-to-helmet hits.
EXTRA POINTS
Several players were added to rosters for Sunday’s Pro Bowl game in Hawaii. Added to the NFC squad were Seahawks rookie quarterback Russell Wilson and Falcons safeties Thomas DeCoud and William Moore. … Additions to the AFC roster included Broncos guard Zane Beadles and wide receiver Demaryius Thomas; Dolphins guard Richie Incognito and defensive tackle Randy Starks; Bills running back C.J. Spiller, defensive tackle Kyle Williams and free safety Jairus Byrd; Texans tight end Owen Daniels and Colts quarterback Andrew Luck. … Removed from the Pro Bowl rosters were Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan and Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, along with New England guard Logan Mankins, wide receiver Wes Welker and defensive tackle Vince Wilfork due to injuries; Niners safeties Dashon Goldson and Donte Whitner will miss because of the Super Bowl, was will Ravens running back Ray Rice, guard Marshal Yanda, defensive end Haloti Ngata and safety Ed Reed. … Ex-Seahawks defensive coordinator and recently hired Jaguars coach Gus Bradley is keeping linebackers coach Mark Duffner and receivers coach Jerry Sullivan, two veteran assistants from previous coaching regimes. … Jim Caldwell will return as the Ravens’ offensive coordinator next season.
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