NFL ROUNDUP News and notes

Broncos: The first anniversary of Darrent Williams’ killing arrived Tuesday with his friends and family still awaiting justice in the slaying of the 24-year-old Denver Broncos cornerback. Williams was killed when his limousine was sprayed with bullets minutes after leaving a New Year’s party at a club in downtown Denver. No arrests have been made and no charges have been filed. A man police have called a person of interest in Williams’ slaying was arrested in what prosecutors called the state’s largest gang takedown, and he faces federal drug charges. Safety Nick Ferguson wore Williams’ No. 27 jersey during pregame warmups Sunday when the Broncos ended their disappointing season with a win over the Minnesota Vikings. “I want to make sure nobody forgets the situation,” Ferguson said. “It has been a full year since his death and arrests haven’t been made. I wanted to keep it on the minds of the players, organization and fans. And the people out there trying to track down these guys. To let them know it’s been a year and so let’s put the pedal to the metal and let’s bring closure to this.” With the specter of gang involvement, however, it’s no surprise a year has passed without an arrest, Ferguson said. “I can understand the people that don’t want to come forward,” he said. “There is a saying in Miami that snitches get stitches. So people are afraid to talk.” Williams’ mother, Rosalind Williams of Fort Worth, Texas, said the family understands the difficulty in getting witnesses to cooperate, but has faith that the killer will be charged and convicted.

Chargers: After building San Diego into a consistent playoff contender — if not yet a postseason success — general manager A.J. Smith received a five-year contract extension that will keep him with the team through 2014. Details weren’t announced, but various reports said the extension was worth $11 million. Smith’s previous contract was due to expire following the 2009 season. He was promoted in April 2003 after John Butler died of cancer. The Chargers have won the AFC West for the third time in four seasons under Smith. They’ll try to break a four-game postseason losing streak dating to January 1995 when they host the Tennessee Titans on Sunday in the wild-card round. Two of those playoff losses have come on Smith’s watch. Although it was Butler who drafted star running back LaDainian Tomlinson, Smith has proven to be a strong talent evaluator by drafting star players such as outside linebacker Shawne Merriman, quarterback Philip Rivers and cornerback Antonio Cromartie. He’s also signed undrafted players who developed into Pro Bowlers, most notably tight end Antonio Gates, a three-time All-Pro. Two other free agent pickups, guard Kris Dielman and special teams player Kassim Osgood, have developed into Pro Bowlers. Smith is probably best known for holding his ground when Eli Manning’s representatives told the Chargers just before the 2004 draft that the quarterback wouldn’t play for San Diego if it took him with the first overall pick. The Chargers are 50-30 under Smith, but 0-2 in the postseason.

Panthers: John Fox sat behind a table Monday morning and talked about next season, which might be the firmest sign yet that there will be a next season with the Carolina Panthers for the coach. There was no appearance by team owner Jerry Richardson to make an announcement, the way he did when previous coaches Dom Capers and George Seifert were fired. And the team did not issue any statement from Richardson. Maybe his silence says it all. Despite speculation that Fox and general manager Marty Hurney could be on their way out during a season that ended with a 7-9 record, the coach remains under contract through 2010 and Hurney through 2009. “I’ve got three years left on a contract that I intend to uphold,” Fox said.

Giants: The great unknown for New York in the playoffs is Eli Manning. If Manning performs the way he did against the New England Patriots this past weekend and throws four touchdown passes or something close, the Giants (10-6) have a good shot at beating the Buccaneers (9-7) in Tampa in Sunday’s NFC wild-card game. The concern is that the bad Manning could show up in the postseason once again. He is 0-for-2 in the playoffs and his performances have been nothing for anyone in the Manning family to brag about. In losing wild-card games to Carolina and Philadelphia the past two years, Manning was 26-of-45 for 274 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions. His quarterback ratings in those games were 35 and 85.6, respectively. “I always feel that the quarterback has to go out there and play well to put their team in a situation to win,” Manning said. “Some of it is just managing the game well and not making mistakes, but also putting your team in situations to make plays and getting your players opportunities to make plays and change the momentum of the game.”

Associated Press