NFL ROUNDUP \ News and notes

Browns: Rookie left tackle Joe Thomas will replace Jason Peters of the Buffalo Bills on the AFC Pro Bowl roster. Thomas joins teammates, wide receiver Braylon Edwards and kick returner Joshua Cribbs, as the first Browns players selected to the Pro Bowl since linebacker Jamir Miller following the 2001 season. Thomas was part of an offensive line that allowed 19 sacks all season, tied for third fewest in franchise history. The last time the Browns had three or more players named to the Pro Bowl was following the 1994 season. The last Browns offensive lineman to be named to the Pro Bowl was right tackle Cody Risien in January 1988. The last Browns rookie at the Pro Bowl was linebacker Chip Banks in 1983.

Redskins: Joe Gibbs resigned as coach and team president Tuesday. The Redskins would begin a search for a new coach immediately. Among the certain candidates are two former head coaches on Gibbs’ staff, Gregg Williams and Al Saunders. Gibbs went 31-36, including 1-2 in the playoffs, after emerging from NFL retirement and his NASCAR career to sign a five-year, $27.5 million contract in 2004.

49ers: Mike Martz was hired as offensive coordinator Tuesday. Martz, who tormented the 49ers for years during his greatest success with their NFC West rival St. Louis Rams, was fired by the Detroit Lions last week after two seasons. He replaces Jim Hostler, who also was fired last week after the 49ers matched a franchise low and finished last in the NFL with 219 points.

Ravens: Eagles secondary coach John Harbaugh met for four hours with Baltimore officials Tuesday as the team’s latest candidate for its head coaching job. Harbaugh was the sixth candidate to interview for the vacancy created last week when owner Steve Bisciotti fired Brian Billick and his entire staff after nine seasons. The Ravens also have interviewed Indianapolis Colts assistant head coach Jim Caldwell; Dallas Cowboys assistant head coach Tony Sparano; Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett; recently dismissed Baltimore defensive coordinator Rex Ryan; and New York Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer.

Dolphins: David Lee has left Houston Nutt’s staff at Mississippi to become quarterbacks coach. Lee will be rejoining Bill Parcells, Miami’s new vice president of football operations, for whom Lee worked with the Dallas Cowboys. Also, former Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan became the third candidate to interview for the team’s head coaching job.

Rice declares for NFL draft: Ray Rice will skip his senior year to enter the NFL draft after becoming the leading rusher in Rutgers history and transforming the Scarlet Knights into a Top 25 team. “I have always dreamed of playing in the NFL, and I felt the time is right to pursue the opportunity to play at the next level,” he said in a statement Tuesday. His decision came three days after he ran for 280 yard and scored four touchdowns in a 52-30 victory over Ball State in the International Bowl.

Associated Press