Shanahan was fired 48 hours after the Broncos became the first team in league history to blow a three-game divisional lead with three weeks left.

The deal for the 32-year-old McDaniels is believed to be worth about $8 million. He served as the Patriots' offensive coordinator for three seasons.

Giants. Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce told New York's WFAN-AM that the loss of Plaxico Burress was not the deciding factor in his team's lackluster end to the season.

"If we had him out there, would it have helped? Probably," he said. "Do we know if it would have changed everything? No, we don't know that. But all we know is we went out there with the team we had, the team that got out to an 11-1 record. . . . It doesn't matter. We had enough playmakers, and we just didn't make enough plays."

Burress was suspended for the rest of the season after accidentally shooting himself in the thigh in a Manhattan nightclub Nov. 28.

Titans. Rookie running back Chris Johnson was scheduled for an MRI exam after suffering a high ankle sprain in the playoff loss to Baltimore. The injury puts Johnson's status for the Pro Bowl in doubt.

All-pro center Kevin Mawae needs surgery on a partially torn triceps tendon in his right arm.

Saints. New Orleans promoted Pete Carmichael Jr. to offensive coordinator and also hired former Northwestern assistant Bret Ingalls as the team's running backs coach. Carmichael replaces Doug Marrone, who became head coach at Syracuse.

Ravens. Cornerback Samari Rolle (groin injury) and linebacker Terrell Suggs (strained right shoulder) received medical treatment, and their status for Sunday's AFC final in Pittsburgh was uncertain.

Steelers. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that quarterback Ben Roethlisberger suffered a spinal cord concussion against the Cleveland Browns in the final regular-season game last month.

The team had said that the franchise quarterback had suffered a concussion, which is considered less serious.

The newspaper said Roethlisberger had passed all follow-up tests before Sunday's win against San Diego.

Jurisprudence. ESPN The Magazine reported that Philadelphia District Attorney Lynn Abraham has a statement from a second victim saying Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Marvin Harrison was holding a gun during an April 29 shooting that left three people wounded.

The magazine cited law enforcement sources as saying Robert Nixon's statement apparently would corroborate the statement of Dwight Dixon, another shooting victim.

Harrison, a graduate of Roman Catholic High who owns a car wash in North Philadelphia, has denied involvement in the shooting.

Abraham said last week she would not bring charges against Harrison, citing conflicting accounts by witnesses. She has said that no further statements on the case would be made public.

Players' union. Four members of Congress want the Department of Labor to monitor the NFL Players' Association's search for a new executive director, according to a letter obtained by the Associated Press.

In a letter dated Jan. 8, Reps. Bobby Rush (D., Ill.), G. K. Butterfield (D, N.C.), Gregory Meeks (D., N.Y.), and Edolphus Towns (D., N.Y.) also asked that a "detailed disclosure and description report" of the search be provided to the group and the labor department.

Eight candidates remain in the running to succeed the late Gene Upshaw as executive director, including former Eagles Troy Vincent and John Spagnola, both former union officers.

Noteworthy. The Seattle Seahawks hired Casey Bradley as defensive coordinator and Dan Quinn as defensive line coach. . . . The Jacksonville Jaguars promoted Gene Smith to general manager. . . . The Detroit Lions met Tennessee with Titans defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz for the second time in their search for a new head coach.