Washington close to hiring Scot McCloughan as GM

The Washington Redskins are close to a deal to bring in Scot McCloughan as general manager, the franchise’s latest major front office shake-up after another losing season.

Redskins-owned radio station ESPN 980 reported that McCloughan met with team owner Dan Snyder for six hours Tuesday and that McCloughan, if hired, would be given final say over the roster.

The Redskins have struggled to come up with the right front office structure for picking and signing players under Snyder’s ownership. Coach Mike Shanahan had control over player personnel until he was fired a year ago. This year, team President Bruce Allen had the final authority, and the team went 4-12.

McCloughan is a former GM with the San Francisco 49ers and also worked in the front office with the Seattle Seahawks.

Tannenbaum to Dolphins front office

Former New York Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum is returning to the AFC East, this time with the Miami Dolphins, who have shaken up their power structure yet again.

Tannenbaum will take over the Dolphins’ football operations beginning Feb. 1, the team said Tuesday. General Manager Dennis Hickey will report to Tannenbaum and Coach Joe Philbin will continue reporting directly to owner Stephen Ross.

Tannenbaum was with the Jets from 1997 until 2012, when he was fired after seven seasons as GM. He worked the past two years as a sports agent before accepting Ross’ offer.

Etc.

The Chicago Bears interviewed Tennessee Titans vice president of player personnel Lake Dawson and Houston Texans director of pro personnel Brian Gaine on Tuesday for their general manager job.

The Bears fired general manager Phil Emery and coach Marc Trestman after going 5-11 and missing the playoffs for the seventh time in eight years.

A lawyer for Saints sack leader Junior Galette said a woman accusing the player of battery had her earring ripped out and was scratched by a dog that was reacting to her yelling.

Galette and his cousin, Terrance Banks of Newark, N.J., were arrested Monday after a 22-year-old woman alleged the men assaulted her during an argument at Galette’s home in the New Orleans suburb of Kenner.

In a written statement issued Tuesday, attorney Ralph Whalen said four witnesses, including Galette’s girlfriend, and a video recording all corroborate the player’s version of events.

The Seattle Seahawks will be without defensive tackle Jordan Hill for the postseason after he was placed on injured reserve. He suffered a severe calf injury while working out last weekend.

Allie Sherman, the player-friendly coach who led the New York Giants to NFL championship games in his first three seasons with a star-studded but aging roster, has died. He was 91. Sherman’s family said that he died Saturday at his Manhattan home.

Sherman’s Giants lost to the Green Bay Packers in the 1961 and 1962 championship games and to the Chicago Bears in the 1963 title game.