Venturi Comes Marching In for Saints

Rick Venturi, the linebackers coach for the New Orleans Saints, became the team’s interim head coach on Wednesday, two days after Jim Mora resigned.

The hiring came a day after the team’s first choice as a replacement, pro personnel director Chet Franklin, decided not to take the job.

The Saints’ assistant coaches, who had reacted coolly to the choice of Franklin, General Manager Bill Kuharich’s first choice to replace Mora, were pleased with Venturi’s selection.

It’s the second time Venturi has become an interim NFL coach. In 1991, he took over the Indianapolis Colts after the firing of Ron Meyer. The Colts went 1-10 under Venturi, finishing the season 1-15.

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Running back Errict Rhett ended a 93-day holdout, rejoining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers despite not getting the contract extension he insisted was necessary before he would play again. . . . San Francisco Coach George Seifert announced that Steve Young will start at quarterback and William Floyd at fullback Sunday against Houston. The 49ers also signed quarterback Gino Torretta. . . . Green Bay Coach Mike Holmgren said he had newfound hope of former Packer split end Anthony Morgan rejoining the team. Morgan reportedly was still upset about his release in training camp, but Holmgren said he spoke with him on Tuesday and smoothed things over. . . . Raymont Harris, sidelined five weeks because of a knee injury, will return against the Minnesota Vikings on Monday night, but Rashaan Salaam will get the start at tailback.