Brown Coaching Staff Loses Two Members

Cleveland defensive coordinator Foge Fazio retired Tuesday, two days after Cleveland blew a 17-point lead in the second half and lost to Pittsburgh in the AFC playoffs.

In another move on the defensive coaching staff, line coach Ray Hamilton was fired. Hamilton, 51, was in his second season with the Browns and was under contract for one more year.

Fazio, 63, spent two seasons with the Browns. His retirement comes after the Browns gave back leads of 24-7 and 33-21 in the second half to the Steelers, who advanced with a 36-33 victory.

“This is a decision I have been contemplating for a while,” Fazio said.

“Foge has dedicated 42 years to the coaching profession, and the game of football has benefited from his commitment at every level,” Coach Butch Davis said.

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Denver Bronco running back Clinton Portis beat out New York Giant tight end Jeremy Shockey to win the NFL offensive rookie of the year award.

Portis ran for 1,508 yards, scored 17 touchdowns and had the second-best average per carry for a rookie, 5.52, behind Franco Harris’ 5.61 in 1972.

Portis earned 29 votes from a nationwide panel of sports writers and broadcasters who cover the league. Shockey received 17 votes.

Shockey helped the Giants get to the postseason and led all tight ends with 74 catches for 894 yards. Houston quarterback David Carr and New Orleans guard LeCharles Bentley were the only others receiving a vote; each got one.

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Peyton Manning’s agent is ready to renegotiate the Pro Bowl quarterback’s contract with the Indianapolis Colts.

Tom Condon, Manning’s agent, said he has not been contacted by Colt President Bill Polian, but he anticipates redoing the contract this off-season.

Manning begins the final year of his original six-year, $48-million contract next season. Under the current terms, Manning’s salary would count about $15 million against the cap.

By renegotiating the contract, the Colts could reduce Manning’s salary cap number and free up more room to sign other players.

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Dallas Cowboy defensive ends coach Jim Jeffcoat was retained by new Coach Bill Parcells.