Ravens, Neuheisel Meet About Assistant Job

The Baltimore Ravens began their search for a new offensive coordinator Thursday by interviewing former Washington Husky head coach Rick Neuheisel.

The Ravens are seeking a successor to Matt Cavanaugh, who ran the offense for six years before leaving Monday in what Coach Brian Billick termed “a mutual decision.” Baltimore (9-7) missed the playoffs this season, in part because of an attack that ranked 31st among 32 NFL teams.

Neuheisel was 66-30 over eight seasons at Colorado and Washington before being fired by the Huskies in June 2003 for participating in a big-money college basketball pool. The NCAA investigated Neuheisel and the Washington football program and ultimately cleared the coach of any wrongdoing.

The Ravens will interview New Orleans Saint quarterback coach Mike Sheppard today, and intend to speak to Minnesota Viking offensive coordinator Scott Linehan and former University of Illinois coach Ron Turner.

The Ravens reportedly were interested in USC offensive coordinator Norm Chow for the job, but Chow said he had not heard from Billick recently.

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Phil Savage was hired as general manager of the Cleveland Browns, inheriting one of the NFL’s least talented teams desperate for someone to fix years of errors in free agency and the draft.

Savage spent the last two seasons as the Ravens’ director of player personnel. The Browns are coming off a 4-12 season that included a nine-game losing streak and coach Butch Davis’ resignation Nov. 30.

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Drew Brees went from forgotten man to one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks this season. He was rewarded for his turnaround as Associated Press’ 2004 Comeback Player of the Year.

The San Diego Chargers pursued other options after Brees’ weak 2003 performance, but in the end he was chosen as the starter six days before the opener. And the Chargers probably wouldn’t have gotten into the playoffs without him.

Brees said his goals were to lead the team to a championship and become one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks.

“Although neither of those goals have been accomplished ... that’s the path, that’s what I strive for,” he said.

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Record-setting Indianapolis Colt quarterback Peyton Manning was a unanimous choice for the Associated Press 2004 NFL All-Pro team.

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles tied for most players on the roster with three each.