Denver Broncos’ Adam Gase won’t coach Cleveland Browns

Adam Gase has told the Cleveland Browns not to wait for him.

Denver’s offensive coordinator removed his name from consideration for Cleveland’s head coaching job Tuesday, a person familiar with the Browns’ search told the Associated Press. Gase called Browns owner Jimmy Haslam and informed he was withdrawing his name and would not interview after the Super Bowl.

Gase, 35, who will lead the Broncos’ high-powered offense against Seattle, was the first candidate contacted by the Browns. Gase declined an initial interview request because he wanted to concentrate on the playoffs, and the Browns would have had to wait until after Feb. 2 to speak with him.

Gase was believed to be the Browns’ top target in their quest to replace Rob Chudzinski, fired after one season in Cleveland.

Front-office moves

The Detroit Lions hired Joe Lombardi, grandson of Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi, as offensive coordinator. Lombardi has been an offensive assistant for New Orleans since 2007. He was hired as quarterbacks coach in 2009, the season the Saints won their only Super Bowl over the Indianapolis Colts, who were then coached by new Lions Coach Jim Caldwell.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers hired Arizona Cardinals front-office executive Jason Licht as general manager. Licht has been with the Cardinals for the past two seasons, the last one as vice president of player personnel. Tampa Bay co-chairman Joel Glazer called him an “ideal complement” to new Coach Lovie Smith. Licht was Arizona General Manager Steve Keim’s right-hand man in the overhaul of the Cardinals’ roster last off-season, which resulted in a 10-6 record. He replaces Mark Dominik, who was fired after the Buccaneers went 4-12.

The San Francisco 49ers have promoted longtime executive Paraag Marathe to team president, replacing Gideon Yu, who will remain with the organization as a co-owner. Marathe has spent more than 13 years with the 49ers in various roles, including as executive vice president of football and business operations.

49ers’ hit man

San Francisco Coach Jim Harbaugh said there has been communication between the NFL and the team after Seattle’s Jeremy Lane ran into an unidentified person on the 49ers’ sideline during the NFC championship game.

Seattle Coach Pete Carroll said Monday that the Seahawks had reached out to the league to find out more about what happened. Carroll said he was disappointed there was not a penalty on the play.

Lane was running downfield on punt coverage on the first play of the second quarter of Seattle’s 23-17 win Sunday. Lane was blocked into the 49ers’ bench, then ran into a person on the sideline not in uniform. Lane popped up and returned to the field.

Pro Bowl picks

NFL great Jerry Rice is already bucking conventional fantasy football wisdom in a new Pro Bowl format.

Rice picked New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees and St. Louis defensive end Robert Quinn as the anchors of his Pro Bowl team Tuesday, opting for a passer over a runner.

Rice made the selections in Hawaii after winning a coin toss against Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders. The decision left Sanders with Kansas City running back Jamaal Charles and Houston defensive end J.J. Watt for Sunday’s game.

“Don’t think we forget Jerry picked them first,” Watt said when asked whether the new schoolyard-style format would leave players with bruised egos.