Indianapolis Colts coach Jim Caldwell plans to use former Raven Matt Stover during the playoffs instead of four-time Super Bowl winner Adam Vinatieri, regarded as the best clutch kicker in NFL history.
Caldwell explained his decision Thursday, saying Vinatieri had not fully recovered from midseason surgery on his kicking knee, and that Stover had done a "great job" since joining the team in October.
"I think the concern was health issues or whatever," Vinatieri said. "I guess it makes sense. I didn't necessarily care for the decision. Obviously, all of us want to be on the field as much as we can, but I understand the concerns."
Vinatieri still could get his chance.
The Colts (14-2) will not put the 36-year-old on injured reserve and intend to carry both on the active roster, meaning Vinatieri might yet kick if he can get healthy.
Stover has made 33 straight extra points with Indianapolis and nine of 11 field-goal attempts - one miss was from 52 yards.
"My mind-set, since I was signed, was to kick this team all the way to the Super Bowl and through it," Stover said. "I'm not here to replace Adam. I'm here to help this team get to the Super Bowl, and, unfortunately, Adam was injured during that time, which gave me that opportunity."
BROWNS: Eric Mangini will return for a second season as Cleveland's coach.
New team president Mike Holmgren decided to retain Mangini, who likely saved his job with a four-game, season-ending winning streak after starting 1-11.
STEELERS: Pittsburgh fired special teams coordinator Bob Ligashesky.Pittsburgh allowed four kickoff-return touchdowns, matching the 1998 Vikings for the most permitted by any team since 1994.
In other news, running back Isaac Redman (Bowie State) and kicker Piotr Czech, who was in 2008 Ravens training camp, were added to the team's offseason roster.
PLAXICO BURRESS: The New York Department of Correctional Services denied the wide receiver's work-release application because of the nature of his crime.
The ex-Giant pleaded guilty in August to attempted criminal possession of a weapon for having a loaded handgun in a nightclub that went off and shot him in the leg.