Coughlin to return as Giants coach in 2007
CALDWELL, N.J., Jan. 11 (UPI) -- Tom Coughlin, whose team was eliminated in the first round of the NFL playoffs after an 8-8 regular season, will return as New York Giants coach in 2007.
Giants officials said Coughlin signed a contract extension Wednesday that ties him to the team through the 2008 season. The coach's original four-year contract, signed in 2004, was to expire after next season.
Team President John Mara said he met with Coughlin Monday and Tuesday to discuss plans for the team before a contract extension was offered.
But even with the outstanding contract, Coughlin's future with the Giants was in doubt. After starting the season 6-2, the team sagged in the second half of the year. New York qualified for the playoffs but lost to NFC East rival Philadelphia, 23-20, last weekend.
Coughlin, 60, owns an overall record of 25-25 as a Giants' head coach. Including eight years leading the Jacksonville Jaguars, he has an NFL record of 97-89.
Russell, Jarrett declare for NFL draft
BATON ROUGE, La., Jan. 11 (UPI) -- JaMarcus Russell, who put on a dazzling show in leading LSU to a Sugar Bowl win over Notre Dame, Wednesday declared himself eligible for the NFL Draft.
University of Southern California junior receiver Dwayne Jarrett also said he would turn pro.
Russell, a junior, threw for 332 yards as LSU crushed Notre Dame Jan. 3, 41-14. He set a school record for most completions (232) in a single season, and threw 119 consecutive passes without an interception -- a streak that was halted against Notre Dame.
Jarrett is the Pac-10 Conference's all-time leader in touchdown catches with 216. He caught 70 passes during the 2006 season for 1,015 yards and 12 touchdowns, and caught 205 yards worth of passes in USC's 32-18 Rose Bowl win over Michigan.
Tagliabue a Hall of Fame finalist
CANTON, Ohio, Jan. 11 (UPI) -- Paul Tagliabue, who stepped down last year as commissioner of the NFL, was one of 17 people named Wednesday as finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The former commissioner joined offensive lineman Bruce Matthews, wide receiver Andre Reed, tight end Charlie Sanders, linebacker Andre Tippett and defensive end Fred Dean as first-time finalists.
The other finalists included wide receivers Art Monk and Michael Irvin; running back Thurman Thomas; punter Ray Guy; guards Russ Grimm, Gene Hickerson and Bob Kuechenberg; defensive end Richard Dent; linebacker Derrick Thomas; offensive tackle Gary Zimmerman; and cornerback Roger Wehrli.
The members of the 2007 class will be announced Feb. 3, the day before the Super Bowl.
Those elected will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, the weekend of Aug. 4-5.
Venus Williams out of Australian Open
MELBOURNE, Jan. 11 (UPI) -- Venus Williams Wednesday said an injured left wrist will keep her out of the 2007 Australian Open.
Williams, 26, cited a series of injuries that have kept her out of all but two matches since last year's tournament at Wimbledon. As a result she has dropped to 48th in the world tennis rankings.
A five-time winner of Grand Slam events, Williams has never won the Australian Open. She was knocked out in the first round in last year's tournament.
She is the second big name to withdrawn from the season's first Grand Slam event. World No. 1-ranked Justine Henin-Hardenne pulled out of the Australian Open last week, citing unspecified personal reasons.
