As Expected, Dolphins Make Offer to LSU’s Saban

The Miami Dolphins offered their coaching job to Louisiana State’s Nick Saban, the favorite for the position since Dave Wannstedt resigned last month.

LSU Athletic Director Skip Bertman said Saban told him of the offer late Wednesday afternoon but did not divulge details of the deal or indicate if he planned to accept.

A Dolphin source, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that Saban’s agent, Jimmy Sexton, and team owner Wayne Huizenga met Wednesday. The source did not know if a deal had been struck.

“They made him an offer. I don’t know what it is,” Bertman said. “I didn’t even ask him. Now he has a decision to make, and it’s a tough decision.... My feeling is it’s 50-50.”

The offer to Saban was reported earlier by ESPN.com.

Saban was the first of three people the Dolphins acknowledged interviewing for the position. Former Oakland Raider coach Art Shell interviewed Monday, and interim Miami Coach Jim Bates met with Huizenga on Tuesday.

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Donovan McNabb and Terrell Owens were among nine Philadelphia Eagles chosen for the Pro Bowl, the most representatives voted in for one team since 1998. Six Pittsburgh Steelers, including receiver Hines Ward and former USC safety Troy Polamalu, were chosen in balloting by players, coaches and fans.

There were 25 first-time selections, including Drew Brees and tight end Antonio Gates of San Diego. No one was selected from Tennessee, Cleveland or San Francisco.

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The doctor who performed surgery on Owens’ injured ankle in Baltimore did not rule out the Eagle receiver’s return for the Super Bowl, if Philadelphia makes it that far.

“While it is not unreasonable to hope that he returns to play in six weeks, it is not something we would expect,” Dr. Mark Myerson said.

Myerson said two ankle ligaments were torn, including one damaged all the way up to a fracture a few inches below Owens’ knee. The fracture will be allowed to heal on its own.

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Cincinnati Bengal quarterback Carson Palmer, who sprained his left knee Dec. 12 against New England, didn’t practice and was listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants.

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Linebacker Brian Urlacher’s season ended when he was put on injured reserve by Chicago. He pulled his left hamstring Dec. 12 against Jacksonville.