Future of Coliseum Is on the Agenda

Anaheim officials are listening to other offers in case the NFL doesn’t come. And, with the prospect of pro football in Pasadena looking increasingly bleak, the city is exploring other options for the Rose Bowl.

Now, it’s the Coliseum’s turn.

The Coliseum Commission will convene for its monthly meeting today and is expected to discuss the future of the 83-year-old venue, whether or not an NFL makeover is in the offing.

The Coliseum Commission is faced with two pressing issues: its lease agreement with the state, which is in its 51st year and up for renewal; and USC’s stadium lease, which expires after the 2007 football season. Both deals will be exponentially more expensive.

David Israel, one of three representatives of the state on the commission, said today’s meeting is important “as we discuss the future health of the Coliseum.”

Another commission member, L.A. City Councilman Bernard C. Parks, said, “We have a deteriorating stadium, and a lot of things have been put off with the expectation that the NFL deal was going to get done.... We’ve got to be realistic about how these facilities are going to be maintained.

“We can’t keep the stars aligned forever.”

The NFL is still considering a proposal for a stadium in the Angel Stadium parking lot, and another for a completely rebuilt Coliseum. Team owners will meet in New Orleans this month.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will be in Southern California on Friday and has scheduled separate meetings with L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle.

-- Sam Farmer

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Green Bay released nickel cornerback Ahmad Carroll, less than 24 hours after his up-and-down performance in the Packers’ 31-9 loss to Philadelphia on Monday night.

A 2004 first-round draft pick by Green Bay, Carroll never realized his potential, and the Packers had seen enough.

In the first half Monday night, Carroll broke up three passes and registered his third career sack, on Donovan McNabb. But receiver Greg Lewis burned Carroll for a 45-yard touchdown that gave the Eagles a 17-9 lead in the third quarter.

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Tennessee defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth finally got the chance to apologize directly to Andre Gurode for tearing open the Cowboys center’s face with a cleat.

Haynesworth spent much of the day getting nothing but unanswered rings and a full voice mailbox, then connected in the late afternoon with Gurode, who needed 30 stitches to repair the facial cuts.

“The purpose of the conversation was to apologize,” said Haynesworth’s agent, Chad Speck.

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Pro Bowl tight end Jeremy Shockey won’t be benched for comments that the New York Giants were out-coached in a recent loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

After first refusing to answer the question, Coach Tom Coughlin said that Shockey would start against the Washington Redskins if his sprained right ankle was OK.

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San Diego Chargers safety Terrence Kiel pleaded not guilty to charges he shipped bottles of codeine-based cough syrup to Texas.