ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. - Steve Fairchild is back with the Buffalo Bills, hired as the team's offensive coordinator Wednesday and given the task of improving one of the NFL's worst offenses.
Fairchild, who spent the past three seasons as the St. Louis Rams' offensive coordinator, broke into the NFL as the Bills' running backs coach in 2001-02.
He becomes the second assistant hired by Dick Jauron, named head coach Monday.
JETS: New York parted ways with offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger.
Last week, new coach Eric Mangini informed Heimerdinger the team would retain him to run the offense. Heimerdinger was upset with the decision because he was interviewed and passed over for the head coaching job, making for an awkward situation.
- Jets linebacker Jonathan Vilma will replace Zach Thomas of the Dolphins in the Pro Bowl.
Thomas pulled out after battling shoulder and ankle injuries.
STEELERS: Pittsburgh coach Bill Cowher will have three other games on his mind just before the Super Bowl next Sunday.
Each of Cowher's three daughters will play in basketball games the day before the NFL title game, but all plan to attend the Steelers' game the next day in Detroit.
Meagan Cowher, a sophomore at Princeton, will play at Brown but is scheduled to fly to Detroit in time for the Super Bowl.
Her younger sisters, Lauren and Lindsay, will play for Fox Chapel High School in suburban Pittsburgh on the afternoon before the Seahawks-Steelers game.
EAGLES: Safety Brian Dawkins was named as a replacement to the NFC Pro Bowl team after Chicago Bears safety Mike Brown dropped out with an injury.
Dawkins will be making the fifth Pro Bowl appearance.
VIKINGS: Minnesota quarterback Daunte Culpepper has decided to end his relationship with longtime agent Mason Ashe.
"We have mutually decided to part ways," the agent said.
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