Suit over Stringer's death settled

The widow of Minnesota Vikings lineman Korey Stringer reached a settlement with the NFL in a wrongful-death lawsuit prompted by the player's heatstroke death during training camp in 2001.

Under an agreement with Kelci Stringer, the NFL will support her efforts to create a heat-illness prevention program. A family spokesman announced no other terms yesterday.

Korey Stringer was a 27-year-old, 335-pound lineman. He died July 31, 2001, during the second day of training camp after he practiced in sweltering heat and humidity, which pushed his body temperature to 108.8 degrees.

Security. At least 20 federal agencies will help local police secure Raymond James Stadium for Sunday's Super Bowl in Tampa, Fla., with duties ranging from protecting airspace and the port to arresting peddlers of counterfeit souvenirs, officials said.

Because of the massive security effort, the stadium "is one of the safest locations you can possibly be on Super Bowl Sunday in the United States of America," said Milton E. Ahlerich, the NFL's vice president for security.

Ravens. Greg Mattison was promoted to defensive coordinator to replace Rex Ryan, now the head coach of the New York Jets.

Mattison, 59, was hired as Baltimore's linebackers coach in February, and has only one year of NFL experience. Previously, he was defensive coordinator at Michigan, Notre Dame and Florida.

Rams. Head coach Steve Spagnuolo hired three coaches, including former Trenton State and Cherry Hill East coach Dick Curl as assistant head coach/quarterbacks coach.

Curl comes to St. Louis from Kansas City, where he served three seasons as assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach under Herm Edwards. He is a 46-year coaching veteran.

Browns. George Kokinis, Baltimore's pro personnel director for the last six seasons, was named general manager.

He began his professional career in Cleveland's operations department nearly 20 years ago.

Bob Kain, the team's vice chairman, who served as an adviser to owner Randy Lerner, has left the team.

Panthers. Ron Meeks replaced Mike Trgovac, who resigned, as defensive coordinator. Meeks left Indianapolis after Tony Dungy retired at the end of this season.

Cowboys. Terrell Owens will star in a television show on VH1 this summer, giving fans a look into his life off the field.

VH1 announced that the series takes place in the off-season, and T.O.'s best friends and publicists - Monique Jackson and Kita Williams - will help him reexamine his personal life. The two will work as "matchmakers and therapists" for Owens.

Vick sues. Imprisoned NFL star Michael Vick is suing a former financial adviser for at least $2 million, contending that she used his money for her personal and business expenses.

The lawsuit accuses Mary Wong of Omaha, Neb., of fraud, breach of contract, negligence and other offenses. Wong's attorney, James Mitchell, denied the allegations.

Eller guilty. Former Minnesota Vikings star Carl Eller was convicted in Minneapolis of assaulting a police officer who tried to arrest him after he swerved and nearly struck a squad car last April.

Eller, 67, was found guilty of fourth-degree assault of an officer and second-degree refusal to submit to a field sobriety test. Eller, a defensive end who was elected to the NFL Hall of Fame in 2004, faces up to a year in a workhouse on each count when sentenced Feb. 23.