Dolphins' Sparano, Chiefs' Haley fired

If you thought the Dolphins-Eagles game would get a head coach fired, you were right. Chances are, you were wrong on which one.

Miami fired Tony Sparano on Monday, one day after the Dolphins lost to the Birds, 26-10. First, the front office let him hold his regular news conference, because that's the kind of pranksters they are.

Sparano's dismissal came hours after the Kansas City Chiefs fired coach Todd Haley. Jacksonville fired coach Jack Del Rio on Nov. 29.

Assistant head coach Todd Bowles will be the interim for the final three games and will get an interview. Jeff Ireland remains as general manager and will take part in the coaching search, presumably with a straight face.

Among those mentioned as possible candidates are Bill Cowher, Jeff Fisher and Jon Gruden.

"I'd like to find a young Don Shula, if that's possible," owner Stephen Ross said.

Kansas City fired the combustible Haley after Sunday's 37-10 loss to the New York Jets, the Chiefs' fifth setback in six games. They didn't let him talk to reporters first, because he's, you know, combustible.

Defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel, the former Browns head coach, will serve as the interim and be considered for the permanent job.

New York Jets safety Jim Leonhard will miss the rest of the season with a torn patellar tendon in his right knee.

Bears linebacker Brian Uhrlacher threw kind of a weak diss at Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow, after the "Mile High Messiah" and his team beat Chicago, 13-10, in overtime.

When asked about Tebow, Urlacher, according to ESPNChicago, told reporters, "He's a good running back." The media types gave the LB another chance, asking about the QB's passing (21 of 40 for 236 yards with a TD). Urlacher said he is good at scrambling.

Tebow's response? "Coming from a really good player, that means a lot."

OK, so Tebow is only good at one type of comeback. At least it's the kind that counts on the scoreboard.

Ashley Fox of ESPN.com, points out that New York Giants QB Eli Manning now has 14 fourth-quarter TD passes this season, and, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, is now tied with two Colts greats: Baltimore's Johnny Unitas (who did it in 1959) and Indianapolis' Peyton "The Other" Manning ( who accomplished the feat in 2002).