NFL: Charges dropped against Alexander

Prosecutors in Aurora, Colo., have dropped domestic violence charges against former Broncos linebacker Kevin Alexander after the woman he was accused of hitting refused to cooperate.

Deputy Aurora City Attorney George Zierk said authorities asked a judge to drop the case after the woman, who has moved to South Carolina, failed to show up for Alexander's trial Thursday.

Police arrested him Dec. 20 after his girlfriend told police he slapped or punched her, pushed her to the ground, and grabbed her by the throat during a dispute over Alexander's alleged infidelity. The woman told prosecutors she didn't want the case to go forward, but they pursued it anyway because they believed they had probable cause.

Alexander's lawyer said charges shouldn't have been filed.

Broadway Joe going with Jets. Joe Namath will be rooting for his beloved New York Jets in Sunday's AFC championship game, but he's not going to have the support of his family members, many of whom still live in and around Namath's hometown of Beaver Falls, Pa.

"I promise you, the Steelers are a way of life in Western Pennsylvania," Namath told ESPNNewYork.com. "My entire family is for the Steelers. My sister told me, 'Joey, we love you, and if you were on the field we'd be pulling for the Jets, but you're not going to be on the field, so we're pulling for the Steelers like the rest of the family.'

"I'm the one Namath rooting for the Jets," he said. "I might be the only person from Western Pennsylvania pulling for the Jets."

Beaver Falls is about 30 miles northwest of Pittsburgh.

Namath, however, is not making any predictions about the outcome.

"It's a great opportunity," is about the most he would say.

Chiefs promote Donovan. The Kansas City Chiefs have promoted Mark Donovan to team president. He and general manager Scott Pioli will share power and both report directly to owner and CEO Clark Hunt. Donovan will be responsible for business aspects while Pioli is in charge of football operations. Pioli will also continue to negotiate player contracts.

Donovan joined the Chiefs in May 2009 as chief operating officer after working for the Eagles for six years.

Texans hire Herring. A person with knowledge of the decision said the Houston Texans have hired Reggie Herring as their new linebackers coach. The person confirmed the hiring on condition of anonymity because no official announcement had been made by the team. Herring, 51, coached linebackers for the Texans from 2002 to 2003 under former coach Dom Capers. He had been the linebackers coach in Dallas since 2008, under former Cowboys coach and new Houston defensive coordinator Wade Phillips.

Vikings add two coaches. Leslie Frazier has made two more additions to the Vikings' coaching staff, picking Craig Johnson as quarterbacks coach and Jeff Davidson as offensive line coach.

Johnson spent the past 11 years with the Tennessee Titans, coaching quarterbacks and running backs. In Minnesota, he'll work with new offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave to help the Vikings move on at quarterback after Brett Favre's retirement.

Davidson was the offensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers the last four seasons. He replaces Jim Hueber and Pat Morris, who were not retained when Frazier took over the permanent job.

Cassel, DeOssie in Pro Bowl. Kansas City quarterback Matt Cassel has been added to the AFC roster. He will replace New England's Tom Brady, who is having foot surgery this week to repair a stress fracture. It will be Cassel's first Pro Bowl.

New York Giants long snapper Zak DeOssie has been chosen to play for the NFC in the Pro Bowl. It will be DeOssie's second Pro Bowl. It is not known who will be the holder.