NFL notebook: Colts' Arians ready to step in for ill Pagano
BY Associated Press
Wednesday, October 03, 2012
10/03/12 at 3:16 AM
Bruce Arians has seen almost everything in two decades as an NFL assistant coach.
On Sunday, he will have a different role. For the first time, he will be calling plays, making decisions and maybe even throwing a challenge flag or two.
Arians is under no illusions about his new role in Indianapolis. As the Colts new interim coach, he's just trying to keep things moving forward until coach Chuck Pagano is healthy enough to return after being diagnosed with leukemia. On Monday, team owner Jim Irsay announced Arians would take over in Pagano's absence.
For Arians, the longtime offensive coordinator with an impressive resume and two Super Bowl rings, Sunday's game against Green Bay will be a whole new experience.
Heyward-Bey back at practice for Raiders: Wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey was back at practice for the first time since being hospitalized by a helmet-to-helmet hit as the Oakland Raiders worked on fixing their problems during the bye week.
Heyward-Bey was knocked unconscious on Sept. 23 by a helmet-to-helmet hit in the end zone from Pittsburgh safety Ryan Mundy.
WR Gaffney signs with Dolphins: Receiver Jabar Gaffney has signed with the Miami Dolphins, who terminated the contract of receiver Legedu Naanee.
Gaffney, 31, had the best season of his career last year with Washington, then signed with New England and was released at the end of training camp. He tried out a month ago with the Dolphins, who have poor depth at receiver.
