INDIANAPOLIS — Jim Caldwell is kicking conventional wisdom to the curb.
The Colts coach plans to use Matt Stover during the playoffs instead of four-time Super Bowl winner Adam Vinatieri, regarded as the best clutch kicker in NFL history.
Caldwell explained his decision Thursday, saying Vina- tieri had not fully recovered from midseason surgery on his kicking knee, and that Stover had done a “great job” since joining the team in October.
“I think the concern was health issues or whatever,” Vinatieri said. “I guess it makes sense. I didn’t necessarily care for the decision.”
The Colts intend to carry both kickers on the active roster, meaning Vinatieri may yet kick if he can get healthy.
Browns keeping Mangini
CLEVELAND — Eric Mangini will return for a second season as Cleveland’s coach.
New team president Mike Holmgren decided to retain Mangini, whose job might have been saved by a four-game winning streak after a 1-11 start to the season.
Mangini’s staff has been asked to return as well.
Wilfork, Warren practice
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Defensive linemen Vince Wilfork (foot) and Ty Warren (ankle) participated fully in practice for the second consecutive day and are expected to play in Sunday’s wild-card playoff game against the Ravens.
Burress denied work release
NEW YORK — The work-release application for former Giants receiver Plaxico Burress was denied by the New York Department of Correctional Services because of the nature of his crime.
Burress pleaded guilty in August to attempted criminal possession of a weapon for having a loaded handgun in a nightclub that went off and shot him in the leg. Though he had no prior record, the decision wasn’t a surprise; less than 5 percent of the more than 31,500 work-release applications in 2008 were granted.
Footnotes.
Starting cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie returned to practice for the Cardinals, but wide receiver Anquan Boldin remained sidelined because of a sprained left ankle.
• Cowboys Pro Bowl linebacker DeMarcus Ware missed practice because of a sore back, though the problem isn’t considered serious and he is expected to play in Saturday night’s playoff game against Philadelphia.
• Bills interim coach Perry Fewell met with the Giants about their defensive coordinator’s vacancy created by the firing of Bill Sheridan.
