Offensive Line Coach

Ravens coach Brian Billick interviewed Notre Dame offensive coordinator Jim Colletto at the team's Owings Mills complex yesterday, and Colletto is the leading candidate to become the Ravens' new offensive line coach.Colletto, 54, spent most of yesterday in meetings with Billick and was spotted several times walking around the team's training facility. There has been speculation that Colletto is looking for a new job after having a major disagreement with Fighting Irish coach Bob Davie last season.

More than two months since he was relieved of his duties as the Ravens offensive coordinator, Cam Cameron officially returned to coaching today, this time at the college level.   The 52-year-old, who called the Ravens' offensive plays for five seasons before he was fired by head coach John Harbaugh a day after the team's Dec. 9 loss to the Washington Redskins, was announced today as LSU 's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, reuniting him with his longtime friend, Tigers coach Les Miles . Cameron and Miles worked together for seven years on the University of Michigan coaching staff, prompting a question about whether he has any concerns working with a close friend.

CollegeLouisiana Tech: Promoted offensive line coach Jack Bicknell III to head coach.Seton Hall: Dismissed F Ramon Cespedes from basketball team.FootballSteelers: Special teams coach Ron Zook resigned to become Chiefs secondary coach.GolfUSGA: Re-elected F. Morgan "Buzz" Taylor to one-year term as president.Pub Date: 2/07/99

Since firing offensive coordinator Cam Cameron in early December, the Ravens have entrusted Jim Caldwell with running the offense. Having reached the Super Bowl behind an offense clicking with Caldwell at the controls, his status as offensive coordinator has been extended at least through next season. Ravens coach John Harbaugh announced Monday that the former Indianapolis Colts head coach and quarterbacks coach has agreed to remain as offensive coordinator going forward. "He's really a solid football coach, first of all," Harbaugh said.

The Ravens added two coaches to John Harbaugh's staff yesterday, hiring Hue Jackson as the quarterbacks coach and Andy Moeller as an assistant offensive line coach. Jackson, who was the Atlanta Falcons' offensive coordinator this past season, was the offensive coordinator for the Washington Redskins under then-head coach Steve Spurrier in 2003 and the wide receivers coach for the Cincinnati Bengals from 2004 through 2006. "One of the main attributes we're looking for in assembling this staff is great communication.

BaseballAstros: Signed P Bob Scanlan, former Orioles P Brian Williams, P Jeff McCurry, C Marc Ronan, C Randy Knorr, C Pedro Lopez, IF Casey Candaele, former Orioles OF Brent Bowers, OF Alex Diaz and Ryan Thompson (Chestertown) and invited them to spring training.Cardinals: Named Jose Oquendo bench coach. Named Brian Rupp manager of Single-A Peoria.Diamondbacks: Signed P Stephen Randolph, IF Junior Spivey, OF Jason Conti, OF Dante Powell and OF Rob Ryan.Mets: Signed P Jeff Tam to one-year contract, avoiding salary arbitration.

Baseball Major League Baseball Players Association: Filed grievance against commissioner Bud Selig for failing to declare Dodgers 3B Adrian Beltre free agent despite Los Angeles' signing him in 1994 when he was under the age minimum of 16. Astros: Signed P Travis Driskill, P Rick Huisman, P Brad Kaufman, P Rusty Meacham, P Joe Slusarski, P Bryan Wolff, P Eric Plantenberg and OF Marc Sagmoen to minor-league contracts and invited them to spring training....

The Ravens will be searching for more than an offensive coordinator this week. Offensive line coach Jim Colletto was fired yesterday, becoming the second member of Brian Billick's coaching staff not to be retained after the offense ranked 31st in the NFL this season. Colletto, who had a year remaining on his contract, called his release a "mutual agreement." He asked Billick's permission to look outside of the organization when informed he would not be a candidate for the coordinator position.

Baseball Devil Rays: Agreed to one-year contracts with former Orioles P Esteban Yan ($650,000) and OF Jose Guillen ($975,000), avoiding salary arbitration. Mets: Named former Orioles minor-league IF Edgar Alfonzo manager of short-season Single-A Brooklyn. Twins: Signed P Bob Wells to one-year contract extension through 2002. Agreed to one-year contracts with IF Casey Blake, IF Jay Canizaro, IF Doug Mientkiewicz, C Chad Moeller, C A. J. Pierzynski, P Grant Balfour, P Jack Cressend, P Brandon Knight and P Kyle Lohse.

BaseballAstros: Signed C Tony Eusebio to one-year contract. Hired Chuck Carlson as full-time area scout.Braves: Named Bobby Moore coach at Single-A Greenville.Cardinals: Named Mike Easler hitting coach.Dodgers: Traded P Darren Hall to White Sox for C Joe Sutton. Signed free-agent P Greg Cadaret, who had been with Rangers.Giants: Promoted Ned Colletti and Dick Tidrow to VP.Indians: Agreed to minor-league contracts with P Chris Crawford, P Jeff Schmidt, P Chris Weidert, IF Nick Ortiz, IF Angel Pagan, IF Jose Vierra and OF Juan Hernaiz.

Capitals Backstrom seeing specialist for neck injury Nicklas Backstrom is visiting a specialist in Michigan after suffering a neck injury while playing in the Kontinental Hockey League during the lockout, a Washington Capitals spokesman confirmed. Backstrom has not played since suffering the injury Dec.26 in a game with Dynamo Moscow. The Swedish center returned to North America on Sunday and was at the Capitals' training facility in Arlington, Va., on Monday, but has since traveled to Michigan.

It's been four games since Jim Caldwell replaced Cam Cameron as the team's offensive coordinator. One might think that Caldwell is feeling comfortable with his role, but he disagreed Thursday with the notion that he is “settled in.” “I don't think we ever really feel comfortable and settled in,” he said. “But I'm a bit more familiar with some things. But it's a real challenge, calling plays and adjusting. But I've got a lot of help with assistant coaches that are on the staff.

Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco was sacked three times and hit three more times in Sunday's 30-27 win against the Arizona Cardinals, raising questions about the play of the offensive line. On Monday, coach John Harbaugh said he thought the unit played better as the game unfolded. Asked a few minutes later to assess the line's play against the Cardinals, Harbaugh did not mince words. “My assessment is that they'll be ready to play against Pittsburgh [Sunday night], and we'll be the best offensive line we can be, and they're capable of playing football against Pittsburgh,” he said.

Ravens offensive line coach Andy Moeller has been suspended by the NFL for the first two games of the season for violating the league's personal conduct policy. In April, he was sentenced to two years of supervised probation after being found guilty of driving while impaired by alcohol. “We knew this was coming and we prepared for it,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. Todd Washington, a former NFL player who was hired as the Ravens' assistant line coach this year, will take over for Moeller during the suspension.

Ravens offensive line coach Andy Moeller was sentenced to two years of supervised probation after being found guilty of driving while impaired by alcohol and likely will receive further punishment from the NFL. Moeller, 47, is expected to get suspended for at least one game as well as fined, according to a source. An NFL spokesman said Moeller's situation is being reviewed under the personal conduct policy. District Judge Dorothy Wilson ordered Moeller to abstain from alcohol and continue his rehabilitation, which includes two Alcohol Anonymous meetings a week, random drug testing and direct reports to the court every 60 days.

The Ravens fired offensive line coach John Matsko Wednesday, according to three league sources. In the latest move to the Ravens' coaching staff, Andy Moeller has replaced Matsko, getting promoted from assistant offensive line coach. The offensive line had its worst season under Matsko, who joined the Ravens in 2008. The Ravens gave up 40 sacks (their most since 2003) and their running game dropped to No. 14 in the NFL (their lowest since 2007). Matsko is scheduled to interview with the Carolina Panthers on Thursday.

Moves Baseball ANGELS: Agreed to terms with IF Shane Halter on one-year contract. BLUE JAYS: Agreed to terms with P Ted Lilly on two-year contract. BRAVES: Re-signed IF Mark DeRosa to one-year contract. ORIOLES: Agreed to terms on three-year contract with free-agent P Sidney Ponson. ROCKIES: Reached agreement with P Turk Wendell on minor league contract. TIGERS: Signed following free agents to minor league contracts: IF Greg Norton, IF Pablo Ozuna, IF Juan Llamas, C Bobby Estalella, C Brandon Harper, OF Kurt Airoso, P Jason Karnuth, P Craig Dingman and P Alex Lontayo.

BaseballOrioles -- Agreed to terms with OF Mike Devereaux and IF Steve Scarsone on one-year contracts. Agreed to terms with C Rey Palacios on a minor-league contract. Traded C Doug Robbins to the Oakland Athletics for P Lee Cusey.California Angels -- Agreed to terms with OF Jerome Walton on a minor-league contract.Chicago White Sox -- Agreed to a one-year contract with OF Shawn Abner for $425,000.Houston Astros -- Agreed to terms with P Xavier Hernandez on a one-year contract worth $900,000.

State police say a Ravens assistant coach was arrested and charged Saturday with driving while under the influence of alcohol. Andy Moeller, 46, an assistant offensive line coach, was stopped by a trooper for speeding just before 1 a.m. Saturday on the outer loop of the beltway at Greenspring Ave., according to state police spokesman Greg Shipley. Moeller showed signs of being impaired and was charged with seven traffic violations, including driving while under the influence.

The Ravens added two coaches to John Harbaugh's staff yesterday, hiring Hue Jackson as the quarterbacks coach and Andy Moeller as an assistant offensive line coach. Jackson, who was the Atlanta Falcons' offensive coordinator this past season, was the offensive coordinator for the Washington Redskins under then-head coach Steve Spurrier in 2003 and the wide receivers coach for the Cincinnati Bengals from 2004 through 2006. "One of the main attributes we're looking for in assembling this staff is great communication.