Lovie Smith Takes Over Buccaneers Coaching Job

Tampa Bay has not made the NFL post-season in six seasons. Lovie Smith is confident he can change that and he has the record to back up the optimism.

Smith takes over as the Buccaneers new head coach, returning to the team where he once was an assistant coach. He coached the Chicago Bears for nine seasons from 2004 to 2012, winning 81 games, three division championships, two NFC title game appearances and one Super Bowl berth.

Smith was hired to replace Greg Schiano (shee-AH'-noh) who was fired after two seasons.

Also in the NFL:

— The New England Patriots have placed linebacker Brandon Spikes on injured reserve because of a knee injury that has bothered him much of the season. Spikes is the Patriots' fourth key defender to be sidelined for the season. Dane Fletcher is likely to replace Spikes at middle linebacker for Saturday's playoff game against Indianapolis.

— The Indianapolis Colts have signed former Super Bowl MVP Deion Branch six days before playing his ex-team in the divisional round. The 5-foot-9, 195-pound Branch had 518 catches for 6,644 yards and 39 touchdowns over a career spent mostly with the New England Patriots. Branch also has 64 receptions for 948 yards and four TDs in 17 postseason games.

— Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith says he'll play Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC divisional playoffs. Smith missed the season finale with a sprained knee ligament. The 34-year old says the knee feels fine after practice Monday, but doesn't know how it will hold up during the game.

— Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden is a hot commodity for teams looking for a head coach. The Vikings asked for permission to interview Gruden, who told reporters in Cincinnati on Monday that Tennessee and Washington have also requested permission. A person with knowledge of the process told the Associated Press that Detroit has inquired, too.

— Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Mike Sherman has been fired, the first change by the team since missing the playoffs because of a late-season collapse. Sherman's unit ranked 27th this season in the NFL in yards, allowed a franchise-record 58 sacks and scored once in its final 24 possessions.