Cowboys release 'Pacman' Jones

Troubled cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones was released Wednesday by the Dallas Cowboys after a season in which he was suspended six games for an off-field fight.

The transaction will not become official until Feb. 9, the first day NFL teams can make waiver requests.

"He was surprised, and I think he was obviously somewhat hurt," Jones' agent, Worrick Robinson, said. "At the same time, he understands the business behind what is happening here."

A Cowboys spokesman declined to comment on the decision and said owner Jerry Jones was unavailable.

Adam Jones, expected to give the Cowboys a boost on defense and special teams, had no interceptions and averaged just 4.6 yards per punt return.

The Cowboys traded for Jones despite the cornerback's suspension for the 2007 season after multiple off-field incidents while with the Tennessee Titans. He was given another chance and cleared to play in 2008 by commissioner Roger Goodell.

But on Oct. 7, Jones got into a scuffle with a bodyguard who was part of a team-employed security detail. A week later, Goodell suspended the cornerback indefinitely, and that ban eventually turned into a six-week suspension. Jones missed a seventh game later in the season with an injury.

MANGINI TO COACH BROWNS: Eric Mangini is the new coach of the Cleveland Browns, a week after being fired by the New York Jets.

Mangini, 37, was reported to have reached an agreement on a four-year deal on Wednesday.

He began his NFL career as a ballboy with the Browns in 1994 under then-coach Bill Belichick.

BOLDIN NOT SURE ABOUT STATUS: Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin rested his injured hamstring on Wednesday and said he's not sure he'll play in the divisional playoff against the Carolina Panthers.

Boldin hurt the hamstring on a 71-yard touchdown catch in Arizona's 30-24 victory over the Atlanta Falcons in the wild-card round last weekend. He's undergoing treatment but doesn't plan to test the hamstring before gametime on Saturday.

"Still tight," said Boldin, who watched practice with his red No. 81 jersey draped over his shoulder. "I'm not sure at this point. I'm just taking it a day at a time, trying to do what I can to get it better."

SAINTS FIRE GIBBS: Gary Gibbs, the New Orleans Saints' defensive coordinator the past three seasons, was fired Wednesday.

Coach Sean Payton called the decision difficult, saying Gibbs made many contributions to the team despite directing a unit that finished the regular season ranked 23rd in total defense.

ROETHLISBERGER'S HELMET TOO TIGHT: Ben Roethlisberger is dealing with a swollen head, an issue that has troubled many NFL quarterbacks. Only this time, it's not the result of too many commercial endorsements, a big contract or too much fan praise.

When the Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterback resumed practicing this week, he realized his helmet didn't fit right. He sustained a concussion Dec. 28 against the Cleveland Browns and spent last week getting over headaches.

"I had a little headache after putting the helmet on because it was so tight," Roethlisberger said Wednesday. "But we'll deal with it and move on."

BRIEFLY: Greg Knapp is the new offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks, the first of many moves expected under new coach Jim Mora.

* The Dallas Cowboys hired Jacksonville Jaguars assistant Joe DeCamillis to coach their special teams.

* The New Orleans Saints have confirmed that running back Reggie Bush had surgery on his left knee and will require months of rehabilitation.

* LaDainian Tomlinson confirmed Wednesday that he has a torn tendon in his groin and listed himself as doubtful for the San Diego Chargers' playoff game at Pittsburgh on Sunday.