NFL notebook — Jan. 27

Associated Press For the second time in three years, the Eagles are without a defensive coordinator as Super Bowl week opens. The delay in naming one has many speculating that new coach Chip Kelly has his eye on one of the assistant coaches preparing for Sunday’s championship game. The Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers have two of the more renowned defenses in the NFL over the last decade, so it would make sense for the Eagles to focus on their staffs. Of course, the same was thought two years ago when the Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers were in the Super Bowl and Andy Reid was looking for a defensive coordinator. Rather than hire one of their defensive assistants, Reid shockingly promoted offensive line coach Juan Castillo four days before the game. It is unlikely that Kelly will think that far outside the box. A number of former coordinators remain unemployed, including former Eagles assistant Steve Spagnuolo. The Ravens and 49ers also boast defensive coaches who have ample experience or are viewed as possible coordinators. The person most often mentioned in the last week has been San Francisco defensive backs coach Ed Donatell. The buzz has worn off some, however. The Eagles’ interest apparently has been directed to Ravens linebackers coach Ted Monachino, according to two NFL sources. While Donatell has vast experience as a defensive coordinator, Monachino has never helmed a defense in either college or the NFL. Still, he is considered an up-and-comer around the league, having worked under coordinators Greg Mattison, Chuck Pagano, and Dean Pees in Baltimore. Monachino, 46, was hired to coach the Ravens’ outside linebackers in 2010. He was promoted to linebackers coach last year. Ravens All-Pro linebacker Terrell Suggs has credited Monachino with helping take him to the next level. Suggs was a Pro Bowl linebacker before Monachino came aboard, but he became one of the league’s best defensive players in 2010 and ’11. Monachino was Suggs’ position coach at Arizona State, where he played defensive end from 2000-02. In 2006, Monachino started a five-year stint as the defensive line coach with the Jaguars.

NFL notebook — Jan. 27 January 28,2013 04:39 AM GMT Associated Press Copyright � 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,broadcast, rewritten or redistributed..

Titans may hire Williams

Gregg Williams may be a step closer to returning to the NFL after being suspended indefinitely for his role in the Saints’ bounty program.

Titans coach Mike Munchak has talked with Williams and is interested in adding him to his Tennessee staff, said a person familiar with the situation. The person spoke Sunday to the Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because the Titans do not discuss personnel moves until they are finalized.

Before the Titans could hire Williams, he must be reinstated by the league. Commissioner Roger Goodell suspended him indefinitely for his role in the New Orleans Saints bounty program, and NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said Sunday the league has not yet addressed Williams’ potential reinstatement.

Munchak did not immediately answer a message left by the AP on Sunday. The Titans coach has not talked with the media about his team since the day after the season ended.

How quickly the league considers reinstating Williams may take at least a week with the San Francisco 49ers arriving in New Orleans on Sunday to kick off festivities leading up to the Feb. 3 Super Bowl.

Williams is the only coach or player who has yet to return to the NFL in the wake of the bounty scandal.

Goodell just lifted the suspension for New Orleans coach Sean Payton on Tuesday, nearly two weeks earlier than expected. Saints general manager Mickey Loomis was suspended for eight games and assistant head coach Joe Vitt for six. Four current or former Saints players were also suspended after an investigation found the club had a performance pool offering cash rewards for key plays. The player suspensions eventually were overturned.