News and notes: February 5

The NFL seems poised to pass the "Shawn Merriman rule" which would prohibit steroid cheats from being voted to the Pro Bowl, among other things. Murders and drug offenses league-wide and this is how the league gets tough.... Wade Phillips still has a shot at the Cowboys head coaching gig. One has to wonder if it's his last chance at getting one. However, after Marty leaves next year, he should certainly be a front-runner.... Going off on a tangent, it seems incredible Lane Kiffin can become a head coach while Norm Chow can't. If I'm AJ Smith, I'm doing my homework on Chow right now.