Published: Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2009

Updated: Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2009

LIONS

Detroit put Jim Schwartz behind a podium to answer questions from reporters as part of their second interview with the Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator.

If it was part of his evaluation, he seemed to pass it.

Schwartz cracked one joke when asked what he would do with the No. 1 pick in the draft and his potential boss got a kick out of his answer.

“It’s probably time to find a replacement for Bobby Layne,” Schwartz said, showing he knows at least a little about the history of perhaps the NFL’s worst franchise.

Team president Tom Lewand doubled over, then composed himself enough to avoid bursting out with laughter.

What isn’t a joke, though, is how bad Detroit has been and how much it has failed to draft or acquire a viable, long-term option at quarterback.

JAGUARS

Jacksonville promoted Gene Smith to general manager, one of four changes meant to clarify responsibilities in the franchise’s personnel department.

Team owner Wayne Weaver also named Terry McDonough director of player personnel, Tim Mingey assistant director of college personnel and Andy Dengler national scout.

49ERS

Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Rick Dennison interviewed with San Francisco to run its offense.

He’s the fourth coach to interview for the job on Mike Singletary’s staff that was vacated when Mike Martz was fired last month.

CARDINALS

Arizona starting tight end Stephen Spach is out for the playoffs with a torn knee ligament.

Spach tore his right anterior cruciate ligament while blocking in the second half of Saturday night’s 33-13 victory over Carolina.

TITANS

Tennessee rookie running back Chris Johnson wore a walking boot on his injured right foot and was scheduled for an MRI exam after a high ankle sprain knocked him out of the Titans’ playoff loss to Baltimore. The injury puts Johnson’s status for the Pro Bowl in doubt.

COWBOYS

Dallas linebacker Anthony Spencer was arrested over the weekend after a disturbance outside a downtown Indianapolis nightclub.

Spencer was arrested on preliminary charges of public intoxication and disorderly conduct about 3 a.m. Sunday outside the Have a Nice Day Cafe, city police Sgt. Matthew Mount said. Spencer, 24, was later released without bond. A court appearance was scheduled for Jan. 15.

NFLPA DIRECTOR SEARCH

Four members of Congress want the Department of Labor to monitor the NFL Players’ Association’s search for a new executive director, according to a letter obtained by The Associated Press.

Reps. G. K. Butterfield, Gregory Meeks, Edolphus Towns and Bobby Rush also asked that a “detailed disclosure and description report” of the search be provided to the group and the labor department.

— Associated Press