In Pittsburgh, Liz Navratil notes the Steelers have placed linebackers coach Joey Porter on leave following his arrest on "charges of assault, resisting arrest, trespassing and disorderly conduct" after the team's playoff win on Sunday over the Dolphins (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 1/10). Also in Pittsburgh, Ron Cook notes the Steelers believe Porter's incident outside a nightclub was "so serious that they are taking him away from their outside linebackers as they prepare" for the Chiefs this weekend. Cook: "It’s a bit premature to say Porter should be fired. Let’s see where the legal system goes. But, if nothing else, Porter is guilty of stupidity" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 1/10).
MOVING DILEMMAS: In San Diego, Tom Krasovic noted NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and "several leading owners insisted" in '15 and '16 that they would "get it right” in L.A. Krasovic asked, "What’s right about the L.A. Chargers?" L.A. "doesn’t want the Chargers," and Rams Owner Stan Kroenke "doesn’t want the Chargers in L.A." NFL broadcast partners "may not want the Chargers" in L.A., either, though they would "be loath to admit it publicly." The "most prudent move would be for the League to buy" Chargers Chair Dean Spanos "some time to work out a plan in San Diego, while also ensuring that the Raiders stay out of L.A." (SANDIEGOUNIONTRIBUNE.com, 1/9).
FAMILY TIES: In L.A., Mark Heisler noted Lakers management "still looks to be approaching a crossroads." Lakers VP/Basketball Operations Jim Buss "may still have a title next season," but "what he’s not likely to have is a role." Lakers Exec VP/Business Operations Jeanie Buss’ "insistence on taking [Jim's] casual 'three or four year' time frame to mean he’ll leave if the team doesn’t advance in the playoffs this season -- with little chance of making the playoffs -- suggests she’s ready to limit Jim’s power." But it "remains to be seen what being allied with Jim means" for GM Mitch Kupchak (DAILYNEWS.com, 1/7).
LOOKING TO REBOUND: In St. Louis, Jeff Gordon wrote the "suffering continues unabated" in Stan Kroenke's sports empire. The Rams "collapsed spectacularly" in L.A. this season and the Avalanche have "become the NHL's worst team." Meanwhile, the Nuggets are "falling apart as well." Kroenke owns all three franchises (STLTODAY.com, 1/6).
