According to ESPN.com, former Broncos head coach and Patriots assistant coach Josh McDaniels‘ talks with the Rams have hit a “significant snag.” The report suggested that McDaniels had been viewed as the front-runner to take over as offensive coordinator in St. Louis, and that the impasse in contract talks between the coach and team represented “a surprising development,” with one source suggested that negotiations “may have been derailed by the team’s conservative fiscal approach.”

The same report suggests that Seattle is now talking with McDaniels about the possibility of becoming offensive coordinator under Seahawks coach Pete Carroll.

“With the firing of Jeremy Bates as Seahawks offensive coordinator, Seattle is giving strong consideration to hiring McDaniels for the vacancy, according to a source with knowledge of the situation,” the report stated.

Welcome to Tuesday’s Morning Mashup. For the latest news, start at our WEEI.com home page or click here for the top stories from our news wire.

WHAT’S HAPPENING LOCALLY TUESDAY:
NHL: Sabres at Bruins, 7:30 p.m. (VERSUS)

AROUND THE WEB:

♦ On Monday, there were reports that the NFL is close to resolving its investigation into the Brett Favre-Jenn Sterger situation, and that the league was not likely to suspend the Vikings quarterback. Sterger’s manager did not take well to that news. Phil Reese told TMZ.com that Sterger has “provided extensive evidence that irrefutably proves there was harassment.” While Sterger has been mostly silent on the matter until now, Reese said that could change. Said Reese: “No matter what happens, Jenn has all legal remedies, including going public, if the NFL doesn’t clear her name.”

♦ Could a couple of pro teams be on the move in the next two years? Speculation that the Chargers will move from San Diego to Los Angeles has intensified lately. In The Los Angeles Times, T.J. Simers explains why the Chargers are likely to relocate a couple of hours north for the 2012 season. Meanwhile, with the Hornets moving under NBA ownership, the team could be ripe for a move as well when it is re-sold. Ian Thomsen at SportsIllustrated.com looks at potential landing spots and suggests Chicago might become a two-team town.

♦ Broncos coach Josh McDaniels was fired Monday, midway through his second season at the helm. In The Denver Post, Mark Kiszla writes that McDaniels is merely the scapegoat, and owner Pat Bowlen is the real problem.

♦ Michael Wilbon, who is moving to ESPN full-time, has his farewell column in The Washington Post.

ON THIS DAY TRIVIA: On Dec. 7, 1986, in a 31-7 loss to the Bengals, Stanley Morgan had five catches to give him 67 on the year, a new Patriots single-season record. Whose mark did he break?

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Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels said Monday that he was aware of the tension around his team after their off-field video controversy and eighth consecutive loss. McDaniels believes that he is not focused on his job security because it is not something that is up to him.

Sunday the Broncos lost 36-33 at home against the Rams, leaving the Broncos in last place in the AFC West. McDaniels is in the second year of a four year contract and the team has won just five of its last 16 games.

Chiefs coach Todd Haley apologized Monday for not shaking Josh McDaniels‘ hand Sunday after the Broncos beat the Chiefs 49-29. Haley would not explain why he avoided the handshake.

“And I apologize. I apologize to the fans and to Denver and to Josh,” Haley said.

McDaniels ran towards Haley after the game and offered his hand, but Haley drew his hand away and pointed at McDaniels. Haley had some brief, angry comments for McDaniels before the two separated. McDaniels said Monday he still has no idea why Haley was upset. The two teams meet again on Dec. 5 in Kansas City.

Nobody likes a sore loser.

Following an embarrassing 49-29 loss to the Broncos yesterday, Chiefs coach Todd Haley refused to shake opposing coach Josh McDaniels‘ hand, instead pointing a finger and lecturing him before turning his back. When he was asked about the altercation, Haley offered little, simply calling it a “private moment.”

Haley was presumably upset about the way McDaniels handled a big lead. Though they were up a comfortable margin entering the fourth, the Broncos were still airing the ball out, blitzing on defense and max protecting. Cue the coaching rivalry music.

Josh McDaniels will do what it takes to win over frustrated Broncos fans. In the second half against the 49ers, McDaniels called on Tim Tebow to take his first snap of the game at the goal line. Tebow took the snap from the shotgun and ran left, for a 1-yard touchdown run. Tebow had his first TD run earlier in the season but the Broncos has limited the QB’s exposure so far this season.

Tebow has yet to throw a pass this season, but he has carried the ball nine times for 26 yards and two touchdowns on the season.

Welcome to Wednesday’s Morning Mashup. For the latest news, start at our WEEI.com home page or click here for the top stories from our news wire.

WHAT’S HAPPENING LOCALLY WEDNESDAY:
NBA: Celtics at Cavaliers, 7 p.m. (CSNNE, WEEI)

AROUND THE WEB:

♦ According to a Yahoo! Sports report by Adrian Wojnarowski that includes admissions from a number of players, a Knicks representative has routinely flaunted NBA rules regarding workouts of college players the past four seasons. East Coast scout Rodney Heard, who was hired by former team president Isiah Thomas, allegedly conducted illegal workouts for a number of prospective draft picks — including one for then-Kansas star Brandon Rush in 2007 in which Rush suffered a major knee injury. Another player who is said to have participated is Wilson Chandler, whom the Knicks selected 23rd overall in 2007 after allegedly making a promise to agent Chris Luchey. Luchey represents several of the accused players and is said to be close to Heard, further complicating the situation. An NBA spokesman said the league will be investigating.

♦ The Broncos are struggling and are coming off a 59-14 embarrassment vs. the rival Raiders that has put coach Josh McDaniels in the hot seat. In The Denver Post, Mark Kiszla writes that rookie quarterback Tim Tebow might be the only one who can save McDaniels’ job.

♦ With the Rangers and Giants starting the World Series on Wednesday night, Thomas Boswell in The Washington Post writes that this offers hope for mid-budget franchises.

♦ Cliff Lee‘s wife says she was harassed at Yankee Stadium, but the soon-to-be free agent standout indicated he won’t hold the behavior of “two, three or four people acting like fools” against the entire city.

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Following the Broncos’ embarrassing 59-14 loss to the Raiders, Denver is in disarray. According to that report, “the stream of fans heading to the exits became a rush” following Darren McFadden‘s 57-yard touchdown run in the third quarter (his fourth TD on the day). In a poll on the Denver Post’s game recap, nearly 83 percent of voters believe the team has already quit. Former Bronco and current ESPN analyst Mark Schlereth tweeted during the game: “I have lived in Denver since 1995 and I can’t remember a more embarrassing showing by the Broncos ever!”

Someone’s seat is getting hotter, and it’s that of former Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. Since winning his first six games as a head coach, McDaniels has gone 4-13. One Denver Post headline questions, “Josh losing fans; is he losing team too?” Another columnist predicts “Orton can never again inspire real hopein this town,” also adding ”If [Tim] Tebow can’t play, then McDaniels is done in Denver.”

McDaniels response to all the turmoil? An apology. “I apologize to [owner] Pat [Bowlen], the organization, the fans, everybody else. That was awful,” he said.

If he can’t win now and win often, McDaniels may have to familiarize himself with Timbaland’s cold message:

Welcome to Wednesday’s Morning Mashup. For the latest news, start at our WEEI.com home page or click here for the top stories from our news wire.

WHAT’S HAPPENING TODAY:
NBA Preseason: 76ers vs. Celtics, at Manchester, N.H., 7:30 p.m. (WEEI, CSNNE)

AROUND THE WEB:

♦ The Titans were penalized 10 times for 111 yards on Sunday in a 26-20 loss to the Broncos, and then Tennessee was on the receiving end of some criticisms from Denver players and coaches. Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton called the Titans “cheap” after the game, and coach Josh McDaniels had this to say on Monday:

I was proud of our team because we knew that was the kind of game it was going to be. You can put in any tape you want to of Tennessee and there’s going to be 10 penalties. You either coach it or you allow it to happen. That’s how I look at that.

“Our guys did a great job of keeping their poise and composure and not getting drawn into a big unsportsmanlike game because I know that’s what they were trying to entice us into doing.”

Titans coach Jeff Fisher denied the accusations.

♦ The Los Angeles Times catches up with former major leaguer Lenny Dykstra, the self-described financial guru who is battling financial and personal troubles but still professes confidence that he will return to glory.

♦ The ground rules at the Rays’ Tropicana Field have been changed, making balls that hit certain parts of the roof a do-over rather than having them be in play as was previously the case.

♦ The Panthers cut receiver Dwayne Jarrett on Tuesday, after he was arrested on a DUI charge for the second time in three seasons. In The Charlotte Observer, Scott Fowler writes that the team waited too long to cut ties with the unproductive former second-round draft pick.

♦ Mike Ilitch, who already owns the Tigers and Red Wings, reportedly is set to purchase the Pistons. In the Detroit Free Press, Drew Sharp writes that while local fans might be happy because it means the team won’t bolt town, this ultimately won’t be a good thing for the Pistons.

ON THIS DAY TRIVIA: On Oct. 6, 1962, who was named to succeed Pinky Higgins as Red Sox manager?

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “It was very satisfying for me as a coach to see our team have that kind of success after they worked so hard at it in practice and talking about it at meetings and so forth. I was happy for them. They deserved it, because they went out and played a good football game — against a good football team.” — Patriots coach Bill Belichick, on The Big Show Tuesday afternoon, talking about Monday night’s win over the Dolphins

STAT OF THE DAY: 3 — Minutes the Heat’s new superstar trio played together in Tuesday night’s preseason game vs. the Pistons in Miami before Dwyane Wade limped off the floor with an injured hamstring.

‘NET RESULTS: Wizards rookie John Wall shows off his 360 move.

A Finnish soccer team embarks on a lengthy Arabian nights celebration after a goal. How was there even time for this?

TRIVIA ANSWER: Johnny Pesky

SOOTHING SOUNDS: Millie Small is 64 on Wednesday.

According to a sherrif’s investigative report released Tuesday, Broncos wide receiver Kenny McKinley had made statements about committing suicide before apparently taking his own life earlier this week. The report indicated that McKinley had been depressed following knee surgery last month, but no one took him seriously when he said that he should just kill himself.

The Broncos held an emotional news conference Tuesday to discuss the situation, and coach Josh McDaniels said no one sensed any warning signs.

“We’ve all seen him recently. He’s been the same person every time we see him. Liked junk food and chips and things like that,” McDaniels said. “He was in the cafeteria, or in the training room, when we were seeing him the last so many weeks here. Nothing that would alarm us to anything like this.”