>>Bears GM: Playoff Misses Did In Smith

Chicago Bears general manager Phil Emery says too many playoff misses and the inability to develop a productive offense led to coach Lovie Smith's firing.

The Bears let Smith go Monday even though they won 10 games.

Missing the playoffs for the fifth time in six years and the inability to fix the offense were simply too much to overlook, so they cut ties with their coach after a 9-year run that included a Super Bowl appearance.

Emery said Tuesday he'll be interviewing potential replacements over the next two weeks and would like to have one in place by the college All-Star games later this month.

Emery sees Jay Cutler as a "franchise quarterback," although the new coach will determine if he's the long-term solution. He was noncommittal about Brian Urlacher's future.

>>Seven NFL Coaches, Five GM's Fired On "Black Monday"

(Undated) -- There were seven NFL head coaches fired on "Black Monday." Arizona's Ken Whisenhunt, San Diego's Norv Turner, Philadelphia's Andy Reid, Cleveland's Pat Shurmur, Kansas City's Romeo Crennel, Chicago's Lovie Smith and Buffalo's Chan Gailey are all looking for new jobs. Five general managers were also sent packing. Rod Graves of the Cardinals, San Diego's A.J. Smith, Tom Heckert of the Browns, Jacksonville's Gene Smith and Mike Tannenbaum of the Jets were all let go on Monday. The Jets and Titans both announced that their respective coaches are staying put. Rex Ryan will return for a fifth season in New York, while Mike Munchak will be back for a second year.

>>Packers' Woodson Cleared To Play

(Green Bay, WI) -- Packers cornerback Charles Woodson has been cleared to play in Sunday's playoff game against Minnesota. Head coach Mike McCarthy made the announcement yesterday. Wide receiver Randall Cobb practiced yesterday and McCarthy anticipates he will play. Fellow wide outs Jordy Nelson and Jarrett Boykin and defensive end Jerel Worthy all missed yesterday's practice.