Hours after firing Jon Gruden in a surprise move, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers settled on defensive coordinator Raheem Morris as their new coach.

The move to promote the 32-year-old Morris was confirmed last night by a person familiar with the decision who requested anonymity because the team had not yet scheduled an official announcement.

Gruden and general manager Bruce Allen were dismissed earlier in the day, three weeks after the team completed one of the biggest collapses in NFL history, losing four straight games following a 9-3 start to miss the playoffs.

Director of pro personnel Mark Dominik, who has been with the Bucs for 14 seasons, will replace Allen.

Gruden was a rising star when he was hired seven years ago to get a team built by Tony Dungy to the Super Bowl. But Gruden only guided the Bucs to the postseason twice after becoming the youngest coach to win the NFL title in January 2003.

Morris was the Bucs' defensive back coach the past two seasons, and was promoted to defensive coordinator on Christmas Day.

Gruden, 39 when the Bucs beat Oakland in the Super Bowl, went 60-57 in seven seasons, including a 3-2 mark in the playoffs. Allen was general manager for the past five seasons.

"These decisions are never easy. This is the toughest decision you can make for an NFL franchise. ... Jon and Bruce are consummate professionals. They've poured their heart and soul into this franchise," Buccaneers co-chairman Joel Glazer said. "It's really been an honor to work with them. They gave their all."

The Bucs (9-7) were tied for first place in the NFC South heading into December, but finished with losses to Carolina and Atlanta on the road and San Diego and Oakland at home. One more win would have landed an NFC wild-card berth.

The Glazers fired Dungy after consecutive first-round playoff losses in Philadelphia and used four high draft picks — two No. 1s and two No. 2s — and $8 million cash to pry Gruden away from the Raiders following the 2001 season.

Gruden, who had three years remaining on a contract extension he received after winning the NFC South in 2007, leaves as the winningest coach in franchise history at 60-57, including the postseason.

CARDINALS

WR BOLDIN EXPECTS TO PLAY AGAINST EAGLES

After missing a playoff game with an injured hamstring, Arizona wide receiver Anquan Boldin said he expects to play in the NFC championship against Philadelphia tomorrow.

"I'm feeling good," Boldin said after practice yesterday. "I've been able to practice all week, so if nothing else happens at this point, I'll be out on the field."

Boldin, who with Larry Fitzgerald forms possibly the best receiving tandem in football, said a trip to a Dallas chiropractor this week greatly improved his strained left hamstring. The injury kept Boldin out of the Cardinals' 33-13 win at Carolina in Saturday's divisional playoff game.

Boldin has practiced each of the past three days, and he said he should be able to run all his normal pass routes tomorrow.

"For me, it isn't a problem either way right now," Boldin said. "It's not grabbing, so I don't have any problem with it. I'm able to run short and deep routes."

Boldin injured his hamstring on a 71-yard touchdown pass from Kurt Warner in Arizona's 30-24 wild-card victory over Atlanta on Jan. 3.

CHARGERS

OFFICIAL HINTS L.T. MIGHT NOT BE BACK NEXT SEASON

San Diego appears to be bracing its fans for the possibility that LaDainian Tomlinson's brilliant eight-year run with the team could be over.

According to the team's Web site, club president Dean Spanos called the star running back Thursday to discuss reports that the Chargers might part with Tomlinson, who has been slowed by injuries the last two postseasons and will count $8.8 million against the salary cap next year.

"We talked about the situation and I just tried to explain everything that must be considered," Spanos said in a story detailing the offseason decisions the team must make. "I told him we haven't even started our discussions and won't for a while, so don't jump to any conclusions. And I told him I would call him personally to make sure he's aware of everything that's going on."

Tomlinson, the NFL MVP in 2006, missed the Chargers' playoff loss at Pittsburgh on Sunday with a groin injury. That, coupled with the lowest rushing total of his career, has led to speculation that the team might try to trade or even release L.T.

Tomlinson, who turns 30 in June, is under contract through 2011. Tomlinson gained a career-low 1,110 yards in 2008.

EAGLES

RB WESTBROOK'S SORE KNEE 'JUST FEELS GOOD'

Philadelphia running back Brian Westbrook, who has a knee injury, practiced yesterday for the first time in three days and is expected to play against Arizona in the NFC championship game.

Westbrook said he tweaked the knee in last week's divisional playoff victory over the New York Giants but that it "just feels good.

"I don't know what it is," Westbrook said after practice yesterday. "I just feel good right now."

Offensive tackle Jon Runyan, who also has a knee injury, didn't practice all week but is likely to play. Runyan has played in 212 consecutive games, including the playoffs.

COWBOYS

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR FIRED AFTER TWO SEASONS

Dallas fired defensive coordinator Brian Stewart after two seasons, the first big coaching move after the team limped to the finish line and missed the playoffs again.

The Cowboys began last season with Super Bowl expectations and ended it with a blowout loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on the final day of the regular season. Stewart is the second Dallas coach let go; the Cowboys earlier this month replaced special teams coach Bruce Read with Joe DeCamillis.

The Cowboys gave up 22.8 points per game, which was 20th in the league.