The Washington Redskins fired assistants Gregg Williams and Al Saunders yesterday, promoted Greg Blache to lead the team's defense and announced that a head coach would likely not be in place for at least another week.

The Redskins also formally announced the hiring of Jim Zorn, who agreed to a three-year deal Friday to lead the offense.

Quarterbacks coach Bill Lazor and Al Saunders' son, offensive assistant Bob Saunders, also will not return next season, a person familiar with the coaching selection process told The Associated Press. The person also said that most, if not all, of the rest of the coaching staff was expected to remain with the team, lending credence to owner Dan Snyder's stated desire to maintain a degree of continuity following the resignation of head coach Joe Gibbs on Jan. 8.

The person said linebackers coach Kirk Olivadotti has agreed to a new contract. Running backs coach Earnest Byner, the only other assistant whose deal was about to expire, has been in talks with Tampa Bay about a job but would be welcome to return as well.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly on the subject.

As for the search for a head coach, the next interviews aren't expected to take place until Feb. 4, the day after the Super Bowl, so that Snyder can talk to assistants from the two teams involved.

Synder's candidates include former New York Giants head coach Jim Fassel, current Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.

RAIDERS

KIFFIN HOPES TO BE BACK DESPITE ESPN REPORT

Lane Kiffin said he hopes to be back as Oakland Raiders coach next season, a day after reports surfaced that owner Al Davis has asked him to resign.

Kiffin was asked after coaching the North team at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., yesterday whether he wanted to return for a second season as Oakland's coach.

"I hope so," he said.

Kiffin, 32, would not comment further on a report by ESPN that Davis drew up a resignation letter for him two weeks ago.

"It's got nothing to do with this game, and these guys' last game here," he said.

The Raiders have denied the report when it came out Friday.

The team went 4-12 in his Kiffin's season in Oakland.

BROWNS

QB ANDERSON, RB LEWIS OFFERED DEALS

The Browns have made contract offers to quarterback Derek Anderson and running back Jamal Lewis, key players they hope to keep off the free-agent market.

A team spokesman confirmed proposals were sent to the representative for both players, but he could not provide details about the length or value of the deals.

Anderson, who won 10 games and threw 29 touchdown passes in his first season as a starter, is scheduled to become a restricted free agent on Feb. 29.

Lewis rushed for 1,304 yards and nine TDs in his first season with the Browns, who signed him to a one-year, incentive-stuffed contract worth $5 million last March. Lewis, who can become an unrestricted free agent, has said he wants to stay with Cleveland.

BENGALS

SUSPENDED LB CLEARED TO PRACTICE WITH TEAM

The NFL cleared linebacker Odell Thurman to resume working out with the Cincinnati Bengals yesterday, a step toward reinstatement from his two-year suspension.

Thurman will be allowed to work out with the training staff at Paul Brown Stadium. He's hoping for full reinstatement before the team's minicamp in April.

A skipped drug test led to a four-game suspension to start the 2006 season. The suspension was extended to the full season after he was arrested for drunken driving. He pleaded no contest and was sentenced to six days in a treatment center.

Thurman hoped to be reinstated for the 2007 season, but Goodell turned down his request shortly before the start of training camp. Goodell, who has taken a hard line on player misconduct, said Thurman could apply for reinstatement after sitting out a second season.

ELSEWHERE

Falcons: New Atlanta Falcons coach Mike Smith hired Terry Robiskie as receivers coach yesterday.

Robiskie has 25 years of NFL coaching experience, including brief stints as an interim head coach in Washington and Cleveland.