Ex-Vikings coach Tice lands job in Atlanta

Former Vikings coach Mike Tice has a new job in the NFL.

Tice was named offensive line coach of the Atlanta Falcons on Wednesday.

Tice replaces Pat Hill and Paul Dunn, who were fired after the Falcons completed a 4-12 season. Atlanta also dismissed defensive line coach Ray Hamilton.

Tice took over as head coach of the Vikings for the last game of the 2001 and held the job for the next four seasons. He compiled a record of 32-33, including one playoff appearance.

Most recently, the 54-year-old Tice served as offensive coordinator of the Chicago Bears in 2012. He was out of coaching this past season.

Tice is charged with improving a beleaguered line that allowed quarterback Matt Ryan to be sacked a career-high 44 times.

• Josh McDaniels, labeled a favorite to take over in Cleveland, removed himself from consideration for the Browns' head coaching opening, a person familiar with the decision told the Associated Press. McDaniels pulled his name after learning he was not the front-runner for the job, said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity.

As McDaniels was removed from their list, the Browns interviewed Packers quarterbacks coach Ben McAdoo, a person familiar with the meeting told the AP.

• Jay Gruden completed his interview for the Redskins' coaching job, making the Bengals offensive coordinator the sixth known candidate to meet with General Manager Bruce Allen. The team confirmed that Gruden met with Allen at Redskins Park.

Gruden, the brother of former NFL head coach Jon Gruden, has drawn interest from at least three other teams seeking to fill a head coaching vacancy. He interviewed with the Titans on Tuesday.

Up next on Allen's list is expected to be Vanderbilt coach James Franklin, the only college coach who has been publicly named as a candidate. Franklin also has been courted by Penn State and other NFL teams.

Allen has previously met with Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, Cowboys special teams coach Rich Bisaccia, Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott, Ravens offensive coordinator Jim Caldwell and Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell.

• A $50,000 fine to Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch has been put on hold as long as he continues to comply with league policy on being available to the media. NFL executive vice president Ray Anderson put the fine on hold after Lynch committed to complying with league policy. If there are any further violations, the $50,000 fine will be collected and a minimum fine of $50,000 more will be assessed.

Lynch had declined all requests for interviews this season and had not spoken to the media until last Friday, when he talked for less than 90 seconds.

• Colts safety LaRon Landry (concussion) was a full participant at practice and coaches are hopeful he will play in Saturday's playoff game at New England.