Jim Tressel's name popping up for NFL jobs

Jim Tressel's name is popping up in talks about coaching positions in the NFL, and insiders say he may be a serious candidate for the Tampa Bay job. Tressel's only pro experience came this season when he served as a replay consultant for the Indianapolis Colts. The NCAA hit the former Ohio State coach with a show-cause penalty that would make it difficult for any college program to hire him for five years.

The Colts also were rumored to be interested in Tressel as a coach, but his chances likely diminished when Colts vice chairman Bill Polian and his son, general manager Chris Polian, were fired.

Tressel has also been named as a possible candidate for the Jacksonville Jaguars' job. The Colts finished the regular season in Jacksonville last weekend and, because the Buckeyes were there preparing for the Gator Bowl, several Ohio reporters planned to talk with Tressel after the game, but he left without talking to the media.

Tressel's name may be linked to the Jacksonville job, but the NFL Network reported this week that Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden is the favorite for the position.