Saints hire Ryan as DC

METAIRIE, La. (AP) — Saints coach Sean Payton has chosen Rob Ryan as his new defensive coordinator, hoping New Orleans can overhaul a unit that was historically bad last season.

Ryan, the brother of New York Jets coach Rex Ryan, spent the past two seasons as Dallas’ defensive coordinator. He was fired after last season, when his defense ranked 19th.

“We have experience in preparing and playing against his defenses and they’ve always been challenging in terms of the different looks and pressures that they feature,” Payton said when Ryan’s hiring was announced Saturday, one day after he interviewed for the job. “We’ve had the chance to visit with each other and talk about our visions for our team and I’m excited about moving forward as we prepare for the 2013 season.”

In 2010, Ryan was Cleveland’s defensive coordinator when the Browns beat the Saints in the Superdome 30-17, intercepting passes by Drew Brees four times. One of those interceptions was made by linebacker Scott Fujita, who had been a captain of New Orleans’ defense a season earlier and had helped Ryan prepare and execute the game plan against the Saints.

“I have had the opportunity to get to know Sean Payton and his staff a bit better recently and I am excited about joining the team,” Ryan said in a statement provided by the Saints. “I’m ready to get to work on all facets of the game. This is a great opportunity and we’re getting started right away.”

Dolphins sign off on stadium referendum

MIAMI — The Miami Dolphins have agreed to a local referendum on their plan seeking tax money for an upgrade of their stadium, a person familiar with the discussions said Sunday.

The Dolphins believe passage by Miami-Dade County voters would help the chance of the plan’s approval by the Florida Legislature.

A news conference with County Mayor Carlos Gimenez and Dolphins chief executive officer Mike Dee will be held Monday.

Team owner Stephen Ross earlier resisted holding a referendum on the issue, saying there wasn’t time for a vote before legislators would need to act.

NFL greats appear in PSA favoring gun law reforms

NEW YORK — NFL greats Emmitt Smith, Deion Sanders, Michael Irvin, LaDainian Tomlinson and Marshall Faulk are appearing in a public service announcement in favor of gun law reforms.

The spot is paid for by Mayors Against Illegal Guns, which was founded by New York City’s Michael Bloomberg and Boston’s Thomas Menino.

A solemn Smith speaks into the camera: “For the children of Sandy Hook Elementary.” Then Tomlinson adds, “Demand a plan.”

Faulk says later: “It’s time for our leaders to do something.”

Mayors Against Illegal Guns says on its website that it “advocates for common-sense measures that will close deadly gaps in our gun laws and make sure law enforcement agencies have the tools they need to detect and deter gun trafficking.”

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