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Cincy Coach ... "Silly Season"

Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly is familiar with his name being mentioned for other possible head coaching jobs. He calls this time of the year, "the silly season." Kelly said Tuesday the speculation about other schools' interest in him doesn't have any effect on his undefeated team or its recruiting. The Bearcats (10-0) are fifth in the BCS standings heading into their game Friday against Illinois. In his three seasons in Cincinnati, Kelly has been mentioned as a possible candidate for other jobs. His name has come up as a possible replacement for Charlie Weis if Notre Dame makes a change.

AP Photo/Dave Martin

Elam Replaced?

The Atlanta Falcons are looking at other kickers to possibly replace the slumping Jason Elam. The Falcons brought Steve Hauschka, Sam Swank and Shane Andrus and former Georgia standout Brandon Coutu to their practice facility for tryouts on Tuesday. Hauschka, Swant and Andrus have NFL experience. Coutu was drafted by Seattle in 2008, but did not make the team. Elam, 39 years old, has made only 10 of 16 field goals this season and ranks 30th in the league with his 62.5 percent success rate. The biggest concern, Elam has made only three of seven attempts from 30 to 39 yards, including a missed 35-yarder in Sunday's overtime loss to the New York Giants.

Landon Johnson Out For Season

The Carolina Panthers have lost another linebacker to a season-ending knee injury. The Panthers placed Landon Johnson on injured reserve Tuesday and signed linebacker Jordan Senn. Johnson hurt his medial collateral ligament in Thursday's loss to Miami in his second start at weakside linebacker after Thomas Davis was lost for the season. Johnson's injury leaves James Anderson as the likely starter Sunday at the New York Jets.

The Associated Press contributed to this story