Gregg Williams hired by Tennessee Titans after bounty ban reinstatement

Gregg Williams knows he's got to prove himself.

The former Saints defensive coordinator said he received a "great rebirth" Thursday when he was reinstated by the NFL and hired by the Tennessee Titans after serving a nearly yearlong suspension for his role in the New Orleans bounty scandal.

But now that he's back in the league, he'll have to change the way he's done things in the past.

"I've got a very positive outlook on things," Williams said. "I understand and respect the game an awful lot, and the past is the past and what I'm talking about doing right now is creating a résumé from this day forward."

Williams took the first step when the Titans hired him as a senior assistant coach for defense. Williams thanked Commissioner Roger Goodell for reinstating him while speaking at a news conference.

"I take full responsibility and apologize for my previous actions, and I've used this year to reorganize my life and put focus on positive energy and positive ways to inspire and coach and motivate in this profession," Williams said, reading from a statement.

"I'm grateful for this opportunity."

Williams coached for the Saints between 2009 and 2011 and was hired as defensive coordinator by the Rams in January 2012 before being suspended.

The NFL said Goodell cited several reasons for reinstating Williams, including accepting responsibility for his role in the bounty program and committing to not be involved in another pay for performance system.

Casillas talks liniment

Former Cowboys defensive lineman Tony Casillas told 105.3 The Fan that Cowboys players in the 1990s frequently used DMSO, an anti-inflammatory ointment used on animals.

"When I heard about deer antler spray, when I heard that, I said, 'That's nothing,' Casillas told the radio hosts. "We used to use this stuff called DMSO. That's what veterinarians put on horses, on a muscle ... It goes straight to the bloodstream. ... I guarantee you, in about 30 minutes you'd feel it. It wasn't on the [banned] list. If you're going to talk about the deer antler stuff, we used DMSO and people knew it. Everyone knew about it."

Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is commonly used in veterinary medicine as a liniment for horses and is also marketed as an alternative medicine for people.

Briefly

Vikings: Running back and NFL MVP Adrian Peterson had surgery for a sports hernia on Thursday. Peterson, who returned from a torn ACL to rush for 2,097 yards, was bothered by an abdominal injury for the season's last month.

Eagles: Jeff Stoutland, the offensive line coach the past two seasons for NCAA champion Alabama, has been hired as the Eagles' offensive line coach. Cleveland linebackers coach Billy Davis is expected to be named Eagles defensive coordinator.

Giants: Tight end Bear Pascoe and defensive tackle Shaun Rogers both signed one-year contracts. Rogers missed all of last season after developing a blood clot in his leg following a preseason game. ... Defensive end Osi Umenyiora became an unrestricted free agent.

Jets: Brian VanGorder was hired as linebackers coach and Bobby April III as defensive quality control coach. Head coach Rex Ryan has eight new coaches on his staff.

Bills: Receiver Donald Jones was allowed to become a free agent after Buffalo declined to tender the third-year player a contract offer. Jones had a career-best 41 catches for 443 yards and four touchdowns in 12 games.

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