Italian league offers contract to Tim Tebow

Tim Tebow has been offered a four-month contract by the Italian federation for American football, and the Milano Seamen are hoping to sign the free-agent quarterback. Excerpts of an offer sent by federation president Leoluca Orlando to Tebow's representatives were posted on the federation's website yesterday.

"The offer has been made to his agent and now we're waiting for a response," Seamen president Marco Mutti told The Associated Press. "We would be more than happy to have him." A federation spokesman, James Dewar, told AP that the offer is for $200,000 and that it was sent Wednesday on the recommendation of a sponsor.

Tebow, 26, was cut by the New England Patriots before this NFL season. He would be the most prominent player to appear in the Italian league -- by far. The eight-team Italian league is divided into two divisions. The other teams are located in Ancona, Bologna, Bolzano, Parma, Reggio Emilia and Rome, while Milan has two teams.

The season begins in March and concludes with the Italian Super Bowl in July. In last season's title game, the Parma Panthers beat the Seamen, 51-28.

The Seamen have the league's largest stadium, with 8,000 seats. Fashion designer Giorgio Armani is a former owner of the team.

Tebow won the Heisman Trophy in 2007 with the University of Florida and tasted NFL success with the Denver Broncos, leading them to the playoffs in 2011 before his pro career faded with the Jets. He was released in the last cut by the Patriots before this season began and has not been picked up by anyone, even though many teams have had problems at quarterback.

Jaguars win; Texans' skid hits 11

Chad Henne threw two touchdown passes, Jordan Todman scored on some trickery and the Jacksonville Jaguars held on to beat the Houston Texans 27-20 last night. The Jaguars (4-9) won their third straight -- their fourth victory in five games since a bye -- and continued to show signs of progress under first-year coach Gus Bradley. They also won at home for the first time since Nov. 25, 2012, against Tennessee. Houston (2-11) extended its franchise-record losing streak to 11 games, a stunning stretch of futility that could lead the franchise to fire coach Gary Kubiak.

Vikings CB Cook fined

Minnesota Vikings cornerback Chris Cook has been fined $26,250 for contact with an official, per NFL guidelines. -- AP