ST. LOUIS — The NFL denied the St. Louis Rams' attempt to rework a contract with coach Jim Haslett that would ensure him a job beyond this season if he won six games because of a requirement that minority candidates be interviewed for head coaching vacancies.

Team president John Shaw said yesterday in a telephone interview with The AP that the league office cited the Rooney Rule when informing the Rams earlier this week, "either Tuesday or Wednesday." The story was first reported by ESPN.

"We gave them the language with the incentive bonus and they said the contract wouldn't qualify," Shaw said. "We were looking for a provision that would ensure him an extension if he won a certain amount of games."

Language in Haslett's contract refers to him as the head coach, not the interim coach. But Haslett's agent said his client has no problem going through the interview process.

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Browns: Cleveland has agreed to rescind Kellen Winslow's one-game suspension, but the Pro Bowl tight end will still miss today's game. The team said in a statement that Winslow will return tomorrow, following the Browns' game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.