When Kubiak had dinner at Harbaughs house on Sunday night

OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Gary Kubiak was bored and in need of a job, if for no other reason to give his wife some breathing room at home. At the same time, the Baltimore Ravens were in the market for someone who could add some spice and efficiency to the NFLs 29th-ranked offence. Both sides got what they wanted Monday when Kubiak was hired to be the Ravens offensive co-ordinator. Kubiak replaces Jim Caldwell, who was hired on Jan. 14 to coach the Detroit Lions. The 52-year-old Kubiak was Houstons coach from 2006 through last month, when he was fired after the Texans got off to a 2-11 start. Baltimore also announced the hiring of Rick Dennison, the Texans former offensive co-ordinator, as their quarterbacks coach. An extensive search for Caldwells replacement began with 30 candidates, coach John Harbaugh said. The search ended with the Ravens landing Kubiak, who served as Denvers offensive co-ordinator for three seasons before being hired to guide the Texans in 2006. "It became apparent this had a chance to be a fit for both coaches and the Ravens," Harbaugh said. Kubiak might want to have a team to call his own in the future, but at this point in his NFL career hes quite content being in charge of reshaping a unit that sputtered for much of the 2013 season. "Right now I want to be the best offensive co-ordinator I can be," Kubiak said. "I told John this when he first called me: I said, John, you know what? I want a chance to enjoy coaching, teaching, and I want a chance to win. And I know you would offer me all those opportunities if this thing would work out. So, really for me its about getting back. Its a tough thing to go through. But right now, this has been the best day Ive had in two months. Im so excited to get back in this league and get back to work." Rhonda Kubiak was likely just as delighted. "My wife is tired of me being around the house," said Gary Kubiak, who went 61-64 as Houstons head coach. During his stay in Houston, the Texans always played Baltimore tough, and that made an impression on Harbaugh. "You always kind of in your mind keep a list of the guys that gave you the most trouble as coaches," Harbaugh said. "And this (Houston) staff, what they did offensively, what theyve done over the years has always been just kind of a pain in our rear. Probably right out of the gates, thats the first thing I thought about. It looks like all the ways that we want to look." Kubiak and Dennison will try to bolster a running attack that produced only seven touchdowns and averaged a franchise-worst 3.1 yards per carry in 2013. In addition, Joe Flacco threw a career-high 22 interceptions as the defending Super Bowl champions sagged to 8-8 and missed the playoffs for the first time in Harbaughs six seasons as Baltimores coach. The addition of Kubiak and Dennison in key positions on the offensive staff might suggest the playbook will be look much like Houstons. Harbaugh doesnt care -- if the results are positive. "Its not going to be the Texans offence or the Broncos offence or anybodys offence. Its going to be the Ravens," Harbaugh said. "Its going to be what we build with our players and our coaches. Its going to look like Baltimore wants it to look. Its going to be rugged, its going to be rough, its going to be tough, physical, downhill, precise football -- passing game and running game." Former Redskins offensive co-ordinator Kyle Shanahan and Ravens receivers coach Jim Hostler were interviewed twice for the job, along with Pittsburgh Steelers running backs coach Kirby Wilson. Wilson was eliminated from contention on Saturday. When Kubiak had dinner at Harbaughs house on Sunday night, it became obvious that Kubiak was going back to work and Harbaugh had found the man to fix the erratic Baltimore offence. "It emerged here at the end," Harbaugh said. "I think we did a great job with a thorough process. That was something that was important to us, to make sure we turned over every stone. We looked at college coaches. We looked at a lot of guys." In the end, Kubiak got the nod after being unemployed for just under two months. "I wanted to keep working, I wanted to keep going," Kubiak said. "I was kind of looking for something that hit me and said, OK, this is it. And thats what happened." Custom Green Bay Packers Jerseys .C. -- LeBron James called comments on an audio recording of a man identified as Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling "appalling" and said hes not sure if he would suit up for the remainder of the NBA playoffs if he played for the Clippers. Ray Nitschke Jersey . Manager Ryan Nelsen has confirmed Brazilian No. 1 Julio Cesar will be rested for Wednesdays first leg of the semifinal. That opens the door for Bendik, who started 33 games for Toronto last season. http://www.officialgreenbaypackerspro.com/Paul-hornung-packers-jersey/ . -- Stacy Lewis shot 7-under 65 to lead the LPGA Tour team to the championship of the 3Tour Challenge on Tuesday. Green Bay Packers Jerseys . Duhamel, from Lively, Ont., and Radford, from Balmertown, Ont., were second with 77.01 points, just behind Olympic bronze medallists Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy of Germany. The four-time world champs lead at 79. Dave Robinson Jersey . THE THUNDER & PACERS BENCHES: In a nutshell, not impressive at all.CARDIFF -- Wales survived a second-half fightback by Italy to launch the defence of its Six Nations title with an unconvincing 23-15 win at Millennium Stadium on Saturday. First-half tries by Alex Cuthbert and Scott Williams combined with flawless kicking by Leigh Halfpenny to give the Welsh a 17-3 lead at the break. Unlucky to be so far behind, Italy dominated the second half, with Michele Campagnaro scoring two tries to leave his team just five points behind with 11 minutes left. However, another penalty by Halfpenny ensured Wales preserved its unbeaten home record against the Italians and saw the fullback finish the match with a personal haul of 13 points. "It will focus the minds for next week," said Wales coach Warren Gatland, referring to Saturdays match in Ireland. "It wasnt an easy run-out -- it was tough, which was the way we wanted it." The Welsh are seeking an unprecedented third straight title since the tournament expanded in 2000, and have been installed as favourites by most pundits and bookmakers. Yet they were given a real scare by Italy, and with the score at 20-15 after Campagnaros second try, there was a real danger that Wales would lose its opening match -- like it did last year to Ireland. In the end, Wales limped to victory and there were muted celebrations by the players after the final whistle. "We certainly made it hard for ourselves," Wales centre Jamie Roberts said. "We have to tighten up those mistakes in our game. If we dont, then well lose against Ireland." It had all looked so different after juust four minutes, when covering winger Angelo Esposito failed to gather a grubber kick by Wales flyhalf Rhys Priestland.dddddddddddd The ball slithered through into the in-goal area and the inrushing Cuthbert had the simple task of collecting and diving over for a try that was converted by Halfpenny. The Italians didnt buckle, though. And after Allan and Halfpenny traded penalties to leave the score 10-3 after 29 minutes, Sergio Parisse was denied a try in the 35th by the video referee, who adjudged the Italy captain to have knocked on as he challenged for a high ball with George North. Somewhat against the run of play, Wales scored its second try three minutes later when Roberts broke a tackle in midfield before passing inside to centre partner Williams, who cantered over to ground near the posts. Italys comeback was launched in the 43rd, though, when Campagnaro chased down Leonardo Sartos smart kick down the line and dived over just before the ball went dead. Crucially, Allan missed the conversion, then a penalty in the 50th. Halfpenny booted another penalty in the 67th but blotted his performance by sending over a floated pass that was intercepted by Campagnaro, who raced clear from inside his own half to dive over. Italy couldnt complete the recovery, and remains with just one away win in the Six Nations -- at Scotland. "As a captain, I am very proud of what the youngsters achieved today," Parisse said. "They were facing some of the most talented backs on the international stage, but they showed they can compete at this level." 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