TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama coach Nick Saban says “there were no talks” involving him and the Texas job.

Speaking after the third-ranked Crimson Tide had their first practice for the Jan. 2 Sugar Bowl against No. 11 Oklahoma, Saban said that such speculation is “kind of over.”

He had said Friday night after agreeing to a new contract reportedly worth about $7 million a year that he planned to retire at Alabama.

Mack Brown announced his resignation the following day at Texas.

METAIRIE, La. — The New Orleans Saints released kicker Garrett Hartley two days after he had one field goal blocked and hooked another wide in a 27-16 loss at St. Louis.Hartley had been with the Saints since the middle of the 2008 season and made several crucial kicks during the Saints' 2009-10 run to a Super Bowl championship.

CINCINNATI — Kevin Huber is scheduled for surgery Friday on his broken jaw, a season-ending injury that left the Bengals looking for another punter and holder to help them through their playoff surge.Huber was hurt during a 30-20 loss in Pittsburgh on Sunday night. Terence Garvin blocked him during Antonio Brown's 67-yard punt return for a touchdown, hitting Huber's chin with the top of his helmet.

NEW YORK — The New York Yankees were hit with a $28 million luxury tax bill, pushing their total past the $250 million mark since the penalty began in 2003.According to Major League Baseball calculations sent to teams, the Los Angeles Dodgers were the only other team that exceeded the tax threshold this year and must pay $11.4 million. Boston finished just under for the second straight year, coming in $225,666 shy of the $178 million mark.

BALTIMORE (AP) — Two weeks after trading their closer to Oakland, the Baltimore Orioles agreed to a two-year, $15 million contract with former Athletics closer Grant Balfour, according to a person familiar with the deal.