DeBartolo Fined $500 for Battery

San Francisco 49er owner Edward DeBartolo Jr. and a friend were charged with battery Wednesday in Green Bay, Wis., for a postgame scuffle in which a Packer fan was punched and another head-butted.

The fans were charged with disorderly conduct, Police Chief James Lewis said. The charges for all four are issued as city citations, which carry a $500 fine and can be paid through the mail.

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Defensive lineman Christian Peter, drafted by New England in the fifth round in April but released three days later because the team said it did not realize the extent of his legal problems, signed a contract with the New York Giants.

During his college years at Nebraska, Peter was arrested for offenses ranging from urinating in public to third-degree sexual assault. The Giants decided to give Peter a second chance, provided he participates in a rehabilitation program that includes substance-abuse and psychological counseling, treatment for attention deficit disorder and a program to complete his undergraduate degree.

Also, new Coach Jim Fassel said he hired former Raider defensive coordinator John Fox to the same post with the Giants.

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Marc Trestman, the 49ers’ former offensive coordinator, will join Bobby Ross’ staff with the Detroit Lions as quarterbacks coach. . . . The Buffalo Bills hired Dan Henning as offensive coordinator. . . . The Arizona Cardinals hired Philadelphia Eagle running backs coach Dick Jamieson as offensive coordinator. . . . Favre has been selected NFL player of the year by the Sporting News for the second year in a row. The magazine’s coach of the year was Dom Capers of the Carolina Panthers and the rookie-of-the-year award went to Houston Oiler running back Eddie George.