National Digest
Wings win at Wrigley
CHICAGO (AP) — The atmosphere was electric. Bundled-up fans got a chance to extend their New Year’s Eve parties and watch hockey in a venerable stadium where baseball usually fills the seats.
If the setting was different, the results were the same Thursday. The Detroit Red Wings beat the Chicago Blackhawks again, this time out in the cold at Wrigley Field in the Winter Classic.
Players from both sides agreed on two things following Detroit’s 6-4 comeback victory: The weather and the condition of the ice had little or no bearing on the result, and the overall experience was a blast.
“It exceeded my expectations,” said Detroit’s Nicklas Lidstrom, who returned after missing two games with a sore ankle. “I don’t think the wind or playing outdoors bothered either team.”
Temperature at faceoff on an overcast day was a very bearable 32 degrees, even though a wind blowing at 18 mph made it one chilly afternoon for 40,818 fans at the second oldest baseball park in the major leagues.
“Holy Cow. It’s Cold,” read one sign, using the longtime catch phrase of the late Cubs broadcaster Harry Caray.
“I kind of had my mouth open in the beginning,” said Detroit’s Jiri Hudler, who had two goals in the second period. “We were all looking at each other during the anthem — ’Wow, this is awesome.”’
Wells undecided
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Ohio State star Chris “Beanie” Wells isn’t ready to say whether the Fiesta Bowl will be his last game for the Buckeyes.
“I personally feel like I haven’t done enough at Ohio State, the things I wanted to accomplish here, to move on to the next level,” the junior running back said Thursday.
Asked if that meant he was leaning toward staying at Ohio State for another season, Wells said: “I don’t want to say I’m leaning toward staying or I’m leaning toward going. All I’m saying is I do want to be the best Buckeye to ever come through here.”
The 10th-ranked Buckeyes (10-2) play third-ranked Texas (11-1) on Monday.
Two weeks ago, Ohio State coach Jim Tressel suggested it should be an easy decision considering he thinks Wells will be a top draft choice and that it may be time to go. Wells said Thursday it’s not so simple.
Wells ran for 1,091 yards and eight touchdowns despite missing three games after injuring his foot in the season opener.
Wells said he feels as healthy as he has been since that first game, but still didn’t call himself 100 percent for the Fiesta Bowl.
CLEVELAND (AP) — As their courtship with Scott Pioli continued, the Cleveland Browns postponed an interview with Atlanta president Rich McKay and talked to New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.
Pioli, who has spent the past nine years helping build the Patriots into a powerhouse, met Wednesday with Browns owner Randy Lerner in New York about Cleveland’s vacancy at general manager. It is not known if Lerner, who also is conducting coaching interviews this week, offered Pioli the job.
Contradictory reports surfaced regarding the 43-year-old Pioli’s interest in the Browns, who went 4-12 this season and have lost at least 10 games in five of the past six seasons. Pioli may also interview with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Meanwhile, Lerner’s scheduled meeting with McKay on Thursday was put off until after Atlanta’s NFC playoff game against Arizona on Saturday. It’s unclear if Pioli’s situation had any effect on McKay’s interview being rescheduled.
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Mike Shanahan’s successor in Denver will inherit an explosive offense that might be one healthy running back away from greatness. He’ll also take over a dreadful defense that needs yet another overhaul.
Shanahan’s 14-year tenure as Broncos coach ended with the franchise mired in mediocrity: a 24-24 record over the last three seasons, largely the result of too many personnel mistakes and decrepit drafts that failed to stock the defense.
Despite losing an astonishing seven tailbacks to injured reserve in 2008, the Broncos’ offense, led by young stars Jay Cutler, Brandon Marshall, Ryan Clady and Tony Scheffler, ranked second in the NFL in yardage as Cutler set several franchise passing records in his third pro season.
The defense, on the other hand, ranked 29th, allowed an NFL-high 448 points and managed a measly 13 takeaways under Bob Slowik, Denver’s third defensive boss in three years.
The first three candidates to interview for the Broncos’ coaching vacancy are New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, Tampa Bay Buccaneers secondary coach Raheem Morris and New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. The Broncos expect to speak with Spagnuolo on Saturday, McDaniels on Sunday and Morris on Monday.
