NFL: Mike Holmgren indicates he would be interested in working for Cleveland Browns

NFL

Holmgren indicates he would be willing to tackle rebuilding job: Mike Holmgren, former Seahawks and Green Bay Packers coach, has indicated he would be interested in working for the Cleveland Browns.

Holmgren said on his weekly radio show on KJR (950 AM) that he has not yet spoken to Browns owner Randy Lerner, who is looking for a "serious, credible leader" football authority to run his struggling team.

Holmgren did not say if he would like to coach again, but indicated he would welcome the chance to take on a rebuilding project such as the 1-8 Browns.

"It takes a tremendous amount of energy, but there is a certain appeal there," Holmgren said. "There's something in my personality, too, that taking on those types of projects, that kind of gets me going. But there's a lot of work to do."

Holmgren, 61, coached the Seahawks from 1999 through the 2008 season and was general manager for his first four seasons with Seattle.

Bush, Ellis won't play for Saints today: Running back Reggie Bush and defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis are not traveling with the New Orleans Saints for today's game against Tampa Bay.

Bush and Ellis are out with knee injuries.

Baseball

Free-agent pool doesn't look especially deep: It's the time of year for courting and bluffing — sometimes simultaneously.

Free-agent signing season began late Thursday, with teams competing for a dearth of stars and a large number of players seemingly nearing the end of their careers.

With only pitcher John Lackey and outfielders Jason Bay — a former Gonzaga standout — and Matt Holliday considered elite players by most observers, it could be a slower-than-usual signing season as teams seek to fill needs with solutions that are less than ideal.

NHL

Canucks prepare for Daniel Sedin's return: The Vancouver Canucks have cleared room for the return of high-scoring forward Daniel Sedin by sending forward Matt Pettinger to their American Hockey League affiliate in Manitoba.

Sedin has missed 18 games since his foot was broken by a teammate's shot Oct. 7, in the fourth game of the season.

Sedin has led the Canucks in goals in each of the past three seasons.

Sedin would be reunited on the Canucks' top line with twin Henrik, likely tonight at home against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Iginla gets a hat trick: Jarome Iginla scored a goal in each period to lead the Calgary Flames to a 5-2 victory over the Los Angeles Kings.

Calgary captain Iginla has nine hat tricks in his career.

Soccer

Chelsea is formidable at home: Michael Essien scored twice in Chelsea's 4-0 romp over Wolverhampton to stay five points clear at the top of the English Premier League.

Arsenal bowed 1-0 at Sunderland and Manchester United moved into second place with a 3-0 victory over Everton.

Chelsea has won all seven of its home matches; it has 33 points from 13 matches.

Darren Bent scored Sunderland's 71st-minute winner against Arsenal, which was left on 25 points from 12 matches and dropped to third place.

Boxing

Ward takes title: Fighting in his hometown of Oakland, Calif., Andre Ward claimed the WBA 168-pound title with a unanimous technical decision over Denmark's Mikkel Kessler, adding his first world-championship belt to his Olympic gold medal.

Rugby

U.S. qualifies for 2011 Cup: The United States qualified for the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand when it beat Uruguay 27-6 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Mixed Martial Arts

Griffin prevails at UFC 106: Forrest Griffin beat Tito Ortiz in a split decision at UFC 106 in Las Vegas. Ortiz defeated Griffin in 2006.

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