Wannstedt not ready to commit to Fiedler
DAVIE, Fla. (AP) Miami coach Dave Wannstedt might be thinking of giving Jay Fiedler some competition next season as the Dolphins” starting quarterback.
Fiedler led the Dolphins to a wild-card victory against the Indianapolis Colts in the postseason before being eliminated by the Oakland Raiders the next week.
While Wannstedt is confident Fiedler can improve in 2001, the Dolphins” coach refused to call off a search for a new signal-caller, possibly former Washington Redskin Brad Johnson.
“Do I believe we can win with Jay Fielder? Yes,” Wannstedt told the Miami Herald.
“Do I believe he”ll be better next year? Yes. But we want to improve the position. If there”s anyone out there we think can help us, we”ll look at him … But there are not a lot of great quarterbacks in this league. It”s not that easy.”
Sixers win 13th straight on road
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Philadelphia played like it was at home in Indiana just as it has everywhere it”s traveled for nearly two months.
Allen Iverson scored 27 points, including 16 in the fourth quarter, and led the 76ers to their 13th-straight road victory, an 86-81 come-from-behind win over the Pacers.
“I”ve lost games for years since I left,” said 76ers coach Larry Brown, a former Pacers coach. “And we”ve started to win now.”
Philadelphia isn”t just winning in Indianapolis, though.
The victory Sunday gave the 76ers the fifth-longest road winning streak in NBA history, matching the Boston Celtics of 1964-65 and the Chicago Bulls of 1995-97, who needed two seasons to accomplish the feat.
MacInnis to be absent from All-Star game
ST. LOUIS (AP) St. Louis Blues defenseman Al MacInnis will miss the NHL All-Star game after sustaining an eye injury in a game against San Jose.
MacInnis was examined yesterday by a doctor, who determined he has an eyelid laceration, a corneal abrasion and blood in the eye chamber.
MacInnis left Saturday”s game in the third period after taking a high stick from San Jose”s Scott Hannan. MacInnis received stitches to his left eyelid and did not return.
The 37-year-old MacInnis, who was to play in his 12th NHL All-Star game on Feb. 4, will miss the Blues” next three games and will be evaluated on a daily basis.
The loss of MacInnis is another blow to the Blues. Defenseman and captain Chris Pronger is out for at least another month after having knee surgery. Forward Reed Low is day to day with a thumb injury.
The injury list also includes Jochen Hecht (pulled oblique muscle), Brent Johnson (sore knee), Lubos Bartecko (high ankle sprain), Michal Handzus (abdominal injury), Pavol Demitra (eye injury) and Sean Hill (abdominal strain).