PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE NFL : Buccaneers Interview Wyche

Sam Wyche, seeking to become the coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, emerged from a 3 1/2-hour meeting with owner Hugh Culverhouse confident that the organization is ready to do everything it takes to shed its image as a perennial NFL doormat.

“I had a great talk with Mr. C,” said Wyche, who left the Cincinnati Bengals on Christmas Eve with the team saying he had resigned and the coach insisting he had been fired. “I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t very much interested in this job.

“I’m certainly excited about staying in coaching if somebody will have me. There are a lot of openings, but there are few that are really on the threshold of winning. This is one of them.”

Paralyzed Detroit offensive lineman Mike Utley will attend the Bronco-Houston Oiler game in Denver today. Utley has been getting treatment at Denver hospital that specializes in spinal-cord injuries. He said he wishes both teams well, but his primary interest is seeing the Lions make it to the Super Bowl.

Detroit is preparing for its first home NFL playoff game in 35 years. Police in Pontiac, Mich., and nearby Auburn Hills planned to assign at least 60 officers to the Silverdome, beginning hours before the kickoff Sunday.

Bobby Ross, the San Diego Chargers’ new coach, hired two assistants from his Georgia Tech staff and might hire two more.

Ross said Chuck Priefer, who coached Georgia Tech’s defensive backfield the last four seasons, will coach the special teams.

John Misciagna, who served as Georgia Tech’s director of recruiting, will coordinate the Chargers’ computerized game analysis. Ross has also offered jobs to his Georgia Tech offensive and defensive coordinators, Ralph Friedgen and George O’Leary.

Bronco quarterback John Elway was named a Pro Bowl backup quarterback, replacing Miami’s Dan Marino, who is scheduled for arthroscopic knee surgery.

Offensive tackle Stan Brock and tight end Hoby Brenner of the New Orleans Saints volunteered to be left exposed in Plan B free agency so the Saints could protect two younger players.

Both players promised to re-sign with New Orleans no matter what offers they might get from other teams. Brock has played 12 seasons, and Brenner, from USC, has played 11.

Each has a year to go on his current contract.