ekansekans's blog: "df"

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- As if bearing the brunt of the call that ultimately led to the end of the NFLs replacement officials wasnt enough, Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers nearly had a big comeback win undone by a blunder from the regular refs. Rodgers threw a go-ahead touchdown to Jordy Nelson in the fourth quarter, and the Packers shook off a weeks worth of controversy with a rally to beat the New Orleans Saints 28-27 on Sunday. With Lambeau Field fans howling about what appeared to be yet another bad call -- this time by the regular officials, not the replacements -- Garrett Hartley missed a 48-yard field goal attempt with just under three minutes remaining that cost the Saints a shot at the lead. "Weve probably had to deal with more adversity than most of the teams Ive played with, especially early on weve had some interesting games already," Rodgers said. "Were four games in. So, I think the character of this team is very strong. Winning games like this says a lot about the kind of men that we have." Rodgers threw for 319 yards with four touchdowns and an interception for the Packers (2-2). "Im very proud of our football team, especially the week weve endured," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. "We talk a lot about integrity and character, and I thought todays game had plenty of those types of situations where it showed up big." Drew Brees threw for 446 yards with three touchdowns for the winless Saints (0-4). "Its going to hurt when you lose a game like this," Saints interim coach Aaron Kromer said. "But I will not let them get down. We are too close." Brees now has thrown at least one touchdown in 47 straight regular-season games, tying the NFLs all-time mark set by Johnny Unitas. "Yeah, its disappointing," Brees said of the loss. "It stinks. But despite where were at, right now I think this teams going to do something." With the win, the Packers were able to put Monday nights controversial replacement official-driven loss at Seattle behind them. But even with the regular refs back this week, the Packers and their fans still nearly were dealt a crushing blow on a blown call. After Rodgers touchdown to Nelson, Darren Sproles appeared to fumble the ensuing kickoff but officials ruled that he was down by contact. Replays showed that the ball clearly came out but the Packers were out of replay challenges, leaving Packers fans screaming at the officials for the second week in a row. "You guys were all happy that the officials were back, and we tried to tell you that theyd still get booed," Nelson said with a laugh. Brees then led the Saints into field goal range, and Hartley hit a 43-yard attempt -- but the Saints were called for holding, forcing Hartley to line up a 53-yarder. The Packers then were called for encroachment, leaving Hartley to try a 48-yarder and he missed it wide left. It was a sigh of relief for the Packers, who spent most of the week in the middle of a nationwide firestorm after a last-second decision by replacement officials cost them a game at Seattle on Monday night. It was a burden for the Packers to bear, but likely played a significant role in the NFL agreeing to a deal with its regular officials during the week. Referee Jeff Triplette struck a triumphant tone during the pregame coin toss Sunday, announcing that "its great to be back, gentlemen!" A handful of Packers fans came to the game dressed as officials, and some brought signs showing support for the regular refs. The honeymoon didnt last long. Fans howled for an offensive pass interference call after Brees threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Marques Colston late in the first quarter, but no flag was forthcoming. With the Packers leading 21-14 in the third quarter, fans -- and McCarthy -- were on the officials again when McCarthy challenged a catch by Jimmy Graham but it wasnt overturned. A 20-yard field goal by Hartley cut the lead to 21-17 with 9:41 left in the third quarter. Rodgers responded with a drive but needed attention from the teams training staff after getting poked in the eye on a face mask by New Orleans Malcolm Jenkins. "I wanted to stay in the game -- obviously, I dont like coming out for anything," Rodgers said. "Just didnt have any depth perception immediately thereafter and so I figured we were a yard away and we could punch that thing in there. Unfortunately, didnt happen." Rodgers came out of the game for one play and backup quarterback Graham Harrell came in -- then tripped and fumbled as he tried to hand it off, allowing the Saints to get the ball. Brees then found Joseph Morgan wide open behind the defence for an 80-yard touchdown and a 24-21 lead. Rodgers then threw an interception to Patrick Robinson and the Saints drove for a 27-yard field goal by Hartley to take a 27-21 lead with 13:04 remaining. With the Packers trailing by 6, Rodgers threw an 11-yard strike to Nelson as the Saints Corey White tried to wrap his arms around the ball -- briefly re-creating a scene eerily similar to the controversial game-ender in Seattle on Monday. This time, though, Nelson clearly came away with the ball and spiked it emphatically. NOTES: Packers S M.D. Jennings, who played a key role in the controversial play at Seattle, left the game with a shoulder injury. ... Packers WR Greg Jennings caught a touchdown in the second quarter but later came out of the game. Jennings has been struggling to stay healthy with a groin injury. Cheap MLB Jerseys .C. -- The Bobcats have a new coach, a new colour scheme and three new players. Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping . -- Clint Bowyer and his crew chief both needed jobs at the end of last season. http://www.azulvirtual.org/hot.html . Defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay (14-1), led by starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and Baltimore (11-4), led by veteran linebacker Ray Lewis, have seven apiece for the Jan.VIENNA - Austria coach Marcel Koller left injured midfielder David Alaba out of his squad for next months 2014 World Cup qualifier against Germany. The Bayern Munich player fractured his left foot in July and was unlikely to recover in time for the Sept. 11 Group C game in Vienna. "Alaba wont be added to the squad even if he gets fit just in time," Koller said Tuesday. "That would make no sense." Werder Bremen winger Marko Arnautovic, who missed Austrias 2-0 win over Turkey this month with a thigh injury, returned to the 23-man squad. Defender Franz Schiemer replaced Paul Scharner, who had been expelled from the national team following a dispute with Koller before the Turkey game. Scharner left the team hotel a few hours before the match after he unsuccessfully demanded a place in the starting lineup. Schiemer had been overlooked by Koller for the past three matches after scheduling his wedding for the saame day in June that Austria was playing a friendly against Ukraine.dddddddddddd In addition to Germany, Austrias group also includes the Faeroe Islands, Sweden, Ireland and Kazakhstan. ___ Squad: Goalkeepers: Robert Almer (Duesseldorf), Christian Gratzei (Sturm Graz), Heinz Lindner (Austria Vienna) Defenders: Aleksandar Dragovic (FC Basel), Christian Fuchs (Schalke), Gyorgy Garics (Bologna), Florian Klein (Salzburg), Emanuel Pogatetz (Wolfsburg), Sebastian Proedl (Werder Bremen), Franz Schiemer (Salzburg), Markus Suttner (Austria Vienna) Midfielders: Julian Baumgartlinger (Mainz), Guido Burgstaller (Rapid Vienna), Martin Harnik (Stuttgart), Andreas Ivanschitz (Mainz), Jakob Jantscher (Salzburg), Zlatko Junuzovic (Werder Bremen), Veli Kavlak (Besiktas), Christoph Leitgeb (Salzburg), Yasin Pehlivan (Gaziantepspor) Forwards: Marko Arnautovic (Werder Bremen), Patrick Buerger (Mattersburg), Marc Janko (FC Porto) ' ' '