Unser Chat » ters to injury on defence, and they h

GREEN BAY, Wis. - Quarterback school is back in session with the Packers. Newly signed veteran Seneca Wallace is going to have to brush up on the playbook in a hurry to get ready to back up Aaron Rodgers for Sundays season opener in San Francisco. Theres a new third quarterback in Titletown, too, after Scott Tolzien was signed to the practice squad Monday. Both quarterbacks just happened to be with the 49ers before getting picked up by the Packers. How convenient. "I think any time players are (from) a former organization, theres always (a thinking that) immediately theyre going to tell you everything about the 49ers," coach Mike McCarthy said. "Scott and Seneca both are more focused on getting ready for the game so they definitely can give you insight." More so Tolzien than Wallace. Tolzien was a backup the last two years for the 49ers, but never played in a game. Wallace was only in San Francisco for a week this preseason, competing for a backup job behind Colin Kaepernick. But its Wallace whos going to be Rodgers understudy. Its quite a turnaround from last week, when he was languishing behind Kaepernick, Colt McCoy and B.J. Daniels on the 49ers depth chart. When asked then, coach Jim Harbaugh said Wallace was "not going to continue to play football," lending to speculation to whether Wallace decided to retire. Not so, Wallace said Monday after his first Packers practice. "No, no. Its just miscommunication between me and Harbaugh. We talked about it. I called him to communicate that to him," Wallace said. "It was just pretty much miscommunication between me and him." After being drafted by the Seahawks in 2003 out of Iowa State, Wallace went on to play seven seasons in Seattle. Hes also had stops with the Browns and Saints. In 21 starts and 62 career games, Wallace has completed 59 per cent of passes (452 of 764) for 4,808 yards and 31 touchdowns, along with 18 interceptions. In a relatively young locker room, Wallace, a 10-year veteran, immediately becomes the most experienced player on offence. Only defensive tackle Ryan Pickett has more NFL experience with 13 seasons. Its that experience that drew McCarthy to his new backup. Wallace had time in a West Coast offence in Seattle under former coach Mike Holmgren, who used to coach the Packers. McCarthy said Wallace ran similar no-huddle schemes in Cleveland. Also, Wallace was drafted in Seattle while current Packers general manager Ted Thompson was the vice-president of football operations there. With Wallace and Tolzien, Green Bay is starting anew in its quest to find a capable backup to Rodgers after already jettisoning three candidates in the last several weeks. Graham Harrell is now with the Jets. Vince Young was cut over the weekend. B.J. Coleman was released after Wallace was signed. Wallaces journeyman background might also help him out. "Hes been a backup quarterback primarily his whole career. He clearly understands the role, has a lot of experience in an out of systems," McCarthy said. "Just talking football with him last night, I felt confident that hell be ready to play Sunday." Wallace was appreciative of the new opportunity. He gave thoughtful responses to questions from reporters, as if a wise sage offering advice to a rookie on life in NFL. While he wouldnt mind starting, Wallace is clearly comfortable with his role. Hes not going to supplant Rodgers, the 2011 NFL Most Valuable Player. "You cant let that get to you. Thats part of it. Were blessed to play a sport that most people dream to do," he said. "The ones who stay around for a long period of time are the ones who get it." So there was Wallace on Monday on the practice field, watching several feet behind Rodgers as the offence ran through drills. Wallace walking alongside Rodgers during a break, where the two looked like they were talking shop. And Rodgers running through a quarterback drop for Wallace on a particularly quick pass play. "It was a tough couple weeks, Wallace said, "but what happened is behind me and now Im moving forward and focusing on being here in Green Bay and being the best provider as a backup to A-Rod." Notes: Tolzien returned to the state where he played college ball at Wisconsin. ... After competing all preseason with Marshall Newhouse, Don Barclay started at right tackle. But Barclay said he doesnt think the competition is settled, and McCarthy indicated Newhouse would play Sunday regardless ... CB Casey Hayward (hamstring) didnt take part in practice. Two starters sidelined last week by sore hamstrings, S Morgan Burnett and LB Brad Jones, returned ... Besides Tolzien, the Packers also signed OL Aaron Adams and Bryan Collins; RB Michael Hill; WRs Charles Johnson and Myles White; CB James Nixon; and TE Jake Stoneburner to their practice squad. The latter four players were with the team during training camp. Bo Jackson Raiders Jersey . The future hall of famers stole the show at the Bell Centre on Tuesday night, with Jagr moving into seventh place in all-time goal scoring and Brodeur stopping 29 shots as the Devils downed the Montreal Canadiens 4-1. Art Shell Womens Jersey . The goals took Liverpools tally in the Premier League this season to 70, overtaking Manchester City as the top scorers, and left the fourth-place team just four points behind league leader Chelsea. http://www.shoptheraidersonline.com/Elite-Lester-Hayes-Raiders-Jersey/ . Fans in the Jets viewing region can watch the game on TSN Jets at 5:30pm ct and listeners can tune in to TSN Radio 1290 Winnipeg. Jim Otto Jersey . On Wednesday night, they showed that stellar defence and a little small ball can get the job done too. With pinch-runner Kevin Pillar aboard after Dioner Navarro opened the bottom of the ninth with a single, Anthony Gose dropped down an excellent bunt along the first-base line. George Blanda Raiders Jersey . I suppose Sternberg has earned the right to speak out since his Rays, despite one of the lowest payrolls in the Majors at $58 million, are entering the final weekend of the regular season holding down the first Wild Card spot in the American League, one game ahead of Cleveland and two up on Texas.MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Vikings needed most of the game to figure out how to stop Robert Griffin III and the Washington Redskins. They finally walked off their home field a winner, too. Adrian Peterson ran for 75 yards and two touchdowns, and the Vikings forced Griffin into three straight incompletions from the 4 in the final seconds to hold on for a 34-27 victory Thursday night. Christian Ponder went 17 for 21 for 174 yards with two touchdowns and an interception before leaving late in the third quarter with a dislocated shoulder on his non-throwing left arm. John Carlson had seven catches for 98 yards and a touchdown for the Vikings (2-7). "I dont think there was a change in mindset or anything. I think we just played the way we were supposed to," Ponder said. "We executed like an NFL team is supposed to, especially a 10-6 playoff team like we were last year. We really needed that, to help out with our confidence, and now thats our expectation for the rest of the year." Griffin was 24 for 37 for 281 yards, three touchdowns and no turnovers for the Redskins (3-6), who led 27-14 early in the third quarter. He also ran seven times for 44 yards, but the Vikings took him down for four sacks for 39 yards in the second half -- including 2 1/2 by Kevin Williams. The Redskins committed eight penalties for 63 yards. "You cant do that," Redskins coach Mike Shanahan said. "Youve got to keep your poise. You make mistakes like that and so often it will cost you the game." With the Redskins out of timeouts, Griffin ran for 12 yards on fourth-and-1 at his own 49 right after the 2-minute warning. Jordan Reed caught a 17-yard pass to the 8 and, after a short run by the Redskins, the Vikings stopped the clock with a timeout of their own. Wide receiver Greg Jennings was livid on the sideline, but coach Leslie Frazier defended his decision to give the drained defence a rest and allow at least a few more seconds for a comeback in case the Redskins scored. But Griffins next two passes were incomplete. On fourth-and-goal with 32 seconds left, his throw to the corner of the end zone was caught by Santana Moss with only one foot in bounds. Game over. After losing three games this year in the final minute, the Vikings finally pulled one out. "There were many times during the course of that game where they couldve gone, Oh, no, here we go again," Frazier said. Bllair Walsh kicked two fourth-quarter field goals for the Vikings after Petersons second score gave them a 28-27 lead late in the third quarter.dddddddddddd That drive started at the Washington 41, thanks to an unnecessary roughness call on Darrel Young during the punt return. Ponder scrambled and slung a third-and-12 laser to Jarius Wright for a first down at the sideline. Then, Ponder took off for a 14-yard run that left him with an injured left shoulder, and an official replay reversed the touchdown call after he dived at the pylon and rolled out of bounds. Matt Cassel came in, and Peterson scored to give the Vikings the lead on the next play. The NFC East, which fittingly for this season rhymes with least, has been right there for the Redskins to take hold of. Dallas (5-4) and Philadelphia (4-5) are barely ahead of them, and each has shown significant flaws. Theyre going to have to tighten up this defence, though, if theyre going to keep this a true division race with the Cowboys and Eagles. After Brandon Meriweather returned an interception 30 yards to near midfield to end Minnesotas first drive, the Vikings reached the end zone with ease on their next two possessions. Peterson scored on an 18-yard run on the first one, and Ponder found Cordarrelle Patterson for the rookies first career touchdown catch for the other. The Vikings were missing four starters to injury on defence, and they had no answer for Griffin or his big receivers in the first half. The Redskins scored on their first five possessions, further trampling a unit that has had all kinds of trouble this season with broken tackle after broken tackle. The Redskins converted seven of eight third downs in the first half and held the ball for more than two-thirds of the elapsed game time. But that all changed after the break. "You always want to be able to rush the passer with the game on the line," Williams said. "It was nice to finish it this time." The latest sign of increasing pushback toward the Redskins for their nickname came before the game outside the stadium, where hundreds of American Indians and their supporters held signs, chanted slogans and beat drums in protest of what they view as a disrespectful and racist moniker. Among the printed messages they carried: "We are not cartoons!" Redskins owner Dan Synder has called the nickname a "badge of honour" and said it wont be changed. ' ' '