The Capital Times from Madison, Wisconsin • 30

D2 The Capital Times Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2006 PACKERS SPORTS INSIDER Compiled from staff and news services Adjustments pay off Receiving corps thin; Ferguson lost for season UP NEXT What: Arizona Cardinals (1-6) at Green Bay Packers (2-4) When: Sunday, noon Where: Lambeau Field TV: WMSNCh, 47 Latest line: Packers by 3 MATT SLOCUMASSOCIATED PRESS returning a kickoff in a game Oct. 2 at Philadelphia. He has been on crutches since then. Add In the league suspension given to Koren Robinson last week and an ankle injury that could sideline rookie receiver Greg Jennings for Sunday's game against Arizona, and McCarthy faces the prospect of lining up without three of his top four wide receivers.

McCarthy said preliminary X-rays showed that Jennings' ankle was not broken, but he still could sit out on Sunday. Against Miami, untested receivers Ruvell Martin and Chris Fran-cies made enough plays to help Green Bay win. The Packers also claimed receiver Shaun Bodiford on waivers from the Detroit Lions on Monday. Field goal flop? McCarthy hinted that he suspects an acting job by a Dolphin played a role in a 15-yard penalty called on Packers player Michael Montgomery at the end of the first half on Sunday. The face-mask penalty wiped out a 39-yard field-goal by Packers kicker Dave Rayner who, moments before, had a longer field goal wiped out by a penalty that was called on the Dolphins.

Ill just say the body language of the Miami Dolphin, he did a nice job, McCarthy said. He did a very nice job, so they got the call. Rayner had boomed a 55-yard field goal on the previous play, but officials said it didn't count because they had penalized Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas for making a distracting gesture before the snap. The Packers didnt have the option of declining the penalty and taking the three points, because the penalty happened before the ball was snapped. By Chris Jenkins Associated Press GREEN BAY When Miami defensive end Jason Taylor slapped rookie left tackle Daryn Colledge aside and swatted the ball out of Brett Favres hand, it looked like the beginning of another long afternoon for the Green Bay Packers.

But Packers coaches made a series of subtle adjustments to help Colledge keep Taylor under control and came away with a 34-24 victory over the Dolphins on Sunday a sign of progress for rookie head coach Mike McCarthy and a relatively young group of assistants still trying to get a handle on new roles. Thats our job, McCarthy said on Monday. Thats what were paid to do. Were paid to put the players in position to be successful. Sometimes, you need to have more than one option, and it took us to go from the first option on to others to get it done.

Two early sacks by Taylor forced Packers coaches to quickly come up with changes to their pass protection strategy, and the changes seemed to work. The Packers kept Taylor relatively quiet until he left the game with an iqjury in the fourth quarter. Colledge was pressed into service after starting left tackle Chad Clifton came down with flu-like symptoms on Saturday night. Colledge has worked primarily at guard since the Packers made him a second-round draft pick in April, although he has been taking snaps at left tackle in practice. Taylor, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, blew past Colledge Cowboys wide receiver Terrell Owens hangs his head toward the end of the fourth quarter of a 36-22 loss to the New York Giants in Dallas on Monday night.

Owens had six catches for 98 yards and a touchdown. on the Packers second possession, slapping the rookies arms away and barreling toward Favre. Taylor knocked the ball away, and the Dolphins recovered at Green Bays 8-yard line. Dolphins quarterback Joey Harrington threw a touchdown to Marty Booker on the next play to give the Dolphins the lead. Taylor came up with another sack and Favre fumbled on the next series, but the Packers recovered.

Colledge made a recovery of his own after that, with help from his teammates. The Packers assigned running backs and tight ends to help block Taylor and began to slide the offensive line toward Taylors side of the field a subtle shift that put more than one offensive lineman in position to help Colledge block Taylor. Fergusons season ends early: Another year, another injury-shortened season for wide receiver Robert Ferguson. The Packers placed Ferguson on injured reserve Monday, marking the third straight season he has failed to finish because of an injury. Ferguson missed the last two games after injuring his foot while QUOTE, UNQUOTE I reckon I tried everything on the old apple but salt and pepper and chocolate sauce topping.

Hall of Fame pitcher Gaylord Perry, who documented his doctoring of baseballs in his 1974 biography, Me and the Spitter PBO F00TBAU1 Giants control Cowboys COLLEGES Cords leaving Marquette Marquette athletics director Bill Cords said today he will retire at the end of the year. Cords, 65, has been with the school since July 1987. He helped Marquette expand sports offerings at the Division I level, add and improve athletic facilities and move to the Big East Conference. Marquette associate senior vice president Steve Cottingham will fill in as interim athletics director at least through the summer, the school said. COLLEGE BASKETBALL UWM donors salvage series with Marquette A week after a deal seemed to be falling apart, officials at UW-Milwaukee signed a five-year contract to rekindle their mens basketball series with Marquette.

UWM officials who last week said they were rejecting an offer from Marquette because it was $20,000 short of what they felt the series was worth held a news conference on Monday afternoon to announce they had decided to accept the deal. Marquette didnt come up with more money, but the difference apparently will be made up by a pair of unidentified UWM donors who wanted to see the series resume. According to the terms of the contract, the teams will meet each year between 2007 and 2011. Marquette will host every game at the Bradley Center except for the 2010 game, which UWM will host at the U.S. Cellular Arena.

Marquette and UWM, about five miles apart in Milwaukee, havent played since Dec. 8, 1998. The Golden Eagles lead the all-time series 34-0. Illinois guard Rich McBride was suspended for the first four regular-season games following his arrest last month for driving under the infiuenoe. BASEBALL Sutton leaves Brewers Daron Sutton will step away from his role as play-by-play announcer for Milwaukee Brewers telecasts on Fox Sports Net, the team announced.

Sutton, who has been the TV voice of the franchise since 2002, cited a desire to pursue other opportunities and described the parting as amicable in a statement released by the team. Veteran pitcher Jamie Moyer, who turns 44 next month, signed a $10.5 million, two-year contract extension with the Philadelphia Phillies. Red Sox manager Terry Francona withdrew from an All-Star tour of Japan because of a foot infection, three days after agreeing to replace Ken Macha as the teams skipper. Alan Trammell, fired last year as the manager of the Tigers, was hired as the Cubs bench coach for Lou Piniella. COLLEGE FOOTBALL Surgery for Iowas Tate? Iowa quarterback Drew Tate is considering surgery to repair ligament damage to the thumb on his left (non-throwing) hand, ESPN.com reported, citing a source close to the situation.

If the senior undergoes surgery, he could miss at least three weeks, the source said, casting into doubt his availability for a Nov. 1 1 game against Wisconsin in Iowa City. Stabbing suspect turns himself in A former Northern Colorado backup punter charged with attempted murder in the stabbing of his rival surrendered to authorities in Fort Collins, Colo. Mitchell Cozad was released on $500,000 bail. He is tentatively scheduled for a hearing Nov.

6, the district attorneys office said. The 21 -year-old player is accused of stabbing starter Rafael Mendoza in his kicking leg last month. He faces charges of attempted first-degree murder and second-degree assault and could be sentenced to 48 years in prison if convicted. He has been suspended from the team and the university. Former Michigan football coach Bo Schembechler underwent a procedure Monday in which a device to help regulate his heartbeat was implanted in his chest.

The procedure took several hours and did not require open-heart surgery, the school said. Schembechler, 77, was expected to remain at University of Michigan Hospital a day or two. Southern Illinois coach Jerry Kill will remain hospitalized at least until today, continuing his recovery from a seizure he had shortly after the taping of his weekly television show. AUTO RACING AJ. heads to NASCAR A.

J. Allmendinger became the latest open-wheel defector today when the Champ Car driver signed a deal to drive for Team Red Bull in NASCAR. The 25 year old signed a multiyear deal to drive the No. 84 Camry, and completes a lineup that includes 23-year-old Brian Vickers. PRO BASKETBALL Stern: New ball stays NBA commissioner David Stern said the First black Packer dies Staff and news services Bob Maim, the first black player for the Green Bay Packers, died Saturday in the Detroit area, the Green Bay Press-Gazette reported.

He was 82. Mann played end for the Packers from 1950-54 and was inducted into the Packer HaE of Fame in 1988. He led the team with 50 catches, 696 receiving yards and eight touchdowns in 1951. league is sticking with its new ball, made from a microfiber composite rather than the traditional leather, and is convinced its a better product despite concerns from a number of players. ODDS AND ENDS Head injury will sideline marathon winner Chicago Marathon winner Robert Cheru-iyot is expected to fully recover after sustaining a concussion and bleeding inside his skull when he fell and hit his head at the finish line, but doctors advised him to not run for one to three months.

There were decals with the marathons logo at the finish line, which race officials pulled off the ground after Cheruiyots fall. But his agent, Federico Rosa, didnt blame the decals, saying they are common at marathons and hes never seen such a fall before. Father pulls gun on youth coach A father pulled a gun on a youth football coach in Philadelphia because his son wasnt getting enough playing time, police said. Wayne Derkotch, 40, was arguing with the coach Sunday during a game of 6- and 7-year-olds when he drew the weapon, police said. No shots were fired.

1 Derkotch was charged with aggravated assault and other offenses. He did not immediately return a call to his home Monday. LOCALLY Snapper honored Calvin College freshman Greg Snapper, a former Madison West athlete, has been named mens soccer defensive player of the week by the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Association. Snapper is part of a Calvin defense that has given up only two goals during an ongoing five-game winning streak. Associated Press After a shaky start, the New York Giants season finally is looking up and they have firm control of the NFC East lead.

Now, after their 36-22 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night in Irving, Texas, they play three straight games at home. Considering their 1-2 start, the Giants (4-2) couldnt ask for a better situation. A couple weeks back, we decided weve had enough, coach Tom Coughlin said. Dallas quarterback Drew Bledsoe was replaced after throwing an interception at the goal line with the Cowboys poised to take the lead just before halftime. Tony Romo wasnt any better, getting picked off on his first pass and having another of his three interceptions returned for a touchdown.

That was really a poor performance, said coach Bill Par-cells, who isnt sure if hell go back to Bledsoe or stick with Romo with the Cowboys (3-3) playing their next three games on the road. for 1 14 yards and Eli Maiming threw for 189 yards and two touchdowns. EXTRA POINTS Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was diagnosed with a concussion Monday for the blow to the head he took in Sundays loss to the Falcons at Atlanta. Roethlisberger is questionable for Sundays game at Oakland. It is the second concussion in four months for Roethlisberger, who was involved in a serious motorcycle accident during the offseason.

Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck will miss at least three weeks with a strained ligament in his right knee that he injured Sunday when Minnesotas E.J. Henderson rolled into his lower right leg. Seneca Wallace, a fourth-year player out of Iowa State, will make his first NFL start Sunday at Kansas City. Shawne Merrimans attorney said the Chargers' outside linebacker failed a drug test because of a tainted supplement and will continue to play while appealing his four-game suspension. Michael Strahan had two of the Giants six sacks against Dallas to match Lawrence Taylors career club record at 132V2.

There also were four interceptions by the Giants. New Yorks Tiki Barber ran Baseball Continued from Page D1 Most managers and coaches face the same problem: Wouldn't you have a hard time raising a ruckus over some pine tar when you know your own pitchers have used foreign substances? WORLD SERIES Best-of-seven (All games on WMSNCh. 47) Game 1: St. Louis 7, Detroit 2 Game 2: Detroit 3, St. Louis 1 (series tied at 1) Today: Detroit (Robertson 13-13) at St.

Louis (Carpenter 15-8), 7:33 p.m. Wednesday: Detroit (Bond-erman 14-8) at St. Louis (Suppan 12-7), 7:27 p.m. Thursday: Detroit at St. Louis, 7:27 p.m.

Saturday: at Detroit, 6:57 p.m., if necessary Sunday: at Detroit, 7 p.m., if necessary tighter than airport security guards. But he couldnt. Forget the fancy domes and publicly financed stadiums; basebaU is actuaEy a game played in glass houses. Most managers and coaches face the same problem: Wouldnt you have a hard time raising a ruckus over some pine tar when you know your own pitchers have used foreign substances? Or when youve turned a blind eye to anything that didnt foUow the letter of the law? (Remember, La Russa is a guy who didnt notice that Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire hit growth spurts in their 20s.) The Cardinals manager wasnt concerned about the rule book Sunday night; he was honoring the code, the most sacred part of baseball's fraternity. Of course, he was more poetic in his explanation: Theres a fine that I think defines the competition, he said Monday.

And you can sneak over the line, because were aU fighting for the edge. I also know that pitchers I was going to say routinely, that may be too strong because I dont know enough pitchers use some sticky stuff to get a better grip from the first throw everybody does what you have to do, said Jim Palmer, the Orioles HaE of Fame pitcher. I was just never smart enough." Forty years ago, Palmer became the youngest pitcher to throw a shutout in a World Series game. Rogers nearly became the oldest Sunday night. Palmer has been around the game long enough to realize that baseball can be pretty forgiving about some infractions.

Do we look down on Gaylord Perry? I dont think so we put him in the HaE of Fame," he said. And hes hardly the only one. Everyone said Nolan Ryan scuffed the baE at the end of his career. No one ever confronted him, though. There were many.

Its always been a part of the game." Cheating is part of the code, and the code is part of the game. Anyone who wants to write sonnets about the games beauty should at least be aware of baseballs warts. Edmonton Oilers goaltender Dwayne Rolo-son keeps his eyes on a shot in the first period Monday against Phoenix. Edmonton won 5-2. in spring training to the last side theyre going to throw in the World Series.

Just because theres a little something that theyre using to get a better grip, that doesnt cross the line. When it comes to cheating in baseball stealing signs, corking bats, scuffing balls no one has ever seemed to mind. La Russa gathered his players Monday and asked if any of them were upset with how he handled the situation. Not a single one said anything. Its always been the same Which pitcher threatened to sue the National League after being ejected from a game for defacing a baseball? todays mnnn Answer in Scorecard, D6 fc 9.