Wisconsin State Journal from Madison, Wisconsin • 15

mft JiMM 1 1 i pr rnjjri WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL SPORTS THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2011 B3 STEVE APPS State Journal archives Third-year Packers receiver James Jones had 50 catches for 679 yards and five TDs during the regular season. FALCONS Jones Continued from Page Bl Earlier this week, Packers coach Mike McCarthy said Jones has been playing with an injured right thumb. McCarthy admitted the team hasn't been listing Jones on the injury report for competitive reasons. Thats no excuse for the drop, said Jones, who confirmed his right thumb was injured. I have to make that play for my team.

Ive (still) got a stomachache because I let the team down. Youve got a chance to basically put the game away, we go up 21-3 and dang near put a dagger in the Philadelphia Eagles and I let a play like that go and that hurts. Nobody wants Saturdays game against the top-seeded Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome to arrive sooner than Jones. Saturday cant get here fast enough, he said. I wish it was yesterday so I could go out there and make a play, so I could get this taste out of my mouth.

But Ive got to wait. Earlier in the second quarter, Jones made a tough catch on a low throw by Rodgers for a 9-yard touchdown reception that gave the Packers a 14-0 lead. Jones said his mother even asked him how he can make a catch like that but cant catch a routine one such as his drop at the end of the half. I said, I dont know. Its your fault, mom.

You need to teach me how to catch a little better, Jones said. I have no excuses. I just know I have to go out there and make a play and I cant have plays like that happen anymore. Jones wasnt targeted on any passes from Rodgers following the drop, but the quarterback said he hasnt lost confidence in Jones, who was second on the team in receiving yards (679) during the regular season. James and I are really close, injury Report PACKERS Limited participation: Atari Bigby (groin) Bryan Bulaga (shoulder) Chad Clifton (knees) FB Korey Hall (knee) DE Cullen Jenkins (calf) LB Clay Matthews (shin) Did not participate: CG Jason Spitz (calf) LB Frank Zombo (knee) Limited participation: DE John Abraham (groin) DT Jonathan Babineaux (shoulder) Thomas DeCoud (ankle) LB Curtis Lofton (knee) Todd McClure (ankle) WR Roddy White (knee) Did not participate: CB Brian Williams (knee) Rodgers said.

We have no issues. I didnt intentionally not throw him the ball (in the second half). Im going to go through my progressions and look for the guy whos open and if its James, I have no reservations throwing him the football. James has made a lot of big plays for us this year and over the course of his career, and we know hes going to make the big plays when we need it." Matthews honored Packers qutside linebacker Clay Matthews was named NFL Defensive Player of (he Year by Sporting News. In a poll of 609 players, coaches and executives, Matthews received 188 votes.

Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu finished second with 148, followed by Miami Dolphins outside linebacker Cameron wake (64), Steelers outside linebacker James Harrison (45) and Chicago Bears defensive end Julius Peppers (44). Matthews, who was the only Green Bay player named to Sporting News All-Pro team, had 13Vi sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception during the regular season. New England quarterback Tom Brady was named Offensive Player of the Year by Sporting News. Other winners were Atlantas Mike Smith for Coach of the Year, Falcons often1 sive coordinator Mike Mularkey for -Coordinator of the Year, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick for Comeback Player of the Year and Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamu-kong Suh for Rookie of the Year. Surprisingly, Packers defensive coordinator Dorn Capers didnt even finish in the top five for Coordinator of the Year in a vote of 48 coaches and executives.

Despite losing several starters and key reserves to injuries, Capers unit finished the regular season ranked No. 2 in the NFL in scoring defense. From the infirmary Packers rookie right tackle Bryan Bulaga was a limited participant in Wednesdays practice with a shoulder injury, but both he and McCarthy said they arent concerned. Its good," Bulaga said. "Its just sore.

Just some soreness in it. Noth-' ing thats too big of a deal." Packers wide receiver Donald Driver, who injured his knee against Philadelphia, was a full participant in practice. Looks good," McCarthy said. I dont have any concerns about Donald Drivers availability for the game." Fullback Korey Hall (knee) and safety Atari Bigby (groin) were limited participants in practice. Both players have missed the past two games.

"Theyre both pushing to play in the game, McCarthy said. Well see how the full week goes. NFL NOTES Vikings prefer outdoors The franchise wants an open-air stadium to replace the Metrodome, but state officials balk. Associated Press Though Minnesota state lawmakers appear likely to insist that a roof be part of any public deal for a new Vikings stadium, the team is sticking with its offer to pay about a third of the bill minus whatever a roof would cost. Vikings vice president and stadium point man Lester Bagley said on Wednesday that the Vikings would prefer an outdoor stadium, but understood that might not win approval when lawmakers in February take up the teams request for a stadium funded in part by taxpayers.

State Sen. Julie Rosen, likely lead sponsor of the stadium bill at the Capitol, confirmed that hunch. She said most lawmakers want a facility such as the Metrodome that can host not just NFL football but also dozens of high school and college tournaments and other public events. Bagley said the Vikings wouldnt insist on playing outside, despite team owner Zygi Wilfs recent comments that he preferred an outdoor stadium. But Bagley said the Vikings saw it as precedent that the Minnesota Twins ponied up about a third of the cost of outdoor Target Field.

A roof does not provide any benefit to the Vikings," Bagley said. It also costs a couple hundred million dollars more in capital costs, in addition to the operating costs that are much higher for a covered facility. With the teams lease for the currently snow-damaged Metrodome set to expire after next season, Bagley said the team is hoping lawmakers act this year to replace a building he called not a viable NFL facility and ensure the Vikings stay in Minnesota. An outdoor stadium has been estimated to cost at least $700 million. Favres sister arrested The 34-year-old sister of Vikings quarterback Brett Favre faces drug charges after she was arrested in a raid on a Diamondhead, condo where people were making crystal methamphetamine.

Brandi Favre was among five people arrested. She will be charged with manufacturing methamphetamine and generating hazardous waste. Extra points Denver interviewed former Carolina coach John Fox for the Broncos' head coaching vacancy. Sports Illustrated and ESPN reported that the Browns could name their head coach as soon as today, with St. Louis offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur the leading candidate.

Shurmur is the nephew of former Packers defensive coordinator Fritz Shurmur, who was on Cleveland president Mike Holmgrens staff in Green Bay. Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez (shoulder) was a full participant in practice for the first time in nearly a month. Meanwhile, the Jets placed starting right tackle Damien Woody (Achilles' tendon) on injured reserve. Seattle coach Pete Carroll said the Seahawks would like to bring quarterback Matt Hasselbeck back for the 2011 season. team with the tackle that springs (running back James) Starks in this last game.

Those guys definitely contribute, but its a different dynamic because you dont have Jermichael out there where you do more things to try to get him the ball. Quarless is the closest to Finley in terms of skill set, but consistency has been an issue for the rookie out of Penn State. Quarless had five receptions for 62 yards both career highs against Detroit in Week 14 but produced just four receptions for 33 yards in the next three games combined. Anytime youre going through the process of development with a young player, there are peaks and valleys, said McAdoo, who added that Quarless hit the dreaded rookie wall about same time as his college season ended in previous years. And usually about bowl season is when they hit that valley.

And youve got to kind of pull them over the wall. Hes still fighting. Hes fighting hard; hes working to get better. Quarless, who has battled a shoulder injury for much of the season, had two re -ceptions for 27 yards against the Eagles. He had a 15 -yard reception on the offenses first play of the game and held on to a pass for a 12-yard gain despite taking a big hit from Eagles comerback Asante Samuel late in the first half.

Finleys injury forced Quarless to grow up in a hurry, but hes fine with that. I still am a rookie, but I dont feel like it, Quarless said. Just mentally, I feel like I cant use that as an excuse if I do mess up. It just hit me when they really held me accountable. Early on, you might make a mistake and theyd say, Hes a still rookie; hes still learning.

But when they started really holding me accountable and really started counting on me, thats when I felt it was over. Tight ends Continued from Page Bl call home. But the blue-collar trio has been making noise on the field with the season on the line. After going seven consecutive games without a touchdown reception, the tight ends have one in each of the past three games. Lee caught one in must -win games against the New York Giants and Chicago Bears to close the regular season, while Crabtree scored his first career touchdown during the Packers 21-16 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in an NFC wild card playoff game Sunday.

Weve stuck with what weve been doing, Crabtree said. And when our opportunity came, when our number was called, we kind of stepped it up. Led by Finley, Green Bays tight ends combined for 99 receptions, 1,048 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns in 2009. Those numbers dropped to 57, 673 and five this season after Finley was limited to four full games and two plays against the Redskins. Despite that limited playing time, Finley still led the Packers tight ends with 301 receiving yards, 63 more than Quarless.

Finley and Quarless each finished with 21 receptions. Lee, who averaged 41.3 receptions the previous three seasons, finished with only 11 for 73 yards this season, though he did lead the group with three touchdowns. Crabtree had four receptions for 61 yards. Ill say this: Its hard to replace his energy, his passion, his drive thats something he brought to the table thats hard to find in guys, Packers tight ends coach Ben McA-doo said of Finley, who had 55 receptions NFL PLAYOFFS Divisional round Saturdays games AFC: Baltimore at Pittsburgh, 3:30 p.m., Ch. 3.

NFC: Green Bay at Atlanta, 7 p.m., Ch. 47. Sundays games NFC: Seattle at Chicago, noon, Ch. 47. AFC: N.Y.

Jets at New England, 3:30 p.m., Ch. 3. for 676 yards and five touchdowns in 2009. It helps raise the game of the guys around him. We may have missed that for a little bit, but I think that were an all-hands-on-deck group now.

Were going to do it by committee. They feed off of each other; they work with each other. Theres no jealousy there, and Donald Lees probably the best example of that. "Hes working with the young guys, hes helping them, he wants them to be successful because he in the grand scheme of things wants a ring, too. When Finley was placed on injured reserve, Packers coach Mike McCarthy and his staff lost a player around whom they had built a significant portion of the offense in the offseason.

Still, quarterback Aaron Rodgers likes what the team has gotten out of the remaining tight ends. Weve had at least a touchdown out of them the last few weeks, Rodgers said. Its not an eye-popping contribution, but those guys do a great job in the run game. Tom ran a great route this week for a touchdown. Donald Lee, we had some plays for him.

He had a touchdown the other week that was the game-winner. Those guys are definitely contributing. Its just a matter that some of the stuff you cant always see on the stat sheets. Its the blocks, its the cutoffs, its the double Knight Continued from Page Bl Zaugg-Siergiej set the career mark with 89 from 2004 to 08 lived to see one more day. Why take credit for something thats not yours? asked Knight, sporting an earnest look.

Knight scored two goals in the series finale the next afternoon, giving her 91 in 102 career games for the top-ranked Badgers, who host winless St. Cloud State in a WCHA series Friday and Sunday at the Kohl Center. UW coach Mark Johnson, a goalscoring demon in college, the Olympics and the NHL, acknowledged that what Knight did is unusual. Tbday with the videotapes, the 1 replaysj (players) will wait for the replay people to change the goal; they wont jump up and do it (themselves), he said. 1 Or Knight could have stayed silent altogether.

There wouldnt have been a peep of protest if she kept the goal given that she was a standout for Team USA in 1 the 2010 Winter Olympics and, at 21, may be the most dominant talent in the world. Most people are self-centered and want recognition and want to be on the front page of the paper, Johnson said. Its nice to see athletes in tcvhys environment do things the right way. Knight, a history major from Sim Valley, Idaho, was so unaffected by the record in the first place that she didnt know it was approaching until a friend wished her luck on Facebook late last week. When Knight really did set the mark with a first -period goaljan.

8, triggering a 5-3 victory, it was Duggan who retrieved the keepsake puck because the idea never dawned on Knight. The moment speaks volumes about Knight, whose prodigious talent, upbeat attitude and selfless priorities go to the heart of why the Badgers (20-2 overall, 14 -2 in league play) have designs on their third WCHA regular-season title and fourth NCAA championship since 2006. Knight generates a whopping seven shots and 1.18 goals per outing (26 in 22 games) to lead the nation. She had 15 shots in her most recent performance, which is more than UW opponents have managed on five occasions this season. Knight and Duggan are back with the Badgers after winning a silver medal with the U.S.

in the Vancouver Games. Johnson took a one -year sabbatical to coach them with Team USA. Duggan came to appreciate Knight as a person and a world-class athlete. I could seriously talk about her all day, Duggan said. Shes a great, great player and so good for our team.

C' NHL Crawford lifts Blackhawks Associated Press Corey Crawford made 24 saves for his second straight shutout, and Dave Bolland and Fernando Pisani had a goal and an assist apiece Wednesday night to lead the host Chicago Blackhawks past the Colorado Avalanche 4-0. Former University of Wisconsin athlete Jack Skille scored for Chicago. i Lightning 3, Capitals 0 Dwayne Roloson made 23 saves for his Second shutout this month against Washington, and Tampa Bay beat the Capitals in a matchup of Southeast Division leaders in Tampa, Fla. Penguins 5, Canadiens 2 Alex Gollgoskl scored twice and added an assist, and Pittsburgh scored four power-play goals to end a three-game losing streak with a win over host Montreal. Ducks 7, Blues 4 Bobby Ryan had a hat trick and added an assist to lead host Anaheim over St.

Louis. fc Johnson watched Knight listen to the counsel of wise Olympic veterans such as Jenny Potter and fold her voice. She wants to do the right things all the time, Johnson said of Knight. At her current pace, Knight will hit the 100-goal plateau this season, something done only by a handful of juniors in the history of college womens hockey. For some perspective, Johnson had 125 goals in 125 games through three seasons en route to being the all-time leader for (he UWmen.

About that goal Knight refused to own: It was at least the third time this season she did so. One came at the expense of a hat trick, which didnt bother Knight one bit. "Nc matter whos scoring," she said, Im celebrating the sate way..