NEW YORK — The NFL and its locked-out officials weren’t talking two days before the season begins, a clear indication replacements will be on the field for Wednesday night’s opener.
No talks between NFL,
refs’ union as season nears
NEW YORK — The NFL and its locked-out officials weren’t talking two days before the season begins, a clear indication replacements will be on the field for Wednesday night’s opener.
Both sides met for three days last week, but did not reach an agreement to end the three-month lockout. The replacement officials who worked the preseason games amid much criticism will handle the Cowboys at Giants opener and the other 15 games on the weekend.
“You just have to play your game. You can’t even pay any attention to it now at this point,” Giants receiver Victor Cruz said Monday. “You just have to go out there and trust that they are spending time in the meeting rooms and those referee rooms, reading the plays and getting the calls down.”
The league and the NFL Referees Association, which covers more than 120 on-field officials, are at odds over salary, retirement benefits and operational issues. The NFL has said its offer includes annual pay increases that could earn an experienced official more than $200,000 annually by 2018. The NFLRA has disputed the value of the proposal, insisting it would ultimately reduce their compensation.
Virginia Tech edges
Georgia Tech in OT
BLACKSBURG, Va. — Cody Journell kicked a 17-yard field goal in overtime and No. 16 Virginia Tech beat Georgia Tech 20-17 on Monday night.
Georgia Tech got the ball first in overtime, but quarterback Tevin Washington threw the ball away under pressure and was intercepted. Tevin Washington’s 10-yard touchdown pass with 44 seconds left in regulation had given the Yellow Jackets a 17-14 lead.
Logan Thomas then drove the Hokies and Journell’s 41-yard field goal tied it at the end of regulation.
After Washington’s turnover in overtime, needing only to score to win, the Hokies got runs of 6 and 18 yards from Michael Holmes, before Journell spared them another crushing loss in a big early game.
The Hokies trailed 17-14 until Journell, who had earlier missed from 38 yards, made his first kick.
IOC president to have hip replacement surgery
LAUSANNE, Switzerland — IOC President Jacques Rogge will have hip replacement surgery this week.
The International Olympic Committee calls the operation “routine” and says the 70-year-old Belgian will be discharged from the hospital after a few days.
No other details were given.
Rogge was elected IOC president in 2001, succeeding Juan Antonio Samaranch. He will step down when his term ends in September 2013.
Rodriguez holds off
Contador in Vuelta climb
CUITUNIGRU, Spain — Joaquin Rodriguez is in prime position to win the Spanish Vuelta after holding off Alberto Contador on Monday during the most demanding leg of the race. The mountainous 16th stage was won by Dario Cataldo of Italy.
Contador tried repeatedly to break away from his fellow Spaniard during the final miles. Rodriguez pulled ahead as the riders neared the finish at the summit.
Rodriguez extended his lead by 6 seconds over Contador in the 21-stage race. He now leads by 28 seconds as he nears what would be his first Vuelta victory.
Cataldo won the 114-mile stage in 5 hours, 18 minutes, 28 seconds. Thomas de Gendt of Belgium was next, 7 seconds back. Rodriguez was 2:39 behind in third.
DNC forces Panthers’
temporary move to Florida
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Carolina coach Ron Rivera says his players are approaching their six-day trip to Florida this week like it was a college bowl game.
The Panthers wanted to get away from the hustle and bustle of the Democratic National Convention that is being held in Charlotte so they decided to practice in Florida and prepare for their regular season opener against Tampa Bay.
President Barack Obama will give his acceptance speech at Carolina’s home stadium Thursday night, and security around the facility is extremely tight.
By wire sources