Inland Waterways » But Smiths double in the 23rd and 26th

NEW YORK, N.Y. - The union representing NFL on-field officials criticized the league Thursday for inconsistencies in grading calls, including two high-profile penalties from recent games.In a release, the NFL Referees Association says the NFL has caused confusion for NFL officials as to what the league does and doesnt want called.The union referred to penalties on Washingtons Chris Baker for a hit on Eagles quarterback Nick Foles on Sept. 21, and to Chiefs safety Husain Abdullah last Monday night for going to his knees to celebrate an interception return for a touchdown. Abdullah actually had gone to his knees to pray a€” an act exempted from celebration penalties.The union says both calls were graded as correct even after NFL executives announced that they were incorrect. Baker got a 15-yard penalty and was ejected from the game at Philadelphia. Abdullah also received a 15-yard penalty.Consistency in penalty enforcement is extremely important to the players, coaches and fans. Uncertainty as to what the league wants called is not a road you want to go down, said Jim Quirk, executive director of the NFLRA.Quirk noted that Baker was penalized for a blindside block on Foles as a personal foul; a brawl followed near the Washington sideline and Eagles tackle Jason Peters was also ejected.Two days later, Troy Vincent, the NFLs executive vice-president of football operations, said the hit was legal and should not have been penalized. Yet, the NFLRA said, the leagues officiating department a day later graded the call as correct.In the case of the block on Nick Foles, by rule, it was not a foul because the quarterback was pursuing the play, the contact was not to the head or neck area, and the play was not over, NFL spokesman Michael Signora said in an email to The Associated Press. However, the referee a€” watching the play at full speed and without the benefit of a replay review a€” judged that the block was late and threw a flag. While not a correct call, we understand why it was made.In the case of Abdullah, a devout Muslim who took off a year from football to go on a pilgrimage to Mecca, the league said Tuesday that the penalty was in error.The leagues rule book prohibits players from celebrating while on the ground, but spokesman Michael Signora wrote in an email Tuesday that the officiating mechanic in this situation is not to flag a player who goes to the ground as part of religious expression, and as a result, there should have been no penalty on the play.But, according to the union, officials who made the call were given correct grades by the officiating department on Thursday. That could be because Abdullah could have been penalized for sliding on his knees before actually praying.But the league reiterated Thursday what it announced earlier this week, that the call was incorrect and not graded otherwise.As part of evaluating the performance of our game officials, the officiating supervisors recognize that for an incorrect call on a close judgment play, the official may have used appropriate reasoning, Signora said. On such a call, the official is not downgraded.Regardless, said former NFLRA President Scott Green, a recently retired referee, theres a communications problem between the NFL and its game officials.It seems there is a disconnect between what the officiating department expects from officials and the public statements being made by league executives, Green said. It certainly creates uncertainty for the guys making split-second decisions on the field.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL Sylvester Williams Lions Jersey . Argentina, who have yet to beat New Zealand in 17 meetings, rocked the All Blacks with an early converted try to backrower Juan Manuel Leguizamon and led 7-0 after five minutes. But Smiths double in the 23rd and 26th minutes - when Argentina was reduced to 14 men by the sin-binning of hooker Eusebio Guinazu - turned the tide of the match and set up New Zealands third straight Championship win. Christian Jones Lions Jersey .ca! Hi Kerry, Im sure youve received many emails wondering what your take is on the Spezza goal that looked like Neil blatantly kicked it in while standing directly in the middle of the crease where, you know, usually a goalie is to make a save but couldnt be due to Neil being there! Thanks! Jon - Westfield, MA Jon: Lets first ask Henrik Lundqvist what he thought of the scoring of the Sens second goal with . http://www.lionsfanspro.com/Black-LeGarrette-Blount-Lions-Jersey.html?cat=948 . Off-Season Game Plan looks at what the Blue Jackets may do to build upon last seasons success to return to the playoffs again next year. Kerryon Johnson Jersey . Its the second of three meetings between these teams this season. Vancouver was a 2-1 winner on home ice December 22nd. Christian Jones Jersey .C. -- Clemson celebrated a senior class Saturday that brought the program back as a national contender. ORLANDO, Fla. -- The New York Knicks have been looking for any kind of continuity they can find as injuries and losses have continued to pile up this season. The injury bug isnt done biting them just yet, but they remained healthy just long enough Monday night to get a much-needed victory. Carmelo Anthony had 19 points before leaving the game with a sprained left ankle in the third quarter, but the Knicks were able to stave off a fierce charge and hang on for 103-98 victory over the Orlando Magic. New York led by as many as 25 points before having its lead cut all the way to a point in the fourth quarter. Beno Udrih hit six straight free-throws in the final 26 seconds to help preserve the win, which was the Knicks eighth straight over the Magic. It also was a big win for embattled Knicks coach Mike Woodson, whose job security has been called into question in recent weeks. "All teams make runs and they made a helluva run, but I applaud our team because we withstood the run," Woodson said. "We made plays. It was a total team effort. After losing two starters, I applaud our guys." Along with losing Anthony, the Knicks also saw point guard Raymond Felton go down late in the fourth quarter with a groin injury. He was just making his return Monday after a six-game absence with a strained left hamstring. Woodson said the status of both players will be evaluated Tuesday. New York plays Oklahoma City on Christmas Day. J.R. Smith added 18 points and 10 rebounds. Felton had 13 points and four assists before his injury. Afterward Smith said his teams injury issues are bothersome as they try to get back their season back on track. "Im concerned (about Melo), but Im not as worried about him as Im worried about Ray, the way he came back and then to go down again. Its tough," Smith said. "Hes our point guard, for sure." Arron Afflalo led Orlando with 26 points. Glen Davis added 20 and Jameer Nelson 17. The Magic have lost three straight and 11 of their last 13. Orlando coach Jacque Vaughn applauded his teams resolve in the second half. "We responded tto their hit in our face," Vaughn said.dddddddddddd "It took us a whole half, but then we responded by coming out and realizing that its OK to hit first. I think we were the aggressors in the second half." The Knicks seemed to be cruising in the third quarter with a 25-point lead before Anthony went down with about seven minutes left in the quarter. It helped stretch a Magic 27-8 run that cut New Yorks lead to just 76-70. The Knicks carried an 84-76 edge into the fourth, but the Magic kept attacking as New York began to settle for jump shots. A tip-in by Jason Maxiell cut it all the way down to a point with 8:28 to play in the game, prompting Woodson to call a timeout. New York responded, and got a mini-spurt that pushed its lead back to 89-83. It was short-lived, as the Magic got within 91-89 on a jumper by Nelson. Orlando had a chance to tie it on a fast break following a Knicks miss, but Tobias Harris layup attempt was blocked by Smith. Felton got tangled up with another player during the play and limped off the floor. The Knicks steadied, and got a steal and layup by Iman Shumpert that gave them a 97-91 cushion. "They tightened up once they seen the lead completely evaporate," Afflalo said. "They did a good job of once we cut it to one or two, not allowing us to get over the hump." Felton made his presence felt in the first few minutes of action with a pair of jumpers and assist on a Tyson Chandler. It helped provided a jolt for the Knicks, who shot 52 per cent in the first half. A big half it turned out the Knicks would need down the stretch. "(Orlando) played very good in that third quarter," Knicks forward Andrea Bargnani said. "Youve got to give them credit, they made some very tough shots so they came back. We made the right plus at the end. "The team was upset when Carmelo went out, but we got over the shock." Notes: The Magic are now 0-14 this season when an opponent scores 100 or more points. ... Anthony picked up his third technical foul of the season for arguing with referee Ed Malloy in the third quarter. 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