Allgemeines » eekend with a win by either the Texan

CANTON, Ohio -- Sunday nights Hall of Fame Game between the Green Bay Packers and Indianapolis Colts was canceled because of field conditions at Tom Benson Stadium.The issue stemmed from the paint used on the logo and in the end zones.?Both teams were worried about player safety as crews worked feverishly to spray solvent on the area around the midfield logo.Hall of Fame president/executive director David Baker called the decision to cancel the game difficult, but he added that it was an easy, ethical decision. He told ESPNs Lisa Salters the call was made after consulting with coaches Mike McCarthy and Chuck Pagano, as well as NFL chief operating officer Tod Leiweke.?Both teams remained at the stadium, which instead hosted a fan fest-type event. According to Baker, fans will receive refunds.?I thought it was a joke at first, honestly. Sort of like a pull-your-leg preseason type of a joke, Colts quarterback Andrew Luck told ESPN, which was to broadcast the game. I understand that someone had to make a very tough decision, and I respect that. But I know Im disappointed. I wanted to get back on the field, obviously, with what happened last year. This is one of those first steps back.In a joint statement, the NFL and NFL Players Association said that while they were disappointed for our fans, player safety is our primary concern.There was a lot of conversation but, at the end of the day, youve got to make a decision, and the decision was made for player safety, McCarthy said. Its not how you got there or why you got there.One Packers player described it as like cement at midfield, where workers spent more than an hour trying to make it playable.The end zones are just as bad, the same player said about 90 minutes before the scheduled 8 p.m. ET kickoff.?The paint on the logo wont allow a cleat to penetrate it, a Colts source said. A definite hazard to player safety.According to another source, the problem was made worse when workers tried to use heat to dry the excess paint, as that melted the rubber pellets in the field turf.Colts owner Jim Irsay called it a very unusual situation.Earlier in the day the league and the association looked at the field, and it was playable, Irsay said. Then there was some painting that occurred.Baker said he was made aware of the issue at 5:30 p.m. ET, at which point he went out to the field and met with representatives from both teams.?We were trying to see if we could get the field good to play with about two hours before the game; even up to almost 90 minutes we were hoping that a wash-down and a certain attempt to make it right could be found, Irsay said. In the end, we found that we werent able to do that with the time crunch that we have. Obviously we didnt want to delay the game for hours or anything like that.Said ESPN in a statement: While disappointed, we support the NFLs decision as the safety of the players is paramount. We look forward to the debut of football in Los Angeles next Saturday night.?Baker said there were still some guys who wanted to play, but that they respected the decision to cancel the game.?The disappointing part is [fans] not getting a game from us, said Packers receiver Randall Cobb, though he echoed the need to prioritize player safety.NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told ESPNs Darren Rovell that the league will work with the Packers and Colts to sort out their own financial reimbursement for a game not played.Packers fan Mike Wallenfang, who was visiting from Green Bay with his two sons, said he thought the fans should have been informed sooner, as they werent told anything officially until Baker addressed the crowd.?Added fellow fan Don Hayes: Its bad enough that it took me 12 hours to get here from Green Bay because of road construction. I understand the need for the players safety, but its definitely frustrating. This is the NFL -- theyre designed to have the fields ready at any given time. And to sit here and not know the paint wasnt going to work, its kind of ridiculous.Resale ticket marketplace StubHub issued refunds in full on Sunday night for those who bought tickets off its exchange. A spokesman for the company did not immediately return calls seeking comment as to how much money the site lost on the games cancellation.Sundays game was to be the ninth event held at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. This is not the same surface used in last years Hall of Fame Game, in which Steelers kicker Shaun Suisham suffered a season-ending injury.Well learn from this, without a doubt, Baker told Salters. Were going to make sure this never happens again.Asked whether the induction ceremony and game should be held at a different venue in the future to avoid such issues, Packers president Mark Murphy said, I think thats a question for later, but I think the league and the Hall of Fame, and as owners and myself and others from the Packer organization -- when we get together at league meetings, I think we need to look at some of those issues.ESPNs Darren Rovell contributed to this report.? Jean-Gabriel Pageau Senators Jersey . The Montreal Canadiens announced on Friday that the veteran forward will return to the teams line-up on Saturday night when the Habs visit the Nashville Predators. Bobby Ryan Senators Jersey . -- The proud fathers huddled near the Dallas Stars dressing room, smiling, laughing and telling stories while wearing replica green sweaters of their sons team. http://www.senatorssale.com/authentic-jean-gabriel-pageau-senators-jersey/ . Patrice Bergeron and Daniel Paille scored 20 seconds apart a few minutes after Stamkos was taken off the ice on a stretcher with a broken right leg, and the Bruins beat the Lightning 3-0 on Monday afternoon. Craig Anderson Jersey . Thousands of Southern California fans enveloped the Trojans to celebrate an improbable win secured by an interim coach, an inconsistent kicker and a thin defence that wouldnt break. Ottawa Senators Jerseys .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indianapolis Colts are getting comfortable on the road.Theyve won four straight on other teams home fields, the past two by a combined 75-16.Theyve already dealt big blows to two playoff contenders, Green Bay and Minnesota, and will try to derail Oaklands hopes of earning a first-round bye on Saturday.It still may not be enough for Indy to salvage its playoff hopes.We understand exactly where were at and our focus is on one thing and one thing only and thats to get this W, coach Chuck Pagano said Tuesday.We know its a huge challenge and a tall order against a great football team on the road. But we cant worry about small chances and this, that and the other. Weve got to go play.These days, playing anywhere outside the confines of Lucas Oil Stadium looks like a plus even if they must visit one of the NFLs least friendly venues, the dreaded Black Hole.Some, such as punter Pat McAfee, have already experienced the unique atmosphere Raiders fans enjoy creating.When McAfee played in Oakland in 2010, he remembers being greeted by a heckler dressed in spikes who was giving him grief about an arrest for public intoxication.As McAfee recalls, the fan started chanting DUI until McAfee explained he wasnt driving. Then the fan changed the chant to DUS, which McAfee said didnt work as the fan tried to call him out for his alleged overnight swim in a local canal.Others, such as eight-year veteran Darius Butler, are eager to see if the Oakland crowd lives up to the hype with so much at stake. The Raiders lead Kansas City by one game in the AFC West.But strangely, these are the exactly elements in which the Colts (7-7) have thrived lately.Im really not sure why we have such great games on the road and come out flat at home, McAfee said. I think theres an energy in the stands that we feed off, its kind of us against the world.Whatever the explanation, the numbers prove it.After blowing out the Vikings 34-6 last weeekend, Indy assured itself of another non-losing road record.dddddddddddd In Paganos five seasons as coach, the Colts have never finished worse than 4-4 away from home and a win this weekend would make them 5-3 on the road for the third time in four years.At home, its been a different story.The Colts blew a lead in the final 35 seconds and lost to Detroit in the season opener, ended October with a poor showing in a home loss to Kansas City and squandered a chance to take control of the AFC South with an uninspiring loss to Houston on Dec. 11.Those three losses could be the difference between making the postseason and missing the playoffs for the second straight season, something that hasnt happened in Indy since 1997-98.The Colts head into the weekend one game behind Houston and Tennessee in the division race and would be eliminated this weekend with a win by either the Texans or Titans.Whats the reason for the disparity?I dont know, Andrew Luck said. Im not sure we can explain it and Im not sure it ever can be explained.So the only option Indy has this weekend is to win at Oakland (11-3) and hope for the best.On the road, youve got to pack your defense and pack your run game, especially this time of year, Butler said. Ive never been to Oakland, but I know they have a passionate fan base and Ive heard a lot of stories about them.Game notes Pagano is unsure whether right guard Denzelle Good (concussion) or right tackle Joe Reitz (back) will play this week. Both missed the game at Minnesota. ... Receiver Donte Moncrief (hamstring) did limited work at Tuesdays practice. Pagano also isnt sure whether hell play Saturday, either. ... Indy signed defensive tackle Kelcy Quarles to the practice squad on Tuesday.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL . ' ' '