Mon, Jul 06, 2009

Football

NOTEBOOK

Broncos now victims of bad calls, Bly says

wire reports
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 10.13.2008
DENVER — Cornerback Dre Bly couldn't hold back after two important calls went against the Denver Broncos in the second half of Sunday's loss to Jacksonville.
On a third down and 17, Jacksonville receiver Reggie Williams bumped into Bly, who landed on the ground, but an illegal contact penalty was called on Bly. That gave Jacksonville an automatic first down.
On Jacksonville's last drive, a long pass to tight end Greg Estandia was broken up by safety Marquand Manuel, who was facing Estandia, and Marlon McCree, who hit Estandia in the back. A pass interference penalty was called.
Bly wasn't pleased with either call.
"I guess, you know, you watch film, and after the first couple of weeks they feel they have to get a call against us," Bly said.
Bly was referencing controversial calls early in the season in which a Jay Cutler fumble was called an incompletion against San Diego and an apparent offsides infraction on Broncos linebacker Jamie Winborn wasn't called when Denver stopped New Orleans on a key third down.
"The first couple games, I guess they've been evaluating us and saying we won games we shouldn't have won, so I guess they're going to get a call against us," Bly said.
The illegal contact call led to a Jaguars touchdown, but the pass interference call was almost as damaging. The Broncos never got the ball back after the call, which happened with 4:33 left on a second and 8.
"Being right there looking at it, I would have bet a dollar to a doughnut it wasn't (interference), but it doesn't really matter. That didn't lose us the game," Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said.
Extra points
● Quarterback Donovan McNabb set the Eagles career records for passes and passing yards during Sunday's 40-26 win over the 49ers. McNabb threw a 26-yard completion to DeSean Jackson midway through the second quarter to pass Ron Jaworski on the attempts list then eclipsed Jaworski's passing yardage mark in the fourth quarter. McNabb now has 3,943 career attempts and 26,980 passing yards.
● Browns TE Kellen Winslow has been released from a hospital after a four-day stay for tests and evaluation related to an undisclosed illness. The Browns on Sunday downgraded the Pro Bowler from questionable to doubtful for tonight's game against the Giants, meaning there's about a 25 percent chance he'll play.
● Colts RB Joseph Addai left in the first quarter Sunday with a hamstring injury. Addai limped off after a 2-yard gain on the first play of the Colts' second series.