"I just looked at it,

[ldh2013]

GREEN BAY, Wis. . - Quarterback school is back in session with the Packers. Newly signed veteran Seneca Wallace is going to have to brush up on the playbook in a hurry to get ready to back up Aaron Rodgers for Sundays season opener in San Francisco. Theres a new third quarterback in Titletown, too, after Scott Tolzien was signed to the practice squad Monday. Both quarterbacks just happened to be with the 49ers before getting picked up by the Packers. How convenient. "I think any time players are (from) a former organization, theres always (a thinking that) immediately theyre going to tell you everything about the 49ers," coach Mike McCarthy said. "Scott and Seneca both are more focused on getting ready for the game so they definitely can give you insight." More so Tolzien than Wallace. Tolzien was a backup the last two years for the 49ers, but never played in a game. Wallace was only in San Francisco for a week this preseason, competing for a backup job behind Colin Kaepernick. But its Wallace whos going to be Rodgers understudy. Its quite a turnaround from last week, when he was languishing behind Kaepernick, Colt McCoy and B.J. Daniels on the 49ers depth chart. When asked then, coach Jim Harbaugh said Wallace was "not going to continue to play football," lending to speculation to whether Wallace decided to retire. Not so, Wallace said Monday after his first Packers practice. "No, no. Its just miscommunication between me and Harbaugh. We talked about it. I called him to communicate that to him," Wallace said. "It was just pretty much miscommunication between me and him." After being drafted by the Seahawks in 2003 out of Iowa State, Wallace went on to play seven seasons in Seattle. Hes also had stops with the Browns and Saints. In 21 starts and 62 career games, Wallace has completed 59 per cent of passes (452 of 764) for 4,808 yards and 31 touchdowns, along with 18 interceptions. In a relatively young locker room, Wallace, a 10-year veteran, immediately becomes the most experienced player on offence. Only defensive tackle Ryan Pickett has more NFL experience with 13 seasons. Its that experience that drew McCarthy to his new backup. Wallace had time in a West Coast offence in Seattle under former coach Mike Holmgren, who used to coach the Packers. McCarthy said Wallace ran similar no-huddle schemes in Cleveland. Also, Wallace was drafted in Seattle while current Packers general manager Ted Thompson was the vice-president of football operations there. With Wallace and Tolzien, Green Bay is starting anew in its quest to find a capable backup to Rodgers after already jettisoning three candidates in the last several weeks. Graham Harrell is now with the Jets. Vince Young was cut over the weekend. B.J. Coleman was released after Wallace was signed. Wallaces journeyman background might also help him out. "Hes been a backup quarterback primarily his whole career. He clearly understands the role, has a lot of experience in an out of systems," McCarthy said. "Just talking football with him last night, I felt confident that hell be ready to play Sunday." Wallace was appreciative of the new opportunity. He gave thoughtful responses to questions from reporters, as if a wise sage offering advice to a rookie on life in NFL. While he wouldnt mind starting, Wallace is clearly comfortable with his role. Hes not going to supplant Rodgers, the 2011 NFL Most Valuable Player. "You cant let that get to you. Thats part of it. Were blessed to play a sport that most people dream to do," he said. "The ones who stay around for a long period of time are the ones who get it." So there was Wallace on Monday on the practice field, watching several feet behind Rodgers as the offence ran through drills. Wallace walking alongside Rodgers during a break, where the two looked like they were talking shop. And Rodgers running through a quarterback drop for Wallace on a particularly quick pass play. "It was a tough couple weeks, Wallace said, "but what happened is behind me and now Im moving forward and focusing on being here in Green Bay and being the best provider as a backup to A-Rod." Notes: Tolzien returned to the state where he played college ball at Wisconsin. ... After competing all preseason with Marshall Newhouse, Don Barclay started at right tackle. But Barclay said he doesnt think the competition is settled, and McCarthy indicated Newhouse would play Sunday regardless ... CB Casey Hayward (hamstring) didnt take part in practice. Two starters sidelined last week by sore hamstrings, S Morgan Burnett and LB Brad Jones, returned ... Besides Tolzien, the Packers also signed OL Aaron Adams and Bryan Collins; RB Michael Hill; WRs Charles Johnson and Myles White; CB James Nixon; and TE Jake Stoneburner to their practice squad. The latter four players were with the team during training camp. . Today, Craig looks at some trends that emerged from the quarterfinals. HBI 1. What went wrong for USA? In the wake of another failure to reach the semifinals - the fourth time in seven years for the U. . The third-seeded former Wimbledon runner-up Bartoli outlasted Russian Vera Dushevina 6-2, 6-7 (3-7), 6-4 in just over three hours on the green clay at Family Circle Tennis Center. . -- Sam Lacey, a former NBA All-Star centre who spent most of his 13-year career with the Kansas City Kings, has died.ATLANTA -- Kirk Hinrich made all the right moves for the Chicago Bulls in the final minute of the game. Not so much for Jeff Teague and the Atlanta Hawks. Hinrich buried six big free throws down the stretch and Teague had a couple of costly turnovers as the Bulls held on for a 107-103 victory at Atlanta on Tuesday night. Mike Dunleavy scored 22 points for the Bulls, who have won six of seven. Joakim Noah had 20 points and 12 rebounds, and Carlos Boozer finished with 17 points and 11 boards. Dunleavy also had eight rebounds and four assists. He was covered in ice bags as he sat slumped at his locker after playing all but nine seconds in the game. "I appreciate (coach Tom Thibodeau) giving me that nine-second breather at the end of the half," Dunleavy said with a laugh. "That made a big difference." The Bulls won after trailing by 14 points in the first quarter. "They put us in a hole; we fought out of it," Dunleavy said. "We just had to battle the whole game." Since Jan. 1, Chicago is 12-1 when holding its opponent under 90 points. No other team in the league has kept as many opponents under 90 in that span. Teague had 26 points for the short-handed Hawks, who have lost nine of 10. Shelvin Mack scored 17. The Bulls led most of the second half but never pushed the advantage to double figures. "I think they really wanted that game today," Noah said of the Hawks. "We really wanted that game, too. It wasnt pretty at times. Im just happy we were able to come out with the win." DeMarre Carrolls fast-break basket gave Atlanta a 100-99 lead, but Dunleavy answered with a layup. With 1:03 remaining, Carroll sank a 3-pointer to give Atlanta a 103-101 lead. With 43.2 seconds remaining, officials reviewed and confirmed a questionable foul called on Carroll on Hinrichs 3-point attempt. Hinrich made the three free throws to put Chicago in front again. Noahs steal from Teague got the ball back for the Bulls with 20 seconds remaining. Atlantas Kyle Korver stole the inbounds pass, giving the Hawks a chance to take the lead, but Teague stepped ouut of bounds behind the basket. . Hinrich then made two free throws. Noah stripped Mike Scott of the ball on Atlantas next possession, setting up another foul shot by Hinrich. Coach Mike Budenholzer and the Hawks argued that Noah fouled Scott. "Do I think he was fouled?" Budenholzer asked after the game. "I just looked at it, and yes I do." Scott said Noah hit his arm but added "Cant do nothing about it now." Budenholzer also protested Carrolls foul on Hinrich but said after watching the replay he agreed with that call. Hawks All-Star forward Paul Millsap missed his second straight game with a right knee contusion and also will be held out on Thursday at Boston. The Hawks also were without centres Pero Antic (stress fracture, right ankle) and Gustavo Ayon (right shoulder), who had filled in following Al Horfords season-ending torn pectoral muscle. Budenholzer said morale isnt a problem. "I thought our group competed at a very high level for 48 minutes tonight," Budenholzer said. "Thats what were looking for, and thats what is most important to us." Korver hit 3-pointers on Atlantas first two possessions, extending his NBA record to 125 straight games with a 3. Korver added a third trey a couple minutes later, and his strong start seemed to spark the Hawks, who jumped to a 26-12 lead. Chicago closed the deficit with a 13-2 run in the final minutes of the opening period and start of the second quarter. The Bulls led 54-51 at halftime. Mack sank a short jumper with about 2 seconds remaining in the third period. D.J. Augustin, who had 10 points, then banked in a half-court shot for Chicago, lifting the Bulls to an 80-75 lead heading to the final period. NOTES: Glenn Frey of the Eagles, who played at Philips Arena on Monday night, had a second-row seat near midcourt. ... NBA Hall of Famer Julius Erving had a front-row seat and tipped his cap when called out by the P.A. announcer and cheered by fans. ... Bulls guard Jimmy Butler missed his second straight game with bruised ribs. ... Korver had 16 points and Carroll had 13. ' ' '