Rodgers strong in Packers’ loss

Aaron Rodgers, in his first start for the Green Bay Packers, delivered a pair of scoring drives and a handful of highlights in a 20-17 exhibition loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday at Green Bay, Wis.

The Bengals tagged Rodgers for an early interception off a deflected pass, but he recovered to complete nine of 15 throws for 117 yards and a touchdown. Rodgers also threw a 30-yard pass to Ruvell Martin that helped set up a 37-yard field goal. Rodgers left the game after the first quarter, with the Packers leading, 10-0.

“I’ve always felt like we have the best fans in the NFL, and that they would support our team, regardless of how they feel about myself, or Brett [Favre], or management or whatever,” Rodgers said. “But it was a great reception when we took the field.”

Cincinnati had a 17-point second quarter that included a touchdown pass by Carson Palmer.

Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Matt Jones pleaded not guilty to possession of cocaine, a charge that carries up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Jones, who is free on a $2,500 bond, faces an Oct. 10 trial date -- two days before the Jaguars play at Denver.

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Bobby Engram, who was hurt during Friday’s exhibition against Minnesota, will sit out at least six weeks with a cracked bone in his shoulder. . . . The Oakland Raiders signed Adam Archuleta, who will contend for a spot as a backup safety or starting strong-side linebacker. . . . Tampa Bay quarterback Jeff Garcia returned to practice after being sidelined 10 days by a right calf strain.

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HOCKEY

Kings sign Doughty to three-year deal

The Kings signed their top selection in the 2008 entry-level draft, defenseman Drew Doughty, to a three-year contract. No terms were announced. Doughty, 18, of London, Canada, was chosen second overall and helped Canada win a gold medal at last winter’s World Junior Championships, where he was selected the event’s top defenseman.

-- Dan Arritt

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MISCELLANY

Mexico, Chile to play at Coliseum

Mexico’s national soccer team, under new Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson, will face Chile’s national team in an exhibition Sept. 24 at the Coliseum.

Women’s Professional Soccer, a league planning to debut next April, has added Atlanta to its expansion list for 2010. The league, based in San Francisco, will start in seven cities, including Los Angeles.

Ben Collett, a former Manchester United youth player whose soccer career was ended by a tackle when he was 18, was awarded about $8.2 million in compensation by the High Court in London.

Collett, now 23, sued Middlesbrough Football Club and opposing player Gary Smith for negligence after Smith tackled him high and “over the ball,” fracturing his right leg in two places. Smith and Middlesbrough admitted liability, the judgment said.

In first-round tennis, fourth-seeded Tommy Haas beat qualifier Rik De Voest, 6-4, 4-6, 6-1, at Washington.

In college football, Washington Coach Tyrone Willingham said sophomore wide receiver Curtis Shaw has left the team for undisclosed family reasons.

The Charlotte Bobcats traded second-round pick Kyle Weaver to Oklahoma City for a second-round choice in next year’s NBA draft.