ASSOCIATED PRESS University of Hawaii alumnus Adrian Klemm, a guard for the Packers, consoled quarterback Brett Favre after Green Bay failed to score on the last drive of yesterday's 17-3 loss to the Detroit Lions.

Raiola, Klemm cross paths
in Lions-Packers tussle

The offensive linemen with Hawaii
ties are on teams that appear to
be going in different directions
in the NFC North

DETROIT » Dominic Raiola has some old-fashioned ideas about loyalty. But maybe that's fitting, because the Detroit Lions starting center from Hawaii is a throwback player, a substance-over-style performer.

In the offseason, the 26-year-old Saint Louis School graduate signed a five-year contract to remain with the Lions through the peak years of his career.

It's simple, Raiola said, after helping the Lions beat the rival Green Bay Packers 17-3 yesterday at Ford Field to open the season.

"This is who drafted me. This is home to me. I'm not one big on change and I like where this team is going," Raiola said. "I never once thought about going anywhere else."

Adrian Klemm, who played left guard for the Packers yesterday, was also a free agent after last season. The former University of Hawaii standout and New England Patriot decided to leave the two-time defending Super Bowl champions.

"After everything I've been through the past couple years, it was time for a fresh start," said Klemm, who was injured most of his time with the Patriots. "Even if I was healthy, sometimes you just want to start over."

One reason Klemm chose Green Bay is that he lives in Indianapolis and it's easier for his family to get to most of his games.

Klemm (like Raiola) played every offensive play for his team yesterday, and did so effectively. It was a noteworthy achievement, considering how much time he missed because of the injuries in his pro career. But the prevailing emotion for Klemm was disappointment after Green Bay frittered away opportunities with three turnovers and 100 yards in penalties.

"Me playing the whole game but not winning the game doesn't really mean anything right now. I would've rather gotten off to a good start as a team," Klemm said. "(The Lions) played well tonight and we had turnovers and breakdowns in communication at certain points of the game. That made it difficult to go out there and be productive. We made too many mistakes. You can't play two opponents, you know?"

Klemm learned a lot about being consistent and efficient from former UH offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh, who is now at Oregon State. The two remain close.

"We just talked yesterday. We talk to each other every few days," Klemm said.

Klemm said the current Hawaii team shouldn't be down on itself after losing to USC and Michigan State. He was on the UH squad that went 0-12 only to rebound to 9-4 in June Jones' first season as coach, 1999.

"They just have to keep their heads up," Klemm said. "We started out losing to USC 66-to-something and no one believed in us and we ended up winning the WAC and a bowl game."

Raiola played in a lot of big college games at Nebraska. He hasn't had the same kind of spotlight with the Lions, who haven't finished with a winning record since 2000.

Even after keeping a Brett Favre-led offense out of the end zone, nobody's saying the Lions have enough to shock the league and represent the NFC in the 2006 Super Bowl -- which would be some story, since the game will be played at Ford Field.

Raiola said the Lions have to ride momentum while they have it.

"This is a big game for us, just to start out on the right foot. It was big because it was Green Bay and we have struggled with Green Bay in the past," he said. "We've got to go to Chicago now, and it would be great to have two wins against NFC North teams, one at home, one on the road, going into the bye week. In this league, you lose (momentum) quickly and you get it back. When you get it, you have to capitalize on it and make the most out of it."

Raiola's mother, Wendy, was at yesterday's game. She also saw Donovan Raiola, her son and Dominic's brother, play center for Wisconsin on Saturday.

When the Lions and Bears meet, Dominic gets to catch up with former Saint Louis teammate Olin Kreutz, an All-Pro center.

"That's always great," Raiola said. "I grew up with him. It's always nice to see him. We play golf when we go home."

Owens inactive
for Jags’ opener

JACKSONVILLE » Chad Owens' NFL regular-season debut will have to wait.

The former University of Hawaii standout was made inactive prior to the Jacksonville Jaguars' season-opening game at home against the Seattle Seahawks yesterday.

Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio said the team made some roster moves to make sure it had the right players on special teams to cover on kickoffs.

Owens was drafted in the sixth round to help the Jaguars' kick-return game, but he solidified his roster spot with his strong play at receiver in the preseason.

Owens tied for a team-high nine catches in the exhibition season for 148 yards. Fellow Jags rookie Matt Jones (Jacksonville's first-round pick) also had nine catches, and Jones led the team with 168 yards receiving.

When asked specifically why the Jags deactivated Owens, Del Rio said:

"Unfortunately you have to put eight guys on the inactive list every week before a game. We picked the guys we chose to go to battle with that we thought would give us the best chance to win today."

Owens averaged 21.4 yards on eight kickoff returns during the preseason and 9.6 yards on nine punt returns. He muffed one return and fumbled on another.

Jacksonville travels to Indianapolis next Sunday, where the Jaguars play AFC South rival Colts.