N.O. Saints not talking about refs

METAIRIE — Considering they’re 0-3 and have to go on the road this week to play the Green Bay Packers, the New Orleans Saints had little reaction to news Wednesday that the NFL was close to reaching an agreement that would get the league’s locked-out officials back on the field.

“I’d love to have a lot of thoughts on that, but I have plenty of things to think about myself,” Saints interim coach Aaron Kromer said in his daily news conference. “All we’re worried about right now is how we are getting better, and how we are going to win a game and go up to Green Bay and have our best performance.”

Quarterback Drew Brees, who was critical of the replacement officials during an ESPN Radio interview Monday before the controversial ending to game between the Packers and Seattle Seahawks, wasn’t too talkative either.

“I guess I heard the talks are ongoing,” he said. “It seems like things are close. … I think that’s great.”

Picking up the pieces

While the Saints were trying to find ways to rebound from an 0-3 start, the Packers got back to work after their disappointing loss to the Seahawks.

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the league’s reigning MVP, said he and his team were ready to move on and begin thinking about the Saints when they took the practice field Wednesday afternoon.

“You learn in this league that every loss is difficult,” Rodgers said. “It’s even more when it shouldn’t have been a loss. We’re moving forward and we know what kind of challenge the Saints pose this week.”

Injury report

Three Saints did not participate in Wednesday’s practice as LB David Hawthorne (hamstring), DE Turk McBride (ankle) and LB Jonathan Casillas (neck) were held out.

For the Packers, S Sean Richardson (hamstring) did not practice, while WR Greg Jennings (groin), CB Davon House (shoulder), LB Jamari Lattimore (ankle) and DE Jerel Worthy (shoulder) were limited.

Camarillo released

Wide receiver Greg Camarillo was released on Tuesday, presumably to open a roster spot for linebacker Ramon Humber although the Saints did not make an official announcement Wednesday.

Humber is eligible to return this week after being suspended by the NFL for the first three games of the season. The Saints have until Saturday to activate him in time for Sunday’s game.

Not defensive

After giving up 510 yards in their overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, the Saints have now allowed 1,432 yards in their first three games.

Since 1951, the only teams to allow more yardage in the first three outings of a season were the 1978 Baltimore Colts (1,452) and 2006 Houston Texans (1,451).

Fan wins ring

Longtime Saints fan Chris David, a New Orleans native who now lives in Bellevue, Wash., is the winner of former Saints fullback Heath Evans’ Super Bowl ring raffle.

Proceeds from the raffle benefited the not-for-profit 501(c)(3) Celebration Hope Center in Metairie, which provides free, professional counseling to victims of childhood sexual abuse in the greater New Orleans area.

The 14-karat ring is worth an estimated $10,000.

Brees challenge

Brees announced Wednesday that his Brees Dream Foundation is teaming with Companies With a Mission to launch the 2012 Super Service Challenge that will award $1 million to New Orleans-area charities.

The program, which will run from Oct. 1 to Jan. 7, encourages local companies and organizations to build teams of volunteers that will identify charities to work with and receive funds.

For more information, or to sign up, visit the web site at http://www.superservicechallenge.com.