Gäste-Forum » go theres going to be conflict

If the NFL wanted its Thursday night prime-time package to go out with a bang, it couldnt have made a worse choice.The only real interest in this one between the Titans and Jaguars is how it affects the overall top draft pick chase.With both teams at 2-12 — from the same division, no less, the AFC South — they are in a race with Oakland and Tampa Bay for that bottom spot.Jacksonville rookie quarterback Blake Bortles has a sprained right foot and is questionable. Veteran Chad Henne is the backup.The visiting Titans will be without their top two QBs, rookie Zach Mettenberger and veteran Jake Locker, both also injured. That means journeyman Charlie Whitehurst gets the assignment.Yawn!The Jaguars (No. 29 in AP Pro32), are a 3-point favourite over the Titans (No. 32, AP Pro32).Look to the hosts. And look elsewhere on the tube for something to watch.JAGUARS, 15-9No. 1 New England (minus 10) at No. 27 New York JetsPatriots can taste that home cooking for the playoffs. Another step toward it.BEST BET: PATRIOTS, 30-10No. 25 New York Giants (plus 5) at No. 19 St. LouisLukewarm choice, but cant find any other likely ...UPSET SPECIAL: GIANTS, 20-19No. 6 Indianapolis (plus 3) at No. 7 DallasCowboys need it far more than do Colts.COWBOYS, 33-27No. 3 Denver (minus 3 1-2) at No. 11 CincinnatiBengals need it far more than do Broncos. Doesnt matter.BRONCOS, 27-20No. 2 Seattle (minus 7 1-2) at No. 5 ArizonaThird-string QB against that Seattle defence? Dont think that works.SEAHAWKS, 17-6No. 10 Baltimore (minus 4) at No. 17 HoustonRavens also get third-string QB, which should mean no problem.RAVENS, 23-9No. 24 Atlanta (plus 6 1-2) at No. 20 New OrleansThe little showdown at the Big Easy in the ugly NFC South.SAINTS, 28-27No. 4 Green Bay (minus 10 1-2) at No. 30 Tampa BayIf Packers cant handle this road game, there are serious questions to answer.PACKERS, 33-10No. 8 Detroit (minus 4 1-2) at No. 26 ChicagoLions blow through the Windy City mess.LIONS, 19-10No. 9 Philadelphia (minus 8 1-2) at No. 31 Washington, SaturdayEagles need to win their last two for playoff consideration.EAGLES, 31-21No. 15 Kansas City (plus 3) at No. 12 PittsburghChiefs meagre playoff hopes end in Steel City, but in a tight one.STEELERS, 20-19No. 13 Buffalo (minus 5 1-2) at No. 28 OaklandBills might keep their post-season hopes barely breathing with a win.BILLS, 24-13No. 14 San Diego (plus 2 1-2) at No. 16 San Francisco, SaturdayCant see 49ers going out with a whimper, so theyll ruin Chargers season.49ERS, 21-20No. 23 Minnesota (plus 6 1-2) at No. 18 MiamiVikings get to warm up, if nothing else, in South Florida.DOLPHINS, 20-17No. 22 Cleveland (OFF) at No. 21 CarolinaIf QB Derek Anderson goes, he can get some payback on former team.PANTHERS, 20-13___2014 RECORD: Against spread: This week (8-6-1); Season (108-106-5). Straight up: This week (11-5); Season (148-75-1)Best Bet: 6-9 against spread, 9-6 straight up.Upset special: 7-8 against spread, 5-10 straight up.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL Jack Morris Twins Jersey . With nothing tangible at stake, the Raptors turned in their most impressive outing of the fall in their seventh and second to last exhibition tilt against their stiffest competition yet, but they lost a couple starters in the process. Taylor Rogers Twins Jersey . LeBron James leads the Miami Heat in a quest for three consecutive championship titles, while Tim Duncan looks to add his fifth ring with the San Antonio Spurs when the series tips off with Game 1: Miami @ San Antonio on Thursday, June 5 at 9 p. https://www.cheaptwins.com/352t-kirby-pu...rsey-twins.html. -- Josh MacDonalds second goal of the game kept his team alive as the Peterborough Petes edged the host Kingston Frontencas 6-5 in overtime on Friday in Ontario Hockey League playoff action. C. J. Cron Jersey . - Leon Draisaitl scored a hat trick as the Prince Albert Raiders stormed past the Swift Current Broncos 5-2 in Western Hockey League action Tuesday. Taylor Rogers Jersey . -- During a players meeting following the All-Star break, Jermaine ONeal promised his teammates to play the rest of the regular season like he would never play again -- because he very well might not.INDIANAPOLIS - This could be as good a time as there has ever been for an openly gay player in the NFL. The league will be watching. In the wake of the bullying scandal in Miami, executives from teams around the league who gathered for the annual scouting combine spoke Thursday about being on guard to ensure their locker rooms are respectful and tolerant — especially with Michael Sam, expected to soon become the first publicly revealed homosexual in the NFL. Predictably, general managers and coaches said a culture of respect was already in place with their clubs before Richie Incognito, the Dolphins offensive lineman who led the extreme hazing detailed last week in an NFL-ordered report, became an infamous name. But while there havent been many major signs of response to the scandal, some tangible signs of change have at least emerged. Teams have begun to include language in coaches contracts that forces assistants to act with more tolerance than some of the Dolphins staff did. The move is designed to limit a teams liability if another Miami-like situation were to emerge with another club. Vikings general manager Rick Spielman confirmed that change, first reported by ESPN. "I think because its so much in light right now, that you have to monitor the locker room," Spielman said. "Itll be interesting to see once we get down to the owners meetings in March. Im sure thatll be a subject thatll be talked about." Dolphins coach Joe Philbin, drawing an overflow crowd of reporters in his first appearance since the report came out, forcefully reiterated his responsibility for all that happens to his team and promised a "better workplace." "I have to do a better job. Im going to look at every way — the way we educate, the way we communicate, the way we talk to one another," Philbin said. "Im going to look at every avenue." Reaction from the other 31 teams to the bullying report was far more muted, though other coaches — Dennis Allen of the Oakland Raiders among them — acknowledged the importance of keeping a better handle on locker room dynamics. Everyone, though, must deal with the questions about Sam, the Missouri defensive end projected to be drafted in the middle rounds. The NFL recently reminded teams of laws against asking draft prospects about their sexuality and the guidelines for interviewing players this week in Indianapolis.dddddddddddd A year ago, three players complained they were asked inappropriate questions they believed were intended to seek details about their sexual orientation. Talking about harmony is easy in the off-season, of course, but maintaining an atmosphere of respect and tolerance is another story once dozens of players are thrown together. With a 53-man roster, no coach can come close to hearing every word. "Its hard. You try to set a good culture and a good environment in your building and hope for the best," Denver Broncos coach John Fox said. Clearly, this issue will be scrutinized this year, with Sam entering the league, and the Dolphins trying to repair their image. "What happened there has nothing to do with what we are doing in Tampa Bay," new Buccaneers coach Lovie Smith said. "The locker room has been there all along. You have to have strong veteran leadership in the locker room. As the head football coach I have to have a pulse on what is going on in the locker room. Rely on a lot of people. Have a relationship were information comes to me. "No, we are not going to change what weve done. Our program has always been about acceptance. Everybody feeling like they are part. Everybody feeling good about coming to work every day in an environment where they can do their best." That is what this next class of rookies is counting on. "In every locker room you go theres going to be conflict," Memphis punter Tom Hornsey said. "Thats just the nature of the game. Its very competitive. Its got a lot of testosterone flowing through. ... But its not a concern. Im pretty laid back and just take it as it is." So whats the secret, then, to making sure the boys-will-be-boys culture that still exists doesnt become the dominant vibe of the locker room? Well, like with many issues, the Super Bowl champions are usually a good place to start. "Everybody puts pressure on themselves, and we try to create a culture thats outgoing, fun, aggressive," Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider said. "Lifes too short to stress yourself out and stress other people out." ' ' '