ASHBURN, Va. -- With today being the eighth http://www.coltsnflofficialauthentic.com/AUTHENTIC+ADAM+VINATIERI+JERSEY anniversary of former Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor’s death, it’s a good time to share a few thoughts and memories:. It struck me within the last week or so, after watching Jairus Byrd and Kurt Coleman in consecutive weeks, that I would not pay big money for a safety. Of course, the Redskins have been hurt by big-money safeties (Adam Archuleta, even O.J. Atogwe) and failed players from elsewhere (Tanard Jackson and too many others to mention). The point is this: Many viewed Byrd as some missing piece for the Saints and Coleman as a failed safety from Philadelphia. But Byrd, after getting big money, has done little to impact New Orleans while Coleman is playing well for Carolina. Like most safeties, they’re subject to their surroundings. That brings me to Taylor. Because when I was watching Byrd and then Coleman, my thought was this: There are very few safeties I’d pay big money to, but Taylor would be at the top of the list. He had everything you wanted: size, speed, instincts, desire. I do wonder how many times he would have been penalized under the new NFL defenseless receiver rules. At the time Taylor played, it was simply considered good football. I’d still give him big money. Since 2007, here are the players the Ben Grubbs Womens Jersey Redskins have tried to replace Taylor with: LaRon Landry (switching from strong to free); Madieu Williams, Atogwe, Jackson, Bacarri Rambo, Brandon Meriweather, Ryan Clark and now Dashon Goldson. Meriweather was often a strong safety for the Redskins, but spent one year playing mostly free. I remember talking to someone after Taylor died who thought Landry would excel at the position. But while he was fast and a big hitter, he was not Taylor. Injuries sidetracked him in Washington and banned substances have done so ever since. When you go back and watch Taylor's highlights -- and they are called highlights for a reason -- what you see is one big hit after another, one ball after another becoming dislodged. Taylor was a presence in the middle of the field; he was one against the run as well. He had a linebacker’s mentality and a safety's instincts. In the return game, Taylor occasionally threw de-cleater blocks (James Thrash benefited from one such block on a return vs. Detroit). But that’s no surprise. One of the things you learn about players from the University of Miami –- from a certain era at least -– is that they love doing more than what they’re paid to do. Taylor played violent non-stop. Punter Brian Moorman learned that in the Pro Bowl when Taylor drilled him with a brutal hit. There isn’t a single play that stands out, though http://www.billsofficialonlineshop.com/AUTHENTIC+ANDRE+REED+JERSEY maybe two moments do: his game vs. Green Bay shortly before his death when he intercepted three passes and had turned himself into arguably the game’s best safety; and the weaving return vs. Dallas after a blocked field goal attempt that set up a game-winning field goal in 2006. Just spectacular. Taylor easily could have played offense had the Redskins wanted. Before his final season, he was moved strictly to free safety (he played it a lot in previous years, but also shifted to strong safety at times). Taylor flourished and was leading the NFL with five interceptions at the time of his murder. Watching the Redskins disguise coverages based on Taylor’s speed was fun to watch. Also, it's telling how many current or former players still mourn Taylor's passing -- as a person and as a player. And how many young players idolized him; the Redskins face one such player Sunday in New York's Landon Collins.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel Rams Jamon Brown Elite Jersey lost his starting job because he lied to the team's coaching staff about when a video of him partying in Austin, Texas, was recorded, a league source confirmed Thursday. Manziel's account to the Browns was earlier reported by Fox Sports. One week after being named the team's starter, Manziel was demoted to third string for Monday night's game against the Baltimore Ravens after social media posts surfaced showing Manziel allegedly partying during the team's bye week. According to a league source, Manziel lied directly to coach Mike Pettine about when the video was filmed. He also encouraged his friends to lie about when the video was recorded, according to the Fox Sports report. Manziel might have kept the job had he told the truth, the source said. Pettine was asked Wednesday if Manziel http://www.officialramsnflproshop.com/AUTHENTIC+TIM+BARNES+JERSEY admitted the video was from last weekend. "I won't get into the details of what we talked about," Pettine said. The video showed Manziel singing in a nightclub and holding what appeared to be champagne bottle. One day after the video surfaced and after meeting with Manziel, Pettine announced Tuesday that backup Josh McCown would replace Manziel as the team's starter. "When you have a great opportunity in front of you, it is important that you demonstrate that you can handle the responsibility that comes with it," Pettine said Wednesday. "I can't emphasize enough the importance of the trust and the accountability piece. This is where we had an obvious shortcoming." Manziel had been named the Browns' starter Aaron Donald Elite Jersey after he threw for 372 yards in a 30-9 loss to the Steelers on Nov. 15. When he was named the starter, Pettine talked to Manziel about appropriately representing the organization. Manziel told reporters before the bye week that he was "not going to do anything that's going to be a distraction to this team or be an embarrassment to the organization."

The news that Johnny Manziel lied to the Authentic Frank Clark Jersey Cleveland Browns' coaching staff about the timing of his most recent party video in Austin, Texas, takes issues with the quarterback to a whole new level. Browns coaches had done all they could to help and support Manziel throughout the year. His response: Look them in the eye and lie to them, a league source told ESPN.com. And to tell his friends to lie as well, per Fox Sports. This speaks to deeper issues for not only the Browns' relationship with Manziel, but Manziel himself. The video alone gave the Browns little option but to take the starting job from the young quarterback. The fact that he then lied about when it was recorded and tried to get others to lie to cover for him makes it more than clear why head coach Mike Pettine was so upset, and why Pettine stressed time and again that the decision was a matter of trust. A guy is allowed to have fun, but this Brandon Mebane Youth Jersey action by Manziel was an affront. This wasn’t Manziel being caught in the background of someone else’s video, it was Manziel posing, posturing and playing right to the camera. The last person a team needs trust issues with is its quarterback. He is not only the leader of the team, he is the team’s face. A team has to trust its leader for him to be a leader. Manziel has made himself a third-teamer without even taking a snap. The Browns stuck their neck out to support Manziel after a rockier than rocky rookie season. They stood by him when he went through 10 weeks of rehab. They supported him to the brink of coddling after his rehab, all with the noble intention of helping a young man get his life together. Manziel responded to that support with a http://www.seahawksofficialnflonline.com/WOMENS_YOUTH_CARY_WILLIAMS_JERSEY.html string of troubling incidents: He was questioned by police after witnesses reported he was driving 90 mph on the shoulder of a highway while he argued with his girlfriend; social media posts revealed he was partying in College Station, Texas, two days after a Thursday night game in Cincinnati; and now the video from the Austin nightclub during the Browns' bye week. Were he not to play another down this season, it would make sense. Josh McCown has tried to play with a rib injury that did not allow him to breathe. Austin Davis has done nothing but put in the work needed.

BOSTON -- The Philadelphia 76ers found a way to 76ers Charles Barkley Jersey tie the longest losing streak in major U.S. professional sports history. Blowing a late five-point lead in an 84-80 loss to the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night, the 76ers tumbled to their 26th straight loss and 16th in a row to start the season, becoming the first team in NBA history to start 0-16 in consecutive seasons. Philadelphia tied the major U.S. professional sports futility mark set by the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1976 to '77 and matched by the 76ers in 2013-14. The Sixers are two losses away from tying the then-New Jersey Nets' NBA-worst mark of 18 losses to open a season. Their 26 straight losses dating back to last season ties the NBA record for longest losing streak. "How many streaks have I been a part of?" 76ers third-year coach Brett Brown said. "I'm numb to it." Isaiah Thomas scored 30 points, Jae Crowder Paul George Authentic Jersey hit a go-ahead 3-pointer and Evan Turner added 16 points for Boston. The 76ers scored three points in the final 6:13. "It is hard," Philadelphia forward Nerlens Noel said. "You're so close to getting that first W. There's couple of plays that you've got to sleep on." Jahlil Okafor led the 76ers with 19 points and nine rebounds. Hollis Thompson scored 15 points. Boston coach Brad Stevens said his team was feeling pressure, too. "We were tight and we missed a lot of shots, and they were dominating us in the paint as far as blocking shots and at the rim and everything else," he said. The 76ers opened an 11-point lead early http://www.nbashoponline.us.com/nba-jerseys/los-angeles-lakers_c-817.html in the final quarter and held that same advantage after Thompson's basket in the lane with just more than six minutes to play. For the Sixers, its was their third straight game leading at the half and the second time in the past three games they led entering the fourth quarter. Boston then scored the next nine points, closing it to 77-75 on Jared Sullinger's jumper from the left corner with 3:13 left. After Okafor's 3-point play gave the 76ers an 80-75 lead with just less than three minutes left, the Celtics scored the next seven points. Crowder's 3 from the top of the key capped the spree with 38.5 seconds to play.

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Infielder Jed Lowrie is http://www.authenticmetsshop.com/authentic-28-daniel-murphy-jersey.html returning to Oakland after a one-year stay in Houston. The Athletics acquired Lowrie from the Astros on Wednesday for minor league right-hander Brendan McCurry less than a year after Lowrie left Oakland to sign a three-year deal with Houston. "Jed is a very good player," A's general manager David Forst said. "He was very good here; he had a good year in Houston. It was a good opportunity for us." The 31-year-old Lowrie hit .222 with nine Harmon Killebrew Womens Jersey homers and 30 RBIs in 69 games for Houston this year, starting 45 at third and 16 at shortstop. He was sidelined for more than three months by a torn ligament in his right thumb, but Forst said he has no concerns about Lowrie's health. As a free agent in December, Lowrie agreed to a $23 million, three-year contract with the Astros that called for salaries of $8 million in 2015, $7.5 million in 2016 and $6.5 million in 2017. There is a $6 million club option for 2018 with a $1 million buyout. This marks the second time Lowrie was part of a deal with these two teams, having been sent from Houston to Oakland before the 2013 season in a deal that sent slugger Chris Carter to the Astros. Lowrie helped the A's make the playoffs in two straight seasons, batting .271 with 21 homers and 125 RBIs in 290 games. He was almost exclusively a shortstop during his time in Oakland but is also capable of starting at third base and second base and has even played a bit of first. "We acquired Jed to play," Forst said. "Exactly where, we Scooter Gennett Womens Jersey have some time to figure that out. He's too good an offensive player not to be in there somewhere." Lowrie has expressed a desire to Forst and manager Bob Melvin to remain at one position. Whether that happens might depend on what other moves the A's make this offseason. Currently Marcus Semien is slotted at shortstop and Brett Lawrie is at third base. "There's plenty of time for us to figure things out," Forst said. "He may end up getting to do that. The nice thing for us is he really can play all over the infield." Lowrie has a .257 career average with 65 homers and 314 RBIs. The 23-year-old McCurry was 3-3 with a 1.37 http://www.officialathleticsshop.com/authentic-8-jed-lowrie-jersey.html ERA and 29 saves this year with Class A Stockton and Double-A Midland, striking out 82 and walking 17 in 63 innings. The A's also announced that they released right-hander A.J. Griffin, who had been designated for assignment last week. Lefty Daniel Coulombe was designated for assignment to make room for Lowrie on the roster.

CLEVELAND -- LeBron James joined Hall of Famer Jameer Nelson Youth Jersey Oscar Robertson on Monday as the only players in NBA history to rank in the top 25 in both points and assists. James joined the elite company when he found Kevin Love for a corner 3-pointer with five minutes left in the second quarter. It was his fifth assist of the game and 6,387th of his career, which put him ahead of Norm Nixon at No. 25. James said he didn't want the accomplishment to spark a conversation comparing his career with the Big O's. "I think what we get caught up in, in our league too much, is trying to compare greats to greats, instead of just accepting and acknowledging and saying, 'Wow, these are just great players,'" James said after the Cleveland Cavaliers' 117-103 win over the Orlando Magic. "I think in the NFL, when you talk about great quarterbacks, they don't really compare great quarterbacks. They say, 'Oh, Joe Montana is great.' You know, 'Tom Brady is great. Aaron Rodgers is great. Steve Young is great.' [Terry] Bradshaw, all those great quarterbacks, they never compare them as much. "But when it comes to our sport, we're so Jared Sullinger Authentic Jersey eager to say, 'Who is better: Oscar or [Michael] Jordan?' or 'Jordan or LeBron or Kobe [Bryant] or these guys?' instead of just accepting greatness. And if you understand the history of the sport, then there is no way you could ever forget Oscar Robertson. This guy, he averaged a triple-double for, like, forever." Robertson has shared similar sentiments for James. In October 2010, speaking in an interview with ESPN's Mark Schwarz, Robertson said James is "in a class by himself" in response to Charles Barkley saying James will "never be Jordan." James was asked why he believed basketball players' legacies get pitted against one another, while football players' don't. "I think it may be the nature of the sport, and also, the prestige position in sports is quarterback," James said. James was then asked if basketball players http://www.authenticcelticsstore.com/authentic-tayshaun-prince-jersey.html feed into those comparisons by having the conversations he doesn't care for. "I don't," James said. "I can't speak for everybody else." Magic coach Scott Skiles brought up other luminaries to whom James has been linked.

Johnny Manziel has been replaced by Josh McCown Antonio Gates Kids Jersey as the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, the team announced Tuesday. One week after being named the team's starter, Manziel has been demoted to third-string quarterback for Monday night's game against the Baltimore Ravens after social media posts surfaced this week showing Manziel allegedly partying last weekend in Texas during the team's bye week. "We all know what happened and what got put out there, and it led to much disappointment, frustration, however you want to term it," Pettine said Tuesday evening on his weekly "The Mike Pettine Show" on the Cleveland Browns Radio Network. "It was something we felt had violated the trust that we had put in him for the bye coming out of the Pittsburgh game." Pettine said he, offensive coordinator John DeFilippo and quarterbacks coach Kevin O'Connell had spoken with Manziel before the bye to make clear they expected he would handle himself "the right way." "The bye week would be ... wouldn't use the Rashean Mathis Womens Jersey word 'test,' but that's essentially what it ended up being," Pettine said. Pettine said the same group of coaches spoke with Manziel after learning of the video posted on social media. The coach added he kept owner Jimmy Haslam and general manager Ray Farmer informed during the decision-making process but called the final decision to demote Manziel "a coaching decision." "The GM and the owner are certainly two people I want to keep in the loop, but it was simply to inform them of what we had decided," Pettine said. Pettine's radio show appearance reinforced a statement he released earlier in the day, in which he said he felt let down by his quarterback's behavior given his on-field growth. "Everyone in this organization wants what is Gary Barnidge Authentic Jersey best for Johnny just like we do for every player in our locker room. I'm especially disappointed in his actions and behavior because he has been working very hard," Pettine said in the statement. "The improvements from last year to this year have been tremendous, but he still has to consistently demonstrate that he has gained a good understanding of what it takes to be successful at the quarterback position on this level. It goes well beyond the field. We are going to continue to support him in every way possible, but at this point, we've decided it's best to go with Josh as the starter going forward."

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The federal appeals court Nick Fairley Womens Jersey in New York will hear on March 3 the National Football League's appeal of the lifting of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady's four-game suspension in the "Deflategate" controversy. Monday's scheduling order from the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals should permit the league to complete its season, including Super Bowl 50 on Feb. 7, without disruption from the court case. The appeals court had in late September said it might hear oral arguments as early as the week of Feb. 1. The Patriots play the Buffalo Bills on Monday Sean Mannion Authentic Jersey night and, as one of the league's two undefeated teams this season, are a strong contender to play in the Super Bowl again. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell suspended Brady, one of the league's biggest stars, for four games for his alleged role in a scheme to lessen the air pressure in the balls used in the Patriots' 45-7 victory over Indianapolis in January's AFC championship game. The Patriots then went on to win Super Bowl XLIX. The NFL is represented by former U.S. Solicitor General Paul Clement. He had asked the appeals court to schedule oral argument for March 3 or 4 to avoid any conflict with a pending case he has before the U.S. Supreme Court. The Patriots did not immediately http://www.officialramsnflproshop.com/AUTHENTIC+JAMON+BROWN+JERSEY respond to a request for comment. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel and Joseph Ax in New York; Additional reporting by Steve Ginsburg in Washington, D.C.; Editing by Bill Trott)

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) -- Brock Osweiler is preparing T.J. Ward Limited Jersey for his second consecutive start for the Denver Broncos and Peyton Manning is seeking a second opinion on his injured left foot. Peyton Manning reportedly wants to play in 2016, even if it's not with the Broncos SB Nation Manning flew to Charlotte, North Carolina, on Monday to meet with renowned foot specialist Dr. Robert Anderson about his torn plantar fascia. This doesn't mean he had a setback in his rehab nor does it indicate Manning faces increased odds of a season-ending surgery, coach Gary Kubiak said. ''We shouldn't read anything into it,'' Kubiak said. ''It was a decision made on Saturday. It's taking place today and then we know more tomorrow.'' Kubiak told the team Monday that Osweiler would start again next weekend when the Broncos (8-2) face the New England Patriots (9-0), who were hosting the Buffalo Bills on Monday night. Several of Manning's teammates said they didn't Authentic Brian Dawkins Jersey feel that his seeking a second opinion on his injured foot raised any red flags. ''I would do the same thing,'' tight end Owen Daniels said. ''If I had a foot issue, I would want to go see the best in the world, as well, just to make sure you're getting the right opinion. As an athlete, you respect what the team doctors have to say and what the trainers have to say, but you've got to do your due diligence. ''I'm not any more concerned than I was before,'' Daniels said. ''I just want him to get healthy and do whatever he can to do that.'' Manning stayed back in Denver when the Broncos beat the Bears 17-15 in Chicago, snapping a two-game losing streak. In his first NFL start, Osweiler, Manning's longtime backup, completed 20 of 27 passes for 250 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. It was the first turnover-free game of the season for the Broncos. Manning didn't practice or attend meetings last week as he received treatment on his left foot, bruised ribs and sore throwing shoulder, injuries that sidelined him at midseason for the first time in his 18-year career. He did miss all of 2011 after spinal fusion surgery before joining the Broncos as a free agent following his release from Indianapolis. Kubiak said he won't have a plan for Manning this week - whether he'd practice, serve as Osweiler's backup, even be on the sideline Sunday night - until Manning returns from North Carolina. ''Peyton's frustrated with the fact that he's injured,'' Kubiak said. ''That's hard for him, but he's been great with me. We had a good, long conversation. We've had many. We talk all the time. That part is frustrating for him, but he is very excited for his football team. He's happy for his team that we won a big game yesterday. ''I can tell you that he is doing everything http://www.officialbroncosnflauthentic.com/WOMENS_YOUTH_CHRIS_HARRIS_JR_JERSEY.html he can possibly do to get himself healthy and get back in position to get back on the field. Going through stuff like this is aggravating for anybody, but his frame of mind is as good as it can be. We've had great conversations.'' As for Osweiler's starting debut, Kubiak said, ''it's encouraging. The thing that he's going to be able to do is see a lot of good things, but he's also going to look at some things and say, 'I could have been better in this situation.' I think he's going to take a lot from that. But it was encouraging, I think, for a first start in this league.''

NEW ORLEANS -- The moment Anthony Davis rose to http://www.officialnuggetsshop.com/authentic-0-emmanuel-mudiay-jersey.html block LaMarcus Aldridge's 15-foot jump shot marked the beginning of the end for the San Antonio Spurs. Davis had 20 points and 18 rebounds in his return from a sore shoulder, and the New Orleans Pelicans beat the San Antonio Spurs 104-90 on Friday night for their second victory of the season. Davis also had two blocks in the fourth quarter. The first of those, on Aldridge with about 5 minutes to go, was the talk of New Orleans' locker room after the game. After batting the shot toward the sideline, Davis sprang for the ball, whipping it off Aldridge's legs just before crashing into the first row of seats. As the ball rolled back out of bounds off Aldridge, Davis rose to his feet with an intense glare, his famous "unibrow" furrowed as he raised both arms to rile up the crowd -- and his teammates. "Those are kind of like playoff-type JaVale McGee Youth Jersey effort plays. Those are like, we-got-to-win-this-game-tonight type plays," Pelicans forward Ryan Anderson said. "Seeing our leader make plays like that -- dive and get us the ball back. That's the biggest way I think you can lead on this team. He just had a great game." Anderson did pretty well himself, hitting six 3-pointers and scoring 30 points for the second straight game. Ish Smith had 17 points and 13 assists for New Orleans (2-11), which snapped a five-game skid. Davis said Smith is "playing out http://www.officialnuggetsshop.com/authentic-55-dikembe-mutombo-jersey.html of his mind." "I get on him all the time. I say, `If they go under (the pick and roll), you've got to shoot the ball. You can't have them disrespect you like that," Davis said. "He's making the right plays at the right time and being aggressive, and that's what we need."