(SportsNetwork. Landon Collins Jersey .com) - NFL coaches can be a lot like politicians when it comes to word play. Thats why when you really want to know what a mentor is thinking, you ignore the semantics -- artful or not -- and focus in on the actions. Understand, unless your Jay Gruden, NFL coaches simply dont put players on blast and thats why you wont see a Rex Ryan stepping to the podium and giving you his honest assessment of a player like Geno Smith. Ryans handling of the second-year quarterback who ultimately will cost him his job in New York couldnt have been more transparent on Monday night, however. It had zero to do with us not having faith in our quarterback, Ryan claimed after figuratively tying Smith up in a 16-13 loss to Miami. It had everything to do with us trying to win the game. In one fell swoop Ryan lied to his constituency before rebounding and allowing a grain of truth to escape. Inject Ryan with sodium pentothal and that statement would have read I have no faith in our quarterback and I was trying to win the game. With Ryan and his team limping toward the finish line, the Jets (read that GM John Idzik) turned back to Smith at quarterback against the playoff-hopeful Dolphins. Ryan, who will be first in line to file his change of address form on Black Monday, understands the only power he has left with this team is between the lines on game day and this contest served as his very own occupy movement, a protest against the GM who forced an ill-equipped QB on the coach. The overmatched Smith threw a total of 13 times against Miami, five of which came after the Dolphins kicked what proved to be the game-winning field goal late in the fourth quarter. Up until Caleb Sturgis converted that 26-yard chip shot, Ryan ordered his offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg to make Smith hand it off again and again and again ... and again. The Jets run-to-pass ratio was a ridiculous 49-8 before necessity gave Smith a few meaningful throwing opportunities, a clear indication Ryan had absolutely no confidence in the signal caller.. And the coachs lack of belief was only amplified by that fact that two of the Dolphins top three cornerbacks -- Cortland Finnegan and Jamar Taylor -- were injured and Miami was forced to play street free agent R.J. Stanford. Granted the Jets were more than successful on the ground early, piling up 210 yards in the first half but when the Dolphins ultimately adjusted and stacked the box, New York still wouldnt allow Smith take a shot against a corner who was busy getting his early Christmas shopping done the previous week. The game plan was to try to establish the run and when you have that kind of success running, that helps the football team and thats why we stayed the course, Ryan said. What Ryan left out was the fact that the course was originally plotted because he didnt believe the quarterback could carry his own water. Well, I dont know about that, Ryan said Tuesday when asked whether Smith gave him the best chance to win. I have said all along that I feel good, that we could win with either Mike Vick at quarterback or Geno Smith and I have always said that. Geno Smith wouldnt be in there if we didnt think we had an opportunity to win. I can promise you that. Again, ignore the words and watch the actions. The decision to take the ball out of the quarterbackss hands was ultimately Ryans definition of giving his team the best chance to win. If we can run for 300 yards again this week, I would love to sign up for it, Ryan said. We are just trying to find a way to give us a chance to win the football game and I thought we did that, its just unfortunate (that) we came up short. And then the dam broke. Yep, absolutely, 100 percent, Ryan responded when asked if he was embarrassed by his teams 2-10 record. Im embarrassed for myself absolutely. It is, its an embarrassment. Its definitely embarrassing to me. I feel like Ive let my owner down. Ive let our fan base down. The absence of Idziks and Smiths names in Ryans confession stood out as starkly as his game plan on Monday night. WEEK 14 (All Times Eastern) Dallas (8-4) (-3 1/2) at Chicago (5-7), Thursday, 8:25 p.m. - Week 14 of the NFL season kicks off on Thursday night when the Bears host the Cowboys at Soldier Field. Each team will try to rebound from lopsided divisional losses on Thanksgiving Day as Dallas laid a 33-10 egg against visiting Philadelphia, and the Bears suffered a 34-17 setback at Detroit. Dallas is a perfect 5-0 on the road this season, the best mark in the league as a visitor and relies on a strong running game, led by DeMarco Murray who tops the NFL with 1,427 rushing yards and has run for at least 100 yards in 10 of the teams 12 games this year. Bears 28, Cowboys 23 Pittsburgh (7-5) at Cincinnati (8-3-1) (-3), Sunday, 1 p.m. - The AFC North rivals clash at Paul Brown Stadium in the first of two meetings over the final four weeks. The Bengals, who have won five of six and are 13-1-1 in their last 15 at home, hold a 1 1/2-game lead over the other three teams in the division (Steelers, Baltimore and Cleveland). Pittsburgh receiver Antonio Brown enters the final month of the season leading the NFL with 96 catches and 1,258 yards. Bengals 24, Steelers 21 Indianapolis (8-4) (-4) at Cleveland (7-5), Sunday, 1 p.m. - The Colts can be the first team to clinch a division title with a win and a Houston loss but they wont be doing it against Johnny Manziel. The embattled Brian Hoyer will remain the starting quarterback for the Browns, at least for the time being. After thorough evaluation and talking to the staff, we feel Brian gives us the best opportunity to win on Sunday, said Cleveland coach Mike Pettine in a statement on the clubs website. This is a football decision and those are always going to be based on what we think is best for our team. Last week, Indianapolis scored six touchdowns of at least 30 yards in a 49-27 win over Washington, becoming the first team to register at least six 30-plus yard touchdowns in a game since 1966 (Washington, Nov. 27, 1966, 72-41 win vs. New York Giants). Colts 33, Browns 17 Tampa Bay (2-10) at Detroit (8-4) (-9 1/2), Sunday, 1 p.m. - The ex-NFC Central inhabitants renew hostilities with the Lions being the only relevant participant. Detroit is one game behind Green Bay in the NFC North with a Week 17 matchup looming. Lions QB Matthew Stafford has averaged 301 passing yards and three TDs in two career meetings with the Bucs. Lions 27, Buccaneers 17 Houston (6-6) (-5) at Jacksonville (2-10), Sunday, 1 p.m. - The J.J. Watt show invades Jacksonville as the presumptive NFL Defensive Player of the Year looks to build on his historic season. Watt is first player with three offensive TDs and two TDs on takeaways since Bill Golding in 1948. He also leads all AFC players with 48 sacks since entering the league in 2011. Texans 24, Jaguars 14 Baltimore (7-5) at Miami (7-5) (-3), Sunday, 1 p.m. - The Ravens and Dolphins are two of five AFC teams at 7-5 and the loser of this one could be crippled in the conference playoff hunt. Baltimore QB Joe Flacco is 3-0 in his career against Miami with a 105.1 passer rating, a number which foreshadows success for the Ravens. Baltimore is 49-9 when Flacco crosses the 90.0 barrier. Ravens 21, Dolphins 20 NY Jets (2-10) at Minnesota (5-7) (-6), Sunday, 1 p.m. - The Jets have won seven straight and are 8-1 all-time against Minnesota but Rex Ryan has checked out when it comes to Geno Smith while Vikings rookie signal caller Teddy Bridgewater is trending upward, compiling a career-high 120.7 passer rating against Carolina in Week 13. Vikings 20, Jets 13 Carolina (3-8-1) at New Orleans (5-7) (-9 1/2), Sunday, 1 p.m. - The Saints have been uncharacteristically bad at the Superdome, losing three straight but Carolina has dropped six consecutive overall and Drew Brees has a 129.8 passer rating in his past three at home against the Panthers. Saints 31, Panthers 14 NY Giants (3-9) at Tennessee (2-10) (pick em), Sunday, 1 p.m. - Two dismal teams battle in Music City. The Giants have lost seven straight and failed to beat 2-10 Jacksonville last week after jumping out to a 21-0 lead. Titans rookie QB Zach Mettenberger is expected back under center this week after being knocked out against Houston with a shoulder injury. Tennessee has failed in six consecutive tests. Giants 17, Titans 16 St. Louis (5-7) (-2 1/2) at Washington (3-9), Sunday, 1 p.m. - The Rams have remained very competitive thanks to their strong from on defense which includes star pass rusher Robert Quinn, who has nine sacks and four forced fumbles in his past seven games, and rookie DT Aaron Donald, who leads all freshman with six sacks. Washington is sticking with Colt McCoy at QB after a 392-yard, three-TD performance in a shootout loss to Indianapolis last weekend. Rams 23, Redskins 21 Kansas City (7-5) at Arizona (9-3) (-1 1/2), Sunday, 4:05 p.m. - Two teams aiming to stop the bleeding after consecutive losses tangle in the desert. The Chiefs are now among five teams at 7-5 on the AFC side and can ill afford another setback, while Arizonas 9-1 start has regressed to 9-3 and a slim, one-game edge on the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks in the NFC West. The Cards are 6-0 at home this season and have won 10 of their last 11 overall in Arizona. Cardinals 20, Chiefs 17 Buffalo (7-5) at Denver (9-3) (-10), Sunday, 4:05 p.m. - Buffalos stout front will try to slow down the powerful Broncos. The Bills lead the NFL with 48 sacks and are the only team with three players who have nine-or-more sacks (Mario Williams, Marcell Dareus and Jerry Hughes). Williams has 6 1/2 sacks in his past four games while Dareus leads all interior lineman with 10 QB takedowns. Hughes, meanwhile, needs just one-half sack to record back-to-back 10-sack seasons. Denver QB Peyton Manning leads the NFL with 36 TD passes and has a TD pass in 51 consecutive games. Broncos 27, Bills 20 San Francisco (7-5) (-8) at Oakland (1-11), Sunday, 4:25 p.m. - The Bay Area Bragging Rights Bowl shouldnt be much of a contest as the 49ers are in desperation mode to keep their playoff hopes alive and the 1-11 Raiders are fresh off a 52-0 drubbing at the hands of the St. Louis Rams. 49ers 31, Raiders 10 Seattle (8-4) at Philadelphia (9-3) (-1), Sunday, 4:25 p.m. - The Seahawks and Eagles are both coming off big divisional Thanksgiving Day victories. Seattle won at San Francisco 19-3 while Philadelphia recorded a 33-10 win at Dallas. After two consecutive division wins - both by scores of 19-3 -- the Seahawks enter the final month in control in the NFC West. If Seattle wins out, which includes a Week 16 matchup against the 9-3 Cardinals, Seattle will take home the division crown for the second consecutive year. The Eagles have sole possession of first place in the NFC East and LeSean McCoy surpassed the 1,000-yard rushing mark (1,018) against the Cowboys while wide receiver Jeremy Maclin reached the 1,000-yard receiving mark (1,088). Seahawks 23, Eagles 20 New England (9-3) (-3 1/2) at San Diego (8-4), Sunday 8:30 p.m. - Sundays action concludes with two teams in the thick of the AFC playoff race. At 9-3, the Patriots lead the AFC East and are in control for home-field advantage in the conference. The 8-4 Chargers are currently the top wild-card team and sit just one game behind Denver for the top spot in the AFC West. The Pats, who have won seven of eight, need one win to join the 1983-98 San Francisco 49ers as the only NFL teams with 10-plus wins in 14 consecutive seasons. Patriots 27, Chargers 20 Atlanta (5-7) at Green Bay (9-3) (-12), Monday, 8:30 p.m. - Rarely is a division leader favored by double digits over another division leader but thats the story here. The Falcons enter the final month tied with New Orleans for the top spot in the NFC South at 5-7. The powerful Packers are 6-0 at Lambeau Field this season, outscoring opponents 245-106 in those contests. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has thrown 360 consecutive passed and 31 touchdown passes at home since his last interception, both NFL records. Packers 34, Falcons 20 Darrell Green Youth Jersey . Louis, MO (SportsNetwork. Art Monk Youth Jersey . The top-ranked Spaniard won his fourth Madrid Open on Sunday after Kei Nishikori was forced to withdraw with a hip injury when trailing 2-6, 6-4, 3-0 in the final. And Nadal, who is coming off to uncharacteristic quarterfinal losses on clay, said his mental strength is still lacking just two weeks ahead of the French Open. https://www.redskinssportsgoods.com/Womens-Sonny-Jurgensen-Inverted-Jersey/ .The Toronto Raptors guard, who will represent the Eastern Conference at the All-Star Game in New Orleans on Sunday, says he doesnt complain in the face of adversity "because I know this little girl is just happy for anything.From Monday through Friday, youll find Akim Aliu on the ice training and practicing with the Ontario Hockey Leagues Mississauga Steelheads - staying in shape while waiting for the phone to ring. At 25, the second-round draft pick of the Chicago Blackhawks in 2007 is still chasing the dream of playing in the NHL. His passion for the game remains strong - as strong as the responsibility he feels to create a more comfortable life for his mother Larissa and father Tai. They dedicated their lives to Akim his older brother Edward, and in Akims case, gave him the opportunity to play a sport they knew very little about. Alius most recent brush with the NHL came in the form of a tryout with the American Hockey Leagues Rochester Americans, the affiliate team for the Buffalo Sabres. Aliu scored three goals in his first three games with Rochester to start the season, but couldnt crack the lineup. He was released and remains in a place hes been before - hoping for a brighter future, but still haunted by his past. Born in Africa, Aliu spent most of the first 10 years of his life in Russia. With a masters degree in geology, his father moved the family to Canada in search of a better life. Their small family rented a one-room apartment in Toronto and supported by welfare, Tai Aliu delivered pizzas while both parents held down odd jobs to pay the bills. Hockey was foreign to this family, but they quickly recognized it was part of the Canadian way. While Akim didnt understand the game and couldnt speak a word of English, his father purchased a pair of skates at a garage sale (four sizes too big) to introduce his young son to the culture of the sports. By his own admission, Akim couldnt skate in his first month of house league in Parkdale. And yet a few months later, he led the league in scoring and the seed for a promising career had been planted. Aliu jumped from house league to AAA the following season, playing with future Montreal Canadiens star P.K. Subban on the North York Rangers. From there he moved on to the Toronto Marlies, joining forces with the likes of future NHLers John Tavares, Sam Gagner and Brendan Smith. Aliu remained with the Marlies until getting drafted into the OHL, sixth overall by the Windsor Spitfires. He was big, aggressive, had offensive talent and could play forward or defence. Aliu was on his way. I didnt grow up in this game, he explained. For me, everything was trial and error. But as I got older, I started to understand the discipline of the game. But Alius critics will say, he lacks discipline - and perhaps, he has in varying forms. Aliu admits that stemmed from his early days of talking back to coaches, missing curfew or being late for practices. Hes made mistakes and hes willing to own up to them all. That said, he isnt speaking out now to give excuses or seek pity either. He simply wants another chance to prove he can be the player some predicted he might be when he was highly-ranked for the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. Followwing a much-publicized hazing controversy in 2006 (where a 16-year-old Aliu refused to participate, resulting in a fight with Spitfires captain Steve Downie that ultimately led to both players getting traded, Windsor coach and GM Moe Mantha getting suspended and the Spitfires slapped with a $35,000 fine), things started to turn and for a while, the world was right. Terry McLaurin Redskins Jersey. Aliu fit in well with his new team the Sudbury Wolves, scoring 20 goals and 42 points in his draft year. He was told he would be a first-round pick, perhaps as high as the Top 15. But that didnt happen. I sat there for three hours with my family and it was the most miserable three hours of my life, Aliu recalled. Its hard to explain how difficult it is to sit there and hear all of the names called out, agonizingly waiting for mine. And the name Akim Aliu was called in the second round, 56th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks. His fear that a tarnished reputation would take its toll became reality. Leading up to the draft, I kept hearing things about my character that simply werent true, he said. I felt helpless and kept trying to think of ways to get the message out. Aliu admits it took years to get over his draft day disappointment and he has regrets about what followed that fateful day. As a 20-year old in Chicagos system and playing in Rockford under head coach Bill Peters, he said he felt the pressure of Chicagos younger first rounders gaining the edge. Aliu could feel his stock dropping and didnt handle it well. I didnt know how to deal with coaches, he explained. I wasnt good at taking criticism. I thought I was doing everything right and everyone else was wrong. Following the departure of Dale Tallon and Rick Dudley from the Blackhawks organization, things spiralled further down for Aliu. He would rejoin Dudley in Atlanta, but the Thrashers soon became the Winnipeg Jets and his opportunity faded again. He eventually made his way to Calgary, where then-Flames GM Jay Feaster was intrigued by his size and skill. Aliu made his NHL debut in April of 2012 and in just his second game with the Flames, scored two goals in a 5-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks. His play earned him a one-year contract for 2012-13, but it took a hit because of a lockout-shortened season and significant injuries that required surgeries on both his wrist and ankle. Yet another speed bump on his path to the NHL. There are a number of reasons for Aliu to abandon his dream, but hes far from doing that. Hes had offers and opportunities to return to Europe or join former NHLers in the KHL, but hes not ready to do that either. He believes there has to be a spot for a Dustin Byfuglien-type player - capable of playing forward or defence - and that he can be a role model for kids growing up with little money and facing some of the difficulties he faced himself - and is still trying to overcome. Akim Aliu believes. Now he just needs to find someone in the NHL who believes in him. ' ' '