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Arizona Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt is full of praise for running back Beanie Wells' performance in preseason games and in training camp.Whisenhunt said Wells, elevated to the unquestioned No. 1 at his position with the trade of Tim Hightower, is running the fast, Justin Smith Stitched Jersey powerful way he Colin Kaepernick Jersey Replica did late in his rookie season two years ago."Confidence in this game is a big part of it," Whisenhunt said after practice Tuesday. "He's running with a lot of confidence. You know he believes he can make plays. I remember the end of his rookie year he was running the same way. He was making some of those runs."That's what gets you so excited about Beanie. Part of it is he's healthy, part of it is he is more confident."The coach also said Wells has worked hard to improve his pass blocking, long a weakness in the former Ohio State star's game. It's a necessary step in becoming an all-around back in the NFL."I think there's a commitment to Beanie understanding what he needs to do to be `the' guy," Whisenhunt said, "and we've had a Justin Smith Jersey White number of discussions about that. You always are happy when the player improves, and Beanie has done that. I'm very pleased with how he's taken that load and worked Premier Justin Smith Jersey Red hard to become a better back. He's come a long way since two years ago and I respect that."Wells, who turned 23 on Aug. 7, has acknowledged that the knee injury he sustained in the preseason a year ago bothered him all season long, not only physically but mentally. He was not the powerhouse runner that he had been his rookie season, gaining just 397 yards and averaging 3.4 yards per carry.This preseason, Wells has 129 yards rushing in 27 attempts, an average of 4.8 yards per carry. When the first unit played well into the third quarter of Saturday night's 34-31 loss to San Diego, Wells gained 63 yards in 10 carries, averaging 6.3 per attempt."I've just been healthy this year," he said. "It's just a matter of being Customized Philadelphia Eagles Jersey healthy and confident."Wells said there is plenty of room for improvement."I expect a lot better," he said,Wells knows that there are critics who say he never will be sturdy enough to become one of the NFL's elite backs." I'm motivated by the game of football. I love playing," he said. "The doubters, that's just adding more fuel to the fire."The Cardinals had better hope Wells stays healthy. The ranks behind him on the depth chart are thin after rookie Ryan Williams went down with a season-ending knee injury. LaRod Stephens-Howling, who stands just 5-foot-7, is a specialist who can be very effective on some plays but is no power back. Besides, he is the kickoff returner and a critical part of other special teams.Alfonso Smith, third on the depth chart, was on the practice squad last year and was unable to get any carries against San Diego after injuring a hamstring.The Cardinals re-signed undrafted rookie William Powell after releasing him earlier and will look at players released by other teams to possibly add a more experienced back in the coming days,.Whisenhunt said Wells, quarterback Kevin Kolb and the rest of the first unit will get "a little bit of work" in Thursday night's preseason finale at home against Denver.Mostly, though, the coaches will use the game to evaluate players in preparation for making the final roster cuts.Arizona opens its regular season Sept. 11 at home against the Carolina Panthers.                            Copyright 2011 by STATS LLC and The Associated Press. Any commercial use ordistribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and TheAssociated Press is strictly prohibited.    PrintEmail a FriendFacebookTwitterStumble UponGoogleYahooDiggDeliciousShareNEW YORK AP - Rex Ryan has issued a challenge to anyone who thinks his Jets defense will be anything less than elite."Put your negative comments out there," New York's confident coach said Tuesday, "and we'll see what happens at the end."If you ask Ryan, there's no doubt what his aggressive attacking-style defense will accomplish this season. Or any season, for that matter. He talked up his guys while he was the coordinator 49ers Justin Smith Authentic Jersey in Baltimore, and he has done the same since taking over as coach in New York."I wouldn't trade this defense for anybody's in the league," he declared. "You're not going to be perfect, but will we end up being the best defense in football? I think so. Believe me, the least concern I have is about our defense. I think our defense is going to be outstanding."It's hard to argue with Ryan, who has established the Jets as one of the defensive powerhouses in the NFL. New York finished third overall last season, and Ryan made a tongue-in-cheek apology during training camp for not being No. 1. There has been criticism of the team's pass rush - or lack thereof at times - and the inability to close out games at times during the last two seasons."There are some areas where we felt we took a step back and our focus this offseason once we got back into camp was correcting that," safety Jim Leonhard said. "I think we've done a great job here in the preseason. We're really looking forward to kicking it off against Dallas and making that march back Colin Kaepernick Authentic Jersey to where we want to get."And that's back to the AFC championship game for the third straight year - but this time, they plan to win it and go to the Super Bowl. The defense will need to be even better than it has been, and the Jets know that."He wants to be known as having a great defense year in and 49ers Colin Kaepernick Replica Jersey year out," Leonhard said. "Just with the talent that we have been able to keep on this defense, and the guys we were able to bring back through free agency, we feel very confident that we are going to have a successful year."The Jets allowed the Giants to roll Colin Kaepernick Jersey Red up 224 yards in Authentic Colin Kaepernick Jersey the first half of their 17-3 victory Monday night. But, they also kept them out of Premier Justin Smith Jersey White the end zone by taking advantage of Custom Eagles Jersey turnovers as Leonhard and linebacker David Harris had interceptions. And that's all that matters in Ryan's eyes. In three preseason games, the starting defense has allowed 13 points."We're where we thought we'd be," he said. "I think it's going to be one of the premier defenses."Just don't label it a bend-but-not-break unit."That's not the type of defense we want to play," Leonhard said. "It our really makes our defensive coaches sick, actually."It helps that Leonhard is back healthy from a broken leg, linebacker Calvin Pace's foot is healed and cornerback Darrelle Revis is in camp for a full summer after a contract holdout a year ago. And, other than losing defensive end Shaun Ellis in free agency, the main pieces of last year's unit are still here.Throw in two promising rookies in first-round pick Muhammad Wilkerson, who'll be a starter Authentic Colin Kaepernick Jersey Red at defensive end, and third-rounder Kenrick Ellis, a big nose tackle, and the talent to be dominant is there.Wilkerson has had a decent if unspectacular preseason, and thinks he has improved with each game. He certainly made an impression Monday night when he got into it with Giants running back Brandon Jacobs - and both were tossed from the game for throwing punches at each other."I was just pass rushing and he came up to pass protect and I ran into him the first time, the ball was thrown and he approached me, threw a blow at me and that's what it was," Wilkerson said. "I retaliated. Was it a smart move? No. Do I regret it? No. It's football and I am not going to let somebody try to take advantage of me. It's over with now."While the Jets didn't condone one of their players fighting, they appreciated the passion from the rookie out of Temple."It was a hard-nosed football play and it ended up where it ended up, which was unfortunate," Leonhard said. "But you do like to see that. He's not backing down. He's going to be an aggressive player for us."Wilkerson will get some more opportunities to make an impact Thursday night, when the Jets play in their final preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Ryan said the veteran starters will Official Eagles Jersey not play, but youngsters such as Wilkerson, Ellis and Kyle Wilson will see playing time.Otherwise, the game will be filled with several players fighting for roster spots, including outside linebacker Aaron Maybin. The former Buffalo Bills first-round pick played a bit with the Jets' first-team defense against the Giants so Ryan and the coaches could see how he fared against top competition."I think he's going to have to do more," Ryan said.Maybin, the No. 11 overall draft pick two years ago, was a bust in Buffalo and is trying to jump-start his career with the Jets. He'll have one more game to prove himself to Ryan."He's going to have to show us he's that pass rusher he has a chance to be," Ryan said. "I think he can play in this league. We'll see if he can play for us."Notes: Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namath told ESPN.com he thinks wide receiver Plaxico Burress will struggle in his first season with the Jets after a 20-month layoff while in prison on a gun charge. "I hope he makes All-Pro," he told the website. "The reality is, he'll be damn lucky if he makes it through the season."                            Copyright 2011 by STATS LLC and The Associated Press. Any commercial use ordistribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and TheAssociated Press is strictly prohibited.    PrintEmail a FriendFacebookTwitterStumble UponGoogleYahooDiggDeliciousShare

ETPITTSBURGH Authentic Mike Iupati Jersey Red (AP)The stars on the Pittsburgh Steelers will be in baseball caps bythe second quarter of the team's preseason finale against Carolinaon Thursday.Then, the real drama begins.NFL teams must trim the roster from 80 players to 53 thisweekend and there are precious few spots available on Authentic Michael Crabtree Jersey Red theveteran-laden defending AFC champions.Wide receiver Tyler Grisham has been in this position before.He's spent time on the practice squad in each of the last twoseasons after failing to make the roster out of camp. He's hadanother solid preseason but knows the odds are stacked against him.He's likely no higher than sixth on the depth chart. He says hisjob is to make it hard for Reebok Michael Crabtree Jersey the coaches to cut him.
Calif. (AP)Linebacker Scott McKillop is among seven players released by theSan Francisco 49ers, who trimmed their roster to the 80-playerlimit Tuesday.McKillop never seemed completely healed from a left knee injurysustained last year and was still noticeably slowed in hisprogress.He tore ligaments in the knee during practice on Aug. 4, 2010,then Premier Mike Iupati Jersey Red had season-ending surgery two days later.A fifth-round draft choice in 2009, McKillop led the 49ers with31 special teams tackles in 2009 and scored a touchdown on a muffedpunt return.Also Tuesday, the 49ers cut wide receivers Tyler Beiler andKevin Jurovich, running Authentic Michael Crabtree Jersey White back Seth Smith, tackle Donovan Edwards,guard Nick Howell and punter Sam Paulescu.San Francisco must get its NFL Michael Crabtree Jersey roster down to 53 by Saturday.
Miami Hurricanes fans have had a lot to be upset about lately,and now they're angry at the Miami Dolphins.The Dolphins recently disclosed Mike Iupati Jersey Authentic plans to honor Tim Tebow and therest of the Florida Gators' 2008 national championship team. Theceremony will take place during the Dolphins' game against Tebowand the Denver Broncos on Oct. 23.That means the Gators will be honored on the field where theHurricanes play. The University of Miami shares Sun Life Stadiumwith the Dolphins.Plans for the ceremony had Hurricanes fans complaining this weekto Dolphins executives, on Twitter and elsewhere. Some unhappyabout the ceremony said it slights the Hurricanes at a Personalized Steelers Jersey time they'realready down, with the program reeling because of an NCAAinvestigation stemming from Authentic Mike Iupati Jersey allegations by a convicted Ponzi schemearchitect.The idea to honor the Gators originated months ago, before newsof the NCAA investigation surfaced, Dolphins CEO Mike Dee saidTuesday.Dee said the Dolphins also made an offer to honor theHurricanes' 2001 national championship team during a game thisseason. The Hurricanes declined because they plan their owncelebration.The ceremony for the Gators is an attempt by the Dolphins tohelp sluggish ticket sales, Dee said.''We're sensitive to the reaction,'' he said. ''But we have avery significant challenge in our market to market Dolphinsfootball, and unfortunately we're not in Customized Steelers Jersey a position to be selectiveabout whom we market to. We love everybody, and we have to beaggressive and market in ways that attract new fans.''More than 20 former Gators are expected to attend the ceremony,including Dolphins rookie center Mike Pouncey.''It will be a great time for me and Tim,'' Pouncey said. With alaugh he added, ''But I think they're going to boo us.''
N.C. (AP)The Carolina Panthers need to find a new starting rightguard.The team placed projected starting right guard Geoff Schwartz oninjured reserve on Tuesday, one of seven roster moves to get themdown to the league-mandated limit of 80 players.The Panthers also waived/injured a pair of former draft picks -quarterback Tony Pike and guard Duke Robinson - and released longsnapper Chris Massey. The team also placed tight end Gary Barnidge,wide receiver David Gettis and offensive lineman Zack Williams oninjured reserve.Coach Ron Rivera said there wasn't any difference between J.J.Jansen and Massey at long snapper, so ''we decided to stick withwhat we've got.''Schwartz hadn't practiced since injuring his hip at Fan Fest onAug. 7.''That's a tough one,'' Rivera said. ''We hoped that he wouldreact positively to the treatment. He's been out for a long time,and we have to move forward with this season unfortunately.Hopefully he can get it taken care Premier Michael Crabtree Jersey Red of and be ready to go (nextyear).''Rivera did not specifically address whether Schwartz will needsurgery.''It was a situation where he wasn't getting better,'' Riverasaid.Mackenzy Bernadeau, who has been starting at right Personalized Pittsburgh Steelers Jersey guard, hasstruggled and is sidelined with a turf toe injury. With both out,Garry Williams, last year's starting right tackle, has been Official Mike Iupati Jersey runningwith the first team in practice.The decision to put Barnidge on injured reserve was not asurprise as he'll miss 12 weeks with a fractured ankle. Pike, asixth-round pick last year out of Cincinnati, had elbow surgerylast week on his right throwing arm after missing most of trainingcamp. And Gettis Mike Iupati Authentic Jersey and Williams both tore ACLs in training camp butweren't eligible for IR Authentic Patrick Willis Jersey until Tuesday.

 Fla. (AP)After investing first- and second-round picks on defensivelinemen in each of the last two drafts, the Tampa Bay Buccaneersare counting heavily on Frank Okam and Michael Bennett, 25-year-oldlinemen who were cast off by other teams.The 6-foot-5 Okam, whose weight is listed as Michael Crabtree Authentic Jersey 350 pounds, hasemerged as the Bucs' run stuffer, although he has yet to crack thestarting lineup at tackle. Coach Raheem Morris describes Okam, whowas signed Replica Frank Gore Jersey Red to the Bucs' practice squad in November after beingreleased by Houston and then Seattle, as ''a space-eater, apenetrator, a problem.''Bennett, claimed on waivers from the Seahawks in October of2009, is currently starting at left end ahead of rookie Da'QuanBowers.The Bucs drafted Bowers in Authentic Frank Gore Jersey the second round last spring aftertaking end Adrian Clayborn in the first round. Tackles Gerald McCoyand Brian Price were the top picks in 2009. McCoy and Roy Miller, athird-round selection in 2009, are the starting tackles in theBucs' 4-3 setup for now.''This could be a battle from week to week (based on) howthey're practicing, what package we're going to start the gamewith, who's going out there first, Pittsburgh Steelers Jersey Shop Online who's going to be out therecompeting the best,'' Morris said. ''How do you want to lookinside? Do you want to look short, thick and quick, or do you wantto look Okam-ish? It could change.''Change in the defensive front is regarded as essential for theBucs, whose 26 sacks were fewest in the NFC last season. They alsogave up the most rushing yards and yards per rush in the NFC ineach of 49ers Michael Crabtree Jersey the last two seasons.''I've been told since I started playing football, Frank Gore Jersey Authentic run defensestarts with the two inside guys,'' said Okam. ''I take pride inthat. When you look at the numbers at the end of the game, if theyhave over 100 (rushing yards) then that's on the defensivetackles.''Bucs opponents ran for 132 yards per game last year.''Even last year they talked about the sacks and everything, butthe big reason I get sacks has to do with stopping the run andhaving as many opportunities as we have to rush the pass,'' saidBennett. ''If we stop the run, third down is something we deserve.It's like a treat.''Okam, who reported to training camp at 370 pounds, doesn'texpect Frank Gore Authentic Jersey to run down many quarterbacks. He hopes to occupyblockers.''If a team can run the ball on us and control the possession,it keeps our offense off the field. It keeps us on the field andgets us more tired,'' he said. ''The more efficient we can get atstopping the run and get rid of leaky yardage, make sure they'renot breaking tackles when we're swarming to the ball, that's thekind of identity we're trying to set.''Results in the preseason have been mixed. New England ran for200 yards on the Bucs, but Miami ran for only 29 yards on 17carries Saturday night.The Patriots game ''was just unacceptable, and we know we're alot better than that,'' Okam said. ''We just wanted to put thingson tape that showed that because it's really NFL Pittsburgh Steelers Jersey not about Authentic Michael Crabtree Jersey talkinganymore. It's time where you've got to start doing stuff.''
YORK (AP)Nick Folk and T.J. Conley will handle the Jets' kicking gamethis season.Rex Ryan Frank Gore Jersey Women announced Tuesday that the two won their respectivetraining camp competitions and made the Jets' roster.Folk, New York's kicker last season, beat out Nick Novak, whowas signed as a free agent in the offseason. Folk is 4 for 5 onfield-goal attempts this preseason, while Novak was 2 for 2.''I thought Folk's been kicking outstanding,'' Ryan said. ''Whenwe Official Anthony Davis Jersey chart all our kicks, he's been absolutely outstanding. We feelgreat and, quite honestly, Nick Novak had a good camp. I think thecompetition was good, but clearly I feel that Folk's our guy.''Conley, who was cut by the Jets last preseason, won the job overChris Bryan after a close competition. He'll take over for SteveWeatherford, who signed with the Giants as a free agent.The Jets also announced they cut wide Frank Gore Jersey Red receiver Courtney Smith,and were down to 78 players on the roster - plus one on injuredreserve - although the NFL gave both the Jets and Giants afive-player exemption for an 85-player roster until Friday as aresult of having their preseason Steelers Jersey game postponed from last Saturdayuntil Monday night. The mandatory cutdown to 53 players isSaturday.Fullback John Conner was in a walking boot with a sprained leftankle and won't practice this week or play in the preseason finaleThursday night against Philadelphia. Ryan is hopeful Conner will beready for the season opener on Sept. 11 against Dallas.''He's an awfully tough kid,'' Ryan said.Cornerback Darrelle Revis tweaked his right hip in the 17-3preseason win over the Giants and he'll be limited in practice, butRyan said it's nothing serious and the team would just monitor himin practice.Wide receiver Logan Payne has a dislocated left wrist that Ryansaid appears will require surgery. He was also hurt against theGiants after a solid preseason, and had a shot at making the teamas a special teams contributor.''I don't know how long he'll be out,'' Ryan said. ''That's oneof those things where once he has the surgery, we'll Premier Anthony Davis Jersey Red find out alittle more about it when we go in.''Backup quarterback Mark Brunell (right calf) and offensivelineman Trevor Canfield (left knee) will not practice this week.Tight end Jeff Cumberland will be limited with a left hamstring,and nose tackle Sione Pouha will also be limited with an injuredleft knee that has sidelined him the past two preseason games. Widereceiver Derrick Mason will be monitored this week with a sore leftknee.