THE Jets have spent the better part of two years defiantlystaring down history, aggressively putting distance betweenthemselves and the string of banana peels that have gotten in theirway through the decades.In fact, one of the good things you might identify from thisweek of locker-room re s t l e ssness and restiveness is this: Forall the issues confronting the Jets tonight, as they play theDolphins in the first of what promises to be a season-long stringof must-have games, is this:You don't hear a whole lot of angst about the Same Old Jets.So there's that.But it isn't only the Jets' personalized history that can litterthe sky with dark clouds. Sometimes history is meaningless.Sometimes statistics are meaningless. But they exist for areason, and they always have a purpose, so there is this fact weshould think about going forward with the Jets:In the Super Bowl Era, 90 teams have qualified for the Big Game,and six of them - three winners, three losers - have sufferedthree-game losing streaks during the season, which happens to bethe streak the Jets are sitting on right now. That's sevenpercent.That's not the kind of numerical nourishment an optimist likeswith his cornflakes. And while we're at it, we should give specialnotice to the 2002 Raiders.For they are the only team - ever - to shake off a four-gamelosing streak and still make it to the big game, even if they didget crushed by the Buccaneers once they got there. One out of90.That's a little more than one percent.That's what the Jets would be wise to avoid."We had great veteran leadership starting with Rich Gannon, whowas MVP of the league, and we had a lot of veteran guys who'd beenaround the league and had gone through the ups and downs of aseason," said Jets offensive line coach Bill Callahan, the oneperson on earth who can speak to the special difficulty ofshrugging off a four-game losing streak, because he was the coachof those 2002 Raiders."We were close and we knew it," Callahan said. "Two of thosefour games went to overtime, so we knew we were a good footballteam with good leaders and a good staff." C a l l a h a n p o i nted to one game that turned that season around, a Monday night atDenver. The Raiders carried that fourgame slide into Invesco Fieldand buried a 6-2 Broncos team, 34-10.Every team that has recovered from a losing streak has a storyto tell, same as the Jets probably do. If not for theextracurriculars that surrounded them this week, the agenda theJets surely would have pushed was this:How many teams do you know that would have survived a schedulinggauntlet such as this: at Oakland, at Baltimore, at NewEngland?The three teams that won the Big Game after suffering three-gamelosing streaks had those stories.The 2009 Saints were 13-0, lost Game 14, then mailed in Deion Branch Authentic Jersey, Titans Kenny Britt Jersey, Authentic Aaron Curry Jersey, Titans Jake Locker Jersey, Dwight Freeney Authentic Jersey, cheap nfl jerseys free shipping, Brian Cushing Jersey Authentic, Lofa Tatupu Jersey Authentic, Jay Cutler Authentic Jersey, Redskins Chris Cooley Jersey, cheap nfl jerseys free shipping, Charles Woodson Jersey Authentic, cheap nfl jerseys china, Arian Foster Authentic Jersey, Ed Reed Authentic Jersey, DeSean Jackson Authentic Jerseythefinal two weeks. Understandable. The 2005 Steelers? They didn'treally get their sea legs until the playoffs.The 2000 Ravens? You saw the way they looked in the Super Bowlagainst the Giants.They were playing a lot differently in January than they were inOctober, when they lost their three straight."I wouldn't have wanted to try and win a Super Bowl with theteam we were in October," Brian Billick said early in that SuperBowl week 11 years ago. "But I like my chances with this team." Hehad reason to. And Rex Ryan - the defensive line coach on thatteam, by the way - would like to have similar reason to feel thatway, the moment the Jets can build a one-game winning streakagain.Dolphins AT Jets - TONIGHT Jets - 6 1/2; O/U: 42 1/2 8:30 -ESPN, WWOR, ESPN (1050 AM)---NUMBER TO KNOW: 3 - The Dolphins have won three straight gamesagainst the Jets in East Rutherford. The last two, both on Ryan'swatch, were bizarre games the Jets dominated, but lost.SCHEDULESJets (2-3)Sept. 11 vs. COWBOYS W, 27-24 Sept. 18 vs. JAGUARS W, 32-3 Sept.25 at Raiders L, 34-24 Oct. 2 at Ravens L, 34-17 Oct. 9 at PatriotsL, 30-21 TONIGHT vs. Dolphins 8:30 Oct. 23 vs. CHARGERS 1:00 Oct.30 Bye week Nov. 6 at Bills 1:00 Nov. 13 vs. Patriots 8:20Nov. 17 at Broncos 8:20 Nov. 27 vs. Bills 1:00 Dec. 4 at Redskins 1:00Dec. 11 vs. CHIEFS 1:00 Dec. 18 at Eagles 4:15 Dec. 24 vs. Giants1:00 Jan. 1 at Dolphins 1:00Dolphins (0-4)Sept. 12 vs. Patriots L, 38-24 Sept. 18 vs. TEXANS L, 23-13Sept. 25 at Browns L, 17-16 Oct. 2 at CHARGERS L, 26-16 Oct. 9 Byeweek Tonight at Jets 8:30 Oct. 23 vs. Broncos 1:00 Oct. 30 atGiants 1:00 Nov. 6 at CHIEFS 1:00 Nov. 13 vs. Redskins 1:00 Nov. 20vs. Bills 1:00 Nov. 24 at COWBOYS 4:15Dec. 4 vs. Raiders 1:00 Dec. 11 vs. Eagles 1:00 Dec. 18 at Bills 1:00 Dec. 24 at Patriots 1:00Jan. 1 vs. Jets 1:00

ASHBURN, Va. (AP) - Washington Redskins cornerback DeAngelo Hallhas a knee injury and is listed as questionable for tomorrow's gameagainst the Philadelphia Eagles.Hall was a surprise new addition to the injury report yesterday.He was listed as limited in practice. Coach Mike Shanahan did notmention the injury while meeting with reporters.Also questionable is tight end Chris Cooley, who had his leftknee drained again this week. The knee has bothered him much of theseason. He has only seven catches for 66 yards.Other players listed as questionable are running back TimHightower, receiver Anthony Armstrong and cornerback PhillipBuchanon. Hightower has a shoulder injury, Armstrong is nursing anailing hamstring, and Buchanon has a sore neck.EAGLES AILING: With a must-win game looming in Washingtontomorrow, the Eagles are facing a potential offensive lineshortage.Starting left tackle Jason Peters is out indefinitely with ahamstring injury he suffered in a loss to the 49ers two weeks ago,and his replacement, 6-foot-9 King Dunlap, missed a secondconsecutive day of practice Friday because of back spasms.The two injuries have left the Eagles with only two healthyoffensive tackles - Todd Herremans, the usual right tackle, andWinston Justice, who missed all of training camp because ofoffseason knee surgery and hasn't played all year.Coach Andy Reid said after practice yesterday that if Dunlap'sback spasms don't abate by Sunday, Herremans will start against theRedskins at left tackle - where he hasn't played since 2005 - andJustice will make his first start since undergoing major offseasonknee surgery.RICE FINED: The NFL has fined Ravens running back Ray Rice $7,500for grabbing the facemask of St. Louis Rams cornerback BradleyFletcher.Rice plans to appeal. No penalty was called on the play.It is not illegal to stiff-arm an opponent, but the league saidoffensive players are not allowed to grab an opponent's facemask.Raven coach John Harbaugh says "he didn't really see" whether Ricegrabbed or twisted Fletcher's facemask.The play occurred in the Ravens' 37-7 win over the Rams onSept. 25.TEXANS: Mario Williams had surgery to repair a torn pectoralmuscle yesterday as the rest of the TEXANS wrapped up preparationsfor tomorrow's game in Baltimore.The franchise's all-time sacks leader is out for the seasonafter being injured in last week's 25-20 loss to Oakland. Defensivecoordinator Wade Phillips said the surgery "went well." Rookielinebacker Brooks Reed will replace Williams against the Ravens (3-1).Also, quarterback Matt Schaub practiced yesterday after missingtime earlier this week with a sore throwing shoulder. The TEXANSadded Derrick Mason to boost the receiving corps without AndreJohnson, who's out this week with a right hamstring injury.Aaron Rodgers Authentic Jersey, Authentic Danny Woodhead Jersey, wholesale jerseys china, Authentic Devin Hester Jersey, Redskins Brian Orakpo Jersey, Donald Brown Jersey, Brian Orakpo Jersey Authentic, Danny Woodhead Authentic Jersey, Authentic Asante Samuel Jersey, Authentic Aaron Rodgers Jersey, Asante Samuel Authentic Jersey, Authentic Donald Brown Jersey, wholesale nfl jerseys, Authentic Anquan Boldin Jersey, Anquan Boldin Authentic Jersey, Devin Hester Authentic Jersey, cheap nfl jerseys free shipping, cheap nfl jerseys free shipping

The NFL will not fine Detroit coach Jim Schwartz nor San Francisco coach Jim Harbaugh following a brief scuffle at the conclusion of the the 49ers 25-19 win over the previously undefeated Lions."We believe [Schwartz and Harbaugh's] response is the correct one and that their post-game conduct going forward will be more appropriate," wrote NFL spokesman Greg Aiello on Twitter, adding, "both coaches told [NFL vice president] Ray Anderson today that their post-game conduct was wrong and will not happen again."Replays of the Schwartz-Harbaugh scuffle have received plenty of air time over the past 24-hours. Harbaugh can be seen roughly shaking Schwartz's hand, slapping the Lions' coach on the back and jogging away.Schwartz appears to take umbrage and chases the 49ers coach, bumping into Harbaugh while shouting furiously. The two square up, jaw back and forth and are separated by members of their teams before the confrontation further escalates.MORE: ?Harbaugh's 49ers take down Schwartz, LionsFollowing the altercation, both coaches offered apologies for their actions."That is totally on me," Harbaugh said. "I shook his hand too hard. I really went in, and it was a strong, kind of a slap-grab handshake.""It's unfortunate," wholesale nfl jerseys, Dallas Clark Authentic Jersey, Authentic Dallas Clark Jersey, Authentic Brian Orakpo Jersey, wholesale jerseys from china, BenJarvus Green-Ellis Jersey Authentic, Green Bay Packers Aaron Rodgers Authentic Jersey, wholesale jerseys, Chris Johnson Authentic Jersey, Authentic Brian Urlacher Jersey, BenJarvus Green-Ellis Authentic Jersey, Brian Urlacher Authentic Jersey, Aaron Curry Authentic Jersey, Authentic Chris Johnson Jersey, Andre Johnson Authentic Jersey, Philadelphia Eagles Asante Samuel Authentic Jersey, Baltimore Ravens Anquan Boldin Authentic Jersey, wholesale jerseys china, Brian Orakpo Authentic Jersey, Authentic Aaron Curry Jersey, Authentic Andre Johnson JerseySchwartz told reporters. "The game is played by the players on the field. We certainly don't want things like that to occur. There are competitive people in the league, and I think we need to do a better job of just leaving it to the players on the field."The NFL will not fine Detroit coach Jim Schwartz nor San Francisco coach Jim Harbaugh following a brief scuffle at the conclusion of the the 49ers 25-19 win over the previously undefeated Lions."We believe [Schwartz and Harbaugh's] response is the correct one and that their post-game conduct going forward will be more appropriate," wrote NFL spokesman Greg Aiello on Twitter, adding, "both coaches told [NFL vice president] Ray Anderson today that their post-game conduct was wrong and will not happen again."Replays of the Schwartz-Harbaugh scuffle have received plenty of air time over the past 24-hours. Harbaugh can be seen roughly shaking Schwartz's hand, slapping the Lions' coach on the back and jogging away.Schwartz appears to take umbrage and chases the 49ers coach, bumping into Harbaugh while shouting furiously. The two square up, jaw back and forth and are separated by members of their teams before the confrontation further escalates.MORE: ?Harbaugh's 49ers take down Schwartz, LionsFollowing the altercation, both coaches offered apologies for their actions."That is totally on me," Harbaugh said. "I shook his hand too hard. I really went in, and it was a strong, kind of a slap-grab handshake.""It's unfortunate," Schwartz told reporters. "The game is played by the players on the field. We certainly don't want things like that to occur. There are competitive people in the league, and I think we need to do a better job of just leaving it to the players on the field."

Before last seasons disappointing trip to the World Series, where they lost to the San Francisco Giants, the Rangers had won only a single playoff game. Though they had been participants, they were knocked out of the postseason by the New York Yankees in their three previous playoff appearances in 1996, 1998 and 1999. All of which garnered early exits in the American League Division Series.Undaunted and striving for more in 2011, the Rangers won their second consecutive American League pennant, knocking out my beloved Detroit Tigers in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series . Leading the charge was a tremendous power display by ALCS MVP Nelson Cruz(notes) , who had 6 home runs and 13 RBIs to send the Tigers packing.The Rangers offense will be tightly matched, however, by the surging St. Louis Cardinals. The National League champions, led by sluggers Albert Pujols(notes) and Matt Holliday(notes), look to continue their run of good fortune, staving off the late-season slump which found them nearly out of playoff contention. Though they were able to rebound, their sudden surge has surprised many, including the way in which they were able to defeat the Prince Fielder(notes)-led Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Championship Series. Both squads are evenly matched. While their offenses have proved indefensible, their pitching has struggled, looking downright horrible at times. The greater concern is that of their respective health issues. Though it is no secret that the wear and tear of a grueling 162-game season and the continuance of the postseason have taken their toll, both squads have been equally tormented by the bumps and bruises which come with the territory.St. Louis looks to ride home field advantage into another championship, as the National Leagues victory in the All-Star Game sealed the benefit. Whether it will be of any consequence, remains to be seen. This years postseason has proven that nothing is inconceivable. When Texas and St. Louis, the two hottest teams in baseball, collide in the World Series, anything could happen.cheap nfl jerseys china, Ray Lewis Jersey, wholesale nfl jerseys free shipping, DeSean Jackson Jersey Authentic, Lance Briggs Jersey, wholesale jerseys china, Chad Ochocinco Jersey Authentic, Texans Andre Johnson Jersey, Green Bay Packers Randall Cobb Authentic Jersey, Kenny Britt Jersey, Redskins DeAngelo Hall Authentic Jersey, Colts Donald Brown Jersey, Seahawks Aaron Curry Authentic Jersey, wholesale jerseys

In a lineup loaded with All-Stars, it was David Freese who all but iced the pennant for his hometown team.       Freese, who grew up in a St. Louis suburb, hit a three-run homer Sunday night and was selected MVP of the NL championship series after the Cardinals finished off the Milwaukee Brewers 12-6 in Game 6.       "I think not too many people get a chance to do this in their hometown. And it's an unbelievable feeling," Freese said. "To be a part of this team, this group of guys, this organization, means a lot. "       Part of a high-scoring offense that includes Albert Pujols, Matt Holliday and Lance Berkman, Freese went 3 for 4 with a homer in a four-run first inning that got the Cardinals rolling. It was his third home run of the series and fourth in the NL playoffs.       "That's the crazy thing about baseball. You have your ups and downs and you just keep working hard. You get hot every now and then," Freese said. "The timing was unbelievable. Honestly, I wish we could make eight or nine or however many of these and give them to our bullpen. What they did, they really deserve this award. They're why we won this series."       The 28-year-old third baseman has a 10-game postseason hitting streak as the wild-card Cardinals head home to open the World Series on Wednesday night against the AL champion Texas Rangers.       Freese also scored three times Sunday night and batted .545 (12 for 22) in the NLCS with three homers, three doubles, nine RBIs and seven runs.       His huge postseason is a local story that St. Louis fans can love: Freese lettered in baseball all four years at Lafayette High School in Wildwood, Mo., and still lives there.       After graduating from high school, he attended St. Louis Community College-Meremec before transferring to South Alabama. The Padres selected him in the ninth round of the 2006 first-year player draft.       Freese had hits in each game of the NLCS, propelling the Cardinals to their first World Series appearance since beating Detroit in 2006. He had a single, double and homer in the Game 6 clincher.       St. Louis was 10? games out in the wild card race on Aug. 25 but went on a head-turning run in the final month to overtake Atlanta as the Braves collapsed. The Cardinals then beat the Phillies in the divisional series before eliminating the talented Brewers. Now they get to play the World Series and for the first time in these playoffs will have home field advantage.       "I think we believe. I think that's what you've got to do in this game. We got a group of guys with some talent, desire, and just a ton of heart," Freese said.       "Coming back from 10 and a half or whatever it was, obviously it's a tough battle. But we kept plugging; we kept pushing. The fans deserve that; the organization definitely deserves that, it's kind of surreal that we're here, but this team deserves what we've been rewarded. ...       "This means the world to me, not only to get to the World Series, but to be a part of this group of guys," Freese said. "I haven't been around a better group of guys."     Jeremy Maclin Jersey, Matt Hasselbeck Jersey Authentic, Authentic Johnny Knox Jersey, cheap nfl jerseys free shipping, cheap nfl jerseys free shipping, wholesale nfl jerseys free shipping, Authentic Ed Reed Jersey, Redskins Clinton Portis Jersey, Seahawks Earl Thomas Jersey, Texans Brian Cushing Authentic Jersey, Randall Cobb Authentic Jersey, cheap nfl jerseys china, cheap nfl jerseys china, wholesale jerseys china, Colts Dwight Freeney Authentic Jersey, New England Patriots Albert Haynesworth Authentic Jersey  Freese is batting .425 with four homers and 14 RBIs during the postseason. He led the charge as St. Louis battered the Brewers.       • In Game 1, he hit a three-run homer in the fourth inning to erase a 2-1 deficit and give the Cardinals a 4-2 lead they couldn't hold.       • In Game 2, he had two hits and homered in the ninth inning of a 12-3 victory. It was the team's 17th hit, setting a club record for most in a league championship series game.       • In Game 3, he went 3 for 4 with two doubles and a single in a 4-3 victory.       • Moved up to cleanup in Game 4 to give Pujols more protection, Freese responded with two more singles in Milwaukee's 4-2 win.       • Back in the sixth spot in the batting order in Game 5, he singled, walked and scored two runs in the Cardinals' 7-1 victory.       And then there was the final game Sunday night.       Milwaukee started shaky Shaun Marcum, and Freese made sure the right-hander wasn't around for long. He pulled a three-run shot to left field in the first, giving the Cardinals a four-run lead they never relinquished.       In the third, he doubled with one out and scored on a single by pinch-hitter Allen Craig as the Cardinals extended their lead to 9-4 in the inning.       He singled and scored in the fifth when St. Louis made it 11-5.       Freese is in his third major league season after coming to the Cardinals in a December 2007 trade that sent Jim Edmonds to the San Diego Padres.       All three of those years with the Cardinals have been marred by injuries.       Freese began 2009 with the big league club but sprained his left ankle and played only 17 games in the majors. In 2010, he won the starting third base job, only to endure injuries to both ankles that required surgery.       This season, he was batting .356 before he missed 51 games after breaking his left hand on May 1 when he was hit by a pitch from Scott Linebrink in Atlanta. Freese finished with a .297 average, 10 homers and 55 RBIs in 97 games.       Not bad at all, but nothing like October.  Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.