focus and discussions have been how were going to defend

The NFL has begun its recognition of the military this month, including nominees for the Salute to Service award.The award, presented by USAA, a leading insurance and financial services provider for current and former members of the military, veterans and their families, will recognize a league member who demonstrates exemplary commitment to honoring and supporting the military community.Among the nominees is Seahawks wide receiver Jermaine Kearse, who grew up on a military base near Seattle. Kearse recently launched the 15 to 1: The Jermaine Kearse Foundation, to support and inspire youth in military families.Being nominated by the Seahawks for the Salute to Service award is an honor and reinforces the importance of supporting our military, Kearse says. Its important to me because I grew up in a military family. Think about it, your parent gets deployed, and its a constant guessing game: Is my mom or dad going to come back? Thats real life.This stuff were doing here (playing in the NFL), this is cool, but when I think about that, what those kids are going through. Thats real life for these people.The other nominees: Arizonas Deone Buccanon; Atlantas Dan Quinn; Baltimores Steve Smith; Buffalos Richie Incognito; Carolinas Ron Rivera; Chicagos Jerrell Freeman; Cincinnatis Kyle Caskey; Clevelands Joe Thomas; Dallas Darren Woodson; Denvers DeMarcus Ware; Detroits Golden Tate; Green Bays Tom Bakken (assistant equipment manager); Houstons Brian Cushing; Indianapolis Pat McAfee; Jacksonvilles Blake Bortles; Kansas Citys Derrick Johnson; Los Angeles Jeff Fisher; Miamis Jamie Quadrozzi (game entertainment manager); Minnesotas Jeff Locke; New Englands Joe Cardona; New Orleans Drew Brees; Giants Mike Sullivan; Jets Eric Decker; Oaklands Jon Condo; Philadelphias Don Smolenski (team president); Pittsburgh Alejandro Villanueva; San Diegos Sean Lissemore; San Franciscos Garrett Celek; Tampa Bays Clinton McDonald; Tennessees Stormi Wagley (alumni cheerleader); and Washingtons Derrick Dockery.Buccaneers receiver Vincent Jackson was last years award recipient.---ROBYS BIG WEEK: Broncos cornerback Bradley Roby has been getting a lot of love lately.First, he received the NFLPAs Community MVP award for his community work, then he won the AFC defensive player of the week award for his performance Sunday against San Diego when he started in place of an injured Aqib Talib.For me to be honored off the field and then be honored on the field was kind of special to me, Roby said. I think thats the kind of a real life example that when I do things with good intentions in the community, sometimes you get rewarded for stuff like that on the field, as well.Im living right is really what it comes down to.Roby was honored by the players union after hosting a family fun night while raising money for academic achievement programs.Then, making his first start of the season, he had seven tackles, broke up two passes and had a 49-yard interception return for a touchdown in Denvers 27-19 win over the Chargers.---STAYING WIDE: The Green Bay Packers have been known in recent years for playing receivers in the backfield. The wrinkle is even more important this season with so many injuries at running back.But dont look for Jordy Nelson lining up alongside Aaron Rodgers any time soon.Were in deep, deep trouble, Nelson joked this week when asked if there was a package for him to get snaps in the backfield.How about a wildcat package?Were talking major issues, especially as a running back, he added.Randall Cobb has lined up in the backfield at times. Ty Montgomery has excelled in the role this season. Theyre shorter receivers who can create plays in traffic.The 6-foot-3 Nelson is a favorite target for Rodgers in the red zone, tied for the league lead with six receiving touchdowns.Maybe one day though, Nelson could try his hand at a trick play.I could play some quarterback. Maybe we could run a double-pass or something, he said.---AWESOME AJAYI: Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi rushed for 187 yards in 2015 as a rookie. Hardly the precursor to what he has done in his last two games.Ajayi enters Sundays matchup with the Jets -- and their staunch run defense -- coming off consecutive 200-yard rushing performances. He went for 204 yards on 25 carries in a win over Pittsburgh, and followed that with 214 on 29 rushes against Buffalo in another victory. Then Miami had its bye.He also could join Pro Football Hall of Famers O.J. Simpson (647 yards) and Walter Payton (604) as the only players in NFL history to rush for 600 yards in a three-game span. Ajayi has 418 yards.---AP Pro Football Writers Barry Wilner and Arnie Stapleton and Sports Writer Genaro C. Armas contributed.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Custom College Jerseys Free Shipping . The team also announced Tuesday that the Braves will wear a commemorative patch on the right sleeve during the season. The patch, shaped like home plate, carries the number 715, Aarons autograph and a "40th Anniversary" banner. Wholesale Custom College Jerseys . PETERSBURG, Fla. http://www.customjerseyscollege.com/ . Arsenal failed to take full advantage of its main rivals stumbles on Saturday as substitute Gerard Deulofeu levelled with a hard shot from a tight angle in the 84th minute to give Everton a deserved point. Ahead of a crucial fortnight that will see them play against Napoli in the Champions League, Manchester City and Chelsea, Arsenal leads by five points ahead of Liverpool and Chelsea. Sale Custom College Jerseys . The veteran safety was a starter for the Bengals from 2008-2012. He totaled 41 tackles and three interceptions while starting all but four of the 13 games he played last season. Custom College Jerseys Store . -- Tony Stewart is 20 pounds lighter and has a titanium rod in his surgically repaired right leg. LOS ANGELES -- Southern California didnt panic when they fell behind in the second half and the Trojans rallied by hitting threes to stay undefeated.Bennie Boatwright scored a season-high 17 points and freshman DeAnthony Melton added a career-high 15 points to lead the Trojans to a 78-73 victory over SMU on Friday night.Boatwright made 4-of-7 3-pointers and Jonah Matthews scored 14 points for the Trojans.I was out for 2 months and Im now getting my rhythm back, Boatwright said. My flow within the offense is picking up and my teammates are making good passes to me. In my first two games, I was pressing and everything was off.USC (5-0) improved to 5-1 all-time against the Mustangs (4-2) and shot 49.1 percent from the field, including 12 of 24 from beyond the arc.Melton scored nine points during a 19-4 run -- capped by Meltons 3 -- that gave USC a 51-41 lead with 10:56 to play.I got out there and ran and got open shots and that makes it fun, said Melton, who made 5 of 9 shots, had 6 rebounds and 5 assists. We (the freshmen) are holding our own and our hard work is paying off. Im learning and Im getting stronger.Boatwright and Melton combined to make 7 of the 12 USC 3-pointers.SMU cut the score to 74-68 with 1:15 to play following a steal and layup by Shake Milton but would get no closer.That was a nice win, USC coach Andy Enfield said. SMU is a quality team and will probably win 20-plus games. It was a big win for us. The players showed poise when they got behind in the second half. They ramped up the defense and got back in the game. The defense was getting stops using our length. Then we got out in transition and hit some threes.Ben Moore led SMU with 14 points. Semi Ojeleye added 13 points and 10 rebounds. Milton and Sterling Brown each scored 12.The Trojans toook a 19-14 lead following a 3-pointer by Shaqquan Aaron at the 9:39 mark.dddddddddddd The Mustangs battled back and took a 22-21 lead before USC took a 28-27 lead into the break.We knew coming in that USC was a strong team offensively with great quickness, SMU coach Tim Jankovich said. We played a tremendous first half defensively but over the course of the game you could see our opponent hurting us with 3-point shooting. Every single guy is a big threat on USC and you could really see that come alive in the second half.SMU outrebounded the Trojans 39-35 and outscored USC in the paint 38-24.BIG PICTURESMU: With five players averaging double figures and the Mustangs having led the American Athletic Conference in shooting percentage for the last 3 seasons, SMU figures to finish higher in conference than middle of the pack as predicted.USC: USC has four starters averaging in double figures and its four freshmen are contributing. For the second consecutive season, the Trojans open the season at 5-0. The Trojans are one of four Pac-12 teams still undefeated.DeMAN OF STEAL: Melton had five steals in a win against New Orleans on Nov. 22 and leads the Pac-12 with 14 steals. His 3.3 steals per game seventh in the country.QUICK COMPARE: Entering Fridays game, both USC and SMU were leading their respective conferences -- Pac-12 and American Athletic -- in offensive rebounding. The Trojans average 15.8 per game and SMU is averaging 14.6.UP NEXTSMU: The Mustangs continue their two-game road trip at Boise State before returning home to open a six-game home stand.USC: The Trojans wrap up their six-game home stand against UC Santa Barbara on Sunday. ' ' '