Dein erstes Forum » ent, the door has been opened for Burnham and Adekolu

WASHINGTON -- The NFL is prepared to meet with an Indian tribe pushing for the Washington Redskins to drop the teams nickname. Just not this week. As league owners gathered Monday in the nations capital for their fall meetings, the Oneida Indian Nation held a symposium across town to promote their "Change the Mascot" campaign. Oneida representative Ray Halbritter said the NFL was invited to attend. Instead, NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said, a meeting has been scheduled for next month -- and could happen sooner. "We respect that people have differing views," McCarthy said. "It is important that we listen to all perspectives." He said the Redskins name is not on the agenda for the owners meetings. Redskins owner Dan Snyder has vowed to keep the name, and an AP-GfK poll conducted in April found that nearly 4 in 5 Americans dont think the team should change its name. Its a topic generating discussion lately, though. President Barack Obama said in an interview with The Associated Press last week that he would "think about changing" the teams name if he were the owner. Halbritter called that statement "nothing less than historic" and said the teams nickname is "a divisive epithet ... and an outdated sign of division and hate." Addressing the NFL, Halbritter said: "It is hypocritical to say youre Americas pastime but not represent the ideals of America." U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum, D-Minn., said the league and team are "promoting a racial slur" and "this issue is not going away." For years, a group of American Indians has tried to block the team from having federal trademark protection, and Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, the District of Columbias envoy to Congress, predicted Monday that effort eventually will succeed. "This name is going to go into the dustbin of history," she said. Lanny Davis, a lawyer who said hes been advising Snyder on the name issue for "at least several months," said in a telephone interview after the symposium: "The Washington Redskins support peoples feelings, but the overwhelming data is that Native Americans are not offended and only a small minority are." Davis also said the campaign is "showing selective attention" by focusing on the Redskins and not teams such as the NFLs Kansas City Chiefs, NHLs Chicago Blackhawks, or Major League Baseballs Cleveland Indians and Atlanta Braves. Earlier, Halbritter was asked about those other nicknames. "The name of Washingtons team is a dictionary-defined, offensive racial epithet. Those other names arent," Halbritter said. "But there is a broader discussion to be had about using mascots generally." Players for the Redskins have remained mostly silent on the topic, including star quarterback Robert Griffin III, who recently called the debate "something way above my understanding." Some players approached in the locker room Monday avoided addressing the subject altogether. "Its really tough. And I mean this sincerely: I get both sides of the argument," guard Chris Chester said. "I see how it can offend some people, but I feel like the context that this organization has, theres no negative connotation. You wouldnt name your team something you didnt have respect for. At least I wouldnt. I mean, I understand, too, that it offends some people, so I sympathize with both sides." Jordan Greenway Jersey . -- Damian Lillard couldnt believe when he got a clear look at the rim. Mikko Koivu Wild Jersey . The punch happened in the fourth quarter of Milwaukees 116-102 loss to the Kings on Wednesday when the two players became entangled while battling for rebounding position. http://www.authenticwildpro.com/Jared-spurgeon-wild-jersey/ . PAUL, Minn. Jason Zucker Jersey . "Uuufff," was all shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria could come up with after Stantons latest mammoth shot. Ryan Suter Jersey .com) - The Carolina Panthers won for the first time in seven games last week, were without Cam Newton due to a car accident this week, but somehow sit atop the much-maligned NFC South.SURREY, B.C. - Stephen Adekolu and Bryan Burnham are close friends off the field, so its probably fitting their careers have followed similar paths.Both experienced injuries in university that affected their ability to catch on with professional teams, both had to fight for spots on the practice roster with the B.C. Lions, and both are now getting their chance to play because of injuries.Its something the rookie receivers could only dream of back in training camp.When we first started I remember guys lockers clearing out, Adekolu said after practice Wednesday. If you really looked at me and Burnham, its no secret that we were the bottom two that had to fight our way up and beat out a lot of guys. Thats what we both did.The 25-year-old Adekolu and the 24-year-old Burnham were happy to work with the scout team and said running opponents plays against the CFLs No. 1 defence in practice for the first 12 weeks of the season did a lot for their confidence.We would make small bets or joke around on who would get the most yards on our first-team defence, said Adekolu, a native of Brampton, Ont. We were like: If thats the best defence and we give them a good look, we could go out and play.And thats exactly what they did last week when both dressed for their first pro games in a 40-23 home loss to the Toronto Argonauts.Adekolu watched mostly from the sidelines, but Burnham wound up as the Lions second-leading receiver with five catches for 90 yards and a touchdown in place of Courtney Taylor, who has a foot injury and is likely lost for the season. Ive always stayed ready. Those older guys have really helped me stay mentally in it and always ready for when they called my number, said Burnham, who grew up in Moorestown, N.J. I definitely didnt think it was going to come this quick. You never want to see someone get hurt.You never wish for that, but when it does come youve got to be ready for it because thats football.Lions head coach Mike Benevides said both players have earned their chance, adding that Adekolu will see time on offence this week against the Calgary Stampeders.(Burnham) performed at a high level during the (Toronto game) and I think theres a high level of confidence of what he can bring, said Benevides. With Stephen, hes preformed throughout the entire season in practice. He had a strong pre-season and its time to see what he can bring to the table as a fifth guy and a rotational-type of person.Burnham played at the University of Tulsa in the NCAA, while Adekolu spent five CIS seasons at Bishops University. Each suffered knee injuries late in their college careers, which meant they had to work even harder to get a chance at the next level.Adekolu wentt to rookie camp with the Montreal Alouettes last season but experienced tendinitis before returning to Bishops, while Burnhams last game with Tulsa was the 2012 season opener when he tore his anterior cruciate ligament.ddddddddddddBoth signed with the Lions this winter and have climbed the depth chart much quicker than expected.I think the biggest thing and the best thing is that the young guys are willing to take coaching, said quarterback Kevin Glenn. Theyre very good character guys. Theyre humble and theyre really just out there wanting to help the team.That attitude has resonated with teammates, who can often sense when a player is unhappy with a situation.I like to try to come to practice everyday with the same attitude. Im out here having a great time. I love being here, said Burnham. I think if you come out here and start to be too serious when things are going wrong, thats when things start to split and you see guys start to change their demeanour.Part of Burnhams even-keel approach comes from his father Lem, who played for the Philadelphia Eagles in the late 1970s before becoming a psychologist.He always just stayed on me about being patient and managing my stress and being anxious to get out there a€” youve got to manage that or its going to tear you apart, said Burnham, whose sister works in the Lions front office and suggested he try out after NFL teams passed. Its something I really worked at ... he always gives me little mental exercises.He always said for the longest time: Ive been there.The Lions (7-5) visit the Calgary Stampeders (10-2) on Saturday as they continue to battle for playoff positioning in the West Division. Apart from Taylors ailment, the door has been opened for Burnham and Adekolu because of injuries to return man Tim Brown and defensive back Dante Marsh.B.C. handed Calgary its only home defeat of the season in a 25-24 decision back on Aug. 1, and Glenn said the Lions can take some positives from that game even though theres been a lot of personnel changes on both sides.The biggest thing I think is we came back from being 11 points down in the second half, said the veteran pivot. We never quit. Thats a big thing.Adekolu and Burnham also havent quit, and both are excited to step on the field together in a game situation.They also know if they dont perform, theres a hungry recruit just like them waiting to jump up and snatch their spot.You always keep the mentality that when you get your chance either someones not doing their job or someone got hurt, said Adekolu. Football is youre taking someones job or youre playing well enough to get a job. I want to step in and show that I can do the job theyre expecting. ' ' '