Dein erstes Forum » scored 24 points, Jaelan Sanford pumped in 15

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- When Colin Kaepernicks national anthem protest initially went public, talk immediately turned to whether it would lead to a distraction that would divide the San Francisco 49ers locker room.Two weeks later, as the Niners prepare for their opener Monday night against the Los Angeles Rams, the opposite has been the case, in fact, as the team has only gotten closer as players have had in-depth talks that have helped them learn more about one another.It leads to deeper conversations that need to be talked about, not just in our locker room, not just in barber shops around the country but everywhere, receiver Torrey Smith said. There are really issues. People get caught up in what Kap did by sitting down and not by the message that hes trying to send. I think thats the most important thing, to get people talking, and its worked.Kaepernicks protest became public after he sat during the anthem before a home game against Green Bay on Aug. 26. He later explained his reasoning, saying he was protesting the oppression of minorities and police brutality in the United States.That created a media maelstrom that the team had to handle. The Niners immediately put out a statement supporting Kaepernicks right to protest, and the players held a private meeting to allow Kaepernick to explain his reasoning and his teammates to ask questions.Thats really been the last that as a team that we talked about the situation, coach Chip Kelly said. We recognize and respect Kaps decision and his constitutional rights to do what hes doing and it sounds like its been a positive change. Theres been a lot of positive things that have come out of it. So, we havent had any meetings since.Safety Eric Reid joined Kaepernick in the protest in the final exhibition game in San Diego -- with the two kneeling instead of sitting, in a move meant to show more respect to veterans.Even the front office joined in despite a sometimes rocky relationship with Kaepernick that almost led to an offseason trade. Owner Jed York pledged $1 million to the cause of improving racial and economic inequality and starting collaboration between Bay Area law enforcement and the community.I think theres been a lot of open conversations, a lot more conversations going on in general, Kaepernick said. I think ultimately this team and this locker room have gotten a lot closer because of the gaining and understanding of individuals.Kaepernick and Reid plan to continue their protest before the opener and Smith said more teammates might join in. While Seattles Jeremy Lane also has joined the protest and others could as well, dont expect any Rams to do it.Coach Jeff Fisher made his stance clear at a team meeting at the start of training camp. In a message replayed on the HBO show Hard Knocks, Fisher spelled out how his players should approach the anthem: defensive players on the sideline to the left, offensive players to the right, helmets held under the left arm.Fisher said he does not demand that his players follow his rules but stressed how important it is to him.I do have, however, a respect for the anthem and a respect for this country and respect for our flag, he said. I have every right as a head coach and we have the right as an organization to express our feelings from that standpoint.The Rams have had other potential distractions to deal with this offseason as they have dealt with moving the franchise from St. Louis to Los Angeles. The team held offseason workouts in Oxnard, before holding training camp in Irvine and then setting up shop before the regular season in Thousand Oaks, all while moving the entire franchise halfway across the country.They will play their games at the L.A. Coliseum starting with the home opener next week against Seattle.There are just inconveniences, not problems -- little things, quarterback Case Keenum said. The team and organization have done a great job keeping us as comfortable as we can. Just trying to get in the regular routine and play in a regular season game.---Online:AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Khalil Mack Jersey . Down by seven with 90 seconds left in regulation, thats where they looked comfortable. Abdullah Anderson Jersey . If ever they start actually putting pictures beside words in the dictionary, the Blue Jays left-handers mug will appear beside “Consistency. http://www.custombearsjersey.com/custom-isaiah-irving-jersey-large-3146t.html . LOUIS -- Lance Lynn was one of the more enthusiastic participants as the St. Nick Williams Jersey . Miller reached right to deflect Mikhail Grabovskis attempt with just over 2 minutes remaining in regulation, and then made two more saves in the shootout Sunday to give the Sabres a 2-1 win over the Washington Capitals. Bilal Nichols Jersey . Reassurance came from Paul Tesori, his caddie and close friend whose newborn son is in intensive care in a Florida hospital. "Paul sent me a text this morning, just told me he loved me and wanted to go out and fight as hard as I would any other day," Simpson said Sunday after doing just that. TOLEDO, Ohio -- Jonathan Williams scored 24 points, Jaelan Sanford pumped in 15 more and Toledo cruised to a 78-56 win over Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday night.Jordan Lauf added 13 points and Nate Navigato had 10 with six rebounds for Toledo (4-6), which pulled away with a big second half. The Rockets shot 52 percent over the final 20 minutes and dominated at the line, hitting 23 of 28 overall to Southeastern Louisianas 5 of 13.Toledo took the lead for good early in the first half with a 99-0 run capped by Sanfords 3-pointer to make it 18-10, and carried a 33-26 advantage into the break.dddddddddddd Early in the second half, a pair of free throws from Williams stretched the lead to 40-29 and the Rockets continued to expand the double-digit advantage down the stretch.Moses Greenwood led Southeastern Louisiana (6-4) with 15 points and Davon Hayes had 14. ' ' '