nix in 1996. Bennett spoke to Nash, whos also the general manager of Canadas mens team, a few months ago. "It was ba

HOUSTON -- Despite notching a win that to an extent salvaged their postseason hopes, the Houston Texans havent yet found themselves in position to rest on their laurels.Should the Texans (7-6) defeat the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars (2-11) on Sunday at NRG Stadium, theyll inch one step closer to clinching the AFC South title. Houston would improve to 5-0 in the division with games against the Bengals and Titans remaining, with that finale in Tennessee and the division title likely up for grabs.By beating the Colts in Indianapolis for only the second time in franchise history, the Texans remained in a first-place tie with Tennessee. And while Jacksonville doesnt present a serious threat to disrupting their momentum, the Texans will enter the matchup hamstrung in the passing game, already an offensive weakness.With receivers Jaelen Strong and Braxton Miller on injured reserve, the Texans also have tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz in concussion protocol. Fiedorowicz is second on the team in receptions (48) and receiving touchdowns (two), and third in receiving yards (505). He is a huge loss for a passing attack ranked 30th in the NFL.C.J. is a big part of what weve been doing, obviously, Texans coach Bill OBrien said. Hes had a good year. Hes a guy that does both things well. He blocks well and obviously hes had a good year in the passing game. Id put him in the day-to-day category. Hes played a lot snaps for us this year. Hes pretty banged up but I know hes going to do everything he can to try to play on Sunday. I know that.As far as the passing game goes, I think its a unit that steps up week in and week out. I know it hasnt been the numbers that maybe everybody looks at but I think theres been some consistency in some of the certain routes that we run and things like that. I think our guys understand the game plan. They understand how we want to attack Jacksonville.OBrien might have been hopeful, but it didnt happen as Fiedorowicz was declared out on Friday.Given their roster attrition, the Texans must lean on their prior postseason experience to navigate the final three weeks of the season. There are veterans sprinkled throughout the roster, even some who aided playoff runs elsewhere.The Texans have pointed to marginally improved play from quarterback Brock Osweiler, who in turn believes his experience in Denver last season is beneficial.I was very fortunate in my time in Denver to be a part of playoff teams, be a part of teams that were fighting for playoff positions in the month of December, Osweiler said. Then, obviously, last year I was fortunate to be able to contribute actually on the field. Just like I always talk about in here, theres nothing that replaces game reps.Well, theres nothing that replaces experience of being able to experience the playoffs. So, just being around that team, I think it helps me out big-picture-wise of what to expect this month, how to prepare and how to go about things.The Jaguars have no such expectations. After following a pair of one-possession losses in September with back-to-back victories over the Colts and Bears in October, Jacksonville has dropped eight consecutive games. Four of those losses have come by one score, underscoring how frustrating this season has been for the Jaguars.I think it definitely took us by shock, Jaguars wide receiver Allen Robinson said of the skid. I think offensively its not something that we thought at all. Unfortunately, it is the position that we are in, but at the end of the day, we are still trying to build some light up and trying to get some momentum heading into next season.That resolution leaves the Jaguars playing the role of spoiler yet again, especially given their closing schedule. After visiting the Texans this weekend, the Jaguars will host the Titans before closing on the road in Indianapolis. With the Colts just one game behind Houston and Tennessee, the Jaguars will have a say in the AFC South.Well, anytime its an AFC South opponent, I think every team in our division is looking at that saying, We all want to own the AFC South, Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley said. When you have three opponents like we do the next three games, its a great opportunity.Trae Young Jersey . The recently retired Stern was elected Friday to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and will be enshrined with the class of 2014 on Aug. Bruno Fernando Hawks Jersey . -- Charline Labonte couldnt have asked for a better homecoming. https://www.thehawkslockerroom.com/Allen-Crabbe-City-Edition-Jersey/ . Tuesdays surgery at Atlantas Piedmont Hospital was performed by Dr. Xavier Duralde and Hawks team physician Dr. Michael Bernot. Bruno Fernando Jersey . Klitschkos management company says the bout will be the Ukrainian fighters 25th world championship fight. The 1.83-meter (6-foot) Leapai defeated the previously unbeaten Denis Boytsov in November to become the WBOs mandatory challenger. Jabari Parker Hawks Jersey . The Canadian squad, skipped by Jennifer Jones of Winnipeg, got on the board first with two in the second end, and followed that with two more apiece in the fourth and sixth ends.TORONTO -- While most of his NBA draftmates were auditioning on courts around the league, Anthony Bennett was making the rounds of NBA offices. The Brampton, Ont., native is touted as a potential top-five pick in Thursdays nights NBA draft, but the UNLV swingman has been sidelined since having rotator cuff surgery in May. Bennett has to hope he impressed in his interviews, and his play in college this past season, but he said hes confident his injury wont dictate what NBA jersey hell be wearing next season. "There were a lot of questions about the surgery of course (in interviews)," Bennett said in a phone interview from New York. "But I feel like the surgery is not really a big issue, just because David Altchek (the New York Mets doctor and a medical consultant for the NBA) did it. Hes one of the top guys. So I feel like its going to be cool." Bennetts rehab will keep him out of action until training camp, meaning hell miss NBA summer league. Plus the six-foot-seven, 240-pound player already missed draft combine and individual workouts. He did travel to the drafts top five teams -- Cleveland, Orlando, Washington, Charlotte and Phoenix -- for interviews. Bennett had surgery a few weeks after the Runnin Rebels were upset in the second round of March Madness in a 64-61 loss to California. "At the end of my season, I felt like it was the best choice, best decision for me to go ahead and get surgery for my shoulder, instead of doing it after summer league," Bennett said. "I felt like it was the right decision because Im going to be back before training camp, even though Im going to miss out on summer league. But training camp, I feel like thats one I really cant miss." Bennett played this past season at UNLV, earning Mountain West freshman of the year honours. He led the team in scoring with 16.1 points a game. He also led the team, and was fifth in the conference, in rebounds averaging 8.1. Hes one of three Canadians who are NBA-bound. Gonzaga forward Kelly Olynyk is a projected lottery pick while University of Texas point guard Myck Kabongo is expected to go late in the second round. Tristan Thompson is the highest Canadian NBA draft pick, going fourth overall to Cleveland in 2011. The forward from Brampton, Ont., said Bennett shouldnt stress about where he lands in the draft -- the health of his shoulder is more important. "Because its a long season, 82 games plus training camp, it takes a toll on your body, so make sure you get your shoulder healthy first," Thompson said in a phone interview. "And then second, it doesnt matter what number you get picked, its about the best fit in the best situation for you. Look at Darko Milicic, he went No. 2 (in 2003) but hes not in the NBA right now. And youve got Dwyane Wade (No. 5 pick the same year) who has won NBA championships. "So its about the best fit. Its not about the pick, its about whats the best fit and hoow you can extend your career for as long as you can.dddddddddddd" Two other top-10 draft prospects for this year -- Nerlens Noel and Alex Len -- also had recent surgeries, Noel for a torn ACL and Len for an ankle injury. Bennett said hes just starting lifting weights again. "Not too heavy, but just a good amount to build back the strength. Ive been doing that, and some mobility work," he said. He was just wrapping up a whirlwind Wednesday in New York that he spent doing interviews and photo shoots. All the draft prospects also toured the 9/11 memorial. Bennett has two teams worth of family members with him in New York -- some 25-30 (he lost count) of uncles, aunts and cousins, and his mom and sister. Hes purchased his suit for his walk across the stage -- scarlet and grey, UNLVs colours. "Simple, but it really stands out too," he said of his fashion choice. These are heady days for Canadian basketball as Bennett, Olynyk and Kabongo are poised to join the eight Canadians already in the NBA, two of whom -- Miamis Joel Anthony and San Antonios Cory Joseph -- played in the NBA final. "Its a big time for those young guys, and its big for our country and its big for our national team, having three guys that are potential first-round picks, all Canadians," Thompson said. "I think its because were getting the opportunity and were getting the media attention and the exposure with these young kids coming up. And also these young kids are taking this game seriously and theyre seeing that if they work hard it is possible to become an NBA player and get drafted. Its kind of a seeing is believing type thing. With Steve Nash being the forefather of all this and me and Cory being the grandpas, its exciting," he added, laughing. Nash was the highest Canadian draft pick before Thompson, going 15th overall to Phoenix in 1996. Bennett spoke to Nash, whos also the general manager of Canadas mens team, a few months ago. "It was back when I didnt really know what I was doing, if I was going to stay in college or I was going to leave, but he just told me if I do leave, just work hard, because not every year is guaranteed for you," Bennett said. "That kind of stuck with me." While Bennett insisted hell be happy wherever he lands -- "top-10, or even if its 11 through 20" -- he did say he wouldnt mind topping Thompson in the draft pecking order. "Its history. Tristan, he went No. 4 a couple of years ago, so if I beat that, Ill be happy," Bennett said. "Its just a great era of Canadian basketball right now, because we have people in the NBA, we have people getting drafted this year, we have people in college, we have people still in high school who are dominating. Its just crazy throughout different levels." Andrew Wiggins, a budding superstar from Thornhill, Ont., is being projected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 draft. ' ' '