FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Muhammad Wilkerson wants to act more like the team leader that he and Jets coach Todd Bowles believe he is.The defensive end owned up to the mistakes he has made that led to his benching, along with Sheldon Richardson, for one quarter last Sunday. And, Wilkerson insists hell be better.This is a distraction, clearly, Wilkerson said Wednesday. I dont want to be a distraction. Thats not me. Its not my character. Thats not me as a teammate. Moving forward, it wont be an issue for me.Both Wilkerson and Richardson sat on the sideline for the first quarter of the Jets 27-23 loss at Miami . After the game, Bowles said it was simply a coachs decision, and refused to go into details. Neither player spoke to reporters in the locker room after the game.Reports emerged Monday that Wilkerson had either missed or been late to more than one team meeting, and was absent for a walkthrough the day before the Jets game against Baltimore on Oct. 23. Wilkerson didnt play in that game because of a sore foot. He was also late for a meeting before the Jets preseason game against the Giants and was benched for a quarter and fined.I have been late to meetings, Wilkerson said. I did miss the walkthrough prior to the Ravens game. Those actions are unacceptable. I definitely feel that, as a leader on this team, I definitely need to do better. I respect the coaches and everybody in this building. I take responsibility for my actions.Moving forward, it wont be an issue. As a leader on this team, I have to show better and do better. Thats something I will do.Wilkerson declined to divulge what he and Bowles spoke about when they met to discuss the situation. Despite the missteps by Wilkerson, Bowles still thinks the defensive end exhibits leadership qualities.His work ethic on the field, as far as getting guys going, Bowles said. Hes one of the guys on the field that people rally around and he can make big plays and make things happen. He can rally guys up in the locker room and out on the field and get going. Thats how I view him from a leadership standpoint.Wilkerson has struggled to match his production from last season, when he had a career-best 12 sacks. He spent the offseason recovering from a broken leg suffered in the season finale, but received a five-year, $86 million contract extension. He has 2 1/2 sacks this season, but insisted his lack of production isnt a result of his tardiness issues.That has nothing to do with my play, Wilkerson said. Whenever Im out there, Im going to do the best that I can.Richardson admitted to oversleeping by 20 minutes and missing the team meeting last Friday, which led to his benching.Im not a regular at missing meetings, Richardson said. Coach Bowles is a disciplinarian. That was my sentencing right there.Richardson said it was the only non-excused absence he had for a team meeting this season.It has been blown way out of proportion, he said. I know me missing the first quarter is not blown out of proportion, but it was one meeting. Its all it is.The benching of two star players has contributed to an increasing opinion that the Jets are dysfunctional , which is a direct reflection on Bowles as the coach. Wilkerson insists Bowles has not lost control of his locker room, not even close.I dont think coaches lose control, Wilkerson said. Its not coach who was late. I was late and Im taking responsibility.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFLCalgary Flames Pro Shop . White came in fourth place in the event. He was the two-time defending gold medallist. The gold medal went to Swiss snowboarder Iouri Podladtchikov. Custom Calgary Flames Jerseys . Ryan Garbutt had a goal and two assists as Dallas snapped a six-game losing streak with a 5-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night. https://www.cheapflames.com/ . Hazard cut in from the left and scored with a swerving right-footed shot for ninth goal of the season, which proved to be enough for the victory despite Chelseas forwards again lacking a cutting edge up front. Fake Flames Jerseys . -- Three close looks at the bucket, three misses. Flames Jerseys China . A big centre with all the tools to be an elite player, Johansen paced the Blue Jackets with a standout game Saturday night. He had a goal and two assists for a career-high three points as Columbus beat the New York Islanders 5-2 to snap a five-game losing streak. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Rookie right-hander Michael Fulmer give up two hits in seven shutout innings, Victor Martinez hit three-run homers from both side of the plate and the Detroit Tigers rolled to a 10-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday night.The Tigers have won four straight.Fulmer (8-2) became the first Detroit pitcher since 1913 to give up one run or fewer in eight straight starts. He is 6-1 with a 0.53 ERA in those eight starts.Fulmer struck out 10 and walked one, giving up singles to Cory Dickerson in the second inning and Logan Morrison in the seventh.Nick Castellanos drove in Detroits first run with a two-out double off Drew Smyly in the fourth. Cameron Maybins two-run single made it 3-0 in the sixth, extending his hitting streak to seven games during which the center fielder is hitting .500 (14 for 28) with nine RBI.Martinezs 15th home run came off reliever Danny Farquhar in the seventh. His 16th was off Enny Romero in the ninth, marking his third multi-homer game since June 16.Smyly (2-9) gave up six hits and four earned runs while striking out eight in 6 2/3 innings. The left-hander has failed to win all eight of his starts since May 16.Brad Miller homered for the Rays in the ninth.INF/OF Taylor Motter got the final out for Tampa Bay, becoming the sixth position player to pitch for the Rays, who lost for the 14th time in 16 games.TRAINERS ROOMTigers: OF J.D. Martinez feels no pain in the fractured right elbow that is expected to keep him on the DL at least two more weeks. Martinez is basically ttrying to stay in shape with work in the weight room, according to manager Brad Ausmus.ddddddddddddRays: OF Desmond Jennings, who left Thursdays game with left hamstring tightness, was out of the lineup Friday and is day to day. ... RF Steven Souza Jr. (strained left hip) went 0 for 3 with a walk in his first game of a rehab assignment with Class-A Charlotte. ... RHP Alex Cobb (Tommy John surgery) said he doesnt know yet if he will start a rehab assignment next week. ... INF Steve Pearce (strained right hamstring) has started hitting off a tee. ... Closer Alex Colome (right biceps tendinitis) could throw off a mound Sunday.LOOKING AHEAD (RAYS) AND BACK (TIGERS)Rays manager Kevin Cash is trying not to dwell on Thursday nights 10-7 loss to Detroit, a game in which the Tigers scored eight in the ninth inning. All the losses hurt -- that one stung, theres no doubt, Cash said. It was pretty devastating. At the same time it counts as one loss, it doesnt count as five. ... According to the Elias Sports Bureau, it marked the first time the Tigers overcame a five-run deficit in the ninth inning to win a road game since July 7, 1922.MOVING DAYRays: OF Jaff Decker, designated for assignment Wednesday, cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Durham.UP NEXTDetroits Justin Verlander (7-6) will make his 335th career start Saturday against Tampa Bay rookie Blake Snell, who is 1-2 after four starts. ' ' '