game for another month, so we want to make sure we stay ahead before w

NEW YORK -- Losses are piling, tempers are flaring and players are being benched.Throw in all the penalties, mistakes and questionable play calling, and the New York Jets have the troubling look and feel of a dysfunctional bunch.Todd Bowles team is 3-6, matching its loss total from last season, and its playoff prospects already appear highly unlikely. The second-year coach, however, doesnt agree with the increasingly negative perception.Not at all, Bowles said during a conference call Monday. I know what reality is, so we know what everything is inside this building and were a close-knit group.But, perhaps the most glaring sign of trouble within came Sunday, when Bowles benched star defensive linemen Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson for the first quarter of New Yorks 27-23 loss at Miami .Bowles repeated Monday that it was a coachs decision, adding that non-injury and non-football issues are kept in-house. He also declined to say whether tardiness is an issue with the two.However, reports emerged that both Wilkerson and Richardson were disciplined for being late to a team meeting. NJ.com reported that the two have been late or no-showed more than once. NFL Network reported that Wilkerson missed a walkthrough and a defensive meeting at which his birthday was being celebrated -- complete with a cake -- the day before the game against Baltimore last month. Wilkerson did not play in that game because of an ailing ankle.Those are reports, Bowles said. Those things are handled in-house and I know how we handle things in here, and everybody is accountable for their actions. We handle things in here as we handle them, and Im perfectly fine with those two (players) commitments.When asked what makes him satisfied with both Wilkerson and Richardson, Bowles said simply: They put in work. They put in a lot of work.A sideline exchange between wide receiver Brandon Marshall and quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick appeared to get a bit heated, although both downplayed it after the game. Bowles did the same, brushing aside the notion that it was another example of a team tearing apart.We had more turmoil going last year when we won four or five in a row, Bowles said. This year is normal. Brandon and Fitz talk on the sideline all the time. Thats just football talk. That goes without saying. And, Mo and Sheldon are fine.On Monday, Marshall said it was business as usual among the players, with the focus on moving forward to their next game at home against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.He said he feels good about the Jets locker room, calling it one of the best Ive been in. He was lukewarm, however, when asked if he thought every player was committed to a common goal.You never know, he said. Its the National Football League. There are so many different personalities in the room. I love what Coach (Marc) Trestman said when he first got hired in Chicago, one of his first team meetings, he said: We dont need all. We just need the right ones.Tackle Ben Ijalana thinks the Jets have those guys, along with the right approach.Everyone is focused on trying to right the ship and were playing a game at home, he said. Were not trying to lull down. Were just trying to get back on the right track, continue to get these wins going.The Jets are uncertain whether Fitzpatrick will start because of a sprained left knee , and some fans and media says New York should go with second-year quarterback Bryce Petty regardless.Its expected, Marshall said of the perception that the Jets are a team in chaos. This is what happens, usually, when you lose. ... Were sitting at 3-6, were disappointed in our play, disappointed in ourselves.And the players arent alone.Bowles has taken his share of the blame, too, and had missteps in his play calls throughout the season.I havent done a good job, he said. Were 3-6. It speaks for itself. I can do a lot better job of coaching.Despite all that, though, Bowles insisted he has total control of his team.Completely, yes, he said. I know me and I know how I address the team and I know how the team responds. I have no issues with that.Penalties are a big problem, with 10 called in the game against the Dolphins. Perhaps none was as glaring as the offsides call on Antonio Allen, whose mistake on a kickoff resulted in a re-kick -- and Kenyan Drake returned it 96 yards for the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter.We dont finish, Ijalana said. I would say its a combination of not finishing and sometimes starting slow. In this league, those things get you in trouble. Its very hard to win games like that.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFLXander Bogaerts Jersey . Scott Kazmir allowed four hits in seven shutout innings, Michael Brantley hit a two-run homer in a three-run first inning and the Indians maintained their hold on an AL wild-card spot with a 4-1 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night. Bill Lee Red Sox Jersey . Rousey will put her perfect 8-0 record and hardware on the line against another undefeated fighter, 7-0 Sara McMann in the main event of UFC 170, which will be held at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas Nevada on February 22nd. http://www.officialredsoxfanstore.com/authentic-jimmie-foxx-red-sox-jersey/ . On Tuesday, Ottawa placed forward Cory Conacher and defenceman Joe Corvo on waivers as trade rumours swirl around the Senators. Chris Sale Jersey . The move comes after the Canadiens were approached by the Buffalo Sabres for permission to speak to Dudley - a former Sabres player and head coach. "The Sabres called for permission and I appreciate that, Im flattered, Dudley told TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun of ESPN. David Price Red Sox Jersey . He says so-called TRT is only one problem and he wants to go even further than the ban. "Its about time," St-Pierre told reporters at a promotional event in Montreal on Friday. "I think its a good thing.SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- All week, San Francisco 49ers coach Chip Kelly has refused to name a starting quarterback for his teams preseason opener against the Houston Texans on Sunday.By way of explanation, Kelly cited concern that Colin Kaepernick or Blaine Gabbert could suffer an injury and not be available or be limited for the game.While Kelly often made reference to someone turning an ankle, shoulder fatigue might have been a better guess. Kaepernick did not throw in practice for the second consecutive day Friday because of what he called tightness in his right (throwing) shoulder. Gabbert took all of the repetitions with the first team instead of the customary 50-50 split with Kaepernick.Kaepernick told reporters after Fridays joint practice with the Texans that he thinks hell be able to play Sunday, but his status will be evaluated as the game nears.His throwing shoulders, just from the accumulation of what weve been doing, is a little sore, Kelly said. So were going to monitor that. Hopefully we can get him to play on Sunday.We said that all along, to determine whats going to go on Sunday wont be determined until after we come out of here today. ... So, were going to keep a good eye on him today.Kaepernick wasnt completely out of the mix in Fridays practice, but Kellys definition of limited meant he stuck with handoffs and simulated reps standing behind the quarterback. Thats similar to what Kaepernick did in the spring when he was recovering from shoulder, thumb and knee surgeries.In fact, it was the leftover effect of that shoulder surgery that has Kaepernick feeling the tightness.Kaepernick said he threw over the summer but that theres no way to replicate the different arm action required in live reps during practice. Kelly said his quarterbacks throw the ball between 86 and 102 times during a normal practice session.As a former high school baseball pitcher, Kaepernick said his arm usually snapped back quick after similar arm fatigue.I think its been the buildup [of reps], Kaepernick said. Youu dont really get the reps of live action and that violent motion when you are practicing in the offseason.dddddddddddd. So I think its just building my endurance in that area.On Tuesday, Kaepernick stopped in the middle of practice to have his arm stretched by one of the team trainers. He finished the practice and participated in Wednesdays workout at Kezar Stadium, a practice in which he struggled.Kaepernick then didnt practice for what Kelly called a planned day off Thursday and was again limited Friday.Thats why we had planned on actually taking yesterday off, Kelly said. We knew that going in. He didnt throw during the spring full because of coming off of [the injury]. So, its just trying to get his arm back to where we can just use him every day. If weve got to take a day off in between, its not a real big deal.Whether Kaepernick plays, let alone starts, Sundays game against the Texans remains unclear, but he did say he most definitely expects to start a game at some point in the preseason.I would have loved to got those reps, but its also something that we are in preseason practice and we dont play a game for another month, so we want to make sure we stay ahead before we get to the season, Kaepernick said.Gabbert, meanwhile, said he felt good during Fridays practice and directed an offense that had some success against Houston.As for starting against the Texans, Gabbert said he isnt too worried about something that he doesnt control, even if signs point to him getting the first shot.Its up to Coach Kelly, Gabbert said. Coach Kelly makes those decisions and when I do get the chance to get out there and play, Im just going to make the most of my opportunity. Thats all you can do. Whether youre going in the first, second, third or fourth quarter, every quarterback wants to go out there and compete, have fun and just execute our offense and move the ball down the field. ' ' '