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Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard offered a blunt assessment of his team after Thursday nights 126-109 loss to the Houston Rockets.We kind of suck right now, he told reporters. Its that simple.The loss was Portlands second straight, following Tuesday nights 113-88 home loss to the Chicago Bulls, and dropped the Blazers record to 7-6, putting them squarely in the middle of the pack in the Western Conference.Thursdays performance also continued a disturbing trend for the team, which has allowed 111.3 points per game, second worst in the NBA. The Blazers rank 27th in the league in defensive efficiency (107.3), which measures the number of points a team allows per 100 possessions.On Thursday, after entering halftime tied at 62, the Blazers were outscored 38-21 in the third quarter. Houstons James Harden finished with 26 points, 14 assists and 12 rebounds for his third triple-double of the season.Were just not very good right now, said Lillard, who ranks fourth in the league with 28.8 points per game. Weve just got to keep fighting. Its important for our team to stay together, and I think thats one of the biggest strengths of our team, is we stay together. If we try to stay positive, and we just keep working and keep fighting, I think at some point itll click.Well get it right, and things will be fine. But I think everybodys frustrated.The Blazers are off to an up-and-down start after finishing 44-38 last season and advancing to the second round of the playoffs, where they fell 4-1 to the?Golden State Warriors. Theyll look to turn things around Friday in the second game of a back-to-back at New Orleans.We cant get no worse, right? forward?Evan Turner said. Its got to go somewhere. Obviously, communication just has to pick up. As a unit, we just have to be accountable and, once again, draw the line with stuff. Just continue to take it more personal and draw the line.Grayson Allen Jersey . Ancelotti says Ronaldo has recovered from a hamstring injury but "but he doesnt feel comfortable yet so we wont risk him." Madrid is third in the Spanish league, six points behind leader Barcelona, going into Saturdays game against Valladolid. Cheap Jazz Jerseys Authentic . Speaking Thursday on TSN 1050 Thursday, the Leafs GM also touched on the questions surrounding the teams leadership and the struggles of his big-name free-agent signing. “Its not from lack of effort from the coaching staff. http://www.cheapjazzjerseys.com/?tag=cheap-mike-conley-jersey . Blackwood, 28, has played the last three seasons in the San Diego Padres system, including the past two summers with Class AA San Antonio of the Texas League. Cheap Jazz Jerseys . 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The Real Madrid forward has scored 66 goals in 2013, but the last three may be the boost he needs to upstage Messi after FIFA unexpectedly extended the voting period for the Ballon dOr to Nov.FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Ryan Fitzpatrick showed up at the New York Jets practice facility with just a few minutes to spare.The quarterback had just agreed to a one-year, $12 million deal Wednesday night, ending a contract stalemate that dragged on for months.Finally getting the OK from his agent, Fitzpatrick wanted to rejoin his teammates in time for their 7 p.m. team meeting with coach Todd Bowles to kick off training camp.One problem: His security code to the building no longer worked.So, he had to text wide receiver Brandon Marshall to borrow his code to get inside the building. Then, Fitzpatrick hurried into the auditorium to the surprise of some Jets players and coaches.I might have been 3 seconds late, which is a minute late, I guess, Fitzpatrick said after the Jets first camp practice Thursday, but I wasnt technically under contract, so I dont think they can fine me.Fitzpatrick quickly apologized to Bowles for his ever-so slightly tardy arrival.He said, `Im sorry Im late, Coach, Bowles said before smiling. I told him, `Thats a $12 million fine.Fitzpatrick officially signed his new contract about 10 minutes before practice began. Then, he headed out to the field and was greeted by the theme song to the 1970s sitcom Welcome Back, Kotter blaring through the speakers lining the sideline.Smiles and laughs. Fitz is back, and the Jets have their starting quarterback under center again.I always thought this day would come, Fitzpatrick said. I just had no idea it would take this long and then when it took so long, I wasnt sure how long it would exactly take. But Im glad we got it done for that first team meeting.It was just like old times when Fitzpatrick hit Marshall down the left sideline for a long touchdown pass that drew some loud cheers from a small group of fans. The quarterbacks bushy beard was nothing new, but his over-coiffed hairdo drew some razzing from his teammates.Full beard, mini `fro, wide receiver Eric Decker joked. It looked like he just got off the golf course.Added a smiling Marshall: He didnt look the best right now. Actually, I thought he looked pretty good out there today, but I dont know whats going on with the hair and beard. I thought we got past that last year.The Jets certainly wouldnt mind a repeat of Fitzpatricks statistical performance from last season, when he set the franchise record with 31 touchdown passes and helped lead New York within a victory of the playoffs.It appeared Fitzpaatrick would be a shoo-in to re-sign with the Jets, who made it clear that he would be the starter if and when he came back.ddddddddddddBut the team made an offer that included three years, but little in guarantees beyond the first year. He wasnt pleased about it and made that clear to the Jets, and the weeks turned into months with Fitzpatrick still unsigned.How could I look myself in the mirror every morning and say, `Yeah, Ill try to play good this year and then next year Ill just collect some checks and teach the young guys? Fitzpatrick said. Thats not who I am. Thats not in my nature. But Im doing OK financially, so it was just a risk I was willing to take.New York set a deadline of Wednesday night to get a deal done or it would move in another direction. So, the two sides worked throughout the day and finally ended the contract stare down.Fitzpatrick essentially bet on himself to have another good year, and could potentially become a free agent after the season.I mean, I have something to prove every year. I wasnt the first pick overall in the draft, said Fitzpatrick, a seventh-rounder by the Rams in 2005. Nothings ever really been handed to me, so I just go out and try to prove it every year.While Geno Smith has had a solid offseason, Bowles made it clear that there is no quarterback competition. Fitzpatrick will be the starter against Cincinnati in Week 1 unless something drastic happens.Its his job, Bowles said of Fitzpatrick. Based off what he did last year, hes earned it.Fitzpatrick stepped into the starting job last August when Smith was punched by a teammate and left with a broken jaw. The veteran quickly established himself as a leader on and off the field.Throughout the offseason, both Marshall and Decker proclaimed their desire to see Fitzpatrick return. That touched Fitzpatrick, who feels indebted to those teammates who supported him while his contract situation played out.I put a lot of pressure on myself, but the pressure that I feel is, I have guys like Brandon and Deck who stuck their necks out and they were in my corner all offseason, Fitzpatrick said.So, for me, Ive got to go out and perform for those guys. Ive got to go out and perform for all of those guys in that locker room.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: http://twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '