on the questions surrounding the teams leadership and the str

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Rotating defensive linemen or even outside linebackers to keep players fresh to rush the quarterback is nothing new in the NFL.The Tennessee Titans have extended the practice and are alternating four players at the two safety positions.The rotation includes listed starters DaNorris Searcy and Rashad Johnson, plus special teams captain Daimion Stafford and rookie third-round pick Kevin Byard.Defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, a Hall of Fame player and longtime coach, approached Titans coach Mike Mularkey with the idea before the season after all four players performed well through the offseason and training camp.We just thought we had a group of safeties that had complementary skill sets, and they were all pretty good athletes. And if we can keep them really fresh and really sharp in the fourth quarter, like you want your defensive line, we would take that, LeBeau said. I checked with coach Mularkey and he thought it was a good idea, and its been good for us.LeBeau rotates the safeties usually by series, or in an extended drive, rather than situationally.It was a great idea, Mularkey said. I think theyre all playing good football for us. They all have a little bit to each of them, and obviously if youre playing a lot you feel like youre a bigger part of it. Our guys have really contributed the way we hoped.Johnson leads the foursome with 22 tackles followed by Stafford with 20, Searcy 17 and Byard 14. Stafford has the only interception in the group.Even though it means fewer snaps each game, the players have bought in to the concept knowing the payoff is having more stamina in the fourth quarter. The Titans (3-3) currently rank ninth in the NFL in total defense and 11th against the pass with Indianapolis (2-4) visiting Sunday.A lot of us play on special teams too, so it keeps everybody fresh, Searcy said. My reaction, me being an older guy, I know it takes a lot off your body because youre not out there hitting. It keeps everybody fresh and able to play.Johnson, in his eighth NFL season, has adapted well to a lesser role even though he had never rotated in and out of games before this season.At the end of the day, it just keeps you locked in and focused for the entire game, because you never know what type of situation you may get thrown in, Johnson said. It keeps guys on their toes.LeBeau and the Titans defensive coaches may have been planting the seeds of this rotation as far back as May.They said, `Some days we dont know how the rotation is going to be. Were going to call it out on the sideline and youve got to run in and be ready to play, Johnson said. I think they were kind of preparing for something like this, knowing they had so many guys that could play the position.One player benefiting the most might be Byard, a rookie from Middle Tennessee. He played the most snaps of the four in last weeks 28-26 win over Cleveland.My confidence is building up every game, Byard said.Game notes The Titans listed only two players on their injury report, and both are expected to play. Tight end Anthony Fasano and cornerback Brice McCain were on the report after sitting out Wednesday with ankle injuries. Both were full participants on Thursday and Friday. The Colts listed 19 players on their initial injury report and have already ruled out seven players for Sundays game.---Online:AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: https://twitter.com/AP-NFL Nike Flex Clearance .J. -- Josh Cribbs was in the Pro Bowl in February and out of a job six months later. Nike Flex Cheapest Price . After Mondays hard-fought loss, the wait seemed longer than usual. Getting set to go their separate ways for a short Christmas break, the Raptors coach credited his team for their effort on a seemingly impossible three-game road trip, urging them to build on that success when they get back to work at the end of the week. http://www.nikeflexcheap.com/ . Burke is expected to miss two to three months after breaking a finger in the teams third preseason game. Tinsley, a 10-year veteran, spent the last two seasons in Utah, where the point guard averaged 3. Discount Nike Flex . 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. Nike Flex Shoes Sale . Inter president Erick Thohir says in a club statement on Wednesday that Vidic is "one of the worlds best defenders and his qualities, international pedigree, and charisma will be an asset. HOUSTON -- Before all the offseason renovations and before Brock Osweiler became the new hope for the Texans offense, a different quarterback sought that job.Tom Savage wanted to be the starter and thought hed get that opportunity. That changed with the arrival of Osweiler in free agency, but Savage is not pouting about it. In fact, he has tried to help.Coach is going to make decisions, Savage said. Hes got to feed his family as well. Hes going to do whatever he thinks is best for this team. I cant worry about that. I have to go to there and try and make this team as good as possible, and make the team, to be honest with you.Savage is competing to be the backup quarterback, and as he does it, he said he has put any ego completely aside. Hes sharing what he knows with Osweiler and his knowledge has helped the starting quarterback in his quest to learn his new offense quickly. Even without being the starter, Savage is helping to stabilize a position thats been volatile in Houston for several years.It takes a while for that position, coach Bill OBrien said. The only thing Tom needs is an opportunity. Tom is a good football player and hes put a lot of time in to get to where he is right now.Savage came to the Texans as a project, a fourth-round pick, 135th overall, out of Pittsburgh.He backed up Ryan Fitzpatrick and Ryan Mallett during the 2014 season. He played only once, entering a game against the Indianapolis Colts because Fitzpatrick broke his leg. He struggled, and spent the offseason haunted by his performance. Savage also suffered a knee injury in that game.He entered the 2015 offseason ready for another chance, this time backing up Brian Hoyer and Mallett. But Savage suffered a shoulder injury and went on season-ending injured reserve before Week 1.His shoulder actually healed long before the season ended, but injured reserve meant Savage wasnt available. He watched as the Texans needed four different starting quarterbacks to get through the season. And when that season ended with a 30-0 playoff loss to the Kansas City Chieffs, Savage declared his intention to be the Texans starter in 2016.ddddddddddddThey can draft 12 quarterbacks, Savage said in January. I am going to be ready to go. . I am not up there (in the front office). I dont make those decisions. So all I can do is be ready to compete.Two months later, the Texans dealt Savage another blow by signing Osweiler. But when Osweiler invited him to Arizona for a set of player-led workouts with their receivers, Savage didnt hesitate to accept.Im a Houston Texan; I want this team to win, Savage said. So Im going to do whatever I can to help out, whether thats go out there and talk with him, talk some shop, give him little tidbits about the offense, or go out there and play a game.He joined receivers DeAndre Hopkins, Cecil Shorts, Keith Mumphery and Jaelen Strong for workouts at Arizona State. More than any of the receivers could, he helped Osweiler get a head start on the intricacies of the Texans offense.Hes a guy that you want in your corner, Osweiler said. I really cant say enough. Tom is a tremendous teammate.The simple fact that he could help a newcomer showed progress in his understanding of the offense, and that work continues now.Game notes Outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney missed his third consecutive day of practice on Tuesday. Just giving him a couple days off, OBrien said. I wouldnt make too much of it. Clowney has been hampered by injuries since entering the NFL. He had groin surgery in June of 2014, a month after being drafted first overall, then a concussion during that years training camp that caused him to miss two preseason games. He suffered a lateral meniscus tear in the Texans season opener, and that injury required arthroscopic knee surgery and then microfracture surgery. In 2015, Clowney missed games with ankle, back and foot injuries. The foot injury, a Lisfranc sprain, caused him to miss the Texans regular-season finale and their playoff game. ' ' '