FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall rushed to the defense of embattled coach Todd Bowles on Wednesday, claiming Bowles has kept the locker room from fracturing and deserves to return next season.You guys do remember a couple of years ago, he was probably the most coveted coach out there, Marshall said. All of a sudden, he lost it?Bowles has come under fire because the Jets are 3-9, including a 41-10 embarrassment to the Indianapolis Colts on Monday night. Theyve lost four in a row, but the atmosphere remains upbeat, according to Marshall.Marshall knows toxic environments. He played for the 2014 Chicago Bears, which he called the worst environment and worst year Ive ever had. Ever. Ever.You can look at it from the outside and say this is a similar situation, but its not. That whole organization was divided. Thats not the case here. Were together. Were having a bad year. Sometimes years like this build teams to be stronger.The Bears cleaned house after a 5-11 season in 2014, trading Marshall -- seen as one of the problems -- to the Jets. Marshall and the Jets flourished last season, finishing 10-6 in Bowles first year and just missing the playoffs, but theyve encountered tough times.Still, the Bears situation was 100 times worse because their locker room was divided, Marshall said. There was a lot of division. There was division between players and there was division between players and coaches.We dont have that here, he continued. Weve had some tough conversations -- we hold each other accountable -- but were still together, and thats promising.In fact, Marshall and defensive end Sheldon Richardson engaged in a heated locker room argument early in the season. There have been rough moments, but Marshall credited Bowles with maintaining unity.The reason hes still together is because hes real, said Marshall, 32, whose production has waned. Hes a mans man. The best way I can describe Coach is hes a mix between Bill Parcells and Lovie Smith. Those are guys Ive been around -- total opposite ends of the spectrum from the outside, but great guys to play for.Owner Woody Johnson hasnt made any public comments about Bowles future, but sources say he has been supportive behind the scenes. He could be waiting to see how the Jets finish the season. Theyre favored on the road this weekend against the San Francisco 49ers (1-11), who have dropped 11 straight.After benching QB?Ryan Fitzpatrick, Bowles will start the unproven Bryce Petty, who is 0-1 as a starter. Marshall, whose own future is cloudy, preached continuity.Sometimes you blow up stuff and you think its the answer and its not, he said. Marcell Ozuna Cardinals Jersey . The team said Saturday that Lopez was hurt during its 121-120 overtime loss at Philadelphia on Friday. The Nets said they would issue another update next week after consultation with their doctors. Marcell Ozuna Jersey . The news was first reported on Gonzalezs Twitter account and confirmed by the Rockies. Gonzalez has a six-week window before position players have their first workout at spring training in Arizona. http://www.authenticcardinalspro.com/cardinals-steve-carlton-jersey/ . Ouellette, from Montreal, already has three Olympic gold medals since joining the team in 1999. Tim McCarver Cardinals Jersey . Fred Couples, captain of the U.S. side, put it all into perspective. "We know whos in charge," he said. Harrison Bader Jersey . Anthony Davis had 31 points and 17 rebounds in his seventh straight game with more than 20 points, but that was only enough to keep the Pelicans competitive into the final minutes. Andrew Bogut had 10 points and 15 rebounds for Golden State, which rebounded from a loss a night earlier in Oklahoma City and snapped a two-game skid.ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Cardinals are making the best of the All-Star break with outfielder Matt Holliday, who they believe just needs a little more time to recover from a strained hamstring. Holliday was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Saturday, retroactive to July 12. The No. 3 hitter had already missed four games after getting hurt running to first on July 11 at Chicago. "It was that missing 10-20 per cent where he still felt a little something," manager Mike Matheny said. "We just had too many things going in our favour, all the time thats already passed, the break, a day off on Monday." Matheny didnt want to risk keeping Holliday active to pinch hit, knowing players have a hard time throttling back. "If its a big run, its the last out of the game, when you kick it in geaar and you might be safe and we win, how do you not?" Matheny said.dddddddddddd The team purchased the contract of first baseman/outfielder Brock Peterson, a Pacific Coast League All-Star at Triple-A Memphis, in time for Saturday nights game against the Padres. Carlos Beltran batted third. The 33-year-old Holliday, a career .310 hitter, is batting .268 with 13 home runs and 47 RBIs. The 29-year-old Peterson was batting .306 and led the PCL with 22 homers to go with 66 RBIs in 93 games at Memphis and is making his major league debut. "His eyes are spinning a little bit now, and rightfully so," Matheny said. "Hes very excited and its just a great story. But nothings been given to him, hes had a tremendous season and I think hell fit in well with what were looking to do." ' ' '
