Taylor Hall has five goals and four assists for nine points

INDIANAPOLIS -- Michael Sam needed no introduction. Dixon Machado Jersey . He provided one anyway, subtly spelling out his desire to be known simply as a football player whose sexuality isnt a national story. "Good afternoon. My name is Michael Sam. I play football for the University of Missouri," he said to commence his first public appearance since announcing hes gay. Sam smiled and laughed often during a 12 1/2-minute news conference at Lucas Oil Stadium, looking relaxed, jovial and confident while taking questions from the hundreds of reporters surrounding the podium. Despite credentials that include the Southeastern Conference co-defensive player of the year award, Sam is projected only as a mid-round pick in the draft in May. Hes 6-foot-2 and 260 pounds, falling somewhere between a defensive end in a 4-3 scheme and an outside linebacker in a 3-4 system. Where he winds up, Sam said he doesnt care. "Im a pass rusher. If you put me in a situation to get the quarterback, Im going to get the quarterback. Whoever coaches or GMs, this league is a passing league. Id like to believe in myself as a good pass rusher," Sam said. Hes not worried about being accepted, either, in light of the bullying scandal that emerged in Miami. "If the Miami Dolphins drafted me I would be excited to be a part of that organization," Sam said. "But Im not afraid of going into that environment. I know how to handle myself. I know how to communicate with my teammates. I know how to communicate with the coaches and other staff I need to communicate with." Mostly, Sam wants to communicate this: "I just wish you guys would just see me as Michael Sam the football player instead of Michael Sam the gay football player." His former Missouri teammates certainly did. "Hes happy with who he is. He doesnt shy away from who he is. Mike Sam has got a lot of personality. Hes a great guy. Hes not going to be any different than who he is every day," said wide receiver LDamian Washington, one of several ex-Tigers stars here for the NFLs annual scouting combine. If Sam were to slip down the draft board, determining a bias against his orientation or a fear of the potential distraction would be near impossible. If teams pass on him, theyre likely unsure how his combination of size and speed fits with their defence. "You only need one team. One team that believes in you. Theres 32 teams. You need one team," Washington said. Coaches and executives around the league were asked often this weekend for their thoughts on how Sam would fit, both on the field and in the locker room. "He would be welcomed, no different than any other player we have," New York Jets coach Rex Ryan said, adding: "The big thing we always talk about is respect in our locker room." Omar Infante Jersey .Best moustache: How can we not give this to Lanny McDonald? Check out the duster for yourself. Willie Horton Jersey . - While a fast-paced offence has become more of a fixture in recent years, the San Antonio Spurs can still grind out games when needed. http://www.tigersgearshop.com/Customized/ . LeBron James and Chris Bosh didnt need any more. Williams scored 11 points in 10 minutes, Alan Anderson scored 17 points, and the Brooklyn Nets finished the exhibition season with a 108-87 win over the Miami Heat on Friday night.The Winnipeg Jets and Edmonton Oilers conclude a three game regular season series this afternoon with a 1:00 ct face off at MTS Centre. You can catch all of the action live on TSN Radio 1290. The Jets were 5-4 winners on October 1, while the Oilers took a 6-2 decision on December 23. Taylor Hall leads the Oilers with one goal and three assists in those games, while Dustin Byfuglien tops the Jets with four assists. Michael Frolik has a pair of goals. Edmontons power play has scored four goals on 13 attempts in those two games, good for a mark of 31 per cent efficiency. The Jets(21-23-5) sit seventh in the Central Division with 47 points and trail the Vancouver Canucks and Minnesota Wild by 10 points for a Western Conference Wild Card playoff spot. Ondrej Pavelec (13-19-4, 3.05, .899) is expected to start his fifth-consecutive game in goal. He has won his last two starts allowing just three goals against. Jets Projected Lines: Forwards: Ladd-Little-Frolik Thorburn-Scheifele-Wheeler Setoguchi-Jokinen-Byfuglien Wright-ODell-Peluso Defence: Bogosian-Enstrrom Stuart-Trouba Pardy-Ellerby Today marks Dustin Byfugliens 500th NHL game. Victor Martinez Jersey. . He is on a four-game point streak with two goals and four assists.Bryan Little is on a three-game point streak, tallying two goals and three assists, while Olli Jokinen has scored in back-to-back games. The Oilers(15-30-5) also sit seventh in their Pacific Division with 35 points. They are on a three-game losing skid after dropping a 4-1 decision in Minnesota to the Wild on Thursday night. Edmonton is winless in their last six road games (0-5-1.) Ilya Bryzgalov (3-7-2, 3.27, .902) will start in goal. Oilers Projected Lines: Forwards: Hall-Nugent Hopkins-Eberle Perron-Gagner-Jones Smyth-Gordon-Hendricks Gazdic-Arcobello-Joensuu Defence: Ference-J. Schultz N. Schultz-Belov Petry-Marincin In four games lifetime against the Thrashers/Jets, Taylor Hall has five goals and four assists for nine points. Following todays game, the Jets prepare for a two-game road trip to California which starts Tuesday in Anaheim against the high-flying Ducks. 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