efense. In 2016, having a lousy defense sounds to Chiefs fan

MIAMI -- On Monday,?Ichiro Suzuki?donated the jersey, cleats, arm guard and batting gloves he wore while becoming the 30th player in the history of Major League Baseball to reach 3,000 hits.?The president of the Baseball Hall of Fame was the grateful recipient of Suzukis gear. When the exchange concluded, the two men bowed to each other, a fitting gesture to celebrate the bridge from Suzukis native Japan to Cooperstown.Suzuki began building that bridge when he came to the major leagues as a 27-year-old rookie in 2001. Three-thousand hits later, hes a memorabilia-making machine.The Suzuki collection at the Hall of Fame numbered more than two dozen items even before his triple Sunday at Colorado, where he became the first Japanese player to reach 3,000 hits. When he and his teammates returned to Marlins Park to begin a homestand, Hall of Fame president Jeff Idelson was there to collect additional Suzuki souvenirs.Jeff asked me about the stuff, Suzuki said through an interpreter. I was happy to give it to him. I have an agreement with Jeff that when I die, all of my stuff is going to go to Jeff and the Hall of Fame.Suzuki, a baseball history buff, has visited Cooperstown six times.There is no current player Ive encountered who has as deep an appreciation of baseball history as Ichiro, Idelson said. This is a guy who understands his place in history. Because of that, as a sport and as a country, were all the richer.While Major League Baseball celebrated Suzukis achievement, it was even bigger news back home. Several dozen reporters and photographers from Japan had been logging lots of air miles following their nations most famous athlete as he approached the milestone and subsequently went into a slump.With the triple in Denver -- only his second hit in 17 at-bats since July 29 -- he said his overriding emotion was relief that so many of his countrymen would be reunited with their families.For the last couple of weeks, there have been a lot of members of the media following me, Suzuki said. Im just so happy they can go back to their homes now.Suzukis characteristically humble attitude regarding his achievement transcended the language barrier. When asked to name the most famous person to congratulate him on 3,000 hits, he responded in English.Justin Bour, he said, drawing laughter.Bour, the Marlins rotund first baseman, is famous mostly in his own family but expressed gratitude for the recognition from Suzuki.I think hes just trying to make me feel better after he blasted me yesterday for being fat, Bour said.Suzuki, Bour and the Marlins are in playoff contention for a change. Miami hasnt been to the postseason since 2003, and Suzuki has made it only twice in his 16-year career.Small things turn into big things, he said. I hope our team can continue to do the small things and theyll turn into big things.Meticulous preparation is a Suzuki hallmark, and he spoke at a news conference more than four hours before Mondays game already in uniform. That included sunglasses atop the bill of his cap, even though he was going to be playing indoors at night.While ready for action, he was in need of a new bat. Suzuki put aside the one that produced the historic triple, one of the few mementoes he has kept.I really dont have much, he said. Most of it is in my home in Seattle. Its something I think Ill enjoy once I become a grandpa.At 42, hes old enough to start thinking about grandchildren -- and retirement. He has often said he wants to play until at least 50, but he sidestepped that subject Monday, saying hes taking it one at-bat at time.With Suzukis help, even baseball cliches have gone global. Mike Daniels Packers Jersey . -- About a third of the way through the regular season, the Washington Wizards are at . Elgton Jenkins Womens Jersey . Vokoun departed practice on Saturday morning after discovering swelling in his thigh. He was taken to a local hospital where the clot was revealed. The club announced the surgery following a 5-3 exhibition loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. http://www.packersrookiestore.com/Packers-Rashan-Gary-Jersey/ . Ivanovic was leading 7-5, 1-0 when Hantuchova withdrew after falling 0-40 behind in the second game. The match started slowly for Ivanovic, who surrendered her first two serves as Hantuchova took a 5-3 lead. Mike Daniels Jersey . This should be celebrated because it will not always be this way. With the amount of money given to players by their clubs these days, it is a wonder that so many of those teams allow the sport to continue to take away many of their assets so they can play for a different team in the middle of their season. Paul Hornung Packers Jersey . -- Jimmie Johnson held off a teammate, passed a pair of Hall of Famers, and dominated once more at Dover. Noise-canceling headphones for the Packers. A bottle of Geritol for the Jets.?A time machine for the Bears and Titans. NFL Nation reporters pick out Black Friday?presents for all 32 teams.NFC East | NFC North | NFC South | NFC West AFC East | AFC North | AFC South | AFC WestNFC EASTDallas CowboysA new pass-rusher.Every team would like one, but the Cowboys are in desperate need, even if some assembly is required. For years the Cowboys had DeMarcus Ware, who turned into the franchise leader in sacks. Every time they broke the huddle, offenses had to account for No. 94. Without that dominant pass-rusher, offenses dont need to put extra attention on any of Dallas pass-rushers. The Cowboys would wait in line for a long time and start some sort of in-store scuffle to get that pass-rusher. If they dont make a playoff run, that will be their downfall. -- Todd ArcherNew York GiantsA 2011 postseason handbook for the entire team.The Giants were a wild-card team in 11. They had a bad running game and an offensive line that wasnt very good. All they did was put it together in the postseason and win the Super Bowl. Odell Beckham Jr. and the other 47 Giants who werent on that team would benefit from learning how its done. -- Jordan RaananPhiladelphia EaglesAn air horn.This is to be set off next to coach Doug Pederson for every pass play he calls beyond the 35 mark. He knows the winning formula requires this team to pound the rock and eat up clock, but sometimes he allows the situation to move him away from the plan despite the fact that the Eagles have been competitive in every game theyve played. Rookie quarterback Carson Wentz has averaged 45 pass attempts over the teams past three losses. In the teams five wins, he has averaged 33 attempts. Sometimes, a little reminder is all you need. -- Tim McManusWashington RedskinsAn ATM.That way the Redskins can re-sign quarterback Kirk Cousins without any excuses (well, there is that pesky salary cap and that ultimately is the key factor, but lets not ruin a good gift here). The Redskins are being prudent knowing theyll have other key free agents to sign not only this offseason but next. Cant blame them. But since becoming the starter to open the 2015 season, Cousins has thrown for a combined 46 touchdowns to 19 interceptions. Those are numbers that should lead to a big deal for any passer, even one who is surrounded by excellent talent. Cousins has probably played as well as he ever has in the past five games. Its not about the touchdowns -- 10 to two interceptions -- its his handling of the protection and audibles that has pleased coaches most. And led to more success. -- John KeimNFC NORTHChicago BearsDoc Emmett Browns DeLorean time machine from Back to the Future.The entire city of Chicago wants the 2016 season to be over. The 2-8 Bears are poised to miss the playoffs for the sixth straight year, and nine seasons out of 10. Maybe if the team jumps ahead to 2020 or 2025, the Bears will discover theyre perennial playoff contenders. If any franchise needs a time machine -- besides the Browns -- its the Bears. -- Jeff DickersonDetroit LionsSome of the Cubs and Cavs fairy dust.This has been the year of the beleaguered franchises finally winning titles (or in the Indians case, making the World Series). Few franchises in the NFL have been worse in the Super Bowl era than the Lions, with one playoff win since the modern-day NFL was constructed and no divisional titles since the 1993 season. Detroit has had the knack for the comeback this season, and while it doesnt have a LeBron James or an Anthony Rizzo, it has put itself ?in position to make a run for the playoffs. The Lions could use some of what pushed the Cubs and Cavs to a title to help them achieve success (A divisional title? A playoff win? More?) similar to what their fellow Midwestern cities have enjoyed. -- Michael RothsteinGreen Bay PackersNoise-canceling headphones.A pair for general manager Ted Thompson, coach Mike McCarthy, quarterback Aaron Rodgers and defensive coordinator Dom Capers. That way they wont have to hear the criticism, or white noise as Rodgers called it, that has been -- and likely will continue to be -- directed their way this season. -- Rob DemovskyMinnesota VikingsA refund on their plan to fix the offensive line this year.Pay it out however youd like -- the return of an injured tackle like Matt Kalil, or a credit to their salary-cap space -- but because the Vikings have more than $30 million of their salary cap on injured reserve, theyre currently left with less than $500,000 to improve the roster. It was part of the reason making a trade for a veteran tackle would have been difficult at the deadline, and after the Vikings spent much of the offseason addressing the line, injuries have put them in worse shape this year than they were in last season. -- Ben GoesslingNFC SOUTHAtlanta FalconsFifty-three bottles of 5-Hour Energy.This is so the Falcons dont fall asleep down the stretch en route to the playoffs. A streak of three consecutive seasons without making the playoffs should end if the Falcons simply take care of business at home over the last six games. They lead the NFC South at 6-4 and are on track for a home playoff game. Dont blow it. -- Vaughn McClureCarolina PanthersA yearlong supply of Brylcreem.Remember? A little dab will do you. The Panthers need the magic they had a year ago when quarterback Cam Newton made the dab the talk of the NFL if they hope to get on the roll needed for a return to the playoffs. The Atlanta-based dance wont win games, but if the Panthers start playing loose like they did when they dabbed through the regular season with a 15-1 record it cant hurt. It especially cant hurt Newton, who has thrown only three touchdown passes in his past four games. -- David NewtonNew Orleans SaintsHelium-filled footballs for field goals and extra points.The 4-6 Saints have now lost three games that can directly be linked to blocked kicks: a blocked field goal returned for a touchdown in a 16-13 loss at the Giants in Week 2, an extra-point attempt returned for the game-winning two-point conversion in a 25-23 loss to the Broncos in Week 10, and a blocked field goal that set up a 40-yard touchdown pass before halftime of last weeks 23-20 loss to the Panthers. The Saints brought in a new veteran special teams coach this week, but they need all the help they can get. -- Mike TriplettTampa Bay BuccaneersA compass.The Bucs need one because they are 4-1 on the road and 1-4 at home this season, and they clearly need to be reminded of where home turf actually is. It isnt just this season, either. The Bucs are 18-43 at home since 2009, the worst such record in the NFL during that span. While youre at it, and this is a special request coming from several Bucs fans -- get Jameis Winston a recording of the Florida State Seminoles war chant to play at Raymond James Stadium, because when he heard the chop chant at Arrowhead Stadium last week, he said it got him fired up on third down, and he went 12-of-15 on third down, while fellow former Seminole?Roberto Aguayo made all four field goals. -- Jenna LaineNFC WESTArizona CardinalsThe 2015 offense.It was the best in the NFL, led by an excellent Carson Palmer. His performance last season, in which he set career highs in yards and touchdowns, earned him an MVP vote. He was also throwing to a wide receiving corps that played to its talent level. Larry Fitzgerald set a career high with 109 catches and had 1,000 yards for the first time since 2011, John Brown broke 1,000 yards and Michael Floyd?finished the season with five 100-yard games in his final eight. The offense was ranked No. 1 in yards per game, yards per play and passing yards per play. This year its ranked ninth, 22nd and 23rd in those respective categories, which has led to the Cardinals going 4-5-1 through 10 games and not living up to the Super Bowl hype that started the season. -- Josh WeinfussLos Angeles RamsA massage chair for Todd Gurley.Sharper Image has some really great massage chairs, one of which even features foot-and-calf massager and dual lumbar heating units. Lets get one for the Rams star running back. The poor guy has been taking a beating in his second NFL season. Gurley has the misfortune of being the feature running back for a team with an inferior offensive line that is having a hard time blocking defenses that are stacking the box to stop him. He is averaging only 1.59 rushing yards before first contact, which ranks 41st among 43 qualified runners. Those muscles need tending to. -- Alden GonzalezSan Francisco 49ersA DVD box set of the old ESPN television show Playmakers.The show ended after one season, but it had 11 entertaining episodes, and everyone knows the Niners could use about that many playmakers on their roster right about now, not to mention some entertainment for their fans. San Franciscos roster is mostly devoid of game-changing players, with a serious need for pass-rushers, wide receivers and a quarterback, among other positions. Since the pursuit of actual plaaymakers will have to wait until the offseason, maybe the show can at least get the Niners through the final six games.dddddddddddd-- Nick WagonerSeattle SeahawksNeck pillows.Really big neck pillows. The Seahawks will make one of the longest trips an NFL team can make this weekend when they travel to Tampa to take on the Buccaneers. On the season, the Seahawks will travel the third-most miles (27,766) of any team in the league. But so far, theyve had positive results on the long trips. Pete Carrolls team lost to the Saints in New Orleans but played two of its best games of the season when traveling east to face the Jets and the Patriots. With a strong finish, the Seahawks can earn a top-two seed in the NFC and minimize their travel in the postseason. -- Sheil KapadiaAFC EASTBuffalo BillsFuzzy Bills slippers for Sammy Watkins.After he returned to practice Wednesday after weeks on injured reserve, the Bills could use Watkins help as they attempt to climb in the AFC standings and sneak into the playoffs. Watkins left foot has been a source of frustration for Bills fans since he underwent surgery in the spring, and a pair of slippers would surely go a long way to keeping him comfortable and pain-free moving forward. -- Mike RodakMiami DolphinsMore national recognition.This is an easy gift for the Dolphins, and it doesnt cost a thing. Miami has been a nice, under-the-radar story for more than a month during its five-game winning streak. The team isnt getting nearly the same national publicity as other hot teams such as the Cowboys, Patriots, Seahawks or Raiders, however. The Dolphins are playing just as well as those teams, but without the fanfare. -- James WalkerNew England PatriotsResistance bands for every player.Before almost every game, quarterback Tom Brady goes through the same routine of using resistance bands to loosen up, and it has seemed to make him faster and more elusive, even at age 39. One can picture it now: a full team resistance-band workout before each game, with Brady leading the way. -- Mike ReissNew York JetsA bottle of Geritol.This is for the old guys -- specifically, the old guys who arent playing up to their standards. Were talking about quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (34), wide receiver Brandon Marshall (32) and cornerback Darrelle Revis (31). They were deemed three of the most important players at the start of the season. From a production standpoint, theyre all suffering through their worst seasons, especially Revis. -- Rich CiminiAFC NORTHBaltimore RavensIndustrial-grade duct tape.This will help the Ravens hold together a banged-up offensive line. Four of five starters have missed at least one game due to injury, and the Ravens have had different lineups for seven straight games. It has gotten so bad that Pro Bowl left guard Marshal Yanda has shifted to right guard because it will allow him to be most effective with a left shoulder injury. The injuries along the offensive line are a big reason for the Ravens struggles to run the ball and protect quarterback Joe Flacco. -- Jamison HensleyCincinnati BengalsA copy of The Replacements.Quarterback Shane Falco was nicknamed Footsteps for his tendency to run from pressure to avoid being sacked. Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton has been sacked 29 times this season. He might want to give the movie a look to avoid the same mistakes. Plus, with A.J. Green out for an unknown period of time, Giovani Bernard out for the season, and Dre Kirkpatrick and Shawn Williams dealing with injuries, the movie might not be so bad to watch. -- Katherine TerrellCleveland BrownsTheir old uniforms.Its one thing to be 0-11. Its quite another to jettison 50 years of a traditional look and then go 0-11. Check the longtime traditional NFL teams -- the Bears, Packers, Steelers and Giants. Do they overhaul their look? -- Pat McManamonPittsburgh SteelersSweatin to the Oldies: The Complete Collection.The Steelers are ranked 21st in total defense, so its time to call up Richard Simmons to channel the old days when Pittsburgh was the NFLs best. The Steelers can have every volume for their library. Clearly this is the best motivation for a playoff push. Even James Harrison agrees. -- Jeremy FowlerAFC SOUTHHouston TexansThis ones for the entire league -- a new way to measure first downs.In the Texans loss to the Raiders on Monday night, there were two questionable spots/measurements that went against Houston in the fourth quarter. Both appeared to be first downs, and even though the Texans challenged the fourth-down play, the call stood. After the game, coach Bill OBrien said, Weve got all these cameras. We cant get that right? Perhaps a chip in the football could help the NFL get some of those calls right. Those calls were made in a tied game in the fourth quarter, and had the Texans won, they would have been 7-3 with playoff tiebreakers against the Raiders and Chiefs. -- Sarah BarshopIndianapolis ColtsAn unlimited supply of Adam Vinatieris diet for older defenders.Whatever the 43-year-old kicker is eating and drinking is clearly working -- he has missed only one field goal attempt since Week 2 of the 2015 season. Now its time for Vinatieri to share the wealth. The Colts have five defensive starters over the age of 30, and they need to step up during the final six games if Indianapolis expects to catch the Texans in the AFC South. The Colts rank 30th in the NFL in total defense. -- Mike WellsJacksonville JaguarsA GPS unit. Maybe it would help quarterback Blake Bortles do a better job of finding his receivers. His completion percentage is actually better this season (60.2 percent) than it was in either of his first two seasons, but hes still missing receivers by significant margins at times. Hes just 1-for-13 on passes that have traveled 30 or more yards in the air and most of those passes havent been close. He also has had trouble finding guys on crossing patterns. He has consistently thrown behind receivers, and three interceptions have come off passes that Marqise Lee had to reach behind him to try to catch and tipped. -- Mike DiRoccoTennessee TitansThe same time machine the Bears got, but this one to go back, not ahead.If the Titans could just redo Oct. 23, when the injury-depleted Colts came to Nashville. Marcus Mariota holds on to the ball when he drops back with 1:55 left in the game down four points rather than letting defensive tackle T.Y. McGill pop the ball from his hands and watching Robert Mathis recover it for a 14-yard touchdown. The Titans end their losing streak to the Colts at nine. Surgically remove, repair and reinsert that game and leave everything else alone, and the Titans are 6-5, in second place and just behind 6-4 Houston right now. -- Paul KuharskyAFC WESTDenver BroncosA boxed set of Titanic DVDs -- with bonus features.The No. 1 film at the box office in 1998 brings along memories of the Broncos offensive line play that season. They carved out enough room for Terrell Davis to top 2,000 yards rushing and win a league MVP award in 1998. The Broncos have struggled in the offensive front for most of this season and in many ways it is the single biggest reason some in the league say the team cant repeat as Super Bowl champions. -- Jeff LegwoldKansas City ChiefsTheir offense from 2003.That Chiefs team set a club record in scoring with 484 points, or more than 30.0 per game. Thirty points is a dream for the 2016 Chiefs. Theyve reached that level only twice this season, once when starting quarterback Alex Smith missed half of the game because of an injury. The Chiefs are wasting a potentially successful season because theyre dragging an offense that has trouble converting on third downs and is horrible in the red zone. The 2003 Chiefs met their doom in the playoffs because of a lousy defense. In 2016, having a lousy defense sounds to Chiefs fans like a good problem to have. -- Adam TeicherOakland RaidersAn answer about?Aldon Smiths reinstatement.The outside linebackers yearlong suspension ended Nov. 17, but the Raiders are waiting on the final word from commissioner Roger Goodell. Coach Jack Del Rio talked with Goodell briefly on the field Monday night in Mexico City but said that subject did not come up. With six games to go for the 8-2 and first-place Raiders, Smith would add an intriguing element to Oaklands pass rush, so long as he has his personal life in order. But the Raiders would love to know, one way or another, whether or not the former All-Pro will be with them for a playoff push. -- Paul GutierrezSan Diego ChargersA jar of Stickum.The Chargers are tied for the league lead with 22 turnovers, including 10 in the fourth quarter. San Diegos inability to hold on to the football is one of the primary reasons the Chargers are 6-15 in games decided by eight or fewer points since the start of the 2015 season. The Chargers need some help holding on to the football, and a little Stickum could do the trick. -- Eric D. Williams ' ' '