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TAMPA, Fla. -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter admitted Monday that he was disappointed wide receiver Mike Evans chose to sit during the national anthem before Sundays game to protest Donald Trumps election as president of the United States.Yeah, Im disappointed for that, Koetter said. I also respect Mikes freedom of speech and freedom of expression.Koetter said he was adopting the same stance he took when asked in August how he would react if one of his players protested in similar fashion to Colin Kaepernick. He even read the same statement when he addressed the media Monday.Believe it or not, we have practiced how to line up for the national anthem. Weve worked on it. I dont know if our organization has the right to tell a guy that he needs to do that, Koetter said in his statement. I would be disappointed if any of our players didnt stand up for the national anthem, personally. I look at that as a salute to the people who have paved the way for us, but at the same time, this is a free country, and I think freedom of speech is something that we all believe in and freedom of expression. Thats an individuals choice. Thats a fine line there. I would personally be disappointed, but I think it would be hard to enforce that rule.He also said he supported the statement the Buccaneers put out Sunday night.The Buccaneers are deeply committed to the military and honoring the great men and women that have dedicated their lives and have made great sacrifices to insure all the tremendous freedoms we have in this great country, the statement said. We encourage all members of our organization to respectfully honor our flag during the playing of the national anthem. We also recognize every individuals constitutional right to freedom of speech, which is crucial to the American principles we cherish.Koetter was not aware that Evans was planning to protest before the game.I didnt know about this until after the game, Koetter said. It didnt come up in front of me in the locker room. By the time I was aware of this, most of the players were showered and mostly gone, and players are off today.He has not yet spoken to any of the players about it. After the game, Evans and Koetter exchanged text messages, and they plan to talk more Wednesday. He isnt sure if other players will join Evans protest in the future. Evans said he would continue to protest as long as Trump is the President-elect. Koetter said hell do his best to minimize any distractions caused by it.I hope it doesnt affect our team, Koetter said. Thats something Ill take whatever measures I think are necessary to try to minimize what effect it has on our team. Im really not sure. This is uncharted water for me. Im not sure about any of that.A number of fans have voiced their displeasure on social media and have even threatened to boycott the team, particularly because of the timing of the protest. The day featured a military flyover, a performance of the national anthem by the 82nd Airborne and a halftime enlistment ceremony featuring 180 recruits. Tampa is home to MacDill Airforce Base and more than 12,000 active-duty service members.Evans emphasized Sunday that his protest was not about the military but was purely about Trump.I dont want to disrespect the veterans or anything, Evans said. The men and women that served this country -- Im forever indebted to them. But the things that have been going on in America lately, Im not going to stand for that. Custom Bucks Jerseys . Jordan Lynch, the all-purpose Heisman Trophy finalist from Northern Illinois, failed to make it into that exclusive club. Cheap Bucks Jerseys . LOUIS -- Lance Lynn was one of the more enthusiastic participants as the St. http://www.custombucksjersey.com/ . But when it comes to determining if Raymond will find a place on the Leafs roster when training camp concludes in a week, well, that decision will ultimately fall to the head coach. Oscar Robertson Jersey Large . Bryzgalov stopped 25 shots on Saturday in the Oklahoma City Barons 4-1 victory over the Abbotsford Heat. The Oilers signed Bryzgalov to a one-year $2 million contract last Friday after shedding payroll by dealing defenceman Ladislav Smid to the Flames. Wholesale Custom Bucks Shirts . The Vikings announced Thursday that Priefer will be one of seven holdovers from the previous staff, along with offensive line coach Jeff Davidson, wide receivers coach George Stewart and others. Norv Turner will mark his 30th year of coaching in the NFL as the offensive co-ordinator, as widely reported for weeks, and George Edwards will be the defensive co-ordinator. THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- With a powerful defense leading an offense thats doing just enough to win, the Los Angeles Rams are off to a 3-1 start in their homecoming season.They arent blowing their own horns just yet, however.Coach Jeff Fisher mostly noticed the Rams problems Monday when he re-watched a gritty 17-13 victory in Arizona. Los Angeles is on just the third three-game winning streak in the past decade for a long-struggling franchise, but Fisher sees nobody getting happy on his unlikely first-place team.You have to take a hard look at it, and we did, Fisher said. We still have a lot of room for improvement offensively and defensively. Too many big plays (given up) defensively. Struggles versus the run. Lack of a run game offensively, and then an inability to go get points when we got around midfield. The players understand it. They were very receptive today about where we are.But the latest victory clearly was satisfying to Fisher because it came at the expense of the rival Cardinals, last seasons NFC West champions. The move from Missouri to California didnt make anyone forget that Arizona coach Bruce Arians has jabbed at the Rams in past seasons, calling them a team that is always 8-8 and that team we dont like.Fisher confirmed telling his players in the locker room that Sundays victory was an early Christmas present for the Cardinals (1-3), who will visit the Coliseum on New Years Day for a rematch in the regular season finale.I was complimenting the players. I wanted them to know what a big win it was, Fisher said dryly. Oftentimes, Coach Arians is complimenting his players from the same perspective, so we just wanted to let them know that this is a great win for us, so well see them after Christmas. Merry Christmas.And while praising the coaching staff of the Buffalo Bills, their next opponent, Fisher appeared to slip in a sly shot at the Cards.(Buffalo is) a well-coached team, Fisher said. They play good special teams. Theyre into special teams, unlike some of the other teams weve faced.Fisher didnt specify which teams, but the Cardinals have had a series of special-teams calamities this season. Los Angeles Tavon Austin returned ann Arizona punt 47 yards and drew a facemask penalty with 5:09 to play Sunday, putting the Rams in position for Brian Quicks go-ahead touchdown reception.ddddddddddddThe Rams special teams have been practically flawless during their first 3-1 start since 2006, and they have finished all three games with big defensive plays, including Trumaine Johnsons game-ending interception in the end zone in Arizona.Fisher sees those narrow escapes as reasons for concern, but also signs of improvement.Its not easy, but around the league, there are some good teams that dont have the same record we do, Fisher said. Finding ways to win at the end is very important. It carries you a long way.Fisher also has no concerns about Todd Gurley, who has 216 yards rushing in the Rams first four games. He sees overall flaws in the Rams running game, not in the Rookie of the Years approach.The line of scrimmage was full of Cardinals yesterday, and we knew that, Fisher said. Thats why we made our plays down the field. But were close. Hes healthy. Hes going good. Were just going to put a good plan together this week.The Bills (2-2) visit Sunday for the second of the Rams two games at the Coliseum over the first eight weeks of the NFL season. Even with so few opportunities to make a good impression on their home fans, theyve still got the town talking.Were looking forward to being home, said Fisher, whose team still must travel to Detroit and London this month. Its been a while.Game notes The Rams had no major postgame injury concerns, Fisher said. Backup RB Benny Cunningham felt much better after injuring his hamstring Sunday. ... Fisher praised the special-teams play of rookies Marqui Christian and Temarrick Hemingway. Christian, a fifth-round draft pick by Arizona this year, was waived by the Cardinals last week. What an experience for him from that standpoint, to have been on the other sideline last week and come over and have a chance to have an impact on special teams, Fisher said.---AP NFL websites: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '