claimed, which Maker laughed off with customary dignity and poise.T

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The Washington Redskins come to the desert with their offense in high gear, just like the Arizona Cardinals used to be.On Sunday, Washington faces a troubled Cardinals squad languishing deep in the standings at 4-6-1.Despite their 31-26 Thanksgiving Day loss to Dallas, the Redskins (6-4-1) lead the crowded competition for the NFCs No. 2 wild-card spot.We have a lot of different weapons on our team that can really contribute, Washington coach Jay Gruden said, and our offensive line is doing an excellent job ... Our quarterback is more comfortable in the system, were keeping him in favorable down and distances, and a lot of players are stepping up to make plays.Sounds a lot like what coach Bruce Arians used to say last year about his 13-3 Cardinals.These days, words like selfishness and accountability creep into the conversation. Arians also didnt like the teams level of` `physicality in its 38-19 loss at Atlanta last Sunday. And he said he was disappointed the teams leaders didnt lead better.Its not the first time Arians has publicly called out his players, although this time he didnt name names.Thats why we love him, Cardinals defensive back Tyrann Mathieu said. Hes critical, hes honest. He speaks how he feels.Mathieu is doubtful for Sunday due to a shoulder injury that sidelined him two of the last three games.Arizonas 2015 All-Pro cornerback Patrick Peterson said the players held a meeting where veterans reminded younger players that this is not the time to check out and start thinking about the offseason.As for the coachs criticism of the veterans, Peterson said, No comment.Arians expects the players to heed his criticism.They usually respond very well, he said. If they dont, youve got a problem. Weve never had any problem with guys responding.The Redskins will be without standout tight end Jordan Reed due to a shoulder injury, but have plenty of other targets for quarterback Kirk Cousins, so many that Peterson wont zero in on one receiver as he often does.The Cardinals have won 10, 11 and 13 games in Arians three seasons. If the Redskins win Sunday, it will be Arizonas first three-game losing streak in Arians time in Arizona.Here are some things to consider when the Redskins meet the Cardinals for the 122nd time in a series that dates to 1932:FITZGERALDS STATS: Larry Fitzgerald keeps climbing among the elite receivers of the game.He has 1,096 receptions and needs seven catches to move past good friend Cris Carter and Marvin Harrison into third on the NFL career list. Fitzgerald has caught a pass in 190 consecutive games, the third-longest streak in NFL history.And its not like his skills are diminishing. Fitzgerald is second in the league in receptions with 78, four behind leader Antonio Brown.NORMAN VS. FITZGERALD: Redskins All-Pro cornerback Josh Norman knows its a different challenge every week, from the Steelers Brown to the Cowboys Dez Bryant and Giants Odell Beckham Jr. On Sunday, its Fitzgerald, a big receiver who ratchets up the physicality.Hes aggressive, Norman said. As physical as a defensive back would be, hes aggressive on offense. He wants contact. He wants to get after you and block you. He wants to make that hard catch. Hes been doing that for years.PONCE DE DAVIS: Redskins tight end Vernon Davis is enjoying a career renaissance in his 11th NFL season at age 32 with 31 catches for 450 yards and two touchdowns.Even after the 49ers traded him and the Broncos didnt re-sign him, Davis never lost hope in his abilities because his speed was still there.Every phase of your life and your career youll face adversity, Davis said. You just have to know how to deal with it, and through it all you have to be optimistic. You have to be optimistic, keep your chin up, head held high and just keep going, keep moving forward.STILL A CHANCE? Mathematically, the Cardinals are still in the hunt for a playoff berth, even though their recent play wouldnt warrant that. Maybe this team has some hidden win streak in it.Everything just isnt coming together for us this year, Mathieu said. At the end of the day, weve got to find a way to win one football game. Its not really about going to the playoffs or anything like that. Weve just got to find a way to win one football game.---AP sports writer Stephen Whyno contributed to this report.---More AP NFL coverage: http://pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL Fake Nike Air Max China .Y. -- Injured Buffalo Sabres forward Marcus Foligno did not practice with the team Monday and head coach Ron Rolston said its unlikely hell play in Wednesdays season opener in Detroit. Nike Air Max Discount . -- Josh Sterk scored once and set up two more as the Oshawa Generals edged the visiting Belleville Bulls 3-2 on Friday in Ontario Hockey League action. https://www.fakeairmaxwholesale.com/ . With his new coach and six-time Grand Slam singles champion Boris Becker watching him during an official match for the first time, Djokovic appeared tentative early against the Slovakian player, who often appeared content to keep the ball in play. Wholesale Nike Air Max . -- Brandon Jennings made the most of his first game with the Detroit Pistons on Sunday night. Fake Nike Air Max . On Mar. 16, coming off a "fight of the year" performance at UFC 154 the previous November, St-Pierre faced Nick Diaz at UFC 158 in what would be his eighth defence of the welterweight title. Using his superior athleticism, St-Pierre cruised to a five round, unanimous decision victory setting up a much-anticipated title defence against number one contender Johny Hendricks. Thon Maker has had to fight his whole life, and the No. 10 NBA draft pick has done it his own way.Even as a toddler in Sudan, he rallied against extreme adversity. At five years of age, Maker and his family fled the civil war, spending a year in Uganda before being accepted as refugees in Australia, settling down in Perth.Life was -- as it is for most refugees who flee conflicts and hardships to settle in strange lands - tough. Initially, the youngster found his refuge in soccer before a basketball talent scout and social worker named Edward Smith intervened, encouraging the incredibly athletic, fiercely driven young man to move to Sydney to pursue his dream of playing in the NBA.As Makers frame and dream grew bigger, he and Smith soon made an even bigger move, relocating to the U.S. where Maker soon wowed basketball scouts and fans alike with his burgeoning mix of athleticism, skills, flare and hardworking attitude.The towering 7-foot-1 colossus seemed to have the basketball world at his feet if he remained in the U.S and continued his natural improvement. But Maker had other ideas, moving to Canada in 2014 to attend Orangeville Preps Athlete Institute.The decision was heavily scrutinised by many in the basketball industry, but Maker didnt think twice, confident his way was the right way.The surprises didnt end there, though.On the verge of a college career - the easiest path for young stars to forge a NBA career, with the vast majority of draftees selected from colleges - he decided to risk it all and nominate for the draft straight away.The decision stunned the NBA world but it was another example of Makers forthright decision-making.It was a risk. A biig risk.ddddddddddddIn the lead-up to the 2016 NBA Draft, Maker was the mystery man. Who was he? What type of player was he and what would he become? Where would he be picked? There was even controversy about his age - with some suggesting he was older than he claimed, which Maker laughed off with customary dignity and poise.Ten picks into the draft, Maker became the first high school player taken in the first round since 2005 when the Milwaukee Bucks called his name.He made it, and he did it his way by going against the grain.We liked what we saw in Thon as a player, the teams general manager John Hammond said after the draft. But the more we got to know him, the more excited we became. Hes a very extraordinary person.And after such an unusual, arduous and taxing path to the top of the basketball world, Maker knows his journey is only just beginning.I want to be great, he said soon after being drafted. And I know the whole path just started again.He also wants to inspire others who dont get an easy ride early in life.[I] definitely [see myself as an inspiration] - not just [in] Australia but all around the world, the 19-year-old said.A lot of kids make this journey and they want to find a way to be successful, and when they see somebody do something like this they want to find out what made you think that way - you made certain decisions to get to where you are, so what were they?Ill be able to provide advice to those who want to be in this position and theres kids in my situation that can see this as an inspiration definitely. ' ' '