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ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Buffalo Bills coach Rex Ryan believes standing for the national anthem is a way for NFL players and coaches to show respect and give thanks to members of the armed forces.Youve got to look at the gifts that we have, the opportunity that we have to play a great game is through the men and women that serve our country, Ryan said before practice on Sunday. And I think thats an opportunity right there just to show respect.He was asked his opinion a day after San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick said he is refusing to stand for the anthem because he believes the United States oppresses African Americans and other minorities.Without specifically mentioning Kaepernick, Ryan said he can appreciate how some players have personal or religious beliefs that lead them to not stand for the anthem.Any time when I talk to our team about that, if theres personal beliefs or whatever that keeps you from doing it, then I understand, he said.However, Ryan added, he encourages his players to stand for the anthem, and to do so as a team in a straight line along the sideline.Thats kind of our way of giving thanks, Ryan said. Its an important thing for me.Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz said after his teams exhibition victory against the Jets on Saturday night that the American flag deserves respect -- no matter the circumstances in the U.S. or beyond.The flag is the flag, Cruz said. Regardless of how you feel about things that are going on in America today, and the things that are going on across the world with gun violence and things of that nature, youve got to respect the flag, and youve got to stand up with your teammates. Its bigger than just you, in my opinion. I think you go up there, youre with a team, and you go and you know you pledge your allegiance to the flag and sing the national anthem with your team, and then you go about your business, whatever your beliefs are.Colin is his own man, he decided to sit down and that is his prerogative, but on a personal standpoint, I think you have to stand up there with your team and understand and its this game and whats going on around this country is bigger than just you.Without directly addressing Kaepernick, Oakland Raiders coach Jack Del Rio posted on Twitter his appreciation for the armed forces.I Appreciate the sacrifices of the brave who have fought for our freedom. We R Free to choose. I choose to (heart the American flag icons).---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Taylor Cole Jersey . MORITZ, Switzerland -- Fog prevented downhill racers from getting their Olympic dress rehearsal. Jerry Remy Angels Jersey . PETERSBURG, Fla. https://www.cheapangels.com/2083j-garret-anderson-jersey-angels.html .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. Zack Cozart Jersey .C. at the helm of the top team in the Eastern Conference. His tenure as the GM in Vancouver was all too brief. Though he led the Canucks to what was then a franchise record-shattering campaign in just his second season, Nonis was gone and replaced one year later. Matt Thaiss Jersey . -- An ugly goal by Nick Bonino helped the Anaheim Ducks overcome the defensive-minded Phoenix Coyotes on a night when their ragged power play continued to struggle. CHICAGO -- One misplaced changeup was quite costly for Steven Matz and the New York Mets.Matz served up a three-run homer on his 10th pitch to Anthony Rizzo in the third inning, and the Mets lost 5-1 to the Chicago Cubs on Monday night in a rematch of last years NL Championship Series.You really want to grit your teeth and beat this guy, Matz said. Unfortunately, he won.Wilmer Flores hit a leadoff homer in the seventh inning, but New York went 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position and left seven runners on base in its fifth loss in seven games.Hitting is very, very hard. But weve had guys who have done this, who have driven in runs, manager Terry Collins said. Youre looking at three or four guys that have all driven in a lot of runs in their careers. Were hoping it turns, for sure.With one out and two on in the third, Rizzo fouled off five straight 2-2 pitches before driving a changeup deep into the bleachers in right-center for his 22nd homer.It was 2-2 for a while there. I dont think he wanted to go 3-2, Rizzo said. He was making good pitches and I was just fighting them off. Just try to grind at-bats. Thats what were so good at doing.The crowd of 41,353 cheered wildly as Rizzo rounded the bases on a picturesque night at Wrigley Field. The All-Star slugger is batting .339 with three homers and 10 RBI in July.Hes the anchor of the whole group. Theres no question about it, Cubs manager Joe Maddon said.The last time the Mets visited the iconic neighborhood ballpark, they finished off a sweep of the Cubs to advance to the World Series. They swept Chicago again in New York from June 30 to July 3, roughing up Jon Lester for one of the wins.This time around was much different.Lester (10-4) allowed one run and four hits in his first win in a month, helping the NL Central leaders win for the fourth time in five games since dropping five in a row.We were able to get some quick outs with some well-located fastballs and some well-located cutters, Lester said, so that was huge for us tonight.Hector Rondon replaced Carl Edwards Jr. with two runnners on in the ninth and got Travis dArnaud to bounce into a game-ending double play for his 16th save.ddddddddddddMatz was charged with four runs and eight hits in five-plus innings. The rookie left-hander dropped to 0-5 in his last nine starts.Even though I thought he threw the ball fine, he didnt have his real Grade-A stuff, Collins said. But he battled the best he could.Matz nearly had another run on his line, but left fielder Yoenis Cespedes cut down Willson Contreras with a perfect throw to the plate when the rookie tried to score from second on Szczurs third-inning single.WELCOME BACKNew Yorks Michael Conforto, who was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas after Sundays 5-0 win at Philadelphia, pinch-hit in the ninth and reached on an opposite-field single to left.I think its a testament to what Ive been working on, he said. Ive been trying to use the whole field like I did last year and earlier in the year. So I think its definitely a product of the things Ive been working on.TRAINERS ROOMMets: RHP Matt Harvey had season-ending thoracic outlet surgery in St. Louis. ... RHP Jim Henderson (biceps) is throwing 91 to 93 mph during his rehab stint at Triple-A Las Vegas, and Collins said the reliever is nearing a return.Cubs: OFs Dexter Fowler (right hamstring strain) and Jorge Soler (left hamstring strain) were traveling to Iowa and are expected to begin their rehab stints with the Triple-A club on Tuesday. Fowler could return to the Cubs by the end of the week.UP NEXTAll-Star RHPs Noah Syndergaard of the Mets and Jake Arrieta of the Cubs face off on Tuesday. Syndergaard (9-4, 2.56 ERA) was removed from last start on July 8 due to arm fatigue. I think the rest has been good for him, Collins said. Arrieta (12-4, 2.68 ERA) is looking to get back on track after allowing four or more earned runs in three consecutive starts for the first time since 2012.---Jay Cohen can be reached at http://www.twitter.com/jcohenap ' ' '