FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Leonard Williams wants to chill out a lot more this season.The New York Jets defensive lineman mostly avoided ice baths as a rookie, preferring to pass on the ice cube-filled tubs in which many of his teammates would sit and shiver.These guys, as soon as they would get out of practice, they were getting recovery, Williams said. I was always using the excuse that Im young, so Im going to recover and stuff like that.Oh, those know-it-all youngsters.Williams realized toward the end of a solid rookie year that he, too, could benefit from cold tub therapy. Many athletes use ice baths to help reduce inflammation, prevent muscle stiffness and soreness, and speed recovery after vigorous workouts.The season was long and I started feeling it, and Im starting now, Williams said. Im not going to wait until later when I start to feel it.Williams finished with three sacks and 63 total tackles while starting 15 of 16 games after being selected with the No. 6 overall pick out of Southern California in 2015. The man nicknamed Big Cat with the puffed-out mane made an impact on Todd Bowles defense, teaming with Muhammad Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson and Damon Harrison to form one of the NFLs most dominant lines.He wasnt satisfied with his promising performance and was intent on being better in his second year. That meant pinpointing some of the things he needed to improve on and taking more naps, getting massages, doing more yoga and simply relaxing when hes not on the field.Just being more professional, Williams said. Taking care of my body, getting in the ice bath and stuff like that. Its a long season that I wasnt used to in college, and I could tell at the end of the season. Just being a more well-rounded player this year.Hes also no longer trying to feel his way through the league and getting adjusted to life as a pro.When youre a rookie and youre a first-rounder, theres so much pressure on you, Williams said. Theres just so much -- a new system, new coaches, a new playbook, new teammates. Now that Ive had a year here and I had a year with the playbook and my teammates and coaches, everythings more comfortable.Another positive for Williams is that hes playing in the same system in consecutive seasons for the first time since high school. At USC, he had different defensive coordinators in each of his three years: Ed Orgeron as a freshman, Clancy Pendergast as a sophomore and Justin Wilcox as a junior.It makes me more comfortable when I know what Im doing out there, Williams said. I dont have to think and I can just fly around.Heading into the draft last year, Williams was considered by many to be the best overall player available. He was a potential No. 1 overall pick, but fell to the Jets at sixth and joined an already stout line.Williams didnt need to be an impact player right away because of the talent around him, but his reputation and lofty draft status had many expecting big things.In the NFL, theres always going to be pressure, Williams said. There are guys getting drafted, guys leaving and guys coming. Youve got to play with that pressure on you all the time. Ive gotten used to that, and as the year went on last year, I kept getting better and better.The Jets defensive line has a slightly different look at nose tackle this season with former Steelers standout Steve McLendon replacing Harrison, who signed with the Giants as a free agent.I love it, Williams said. Hes a physical guy and hes quick off the ball. I can just tell hes that old-school, traditional type of football player. Ive worked well with him so far and Im excited to see where were going to go.Richardson will miss the opener because of an NFL-issued suspension stemming from his arrest during the 2015 offseason, a violation of the leagues personal-conduct policy. Hell be available in Week 2.Wilkerson is back after a contract dispute that potentially could have played out into training camp and beyond. The Jets signed him to a five-year extension and Wilkerson expects to be ready to play in Week 1 of the regular season against Cincinnati as he continues to work his way back from a broken leg suffered in the final game last year.With him, Williams, Richardson and McLendon anchoring the line, the Jets are planning to make things even tougher on opponents up front.We can be very good, Williams said. Were excited to see what type of packages and everything that will be put together when he gets back.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: http://twitter.com/AP-NFL Vapormax Flyknit Saldi . Each of Houstons starters scored in double figures as the Rockets improved to 2-0 against the Spurs this season, with both victories coming on the road. They also moved within 3 1/2 games of San Antonio (22-7) for the lead the Southwest Division. Vans Outlet Italia . -- Jaye Marie Green shot a 4-under 68 on Thursday to increase her lead to five strokes after the second round of the LPGA Tours qualifying tournament. http://www.outletscarpesaldi.it/air-force-1-prezzo-basso/scontate-air-force-1-off-white.html . -- About a third of the way through the regular season, the Washington Wizards are at . Air Max 720 Italia . Bryant, who signed a five-year, $34 million contract as a free agent with Cleveland in March, reported symptoms on Monday morning, a team spokesman said. Scarpe Saldi . -- The boos poured down on Tom Brady and the New England Patriots at the end of a horrible first half. Jim Mallinder offered no consolation to Dylan Hartley after the England captain lasted just six minutes off the bench as Northampton were dominated 37-10 by Leinster at Franklins Gardens.Leinster had started in efficient fashion, Rob Kearneys fine line-break setting up young Ireland centre Garry Ringrose to go over after just two minutes. When Isa Nacewa converted to put them 10-0 ahead after 11 minutes, it looked to be a very long evening for Northampton.But Saints, to their credit, dug in - with Tom Wood in particular grafting magnificently in defence -- and when Ahsee Tuala touched down in the 45th minute for a converted try, Northampton had every chance at 10-10. Hartleys introduction brought warm cheers, but Sean OBriens try on 56 minutes and then the England hookers departure two minutes later ended the contest and left Mallinder with no choice but to condemn Eddie Jones Test skipper.You cant strike to the head, Mallinder said. Weve seen enough of them over the last few weeks and I think it was a red cardDylan has been playing really well and leading England by example, so it was disappointing on returning from England and doing such a good job that that happens.I wouldnt say it cost us the game. I think we started badly, came back into the game pretty well and we had just conceded a try, actually, so we were already a few points down.But I think when you go down to 14 men against such a quality side as Leinster then youre always going to be up against it.ddddddddddddfter Hartleys dismissal, Leinster ruthlessly exploited the extra man. First, Ross Byrnes pinpoint cross-field kick picked out Rory OLoughlin on the left wing for a comfortable finish. Though Nacewa couldnt convert, the visitors claimed the bonus point with five minutes left as Jamison Gibson-Park scored a brilliant individual try down the left wing.Northampton finished the match with 13 men after George Pisi was sin-binned for a dangerous tackle on Nacewa, who scored the hosts final try to leave Leo Cullen satisfied.Obviously once the red card happens I thought we were pretty clinical in the way that we played in terms of managing the game in the right areas and just taking the opportunities when they came, the former Leinster captain said. It was pleasing how we closed the game out, but there were probably areas where we can be better at, so Ill have a look over the weekend and try to make a few changes when we come in on Monday.The score was 20-10 at the time and I thought the guys showed good composure again - Rory (OLoughlin) did unbelievably well from Ross (Byrnes) cross-field kick.That was really pleasing to see those new European caps come in, but the red card definitely knocked the stuffing out of them. ' ' '
