Pirate Galaxy » teammates remain confident in his a

WINNIPEG, Manitoba -- Wayne Gretzky will make a rare return to the ice Saturday to play alongside other former Edmonton Oilers greats against Winnipeg Jets alumni as part of the Heritage Classic weekend.I mean, I skate once a year. I just really never find the energy, the enthusiasm to grab my equipment and say, `Oh, Im going to play pickup hockey, Gretzky said Friday. I think when you play in the National Hockey League -- you play with the best players and against the best players -- its hard to go play Friday night hockey.Golf is more Gretzkys game now, and he has left his competitive drive behind him, for the most part.Its not going to change my life if I shoot 81 or 96, so I really just truly have fun now, Gretzky said.The outdoor alumni game is the second for Gretzky. He laced up for a similar Heritage Classic matchup in 2003 between former Oilers and Montreal Canadiens.Hes playing again because the game raises money for charities. Its also a chance to see some of his former teammates from the Oilers dynasty of the 1980s -- Mark Messier, Jari Kurri, Paul Coffey and more.And facing the Jets -- longtime rivals in the World Hockey Association and National Hockey League -- is special. The Oilers repeatedly pounded the Jets in the playoffs in the 1980s, but Gretzky said they were always tough opponents.The games and the series were closer than the scores would indicate, he said. We had a Hall of Fame goaltender and an almost-Hall of Hame goaltender, and those guys played really well here all the time, but those teams were evenly matched.Dale Hawerchuk, the Jets captain during the Oilers dynasty era who is leading the Jets alumni team Saturday, remembers facing a powerhouse every time the former Smythe Division rivals met.The challenge to beat the Edmonton Oilers was incredible ... and we beat them a few times, we just couldnt get through them in the playoffs, Hawerchuk said. Thats why you sign up to play this game -- to play with the best against the best, and they were definitely the best in that decade. Kanken Classic Backpack Sale . Pirlo limped out of Sundays 1-0 win over Udinese after just 13 minutes. Juventus says Pirlo underwent tests on Monday which revealed he has "a second-degree lesion to the collateral medial ligament in his right knee. Fjallraven Kanken Big Backpack Cheap . -- Al Jefferson found a groove just in time for the Charlotte Bobcats. http://www.fjallravenkankencheap.com/fjallraven-kanken-mini.html . Belfort (24-10) needed just 77 seconds to down Henderson in the headlining bout of Saturdays "UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Henderson" event at Goiania Arena in Goiania, Brazil. The fight served as a rematch of the pairs 2006 meeting, which Henderson won by decision. Kanken Mini Backpack . Mitch Holmberg added a goal and three assists. Connor Chartier also scored for the Chiefs (3-0-0). Luke Harrison spoiled Garrett Hughsons shutout bid with a power-play goal at 13:17 of the third period. The Spokane goaltender finished with 28 saves, including a Brandon Fushimi penalty shot in the second period that would have tied the game 1-1. Kanken Backpack Sale . -- Bryant McKinnie came out of his stance and lowered his shoulder into a practice squad player, causing a crisp thud to reverberate in the Miami Dolphins practice bubble. HOUSTON -- Brock Osweiler was supposed to be the man to end Houstons years of quarterback woes. Instead, hes thrown more interceptions (13) than touchdowns (12) and has often failed to move the offense.So now the question for the Texans (6-5) is if Osweiler can improve and help Houston secure a playoff berth? Osweiler threw three interceptions on Sunday against the Chargers as Houston lost for the second straight week. Despite their recent tough stretch the Texans remain one-half game ahead of Tennessee in the AFC South.Coach Bill OBrien scoffed at the notion of benching Osweiler on Sunday and refused to criticize his quarterback on Monday. He also lamented that quarterbacks and head coaches take the brunt of the criticism when teams are struggling.Could Brock have done some things better? Absolutely, OBrien said about Sunday. Could the offensive line have played better? Could I have coached better? Absolutely. Its a team sport. Brock is our starting quarterback and thats the way it is.He wasnt interested in breaking down the play of his quarterback, snapping when asked areas in which Osweilers made progress and places he needs to improve.Im not going to dissect ... each player (and) what areas they need to do a better job in, he said. I mean, we could be here all day. Every player on our team -- we have a great locker room. Theyre all looking to improve in any way that they can.Though OBrien blamed Houstons offensive struggles on a variety of things, including his coaching, the numbers paint a clear picture of Osweilers trouble. Expectations were high for Osweiler when Houston signed him to a $72 million contract this offseason to lure him away from Denver. Hes had moments when hes looked good, but his inconsistent play has made it difficult to understand why the Texans invested so much in him.Houston ranks 31st by aaveraging 195.dddddddddddd9 yards passing a game and Osweilers 13 interceptions are tied for most in the NFL. He hasnt had much success throwing downfield and has completed just two passes of 40 yards or longer. His 22 completions of 20 yards or longer are tied for 28th in the NFL. Hes averaging just 5.8 yards a completion, which is not much more than running back Lamar Miller is averaging a carry (4.2).Osweiler has one of the worst passer ratings in the NFL among starters at 72.2. His rating isnt even close to the likes of Tom Brady (116.7), Matt Ryan (114.3) or even Dallas rookie Dak Prescott (108.6).While OBrien downplayed Osweilers role in Houstons loss to the Chargers, the quarterback was quick to accept blame for letting the game get away.Obviously, (Sunday) did not go the way we wanted it to, Osweiler said. Im going to put that on my shoulders. I believe our team played great football, but I did not. I know we can accomplish what we want to, and well keep plugging away.Despite his acknowledgment that his play was a big reason for Sundays loss, his teammates remain confident in his ability to help Houston wrap up a second straight division title.No matter whats being said about him outside of here, he comes in with the same attitude and the same positivity every day, left tackle Duane Brown said. So, hes a great leader. We definitely have a lot of confidence in him.Osweiler and the Texans get their next chance when they begin a two-game stretch on the road with a trip to Green Bay. Theyll look to win just their second road game this season when they meet the Packers after losing four of five away from Houston so far.---For more NFL coverage: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '