THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- Michael Brockers realizes just how special it is to play on one of the NFLs best defensive lines with the Los Angeles Rams.He wasnt about to do anything to break it up.The defensive tackle agreed to a three-year contract extension Thursday, securing his future with the Rams through 2019.It feels good to be wanted, Brockers said after practice. Im just glad its done and its finished, and I can get that little thing out of my mind and actually focus on football.The 6-foot-5 Brockers is a key component of the Rams dominant defensive line. The position group is easily the Rams strongest, with Brockers on the interior alongside All-Pro Aaron Donald, ends Robert Quinn and William Hayes, and a gifted group of reserves.Brockers had career highs with 74 tackles and 12 tackles for loss last season while chewing up space and occupying blockers to allow his teammates to make plays. Middle linebacker Alec Ogletree appreciates the dirty work done by the Rams big men up front.You couldnt ask for anything better, Ogletree said. Youve got, to me, the top D-line in the league. It makes it a lot easier when I know (opponents) are worried about the front four, so I have time to go make a play because theyre so worried about the D-line. Its a linebackers dream.Brockers got his deal a few days before the teams home opener at the Coliseum against Seattle this weekend, when Los Angeles will get its first real look at the Rams new version of the Fearsome Foursome.The NFL Network reported the extension is worth more than $33 million. Brockers is making $6.15 million this season.Brockers has 14 1/2 sacks and two forced fumbles in 62 career games with the Rams, starting all but one.Hes a big man inside, and you have to have that nowadays, Rams coach Jeff Fisher said. He creates opportunities for everybody else, and then every so often he makes a big play himself. Hes been consistent. Hes been week-in, week-out. Hes changed his body since his arrival, overcame some early-career injuries, and has just been one of those guys you can count on.The Rams defensive line is entering its third season together, and Brockers extension will make it easier to keep the group intact. Brockers, a Houston native, starred at LSU before the Rams made him the 14th overall pick in the 2012 draft. Quinn has been with the Rams since 2011, while Hayes arrived as a free agent along with Brockers in 2012. Donald completed the group in 2014.Playing with these guys, theyre like my brothers, Brockers said. I grew up with them. Weve been through a lot with each other, so I didnt want to leave them. You kind of get out of your comfort zone when you become a free agent and get that unknown, so it feels good to be here where I started.They actually all started together in St. Louis, but Brockers has comfortably made the move to Southern California. With his new paychecks, he wont worry quite so much about buying a home in the pricey far-western suburbs where the Rams are headquartered.You cant beat this weather, but I definitely see what you pay for out here, Brockers said.The Rams have been busy securing the long-term futures of their core players since arriving in Los Angeles, most recently giving a four-year extension to receiver Tavon Austin during the preseason. Ogletree seems likely to get the next contract after taking over for James Laurinaitis in the middle of Los Angeles defense this year.I would like to be signed, but right now Im still on my rookie contract, so thats what Im playing on, Ogletree said with a laugh, declining to comment on negotiations.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Cheap Football Jerseys Authentic . PETERSBURG, Fla. Soccer Wholesale Jerseys . He says so-called TRT is only one problem and he wants to go even further than the ban. "Its about time," St-Pierre told reporters at a promotional event in Montreal on Friday. "I think its a good thing. http://www.cheapfootballjerseysfreeshipping.com/ . MLS Commissioner Don Garber and Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez also will attend the session, which was announced Monday. The league has discussed placing its next two expansion teams in Miami and Atlanta. Cheap Soccer Jerseys . "I dont know that were close," said general manager Alex Anthopoulos. "I just think, right now, the acquisition cost just doesnt work for us right now. I dont know if I can quantify how far off or things like that that they might be but I would say we continue to have dialogue. Wholesale Football Jerseys . Paul Pierce couldnt believe he missed at the end. Young scored a season-high 26 points to spark a huge effort from the leagues most productive bench, and Los Angeles beat the Brooklyn Nets 99-94 on Wednesday night after blowing a 27-point lead. HOUSTON -- Coach Tom Herman has spent all offseason downplaying the importance of Houstons opener against No. 3 Oklahoma.The high-profile matchup at NRG Stadium, the home of the NFLs Texans, on Saturday wont decide a conference championship nor will it pave the way to a spot in the College Football Playoff for the winner.Just going in with the mindset that its just another game that we will be prepared for, said Cougars cornerback Brandon Wilson, toeing the company line.So, yes, there is still almost a whole season to play and the opener only counts for one. All the cliches apply. But a victory by 15th-ranked Houston unquestionably opens up a world of playoff possibilities for the much-hyped Cougars, the American Athletic Conference and maybe the Group of Five conferences in general. A loss by the Cougars and they can focus on defending that league title.The Cougars capped a 13-1 season with a 38-24 victory against Florida State in the Peach Bowl in January. The buzz in Houston for the Coogs hasnt been this high since the late 1980s and early `90s. Back then it was star quarterbacks Andre Ware and David Klingler run-and-shooting their way into the record books.That era ended abruptly. Houston started the 1991 season ranked No. 12, and went into its second game of the season against No. 2 Miami ranked 10th. Instead of a breakthrough, Klingler and the Cougars got buried 40-10 by the Hurricanes.Houstons preseason ranking this year is its best since `91, but the Cougars are trying to hold on to the underdog intensity they had last year when they werent even favored to win their division.Weve tried to keep that chip on our shoulder. That kind of made us who we are, tight end Tyler McCloskey said.What will it take for Houston or any Group of Five team to reach the playoff? The playoff has only been around for two years and there hasnt been a test case yet for the selection committee. An undefeated record is probably a good start. At least one big nonconference win will be important because the quality wins the committee looks for are tough to accumulate outside Power Five leagues.A big season by the Cougars has the potential to be the story of the playoff race when the rankings start coming out in early November. Thats why of all the compelling matchups in a great first weekend of the season, the stakes are hhighest in Houston.ddddddddddddThings to know about the third meeting between Oklahoma and Houston:HEISMAN WATCHTrying to follow in the footsteps of Ware, Houstons only Heisman Trophy winner, is Greg Ward Jr. He was one of two FBS quarterbacks to pass for more than 2,000 yards and run for more than 1,000 last season. He accounted for 38 touchdowns.The biggest thing he does is take advantage of blitzing teams or D-ends running up field. Hes just going to step up and try to get down field or get a scramble drill going, Oklahoma cornerback Dakota Austin said.Defending Big 12 champion and playoff semifinalist Oklahoma has its own Heisman contender quarterback in Baker Mayfield, who passed for 3,700 yards and 36 touchdowns last year and finished fourth in the Heisman voting.Both give you trouble scrambling around with their legs, Sooner coach Bob Stoops said of Mayfield and Ward. Just talented players, I think, is the number one thing you can say about them both.GO-TO RECEIVERSBoth teams enter the season looking for new No. 1 receivers to emerge after the departures of Sterling Shepard from Oklahoma and Demarcus Ayers at Houston. Expect the Sooners to get tight end Mark Andrews more involved after he caught seven touchdowns as a redshirt freshman. Penn State transfer Geno Lewis steps into a starting role at wide receiver. The Cougars will be looking for some inexperienced players to emerge and Chance Allen, who had 56 catches and 752 yards last season, to take a bigger role.FRESHMENHouston landed one of the best defensive line recruits in the country this year in Ed Oliver. The freshman is expected to make an immediate impact. With Oklahoma retooling at linebacker, freshman Caleb Kelly will likely see some time and Stoops said Mykel Jones will be part of the receiver rotation.EXPANSIONHouston is in the process of trying to gain an invitation to the Big 12. The conference has narrowed down the field of expansion candidates to 11, according to a person with direct knowledge of the situation. One game wont be a deciding factor, but Houston fans would certainly like to see their team prove it belongs in the Power Five conference.---Follow Ralph D. 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