WINNIPEG -- The Winnipeg Jets have a new coach on a short-term deal who knows he has a long-term project on his plate. cheap nfl jerseys . "Weve got our challenges," Paul Maurice said after taking in his first practice with the team Monday morning. "Im not saying Im coming in here and taking this team to a completely different level over the next week." But the veteran coach of more than 1,000 NHL games, who took the Carolina Hurricanes to a Stanley Cup final in 2002, says he sees a lot of potential in the Jets. "Youth size and speed is the easiest way for me to sum that up. I like some of the pieces and some of the parts." The size was apparent when he stepped on the ice with the team at the MTS Centre. "This is the first time that Ive ever as a coach felt short and thats a really, really nice feeling," he said, following practice, as he met with reporters for the first time since arriving in Winnipeg after Claude Noels firing Sunday. The last straw for general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff was last weeks 6-3 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Jets seemed to have taken a step backward rather than move away from the defensive lapses that have left them 19-23-5 and last in the Central Division. For 2 1/2 years, Noel tried to inject a more responsible, defensive gene into the Jets, after they moved to Winnipeg from Atlanta. Now its Maurices turn and he agreed that seems to be whats missing. "My concerns are -- and you should never introduce a negative but Ill get to this now -- getting them to play a game that has a defensive component in it (and) that, for those players that have been here a long time, they havent done it." He says its his job to find a way to get players to buy into a system they can play that will help get them out of a slump that is sapping their confidence and building frustration. They have the skills, he suggests. "Youve seen it in the games where this team can look so dominant at points in time and then you question where that goes," he said. Although hes been coaching in the NHL for almost 20 years, he said something he has learned relatively recently is that it takes time to work with players on an individual basis to help them grow and develop. "Motivation is different for each player but at the end of the day with this group, with what theyre going through, they just want to get out of it," he said. "They just want to win. They want this to go away. The anger, the frustration by the fans, its the same as the frustration in that locker-room. They want to find a way out. Its the coaching staffs job now to lead that way out." The Jets are on a five-game losing streak and well out of that playoff spot Maurice says is one of his objectives. But he says creating confidence in a game the players can understand is his primary goal. "Im used to having some challenges. You know, the underdog team that at the very least fights like a dog," he said. "Thereve been too many years where we got to within a point but there werent many when I walked away saying there was a whole lot more left on the table." At least for now, hes only here for the rest of the season, which will end April 10 for the Jets unless their game turns around. Maurice, 46, also coached the Toronto Maple Leafs for a couple of seasons and recently tried the KHL in Russia but opted to return home to be closer to his family. Other than juggling lines a little, he didnt make a lot of changes prior to Monday nights game against the visiting Phoenix Coyotes. That includes leaving Dustin Byfuglien as a forward, although he says he can see him making major contributions as a blue-liner as well. Byfuglien is one of the top-scoring defencemen in the NHL but his minus-16 rating prompted Noel to try switching him to forward. "Were not trying to go out there and change everything we do tonight," said centre Bryan Little, who will be playing on a line with familiar partner Andrew Ladd but also Michael Frolik. "Hes been here less than 24 hours and I think he realizes that and hes not going to change too much tonight but he expects us to work hard." Little says he expects the changes to come once the Jets get some practice days. The players accepted much of the blame for Noels firing and Little said a game will help. "Once youre out there you kind of forget about everything thats happened and you can just play the game. Im looking forward to it." cheap jerseys.C. Lions even though incumbent Rob Maver is ready to kick again. Maver, the CFLs scoring leader last year with 185 points, comes off the nine-game injured list this week. nfl jerseys china . It was the first game back in Columbus for Rangers star Rick Nash, the Blue Jackets franchise leader in goals, assists and games. He was given a standing ovation during a video tribute in the first period, but was booed loud and long after a second-period, two-handed shove up high on Columbus goalie Sergei Bobrovsky.BEREA, Ohio -- The two wooden lockers Trent Richardson used daily were barren, nothing left behind from his short stay with the Browns. Face of the franchise one day. Gone the next. Still somewhat shaken by the new front offices decision to trade Richardson to the Indianapolis Colts for a first-round draft pick, the few Browns who ventured into the locker room on Thursday expressed shock at the deal, its timing and they vowed to move forward in a season not yet three weeks old. "It was a shock to everybody," receiver Josh Gordon said. "Everyone was in disbelief." With an eye toward the future, the Browns shipped Richardson, the No. 3 overall pick in 2012 and one of their few players with star magnitude, to the Colts for a selection in next years draft. But the alarming move to trade the powerful running back raised a flag for Clevelands long-suffering fans, who view the hasty transaction as a sign that Browns management is throwing away this season to better align itself for 2014 and beyond. "Thats not even realistic," linebacker DQwell Jackson said. "In this business, there is too much pressure on everyone to win. I cant even fathom that." To offset the loss of Richardson and add depth at running back, the Browns signed free agent Willis McGahee. He spent last season with Denver, leading the Broncos with 731 yards. The nine-year veteran passed his physical as the Browns were practicing, worked out for Clevelands coaches and signed his contract. Like everyone, Jackson was caught off guard by Richardsons trade. Jackson had left the teams facility and was at home getting a massage Wednesday when he heard. Once the initial shock wore off, Jackson chalked it up to life with the Browns. "Ive been around here for a long time and Ive seen a lot happen and thats one of those deals where its out of your hands and out of your control," he said. "Im not saying that hes not a good player. Hes just going to be a good player for another organization, and the powers that be felt like that was the best thing for the team and weve got to move forward." Jackson said theres no time to dwell on the trade, which came within hours of the Browns naming third-string quarterback Brian Hoyer their starter Sunday inn Minnesota, and wide receiver Greg Little losing his starting job. wholesale jerseys. Hoyer got the nod over backup Jason Campbell to fill in for Brandon Weeden, sidelined with a sprained right thumb. As a captain, Jacksons duty is to keep his teammates focused. "I think in the locker room, guys will talk about it for today and then weve got work to do," he said. "Weve got a lot of studying to do, a lot of film to watch, were trying to get the first win. So, yeah, its going to be in the back of our minds. We wish Trent the best of luck. But weve still got a job to do. "We have to put our hard hats on." That was the same message delivered by Browns coach Rob Chudzinski, who reminded his players to lock in on the Vikings. "We still have to go out and do what we do," safety T.J. Ward said. "Nothing changed for us. Its the same road. Weve just got to go out there, hold it down for the defensive side of the ball." Defensive lineman Desmond Bryant, who signed as a free agent in March, doesnt think the trade is a sign of surrender. "Definitely not," he said. "Were out there and we put in work every day to win. This doesnt change that, so right now were working to beat Minnesota and were going to continue to do that. I respect the decision they made." Jackson appreciates why some Cleveland fans are in an uproar over Richardsons departure. Once considered a building block, he wasnt around long enough to make a major impact. "Trent was going to be the face of this organization, a high draft pick, much was expected out of him," Jackson said. "Now that hes gone, I can see the frustration of the fans. The die-hard fans thought we had something in Trent. "Thats the ugly side of the business we cant control." ---- NOTES: Weeden visited a hand specialist, but the team provided no update. ... DE Ahtyba Rubin practiced again and could make his debut after missing two games with a calf injury. ... Offensive co-ordinator Norv Turner believes Richardson will thrive in Indy. "A lot of times players success depends on the situation theyre in and the people around them," he said. "I think hes going to have an opportunity to be real successful." ' ' '