New York Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson skipped an Oct. Custom Philadelphia Flyers Jerseys . 22 walk-through/defensive meeting in which there were plans to serve cake to celebrate his 27th birthday, a league source confirmed.The no-show, first reported by the NFL Network, came to light Monday -- one day after Wilkerson and fellow defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson were benched for the first quarter of the Jets 27-23 loss to the Miami Dolphins.Coach Todd Bowles again refused to explain why he benched two of his best players, but a source said it was because they were late to a team meeting last week.Its a coachs decision, Bowles said Monday, repeating what he said after the game. My decisions I make outside of injuries and football are usually handled in-house. I dont divulge that kind of information, one way or the other.Wilkersons absence Oct. 22 was the day before the Jets faced the Baltimore Ravens at home. He missed that game because of an ankle injury and was back in the lineup the following week against the Cleveland Browns.Wilkerson and Richardson have been reprimanded on more than one occasion this season, a source said, but Sunday was the first time it resulted in the loss of playing time in 2016. The Jets tried to trade Richardson before last weeks deadline in part because of concern about his attitude, sources said.Bowles said he has no problem with either player. Asked if he is satisfied with their level of commitment, he said, Yes, I am.I know how we handle things in here and everybody is accountable for their actions, and we handle things in here, Bowles said. Im perfectly fine with those two commitments.Neither player stayed in the locker room after the game to speak with reporters, an apparent violation of the NFLs media policy.The benchings, coupled with a Brandon Marshall-Ryan Fitzpatrick argument on the sideline Sunday in Miami, has cast the Jets as a dysfunctional team. Earlier in the season, Richardson and Marshall had a heated locker room exchange after a loss.Bowles said there are no problems in the locker room.Not at all, he said. We had more turmoil going on last year when we won four, five in a row. This year is normal. Brandon and Fitz talk on the sideline all the time. Thats just football talk. That goes without saying. Mo and Sheldon are fine.Marshall gave a lukewarm response when asked if every player is buying in.You never know. Its the NFL, Marshall said. There are so many different personalities in the room.Bowles has come under fire for the 3-6 record and the Jets perceived lack of discipline. He insisted the team is a close-knit group, adding that he is completely certain he has control of the locker room.I know me, I know how I address the team, I know how the team responds, Bowles said. I have no issues with that.This was Wilkersons second known transgression. He was late for a meeting in December and benched for the first quarter of a win over the New York Giants.Before training camp, the Jets signed him to a five-year, $86 million contract.For Richardson, this has been another season tainted by controversy. He began the year with a one-game suspension for violating the NFLs personal conduct policy. He pleaded guilty to resisting arrest, stemming from a high-speed police chase in 2015. He served a four-game suspension at the start of the 2015 season for a marijuana violation. Bobby Clarke Jersey . The judges scored it 48-47, 48-47, 49-46 for Jones (19-1). It was the champions closest call. Despite the loss, it was a remarkable show by the confident Swedish challenger, who had the best of the early rounds and then hung on in the fourth and fifth. Scott Laughton Jersey . -- The Bishops Gaiters are showing they belong among the countrys top varsity football teams. http:///...nheim-flyers-jersey/ . LOUIS -- Heading into the final stretch of the season, the issues for the Chicago Bears banged-up defence only seem to be getting worse.After seeing his side suffer a 4-0 thrashing in the Merseyside derby, Roberto Martinez must somehow lift his Everton players for Saturdays FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United. But problems are mounting up for the Spaniard and preparation time for the Wembley showpiece is limited.From injuries and bans to poor form and pressure, we take a look at the challenge Martinez and Everton are facing...   Merseyside derby talking points We analyse Liverpools 4-0 win over Everton at Anfield Selection dilemmaAfter resting players against Southampton last weekend, Martinez made six changes to his first team for the trip to Anfield, in a desperate bid to grab a confidence-boosting result. However, the move spectacularly back-fired, with Everton crushed by their rivals and now set to be without several key first-team players for Saturdays semi-final.Gareth Barry was forced out at half-time with a groin problem and Martinez says the midfielder is very doubtful to face Manchester United. Ramiro Funes Mori will also be missing through suspension, following his straight red card for an ugly challenge on Divock Origi. Ramiro Funes Mori will miss the FA Cup semi-final through suspension There are question marks, too, over the health of John Stones, who was substituted in the second half with stomach cramps, and fellow defenders Phil Jagielka and Seamus Coleman, who both missed the derby with hamstring problems.With Funes Mori, Stones, Jagielka and Coleman out, Martinez would be left with only Leighton Baines available from his regular senior defenders.     Defensive problems Former Everton manager David Moyes said his old side were terrible in their 4-0 defeat to Liverpool Even if the likes of Stones and Jagielka pull through to play on Saturday, Martinez still has serious defensive issues to address.Evertons poor defending at Goodison Park this season has been well documented - only Aston Villa have conceded more at home - but Liverpool exposed them regularly at Anfield, too.Midfielders Muhamed Besic and James McCarthy were forced to fill in at centre-back during the second half, but even when Stones and Funes Mori were on the field, Everton conceded two poor goals which Martinez put down to an inability to do the basics right.Across the pitch, Everton were poor when they didnt have the ball. I said at half-time Everton were embarrassing, and they were, Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher said after the final whistle. Ive never known a derby game where it was so easy to pass the ball. When you play derby games, the pitches seem really tight whether that be at Anfield or Goodison, but it was so easy for Liverpool. Jamie Carragher says talk of the current Everton side being the best since the mid 80s is way off the mark Goal droughtWhile the focus has been on Evertons poor defending in recent weeks, at the other end, the goals have dried up. Claude Giroux Jersey. Martinezs side have scored just twice in their past six games - those goals coming from centre-back Funes Mori and central midfielder McCarthy.Top scorer Romelu Lukaku hasnt scored in five and against Liverpool, Everton failed to register a single shot on target.On Saturday, Everton come up against a Manchester United side which has kept 24 clean sheets across all competitions this season. The Toffees must re-find their goal-scoring touch at Wembley.    Roberto Martinez told Sky Sports he will not have to motivate his team for Saturdays FA Cup semi-final with Manchester United Manchester Uniteds formWhile Everton suffered at Anfield, United cruised to a comfortable 2-0 home win over Crystal Palace on Wednesday night. It was Uniteds fifth win in their last six outings - only title-chasing Tottenham have beaten them in that run - and the victory saw them close the gap on the Premier Leagues top four.As well as better recent form, United have also done the double over Everton this season, sealing a comprehensive 3-0 win at Goodison Park in the first part of the campaign before winning 1-0 at Old Trafford earlier this month.Martinez and Everton must find a way to reverse their recent fortunes against Louis van Gaals men if they are to keep their season alive.Season depends on it Everton have failed to win their last six matches Indeed, Evertons season - and seemingly Martinezs tenure as manager - depends on Saturdays result.In the Premier League, the Toffees are closer to the relegation zone in points than seventh and could easily finish as low as 16th - theyre just two points ahead of fifth-bottom Crystal Palace.While the cups have offered solace this term - Everton also reached the semi-finals of the Capital One Cup - the enormity of this weekends Wembley showdown isnt lost on Martinez. Martinez: Defeat horrible Roberto Martinez embarrassed by horrible Everton defeat in derby When asked about his future as Everton boss after Wednesdays defeat, Martinez said: Its not about my job. All I want is to bring success to Everton and its about the players wanting to be themselves, coping with the occasion.We know were one step away from the (FA Cup) final and thats the only thing that can bring satisfaction to our fans. Thats the only thing were going to concentrate on.To do that, Everton and Martinez will have to overcome substantial obstacles.  Also See: Martinez: Defeat horrible Merseyside derby talking points Moyes: Everton were terrible Carragher: Funes Mori embarrassing Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys China NFL Cheap Jerseys ' ' '