should display courage at all times and Joe is the definition of

Wellingtons shallow depth is going to be put to the test in their A-League season opener on Saturday against Melbourne City, according to veteran Vince Lia.The Phoenix will be without four key men in captain Andrew Durante, Michael McGlinchey, Matt Ridenton and new signing Kosta Barbarouses, all of whom are on All Whites duty.A fifth player, defender Tom Doyle, is also out injured with a hamstring strain.Its already going to test our backline, so were up against it in the first game against (Bruno) Fornaroli, whos the best striker in the competition, Lia told AAP.Our depth is going to be tested but every squad has got to go through it at some stage in the season so itll be a good one for us on Saturday.However, the 31-year-old is confident the team can put up a fight against the competition heavyweights after claiming four wins in the build-up to the season.Not coincidentally, all four have come after the arrival of Italian defender Marco Rossi.While big-name recruits Barbarouses and Gui Finkler have dominated the lead-in to the new campaign, Lia said the addition of the former Serie A defender had given the team a lift.Hes really shored up our backline since coming in and hes a left-foot centre-back, which we havent had before, he said.Our backlines a lot more balanced now. Drewy can go back on the other side. Hes played in Serie A, Serie B, played against some good players, so he knows football.Lia conceded the Phoenixs roster was top-heavy in 2016-17, but was of the firm belief that their first-choice 11 could match it with the best in the league.He declared a top-four finish as their goal this campaign.We want to play finals football - we want to get home finals, he said.Since Marcos come in - that was after the Western Sydney defeat in the FFA Cup - weve done really well. We havent lost since that day.Its been a good back end to the pre-season and it gives us some momentum going into round one. Emmitt Smith Youth Jersey .Y. - Detroit goaltender Jonas Gustavsson has earned NHL first star of the week honours after winning in his first three appearances of the season. Emmitt Smith Cowboys Jersey . Deulofeu injured a muscle in his right leg in Evertons 4-1 win over Fulham in the English Premier League on Saturday. 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BEREA, Ohio -- Amid the rubble of another demoralizing, soul-crushing season in Cleveland, Joe Thomas endures.The towering tackle.Despite the Browns 0-12 record, despite a knee injury that keeps him from practicing, and despite not knowing which quarterback hell be playing in with on a week-to-week basis, Thomas has continued his remarkable streak of not missing a start (156 and counting) or snap (9,864 and counting) in his career.Beyond that, hes a civic treasure, which is why for the third time in the past 10 years, Thomas is the teams nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, given for playing excellence and community service.Its really special, Thomas said Wednesday.And really deserved.For Browns coach Hue Jackson, there has been one reward in a painful, winless season: getting to know Joe Thomas.If theres been a silver lining in all this, Jackson said, its the time and conversations that Ive been around him. Because hes taught me a lot, what being a pro truly is.Thomas has been the standard for excellence since his arrival as a first-round pick in 2007. But with the Browns in the midst of another rebuilding project, the 32-year-old will continue to be mentioned in trade rumors. He was nearly dealt to Denver before the 2015 deadline, and his name will likely pop up again both before and during next years draft.Not if Jackson has any say.That is not happening. Or I am going with him, Jackson said. I guarantee you that. I am going with him. No, Joe Thomas means too much to this organization and to this football team.Thomas, who has racked up nine straight Pro Bowl invitations -- the first offensive lineman in history to do so -- and has been voted to the APs All-Pro team eight times, including six first-team honors, laughed when told about Jacksons promise.Oh, thats nice of him, Thomas said. Where we going, the Bahamas? Im in.Thomas has adopted Cleveland as his home. Hes raising his family here, and its where he wants to spent the rest of his career, however long that may be.The 6-foot-6, 312-pounder has no intention of stopping, and wont consider leaving the game until he knows its time.It really doesnt change for me, said the father of three. I want to play as long as the Browns want me, as long as Im healthy enough to play and as long as I still love it. I know as of right now all thosee things are still there and I still love this game even more than I did when I was a rookie.ddddddddddddI think thats going to be kind of the checklist whenever the time comes, but right now I dont see anything changing.As Jackson attempts to change the culture around the Browns, Thomas represents the ideal player: durable, selfless and consistent. He epitomizes class on and off the field, serving as a role model to younger players.Wide receiver Andrew Hawkins has spent three seasons with Thomas and has grown to appreciate him.Its an honor to play with him, one of the best left tackles ever to play the game, he said. Hes everything you want in a first-round pick. When you are making those selections, thats the kind of career, thats the kind of attitude, the kind of work ethic, the kind of perseverance that youre getting. If you get one of those guys youre lucky.Ive seen him fight through injuries. He doesnt complain. He doesnt gripe. He doesnt take plays off. Hue always says football players should display courage at all times and Joe is the definition of that.And yet the awards and admiration cant mask a sad truth for Thomas. Since going 10-6 his rookie season, the Browns are 37-103, a record almost too startling to believe.Jackson has made it his mission to change that.I want us to do right by him, he said. Right by that is, lets go get this man some wins. He deserves that. He deserves to be on a winning football team and have a chance to chase playoffs and championships. Joe Thomas means a lot to me personally and a lot to this organization and this team and this city.Game notes While it appears QB Robert Griffin III will start on Sunday against Cincinnati, Jackson said he has not made any decisions. RG3 hasnt played since breaking a bone in his left shoulder on Sept. 11. Trust me, he wants to be out there, Jackson said. I am just not ready to nail that down yet for our football team. ... Rookie D Derrick Kindred broke an ankle during the bye week. Jackson did not reveal how he was injured, but added he did not do anything out of sequence that is going to cause us to feel different about him.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '