SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- When Colin Kaepernicks national anthem protest initially went public, talk immediately turned to whether it would lead to a distraction that would divide the San Francisco 49ers locker room.Two weeks later, as the Niners prepare for their opener Monday night against the Los Angeles Rams, the opposite has been the case, in fact, as the team has only gotten closer as players have had in-depth talks that have helped them learn more about one another.It leads to deeper conversations that need to be talked about, not just in our locker room, not just in barber shops around the country but everywhere, receiver Torrey Smith said. There are really issues. People get caught up in what Kap did by sitting down and not by the message that hes trying to send. I think thats the most important thing, to get people talking, and its worked.Kaepernicks protest became public after he sat during the anthem before a home game against Green Bay on Aug. 26. He later explained his reasoning, saying he was protesting the oppression of minorities and police brutality in the United States.That created a media maelstrom that the team had to handle. The Niners immediately put out a statement supporting Kaepernicks right to protest, and the players held a private meeting to allow Kaepernick to explain his reasoning and his teammates to ask questions.Thats really been the last that as a team that we talked about the situation, coach Chip Kelly said. We recognize and respect Kaps decision and his constitutional rights to do what hes doing and it sounds like its been a positive change. Theres been a lot of positive things that have come out of it. So, we havent had any meetings since.Safety Eric Reid joined Kaepernick in the protest in the final exhibition game in San Diego -- with the two kneeling instead of sitting, in a move meant to show more respect to veterans.Even the front office joined in despite a sometimes rocky relationship with Kaepernick that almost led to an offseason trade. Owner Jed York pledged $1 million to the cause of improving racial and economic inequality and starting collaboration between Bay Area law enforcement and the community.I think theres been a lot of open conversations, a lot more conversations going on in general, Kaepernick said. I think ultimately this team and this locker room have gotten a lot closer because of the gaining and understanding of individuals.Kaepernick and Reid plan to continue their protest before the opener and Smith said more teammates might join in. While Seattles Jeremy Lane also has joined the protest and others could as well, dont expect any Rams to do it.Coach Jeff Fisher made his stance clear at a team meeting at the start of training camp. In a message replayed on the HBO show Hard Knocks, Fisher spelled out how his players should approach the anthem: defensive players on the sideline to the left, offensive players to the right, helmets held under the left arm.Fisher said he does not demand that his players follow his rules but stressed how important it is to him.I do have, however, a respect for the anthem and a respect for this country and respect for our flag, he said. I have every right as a head coach and we have the right as an organization to express our feelings from that standpoint.The Rams have had other potential distractions to deal with this offseason as they have dealt with moving the franchise from St. Louis to Los Angeles. The team held offseason workouts in Oxnard, before holding training camp in Irvine and then setting up shop before the regular season in Thousand Oaks, all while moving the entire franchise halfway across the country.They will play their games at the L.A. Coliseum starting with the home opener next week against Seattle.There are just inconveniences, not problems -- little things, quarterback Case Keenum said. The team and organization have done a great job keeping us as comfortable as we can. Just trying to get in the regular routine and play in a regular season game.---Online:AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Robinson Cano Mariners Jersey . -- Matt Ryan needed one of the best games of his career to lead the Falcons and their depleted offence out of their three-game losing streak last week. Nelson Cruz Jersey . The team says the Spain international has a muscle pull in his right leg. Barcelona hosts third-division side Cartagena in the return leg of their round-of-32 tie after winning their first meeting 4-1. http://www.... .com) - The women will also have a new champion at the Australian Open. [url=http://www.baseballmarinersofficial.com/luis-sardinas-jersey-c-11/]Luis Sardinas Jersey . "I wrote 36 on my sheet at the beginning of the game," the Cincinnati coach said, referring the yard line the ball would need to be snapped from. Taijuan Walker Mariners Jersey . -- Chicago Bears cornerback Tim Jennings was selected Monday to his second straight Pro Bowl, while guard Kyle Long made it after a solid rookie season. Speculate no more: Michael Hurley will be at Essendon for the next six AFL seasons.Essendon have emphatically ended talk of the All-Australian defender leaving the club by signing him up on a five-year contract extension reportedly worth $800,000 a season.In doing so, the Bombers have announced themselves as finals aspirants - and more - for 2017.Just hours after coach John Worsfold said he couldnt even arrange a coffee with Hurley, the club announced the 26-year-old came to an agreement after arriving home from an overseas holiday.Hurley said he felt at home at the club, and excited about the progress they have made under Worsfold this season.I took the time I needed to come to this decision, and to be honest I couldnt see my future anywhere other than Essendon, Hurley said in a statement on Thursday afternoon.What became clear was my strong bond with the playing group, I have some really great mates at the club, weve made a lot of progress and I want to achieve success alongside them.John has had a huge impact in a short period of time and Im looking forward to playing under him next season and beyond.Earlier on Thursday, Worsfold told reporters he was only fairly confident that Hurley would re-sign after weeks of speculation that the in-demand defender could find a new AFL home.I sent him a messaage the other day, Worsfold said.dddddddddddd thought he was overseas because he hadnt responded yet ... Im hoping to hear from him and organise a time to catch up fairly soon.We all know the situation has been extraordinary so hes had to weigh all that up.Three hours later, Hurley signed on the dotted line.A club spokesman said negotiations were taking place between the club and the players management, without Worsfold.Whatever the funny business, the Bombers are delighted to secure a player crucial to their long-term future, even if theyve had to pay through the nose for him.Bombers chief executive Xavier Campbell said the club always believed they would retain his services.Weve always felt confident Michael would remain at the club due to the positive discussions we had with him and his management, and Im sure our members will be thrilled to see him don the sash again in 2017, he said.Eight of the dozen banned Bombers - Dyson Heppell, Tom Bellchambers, Cale Hooker, Heath Hocking, Travis Colyer, David Myers, Brent Stanton and Hurley - have now re-committed to Essendon.Four - Jobe Watson, Michael Hibberd, Ben Howlett and Tayte Pears - are yet to agree new deals to stay. 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