2012 » anklin said.ddddddddddddThe first couple of years (at S

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Suspended Oakland Raiders linebacker Aldon Smith plans to return to football in two weeks, optimistic the NFL will grant his wish.Hopefully, soon, he said Thursday night of being allowed back in the league.The menacing pass rusher applied for reinstatement from the NFL late last month, asking Commissioner Roger Goodell to let him play again when his yearlong suspension is over Nov. 17 for violating the leagues substance abuse policy.Smith looked fit, strong and was in great spirits while attending the Oklahoma City-Warriors NBA game from a baseline courtside seat Thursday night.Ill be back in two weeks, you can ask me all the questions then, he said with a smile.He was banned for one year last November for violating the substance abuse policy. That stemmed from an arrest in August 2015 on charges of drunken driving, hit and run, and vandalism. The 49ers immediately released Smith , who had his fifth run-in with the law since joining the NFL as a first-round pick and seventh overall by San Francisco in 2011.The 27-year-old Smith, who has 47 1/2 sacks in 59 career games, signed with Oakland last September and played nine games before being suspended by the NFL for a second time.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFLBlue Jays Jerseys China . Ibaka equaled a career high with 20 rebounds, adding four blocked shots and 15 points as the Thunder smothered the Milwaukee Bucks offence in a 92-79 victory Saturday night. Toronto Blue Jays Shirts . JOHNS, N. https://www.cheapbluejays.com/ . - NASCAR announced a 33-race schedule for the 2014 Nationwide Series with virtually no changes from this years slate. Blue Jays Jerseys 2020 . It is a cliché dragged out by fans and pundits regularly when discussions take place around which teams are better than others. Fake Blue Jays Jerseys . PETERSBURG, Fla.Lance Franklin says he now tries to make every AFL kick for goal count, after revealing he was previously blase about his approach to the codes most valuable skill.Sydney forward Franklin has kicked more goals that any other present AFL player with his tally of 780 placing him 12th on the all time list.He has kicked 74 this season, putting him second in the Coleman Medal, six goals behind West Coasts Josh Kennedy.The last year-and-a-half to two years, Ive really given it (kicking for goal) a little more thought, because I feel that if youre going to have five or six shots a game, or whatever it is, you really want to make it count, Franklin said on Monday.Probably when I was a little bit younger I was a bit blase, I didnt really care about it too much.But the last couple of years Ive really tried to concentrate on it and make every kick count.A year after missing the finals because of a mental health issue Franklin is clearly in a happier frame of mind and excited about returning to the codes biggest stage.Yeah, its been nice, its been a great year and everything is going along really well, Im just looking forward to finals, Franklin said.He attributed his strong form to having his first full pre-season in three years at Sydney.Thats really helped me and pput me in good stead for the season so far, Franklin said.ddddddddddddThe first couple of years (at Sydney) Id play and then I wasnt able to train, just because I hadnt done a pre-season.It just takes you a little bit longer to recover.On the back of having a good pre-season Ive been able to back it up and train during the week which helps.He is revelling in directing a youthful forward line made up primarily of first and second year players and converted midfielders.Ive really enjoyed that role of being a leader amongst the forward line, he said.The best thing about these young boys is they want to listen and they want to learn and every game they are growing.Franklin has kicked almost three times as many goals this season than any other Swan, but pointed out four of his teammates had booted at least 20, while another has kicked 19.He rates fellow Swan Isaac Heeney as one of the best young players he has seen.The way he launches at a ball for a guy that is 184 centimetres is unbelievable and hes got a great set of hands, Franklin said.Hes a kid that always wants to learn and he wants to get better and I love playing with him. ' ' '