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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Falcons Shirts . -- Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Rashean Mathis is seemingly way ahead of schedule. Mathis is running, cutting, jumping and lifting -- all less than six months after reconstructive surgery on his left knee. Hes not wearing a brace and is not lining up with the starters during organized team activities. He could take the next step soon. Mathis said Tuesday he is close to being cleared to practice, and could get permission when he visits Dr. James Andrews in Pensacola on June 4. If so, coach Mike Mularkey said Mathis would return in a limited role during next months mandatory minicamp. "Its not like Im defying all odds," Mathis said. "I knew there was a possibility I could be way ahead of the curve. Its just all about how I took care of myself." Mathis progress has been a pleasant surprise for the Jaguars, who were so confident the veteran will make a full recovery that they released nickel cornerback Drew Coleman. The team signed Coleman to a three-year, $7.5 million contract last season, and he played nearly 50 per cent of the defensive snaps. Now, though, the plan is to have Mathis and former New York Giants cornerback Aaron Ross compete for the starting job opposite Derek Cox. Whoever doesnt get the nod will be moved to the slot to replace Coleman. "If I come back like I expect to come back, then I expect to play," Mathis said. "Thats never a doubt in my mind. Control what I can control and then let the rest handle itself. What I control is being healthy when its time to be healthy." Mathis also would welcome moving inside, a spot he played earlier in his career in Jacksonville. "Not saying Im against it, but I know Aaron has a little more experience at it than I do," Mathis said. "Hes done it before and hes getting reps at it now going inside. Ive played it before. I can do it. Its fun. It allows you to make more plays because a lot of people target their slots on third down. The more you can do. Thats the business that we live in. The more you can do the more you stay on the field." Mathis has missed 19 games over the last five seasons, adding to speculation about his future in Jacksonville. He missed the final seven games last season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee against Indianapolis in mid-November, and many wondered whether the Jaguars would want to bring back a 31-year-old cornerback coming off major knee surgery. But general manager Gene Smith had little concern and signed Mathis to a one-year, incentive-laden contract that could be worth up to $5 million. It was a low-risk deal that could be a steal if Mathis returns full healthy and gives the Jaguars 10 returning starters on a defence that ranked sixth in the NFL last season. "There hasnt been a day that I have been here that he has not been in that training room," Mularkey said. "Every day that I can think of hes been here trying to get back." The biggest hurdle Mathis has left to clear is the psychological aspect of trusting his knee. He has returned from other injuries, including groin and knee. But he expects this one to be different. "Its a mental thing," Mathis said. "I can understand how it can be tough just doing certain drills that Im doing out there and knowing that its a different speed once youre covering someone and having to plant down on the knee and not thinking about it. I know how that goes, not with the knee but with other injuries. Its definitely a mental thing, getting over that mental block, and I think Ill be strong enough mentally to do it when the time comes." Atlanta Falcons Super bowl Jerseys . City had to play more than an hour with 10 men following James Milners dismissal for a professional foul on Shane Long, who put the hosts ahead in the 67th minute. Dzeko was introduced in the 79th and equalized a minute later by heading home Carlos Tevezs free kick. Impact Tony Gonzalez Jersey . - John Skelton made the most of a brief opportunity. http://www.nflfalconsgearshop.com/roddy-white-jersey/ .J. Ward is practicing with a broken right thumb and could play this Sunday against the New York Giants. Falcons Iphone Case . -- Warriors centre Andrew Bogut insists he will no longer even attempt to guess when he might return to the court for Golden State, saying only that he is out "indefinitely. William Moore Jersey . -- The NFL said Monday that a 30-yard touchdown run by Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams against the Washington Redskins should not have counted because of an inadvertent whistle.The Toronto Maple Leafs have hit a new low, at least according to ESPN Magazine. The American sports publication has branded the Leafs as the worst professional sports franchise in their annual Ultimate Standings. The ranking, based on a variety of factors include categories such as fan relations, ownership, affordability, stadium experience and title track record," amongst others. The Leafs did not crack the Top 100 in any one of the magazines eight core ranking categories, finishing three spots behind ESPNs next-worst NHL franchise, the New York Islanders. It is the Leafs fifth-straight year as the lowest-ranked NHL franchise. In 2011, the Washington Redskins and Cincinnati Bengals were ranked below the Leafs in the overall count. The Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames and Montreal Canadiens were also among the NHLs six worst franchises and could not crack the Top 100 overall ranking in the four major sports. The No. 1 franchise in North American pro sports, according to the ranking, is the Oklahoma City Thunder. Falcons personalized jersey. The highest-ranked NHL franchise on the list is the Phoenix Coyotes. The top NHL franchises according to the magazines individual categories are as follows: Bang for the Buck (wins weighted against revenues), Players (on-field effort, total likability), Coaching and Affordability: Phoenix Coyotes. Fan Relations and Ownership: Detroit Red Wings. Stadium Experience: Minnesota Wild. Title Track (Championships won or expected in the lifetimes of current fans): Pittsburgh Penguins. As for Canadas other pro sports teams, the Ottawa Senators were the highest-ranked, checking in at 42nd overall. The Winnipeg Jets and Vancouver Canucks were listed 91st and 92nd respectively. Outside hockey, the Toronto Blue Jays were ranked 79th and the Toronto Raptors were 103rd. No Canadian franchise cracked the Top 20 in any single category. ' ' '