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TEMPE, Ariz. -- No one has played better defense for the Arizona Cardinals through two games than Tony Jefferson.The 24-year-old safety has 21 tackles, 18 of them unassisted. He has three tackles for loss, two quarterback hits and a recovered fumble.Not bad for a guy who scraped his way onto the Cardinals roster as an undrafted free agent out of Oklahoma in 2013.I feel like Ive had to fight every year to be on the team and to make a statement, he said after practice Wednesday. I always have a big chip on my shoulder. I never get complacent, just try to take advantage of every opportunity I get.Most of the time, Jefferson is playing in the box, near the line of scrimmage, where he can blitz the passer, defend the tight end or just race to the middle of the play as it develops. Tyrann Mathieu spent a lot of time in the box last year, too, leading to an All-Pro selection. But Mathieu has played only free safety thus far while he works his way back from knee surgery.Jefferson acknowledges that its a position that allows him to make many plays.A lot of it has to do with scheme, he said. Coach Boettch (defensive coordinator James Boettcher) does a great job finding ways to use guys strengths. Hes let me be aggressive, attack, be physical if I want to be. And at the same time play man on tight ends and stuff. Im actually having a really good time. Im enjoying it right now. Its just all coming together.Jefferson had 10 tackles in the opener against New England and matched his career high with 11 tackles in Arizonas 40-7 victory over Tampa Bay on Sunday.After the game, he mentioned the fact its a contract year for his improved play. But he downplayed that in the Wednesday interview.Obviously, I speak for anybody, you play well, you want to get paid, Jefferson said, but thats just a small portion of it. Obviously I want to win a championship. Obviously I want to be one of the best safeties in the league. It may sound crazy to other people ... but I have my own goals.Coach Bruce Arians has been around a long time and has seen how playing in a contract year seems to rev up a players performance.They always see those dollar signs, he said. Its an amazing thing.When Jefferson was a restricted free agent last summer, the Cardinals tendered him the lowest possible offer -- about $1.7 million a year. Nobody matched it and he was left in a take-it-or-leave-it situation.Teams dont even like messing with the restricted stuff, Jefferson said. They can low-ball out and you either take it or you dont. I hated that whole process. Hopefully things work out to where Im here and dont worry about hitting free agency.Jefferson has played in every game since he made the roster three seasons ago, but only sporadically as a starter.When the Cardinals chose not to re-sign Rashad Johnson this offseason, the starting safety job was his.It means a lot. Ive always wanted to be a starter, Jefferson said. Thats why Im here. Im not going to not take advantage of the opportunity. Im going to do what I can to keep it, do what I can to build from it.Mathieu has watched Jefferson develop through the years.Ive always thought Tony played well, even going back to our rookie year, or second year, him just continuing making strides, Mathieu said. Ive always thought he was a good tackler. Ive always thought he was underrated in coverage. I think hes just really putting it all together this year. Hes been really focused. Its a big year for him, a contract year.When Mathieu returns to his do-everything role, Jefferson doesnt expect his playmaking to slow down.I dont ever fathom the fact of me being on the field, Im going to make less plays, he said. When Im on the field, Im looking to make the most plays I can and have the same mindset whether Im playing d-line, d-end, safety, corner. It doesnt matter. When Im on the field, I expect to make plays.The Cardinals (1-1) are at Buffalo on Sunday.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Air Max Ireland . The defence is doing its part, too. Drew Brees threw a pair of touchdown passes in the first half and the guys on the other side made sure that was enough, sending the Saints to a 17-13 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night. Air Max Ireland . -- Yogi Ferrell orchestrates pretty much everything in Indianas offence. http://www.airmaxireland.com/ . It was the second consecutive win for the Pacers (2-5), who lost their first five preseason games. Jeff Teague led the Hawks (1-5) with 17 points and eight assists and Al Horford had 12 points and seven rebounds. Mike Scott scored 15 of his 17 points in the second half. Cheap Air Max Sale . Nathan MacKinnon, Jamie McGinn and Jan Hejda also scored for the Avalanche, who won despite being outshot 38-23. MacKinnons goal, also on the power play, came with just over a minute remaining. Air Max Outlet Ireland . Varlamov made 33 saves and Ryan OReilly had a goal and scored in the shootout as the Avalanche beat the New Jersey Devils 2-1 on Thursday night. When you win an NBA title, where do you bring the Larry OBrien Trophy??For Canadian (and Cleveland Cavalier)?Tristan Thompson, the obvious answer is Tim Hortons.Thompson, whose Cavs won the NBA title in June, took his turn with the trophy this week, and brought it home to his native Canada. He made sure to give a shoutout to fellow Canadian?Sidney Crosby, who celebrated his Pittsburrgh Penguins?title at the Canadian-based chain in July.ddddddddddddThe trophy has been making its way around Thompsons hometown of Toronto (sorry, Raptors fans). On Thursday, Thompson brought the trophy to the CN Tower, the tallest structure in the city. ' ' '