ENGLEWOOD, Colo. Air Max 97 VaporMax . -- Jack Del Rio had a big Thanksgiving Day surprise for his team. John Fox joined the players and coaches for their post-practice huddle on the football field Thursday. Amid hails, hugs and handshakes, he told them how thankful he was for his health, their hard work and his good friend Del Rio for running things while he was recovering from open-heart surgery. "I believe there couldnt have been a better message on a better day," safety David Bruton said. Of course, Fox also took the opportunity to do some coaching, imploring his players to focus on beating Kansas City this weekend so that when he officially returns to work Monday, hell have a first-place team awaiting him. It hasnt been determined whether Fox will coach from the sideline or the booth for his first game back, when the Broncos host the Tennessee Titans on Dec. 8. The team issued a statement Thursday saying that "while no formal restrictions will be placed on his workload upon his return, he will continue to be monitored by our medical staff as his well-being remains our No. 1 priority." Its been less than a month since Fox had his heart operation. Team owner Pat Bowlen sent his private jet to Charlotte, N.C., on Wednesday to bring Fox and his wife, Robin, back to Denver. Fox had been recuperating at his off-season home after aortic valve replacement surgery Nov. 4. Del Rio said he invited Fox to drop by the office Thanksgiving morning so that the entire team wouldnt have to show up at the Fox house for turkey dinner. "It was great to see (him) and very fitting on a day like today when were all kind of taking a pause and taking a break and giving thanks," Del Rio said. Fox will stay back in Denver when the Broncos visit Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday for an AFC West showdown between 9-2 teams that could go a long way in determining playoff positioning. Del Rio has gone 2-1 in Foxs absence. Fox has actually been back coaching for a while. He and Del Rio talk every day, and he even Skyped his players during a team meeting last week. He was breaking down plays upon his release from the hospital, and on Wednesday quarterback Peyton Manning said theyve communicated "a healthy amount" over the last three weeks. His return was first reported by Fox Sports. About a week after the surgery, Fox said on a conference call with reporters that he was born with a bicuspid aortic valve, one that has only two leaflets instead of the usual three. The aortic valve regulates blood flow from the heart into the aorta, the major blood vessel that brings blood into the body. He said it was discovered in 1997 when a murmur showed up in a physical while he was the Giants defensive co-ordinator. He was told earlier this year that surgery was necessary, but he had hoped to delay the operation until after the Super Bowl. That changed when he almost passed out Nov. 2 while golfing in Charlotte, two days after hed visited his cardiologist in Raleigh. Less than 48 hours later, he had surgery, and he was released from the hospital four days after that. He said the typical hospital stay for such surgeries is five to seven days. He also noted that he was "very, very healthy," saying his heart condition was more of a birth defect than the result of any poor lifestyle choices or too much stress. He pledged then get back to work by seasons end. Tight end Jacob Tamme called it a "pretty cool Thanksgiving treat to have him back and see how happy he was to be back." "I mean, its killing him (to be away)," Tamme said. "He loves it, man. He loves being around this group and we love having him here. So it was pretty awesome." Air Max 97 Tartan Outlet . It was the start of one nice night for the goalie and the Minnesota Wild. Backstrom made 33 saves in his first win of the season and the Wild defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 5-3 on Saturday in a rematch of their first-round playoff series. Air Max 97 Undefeated . Off-Season Game Plan looks at what the Blue Jackets may do to build upon last seasons success to return to the playoffs again next year. http://www.airmax97outlet.it/scontate-air-max-97-ultra-metallic-gold.html .Y. -- Nothing seems to phase No. NEW ORLEANS -- Monty Williams was hoping a return to the Crescent City after an arduous, five-game road trip would energize his weary Pelicans. But it was the visiting Washington Wizards who played with more intensity, holding off a furious late rally in a 102-96 victory Wednesday night. Trevor Ariza scored 21 points and John Wall added 20 to lead Washington, which is suddenly finding the road more inviting. The victory was the second road win in as many nights for the Wizards, who have now won six of seven away from home. "There was a stretch in the first half where we had five stops in a row and scored on all five which created the lead for us," Washington coach Randy Wittman said. "We were a little sloppy down the stretch but it was a real solid effort." Bradley Beal added 17 points, Jan Vesely 12 and Marcin Gortat and Nene 11 each for the Wizards. Beal made three of his first four 3-point attempts and added four assists. Vesely was 6 of 8 from the field and grabbed seven rebounds, a game-high five on the offensive end, which led Washingtons 13 second-chance points. Gortat added 14 rebounds and former Pelican Ariza 10 to lead Washington to a 46-37 advantage on the boards. "(Vesely) is definitely our most athletic big, and he brings a lot of energy," Beal said. "Whenever hes playing the way hes capable of playing, were a great team." Eric Gordon scored 23 points and Anthony Davis 21 for the Pelicans, who were coming off of a four-game road trip that saw New Orleans endure a two-day delay in Indianapolis because of the severe winter storms that paralyzed air traffic earlier this week. "We just did not compete in the second quarter, not to the level that they were competing," Williams said of a period when the Pelicans were outscored 33-16 to fall behind 61-44. "Theres no excuse for that. Weve got young guys." Brian Roberts scored 11 points, all in the second half, and Greg Stiemsma 10 for New Orleans, which trailed by as many as 23 in the third quarter. "Our energy was down," Pelicans guard Austin Rivers said. "I didnt think we were focused. We are picking up bad habits. When we get down six or seven, we act like the game is over and the lead gets worse. Thats not coaching. Air Max 97 Just Do It. Thats on us. "Its discipline and pride. Weve got to have a little something inside you." The Pelicans trailed 87-66 to begin the fourth quarter, but opened with a 14-4 run to trim the deficit to 91-80 midway through the period. The Wizards committed turnovers on three consecutive possessions during one sloppy stretch and scored only two points during another five-minute span. New Orleans got within 93-87 with 2:56 remaining, but could come no closer. "The biggest deal to me was that the level of competing was different (in the fourth quarter)," Williams said. "We did not make any adjustments. We did what we were supposed to do and we had a 30 to 15 quarter." With the exception of an early two-minute window, Washington dominated the first half, playing energized on the defensive end and controlling the interior. The Wizards made their first five field-goal attempts in racing to an 11-6 lead. But just as quickly, the shots quit falling and New Orleans took advantage, outscoring the Wizards 14-1 in a little more than two minutes to take a 20-12 lead with 4:21 left in the quarter. The Pelicans defence effectively sealed off the middle during the run, forcing Washington to settle for looks from the perimeter. However, New Orleans spurt proved to be an early tease for the fans. The Wizards closed the quarter on a 16-8 run to tie the score at 28 and opened the second on a 12-0 run. Martell Websters 3-pointer gave the Wizards a 40-28 with 7:55 remaining in the quarter. During that stretch, the Pelicans missed four shots and committed two turnovers. Washington closed the half on a 21-16 run to take a 61-44 lead. "We were a little bit tired," Pelicans centre Alexis Ajinca said. "Sometimes its in the head, sometimes its in the legs. Tonight. it was a little bit of both." NOTES: The 61 points given up by the Pelicans tied a season high for points allowed in the first half. New Orleans also gave up 61 in the first half Jan. 1 at Minnesota, which resulted in a 124-112 loss. ... Davis made a 3-pointer with less than one minute remaining, the first of his career. ... The Pelicans lost their third consecutive game to an Eastern Conference opponent. ' ' '