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Geregistreerd op: 18 Okt 2019
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 Geplaatst: 18-10-2019 07:03:02 Onderwerp: in 10 previous meetings with the Leafs, who were in action l |
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| ORCHARD PARK, N. Cincinnati Reds Gear .Y. -- The Buffalo Bills approach to the NFL draft this year has much to do with EJ Manuel. After selecting the quarterback in the first round last year, the next step is adding talent to give Manuel the opportunity to progress after an inconsistent and injury-shortened rookie season. "Its a quarterback-driven league, so were going to give every avenue and every piece of the puzzle to surround EJ and make him as successful as possible," general manager Doug Whaley said. "What we did this off-season affords us the opportunity to go any way and every way in the draft. But our main focus is making sure EJ progresses." Manuels progression is a point of emphasis for a team that hasnt had stability at quarterback since Hall of Famer Jim Kelly retired following the 1996 season. And questions remain whether Manuel is capable of providing that stability. He went 4-6 and oversaw a sputtering offence that contributed to Buffalo (6-10) extending the NFLs longest active playoff drought to 14 seasons. The Bills can do little but cross their fingers in hoping Manuel can stay healthy after being sidelined by knee injuries on three separate occasions. What they can control is adding pieces to the offence. Buffalo began by creating two new offensive positions on coach Doug Marrones staff, including quarterbacks coach Todd Downing. Whaley also acquired Mike Williams, a proven receiver with a troubled off-field past, in a trade with Tampa Bay. The next step is the draft, which is top-heavy on receivers and offensive tackles. Here are five things to look out for from Buffalo, which opens with the ninth pick: DOUBLING DOWN ON WR: Despite acquiring Williams and drafting receivers Robert Woods and Marquise Goodwin last year, the Bills might not be done restocking the position. Buffalos passing attack lacked a dependable threat, finishing 29th in the NFL in yards gained. At 6-foot-5, Texas A&Ms Mike Evans has the size and range Buffalo lacks. And Clemsons Sammy Watkins has the overall talent that might be too good to pass up despite his 6-1 frame. "We believe so," Whaley said of Watkins, for whom Buffalo probably has to move up. "We think his traits are dynamic enough to overcome his lack of height." Tight end is another option, with North Carolinas Eric Ebron in the mix. O-LINE NEEDS: With left tackle Cordy Glenn protecting Manuels blind side, the Bills are interested in upgrading the other side of their line. Whaley expects more teams to adopt what he calls "NASCAR packages," featuring swift-footed pass rushers across the defensive front. "You need a right tackle nowadays as athletic as your left tackle," he said. The draft features several highly regarded tackles, including Auburns Greg Robinson, Michigans Taylor Lewan and Texas A&Ms Jake Matthews. The Bills also have a pressing need at left guard that is expected to be addressed in later rounds. REPLACING BYRD: The Bills believe they have enough depth to overcome losing three-time Pro Bowl safety Jairus Byrd in free agency. Aaron Williams was solid in making the switch last season from cornerback. Returning players DaNorris Searcy, Jonathan Meeks and Duke Williams will compete for regular jobs. And then theres the free agent addition of Corey Graham, who can play cornerback and safety. WHALEYS DEBUT: After spending his first three years in Buffalo being groomed for the GMs job, Whaley gets to run his first draft after Buddy Nix stepped down a year ago. At 41, Whaley has extensive background as a scout after working his way up through the Steelers organization. And hes eager to begin being judged on how he does rebuilding the Bills. "Call me crazy, I like it," Whaley said. "Im a competitor and I want to win. If thats my role and thats my job, I embrace my destiny." REMEMBERING RALPH: This is the Bills first draft since owner and founder Ralph Wilson died in March. Wilson enjoyed being involved in the draft. Wilson proudly recalled the time he broke a deadlock among executives by urging them to select running back Thurman Thomas in the second round of the 1988 draft. Thomas went on to a Hall of Fame career. "This was his favourite time of year," Bills president Russ Brandon said. "People ask me all the time how we can honour Mr. Wilsons legacy. And my answer is always the same. Its one word: Win." Reds Jerseys China . - Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Percy Harvin has cleared league-mandated concussion protocol and has returned to practice as a full participant. Cheap Reds Jerseys . It was considered unlikely that Rielly would be loaned to Canada for the tournament, which begins Dec. 26 in Malmo, Sweden, though a stretch of three straight games in the press box made it something of a debate. https://www.cheapredsjerseys.us/ . Ferrer will play Mikhail Youzhny on Sunday after he defeated Dmitry Tursunov 6-2, 6-4 in an all-Russian semifinal. "Youzhny is a good player," Ferrer said.One day after their 3-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings, and still without top defenceman Dion Phaneuf as he serves the second of his two-game suspension, the Toronto Maple Leafs will head to St. Louis to take on Alexander Steen and the Blues Thursday night. Cody Franson scored and Jonathan Bernier made 20 stops for the Leafs, but they still stumbled to their seventh loss in nine outings Wednesday against LA. "That was much closer to what we need," Toronto head coach Randy Carlyle. "Hey, were third in the Eastern Conference in goals scored. Its on the defensive side where our work ethic and commitment hasnt been there." Phaneuf was out of the lineup, serving the first game of his two-game suspension however, winger Joffrey Lupul returned after missing seven games in a row due to a groin strain. He has eight goals and 15 points in 22 contests before the injury. Carlyle could give James Reimer his first career start versus the Blues tonight. Bernier is 2-1-0 with a 2.99 GAA in four starts against them. The Blues meanwhile, look to secure a second straight victory on Thursday night against the struggling Leafs. The Blues had lost three of four ahead of Tuesdays 2-1 victory over the Winnipeg Jets. Alexander Steen had a second-period goal and Kevin Shattenkirk put home the deciding goal while on the power play with 3:02 remaining in the game. Shattenkirks third goal of the season changed direction on the way to the net after he took a feed from Derek Roy. "Sometimes you gett rewarded with a couple lucky ones and it was a great game by both teams," said Shattenkirk. Stitched Reds Jerseys. Brian Elliott stopped 20 shots for the Blues, who reached the 20-win plateau by claiming their seventh victory in the last 10 outings. "Our goalie made some great saves and I think we were getting nervous when we didnt score on some opportunities, but I really like the way we fought," said Blues head coach Ken Hitchcock. Steen, a former first-round pick by Toronto in 2002, scored his first goal in five games and his 21st of the season. That is tied for second most in the NHL and three off his career high of 24 scored with the Blues in 2009-10. That season was Steens first full one in St. Louis after getting dealt by Toronto along with defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo for Lee Stempniak on Nov. 24, 2008. The 29-year-old Steen has two goals in three career games versus Toronto. Steen will look to give Elliott some more support tonight with the netminder set to get the call again. He is 5-1-1 with a 2.04 goals against average and .919 save percentage in 10 games this season, including seven starts. Elliott has allowed two goals or fewer in five of those starts. The goaltender is 3-5-1 with a 3.07 GAA in 10 previous meetings with the Leafs, who were in action last night and lost a 3-1 decision to the Los Angeles Kings. The Maple Leafs have won two straight versus the Blues, both in a shootout, following a three-game series losing streak. They notched a 3-2 win in their last trip to St. Louis on Nov. 10, 2011. ' ' ' |
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