to work and see how that works out.Game notes

The regular season-opener between the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens features a pair of starting quarterbacks who used to share the same sideline.While they represent a contrast in styles, the players share a common goal of getting their franchises on track after disappointing 2015 campaigns.Baltimores Joe Flacco suffered a season-ending left knee injury Nov. 22 against the St. Louis Rams and the Ravens never recovered, finishing 5-11. Buffalos Tyrod Taylor is building off the best year of his career, but the Bills missed the playoffs for the 16th consecutive time -- the longest drought among active teams.Taylor spent 2011-14 as Flaccos backup in Baltimore before leaving to take the starting job in Buffalo. Ravens coach John Harbaugh lauded his former players development and his ability to manage the game.He has made himself into an NFL quarterback, Harbaugh said. His quarterback rating last year was very high (99.4). He did it with his legs, certainly, but that is not to take away what from what he has done with his arm and his mind. He operates an offense extremely well. He manages the game very well. He is an accurate thrower. He makes good decisions. The added element of the fact that is he is probably one of the best athletes in the game just makes him a real weapon.Taylor learned a valuable lesson in what it takes to win, serving as Flaccos understudy in the Ravens Super Bowl XLVII victory. Taylor valued his time in Baltimore, but he was ready to lead an offense.They knew I wanted an opportunity to get a chance to start, or just to compete, for a starting position, Taylor said. I wouldnt turn that down and they wouldnt have wanted me to turn it down either. Im happy with how things turned out.Flacco, who will wear a brace to protect his surgically repaired left knee, had a strong training camp and appears fully ready to re-take the reins. He returns with the most playmakers hes had over his past eight seasons in Baltimore.The Ravens signed Mike Wallace to provide another downfield threat. Breshad Perriman, a first-round pick in 2015, is expected to make an impact after missing all of last season with a knee injury. Finally, rookie Chris Moore, a fourth-round pick, could also play a big role.One of the toughest challenges for Flacco will be ensuring his receivers get enough touches, especially with Steve Smith back after a season-ending torn Achilles tendon in 2015.I think I have a good relationship with all of those guys, Flacco said. They understand that its about winning football and team football around here. Theyre all going to get their chances. Some games they might not get as many as others.Flacco could have two rookies starting on the left side of the offensive line with tackle Ronnie Stanley and guard Alex Lewis. The Bills will likely try to aggressively exploit that inexperience ... if they can figure out how to fix their pass rush.Last season, the Bills had the second fewest sacks in the league (21) behind Atlanta. The pass rush didnt get much better in the preseason as Buffalo managed just four sacks in four games.On offense, Buffalo did the top rushing attack in the NFL last season, and that unit could help control the clock against the Ravens.Bills coach Rex Ryan also has some familiarity with the Ravens, spending nine seasons on their coaching staff, including four years as defensive coordinator. Ed Reed, the Bills assistant defensive backs coach, is in Baltimores Ring of Honor and is regarded as one of the best safeties in the history of the NFL.Those guys do a phenomenal job of getting player that like fit a certain system, that love play the game, that are passionate about it, and thats exactly what were trying to build here in Buffalo, Ryan said about the Ravens.The Bills could get a boost with the return of safety Aaron Williams, who returned to practice after missing almost a month with a concussion. He provides effective support for Bills cornerbacks Stephon Gilmore and Ronald Darby.Baltimore will be without linebacker Elvis Dumervil, who had offseason foot surgery and has not been able to practice since Aug. 29. Cheap NBA Jerseys . The 18-year-old American had five birdies in her bogey-free round for a 17-under total of 196. Lee held the overnight lead but mixed three birdies with two bogeys for a 70. Cheap Swingman Pacers Jerseys . -- Gus Malzahn finally had his day in Fayetteville. http://www.cheappacersjerseys.com/ . Speaking to the Chicago Tribune at baseballs Winter Meetings in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, Boras called the former home of the Expos a "tremendous environment" for baseball. Cheap Pacers Jerseys . Down by seven with 90 seconds left in regulation, thats where they looked comfortable. Wholesale Pacers Jerseys .ca look back at each of the Top 10 stories of 2013. Today, we look back at Boston Strong - a citys recovery from tragedy. ORLANDO, Fla. -- Its no longer about rebuilding or improving for the Orlando Magic.The expectations around the franchise are all about not just making the playoffs, but also putting together a run once they get there. Those are rather lofty goals for a franchise that hasnt made the playoffs since 2012 when Dwight Howard was the focal point.But no one within the franchise is the least shy about the bold expectations, especially not first-year coach Frank Vogel set to tip-off his training camp with Orlando on Tuesday.I wouldnt be this way if I didnt really believe in this team, Vogel said during Mondays media day at the Amway Center. I dont think you can fake that type of talk, that type of belief. I really believe this team has what it takes to make the playoffs and have success in the playoffs.The Magic, spearheaded by general manager Rob Hennigan, went through yet another remake of the roster this offseason in hopes of getting Orlando back into the postseason. It start with a shift in coaching when Scott Skiles surprising left after just one season and the defensive-minded Vogel was brought in after his contract wasnt renewed in Indiana.But the most notable differences will be on the floor.Gone are some of the young guns like Victor Oladipo and Tobias Harris, who were supposed to be major pieces to the puzzle in getting the Magic back to the playoffs last season. Now Orlando has shifted to more of a blend of young talent and proven playoff veterans with the additions of Serge Ibaka, Jeff Green and Bismack Biyombo to improve the inside presence and add depth to the roster.Just six players -- Evan Fournier, Aaron Gordon, Elfrid Payton, Nikola Vucevic, Mario Hezonja and C.J. Watson -- remain from last seasons roster.Everyone is excited about the makeup of the team and the depth and versatility that we have, said Hennigan, who saw his team make a double-digit improvement in wins to 35-47 last season but still failed to make a playoff appearance in Scott Skiles only season as the coach. Now its on us to go out and prove that we can do it.Ibaka and Biyombo, the biggest offseason acquisitions, will not only give the Magic much needed rim protection and versatilityy in the front court but they also come with the understanding of what it takes to get to the playoffs and make a run.ddddddddddddIbaka, who was acquired in a draft night trade with Oklahoma City, will see his role expanded from just being a defensive presence at the power forward to being looked to for more scoring and leadership than was the case in his seven seasons with the Thunder franchise.I am going to just show them how its supposed to get done, Ibaka said. Sometimes its not just to talk but to do it so they can follow it because Ive been there before.So I am going to bring that to the table so that we can do it together.Biyombo was the big free agent get after an impressive Eastern Conference Finals with the Toronto Raptors against Cleveland. While limited offensively, He will be a huge defensive presence in the middle and a big-time offensive rebounder who will compete with Vucevic for minutes in the paint.I look forward to this opportunity, Biyombo said. I think its a challenge not just to me but to all of us as teammates. All of these new guys who are coming, we all have to find a way to do it.The returning players all seem excited about the new pieces and what they can potentially bring to the table, even if that means a reduced role.It feels different, a lot of new faces on this team, said Vucevic, who could be coming off the bench after leading the team in scoring last season. But Im excited. We have a lot of new guys on this team, a lot of guys who can help us win. So Im excited to get to work and see how that works out.Game notes As expected newly acquired shooting guard Jodie Meeks will not be available for a while after undergoing another surgery on his right foot to stabilize the fifth metatarasal, which was the same bone he fractured in the second game last season that sidelined him for the year with Detroit. ... Vogel said forward Aaron Gordon rolled his ankle a couple of weeks and will be limited during the early part of training camp. ... Guard C.J. Wilcox (wrist) was cleared for full participation Monday. ' ' '