leave the Colts with an early hole

CINCINNATI -- Andy Dalton went out on top last season, but it wasnt the place he wanted to finish.He led the AFC in passer rating when he broke the thumb on his passing hand on Dec. 13 while making a tackle during an interception return against Pittsburgh at Paul Brown Stadium. He missed the last three regular-season games and an 18-16 playoff loss to the Steelers at home again.While backup AJ McCarron played well as his fill-in, Dalton was frustrated at having to watch his breakout season come to an end while he stood on the sideline.The thumb is fully healed, the offense looked good in the preseason, and Dalton is ready to pick up where he left off when the Bengals play at the Jets on Sunday.I feel like Ive got a lot of confidence in my ability, in what this offense can do, and in the guys around me, Dalton said on Wednesday.So there definitely is a carry-over. I mean, it was the best season that Ive had, so for me its trying to improve on that.Dalton was in the discussion of league MVP candidates when he got hurt. He completed 66 percent of his passes -- a career high -- with 25 touchdowns and a career-low seven interceptions. His passer rating of 106.3 topped the AFC and was second in the NFL to Seattles Russell Wilson at 110.1.Cincinnati matched the franchise record with 12 wins last season, only to have another first-round playoff meltdown. Dalton watched from the sideline as McCarron led Cincinnati to a late lead, but Vontaze Burficts hit on Antonio Brown drew a penalty and gave the Steelers a chance for the winning field goal.That made it five straight years of first-round losses, an NFL record. Theyre trying to get their first postseason win in more than 25 years, with much of it riding on whether Dalton can play at an elite level again.Were definitely anxious to get out there and start the new chapter, defensive end Carlos Dunlap said. For all of us, its a new chapter because obviously that last chapter we had, yall know what happened. Now we want to go out there and start something new, a new story.There will be one new thing in the offense on Sunday: Ken Zampese was elevated from quarterbacks coach to offensive coordinator when Hue Jackson left to become Clevelands head coach. Jackson was known for pushing the envelope with his creativity -- unbalanced lines, tackles lined up as slot receivers to help block, Dalton employed as a receiver. Itll be the first glimpse of how much different Cincinnati looks with the change.Theres some new things that were doing, some things that weve changed, some things that weve tweaked, Dalton said.Game notes Linebacker P.J. Dawson was signed to the practice squad. He played in 11 games for the Bengals last season and was with them in the preseason before being waived. ... CB Darqueze Dennard, who missed most of the preseason with an ankle injury, was limited in practice on Wednesday. DT Pat Sims (Achilles) and TE Tyler Eifert (ankle) didnt participate. Everyone else participated fully.---Online: AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Kris Draper Jersey . The Lightning are 2-0 so far on a four-game road trip, giving the club five straight wins as the guest and improving Tampas away record this season to 11-8-2. Luke Glendening Jersey . Newcastle dominated in the early stages but City weathered the storm and then raised its game in extra time. Negredo broke the deadlock from close range after a simple move in the 99th minute before Dzeko took the ball round goalkeeper Tim Krul to seal the victory in the 105th. http://www.redwingshockeyauthentic.com/andreas-athanasiou-jersey/ . Then the Pacers gave Oladipo and his Orlando teammates the cold shoulder. Paul Georges buzzer-beating 3-pointer at the end of the third quarter spurred a 21-4 run, finally sending Indiana past the Magic 97-87 in a tougher-than-expected opening night matchup. Ted Lindsay Red Wings Jersey . -- An ugly goal by Nick Bonino helped the Anaheim Ducks overcome the defensive-minded Phoenix Coyotes on a night when their ragged power play continued to struggle. Michael Rasmussen Jersey . Colin Wilson had two goals and an assist, and Mike Fisher scored a goal and helped set up two others in the Predators 6-4 victory over the Red Wings on Monday night. ANDERSON, Ind. -- Colts receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey was diagnosed with a sprained left knee Sunday, and its unclear how much time he might miss. The injury occurred during the afternoon session at Indianapolis training camp. Heyward-Bey was then taking to the training tent at Anderson University and watched the rest of practice with the knee wrapped in ice. The timing couldnt be worse. Heyward-Bey, who never lived up to the hype of being a first-round pick in Oakland, had played well during the first week of camp and starting to find a home with his new teammates. "Hes growing, hes getting better and better each week," Reggie Wayne said Friday. "He can be a freak of nature, he really can be. So Im here to help him in whatever way I can. " Indianapolis signed the free agent in April, hoping Heyward-Bey could emerge as a consistent deep threat. He didnt play like one in Oakland. The seventh overall pick in 2009 caught just 41 passes for 606 yards as a rookie, then had 64 receptions for 975 yards in 2010. Both were career-highs. Over the past two seasons, though, Heyward-Bey had a combined total of 35 passes for 490 yards andd two TDs.dddddddddddd Though Indy appeared set with Wayne, the perennial Pro-Bowler, and T.Y. Hilton, one of the leagues top rookies, as their top two receivers, they still brought in Heyward-Bey with hopes that a change of scenery -- and offence -- would jump-start his career. Now, if he misses any significant time, it could leave the Colts with an early hole. Last years second starter, Donnie Avery, left in free agency, and LaVon Brazill, who was supposed to have an increased role this season without Avery, was suspended for the first four regular-season games because of a violation of the NFLs substance-abuse policy. Indy also lost rookie running back Dan Moore during the afternoon workout with a right shoulder injury. Team officials said he sprained the AC joint. Pro Bowl safety Antoine Bethea did return to the field Sunday after missing four days of workouts so he could attend the birth of his daughter, who spent four nights in the Neo-natal intensive care unit. Saturday was an off-day for the Colts. "Theyre doing good," Bethea said. "Baby came home on Friday so everything is good on the home front." ' ' '