summers to add that critical defining piece(s) to take you from solid team

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Atlanta Falcons coach Mike Smith is waiting to select a backup quarterback. Watching a replay of the preseason finale at Jacksonville might make his decision an easy one. T.J. Yates made a strong case to be Matt Ryans backup Thursday night, throwing for 243 yards and two touchdowns in a 24-14 win over the Jaguars. Yates had shown little in the teams first three exhibitions, completing 39.4 per cent of his passes, with no touchdowns and two interceptions. Second-year player Sean Renfree posted better numbers and seemingly had an edge in the competition. But Yates shined against the Jaguars. "Things worked well tonight," said Yates, who spent his first three seasons in Houston. "Its taken me a little time to get use to this offence coming in so late. I was playing catch-up there in camp and preseason, and I was getting pretty frustrated with the way I was playing in some of the games. But I kept working hard, and coach gave me some more chances to do things." Yates highlight throw was a 67-yard touchdown strike to Freddie Martino in the second quarter, a deep ball that put Atlanta up 21-7. His other TD came on a swing pass to Antone Smith, who broke several tackles during the 66-yard catch and run. Yates completed 15 of 20 passes and was sacked twice. "I thought T.J. had an outstanding game," Smith said. "That quarterback battle has been an interesting one and thats going to lead us into a number of very difficult decisions." Renfree was 9-of-12 passing for 62 yards. Ryan didnt play, spending the game on the sideline with running back Steven Jackson and receivers Roddy White, Julio Jones and Harry Douglas. Defensive lineman Jonathan Babineaux also got the night off. Jacksonville held out a number of first-teamers, too. Quarterback Chad Henne, running back Toby Gerhart, safety Johnathan Cyprien, linebacker Paul Posluszny, left tackle Luke Joeckel, tight end Marcedes Lewis, defensive end Chris Clemons and defensive tackle Roy Miller were among the teams healthy scratches. Kicker Josh Scobee, safety Winston Guy, cornerback Alan Ball, safety Craig Loston, right tackle Austin Pasztor, guard Zane Beadles, offensive tackle Josh Wells, tight end Clay Harbor and defensive tackle SenDerrick Marks were held out because of injuries. With Henne resting, first-round draft pick Blake Bortles got the start for Jacksonville and extended his impressive preseason. Bortles completed 4 of 6 passes for 86 yards, including a 57-yard TD strike to fellow rookie Marqise Lee on the first play of the second quarter. "I probably waited too long to get to Marqise, but he did a good job of beating his guy off the line, getting downfield and making a play," said Bortles, the third overall pick in Mays draft. Bortles completed 32 of 51 passes for 521 yards in four exhibition games, with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Despite Bortles steady improvement, hes a lock to open the season on the bench behind Henne. "As a competitor, you want to play," Bortles said. "You want to go play, obviously, but I think you have to understand your role. I understand mine. Chads our starter and Im the backup. Now my role kind of shifts. Ive got to go get try and get work in and get better at practice, do stuff for the defence on scout team and improve in those ways." Henne ended the preseason 25-of-38 passing for 230 yards, with a touchdown and no interceptions. More pressing questions for Jacksonville involve the offensive line. Rookie centre Luke Bowanko, a sixth-round pick from Virginia, started in place of Mike Brewster and looked sharp again. Brewster played in the second half and grounded a snap past quarterback Ricky Stanzi — his third bad snap of the preseason. Brewster could go from being the starter to being on the street when final roster cuts come Saturday. "When you have a couple bad snaps in the first game and then you throw a low one back there in the last game, I mean, yeah, its not a comforting feeling," Brewster said. "But I know I can play in this league. I have played in this league. "Its tough, so well see. Whatever happens, happens. I cant blame anybody but myself, and whatever the problem is, Ive got to move beyond that and not let it keep on." NOTES: Jaguars WRs Tandon Doss (ankle) and Ace Sanders (leave of absence) made their preseason debuts, but Doss sustained another ankle injury and could be out a while. ... Jaguars rookie CB Rashaad Reynolds left with a hand injury and will need surgery. ... Falcons rookie RB Devonta Freeman had 87 yards — 42 rushing and 45 receiving. ___ AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL Nike Shoes China .com) - Mikko Korhonen carded a 5-under 67 on Thursday to claim medalist honors at the European Tours Final Qualifying Stage tournament. Cyber Monday Nike Shoes . Rico dove horizontally to meet Andoni Iraolas precise long cross from the right to score his second league goal of the season in the 33rd minute. Two minutes later, Aritz Aduriz netted Bilbaos second when he raced forward and pounced on a poor clearance by Villarreal defender Mateo Musacchio, sending a low shot rolling past goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo. https://www.fakenikeshoeswholesale.com/ . Five years ago, Nestor and Zimonjic beat the American twins to win the title. But the Bryans, the worlds top-ranked team, needed 74 minutes to earn the victory Saturday as both Nestor and Zimonjic lost serve in the second set. Fake Nike Shoes . Bjoerndalen, who had failed to win any major race for two years before Sochi, writes in a Facebook entry that he is "full of energy and inspiration" after winning the 10-kilometre sprint and mixed relay at last months Olympics. Black Friday Nike Shoes . Doug Fister allowed two runs over seven innings and Washington hit three solo homers in a 6-2 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday night.1. LeBron James (Cavaliers): Great news for a city that truly needs it and for a small market/non-destination franchise. James will be a better and more mature player and leader than when he left Cleveland four years ago. The Cavaliers have lots of really nice assets to move if they want to acquire Kevin Love, yet if youngsters like Andrew Wiggins, Anthony Bennett & Tristian Thompson get a chance to play with the king, they will thrive. Fun times on Lake Erie. Im happy for them. 2. Chris Bosh: Im on my way to Houston if Im him. He has to get it done quick, so they can match Dallas offer sheet on Chandler Parsons. The Rockets are a great fit for him there basketball wise and a great payday. I understand he can stay in Miami and get a fifth year and more money, yet his better opportunity to win is in Houston. Interesting decision to have to make, but its a positive problem. Overall, a nice spot to be in but joining Dwight Howard and James Harden with a sound roster, coach & organization should make it a no brainer in my book. 3. Chicago Bulls: The Bulls will be playing for the fourth Seed and final home court in first round of playoffs due to Clevelands presence in their division. Its time to take action, can they swing a move(s) to get Carmelo Anthony (they have to find more money) or maybe make a run at declining Dwyane Wade (a risk/not sure if this is even an upgrade at this stage than Luol Deng) but if they sit back, they run the risk of watching opportunities slip away. 4. Pat Riley (Heat): Tough day for him, Mickey Arison & Erik Spoelstra. This is a first class organization and theyll find a way to figure it out in time. I truly feel this is an example of what is to be the norm and not the exception (Spurs) in todays NBA. The salary cap & luxurry tax work and the free market society allow players greater leverage.dddddddddddd You need to have a three-to-five year window in mind and then strike. Its becoming harder and harder to keep great players and teams together. 5. Toronto Raptors: The Raptors have had a solid off season getting their free agents locked up and notably picking up Lou Williams & James Johnson (fingers crossed hes matured since his last stint - hes a talented guy that can help them lots at the three-spot – its time for him to produce, no excuses). Still, probably another move to make to upgrade front court if need be. Slow and steady wins the race, though. As you can see by their cap structure, theyll have cap flexibility the next two summers to add that critical defining piece(s) to take you from solid team to Eastern Conference contender. You build to put together the group that gives you that three or four-year window to truly challenge. In the meantime, internal competition and development in a winning playoff environment creates growth, interest, expectations and results in the future. The Raptors got to first base this year, now they need to work to get to second, and beyond ahead. This is a good environment for Coach Dwane Casey and his staff, theyre good teachers and sound basketball men who wont allow anyone to try and cheat the process. The key? Realism. This team is not a championship contender at this stage and lots more improvement and a few defining moves will have to come, but theyre getting there step by step. Lets not put the cart before the horse, do the right things. In the words of the great Bill Walsh, the score always takes care of itself. Be sound, patient and smart, dont listen to the noise and hype. The smart strategic path - youre on it. Stay with it and rewards will come. Better to be tactical than emotional, I like the mindset of Masai Ujiri - he gets it. ' ' '