ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- When explaining how well the Buffalo Bills handled a string of adversity this offseason, coach Rex Ryan couldnt resist acknowledging how much went wrong.We dont want to major in putting hurdles out there, Ryan said during training camp. But we seem to be doing a pretty good job of it right now.Troubles, the Bills encountered more than a few.Injuries thinned Buffalos already young group of linebackers when rookie second-round pick Reggie Ragland and backup IK Enemkpali sustained season-ending knee injuries over an eight-day stretch.Suspensions became an issue.Starting defensive tackle Marcell Dareus checked into a rehab facility, and will miss the first four games for violating the leagues substance abuse policy. Second-year running back Karlos Williams, who reported to camp out of shape, faced the same suspension before he was cut three weeks ago.Then, there was the surprise move made last Friday, when Buffalo released veteran linebacker Manny Lawson, who was initially pegged to start in place of injured rookie first-round pick Shaq Lawson. That job now goes to 10-year journeyman Lorenzo Alexander, who was signed to fill a special teams role in April.It didnt help that Manny Lawson missed the first two weeks of training camp with a partially torn pectoral muscle, or that the league was investigating whether he violated the personal conduct policy.This wasnt the type of news Ryan had in mind in June, when he suggested the Bills won the offseason.Winning the regular season wont be easy, either, for a team seeking to snap a 16-year playoff drought. Its the NFLs longest active streak, and sixth-longest in league history.Not all the news was bad. Receiver Sammy Watkins is confident his left foot is fully healed after having surgery in April to repair a stress fracture.The most positive development occurred on Aug. 12, when quarterback Tyrod Taylor signed a six-year contract extension that included a $6 million raise negotiated into the final year of his contract this season.Here are some things to look out for as the Bills open the season at Baltimore on Sept. 11:TAYLOR MADE: Taylor has been more assertive on and off the field in accepting more of a leadership role a year after establishing himself as a first-time starter. He has also spent time working on making throws over the middle, something the 6-foot-1 player was hesitant to do last year.Taylor has plenty to prove to earn his new contract. Buffalo has an opt-out clause in each of the first two years of the extension.ON THE DEFENSIVE: Despite injuries and Dareus suspension, Ryan insists his defense will be improved from last year, when it finished 19th in yards allowed and managed just 21 sacks -- a franchise low for a 16-game season.Ryan said on-field communication issues have been resolved, and players better understand their roles.Ryan also shuffled his defensive staff by hiring twin brother, Rob (assistant head coach/defense), John Blake (defensive line) and former NFL star safety Ed Reed (assistant defensive backs).MR. OCTOBERS?: The Bills will have to wait until at least October before their projected starting defense takes shape. Dareus wont be eligible to return until Oct. 9, when Buffalo travels to play at Los Angeles.And then theres Shaq Lawson, who had surgery in May to repair a shoulder injury that nagged him at Clemson. He began working out individually two weeks ago. He opens the season on the reserve/physically unable to perform list and wont be eligible to begin practicing until after Week 6.GROUND GAME: A year after being nagged by knee and hamstring injuries, LeSean McCoy is healthy and the offensive line returns intact. Thats the good news for a running game that produced an NFL-leading 2,432 yards last season. Whats missing is primary backup Williams, who had 517 yards rushing and scored nine TDs, including two receiving as a rookie.The Bills signed veteran Reggie Bush who, as a result of injuries, has been limited to playing 29 games over the past three seasons. Mike Gillislee, a late-season addition last year, and rookie fifth-round pick Jonathan Williams round out the depth chart.NEEDED REST: Ryan took a cautious approach in limiting practice and playing time of numerous starters to have them rested entering the season. Taylor was limited to playing just 35 snaps in three preseason games, and went 11 of 18 for 150 yards and a touchdown. Ryan noted one reason for his approach is the condensed schedule. Buffalo hosts the New York Jets in prime time on Sept. 15, four days after opening at Baltimore.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Discount Air Max Shoes . Traditional contenders Brazil, Greece and Turkey drew the other three spots to complete the 24-team field for this summers tournament in Spain, basketball governing body FIBA announced Saturday at its meeting in Barcelona. Cheap Air Max Shoes With Free Shipping .C. -- Manny Malhotra had two goals and an assist, leading the Carolina Hurricanes to a 6-3 win over the Ottawa Senators on Saturday. http://www.cheapairmaxdiscount.com/ . LOUIS -- Valtteri Filppula assisted on three of Tampa Bays four goals, and the Lightning beat the St. Discount Air Max Shoes Wholesale .B. - Sebastien Auger made 44 saves as the Saint John Sea Dogs edged the visiting Acadie-Bathurst Titan 2-1 on Saturday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. Discount Air Max Shoes Wholesale China . Its the second straight game Bell has scored in extra time for Kelowna, which beat the Brandon Wheat Kings 6-5 on Friday, and he now has four game-winning goals on the season.Siobhan-Marie OConnor is set to continue her fight for a place at the Rio Olympics in the British Swimming Championships. The 20-year-old Sky Academy Sports Scholar is one of GBs rising stars and is in Scotland this week for a crucial event on the swimming calendar that will help determine who will be on the plane to Brazil this summer.OConnor was the youngest in the GB team at the 2012 London Games (100m breaststroke), and she is now looking to conquer again on the biggest international stage after six medals at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, including gold in the 200m individual medley.Get live updates on Siobhan over the weekend on the @SkyScholarships Twitter accountWith the 100m freestyle first up for OConnor in Glasgow, she said: Im really looking forward to racing on Friday. Weve been training hard for this week for a long time and its great that its finally here.Its good to be up here with the Bath Team as well, cheering on my team-mates for the first couple of days.This will be my second Olympic trials and I really hope I can achieve the results I want and that I have worked for. Skys Sportswomen follows Siobhan-Marie OConnor as she fights for her place at the Olympics OConnor, who recently returned from a seven-week training camp to Austtralia, will compete in the 100m Individual Medley on Saturday and will finish the weekend with the 100m breaststroke and butterfly.ddddddddddddThe British swimmers will be nominated for Rio 2016 selection following the trials with the British Olympic Association set to ratify the GB squad later in April. With the Olympic swimming trials taking place this week, we look back at Siobhan-Marie OConnors Masterclass British Swimming head coach Bill Furniss said: This competition is just the next phase of a long and detailed preparation to perform on the day in Rio.After Glasgow we need to refocus on Rio - thats where the competition will be fought and not before. We want our athletes this week to experience pressure, handle pressure and welcome pressure.WHATS COMING UP FOR OUR SCHOLARS...MARCH 19 - May 2: Holly Bradshaw, training in USAAPRIL 12-17: Siobhan-Marie OConnor, British Championships in GlasgowAPRIL: Olivia Breen, training camp in TenerifeMAY 22-30: Sam Oldham, European Championships in Switzerland Also See: About the Scholarship Meet the athletes Blogs Videos Galleries Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys Cheap Adidas Hockey Jerseys Wholesale Nike Baseball Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys From China Wholesale Jerseys China Wholesale NFL Jerseys China Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys Free Shipping Cheap Nike NBA Jerseys Authentic Cheap NHL Jerseys Canada Cheap Nike MLB Jerseys Cheap Soccer Jerseys China NCAA Jerseys Cheap Nike NHL Jerseys China Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys Store Cheap Football Jerseys Store Wholesale Soccer Jerseys Jerseys NCAA China Jerseys NFL Cheap Cheap Nike NBA Jerseys ' ' '