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Nov 10 '16 | By mary123 | 143

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ATLANTA -- Two Bengals newcomers showed they can provide offence to help the team as it chases an elusive post-season win. Courtney Upshaw Falcons Jersey . Free-agent signee Steven Jackson wasnt given enough blocking to make a splash in his first Atlanta home game. Giovani Bernard scored in his opening bid for a share of the Bengals carries, Josh Johnson led two second-quarter touchdown drives, and Cincinnati rolled to a 34-10 preseason win over Atlanta on Thursday night. Bernard, a second-round pick from North Carolina, played behind returning starter Benjarvus Green-Ellis and had 10 carries for 28 yards, including a 1-yard touchdown run. He added three catches for 16 yards. Some observers expect Bernard and Green-Ellis to share the job this season. "Well complement each other really well," Bernard said. "I think people got a little taste of it tonight." The Bengals are coming off a 10-6 season and their second straight loss in the first round of the playoffs. Their last playoff victory was in the 1990 season. Johnson made big plays as a passer and runner as he opened the competition with John Skelton for the Bengals backup quarterback job behind Andy Dalton. Johnson passed for 100 yards, including a 21-yard touchdown to Brandon Tate, and ran for 64 yards. "I was impressed overall with what he did out there," said Bengals coach Marvin Lewis of Johnson. "We know he can make plays with his legs, but throwing the ball is how a quarterback has to make a living in this league, and it was a real nice play to Brandon Tate." Johnson led the Bengals to 17 second-quarter points and another field goal in the third quarter. "I played pretty well," Johnson said. "I was able to move the ball." Following his scoring pass to Tate, Johnson directed a second touchdown drive capped by Bernards 1-yard run. Lined up deep in the I-formation, Bernard showed his explosiveness by quickly building his speed even before taking the handoff from Johnson and then running straight ahead for the touchdown with 2 seconds remaining in the half. Dane Sanzenbacher had a 71-yard punt return for a touchdown and a 36-yard scoring catch from Skelton. The game highlighted the Falcons concerns about their rebuilt offensive line. Jackson found little blocking as he had five carries for only 8 yards. Atlanta lost projected starting right tackle Mike Johnson, likely for the season, when he dislocated his left ankle and broke his left leg in Tuesdays practice. Lamar Holmes, a second-year player who appeared in only one game in 2012, moved up. Undrafted rookie Ryan Schraeder played behind Holmes. The Falcons released right tackle Tyson Clabo after the 2012 season and longtime starting centre Todd McClure retired. Coach Mike Smith said its too early to determine if the team needs to look for help on the line. "Were going to evaluate this tape and weve got to make that decision, but were not going to evaluate it on only one game," Smith said. The Falcons had a fast start. Matt Ryan was 3 for 3 for 52 yards on Atlantas opening drive, his first with Jackson at running back. Jackson, the former Rams standout, was signed to replace Michael Turner. On the first play of the game, Jackson ran straight ahead, found no room and cut right for 4 yards. It was his longest run of the night, but Ryan insisted it was a good beginning. "I thought he did great," Ryan said. "For all that we have in and all that weve put in as an offence, for him to pick up everything and to be out there and run the ball the way he did, Im excited about what hes going to bring to the team this year." Harry Douglas turned a screen pass from Ryan into a 42-yard gain, but the drive stalled when Geno Atkins stuffed Jackson on third-and-2 run from the 16, forcing the Falcons to settle for Matt Bryants 37-yard field goal. Ryan was 6 of 9 for 89 yards on three series. Dalton played only two possessions and went 3 of 7 for 36 yards. Dominique Davis, mostly ineffective after replacing Ryan in the first half, led a third-quarter touchdown drive capped by his 8-yard pass to Jason Snelling. Davis hit 8 of 19 for 78 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Skelton took over for Johnson late in the third quarter and led a 78-yard touchdown drive finished off with his 36-yard scoring pass to Sanzenbacher, a third-year player who had only one catch in 2012. He completed 4 of 5 passes for 72 yards. NOTES: Bengals CB Brandon Ghee, who intercepted a pass from Davis in the second quarter, left with a head injury. ... Bengals G Tanner Hawkinson was carted off the field midway through the fourth quarter with an ankle injury. ... Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez, participating in only portions of training camp as part of his agreement to postpone his retirement, was away with his family. ... Bengals DT Larry Black, who dislocated his right ankle during practice last month, cleared waivers and was placed on injured reserve. Ryan Schraeder Falcons Jersey . Mats Zuccarello and Derek Stepan scored shootout goals, and backup goalie Cam Talbot earned his second win in two nights as the Rangers shook off a late tying tally and beat the Maple Leafs 2-1 Monday night. Jonathan Babineaux Falcons Jersey .Y. -- Sabres forward Drew Stafford has witnessed plenty of turmoil during his eight seasons in Buffalo. http://www.falconsteamstoreauthentic.com/Youth-Tyson-Jackson-Elite-Jersey/ . Pierce was ejected in the third quarter of Indianas 103-86 win Monday. George Hill stole a bad pass and was going in for a layup, and Pierce hustled back and appeared to be trying to wrap him up.Preseason is a time for new beginnings - the chance to start afresh with a belief that anything can happen. That was certainly true for Toronto FC as they opened up their training camp in Bradenton last week. The troubles and uncertainties that surrounded the club in recent years have been replaced by a new hope and optimism after an incredible offseason transformation that has included the signings of three new Designated Players, Jermain Defoe, Michael Bradley and Gilberto. I was in Florida for Torontos first training session. The energy and enthusiasm was on a completely different level compared to other years. Perhaps the biggest difference is that the squad has already been assembled and most of the key pieces are already in place. A far cry from a year ago, when Nelsen was heading into his first coaching job with a preseason squad filled with trialists. "Its a wee bit different, Ive got to admit," Ryan Nelsen told me after training in Bradenton. Its nice to have a proper squad together all pulling in the right direction. As you can see by today, the work ethic is there, the character is there and everybody is extremely excited." The difference compared to 12 months earlier is evident in all areas, but especially in personnel. Over half of the squad currently in Florida were not with the team for preseason in 2013. However, Nelsen and the players are talking up the fact that the core of the team that finished the season is still in place. "We havent changed that much, weve probably changed the same as most teams, but weve done it in big names so it makes it even more dramatic. But thats what we had to do with this club. Thats why what we did last year had method in our madness. Weve got some big names and we will have to gel them in, but its a progression and we have to keep moving the club forward." The theme Nelsens rookie season as head coach was "short-term pain for long-term gaiin," and things have now changed quickly. Malliciah Goodman Falcons Jersey. With multi-million dollar signings amongst a re-shaped squad, expectations are high. But after dealing with a tumultuous first year with the club, Nelsen laughed off the suggestion that there is pressure on him to find a winning formula quickly. "Theres absolutely no pressure," he said. "Whenever you put yourself in a situation where youve brought in good players, everybody else thinks there is expectation but for us we just try and improve every day. In everything we do, we try to become perfect. Whatever people think from outside we dont really care." "I knew the league last year but we didnt have the right pieces to be successful. Now I think we are moving in the right direction, but Im still learning as well. Ill always keep learning. When I stop learning I may as well give up," he said. Theres a new face heavily involved in Torontos training sessions this preseason. Englishman Adrian Lamb has joined the club as Fitness Coach. He has previously worked with Newcastle United, Preston North End and Aston Villa, and he was at Blackburn Rovers during Ryan Nelsens time as a player at Ewood Park. Nelsen told me Lambs preparation and attention to detail is immaculate, and that was easy to see during my time in Bradenton. He has very clear ideas of what he wants from the players and was impressive in the way he communicated to them. Lamb will bring a very professional approach to the teams conditioning this season and will be a key addition to Nelsens staff. In 2013, Toronto FC won just six matches and missed the playoffs by 20 points, but Nelsen and his staff have now been handed the tools they need to turn the ship around. The foundation for success will be laid over the next six weeks, as Nelsen and Co. make sure their team is ready to hit the ground running when the season opens in Seattle on March 15th live on TSN. Wholesale Jerseys China ' ' '

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