ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- The Buffalo Bills approach to the NFL draft this year has much to do with EJ Manuel. After selecting the quarterback in the first round last year, the next step is adding talent to give Manuel the opportunity to progress after an inconsistent and injury-shortened rookie season. "Its a quarterback-driven league, so were going to give every avenue and every piece of the puzzle to surround EJ and make him as successful as possible," general manager Doug Whaley said. "What we did this off-season affords us the opportunity to go any way and every way in the draft. But our main focus is making sure EJ progresses." Manuels progression is a point of emphasis for a team that hasnt had stability at quarterback since Hall of Famer Jim Kelly retired following the 1996 season. And questions remain whether Manuel is capable of providing that stability. He went 4-6 and oversaw a sputtering offence that contributed to Buffalo (6-10) extending the NFLs longest active playoff drought to 14 seasons. The Bills can do little but cross their fingers in hoping Manuel can stay healthy after being sidelined by knee injuries on three separate occasions. What they can control is adding pieces to the offence. Buffalo began by creating two new offensive positions on coach Doug Marrones staff, including quarterbacks coach Todd Downing. Whaley also acquired Mike Williams, a proven receiver with a troubled off-field past, in a trade with Tampa Bay. The next step is the draft, which is top-heavy on receivers and offensive tackles. Here are five things to look out for from Buffalo, which opens with the ninth pick: DOUBLING DOWN ON WR: Despite acquiring Williams and drafting receivers Robert Woods and Marquise Goodwin last year, the Bills might not be done restocking the position. Buffalos passing attack lacked a dependable threat, finishing 29th in the NFL in yards gained. At 6-foot-5, Texas A&Ms Mike Evans has the size and range Buffalo lacks. And Clemsons Sammy Watkins has the overall talent that might be too good to pass up despite his 6-1 frame. "We believe so," Whaley said of Watkins, for whom Buffalo probably has to move up. "We think his traits are dynamic enough to overcome his lack of height." Tight end is another option, with North Carolinas Eric Ebron in the mix. O-LINE NEEDS: With left tackle Cordy Glenn protecting Manuels blind side, the Bills are interested in upgrading the other side of their line. Whaley expects more teams to adopt what he calls "NASCAR packages," featuring swift-footed pass rushers across the defensive front. "You need a right tackle nowadays as athletic as your left tackle," he said. The draft features several highly regarded tackles, including Auburns Greg Robinson, Michigans Taylor Lewan and Texas A&Ms Jake Matthews. The Bills also have a pressing need at left guard that is expected to be addressed in later rounds. REPLACING BYRD: The Bills believe they have enough depth to overcome losing three-time Pro Bowl safety Jairus Byrd in free agency. Aaron Williams was solid in making the switch last season from cornerback. Returning players DaNorris Searcy, Jonathan Meeks and Duke Williams will compete for regular jobs. And then theres the free agent addition of Corey Graham, who can play cornerback and safety. WHALEYS DEBUT: After spending his first three years in Buffalo being groomed for the GMs job, Whaley gets to run his first draft after Buddy Nix stepped down a year ago. At 41, Whaley has extensive background as a scout after working his way up through the Steelers organization. And hes eager to begin being judged on how he does rebuilding the Bills. "Call me crazy, I like it," Whaley said. "Im a competitor and I want to win. If thats my role and thats my job, I embrace my destiny." REMEMBERING RALPH: This is the Bills first draft since owner and founder Ralph Wilson died in March. Wilson enjoyed being involved in the draft. Wilson proudly recalled the time he broke a deadlock among executives by urging them to select running back Thurman Thomas in the second round of the 1988 draft. Thomas went on to a Hall of Fame career. "This was his favourite time of year," Bills president Russ Brandon said. "People ask me all the time how we can honour Mr. Wilsons legacy. And my answer is always the same. Its one word: Win." NFL Jerseys China .com) - Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer were among the third-round winners Friday at the French Open. Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys Free Shipping . George Hill had 13 points and seven rebounds for the Pacers, who stayed atop the overall NBA standings despite losing twice on their West Coast trip. Los Angeles kept it close into the second half before the Pacers finished an easy win over the injury-riddled Lakers, who have lost five straight. https://www.chinajerseysnfl.us/.C. -- The Steve Smith era in Carolina is over. Nike NFL Jerseys Outlet . "I could have been equipment manager but nooooo" from Lisa on Ice. Season 6, Episode 8. Cheap NFL Jerseys China . Team officials travelled to Los Angeles on Thursday night to meet with the free agent, a person with knowledge of the plans said.MILWAUKEE -- Anthony Pettis made quick work of Benson Henderson on Saturday, submitting the 155-pound champion in the main event of UFC 164. It was the second time Pettis had taken a title from Henderson. In 2010, Pettis (17-2) needed an incredible fifth-round highlight-reel kick off the cage to win the WEC lightweight title from Henderson (19-3). This time, he needed less than five minutes to take home the UFCs 155-pound title. "It feels amazing to be here," Pettis said after having the belt wrapped around his waist at Milwaukees BMO Harris Bradley Center. "I grew up coming to this arena and sitting in those nosebleeds. Milwaukee made Anthony Pettis. You really cant write a better story than what happened right here tonight." Pettis looked like the stronger fighter from the start, defending multiple takedown attempts from Henderson while looking for opportunities to strike. It came late in the opening round, as Pettis landed a series of thunderous kicks to the body that took a visible toll on his opponent. But as his confidence built, Pettis tried for an acrobatic leaping kick that came up short, allowing Henderson to push the action to the floor. Henderson wasnt out of trouble, even as he set up on top. Pettis turned quickly for a submission attempt, turning immediately into an armbar that left Henderson trapped. As Pettis torqued the hold, Henderson verbally submitted. Pettis let go of the hold, but it took the crowd a moment to gather what happened. When the Milwaukee-born Pettis scaled the cage to celebrate, the arena erupted. Pettis was awarded a US$50,000 "Submission of the Night" award for his effort. After the win, Pettis called out UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo and said he was willing to meet the Brazilian at either 145 or 155 pounds. However, UFC president Dana White revealed at the events post-event press conference that Pettis suffered a left knee injury that he will need to address before booking any future contests. The nights co-feature saw two of the sports top heavyweights meet in a long-awaited matchup, though the contest between former UFC champions Josh Barnett (33-6) and Frank Mir (16-8) resulted in a somewhat unsettling finish. Barnett rushed forward from the opening bell, charging with punches and knees as Mir tried to defend against the cage. After surviving the initial barrage, Mir settled into the clinch, where he looked to turn the momentum in his favour. However, Barnett quickly turned up the pressure again and landed a big knee that sent Mir crashing to the canvas. Barnett looked to follow with punches on the floor, but referee Rob Hinds stepped in to wave off the fight at the 1:56 mark of the first. Mir immediately popped up to his feet to protest the stoppage, but the call had been made. While the end was likely inevitable, the stoppage seemed a touch premature, and the crowd on hand booed the decision. Still, the result was a Barnett victory in his first UFC appearance since 2002. "It felt great to get this win here in the UFC," said Barnett. "Its been a long time coming, and its great to get this matchup with Frank. "I actually do feel that it was an early stoppage. I would always prefer to get the clean finish." UFC boss White also said he thought the fight was stopped prematurely but declined to speculate whether or not the promotion would book a remaatch.dddddddddddd Featherweight contender Chad Mendes (15-1) earned one of the biggest wins of his career, earning an impressive TKO finish of an always durable Clay Guida (30-11). Mendes was the better fighter from the start, patiently handling Guidas fast-paced attacks by avoiding leaping punches and easily turning aside any takedown attempts. But already up two rounds to none, Mendes refused to be content with a decision win and turned up the heat in the third. A right hand stunned Guida and Mendes pounced with a flurry of brutal power shots inside until Guida collapsed to the floor, forcing referee Yves Lavigne to step in 30 seconds in to the final round. Mendes has now earned four straight knockout wins since his January 2012 loss to champ Jose Aldo and hopes to book a rematch later this year. Meanwhile, Guida loses by knockout for the first time in his 18 UFC appearances. "I feel like I have made as big of a statement as I possibly could in this division," Mendes said. "I wanted a knockout very badly, and I got it. I knew it was my best bet." Mendes, who earned the evenings "Knockout of the Night" bonus for his win, said he believes hes deserving of another shot at the belt. UFC boss White said Mendes place among a strong list of contenders at 145 pounds is uncertain but admitted, "I love this kid." Fighting at heavyweight for the first time since 2008, former dual-division contender Brandon Vera (12-7) tried to use a movement-based strategy to outwork a bigger Ben Rothwell (33-9). While the strategy worked for the better part of two rounds, Veras luck ran out in the third. After chasing Vera for much of the contest, Rothwell finally snapped in the final round, wildly gesturing and bobbing his head before rushing forward with a barrage of heavy punches. Vera tried to defend against the cage, but the blows snuck through his defence and he toppled to the floor. Rothwell followed to the floor and pounded away until referee Herb Dean waved off the fight at the 1:54 mark of the round. "I think the best of me came out in that third round tonight," Rothwell said. "Ive still got some things to do, but Ive got a great training facility, coaches and training partners, and that all helped me." In the nights first main-card contest, top featherweight contenders Dustin Poirier (14-3) and Erik Koch (13-3) combined for a thrilling affair that included an opening frame likely to wind up on some "Round of the Year" lists. Both fighters came close to finishing the contest in the opening round, Poirier through devastating strikes and Koch with a triangle choke that his opponent later admitted nearly forced him to submit. Poirier took firm control of the momentum in the second round and seemed well on his way to victory, but Koch remained game until the very end, looking for a rear-naked choke in the final seconds of the third frame that he just couldnt quite finish. In the end, it was Poirier who was awarded a unanimous-decision win, 29-28, 29-27 and 29-27. "I was dominant in the first two rounds, but I made a mistake in the third and he capitalized," Poirier said after the win. "Hes slick but not that strong. I knew I had hurt him a couple times, but hes a tough guy." UFC 164 drew a reported 9,178 fans for a $907,116 live gate according to UFC officials. ' ' '