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Heyward ready to work on d-line

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Pittsburgh defensive end Cameron Heyward isn't opposed to a rotation along the line. He's also OK with playing as many snaps as necessary.The Steelers made it a goal in the offseason to give Heyward and Stephon Tuitt support at end."Whatever cards we're dealt, we're going to be ready," Heyward said. "We would love to have depth, but we're not going to just give reps to anybody. We have to be well-conditioned and we have to be ready for that, but if we have guys that are able to step up, we welcome it."The Steelers realize they have one of the most formidable tandems at ...

Injuries plagued Bills at training camp

PITTSFORD, N.Y. (AP) - As if the series of headline-grabbing suspensions and injuries weren't enough, Bills coach Rex Ryan couldn't get through one of his final news conferences at training camp without distraction.Ryan was explaining what Buffalo needs to improve when he was drowned out by someone on the public address system announcing a fan promotion occurring on the nearby field.Pausing in mid-sentence, Ryan said: "Maybe I should scream real loud or something."Who could blame him?After holding a closed walk-through session Wednesday, the Bills wrapped up one of their most tumultuous ...

400,000 fans gather for Penguins parade

PITTSBURGH (AP) - The Pittsburgh Penguins turned around a once-disappointing season and fired a coach before winning a fourth Stanley Cup, adversity that seemed to make Wednesday's city-wide celebration that much sweeter.Fans lined the victory parade route more than 10 deep as the players, coaches, their families and support staff rolled by in pickup trucks, convertibles and amphibious duck boats."We were slow at one time but, man, were we fast when we finished," general manager Jim Rutherford told the crowd at the end of the parade route.The parade was held seven years to the day that ...

Pirates ace Cole expects to return for ‘majority of season’

NEW YORK (AP) - Pittsburgh Pirates ace Gerrit Cole expects to come back from a strained right triceps in time to pitch "a majority of the season."Cole was placed on the disabled list Tuesday, retroactive to June 11. There is no specific timetable for his return, but it sounds as though he likely will be sidelined more than the minimum 15 days."It's frustrating, but you try to look at the positives," Cole said Wednesday at Citi Field. "I mean, there are a lot worse injuries out there that you can deal with. We should be in play for a majority of the season."The right-hander said he ...

LeBron, Cavs pushing for ‘best words ever Game 7’

CLEVELAND (AP) - LeBron James has watched "The Godfather" trilogy over and over during these playoffs. The Oscar-winning films about crime, family, honor - and revenge - soothe and motivate him. He can't get enough.But while he's not tired of the classic films, there's a final scene in the NBA Finals he has witnessed too many times, and if he can avoid it again Thursday night, there will be an offer he and the Cleveland Cavaliers can't refuse."Two of the best words ever," James said, "Game 7."On the strength of a historic performance by James and Kyrie Irving in Game 5, the Cavs saved ...

Smith easing into her role as Bills assistant

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) - With Buffalo Bills special teams coordinator Danny Crossman barking orders at the kickoff return players at one end of the practice field, Kathryn Smith stands at midfield overseeing the coverage unit.Once the players are lined up in their proper positions on each side of her, Smith simulates the ball being kicked off by raising her right arm and yelling, "Go!"It's a common sight that takes place countless times on NFL practice fields throughout the year, with one key exception: Smith.She is the Bills special teams quality control coach, who five months ago ...