at Madison Square Garden and the slam dunk

ATLANTA FALCONS (8-8)OPEN CAMP: July 28, Flowery Branch, GeorgiaLAST YEAR: There was great buzz when Falcons started 5-0 under first-year coach Dan Quinn, but team couldnt overcome 30 turnovers as it lost seven of eight, including six straight, and missed playoffs. Quarterback Matt Ryans production declined in first year with offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan; 21 TD passes were his low since rookie season, and he threw 16 interceptions. Even so, WR Julio Jones had huge year with second-most catches and yards receiving in NFL history. RB Devonta Freeman emerged with strong dual-threat numbers. WR Roddy White, who holds most of teams career receiving records, was released.IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: C Alex Mack, WR Mohamed Sanu, LB Courtney Upshaw, DE Derrick Shelby, rookie S Keanu Neal, QB Matt Schaub, rookie OLB Deion Jones, rookie TE Austin Hooper.IMPORTANT LOSSES: LB Justin Durant, WR Roddy White, S William Moore, NT Paul Soliai, WR Leonard Hankerson.CAMP NEEDS: Sanu and second-year WR Justin Hardy need to establish themselves as complements to Jones. Mack is being counted on to provide leadership at center, something O-line has lacked since Todd McClure was pushed into retirement following 2012 season. Ryan, 31, should benefit from stronger line, needs to cut down on poor decisions. Defense still looking to establish pass rush after finishing last in league with only 19 sacks, and 2015 first-rounder Vic Beasley Jr. is moving to outside linebacker in base defense, though hell remain pass-rushing end on passing downs.EXPECTATIONS: Defense that was horrid in 2014 improved to middle of rankings in Quinns first season, and former Seattle defensive coordinator slowly is collecting more talent to fit scheme. Upshaw, Shelby and Neal should help provide more improvement, while a second year in Shanahans system should lead to better play and fewer mistakes from Ryan. Schedule looks difficult in teams final season in Georgia Dome, but even slight improvement could have Falcons contending for wild-card bid.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Josh Mahura Jersey . Ibaka equaled a career high with 20 rebounds, adding four blocked shots and 15 points as the Thunder smothered the Milwaukee Bucks offence in a 92-79 victory Saturday night. Matt Beleskey Jersey . The quest begins with what is supposed to be an easy one, although Germany has traditionally been a stubborn opponent to Canadian teams at international tournaments. https://www.cheapducks.com/617c-todd-ewen-jersey-ducks.html .25 million option on reliever Jose Veras. Troy Terry Jersey . -- Stanfords Kevin Danser knelt on one knee and hardly moved on the sideline as Michigan State celebrated its Rose Bowl victory and his Cardinal teammates made their way to the locker room. Nick Ritchie Jersey .Y. - New York City has been selected to host the NBA All-Star weekend in 2015, with the game played at Madison Square Garden and the slam dunk contest and other skills events held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. NEW YORK -- Dak Prescott and the surging Dallas Cowboys keep on rolling.The Cowboys have won a franchise regular-season record nine games in a row and host the rival Redskins on Thanksgiving Day in a key NFC East matchup.The Cowboys also remained in the No. 1 spot in the latest AP Pro32 poll , which was released Tuesday.Dallas received 11 first-place votes for 383 points from balloting by media members who regularly cover the NFL.Dak Prescott passes another important test, not only solving the Ravens top-ranked defense, but doing so with Tony Romo in uniform for the first time this season, said Newsdays Bob Glauber.The top three teams all stayed the same from last weeks poll as Seattle finished with 364 points and New England received the other first-place vote and had 359 points.The AFC West dominates the next part of the poll as first-place Oakland and Denver each move up a spot to No. 4 and 5, respectively.Kansas City fell two spots into a tie at No. 6 with the New York Giants, who have won five games in a row and faace winless Cleveland on Sunday.ddddddddddddVery quietly, the Giants have rattled off five straight wins, said Jenny Vrentas of The Monday Morning Quarterback.The difference between this years team and last years team is that the Giants finally have the talent on defense to close out tight games.Washington became the third NFC East team in the poll as it moved up a spot to No. 8.How do you like Kirk Cousins now? asked Ira Kaufman of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.In line for a big payday, Cousins is deftly guiding the NFLs No. 2 offense.A pair of first-place teams round out the top 10.Atlanta, which leads the NFC South by a game fell a spot to No. 9.And Detroit, which is tied with Minnesota in the NFC North, moved up two places to No. 10. And the Vikings, who play the Lions on Thanksgiving Day, moved up four spots to No. 11.---For more NFL coverage: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '