Infos » ld firm, stifling New Orleans for most of

DAVIE, Fla. -- New Miami Dolphins general manager Dennis Hickey stepped to the microphone and apologized for his hoarse voice, explaining he wore it down in the past few days trying to build a winner. Hickey then introduced two big acquisitions in the first hours of free agency -- 316-pound left tackle Branden Albert, and 300-pound defensive tackle Earl Mitchell. Both signed Wednesday less than 24 hours after they agreed to terms. Hickey said he was optimistic defensive tackle Randy Starks would re-sign after becoming a free agent Tuesday. Starks has spent the past six seasons with the Dolphins, and the two sides were negotiating a deal Wednesday. The Dolphins shopping will continue, with additional offensive linemen, a tight end and a linebacker the most pressing needs. Theyre trying to end a 13-year drought without a post-season victory, and eager to put in the past their bullying scandal that involved tackle Jonathan Martin. The acquisition of Albert was a step in that direction. Hell take over the position manned at the start of last season by Martin, who was traded late Tuesday to the San Francisco 49ers for an undisclosed draft choice. "Im going to be here to play left tackle and make a difference," Albert said. "Thats the reason Im here. I feel like its a team I can help the most and make my legacy even better." Albert signed a $47 million, five-year deal that includes $26 million guaranteed. Dolphins officials, accompanied by a couple of players, treated Albert to dinner Tuesday night to celebrate the agreement. "Probably the happiest person at the dining room table was Ryan Tannehill," Hickey said. "He was really excited to have a player of his calibre on our team." Albert will protect the blind side for Tannehill, who was sacked a franchise-record 58 times last year. Mitchell was also part of the dinner celebration. He signed a $16 million, four-year deal. Like Albert, Mitchell envisions better days ahead for the Dolphins. "Im coming to produce and definitely trying to help this team reach new heights," Mitchell said. "Thats my reason for being here. Im trying to get us to a Super Bowl." Mitchell blossomed in his fourth NFL season with the Houston Texans last year, when he became a starter and won raves for the way he clogged the middle. He has been playing defence only since his junior year at the University of Arizona, and he and Hickey both said hes still improving. Alberts reputation has also been on the rise, and he made the Pro Bowl last year with the Kansas City Chiefs. He has had a home the past three offseasons 45 minutes from the Dolphins complex and will now move north, eager to go to work with his new team. "I live in downtown Miami, but I probably wont anymore because of the commute," he said with a smile. "Ive got to find a place close to the facility." Blank Manchester City Jersey . - The Denver Broncos kept rookie wide receiver Tavarres King from joining the Green Bay Packers by promoting him to their active roster Tuesday. Brahim Diaz Jersey . Canada wasnt in the game from the outset. Head coach Dan Church left Calgary in the morning without addressing the players. He told The Canadian Press he felt the organization lacked confidence in his ability to defend the Olympic gold medal in February. http://www.authenticmanchestercityshop.c...ity-Jersey/.com) - Wimbledon runner-up Eugenie Bouchard notched a win, while second-seeded two-time champion Ana Ivanovic, third- seeded Australian Open runner-up Dominika Cibulkova and fifth seed Sabine Lisicki all exited the draw at the Generali Ladies Linz tennis event. Vincent Kompany Manchester City Jersey . Klose has a bruised pelvic bone and abdominal muscle problems but team doctors are trying to get him fit in time for the match. Bender has a hamstring injury. Germany is already without half-dozen players, due to injury or bad form. Kevin De Bruyne Jersey . Catch all the action on TSN starting at 10:30pm et/7:30pm pt. Toronto won at Denver and Utah, but lost in Portland and Sacramento. The Kings loss was the most recent game for the Raptors.NEW ORLEANS - Andy Dalton rebounded from one of the worst outings of his career with a composed and ruthlessly efficient effort on the road.Completing 73 per cent of his throws, Dalton had three touchdown passes, and the Cincinnati Bengals dropped the New Orleans Saints to a second straight loss, 27-10 on Sunday.For Dalton, the game represented a dramatic reversal from a week ago, when he completed only 10 passes for 86 yards and had a passer rating of 2.0 in a 24-3 loss to Cleveland.Against New Orleans (4-6), Dalton gave the Bengals (6-3-1) an early lead they never relinquished. He was 16 of 22 for 220 yards, did not throw an interception and finished with a passer rating of 143.9.Two of Daltons touchdown passes went to tight end Jermaine Gresham. The other was a pinpoint 24-yard pass along the left sideline to A.J. Green, who had six catches for 127 yards.Drew Brees passed for 255 yards, including a 9-yard TD to Kenny Stills on the first play of the fourth quarter.Despite the loss, the Saints remained tied with Atlanta for first place in the NFC South after the Falcons defeated Carolina.It was the Saints worst loss in the Superdome since a 34-13 defeat to Denver in 2004.Until recently, the Saints were exceedingly difficult to beat in the Superdome, where New Orleans had not lost in more than a season before falling in overtime to San Francisco last Sunday.A sizeable crowd tried to generate chaos-inducing noise when the Bengals offence was on the field, but Dalton looked unfazed and in control. He threw confidently from the pocket for much of the game, but also scrambled away from the pass rush when needed and completed passes on the run — and the Bengals converted nine of 13 third downs.ddddddddddddThe Bengals were also balanced. In his first season out of LSU, Louisiana native Jeremy Hill carried 27 times for 152 yards. His 62-yard run set up a field goal at the end of the first half, giving the Bengals a 13-3 lead while frustrated fans began booing the Saints as they headed to the locker room.The crowd briefly regained its energy early in the fourth quarter, sensing a chance for the Saints to get back in the game. Cincinnati had the ball and a 20-10 lead, but faced third-and-18 on its 12.Dalton spotted Green in one-on-one coverage with Brian Dixon along the right sideline, hitting him in stride deep downfield for a 38-yard gain.The play sustained a drive that culminated in Greens TD, after which a number of fans started filing out.Cincinnatis defence entered the game looking beat up and missing starting linebacker Vontaze Burfict (knee) and starting cornerback Terence Newman (knee).Still, the unit held firm, stifling New Orleans for most of the game, holding Brees to his second-lowest yards passing total all season (292) while also ending Mark Ingrams three-game streak of 100-yard rushing games. Ingram had 67 yards on 23 carries.The Bengals also made a clutch defensive stand after the Saints had a first-and-goal on the 3 in the second quarter, breaking up a pass to Marques Colston and stuffing Ingram twice to set up fourth-and-goal from the 1.The Saints tried to surprise Cincinnati with a quick snap and pass to fullback Erik Lorig in the right flat, but linebacker Rey Maualuga, playing through a sore hamstring, snuffed it out and dropped Lorig for a loss to end the 17-play drive.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '