NEWS » the future after rival Gold Coasts signing of Jarrod Wallace

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Kyle Williams would prefer seeing far more consistency before declaring the Buffalo Bills defense being much improved over last season.We played decent Week 1. Bad Week 2. Better last week, the veteran defensive tackle said. You cant have missing weeks in there.The dud Williams referred to was a 37-31 loss to the New York Jets in Week 2, when Buffalo allowed 493 yards and four touchdowns.On the bright side, the defense opened the season allowing 308 yards in a 13-7 loss at Baltimore. And the Bills bounced back from their loss to the Jets by forcing five takeaways and getting five sacks in a 33-18 win over Arizona last weekend.This is no time for the up-and-down trend to continue with Buffalo (1-2) facing a key early season matchup at AFC East rival New England (3-0) on Sunday.If the Bills are going to back up coach Rex Ryans offseason vow that his prized defense will overcome its struggles last season, theres no more opportune time than against a Patriots opponent dealing with questions at quarterback .Tom Brady, who has a 25-3 record against Buffalo, is out serving the fourth and final game of his Deflategate suspension.Backup Jimmy Garoppolo has a sprained shoulder and rookie third-stringer Jacoby Brissett hurt the thumb on his throwing hand. Though both practiced this week, there remains a possibility of receiver Julian Edelman -- who last played quarterback at Kent State in 2008 -- taking snaps behind center.Rather than concerning himself with the uncertainty of which quarterback will play, Ryan is confident in his defenses ability to contain the Patriots because Buffalo wont be facing Brady.Ill say thats a true statement, Ryan said. These guys are good, but I dont know if theyll rank quite up there with Tom Brady.Aside from the loss to the Jets, the Bills defense has shown promising signs of being better than the high-priced unit which underachieved during Ryans first season.Buffalo finished 19th in yards allowed -- the worst finish by a Ryan-coached defense in his 11 seasons as coach or coordinator. And it managed 21 sacks, a franchise-low for a 16-game season, and a season after the Bills led the league with 54.The Bills already have 10 sacks this season, the most through the first three weeks of a season since Buffalo had 11 in 2006, and theyre tied for fifth with seven takeaways (four interceptions and three fumbles).The production is occurring despite Buffalo missing several key players.Star defensive tackle Marcell Dareus is serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFLs substance abuse policy. Buffalos top two draft picks and projected starters, linebackers Shaq Lawson (shoulder surgery) and Reggie Ragland (left knee), are sidelined. And dont forget the Bills cut their top pass-rushing threat, Mario Williams, in March.Ryan disputes the notion his defense is doing more with less.I like the talent that we have here, he said.Ryan will acknowledge the unit is playing with more cohesion.Safety Aaron Williams agrees.The biggest thing is communication, Williams said. Were all on the same page.Thats a difference from last season when the defense, at times, didnt appear to be reading the same book.Led by Mario Williams, several players publicly questioned whether they fit Ryans system. Ryan also acknowledged he made the mistake of attempting to combine his philosophies with those of Jim Schwartz, Buffalos defensive coordinator the previous season.I think were playing smarter and that could be a combination of a lot of things, Ryan said. And thats why I think well be a better defense this year.---Online: AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Wholesale Custom Dodgers Shirts . MLS Commissioner Don Garber and Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez also will attend the session, which was announced Monday. The league has discussed placing its next two expansion teams in Miami and Atlanta. Cheap Dodgers Jerseys . 1 position. The Mustangs (6-0), who beat Queens 50-31 last weekend, earned 17 first-place votes and 287 points in voting by the Football Reporters of Canada. Western was last ranked first in the country in October 2011. http://www.customdodgersjersey.com/ . Now tied for second in the league in shootout goals, the 24-year-old likes to see what the opposing goaltender has in store before he ultimately lands on a move. Authentic Custom Dodgers Jersey . Speaking to the Chicago Tribune at baseballs Winter Meetings in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, Boras called the former home of the Expos a "tremendous environment" for baseball. Babe Herman Jersey Large .Y. -- The Buffalo Sabres have recalled forward Kevin Porter and defenceman Chad Ruhwedel from the minors as part of a five-player roster shuffle made by the NHLs worst team. Dont write anyone off yet.Wayne Bennett has adopted the mantra ahead of Brisbanes NRL clash with Penrith on Friday night, insisting the premiership race is still wide open.Sixth-placed Brisbane will try to stay in touch with runaway pacesetters Cronulla and Melbourne with a win over ex-Broncos coach Anthony Griffins Panthers at Suncorp Stadium.But Bennett has dismissed the notion that the 2016 title can only be won by a top-four team.Finals football is all about momentum, he said.Ive seen teams play woeful three weeks out from the finals ... then win a tough game in the play-offs and they are on their way.Dont write anyone off yet.The Broncos dont have much momentum just yet - they snapped a stretch of five losses in six games with last rounds 30-10 victory over South Sydney.Brisbane have a good run into the finals, facing just two sides currently in the top eight - the Bulldogs and Melbourne.And two of their remaining seven games are against lowly Sydney Roosters.Bennett may not be taking notice of the NRL ladder but he does have one eye on the future after rival Gold Coasts signing of Jarrod Wallace.Bennett will look to bolster forward depth and develop youungsters Tevita Pangai, Jai Arrow, Herman Eseese and Joe Ofahengaue with Wallace and captain Corey Parker (retirement) departing at the end of the season.ddddddddddddWe didnt want to lose him but thats the salary cap, Bennett said of Wallaces Titans deal.Brisbane will look to the market to bolster their pack - not that Bennett was giving anything away on Thursday.We are not going to make big statements about who we are after, he said.But we are not at panic stations.Wallaces departure frees up money for Brisbane to re-sign Test forward Matt Gillett and utility Kodi Nikorima.It is part of the juggling act, Bennett said.Bennett said Gillett (shoulder) would return next week.KEY FACTS - BRONCOS v PANTHERS* Brisbane have defeated Penrith in five of their past six matches at Suncorp Stadium* Penrith has won three of their eight away games this season. Since the start of 2015 the Panthers have claimed just five of 20 matches away* Penrith have won one of their past eight games in Queensland stretching back to the end of the 2011 season. ' ' '