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ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Buffalo Bills president Russ Brandon opened 2013 vowing to transform what he called the franchises "tarnished" reputation. On Monday, Brandon closed the year with the job still incomplete. Though pleased with the direction the team has taken under first-year general manager Doug Whaley and first-year coach Doug Marrone, Brandon expressed disappointment with a 6-10 finish and the Bills extending the NFLs longest active playoff drought to 14 seasons. "I have all the faith and belief in (Marrone) and (Whaley) to keep continuing to get this ship pointed in the right direction and see significant progress as we enter 2014," Brandon said. "What we dont feel good about is sitting here and talking to you at 6-10. And that needs to change." Change was the operative word last off-season, when the Bills went through a near top-to-bottom overhaul. Buffalo purged much of its roster, and began a rebuilding plan that included drafting quarterback EJ Manuel with the 16th pick out of Florida State. The transition has yet to start paying dividends. In closing the season with a 34-20 loss at New England on Sunday, Buffalo finished with six wins for a third consecutive year, ended fourth in the AFC East for a sixth consecutive year, and extended its string of losing seasons to nine dating to a 9-7 finish in 2004. "With youth comes inconsistency," Whaley said. "So all those guys that contributed this year, we expect them to take a bigger step next year, play more consistent and be more productive." And that includes Manuel, who struggled with his consistency, and had his development stunted by injuries to both knees since August. Manuel missed the final two preseason games with a left knee injury. He missed four regular-season games after spraining his right knee in a 37-24 loss at Cleveland. And he then closed the year missing the final two games after tearing a ligament in his left knee. Manuel finished with a 4-6 record, completed just 58.8 per cent of his attempts (180 of 306 for 1,972 yards) and finished with 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Marrone maintains confidence in Manuel, and has already informed the quarterback hell be the teams starter entering next season. Dismissing his critics, Manuel called his rookie season a learning process. "Obviously, youre going to have ups and downs as a rookie," Manuel said. "Ive had some good games, and theres a lot I can take and build from. I dont really know whos questioning things. But as far as me, Im just continuing to get better." Marrone announced hes already made one change to his staff by firing receivers coach Ike Hilliard because of "a difference in philosophy." Hilliard, who spent 12 seasons in the NFL playing receiver, was responsible for overseeing a young group that included rookies Robert Woods and Marquise Goodwin. On the personnel front, Whaley intends to make an offer in a bid to re-sign three-time Pro Bowl safety Jairus Byrd. And Whaley didnt rule out the possibility of using the franchise designation for a second consecutive year to retain the players rights even if it risks the possibility of having the player miss the entire off-season as he did this past year. Byrd is open to re-signing, and also braced for possibility of the Bills retaining his rights once again. "Im at peace with everything. I know what to expect," Byrd said. "Ive gone through it once. And itll be good. However it works, itll be good." Statistically, the Bills showed improvement on several fronts. Their defence, though inconsistent in stopping the run, finished second in the NFL with a franchise-record 57 sacks. The defence ranked 10th in the NFL in yards allowed -- the units best finish since placing second in 2004. Byrd, defensive tackle Kyle Williams and defensive end Mario Williams all earned Pro Bowl selections this year. The defence also featured linebacker Kiko Alonso, a second-round pick, who is regarded an NFL defensive rookie of the year candidate. On offence, the Bills running attack finished second in the NFL with 2,307 yards -- the most since 1992. Running back Fred Jackson was among numerous veterans who expressed confidence the team might finally be turning the corner. "If you watched us play this year, youll know that were not the same team that weve been," Jackson said. "But theres no moral victories. We know that. We know that for us to be relevant, we have to win more football games." ---- NOTES: The Bills retained the rights to seven practice squad players: QB Dennis Dixon, DB Mario Butler, OTs Edawn Coughman and Jamaal Johnson-Webb, DE Ikponmwosa Igbinosun, WR Brandon Kaufman and LB Jacquies Smith. ... Whaley said hes open to re-signing PK Dan Carpenter and P Brian Moorman. Billig New Balance KL574 . Aspen quickly followed suit, and ticket prices at resorts across the country have consistently increased in the years since. Nike Free 5.0 Dame Sort . Even though Jose Mourinho downplays Chelseas title prospects, his team remain in the mix with a relatively undemanding run-in, apart from a trip to Liverpool. And its Liverpool that can ensure Chelseas stay at the top this weekend is short-lived by winning Sunday at West Ham. http://www.skonikefree-no.com/nike-air-max-90-esse...sand.ht ml. But he knows it doesnt mean much, especially with light rain falling on the Honda Indy track. Nike Air Max 90 Herre/Dame Engineerød Mesh ...ønn . After a complete air swing at the net in the second set, she smiled ruefully and drew in some long, deep breathes. She netted a service return on her first match point. Nike Air Max 90 Nettbutikk . -- Colorado Avalanche forward P.ARLINGTON, Texas – J.P. Arencibia was a busy man on Friday afternoon, unable to find the time to speak to the Toronto media between advanced meetings and his pregame workout and batting practice routine. The brief reunion between Arencibia and the club that drafted him, this three-game weekend series at Globe Life Park, marks the first opportunity for the former catcher of the future to address public comments he made about the Blue Jays during a March media scrum at the Rangers spring training facility in Surprise, Arizona. "That has nothing to do with us," said manager John Gibbons, who added he wasnt previous aware of Arencibias comments. "We wish him well. Hes a good guy. He comes to play everyday. I cant get caught up in that." Arencibia seemed to spare no one and nothing, offering comment on what he perceived to be the Blue Jays misplaced priorities. "Theres not a lot of riff-raff going on except for baseball stuff," he said. "Its cool. Its refreshing to be part of something that is really baseball emphasized." The clubhouse leadership got addressed. "Elvis (Andrus), (Adrian) Beltre, you have these guys who are leaders and have been around for a while, they make it easy," Arencibia said at the time. "Its not like you come in here and youre walking on egg shells." If hes more comfortable in his new surroundings, the results arent showing it. Entering Fridays play, Arencibia had appeared in fewer than half of Texas games (19), and was hitting a measly .140/.190/.246 with one home run. This off a disastrous 2013, Arencibias last in Toronto, during which hit for a .194 batting average and posted a meager on-base plus slugging percentage of .592 despite hitting 21 home runs. He was non-tendered by the Blue Jays in the offseason and signed a one-year deal with Texas in free agency. The Rangers are missing their starting catcher, Geovany Soto, and dont expect him back from a knee injury until later in June. In the meantime, Arencibia is splitting the catching duties with Robinson Chirinos, a one-time Chicago Cubs prospect who spent the better part of a decade in the minor leagues. There is talk around Arlington that when Soto comes back, Arencibia will be the odd man out. Arencibia is, by nature, a sensitive individual who seemed to read and hear everything critical written and said about him. He took it to heart. That same personality trait affected his relationship with members of the Blue Jays organization. Coaches would offer advice, try to help, but he would perceive constructive criticism as personal slight. Toronto decided Arencibia was no longer the right fit. Despite that, Gibbons still believes Arencibia can forge a successful big league career but he has some advice. "Its the ability to make some adjustments," said Gibbons.dddddddddddd"He can do that. Ive seen him do it but hes got to be committed to it, you know. With J.P., hes still on the younger side of this game so hes got the time." INJURIES IN BASEBALL If youre a baseball fan in Toronto, youve likely got at least one friend who isnt and who enjoys pointing out how "soft" baseball players are when it comes to injuries. Youve heard it; the old "Hockey player takes a puck in the mouth and doesnt miss a shift but the baseball player tweaks his hamstring and misses three weeks" routine. One player whos spent time on the disabled list this season suggested to TSN.ca last week that if people felt the aches and pains baseball players do on a daily basis, theyd be visiting their doctors office on a regular basis. "Canadas the wrong place to say it because youve got hockey," said manager John Gibbons. "Those guys break a leg and theyre still playing so theres probably not a lot of sympathy on that end of it." Baseball, obviously, is a different sport. Its stop and start, which can wreak havoc on muscles that are in use one moment and then not again for a number of minutes. There arent intentionally violent collisions. Remember, too, the Blue Jays play on Astroturf, which has improved over the years but remains a thick rug blanketing a concrete surface. "The toughest part about baseball is its everyday," said Gibbons. "Youre banged up and a certain part of it is skill. If youre a pitcher or something like that, if youre hurting, you cant perform because youve got to throw a baseball or something like that." NAVARRO TO RETURN ON SATURDAY Catcher Dioner Navarro, whos been on the bereavement/family emergency list since Wednesday, will return in time for the second game of the Blue Jays three-game series in Texas. The club will make a corresponding roster move prior to the game. GETZ RETIRES One week ago, Chris Getz was a Toronto Blue Jay. Today, hes a former baseball player, having formally announced his retirement. "He called me the other day and he told me its something hes been contemplating anyway," said manager John Gibbons. "Hes a smart cookie. Getzys got it all together. He ended up getting his five years in but it was something that was kind of stewing with him a little bit because in the last couple of years hes been up and down." Getz and his wife are expecting a baby. He was designated for assignment on Sunday to accommodate Casey Janssens activation from the disabled list. 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