Stars und Sternchen! » You start over again and you try to get

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Buffalo Bills president Russ Brandon sees no reason why last years stalemate in contract talks with Pro Bowl safety Jairus Byrd would prevent the two sides from reaching a long-term deal this off-season. "Its a process and theres no carryover. You start over again and you try to get something done," Brandon told The Associated Press on Monday. "We just werent able to come up with a solution that worked for both parties, so you reset it and start again." Brandon said the team maintains "great communication" with Byrd and his agent, Eugene Parker, and said there are no lingering hard feelings from talks last year. "We all are hoping to get a deal done," Brandon said. "And were going to do the exact same thing this time, work our tails off to try to get another one done." Byrd is the Bills most high-profile player not under contract this off-season. He spent last year playing under a $6.9 million franchise tag after the sides were unable to reach a long-term deal by a mid-July deadline. The stalemate in talks led to Byrd waiting until the final day of training camp to accept the contract. He then missed the first five games of the season because of plantar fasciitis. Despite the missed time, the fifth-year player was selected to his third Pro Bowl after he tied for the team lead with four interceptions, and added a sack and a forced fumble. General manager Doug Whaley said the Bills are in the midst of putting together contract offers to pending free agents, including Byrd. Whaley wouldnt rule out using the franchise tag one last time on Byrd in order to retain his rights. The price of this years tag would jump to over $8 million for Buffalo. Byrd did not return after hurting his back in the first quarter of the Pro Bowl on Sunday. Byrd posted a message on his Twitter account that hes OK. Whaley had no update on the injury. He said Byrd was expected to return to the teams headquarters for evaluation. Brandon provided an update on another front. Without going into detail, he said hes had discussions with Rogers Communications regarding the teams concerns about its annual "Bills In Toronto" series. Brandon questioned the benefits of the series following a 34-31 overtime loss to Atlanta at Toronto on Dec. 1. He wondered about the Bills possibly giving away a home-field edge by playing indoors. Brandon has not ruled out the possibility of the Bills pulling out of the remaining four years of the series. Walker Buehler Jersey .com) - The New York Rangers hope to punch their ticket to the second round when they visit the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday for a Game 6 battle at Wells Fargo Center. Yasiel Puig Jersey .Y. -- It was as if Matt Moulson never left the New York Islanders. http://www.cheapdodgersjerseys.com/. -- Craig Anderson has quite a record against his former team, the Florida Panthers. Chase Utley Jersey . - The Oakland Athletics have finalized an agreement on a 10-year extension to play at the Coliseum through the 2024 season. Hyun-Jin Ryu Jersey . They probably ruined Tim Duncans hopes of a career change, though. Duncan wants to be a point guard, coach Gregg Popovich revealed Saturday, a wish that wont be granted.INDIANAPOLIS - James Hinchcliffe just wanted a chance to be the No. 1 driver for an IndyCar contender.Hes about to get that shot.The 27-year-old Canadian signed a multiyear contract with Schmidt Peterson Motorsports, a move that pairs one of the series most popular drivers with an up-and-coming team that has championship aspirations.Everyone wants to know if they can perform and Im putting myself on trial a little bit, Hinchcliffe said at Tuesdays announcement.Team co-owner Ric Peterson said Hinchcliffe would inherit the No. 77 car that was so successful with Frances Simon Pagenaud last season. He did not reveal Hinchcliffes primary sponsor. Terms of the deal were not immediately available.The announcement ends speculation about where Hinchcliffe would land after a three-year run with one of the leagues most formidable teams Andretti Autosport.While there, Hinchcliffe won three races and emerged as one of the series most popular and marketable drivers by embracing social media. He became the self-appointed Mayor of Hinchtown, engaged with fans and now is promoting his own beer brand Hinchtown Hammer Down Golden Ale.With all that on the table, Andretti would have preferred to re-sign the young driver. But Hinchcliffe couldnt afford to wait much longer.We are happy to have had Hinch as part of the team over the past three years and have enjoyed our successes together, Andretti said. As a former driver, I understand him having to make the decision he did, he needed to cover himself. I wish that we could have resolved a deal to secure him for 2015, but we are not in that position yet. Were sorry to see him go, but wish him the best.Last season, Hinchcliffe made 18 starts, had four top-five finishes, eight top-10s and finished 12th in points.On Tuesday, he repeatedly said he harboured no ill will toward his former team or his ex-teammates. Hinchclifffe, Marco Andretti, Carlos Munoz and Ryan Hunter-Reay did face some unique challenges in 2014.dddddddddddd At times, they raced hard not only against the field but also against one another something Hinchcliffe said he only expects to intensify in 2015 now that they will be competing on different teams.Theyve been phenomenal teammates and even better friends, Hinchcliffe said. We beat up each other on the track and then would go out for a beer, and I think that will be the same way this year.Hinchcliffe, a native of Oakville, Ont., already has an impressive resume. He was the series 2011 rookie of the year, finished eighth in points in 2012 and 13, qualified second at Indianapolis in 2012 and 14 and had finished a career-best sixth at the series marquee race in 2012.Tuesdays move could be another big step for SPM.In just three seasons, the low-funded, upstart Schmidt Peterson team has become the biggest threat to the series power structure. Pagenaud finished fifth in points last season the best finish for a driver who didnt work for Andretti, Chip Ganassi or Roger Penske.Pagenauds recent move to Penskes team opened the door for Hinchcliffe and it didnt take long for Peterson, Sam Schmidt or general manager Rob Edwards to make the offer.Ive been aware of James since 2006, and three years ago when we looked at drivers then he was someone we looked at, Edwards said. I think hes progressed as a driver.Why make the move?Hinchcliffe said he had more experience running with a two-car team, already had some relationships with team members at SPM and, yes, dreamed of the chance to be the lead dog on a team that could win both the Indianapolis 500 and the IndyCar championship.And that was too good to pass up.It was frustrating competing against these guys the last couple of years, Hinchcliffe said. Hopefully, we can make this team grow. ' ' '