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ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- The Buffalo Bills approach to the NFL draft this year has much to do with EJ Manuel. After selecting the quarterback in the first round last year, the next step is adding talent to give Manuel the opportunity to progress after an inconsistent and injury-shortened rookie season. "Its a quarterback-driven league, so were going to give every avenue and every piece of the puzzle to surround EJ and make him as successful as possible," general manager Doug Whaley said. "What we did this off-season affords us the opportunity to go any way and every way in the draft. But our main focus is making sure EJ progresses." Manuels progression is a point of emphasis for a team that hasnt had stability at quarterback since Hall of Famer Jim Kelly retired following the 1996 season. And questions remain whether Manuel is capable of providing that stability. He went 4-6 and oversaw a sputtering offence that contributed to Buffalo (6-10) extending the NFLs longest active playoff drought to 14 seasons. The Bills can do little but cross their fingers in hoping Manuel can stay healthy after being sidelined by knee injuries on three separate occasions. What they can control is adding pieces to the offence. Buffalo began by creating two new offensive positions on coach Doug Marrones staff, including quarterbacks coach Todd Downing. Whaley also acquired Mike Williams, a proven receiver with a troubled off-field past, in a trade with Tampa Bay. The next step is the draft, which is top-heavy on receivers and offensive tackles. Here are five things to look out for from Buffalo, which opens with the ninth pick: DOUBLING DOWN ON WR: Despite acquiring Williams and drafting receivers Robert Woods and Marquise Goodwin last year, the Bills might not be done restocking the position. Buffalos passing attack lacked a dependable threat, finishing 29th in the NFL in yards gained. At 6-foot-5, Texas A&Ms Mike Evans has the size and range Buffalo lacks. And Clemsons Sammy Watkins has the overall talent that might be too good to pass up despite his 6-1 frame. "We believe so," Whaley said of Watkins, for whom Buffalo probably has to move up. "We think his traits are dynamic enough to overcome his lack of height." Tight end is another option, with North Carolinas Eric Ebron in the mix. O-LINE NEEDS: With left tackle Cordy Glenn protecting Manuels blind side, the Bills are interested in upgrading the other side of their line. Whaley expects more teams to adopt what he calls "NASCAR packages," featuring swift-footed pass rushers across the defensive front. "You need a right tackle nowadays as athletic as your left tackle," he said. The draft features several highly regarded tackles, including Auburns Greg Robinson, Michigans Taylor Lewan and Texas A&Ms Jake Matthews. The Bills also have a pressing need at left guard that is expected to be addressed in later rounds. REPLACING BYRD: The Bills believe they have enough depth to overcome losing three-time Pro Bowl safety Jairus Byrd in free agency. Aaron Williams was solid in making the switch last season from cornerback. Returning players DaNorris Searcy, Jonathan Meeks and Duke Williams will compete for regular jobs. And then theres the free agent addition of Corey Graham, who can play cornerback and safety. WHALEYS DEBUT: After spending his first three years in Buffalo being groomed for the GMs job, Whaley gets to run his first draft after Buddy Nix stepped down a year ago. At 41, Whaley has extensive background as a scout after working his way up through the Steelers organization. And hes eager to begin being judged on how he does rebuilding the Bills. "Call me crazy, I like it," Whaley said. "Im a competitor and I want to win. If thats my role and thats my job, I embrace my destiny." REMEMBERING RALPH: This is the Bills first draft since owner and founder Ralph Wilson died in March. Wilson enjoyed being involved in the draft. Wilson proudly recalled the time he broke a deadlock among executives by urging them to select running back Thurman Thomas in the second round of the 1988 draft. Thomas went on to a Hall of Fame career. "This was his favourite time of year," Bills president Russ Brandon said. "People ask me all the time how we can honour Mr. Wilsons legacy. And my answer is always the same. Its one word: Win." Cheap Football Jerseys Throwback China . Kyle Denbrook, a soccer player from Saint Marys University, took the CIS male athlete of the week honour. Stanley, a fourth-year business administration student from Charlottetown, scored both goals in a 2-0 win over Dalhousie on Friday and tallied again in a 1-0 win over Saint Marys on Sunday. Stitched Football Jerseys Throwback . Both sides came closest to scoring in the first half, when Roma had a goal from Mattia Destro waved off for offside and Inters Rodrigo Palacio headed high. "A draw was a fair result. Neither squad had many chances," Roma midfielder Miralem Pjanic said. http://www.cheapfootballthrowback.com/ . Last year, Matt Kuchar closed with a 4-under 68 to beat Kevin Chappell by two strokes for his second win of the 2013 season and sixth of his career. Discount Football Jerseys Throwback . Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and Frank Thomas appeared to be on track to gain election from the Baseball Writers Association of America on Wednesday, and Craig Biggio could join them. Custom Football Jerseys Throwback . -- Colin Kaepernick insists he just happened to pull on a pair of socks with dollar bill prints all over them Wednesday morning -- before he learned he had struck a new fortune with the San Francisco 49ers.The Detroit Tigers have continued their busy offseason, reportedly agreeing to a deal with closer Joe Nathan. Various media outlets, including the Detroit Free Press, indicate a deal is close, while USA Today cited an unidentified person directly involved with the negotiations as saying the pact is for two years. Nathan saved 43 games this past season for the Texas Rangers while going 6-2 with a 1.39 ERA. After spending seven seasons in Minnesota, Nathan signed with the Rangers in 2011 after missing all of the 2010 season recovering from Tommy John surgery. In two seasons with Texas, he posted a 2.09 ERA after pitching to a 2.16 ERA in his time with the Twins. Texas actually exercised the club portion of Nathans 2014 contract option, but the 38-year-old right-hander voided thee player portion of the $9 million deal to test the free agent market.dddddddddddd Signing a closer and revamping the bullpen was a top priority for the Tigers heading into the offseason. Last years closer, Joaquin Benoit, is a free agent and the team did not exercise its club option to bring back Jose Veras, while lefty Drew Smyly is likely slated for the starting rotation after the deal that sent Doug Fister to the Washington Nationals for three players Monday night. Nathan ranks 10th all-time with 341 saves, the most among active pitchers following Mariano Riveras retirement. He began his career as a starter with San Francisco in 1999 and spent four seasons with the Giants before heading to Minnesota in a trade prior to the 2004 campaign. ' ' '