back after that, potting a deep 3 to jumpstart a 14-2 finish to the quar

MIAMI - The NFL weighed in on the confusing, conflicting explanations of the Miami Dolphins new power structure, saying the team didnt violate the Rooney Rule in hiring Mike Tannenbaum as executive vice-president of football operations.The rule requires teams to consider minority candidates when hiring for senior football operations positions, but that didnt apply to Tannenbaums new job, the league said Wednesday.We have discussed the hiring of Mike Tannenbaum for a senior football position with Dolphins owner Steve Ross, the league said in a statement. Mr. Ross has confirmed that general manager Dennis Hickey retains all of his prior authority over the draft and other personnel matters, and that Mr. Hickey will continue to report directly to Mr. Ross on these matters. Any public statement to the contrary is erroneous and does not accurately reflect the reporting structure at the Dolphins.In a news release announcing the hiring Tuesday, the Dolphins said Hickey would report directly to Tannenbaum. But the release also said Hickey would continue to lead the personnel and scouting departments and have control of the 53-man roster.During a subsequent conference call with reporters, Tannenbaum said Hickey would have the final say on roster and draft decisions — but added he would be Hickeys boss.Dennis and all of the other departments will be reporting to me, said Tannenbaum, a former general manager for the New York Jets. Knowing what that GM job entails, one of the things that I hope and I know Steve hopes is Dennis will have more time to worry about scouting and all of that entails and running the scouting department.There are a ton of administrative things that come across your desk that Ill handle ... trying to take the big picture, when we see opportunities in analytics or innovation, trying to tie all of those things together. There are a lot of departments that go on in running a football team.The Dolphins had no comment Wednesday beyond noting the league statement.One thing has been made clear: coach Joe Philbin will continue to report directly to Ross.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP_NFL___Follow Steven Wine on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Steve_Wine Wholesale Jerseys China .com) - Wayne Simmonds, Scott Laughton and Jakub Voracek each posted a goal and an assist as the Philadelphia Flyers thumped the Carolina Hurricanes, 5-1, on Saturday. Authentic Jerseys 2020 . The 57-year-old Tietjens has coached New Zealand to nine IRB World Sevens titles and to four Commonwealth Games gold medals as its only coach in the professional era. New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Steve Tew said the re-signing was made with a focus on 2016 when sevens will be in the Olympics. https://www.cheapjerseysfromchinareview.com/ . The 2014 edition will be the ninth meeting between the Caps and Vikes in a tradition that dates back to 2005. "Since the original Whitecaps, the club has enjoyed fantastic support from fans in Victoria and all across Vancouver Island," said Whitecaps FC president Bob Lenarduzzi. NFL Jerseys 2020 .J. - The New York Jets have signed former Green Bay Packers backup quarterback Graham Harrell, giving them some added depth at the position. Cheap Jerseys 2020 . -- The Denver Broncos locked up a shutdown cornerback, only his name wasnt Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.Portland, OR (SportsNetwork.com) - Paul Millsap scored 27 points to lead Atlanta to yet another impressive road win. The Hawks had seven players in double figures in their 115-107 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday. Atlanta had been climbing the Eastern Conference standings with a tremendous run starting in late November, and it moved into first place with Toronto losing in Golden State on Friday. Since losing to the Raptors on Nov. 26 to fall to 7-6, the Hawks have won 18 of 20 games, including seven straight on the road against the West. Their six straight road wins overall are the most since 2011. Jeff Teague tallied 22 points and six assists, Kyle Korver made four 3- pointers en route to 14 points and Al Horford and Thabo Sefolosha netted 13 apiece. A lot of different guys played well, said Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer. Thabo coming off the bench was great. Portland got 30 points and 12 rebounds from LaMarcus Aldridge in its first game since Dec. 30. Damian Lillard posted 16 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. I think we could have played better, but you have to credit Atlanta for playing a very efficient game on both ends of the court, Portland coach Terry Stotts said. Four different Hawks scored during a 10-0 run that gave the visitors a 62-51 lead early in the thhird quarter.ddddddddddddTeague polished off a 9-0 burst later in the period, and the spread was 20. Lillard put Portland on his back after that, potting a deep 3 to jumpstart a 14-2 finish to the quarter. He also hit a stepback from 16 feet and beat the buzzer with an off-balance 3 to draw the hosts back within 83-75 after three. But the Hawks didnt succumb to the pressure, answering Portlands flurry with one of their own. An 8-2 run had the lead back to 13 points. It hovered between 15 and eight over the next seven minutes before the Blazers made things interesting with a late push. Trailing 106-91, Lillard hit a layup, Wesley Matthews scored six points in 26 seconds and Aldridge got a tip-in to go. Teague quieted the crowd with a pair of difficult running bank shots. Horford and DeMarre Carroll both missed two straight free throws, but Sefolosha potted four straight to help Atlanta hold on. Earlier, Portland opened the game with eight straight points but Atlanta answered with a prolonged 18-9 run to climb in front. It never trailed the rest of the way. Game Notes Atlanta outscored Portland 64-38 in the paint ... Blazers big man Joel Freeland left the game in the fourth quarter with a right shoulder injury ... The two teams meet again in Atlanta on Jan. 30. ' ' '