even though negotiations with the two-time Pro Bowl player have reached a stalemate

Editors Note: Alex Scarborough covers the SEC for ESPN.com.Theres an arms race taking place in college football that has even the most distinguished of programs feeling as if theyre a step behind. And you can thank Alabamas Nick Saban for not just being ahead of the curve, but throwing the first curve to being with.The desire for more man power is met by seemingly unlimited budgets. Theres no such thing as being over-qualified anymore. These days you cant find a perennial top-25 program without a fully stocked staff, while traditionally second-tier programs are pushing to expand theirs.It started with Sabans arrival at Alabama. Four national championships later, everyone is playing copycat.Looking at the college game through the lens of his time in the NFL, Saban beefed up the Tides organizational infrastructure, adding bodies to the personnel department and bringing in accomplished coaches to lend a hand wherever possible.Getting an accurate number of everyone working in the Mal Moore Athletic Facility is difficult -- in 2012, there were 146 non-coaches on the athletic department payroll -- but a few big names stand out over the past few years. For instance, when Jim McElwain was offensive coordinator, he had former Power 5 offensive coordinators Mike Groh (Virginia) and Billy Napier (Clemson) on his staff. Kevin Steele, who had been a head coach at Baylor, served as director of player personnel in 2013. The next year, former Washington assistant and ace recruiter Tosh Lupoi joined the staff as an analyst. This year, former Maryland O.C. Mike Locksley will hold a similar position.We learn things all the time from other people, how they do things, Saban said. Were always looking for a better way, and everybody is responsible for that. So when you have the opportunity to get somebody like Mike, they bring a lot to the table. ... Hell have some ideas that will contribute to what were doing in a certain segment systematically. There are a lot of benefits in bringing somebody with his experience aboard.Saban disciples have followed suit, whether its McElwain at Florida, Jimbo Fisher at Florida State or Kirby Smart at Georgia. Former Saban assistant Will Muschamp has already made noticeable changes to the staff at South Carolina. Retired Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier told XM Radio recently, I dont know how many theyve got, but ... weve got about 12 more than when I was there, in one year.Saban changed the game, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. He changed it for everybody, changed the whole model. And you see the results that theyve had.To read Alex Scarboroughs full article, visit ESPN.com. New England Patriots Gear . The All-Pro lineman got the leg bent under him while trying to make a tackle during the first half of a 22-20 overtime loss at Miami on Thursday night. The medical staff initially thought hed torn the ligament, and the test a day later in Cincinnati confirmed it. New England Patriots Store . I cant pinpoint a date, but I do remember a player from my youth. Brian Downing was with the Chicago White Sox at a time when I listened to every game I possibly could on the radio. That particular season the late great Harry Caray was calling the White Sox games. https://www.patriotsjerseysale.com/ . Booth picked up 65 caps after making her national team debut in 2002 at the age of 17. She most recently played for Sky Blue FC of the National Womens Soccer League. "It just felt like it was my time to move on," she said in a phone interview from her hometown of Burlington, Ont. Custom New England Patriots Jerseys . The team also announced Tuesday that the Braves will wear a commemorative patch on the right sleeve during the season. The patch, shaped like home plate, carries the number 715, Aarons autograph and a "40th Anniversary" banner. Patriots Jerseys 2020 . Newcastle dominated in the early stages but City weathered the storm and then raised its game in extra time. Negredo broke the deadlock from close range after a simple move in the 99th minute before Dzeko took the ball round goalkeeper Tim Krul to seal the victory in the 105th. PITTSFORD, N.Y. -- The Buffalo Bills arent giving up on re-signing star safety Jairus Byrd to a long-term contract. Team president Russ Brandon told the Associated Press on Monday that its his intention to take another run at reaching a multiyear deal with Byrd next off-season despite a failure to secure one this year. Brandon called the prospects of re-signing Byrd as being "absolutely" realistic even though negotiations with the two-time Pro Bowl player have reached a stalemate. "Obviously, our goal was to have that done by July 15. We didnt meet that goal," Brandon said, referring to an NFL-imposed deadline that passed to reach a multiyear deal. "But well pull up our boot straps, and as soon as we can start on that again, we will." Under league rules, re-opening talks on a long-term deal will have to wait until this seasons over. The more pressing concern is when -- or if -- Byrd intends to report to the Bills this year. Byrd remains unsigned because he has yet to accept the one-year, $6.9 million offer the Bills in designating him their franchise player in March. The Bills applied the designation to retain Byrds rights and prevent the fourth-year player fromm becoming an unrestricted free agent.dddddddddddd Byrd would once again be eligible to become an unrestricted free agent in March, and the Bills would once again have the option to apply the franchise tag. Brandon provided few updates on Byrds status with the Bills into their second week of training camp in suburban Rochester. He said the two sides have "open lines of communication," but didnt know the last time Jim Overdorf, the teams chief negotiator, last spoke with Byrds agent, Eugene Parker. And Brandon couldnt predict when Byrd might finally report. "I hope he walks in in 10 minutes," Brandon said. "Our goal is to have Jairus back in camp. We cant wait for him to get here. Well welcome him with open arms." Parker has declined comment on the status of talks and when he expects Byrd to report to the team. Brandon said there is "absolutely zero contention" between the two sides, and noted that both are simply exercising their rights under league rules. As for the failure to reach a long-term deal this off-season, Brandon characterized it as "two sides not completely on the same page for where we wanted to be by July 15." ' ' '