d have prevented defenses from assigning an extra defender to Jones. His 136 catc

BOSTON -- Set. Baseball. To. Stun.William Shatner is throwing out the first pitch at Fenway Park.Shatner, reprising his Star Trek role as Capt. James Tiberius Kirk, is in town for this weekends Boston Comic Con. His Friday evening appearance as the Red Sox take on the Arizona Diamondbacks is one of a series of events marking the 50th anniversary of the airing of the first Star Trek episode in 1966.The Boston edition of the popular entertainment and comic arts festival runs through Sunday at the Seaport World Trade Center.Besides Shatner, this years celebrity guests include Gillian Anderson of The X-Files, Elizabeth Henstridge of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Vic Mignogna of Star Trek Continues, Caity Lotz of Arrow and Legends of Tomorrow, among others.Fans lined up Friday to see Frank Miller, the writer and creator of the Batman saga The Dark Knight.Costumed role players brandishing light sabers got an early start by visiting young patients to cheer them up Thursday at Spaulding Rehabilitation Centers Pediatric Unit.Organizers say the three-day gathering is expected to draw 45,000 people, many dressed as Batman, Hello Kitty, Sailor Moon and a host of other characters.---Online: http://bostoncomiccon.com/Air Max 90 Sale Nederland . -- Catcher Brett Hayes has agreed to a $630,000, one-year contract with the Kansas City Royals, avoiding salary arbitration. Air Max 90 Nederland . LeBron James and Chris Bosh didnt need any more. Williams scored 11 points in 10 minutes, Alan Anderson scored 17 points, and the Brooklyn Nets finished the exhibition season with a 108-87 win over the Miami Heat on Friday night. http://www.airmax90salenederland.com/ . The formidable trio of Canadian receivers -- individually known as Chris Getzlaf, Rob Bagg and Andy Fantuz -- will share the field at Mosaic Stadium one more time on Sunday. Nike Air Max 90 Dames Sale . Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek defeated Nenad Zimonjic and Ilija Bozoljac 6-2, 6-4, 7-6 (4) on the indoor hard-court at Belgrade Arena. The victory improved the Czech pairs impressive cup doubles record to 14-1. Nike Air Max 90 Dames .C. -- After a listless first half, the Washington Wizards used a big third quarter run to beat the Charlotte Bobcats Bradley Beal scored 21 points and the Wizards used a 17-0 run in the third quarter to take control of what had been a close game and beat the Bobcats 97-83 on Tuesday night.FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- The Atlanta Falcons are hoping their second season with coach Dan Quinn and offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan brings more familiarity, confidence -- and wins.A few new key players might make an even bigger difference.The Falcons improved from 6-10 to 8-8 but missed the playoffs in Quinns first season. There was improvement, especially on defense, but the failure to take advantage of a 5-0 start left the season feeling more like a letdown.The teams biggest offseason addition could be a difference maker for quarterback Matt Ryan, 31. Three-time Pro Bowl center Alex Mack left Cleveland to sign a five-year, $47.5 million deal.Mack will be expected to provide the stability and leadership at center the team has lacked since Todd McClures final 2012 season.Even after the release of Roddy White, the most accomplished receiver in franchise history, Ryan has potent playmakers with receiver Julio Jones and dual-threat running back Devonta Freeman. Mohamed Sanu was signed to be the No. 2 receiver.Ryans 21 touchdown passes in 2015 were his fewest since his 2008 rookie season. His 16 interceptions were the second most of his career.Ryan organized and paid for a passing camp which preceded OTAs and minicamp. He said having a year in Shanahans system has made a difference. Thats important because there were calls for Shanahan to be replaced after it appeared Ryan had not adjusted well to the zone-blocking scheme.I think were further along this offseason, Ryan said this month. I think thats going to bode well for us.Ryan said theres certainly an adjustment period following a coaching change, but added I think we handled it pretty well.The key newcomers on defense include linebacker Courtney Upshaw, defensive end Derrick Shelby and rookie strong safety Keanu Neal. Each should start. Another rookie, linebacker Deion Jones, also could play a big role.Here are some story lines to watch for the Falcons training camp:KUDOS FOR KEANU: Neal was drafted from Florida to be an anchor for the defense. Quinn believes Neal has the toughness to play close to the line like a linebacker and the pass coverage skills to defend tight ends and running backs. Quinn said Neal showed in minicamp thhe mental quickness and the speed that he plays with.dddddddddddd.Quinn said the strong safety position is so important to his scheme that he drafted Neal with the No. 17 overall pick instead of looking for pass rush help.NEW ROLE FOR BEASLEY: Quinn, the former Seattle defensive coordinator, couldnt find instant answers for the teams persistent pass-rush problem. The Falcons were last in the league with 19 sacks. They have ranked no higher than 28th in sacks since 2012.Vic Beasley Jr., last years first-round pick from Clemson, had four sacks while spending most of his time at defensive end. The plan this year is for Beasley to play strongside linebacker in the base defense and defensive end in nickel packages. Quinn estimates the Falcons will be in their nickel package at least 60 percent of snaps.Shelby had 3 1/2 sacks with Miami last season.HELP FOR JULIO: Perhaps no receiver added to the roster would have prevented defenses from assigning an extra defender to Jones. His 136 catches for 1,871 yards in 2015 each ranked as the second-best totals in NFL history.Last year, Freeman had 73 catches and tight end Jacob Tamme had 59 as Ryans top options to Jones. Sanu, who signed a five-year, $32.5 million deal, could be in position to flourish as the new top complement to Jones. Sanu was a part-time starter with Cincinnati.Second-year receiver Justin Hardy could earn a job as the No. 3 receiver with a strong camp.QB INSURANCE: Ryan made every start for the sixth straight season, but his durability may disguise the effects of the constant pounding. Ryan has been sacked at least 30 times in three straight seasons -- the three highest totals of his career.Ryans new backup is veteran Matt Schaub, 35, who played for Shanahan in Houston. Quinn said Schaub has added a real calming presence.HESTERS HEALTH: Devin Hester, 33, is coming off toe surgery. He played in only five games last season and needs a strong camp to show he has regained the speed that made him one of the top return specialists in the game.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '