says in a club statement on Wednesday that Vidic is "one of the worlds best defenders and his qualities, international pedigree, and charisma

NEW YORK -- The last time the New England Patriots opened a season without Tom Brady under center, few could have imagined what the young quarterback would become.It was 2001, when Drew Bledsoe started the first two games before suffering a serious chest injury -- opening the door for a second-year quarterback from Michigan drafted 199th overall. Brady led the Patriots to a Super Bowl victory that season, the first of four titles so far that he and coach Bill Belichick have won with New England.Fifteen years and tons of accolades later, Brady will have to sit out the first four games of this season for his role in the Deflategate scandal.Ill be excited to be back when Im back, he said, and Ill be cheering our team on, hoping they can go out and win every game.A lot of that, of course, will be up to how Jimmy Garoppolo performs in Bradys absence.The 2014 second-rounder out of Eastern Illinois will go back to the sideline when Brady returns, but Garoppolo could set the tone for the Patriots in the AFC East. New England has won the division seven straight years, and 12 of the last 13 -- with the only stumble coming in 2008, when Brady tore knee ligaments in the season opener.The best bet for the New York Jets, Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills might be to make their move early.Youve got to win your division games, Jets wide receiver Eric Decker said. With Brady being suspended four games, I think it makes the division up for grabs.Both Buffalo and Miami play New England in the first four weeks, but none of the Patriots division rivals is throwing any dirt on its rival just yet.Hes important for those guys, but if youve been watching, you can see theyre still doing some of the same things, Bills safety Corey Graham said. Theyre playing very well. Its a great system to be in. Dont get me wrong, Tom Bradys one of the greatest quarterbacks, but I feel like the backup guy can more than get the job done.While Bradys absence might be the biggest story line, here are other things to know about the AFC East:BRADYS BUNCH: The Patriots offense has a few major question marks beyond the quarterback. Theres uncertainty at running back with projected starter Dion Lewis working his way back from knee surgery, so it might be a committee approach -- as Belichick has often done. Tight end Rob Gronkowski has been sidelined since Aug. 15 with an undisclosed ailment, while wide receivers Julian Edelman (left foot) and Danny Amendola (left knee, bone spurs in ankle) are working their way back from injuries.The offensive line will have a new look with David Andrews taking over at center and rookie Joe Thuney, a third-rounder, likely starting at left guard.MORE FITZ MAGIC?: It took the Jets and quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick the entire offseason to settle a contract stalemate, but it was a reunion both sides knew was inevitable. Fitzpatrick took over last summer when Geno Smith had his jaw broken by a punch from a teammate and went on to set a franchise record with 31 touchdown passes. Brandon Marshall broke team marks with 109 catches and 1,502 yards receiving while scoring 14 TDs, and Decker had 80 receptions for 1,027 yards and 12 TDs. The addition of versatile running back Matt Forte should make the offense even more dangerous.The key for the Jets, though, is getting through their rough first half of the schedule. They have six road games in the first nine weeks, and five of their first six opponents made the playoffs last season.GASE ON THE CASE: Adam Gase is the NFLs youngest head coach at 38, but his stock rose immensely during the last few years as an assistant with his work with quarterbacks.Hell have his hands full in Miami, where his QB expertise will be needed to further the development of Ryan Tannehill, who has a big arm and a big contract, but has yet to post a winning record in four seasons. He has thrown for more than 4,000 yards each of the last two seasons, but has been inconsistent.Whether the Dolphins have gotten their offensive line fixed, so that Tannehill isnt under pressure all the time, is another major question.REXS WRECK: It has been a rough summer for Rex Ryans Bills, who might have finally found a bona fide starter in quarterback Tyrod Taylor, but have huge issues on defense.Ryan fully revamped the unit after it underperformed last year, but the Bills two top draft picks are injured. Outside linebacker Shaq Lawson, a first-rounder, had shoulder surgery in May and is expected to miss at least the first month of the season. Buffalos second-rounder, inside linebacker Reggie Ragland, is out for the season with a knee injury.Starting defensive tackle Marcell Dareus will also miss the first four games of the season for violating the NFLs substance abuse policy for a second consecutive year.PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH: Patriots, Jets, Dolphins, Bills.---AP Sports Writers Kyle Hightower, John Wawrow and Steven Wine contributed.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: http://twitter.com/AP-NFL Custom USA Soccer Jerseys . Didier Drogba gave away the penalty that put Senegal one goal away from a major upset, but the veteran striker will get another chance -- probably his last -- at the World Cup after Salomon Kalous injury-time strike sealed the Ivorians place in Brazil next year. Stitched USA Soccer Jerseys . It says Pocklingtons lawyer filed the appeal Friday in a California court. CTV Edmonton also says Pocklington gave a $100,000 cash deposit as part of the conditions of his bail, and that he will be out on bail until his appeal is heard. https://www.cheapusasoccer.com/ . -- Bryant McKinnie came out of his stance and lowered his shoulder into a practice squad player, causing a crisp thud to reverberate in the Miami Dolphins practice bubble. USA Soccer Pro Shop . PETERSBURG, Fla. Wholesale USA Soccer Jerseys . Inter president Erick Thohir says in a club statement on Wednesday that Vidic is "one of the worlds best defenders and his qualities, international pedigree, and charisma will be an asset. MILWAUKEE -- Once Zach Davies got going, the Arizona Diamondbacks didnt have much of a chance.Davies pitched 6 1/3 effective innings, Hernan Perez hit a two-run homer, singled and scored the go-ahead run in the sixth and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Diamondbacks 6-4 on Thursday.Davies is now 3-0 with a 1.71 ERA with four walks and 17 strikeouts in four starts in July.Hes had a bunch of starts like this, Brewers manager Craig Counsell said. When he gets into a groove, he runs through the lineup pretty good.I was making sure I settled down a little bit and focused more, Davies said. Once the first inning is over, you let it go.Davies got some key run support for Perez, who started at shortstop for benched Jonathan Villar. Perez crushed Robbie Rays first pitch 458 feet off the facing of the scoreboard in deep center for the two-run homer in the third.That was huge, but I knew I had to keep it there and keep making pitches, Davies said of Perezs sixth home run this season.Davies (8-4) allowed three runs -two earned- on six hits. Facing the Diamondbacks for the first time, he walked one and struck out five.Jeremy Jeffress pitched the ninth for his 24th save in 25 chances.The Brewers added a run when Kirk Nieuwenhuis homered off Tyler Clippard leading off the eighth.Ray (5-10) cruised through the first five innings, then struggled in the sixth with the game tied at 2.Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale was none too happy with the bullpen.I took him (Ray) out after he gave up the lead and our bullpens got to be able to hold it, Hale said. Burgos has got to be able to get that guy out and get us in the dugout.If the bullpen doesnt get squared away, Hale hinted at some changes.We have got to find some guys out of our bullpen that are going to stop the bleeding, shut it down, Hale said. Its imperative. If we cant find them here, were going to have to go elsewhere and give other guys a chance.Ray struck out five straight batters, including the side in the second and fifth innings and set a career high with 11 strikeouts, one better than in his previoous start, a 1-0 loss at Cincinnati on July 23.ddddddddddddVILLAR SITSBrewers SS Jonathan Villar was benched for a baserunning blunder in the first inning of Wednesday nights 8-1 loss to the Diamondbacks. Known for his aggressiveness, he tried to steal third with two outs, but catcher Welington Castillo nailed him with a perfect throw. Villar also made two errors in the top of the first.I think it is a good day for him to just take a step back in general, Counsell said. It is a good spot to just step back and watch the game.TRAINERS ROOMDiamondbacks: 3B Jake Lamb struck out as a pinch hitter in the seventh and stayed in the game at third. He missed the previous two games with a bruised left hand. Hale said that Lamb would start Friday. ... OF David Peralta (lower back strain) is scheduled to join the Diamondbacks on Friday. Hes been on a rehab assignment at Triple-A Reno. ... OF Socrates Brito (fractured right toe) has gone 1 for 7 two rehab games with the AZL Diamondbacks.Brewers: The Brewers have been very cautious with Braun and have given him several scheduled days off to rest. Braun had a tough May. He missed four games with right wrist soreness, two games with lower back soreness and two with neck soreness. ... C Jonathan Lucroy had a scheduled game off to rest. ... INF Will Middlebrooks has shown some improvement. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list July 25 with a lower right leg strain. Will has made some nice progress, manager Craig Counsell said. He was actually able to get on the field yesterday and play catch, which is a good sign. Hopefully, were on the short end.UP NEXTDiamondbacks: RHP Zack Godley (3-1, 5.88 ERA) makes his second career appearance and first start against the Los Angeles Dodgers.Brewers: RHP Junior Guerra (6-2, 2.85) aims for his 11th quality start on Friday when he faces the Pittsburgh Pirates for the second time this season. He is 0-0 with a 2.57 ERA in two career games. ' ' '