Kent lost their makeshift opener Adam Ball to the 10th

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- After missing the playoffs the past four seasons, the New York Giants have a right to be optimistic.The NFLs worst defense has been bolstered by off-season signings. The offense returns most of its players after a solid season. And there is a belief that new coach Ben McAdoo can step in for Tom Coughlin and return the Giants to their recent glory years.It was all there to see on Thursday as the Giants reported to training camp. That is until McAdoo noted that defensive tackle Damon `Snacks Harrison is going to start camp on the physically unable to perform list because of swelling in his knee.McAdoo said the injury is not serious, but it certainly put a damper on Day 1.Harrison signed a five-year, $46.25 million contract to be in the center of the line. Now he is injured, and one has to wonder whether injuries are going to get the Giants yet again.Linebacker J.T. Thomas (hamstring) and defensive tackle Jay Bromley (ankle) also are starting camp on the PUP list.McAdoo said their injuries also are not serious. Well see.If the Giants can stay healthy, their talent is deep enough with the signings of defensive end Olivier Vernon, cornerback Janoris Jenkins, linebacker Keenan Robinson and the re-signing of defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, to get them to the postseason.We talked to the expectation with everybody. Our goal is still to put the fifth (Lombardi) trophy in the case, McAdoo said after meeting with the team. The other thing we addressed is that it is just words right now. We have to go out there and put the work in and earn it.While the Giants have posted consecutive 6-10 seasons, they were not that far off last year. They lost six games either late in the fourth quarter or in overtime.Guard Justin Pugh said this is the most talented team he has been on in in his four seasons with the Giants.Im very confident in this team he said. I think where we were at last year, we lost some crucial games down the stretch, and I think we should have been in last year. I think we missed some big opportunities last year to go to the playoffs, and I think that obviously that is the goal. I am very confident with the guys in this room and the locker room, that were going to be successful this year.Eli Manning and Odell Beckham Jr., are focal points of the offense, but the potential increases if Victor Cruz can return after missing most of the past two seasons, rookie receiver Sterling Shepard lives up to the hype, and the O-line can open some holes for running back Rashad Jennings and company.This team can be really good, Jennings said, by paper and by talent that we actually have on this team. So speaking especially from the offensive standpoint, going into Year 3, we have high expectations and this will be a disappointment if we dont complete what we are looking for.The defense is expected to make the biggest improvement. Vernon gives the Giants one of the leagues top pass rushers, and the hope is JPP will be able to do more now that his mangled right hand has had more than a year to recover from the July 4, 2015 fireworks accident.Pierre-Paul insists his hand is fine. He wont have to use a club-type glove on it this season, which might help. He added he had one offseason procedure to help heal the hand.He hedged for a second when asked about the potential of the defense.We have to see, he said. I know people have high expectations and they should. As a defensive player, you should have high expectations.Second-year safety Landon Collins said it took half a season for the unit to have confidence in coordinator Steve Spagnuolos new defense. Finishing ranked last left a chip on their shoulders.You put it behind you, you dont think about it, but you know you were 32 in the league and now youre just pushing to be top 10 in the league, Collins said. Thats our biggest thought.So is getting to the playoffs.I liked the look in their eyes. McAdoo said. They were hungry to get going. They were chomping at the bit, like I am. Its a good place to start.---NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Cheap Nike Shoes Wholesale China . -- The Magic have their first victory of the new year. Nike Shoes China Wholesale . Robredo, ranked No. 16, bounced back from an upset loss to Leonardo Mayer in the second round of the Royal Guard Open in Chile last week to down Carreno Busta in 1 hour, 25 minutes. 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Kent 310 for 3 (Dickson 81, Denly 78) vs SussexScorecard It was a day for the purists in Royal Tunbridge Wells where bowlers toiled in the heat and dirt while Kents batsmen played the ball on its merits to reach 310 for 3 on the opening day of their Specsavers County Championship clash with neighbours Sussex.A sluggish, two-paced pitch coupled with an outfield at The Nevill Ground that could do with a good mowing ensured an honest battle between bat and ball and, with great joy, the introduction of leg-spin before lunch as the visitors vied for a second breakthrough.Kent certainly won the cat-and-mouse tussle of day one courtesy of a second-wicket stand worth 162 in 57.2 overs between Joe Denly (78) and Sean Dickson (81) who could only muster 12 boundaries between them.Dickson, Kents top-scorer on a hard-working day, said: Joe Denly and I had a chat when we were batting and we came to the conclusion that the pitch was two-paced and seemed a bit quicker from the bowlers from the Pavilion End.Whittingham bowled me a bouncer earlier that over and, if Im honest, I didnt play it that well. I knew in the back of my mind hes probably bowl me a second bouncer but I never really got into a good enough position to deal with it. I was caught between the steer and leaving it alone and did neither. I should have just ducked out of the way.Dickson added: Ive been getting decent starts of late without going on beyond 50. Okay, I didnt bat on to reach three-figures today but, looking at the bigger picture, Ive at least helped set us up nicely for a big total.In these conditions the pitcch will only get dryer and start to break up.dddddddddddd So the prospect for Sussex, of facing Kagiso Rabada and our two spinners on a dry wicket, isnt going to be an inviting one.Batting first after winning the toss, Kent lost their makeshift opener Adam Ball to the 10th ball of the match. Standing in for Daniel Bell-Drummond who is away on England Lions duty together with Sam Billings, Ball drove at his fourth ball of the day from Chris Jordan to edge to Ross Taylor at first slip and depart without scoring.Denly and Dickson saw off the new ball pairing of Steve Magoffin and Jordan, then Stu Whittinghams first delivery of the game proved eventful, a beamer, it flew over Joe Denlys head for six no balls leading to an official warning from umpire Nick Cook.The hosts re-grouped either side of lunch through Denly and Dickson who set out their stall to bat time. Playing back, the South Africa-born player in two minds against a short delivery and only succeeded in spooning it to Will Beer positioned in the gully.After batting over four hours Denly was also guilty of giving up his own wicket. Aiming to pull a length ball from Whittingham, he skied a top-edge to Taylor at mid-wicket to make it 199 for three. It proved to be the last success of the day for Sussex.Northeast and Stevens dug in through to stumps, Northeast passing his 50 in 77 balls while Stevens posted his first-half century since mid-May from 75 deliveries and with six fours and six. ' ' '