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PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Trail Blazers have appointed AEG Sports executive Chris McGowan as the teams new president and chief operating officer. McGowan helped guide the NHLs Los Angeles Kings and Major League Soccers Los Angeles Galaxy as chief operating officer of AEG Sports. McGowan, who joins the Blazers on Nov. 12, succeeds Larry Miller, who left the Blazers in July to return to Nike. McGowan will manage all business operations of the team and the Rose Garden. He will report to Peter McLoughlin, chief executive officer of Vulcan Sports and Entertainment, which oversees all of Paul Allens sports franchises and facilities. Neil Olshey, the teams general manager, who was appointed in June, will manage all basketball operations. Wholesale NHL Jerseys . -- Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods played together in the opening two rounds of the season in Abu Dhabi. Wholesale MLB Jerseys . Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals are still trying to lock up their berth to the postseason and turn to Lohse on Saturday evening in the second of three straight meetings with the NL East-leading Nats, who have a chance to lock up the division. http://elevatedcolor.com/hot.html . -- The Chiefs put centre Rodney Hudson on injured reserve Wednesday with a broken bone in his left leg and signed offensive linemen Russ Hochstein and Bryan Mattison to provide depth.PITTSFORD, N.Y. -- Giggling uncontrollably, Marcell Dareus was still having a difficult time containing his excitement Sunday, a day after getting a first glimpse of the Buffalo Bills revamped, high-priced defensive lines potential. Theres no question, Mario Williams and Co. looked impressive in their first practice in shoulder pads Saturday, three days into camp. "Shut your mouth," Dareus, the second-year defensive tackle said, before bursting into a fit of laughter. "Theres really not much I can say except, what you see is what you get. I dont think were over-rated. I dont think were under-rated. I think were right where were supposed to be." And that could well spell trouble for opposing offences after the Bills spent considerable time and money upgrading what had been a porous line that also had difficulty generating a pass rush. None of the problems of the past were evident in a practice that left coach Chan Gailey calling his defences performance "dominating." No surprise, Williams -- the Bills newly signed $100-million defensive end -- was in the thick of creating much of the havoc. He and tackle Kyle Williams disrupted a running play so quickly that Fred Jackson barely got the handoff when Mario Williams stopped him in his tracks by grabbing him by the shoulder pad. Jackson was so surprised that he went up to quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and joked: "I think Mario couldve taken the handoff before I did." And that was just one of numerous highlights. A few plays later, Williams wasnt fooled by a misdirection play, staying to his left and forcing Fitzpatrick to throw the ball away. Then Williams and Dareus teamed up by bursting into the backfield to get what wouldve been a sure sack. Kyle Williams was cautiously impressed, noting this was only one practice. "Were still building, but you know its always nice to have good days," he said. "Weve talked about what it looks like by just looking at the names written down. Sure that looks good. But can we take it and put it on the field? And thats what weere trying to do now.dddddddddddd" The list of names are easily recognizable on a starting line made up of the two Williams, Dareus and Mark Anderson, another free agent addition, whos penciled in on the right side. And then theres a solid group of established veterans filling backup positions such as defensive ends Shawne Merriman, Chris Kelsay and Spencer Johnson, and tackle Dwan Edwards. Kelsay considers both the line and defence as a whole as the most talented and depth-laden the Bills have had since he arrived in 2003. And thats saying something considering the Bills finished ranked second in the NFL both 2003 and 2004 with a defence that included tackles Pat Williams and Sam Adams, pass-rusher Aaron Schobel, linebackers Takeo Spikes and London Fletcher and a defensive backfield that featured Nate Clements and Lawyer Milloy. "We had a good defence then, but I think depth-wise, thats whats really going to push us over the edge," Kelsay said. "First day, we are encouraged. We know we have great potential. But its all for naught if you dont put the work in." The Bills defenders have plenty to shoot for in a bid to improve on last years dreadful numbers. Buffalo allowed a franchise-worst 5,938 yards, managed just 29 sacks -- 10 of which came in one game -- and gave up an average 27 points a game in contributing to the teams 6-10 finish. The lack of a pass-rush has been a familiar problem. Buffalo hasnt averaged more than two sacks per game in a season since 2006, when they had 40. Mario Williams, a two-time Pro Bowl selection and the NFLs defensive rookie of the year in 2006, and Anderson were brought in to help provide pressure. At 6-foot-6 and 292 pounds, Williams size and speed have wowed his teammates. "Hes a man-child," Jackson said. And Williams presence is what has Dareus giggling. "He has to be the strongest guy Ive ever met in my life," Dareus said. "Phenomenal football player, hands, feet. Its crazy. Were going to have fun this year, hee, hee, hee." ' ' '