ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Buffalo Bills president Russ Brandon opened 2013 vowing to transform what he called the franchises "tarnished" reputation. On Monday, Brandon closed the year with the job still incomplete. Though pleased with the direction the team has taken under first-year general manager Doug Whaley and first-year coach Doug Marrone, Brandon expressed disappointment with a 6-10 finish and the Bills extending the NFLs longest active playoff drought to 14 seasons. "I have all the faith and belief in (Marrone) and (Whaley) to keep continuing to get this ship pointed in the right direction and see significant progress as we enter 2014," Brandon said. "What we dont feel good about is sitting here and talking to you at 6-10. And that needs to change." Change was the operative word last off-season, when the Bills went through a near top-to-bottom overhaul. Buffalo purged much of its roster, and began a rebuilding plan that included drafting quarterback EJ Manuel with the 16th pick out of Florida State. The transition has yet to start paying dividends. In closing the season with a 34-20 loss at New England on Sunday, Buffalo finished with six wins for a third consecutive year, ended fourth in the AFC East for a sixth consecutive year, and extended its string of losing seasons to nine dating to a 9-7 finish in 2004. "With youth comes inconsistency," Whaley said. "So all those guys that contributed this year, we expect them to take a bigger step next year, play more consistent and be more productive." And that includes Manuel, who struggled with his consistency, and had his development stunted by injuries to both knees since August. Manuel missed the final two preseason games with a left knee injury. He missed four regular-season games after spraining his right knee in a 37-24 loss at Cleveland. And he then closed the year missing the final two games after tearing a ligament in his left knee. Manuel finished with a 4-6 record, completed just 58.8 per cent of his attempts (180 of 306 for 1,972 yards) and finished with 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Marrone maintains confidence in Manuel, and has already informed the quarterback hell be the teams starter entering next season. Dismissing his critics, Manuel called his rookie season a learning process. "Obviously, youre going to have ups and downs as a rookie," Manuel said. "Ive had some good games, and theres a lot I can take and build from. I dont really know whos questioning things. But as far as me, Im just continuing to get better." Marrone announced hes already made one change to his staff by firing receivers coach Ike Hilliard because of "a difference in philosophy." Hilliard, who spent 12 seasons in the NFL playing receiver, was responsible for overseeing a young group that included rookies Robert Woods and Marquise Goodwin. On the personnel front, Whaley intends to make an offer in a bid to re-sign three-time Pro Bowl safety Jairus Byrd. And Whaley didnt rule out the possibility of using the franchise designation for a second consecutive year to retain the players rights even if it risks the possibility of having the player miss the entire off-season as he did this past year. Byrd is open to re-signing, and also braced for possibility of the Bills retaining his rights once again. "Im at peace with everything. I know what to expect," Byrd said. "Ive gone through it once. And itll be good. However it works, itll be good." Statistically, the Bills showed improvement on several fronts. Their defence, though inconsistent in stopping the run, finished second in the NFL with a franchise-record 57 sacks. The defence ranked 10th in the NFL in yards allowed -- the units best finish since placing second in 2004. Byrd, defensive tackle Kyle Williams and defensive end Mario Williams all earned Pro Bowl selections this year. The defence also featured linebacker Kiko Alonso, a second-round pick, who is regarded an NFL defensive rookie of the year candidate. On offence, the Bills running attack finished second in the NFL with 2,307 yards -- the most since 1992. Running back Fred Jackson was among numerous veterans who expressed confidence the team might finally be turning the corner. "If you watched us play this year, youll know that were not the same team that weve been," Jackson said. "But theres no moral victories. We know that. We know that for us to be relevant, we have to win more football games." ---- NOTES: The Bills retained the rights to seven practice squad players: QB Dennis Dixon, DB Mario Butler, OTs Edawn Coughman and Jamaal Johnson-Webb, DE Ikponmwosa Igbinosun, WR Brandon Kaufman and LB Jacquies Smith. ... Whaley said hes open to re-signing PK Dan Carpenter and P Brian Moorman. Kendall Fuller Chiefs Jersey . Next up, the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Cleveland Browns in the AFC North. Baltimore Ravens In 2014, the 8-8 season that the Baltimore Ravens experienced was to be expected. Breeland Speaks Chiefs Jersey .Brothers B.J. and Justin Upton each homered and had an outfield assist, and the Braves held on for a 4-2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday night. http://www.chiefsstoreauthentic.com/auth...-chiefs-jersey/. The game had many controversial incidents that, upon closer inspection, were not as controversial as many believed. The Formations Toronto FC lined up in its usual 4-4-2 formation, with Nick Hagglund slotting in at right fullback and Bradley Orr at centreback in place of the injured Mark Bloom and Steven Caldwell, respectively. Dorian ODaniel Chiefs Jersey . Thats 14 consecutive losses to the two-time defending champs, and most of them were over before they even began. Result notwithstanding, Sundays game had a very different feel to it. Armani Watts Chiefs Jersey . - Veteran Kings defenceman Robyn Regehr, sidelined since Game 1 of the Anaheim series, says hes close to returning.MONTREAL -- When misfortune finally struck the Mercedes AMG team, Red Bulls Daniel Ricciardo was there to take the prize. Ricciardo passed series leader Nico Rosberg with two laps to go and held on for his first Formula One victory in a wild Canadian Grand Prix on Sunday afternoon. The 24-year-old became the first non-Mercedes driver to win in seven races this season, although even he admitted there was luck involved and that it is too early to say that Red Bull is back as a championship contender. "Obviously Mercedes had their issues and that enabled us to close on them," a giddy and still disbelieving Ricciardo said after the race. "Its a bit surreal. Really cool." The Aussie driver remembered to save some champagne from the post-race podium celebration to spray on his race engineer, Toronto native Gavin Ward. Rosberg finished second despite engine and brake problems, while the second Red Bull driven by four-time world champion and defending Canadian Grand Prix winner Sebastian Vettel came in third. The race ended under a caution flag after a spectacular crash involving Sergio Perezs Force India car and Felipe Massas Williams. They narrowly missed taking Vettel out. Both drivers appeared unhurt as they got out of their cars on their own. They were checked out by track doctors, then had further tests at Sacre-Coeur Hospital and were released. Race stewards found Perez at fault for the crash and penalized him five grid positions at the next race. The Red Bull team ruled F1 as Vettel won the last four championships, but a switch to more fuel-efficient turbo engines this year saw Mercedes emerge with what looked like an unbeatable car. Mercedes AMG won the first six races of the season, with Lewis Hamilton winning four and Rosberg taking two. They had finished one-two in the five previous races. But the long straights and tight corners of Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve have a history of mishaps, crashes and heartbreak, and this thriller was no exception. Rosberg kept the lead over Hamilton off the start and both were comfortably in front until just over midway through the 70-lap event. But then both cars at once developed problems with their Energy Recovery Systems, which convert the energy the car produces into extra power, and that led to rear brakes trouble. Hamilton, a three-time winner in Canada, exited the race with his brakes emitting smoke after 48 laps. It was a second retirement for Hamilton, who was out of the season-opening Australian GP after two laps with engine trouble. Rosberg needed all his skill to keep his Mercedes on the track and managed to hang on through the final laps with a line of competitors pushing from behind. But Ricciardo finally got past on the final corner leading to the homestretch of the 4.361-kilometre course. "I was pleased I was managing to stay ahead with this huge train of cars behind me," said Rosberg. "One guy got by, but I still managed to hang on. "t;Losing is disappointing for us as a team.dddddddddddd. We have such speed and such a great car, to not win and just have one car come in second is hugely disappointing for us. Our ambition is to finish one-two. We have to make sure we get back there next race in Austria." Ricciardo had spent several laps just trying to get by Perez, whose Mercedes-powered Force India was stronger in the straights, but the Mexican made a braking error and the Aussie shot past on lap 66. "I needed a bit of a mistake from him," said Ricciardo. "He got close to Nico and perhaps overshot the braking in the last chicane and I managed to just stay with him on the exit. "Once I had the outside line free, I made it work." Rosberg earned 18 points to stretch his lead in driver standings over Hamilton to 22 points. Ricciardo, who finished third in the previous two events, moved into third spot, 61 points off the lead. Vettel earned his second third-place finish of the year, but said the Red Bulls still have a long way to go to catch Mercedes. "We have a competitive car, but not yet a competitive package to match them and beat them regularly," said the German. "Today we got lucky. "It feels great and its a great reward for the whole team after such a painful winter and a difficult start to the season. To get both cars on the podium and beat at least one of the Mercedes, I think thats a very positive day for us." Rosberg said: "We are fully aware that Red Bull is still an amazingly strong team and pushing like crazy to catch us." Vettel came within a metre or two of being taken out by Massa, who whizzed across the final chicane straight into a retaining wall. "I saw something white coming in the mirror and at the last second, I turned right and Felipe was in the air flying past," he said. "I was quite lucky he didnt hit me. I saw him just in time." Ricciardo spent the last two years with Toro Rossi and moved to Red Bull team when his compatriot Mark Webber retired. He became the fourth Australian to win an F1 race after Jack Brabham, Alan Jones and Webber. "Very proud," said the Perth, Australia native. "It was great to hear the Aussie anthem. Its been three years since I won a race (in any series). Its a feeling I missed a lot." The safety car came out during the first lap after a crash that took out both Marussia cars spread debris across the track. Max Chilton looked to lose control and bump Jules Bianchi, who slammed into a wall. Neither was injured. Esteban Gutierrez was given permission to race, starting from pit lane, despite not taking part in qualifying. The Mexican missed qualifying while having his Sauber chassis changed after a crash in the final practice session on Saturday. He left the race after 64 laps. The next race is June 22 in Spielberg, Austria at a track, perhaps ominously for Mercedes, called the Red Bull Ring. Cheap Warriors JerseysAuthentic Cavaliers JerseysCheap Spurs StoreCeltics Jerseys OnlineCheap Bulls JerseysCheap Nets JerseysCheap Thunder JerseysCheap 76ers JerseysCheap Knicks JerseysWholesale Raptors JerseysCyber Monday Pistons JerseysWholesale Team USA Basketball JerseysCheap Celtics JerseysCheap Nets JerseysCheap Knicks JerseysCheap 76ers JerseysRaptors Jerseys From ChinaCheap Bulls JerseysCavaliers Jerseys From ChinaWholesale Pistons JerseysBucks Jerseys From ChinaPacers Jerseys OutletAuthentic Hawks JerseysCheap Hornets JerseysCheap Heat JerseysCheap Magic JerseysAuthentic Wizards JerseysCheap Nuggets JerseysTimberwolves Jerseys OutletWholesale Thunder JerseysCheap Blazers JerseysCheap Jazz JerseysDiscount Warriors JerseysWholesale Clippers JerseysWholesale Lakers JerseysCheap Suns JerseysCheap Kings JerseysDiscount Mavericks JerseysAuthentic Rockets JerseysDiscount Grizzlies JerseysCheap Pelicans JerseysSpurs Jerseys From China ' ' '