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FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The Patriots surprised many around the NFL last month when they traded linebacker Jamie Collins to the Cleveland Browns.It created yet another adjustment for a defense that was already dealing with an injury to linebacker Jonathan Freeny and the offseason trade of pass rusher Chandler Jones.By parting ways with Collins, they not only jettisoned what might have been the most athletic player on New Englands roster, but also instantly put a lot more on the shoulders of veteran linebacker Donta Hightower, second-year player Trey Flowers and rookie Elandon Roberts.The first taste of life without Collins was on Sunday against the Seahawks, and after a 31-24 loss that included the Patriots defense getting pushed around at times late in the game, it appears that unit might take time before it completely figures things out.New England gave up a season-high 31 points to the Seahawks , and allowed an opponent to gain 400 or more yards for the second time this season.Its certainly not all one thing, but in total we obviously need to do a better job than what were doing, coach Bill Belichick said of some of his teams defensive breakdowns Sunday. Thats all the way across the board, all the areas of the defense; front, coverage, run defense, turnovers, you name it. Its not all bad, but it needs to be better.The Patriots did hold the Seahawks to a field goal on four of their seven trips inside the red zone, while sacking Russell Wilson three times.But Wilson managed three touchdown passes on Seattles other three red zone opportunities, including a pivotal eight-play, 48-yard drive capped by a 15-yard pass to Doug Baldwin early in the fourth quarter. The Patriots struggled to get any pressure up front on Wilson during the drive, which took only 4:05 off the clock.We just struggled, Flowers said. It was a tough game, we played a good team. We left some plays out there, no doubt about it.Despite the miscues, there were individual bright spots to build on.The most promising effort might have come from Flowers, who posted his second straight two-sack game in his first career start at defensive end.Meanwhile Roberts, elevated to Collins old spot in the starting lineup Sunday, was credited with only one solo tackle while assisting on three more.After dealing with an early-season knee issue, Hightower continued to be productive with his second 10-tackle game of 2016. But with seven games left, he could certainly use some help from his teammates.Despite the shortcomings, defensive captain Devin McCourty said hes confident they will be able to figure things out.I think weve got room for improvement, he said. We make a couple of stops, not just in the red (zone) area, but early on drives (and) on long drives -- I think we come out with a win. The offense moved the ball. We just gotta get a couple of stops to help out.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL---Follow Kyle Hightower on Twitter a http://www.twitter.com/khightowerTerrell Suggs Jersey Cardinals . 10 VCU 85-67 on Thursday night at the Puerto Rico Tip-Off. The Seminoles (4-0) have scored at least 80 points in each of their games. Arizona Cardinals Authentic Jerseys .C. United of Major League Soccer. United chose the defender in the second round of the 2013 MLS re-entry draft. http://www.arizonacardinalsshoponline.com/kurt-warner-cardinals-jersey.html . Both players have lower body injuries that will keep them out of the lineup until at least January 31, which is the first game they can be activated from IR. Chandler Jones Cardinals Jersey . Each of Houstons starters scored in double figures as the Rockets improved to 2-0 against the Spurs this season, with both victories coming on the road. They also moved within 3 1/2 games of San Antonio (22-7) for the lead the Southwest Division. Josh Rosen White Jersey . Vettel, who has already clinched his fourth straight F1 title, enters the finale with a chance to equal Michael Schumachers 13 victories in a year and match the record of nine consecutive wins by Alberto Ascari in the 1952 and 1953 seasons.The first half of the 2015-16 Premier League season went about as well as any Crystal Palace fan or pundit could have predicted. The club held their head high in fifth place on New Years Day.Then the bottom fell out.Alan Pardews Eagles collected just two points in January, February and March combined, and if not for a win and three draws in April, they would have slid into the relegation battle.Pardew will encourage his boys to remember how things went during the first half of that season when they begin this one at Selhurst Park on Saturday against West Bromwich Albion.The winter-into-spring slide did not completely ruin Palaces season -- they made a surprise run to the FA Cup final to offset their 15th place league finish. But the Eagles could not hold off Manchester United after taking a 78th-minute lead following a strike from Jason Puncheon and fell 2-1 to the Red Devils after extra time.Since that Cup defeat, Pardew and his staff have been busy rebuilding the squad in hopes of another solid season in the Premier League.Forward Dwight Gayle was sold to Newcastle United for 10 million pounds, while the club also said goodbye to Emmanuel Adebayor and Marouane Chamakh. A new striker remains a priority and the club have been trying to land Belgian international Christian Benteke from Liverpool, but have so far been rebuffed in their pursuit.If they are unable to land Benteke, they could get an up-close look at another target on Saturday if West Broms Saido Berahino makes an appearance.The club have also reportedly agreed to sell Yannick Bolasie to Everton for 30 million pounds, but Pardew remained coy when asked.Weve got nothing concrete to announce today, other than a lot of rumours. Theres nothing thats going to happen before the weekend, Pardew said at a briefing this week. Yannick is contracted here. Hes a great player and a great person, I love him. Well treat him with the utmost respect in any situation. Bolasie, and my conversations with him, will stay private.On the arrivals side of the ledger, Pardew brought in winger Andros Townsend from Newcastle for 13 million pounds to provide some pace down the flanks, He reinforced the back line with defender James Tomkins, who made the move from West Ham United for 10 million pounds.Goalkeeper Steve Mandanda also arrived in south London on a free transfer from Marseille and should slide right into the No. 1 goalkeeper spot.We want to take the club forward in a manner where we dont lose the spirit and the soul of this football club. This club has grown massively. Were in unprecedented territory -- our fourth year in the top division, Pardew added. Without having a transfer out, I would expect us to add twwo more players.dddddddddddd Ive tried to be transparent because our fans deserve that. When they walk in that stadium they will see a stronger team this year.West Bromwich Albion enter the new season with a new face in the owners suite. After 14 years, club chairman Jeremy Peace has sold the club to Chinese entrepreneur Guochuan Lai, who has purchased an 88 percent stake in the club. West Brom becomes the latest English side to be taken over by investors from the Far East, joining West Midlands rivals Aston Villa and Wolverhampton.Like Roman Abramovics purchase of Chelsea, Quatar Sports Investments purchase of Paris Saint-Germain and City Football Groups acquisition of Manchester City, the right ownership can propel a club to new heights, something Peace sees in the sale of the Baggies.The club can look to the future with excitement about the opportunities ahead, said Peace. This deal will enable Albion to build on the strong, sustainable foundations which have become the cornerstone of the clubs progress.Lai will assume official ownership when his deal with Peace is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Premier League.I am excited and privileged to have the chance to become the new owner of this great club, Lai said.The Baggies new owner was also quick to point out the history between his country and the club.There are already strong links between China and West Bromwich Albion that began in May 1978, becoming the first English club to tour China in modern history. We have a strong squad, loyal fans and a unique culture, states Lai, who is also keen to stress, I have no intention of changing the clubs ethos.I feel as if I have joined a very welcoming family and I am really touched by the warmth of my reception. Everyone has been so friendly and I cannot wait to see my first game.Tony Pulis remains on the touch line after guiding the club to a 14th place finish on 43 points. Fans should expect the same defence-first approach to the game, but injuries to Chris Brunt, James Morrison, Ben Foster and Victor Anichebe stunted the Baggies attack last term.With new ownership just settling in defender Matt Phillips has been the only addition, making the move from Queens Park Rangers, but more ins and outs will certainly be on the way as the transfer window winds down.Pulis agreed that his team still needs strengthening.All over. Every position that you look at, Pulis told the Express and Star. The back players, midfield players and front players, we have to strengthen. The targets have been there, we know what we want. ' ' '