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A look at Thursdays NFL preseason matchups:TOM OR JIMMYThis is one unusual summer for the New England Patriots, who have a quarterback quandary. How much should their four-time Super Bowl winner, Tom Brady, be on the field in preseason before he sits out the opening four games of the schedule while suspended? And how much action should his stand-in, Jimmy Garoppolo, get to prepare him to start those four matches that count?The Patriots entertain New Orleans on Thursday night after scrimmaging with the Saints this week.QUICKER STARTSMany people expect the Jaguars to be much improved this season. One thing they must do to contend will be making quicker starts in games, beginning at the New York Jets.Jacksonville was among the NFLs worst first-quarter teams in 2015 with only 35 points.You want to get in a groove and get moving, QB Blake Bortles said. It would be nice to not have to deal with a third down on the first drive. ... Its not a good feeling to go out there for the first possession and everybodys amped up and ready and you go three-and-out, and then you go and repeat and go three-and-out again.NO VONWhen the defending champion Broncos visit the Bears, they wont have Super Bowl MVP Von Miller in the lineup. The star linebacker says he is physically ready to play, but his mental conditioning is not where it needs to be after some intense contract negotiations.Whenever you take a break from football its a process to get back to the game speed that I want to play at, he said. Im right there, Im ready to go, but the Von I know I can be and I want to be, Im not there yet. A week or two I should be all right.THE OTHER SUPER BOWL TEAMCarolina, which lost to Denver for the NFL title, gets going at Baltimore. The Panthers get to see top receiver Kelvin Benjamin back in action after he missed the entire 2015 season with a torn knee ligament.Benjamin will get limited work, but that still is progress.Its about introducing him back into the game first and foremost, but in the right situation and circumstances, coach Ron Rivera says.As a rookie, Benjamin was outstanding in 2014 with 73 receptions for 1,008 yards and nine TDs.CALLING PLAYSNew Eagles coach Doug Pederson, a former quarterback and offensive coordinator, will be calling the plays for his three QBs as the Eagles host Tampa Bay.Why?One, offensively from a speed standpoint of calling the plays directly to the quarterback from myself. That is probably the biggest issue, he says. And then it just keeps you so in tune to the game. Youre focused not only offensively, but when the defense is back out there you are looking at how your players are playing. Youre kind of that quarterback on the sideline. Being in that position for so many years has led me to be in this position on game day.Pederson will script opening plays for all the quarterbacks.THE KIDSFalcons coach Dan Quinn knows exactly what the opening exhibition game, vs. Washington, is all about.Its such an awesome opportunity to see some of the guys going for it, he says. Theyve had the OTAs, they had minicamp, and now training camp sessions, and then this is the next step. Its always one, especially for the rookies, thats kind of a really cool night and really devoted toward them as theyre getting their NFL careers started.So an important one for all of us, especially for them. We really devote that night to them and see what they can and cant do.(Corrects to vs. Washington in THE KIDS)---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Darlington Nagbe Jersey . Peter Gammons, an analyst for Major League Baseballs network and website, drew the ire of hockey fans on Sunday when he criticized the two NHL teams on Twitter for their physical game the night before. Nick Lima Jersey ., and Rudi Swiegers of Kipling, Sask., took sixth spot on Saturday in pairs at the NHK Trophy ISU Grand Prix figure skating competition. https://www.cheapusasoccer.com/241j-brenden-aaronson-jersey-usa.html .Y. -- The Buffalo Sabres have recalled forward Kevin Porter and defenceman Chad Ruhwedel from the minors as part of a five-player roster shuffle made by the NHLs worst team. Shaquell Moore Jersey . According to a report from the Vancouver Province, the Lions are expected to replace former DC Rich Stubler with defensive backs coach Mark Washington. Matt Miazga Jersey . The news was first reported on Gonzalezs Twitter account and confirmed by the Rockies. Gonzalez has a six-week window before position players have their first workout at spring training in Arizona. PITTSBURGH -- David DeCastro was fully prepared to enter the final year of his contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers with his future uncertain. The ever pragmatic All-Pro guard even had a phone number handy just in case he needed to take out an insurance policy if he and the team couldnt agree to a long-term extension.The Steelers gave him tens of millions of reasons not to make that call. The new six-year, $58 million deal DeCastro agreed to on Thursday makes him one of the leagues highest paid linemen.You can think about it all you want, but you cant comprehend that, its life changing, DeCastro said.And the latest investment by the Steelers to make sure quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and one of the leagues best offenses keeps on rolling. With DeCastro in the fold the Steelers have all but one of their offensive line starters locked up through at least the next three seasons. Guard Ramon Foster is signed through 2018 with right tackle Marcus Gilbert and center Maurkice Pouncey set through 2019.Pouncey joked in the locker room on Friday that DeCastro owed him a Bentley while Gilbert anticipates DeCastro picking up the check in the near future. Thats fine by DeCastro (well, maybe not the Bentley part), who can now place his focus strictly on the fun part of his job instead of the business side.I love the game of football, he said. The money is a great sign of respect but I just have to continue doing what Im doing. I know how to do it. Its gotten me this far.Even if his career didnt exactly get off to a smooth start. The Steelers made the former Stanford All-American the 24th overalll pick in the 2012 draft, won over by DeCastros size, aggressiveness and attention to detail.dddddddddddd The optimism dimmed almost immediately when DeCastro injured two ligaments in his right knee during the 2012 preseason. It was the first time in his life an injury had forced him to stand and watch. The timing for a rookie trying to make the leap from college to the pros could not have been worse.Theres definitely a learning curve in the NFL, DeCastro said. My rookie year was tough. Id never been injured before. But you put your head down, you adapt and you learn.Fast forward to 2016 and DeCastro is coming off a breakthrough year in which he earned his first Pro Bowl and All-Pro nods. Hes missed just one game since the start of 2013 to help provide continuity to a line thats saw significant injuries to Pouncey and former left tackle Kelvin Beachum in 2015 alone.Its hard, DeCastro said. We carry goals, 30 points a game. Everyone has those quantitative goals. At the end of the day you put that effort out there and do everything you can. Theres a reason why were here. We just put everything out there and do everything you can. Hopefully stay healthy and we should be fine.Game notes WR Markus Wheaton (shoulder) did not practice for a second straight day. ... Gilbert (elbow), DE Cam Heyward (ankle) and DT Javon Hargrave (quadriceps) all practiced and are expected to play against the Redskins.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '