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Preseason is a time for new beginnings - the chance to start afresh with a belief that anything can happen. That was certainly true for Toronto FC as they opened up their training camp in Bradenton last week. The troubles and uncertainties that surrounded the club in recent years have been replaced by a new hope and optimism after an incredible offseason transformation that has included the signings of three new Designated Players, Jermain Defoe, Michael Bradley and Gilberto. I was in Florida for Torontos first training session. The energy and enthusiasm was on a completely different level compared to other years. Perhaps the biggest difference is that the squad has already been assembled and most of the key pieces are already in place. A far cry from a year ago, when Nelsen was heading into his first coaching job with a preseason squad filled with trialists. "Its a wee bit different, Ive got to admit," Ryan Nelsen told me after training in Bradenton. Its nice to have a proper squad together all pulling in the right direction. As you can see by today, the work ethic is there, the character is there and everybody is extremely excited." The difference compared to 12 months earlier is evident in all areas, but especially in personnel. Over half of the squad currently in Florida were not with the team for preseason in 2013. However, Nelsen and the players are talking up the fact that the core of the team that finished the season is still in place. "We havent changed that much, weve probably changed the same as most teams, but weve done it in big names so it makes it even more dramatic. But thats what we had to do with this club. Thats why what we did last year had method in our madness. Weve got some big names and we will have to gel them in, but its a progression and we have to keep moving the club forward." The theme Nelsens rookie season as head coach was "short-term pain for long-term gain," and things have now changed quickly. With multi-million dollar signings amongst a re-shaped squad, expectations are high. But after dealing with a tumultuous first year with the club, Nelsen laughed off the suggestion that there is pressure on him to find a winning formula quickly. "Theres absolutely no pressure," he said. "Whenever you put yourself in a situation where youve brought in good players, everybody else thinks there is expectation but for us we just try and improve every day. In everything we do, we try to become perfect. Whatever people think from outside we dont really care." "I knew the league last year but we didnt have the right pieces to be successful. Now I think we are moving in the right direction, but Im still learning as well. Ill always keep learning. When I stop learning I may as well give up," he said. Theres a new face heavily involved in Torontos training sessions this preseason. Englishman Adrian Lamb has joined the club as Fitness Coach. He has previously worked with Newcastle United, Preston North End and Aston Villa, and he was at Blackburn Rovers during Ryan Nelsens time as a player at Ewood Park. Nelsen told me Lambs preparation and attention to detail is immaculate, and that was easy to see during my time in Bradenton. He has very clear ideas of what he wants from the players and was impressive in the way he communicated to them. Lamb will bring a very professional approach to the teams conditioning this season and will be a key addition to Nelsens staff. In 2013, Toronto FC won just six matches and missed the playoffs by 20 points, but Nelsen and his staff have now been handed the tools they need to turn the ship around. The foundation for success will be laid over the next six weeks, as Nelsen and Co. make sure their team is ready to hit the ground running when the season opens in Seattle on March 15th live on TSN. Giannis Antetokounmpo Jersey . 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Wilson Bucks Jersey Ray Allen Bucks Jersey .com) - The Los Angeles Dodgers made it official Tuesday and signed pitcher Brandon McCarthy to a four-year contract.IRVING, Texas - The Cowboys had their roughest day on defence when they lost to Philadelphia on Thanksgiving to raise doubts about their playoff hopes.They responded with four straight games that were anywhere from good to great on a December winning streak that ended a four-year post-season drought.We took a butt-kicking like men, said defensive end Jeremy Mincey, and came back and retaliated like men.Theres a similar bounce-back theme for Dallas (12-4) in Sundays wild-card game against Detroit (11-5) because the Cowboys gave up a franchise-record 480 yards passing to Matt Stafford in a 31-30 loss to the Lions last year.Not only did Calvin Johnson have 329 yards receiving — the second-most in NFL history — but the Cowboys let the Lions go 80 yards in just 50 seconds in the final minute for the winning touchdown.Stafford sees something different this year, though.Theyre in all the right spots all the time, it seems to me, he said. Theyre playing extremely physical up front and doing a great job of playing with a bunch of passion and getting after the passer and stopping the run on the way.Big plays were a problem a year ago for the Dallas defence, which finished last in the league and gave up the first two 600-yard games in franchise history (yes, Detroit was one of them). And big plays were a problem against the Eagles on Thanksgiving, when LeSean McCoy had a 38-yard run to set up one score and Jeremy Maclin had a 58-yard catch to set up another.Whether that loss was an aberration or a trigger, its hard to say. But the Cowboys gave up 170 fewer yards in the rematch, held Indianapolis to 1 yard rushing a week later and had a season-high four takeaways in the regular-season finale against Washington.The big plays were definitely an aberration. The Cowboys gave up 135 big plays passing and rushing last season. That number was 85 this season.The ball is criticaal — turnover ratio, but certainly big plays are a close second to that, coach Jason Garrett said.dddddddddddd If you prevent big plays, its hard for teams to score against you.It wasnt hard for teams to score against the Cowboys a year ago.You have to play good, sound, fundamental defence, you have to tackle well, Garrett said. So we really tried to make an emphasis on being better in those areas, and I think we have made improvement.Mincey wasnt around a year ago — he went to the Super Bowl with Denver before coming to the Cowboys as a free agent. He was a steady presence for an improving unit early in the season, and now has emerged as the team leader with six sacks.While the Cowboys were close to the bottom of the league in sacks, they had nine the last three games of the regular season. Theyve also forced 10 turnovers in that span, surging to second in the league with 31.Were dominating our opponents, Mincey said. Everybody understands whats going on, understanding what they need to do specifically as an individual and those individuals doing what they need to do in bringing a collective effort because everybody has the same frame of mind, same frequency.Linebacker Bruce Carter, who struggled with the switch to the 4-3 defence last year, had two interceptions last week against the Redskins and leads the team with five. Along with Brandon Carr struggling to stay with Johnson, Carters difficulties were exposed a year against Detroit.Bruce has always had a knack for making plays on the ball, whether its blocking punts or intercepting passes or picking up fumbles, Garrett said. But I think, like with anybody else, he gets better with experience.And the Dallas defence sure did get better after Thanksgiving.___Online:AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL___Follow Schuyler Dixon on Twitter at https://twitter.com/apschuyler ' ' '