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LATROBE, Pa. -- Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger called retired tight end Heath Miller the best teammate he ever had.Roethlisberger doesnt expect anyone in the current group to imitate the most-decorated tight end in franchise history.I think the key is that they dont need to try and be Heath Miller, said Roethlisberger, who wore Millers No. 83 jersey as a tribute on the first day of training camp. They have to make sure they dont get too anxious. Theyre out there trying to be the best on every play. Right now, theyre doing some really good things. Im excited to see what they can do moving forward.Miller retired shortly after the Steelers January playoff loss against Denver. The team signed 6-foot-6 tight end Ladarius Green, who spent four seasons in San Diego and set single-season career highs in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns in 2015 behind All-Pro Antonio Gates. Green started training camp with the Steelers on the physically unable to perform list, still recovering from surgery on an injured ankle that ended his 2015 season.With surgery, you never know what to expect, said Green, who added that doctors repaired a tendon and inserted plates into his ankle. Im just trying to take it day-by-day and get back as quick as I can.Jesse James, the Steelers 2015 fifth-round pick, is in his second season, but hes the only tight end who spent time with the team in training camp last year. David Johnson played the previous two seasons in San Diego, but now hes back with the Steelers, where he spent the first four years of his career. Xavier Grimble was on the teams practice squad in 2015.James sees Millers retirement as an opportunity for an expanded role.Its huge for me, James said. Last year, I played in place of him once or twice. Theres a lot of snaps open and my goal is to take up as many as I can.A slimmed-down James lost weight during the offseason. Hes taking snaps with the first-team offense early in training camp and playing with confidence.Last year at this time I wasnt stepping into the huddle with (Roethlisberger) until we got into the season, James said.From that standpoint its huge. The team knows what they can expect from me and thats my goal going through camp, to make sure Im on the same page with Ben and the offense.James appeared in eight games last season, making two starts. He caught eight passes for 56 yards and a touchdown in his first career game. Thats when James realized he could make an impact as a tight end in the NFL.I didnt prove much going into that game, James said. But I was able to have a good game blocking and catching and score that touchdown. I feel good about where Im at and what I need to do to prepare for the season.Green already has experience playing behind a franchise tight end in Gates.You cant replace those types of guys, Green said. I learned that lesson awhile ago. Theyre too special. You just try to do your best.Greens unique combination of size and speed gives the Steelers a downfield weapon that can create matchup problems for opposing defenses, which excites Roethlisberger.Green cant wait to work with the Steelers franchise quarterback, too. And he knows he doesnt have to step in and imitate Miller.(Gates) and Heath are the same, Green said. Theyre two special guys at this position. I couldnt try to be like (Gates) and I cant try to be like Heath.Game notesThe Steelers will practice in pads for the first time at training camp on Sunday. ... The team delayed the start of Saturdays practice by an hour because of heavy rains that passed through the area. S Shamarko Thomas missed practice with an illness.Nike Air Max 97 Heren Sale . In the response filed Wednesday to the complaint by 30-year-old Alexander Bradley, attorneys say the former University of Florida player is invoking his Fifth Amendment right that protects people from incriminating themselves. Nike Air Max Kopen .com) - Christian Ponder will get another chance to prove himself for the Minnesota Vikings, with head coach Leslie Frazier announcing Wednesday that the struggling quarterback will start this weekends game against the Green Bay Packers. http://www.airmaxkopennederland.com/uitverkoop-air-max-270/max-270-heren.html . The team says the Spain international has a muscle pull in his right leg. Barcelona hosts third-division side Cartagena in the return leg of their round-of-32 tie after winning their first meeting 4-1. Nike Air Max 90 Goedkoop Bestellen . "It doesnt get any better than that," Giambi said. "Im speechless." The Indians are roaring toward October. Giambi belted a two-run, pinch-hit homer with two outs in the ninth inning to give Cleveland a shocking 5-4 win over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night, keeping the Indians up with the lead pack in the AL wild-card race. Nike Air Max Uitverkoop . -- Patrick Reed got an early start in golf.Larry Bird has been trying to mold the Indiana Pacers into a faster, sleeker unit under new coach Nate McMillan.He also knows the value of having a reliable offensive threat in the post to get buckets when the game inevitably slows down, and thats where Al Jefferson comes in.The Pacers agreed to terms with Jefferson on a three-year deal worth $30 million, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Friday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the contract cannot be signed until July 7.In a league that has steadily gotten smaller and more versatile, the 31-year-old Jefferson is a throwback to the crafty, dominant post players of Birds era. And Big Al has Celtics green all over his game.Jefferson started his career with Birds old team before being traded to Minnesota, where he was tutored by Birds former teammate and Celtics Hall of Famer Kevin McHale, one of the best post players to ever play. Jefferson has exhibited some of the same trickery and creativity on the block that McHale made famous for those title-winning Celtics teams, and his unique skill set has helped keep him in demand as he has weathered some significant injuries.The 31-year-old missed significant time for the Charlotte Hornets last season with a knee injury and also had to sit out five games for violating the leagues substance abuse policy.He averaged 12.0 points and 6.4 rebounds iin 47 games for the Hornets, who also lost Jeremy Lin in free agency on Friday.ddddddddddddJefferson joined the Hornets three years ago and was named third-team All-NBA in his first season under coach Steve Clifford.He was plagued by foot injures the next two seasons.After the Hornets lost in Game 7 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, Jefferson said he wanted to return to Charlotte to finish his career.There is nowhere I would rather be, Jefferson said on May 2. The things that we have done with this franchise the last three years have been amazing and I want to continue to see it through. But there is a business side to it, but I would like to end my career here.Clearly things changed when the market opened on Friday. But in a dizzying 12 hours that have seen some eye-popping contracts handed out, paying $10 million per year to a proven low-post scorer whose game should age well was by no means a stretch.The Pacers have already added point guard Jeff Teague and forward Thaddeus Young via trades to bring some of that quickness and versatility that the modern game demands.Now Jefferson will bring some of the muscle and toughness that could prove valuable come playoff time.---AP Sports Writer Steve Reed in Charlotte contributed to this report. ' ' '