ne of the best tandems in the league, and Blake Bortles set franchise records for completions (355), attempts (606), passing

There is a lot for Italian rugby fans to be happy about after Conor OSheas first outings at the helm of the national team.The rejuvenated Azzurri lost in Argentina despite playing a solid game, then won (ugly) against the U.S. and Canada to at least end their first tour under their new head coach with a positive record. Winning is key, of course, but there is more to it than that.Over the past three weeks, Italy has welcomed back its scrum -- comfortable even against a Rugby Championship-ready Pumas side -- regained those abrasive drives from mauls and, finally, rediscovered the fierce defence that was a foundation of the historic results of 2013, when they beat Ireland and France to finish fourth in the Six Nations.Without some of his most valuable senators (Alessandro Zanni, Leonardo Ghiraldini, Francesco Minto, Michele Rizzo and, crucially, captain Sergio Parisse) and with other key elements of the group out through injury, OShea apparently found what his predecessors couldnt spot: new raw talent to start moulding for international rugby.The group is widening at an impressive rate and thats the real plus for a nation left at its lowest ebb of the professional era after last years Rugby World Cup.OShea introduced some youngsters in Maxime Mbanda, Sami Panico, Sebastian Negri, Tommaso Boni and Tommaso Castello and they all made their debuts in admirable style. Props Andrea Lovotti and Pietro Ceccarelli, and hooker Ornel Gega - all called up in the last part of the Jacques Brunel era - were instrumental against Argentina and in the much-needed wins in North America. The dynamic Lovotti, in particular, seems to be the real deal that Italy was waiting for since the retirement of beloved former international looseheads Andrea Lo Cicero and Salvatore Perugini.Add to the above the performance at the recent Under-20 World Championship of skipper Marco Riccioni -- a kid that has the potential to be Italys next Martin Castrogiovanni - and things look bright for OShea in the front row for the foreseeable future.Fly-half Carlo Canna is rapidly growing in personality and awareness and is now the stable first choice at No.10. Reliable from the tee - unlike Tommaso Allan, especially in decisive phases of matches - and increasingly keen on exploring the gaps he finds in the opposition lines, he was a key part of Italian tour success. At 23, it is amazing he was introduced so late in the national setup.But there remains a lot of work for OShea and his staff, too, specifically with ball-carriers and the tactical kicking game.Apart from South African-born duo Dries Van Schaklwyk and Quinti Geldenhuys, both in their thirties, Italy is missing big, powerful, industrious back rowers who can break the line simply by running straight. Think Billy Vunipola with England or Wales Taulupe Faletau as just two examples from Six Nations rivals. Some 6 feet 6 inches, 110 kilogramme-plus locks would not go amiss either. Size does matter, but there is nobody of that ilk at present in Italian rugby at any level.The other hole (and it is a huge one) is the tactical kicking game. It created a lot of problems under former coaches Pierre Berbizier and Nick Mallett, it was one of the top urgencies when Brunel came on board yet it remains an unresolved problem.With the recent retirement of Andrea Masi, things got even more complicated. At the moment Luke McLean is the only player in the entire 40-man senior group to have the skills required by an international No.15 -- and his best performances came at wing. His positional sense and kicking range assure him of a place in the starting XV as there is no-one close.David Odiete is not yet an international winger. He is learning the fullback position he occupied at juniors level but still needs to grow in tactical wisdom and reliability. The electric Under-20 Matteo Minozzi seems to have skills and potential but may pay a huge price to the physical challenge required in modern rugby.The first thing OShea pointed out when appointed in March was that Italian players were not fit enough to compete at international level. It manifests itself physically and mentally. If the Azzurri are to contest every match against the top nations, they must execute properly for the full 80 minutes. Consider that this is a country that historically lives on passion and invention, and you can see why every coach before OShea has come up short.So, yes, fitness is the first step. But it is consistency that has to be the ultimate goal. After all, the risk of getting hammered by a fast-growing Tier 2 nation has never been so high.Tampa Bay Rays Shirts . Just not the game. Kyle Palmieri scored two straight goals in the third period to rally the Anaheim Ducks past the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 on Tuesday night. Blake Snell Jersey . -- Cam Newton pranced into the end zone, placed his hands over his chest and did his familiar Superman pose. https://www.cheapraysonline.com/1326i-emilio-pagan-jersey-rays.html . The mixed zone is not a place to make friends. Nick Anderson Jersey .Y. -- Injured Buffalo Sabres forward Marcus Foligno did not practice with the team Monday and head coach Ron Rolston said its unlikely hell play in Wednesdays season opener in Detroit. Austin Pruitt Rays Jersey . -- Peyton Manning will have all of his wide receivers available for the first time in a month when the Denver Broncos begin their playoff run Jan.JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Gus Bradley looks like he could pass the teams conditioning test.Although Bradley declined to provide specifics about his weight loss, he clearly shed some pounds before his fourth training camp as Jacksonvilles head coach.Just about everyone inside the building has noticed, especially players returning from a 39-day break.Looking lean, coach, looking lean, veteran linebacker Paul Posluszny said as he passed Bradley in the hallway Wednesday.All Bradley would say about his more-svelte look was that he used his time off much like he asked his players to do at the end of organized team activities in June, when he challenged them to make the most of their down time.I just want to make sure we are at our best and we can be at our best, Bradley said. Sometimes we lose sight of that as coaches. I want to make sure that Im personally at my best for this team.Bradley now has 47 days to get his team in shape before the season opener against Green Bay. Its an important stretch for Jacksonville, which is heading into its most anticipated season in nearly a decade.The Jaguars open camp Thursday with high expectations stemming from a four-year rebuilding project that included four top-five draft picks and more than $350 million spent the last two years in free agency.I know there is a lot of excitement about this team. There is a lot of excitement in our locker room, Bradley said. Thats what we hoped would happen. If we create this culture and mindset, we should see this locker room and guys where we get better and have a great attitude.The confidence should be building, and these things are happening in front of our eyes. ... I believe so strongly in this process and I believe it will bring the results that we want. Its important to stay true to it.Bradley planned to address the high expectations during a team meeting later Wednesday.The Jaguars signed defensive tackle Malik Jackson, safety Tashaun Gipson and cornerback Prince Amukamara in free agency and then used their top two draft picks on Florida State cornerback Jalen Ramsey and UCLA linebacker Myles Jack. Coupled with the return of defensive end DDante Fowler Jr.dddddddddddd (knee) and defensive tackle SenDerrick Marks (triceps) from injuries, and Jacksonville could have a number of new starters on the defensive side of the ball.When you look at who we have, who we brought in and just the overall level of expectation from us as players, we can all kind of feel it to say, `Hey, we have some great talent now. Lets bring it together, play at a consistent level, and see where this team can go, Posluszny said. Personally and as a group I know were really excited about starting this.Getting all those defensive newcomers to jell will be one of the main goals of camp.The Jags have a similar issue on the offensive line, where third-year pro Brandon Linder returns from a shoulder injury and moves from guard to center. They also have to figure out who will play left tackle, embattled starter Luke Joeckel or free-agent acquisition Kelvin Beachum.Offensively, the Jaguars made huge strides last season. Receivers Allen Hurns and Allen Robinson formed one of the best tandems in the league, and Blake Bortles set franchise records for completions (355), attempts (606), passing yards (4,428) and touchdown passes (35). But Bortles also led the NFL in interceptions (18) and sacks (51), and completed just 58.6 percent of his passes.And Jacksonville really struggled to run the ball, especially in short-yardage and goal-line situations. The Jags responded by signing bruising running back Chris Ivory in free agency.Bradley, who notably said before last season that its built, really believes the pieces are in place this year for the Jaguars to be more competitive in the AFC South. Of course, thats not hard to do since the team is just 12-36 in Bradleys three seasons.The Jaguars anticipate much better results -- maybe in line with Bradleys weight loss -- in 2016.I really firmly believe they will rise to the level of expectation as long as they are realistic and high expectations, Bradley said.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '