NEW YORK -- The NBA hired Byron Spruell on Thursday as president of league operations.Spruell, who has spent the last 20 years at Deloitte LLP, will oversee the basketball operations and referee operations departments when he begins his new job on Aug. 1. He will be responsible for the management of rules changes, training and evaluation of referees, discipline and other important NBA operations that were formerly the responsibility of Rod Thorn.An innovator with strong strategic vision and a willingness to challenge the status quo, Byron is a terrific addition to the NBAs executive team and will be instrumental in helping to shape the future of our league, Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement.Spruell, most recently Deloittes vice chairman, central region market leader, comes with a football-playing background but called himself a lifelong NBA fan. He praised the league as one that embraces new technology and modern management techniques while upholding the critical principles of transparency and integrity.Spruell graduated from Notre Dame, where he was an offensive lineman and co-captain of the Fighting Irish football team.Fake Mets Jerseys . The defence is doing its part, too. Drew Brees threw a pair of touchdown passes in the first half and the guys on the other side made sure that was enough, sending the Saints to a 17-13 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night. Cheap Mets Jerseys . -- Eastern Kentucky thrives off creating havoc for others. https://www.cheapmetsjerseys.us/ . It says Pocklingtons lawyer filed the appeal Friday in a California court. CTV Edmonton also says Pocklington gave a $100,000 cash deposit as part of the conditions of his bail, and that he will be out on bail until his appeal is heard. Wholesale Mets Jerseys . Manuel was offered a position the day he was fired. He accepted earlier this week and the team made the announcement Friday. New York Mets Gear .com) - The red-hot Los Angeles Kings will try to extend their winning streak to a season-high seven games when they visit the Edmonton Oilers for Sundays clash at Rexall Place.NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- Quarterbacks Lamar Jackson from Louisville, Deshaun Watson from Clemson and Jake Browning from Washington are among the five the finalists for the Walter Camp player of the year award.Theyre joined by defensive stars Jonathan Allen of Alabama and Jabriill Peppers of Michigan.Jackson is the front-runner for the Heisman Trophy and has accounted for 51 touchdowns.Watson and Browning will lead their teams into conference championship games this weekend, hoping too earn spots in the College Football Playoff.ddddddddddddAllen is the anchor of a defensive line thats helped the top-ranked Tide allow the fewest points and yards in the country.Peppers is a versatile linebacker who also returns punts. No. 5 Michigan is right behind Alabama in scoring and total defense.The Walter Camp winner will be announced Dec. 8. ' ' '