played three seasons in Utah, Haywards first three seasons.He reminded me of a young Jerry West, Watson said. Gordon has it, man. ... I knew it, I could see it immediately. There was something special abou

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Calling his surprise promotion bittersweet, new Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn knows he has a tall task ahead of him.Lynn was promoted to offensive coordinator last Friday after the Bills fired Greg Roman following an 0-2 start.Its now Lynns job to pick up the pieces and try to help salvage a Bills season that has already hit a breaking point.Look, man, its a challenge. I accept the challenge, Lynn said. Think Im the right guy for the challenge and Im not going to make any excuses. Its my responsibility to get us going, and well figure it out.Lynn had mixed emotions on Thursday when he spoke to reporters for the first time since receiving the promotion.It was bittersweet, Ill say that, Lynn said. I was surprised and then once you get over the initial shock, youve got a job to do. Helluva challenge.Lynn, 47, played in the league for six seasons (1993, 1995-99) as a backup running back and was a member of John Elways Super-Bowl winning teams.He joined the Broncos coaching staff following his retirement in 2000 as a special teams assistant before coaching running backs for five teams over the next 14 years before his promotion on Friday.Despite his background as a running backs coach -- and coach Rex Ryans reputation for wanting a ground and pound attack -- Lynn doesnt plan on forcing the issue in the running game. He described his offensive philosophy as fluid and flexible depending on what opposing defenses present.No, I dont know ground and pound, Lynn said. To me, if they give you ground and pound, you ground and pound. If they give you pass, you pass. I just want to coach an explosive offense, doing multiple things, balance multiple personnel groupings and just take what they give us.Im a personnel-driven guy. I believe in personnel. Get the ball in the hands of players and let them make the plays because if you do that, theyll make way more plays than well ever design.He faces an uphill battle on short notice. Buffalos offense sputtered in each of its first two games to start the season.In Week 1 against Baltimore, Buffalo had just 160 yards -- its lowest output in a decade and lowest total in a season opener since 1979.Buffalos offense had some better moments in a 37-31 loss to the New York Jets in Week 2, but struggled once again with consistency and staying on the field.Through two games, the Bills ranked 30th in offense and 29th in third-down conversions (6 of 23).I want to play smart, physical football, Lynn said. I want to be explosive down the field. Right now, I just want to stay on the damn field. Were going to play a little bit faster and see if we can put a little pressure on the defense. Just execute.A point of emphasis this week for the Bills has been simplifying the playbook. They have trimmed plays under Lynn and plan on limiting quarterback Tyrod Taylors ability to change plays at the line of scrimmage.We will have it cut down, Ryan said. But theres plenty there, theres plenty of volume. Its just cut down a little.Added Lynn: We didnt just shrink it until we dont have enough bullets. We have plenty of bullets and ammo. We just took a little off the guys plate.Lynn may have a short-handed roster for Sundays game against the Arizona Cardinals (1-1).Top receiver Sammy Watkins (foot) missed practice again on Thursday, and Ryan said there is some heightened concern regarding Watkins availability for Sunday.Fellow wideout Greg Salas left Thursdays practice with a groin injury. Ryan said he doesnt believe the injury is a significant one. Tight end Charles Clay has been limited with a knee injury and Cordy Glenn has yet to return to practice after injuring his ankle in Week 1.Less than ideal, yes -- but Lynn is embracing the opportunity to try and turn things around.Ive been training to do this all my life, Lynn said. I had a couple (opportunities) to do it in different places and it didnt work out. But I never wanted to do it under these circumstances. I like to build my success on top of another mans success, or woman, but unfortunately its the NFL.Didnt work out that way. Now Im in charge and I have to get this offense going in the right direction, and I plan on getting it done.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL Custom Mariners Jerseys . Wall made the comment in a speech to a Regina business crowd that included Lesnar. The U.S. wrestler and retired mixed martial artist says he was visiting his brothers farm in Saskatchewan and decided he wanted to hear what the premier had to say. Cheap Custom Mariners Jersey . PAUL, Minn. http://www.custommarinersjersey.com/ . After Mondays hard-fought loss, the wait seemed longer than usual. Getting set to go their separate ways for a short Christmas break, the Raptors coach credited his team for their effort on a seemingly impossible three-game road trip, urging them to build on that success when they get back to work at the end of the week. Authentic Custom Mariners Jersey . Despite dominating possession, Schalke needed an own goal from Nicolas Hoefler for the breakthrough a minute before the interval. The Freiburg midfielder misjudged Jefferson Farfans corner and bundled the ball into his own net. Custom Mariners T-shirts . -- Ryan Blaney provided more evidence that Penske Racings No. SALT LAKE CITY -- What started as an easy night on the court turned into another tough fourth quarter for the Utah Jazz, who blew a 19-point lead and were outscored in the period for the third straight game.Gordon Hayward scored 28 points and the Jazz held on for a 112-105 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night, their seventh win in eight games.Its human nature, Jazz coach Quin Snyder said. When you have some separation, sometimes its easier to let down. Its something that really good teams figure out a way to overcome. I dont think were there, but we did find a way tonight.Rudy Gobert scored a career-high 22 points and had 11 rebounds and blocked four shots for the Jazz, who recovered after the Suns erased a 23-point lead to tie it at 103.Ive been working hard since I got here, Gobert said. I always want to improve, thats the main thing for me. Thats what Im going to keep doing.Hayward had 11 third-quarter points to reach 20-plus points for the ninth consecutive game -- the first Jazz player to do so since Carlos Boozer in 2007-08.The Jazz sprinted out to a 25-10 lead thanks to an 8-0 run and never trailed. They led 65-45 at halftime after Haywards pull-up 3-pointer highlighted a half-closing 11-2 stretch. The 65 points matched a Jazz season high for a half.Devin Booker scored 21 points for the Suns, who couldnt complete the comeback.That (second) unit came in and played selfless, Suns coach Earl Watson said. They gave up all their energy on defense and offensively they moved the ball, created the tempo and played amazing perimeter defense.TIP-INSSuns: Phoenix turned over the ball 13 times in the first half and Utah converted them into 19 points. ... The Suns made six 3-pointers after hitting 10 in the previous three games.Jazz: George Hill missed his fourth consecutive game with a sprained left big toe. ... Hill and Haywardd have played just five games together and the Jazz are 5-0 in those games.dddddddddddd... Rodney Hood did not return after halftime with a sore right hamstring.BACK ON THE BENCHSnyder was the latest member of the Jazz to be forced from a game due to a physical ailment. He missed Mondays game against the Lakers due to an illness, but returned Tuesday. Snyder said its the first time hes ever missed a game as an assistant or head coach in 20 years.It was strange, Snyder said. I had a small fever and then about midway through the fourth quarter, my fever jumped to over 103. So it was good I wasnt out there. It would have been unfair to the players and the staff.HEY HEY, HAYWARDHayward is averaging career highs in points and rebounds and is playing at an All-Star level. Watson played three seasons in Utah, Haywards first three seasons.He reminded me of a young Jerry West, Watson said. Gordon has it, man. ... I knew it, I could see it immediately. There was something special about him. The unique part about him is he can impact the game beyond scoring.I remember Gordon just had this unique way about him. It was his rookie year. We played the Lakers. ... Gordon Hayward ran a pick-and-roll going to his left, Kobe was chasing him. Gordon jumped, lost the ball in the air, jumped off the right leg, got the ball and dunked it. I was like, `Oh (shoot) this kid is special.QUOTABLEWe got to understand that the game is not over until it is finished and we believe that, Suns guard Leandro Barbosa said.UP NEXTSuns: Phoenix hosts a Pacers team it beat by 20 in Indiana in their last meeting on Nov. 18.Jazz: Utah hosts Golden State on Thursday in their first meeting since Kevin Durant joined the Warriors during the offseason. ' ' '