He said Funchess is playing faster and with more confidence.

PITTSFORD, N.Y. -- The Buffalo Bills are preparing to open training camp minus Jairus Byrd. And with contract talks at a stalemate, the team has no indication when the two-time Pro Bowl safety plans to report. "Hopefully soon," general manager Doug Whaley said Saturday, a day before the Bills were set to hold their first practice in suburban Rochester. Whaley acknowledged thats essentially a guess because Byrd and his agent, Eugene Parker, havent informed the Bills of their intentions. "They havent said anything," Whaley said. Talks remain at a standstill, leaving Byrd a member of Buffalos roster in name only. The Bills prevented Byrd from testing free agency by retaining his rights in March. Thats when they designated him their franchise player by offering him a one-year, $6.9 million contract. Very little has happened since. Byrd has yet to sign the one-year contract, and the two sides failed to negotiate a long-term contract extension by a July 15 deadline. Under NFL rules, the Bills are now limited to reaching a one-year deal with Byrd. He missed all of the teams spring minicamps and is not required to attend training camp because hes unsigned. Parker declined to comment on the status of negotiations or Byrds plans in an email to The Associated Press. Whaley said "the lines of communication are open," but declined to say when the two sides last spoke. He added that he respects Byrd as a player and the position hes taken in refusing to accept the offer. "I think its a normal negotiation process. Weve worked hard. Theyve worked hard. And its just part of the business," Whaley said. "Hopefully, he comes in. And when he does, well welcome him with open arms." The Bills selected Byrd in the second round of the 2009 draft out of Oregon. He enjoyed a breakout season as a rookie, when he earned a Pro Bowl selection after finishing tied for the NFL lead with nine interceptions -- a rookie franchise record. Byrd also set a team record that season by having an interception in five consecutive games. Last season, Byrd was the teams most consistent defender and was added to the Pro Bowl roster as an injury replacement. Byrd led Buffalo with five interceptions and four forced fumbles, and finished fourth with 76 tackles. Overall, his 18 career interceptions are tied for third most among NFL players since 2009. His absence leaves a hole in the Bills defensive plans under new co-ordinator Mike Pettine. "That remains to be seen," Whaley said, referring to how much the defence might miss Byrd. "I think theres a lot of guys on the roster now that are going to step up to fill that role until he gets back. And then well go from there when he gets in. So its hard for me to predict that." Converted cornerback Aaron Williams spent much of the spring filling Byrds starting spot at free safety. Byrd is also behind in learning Pettines new defence, which emphasizes player versatility and a complex approach in pressuring quarterbacks from various positions. Cornerback Stephon Gilmore said he and several teammates have been in contact with Byrd and provided him details of the defence. Byrd will still have some catching up to do should he elect to report. Byrd has not commented publicly on his contract status this off-season, and has been careful not to divulge too much in notes posted on his Twitter account. On Monday, Byrd posted a note saying: "Itll be worth it in the end." Two weeks ago, Byrd posted a picture of him and mentor Aeneas Williams, the former star NFL defensive back. The caption under the photo said it was taken after a workout. In other news, the Bills released tight end Mickey Shuler and offensive lineman Chris Scott. The Bills claimed Shuler off waivers in May after he was released by the Oakland Raiders. He had also split time with Minnesota, Miami and Cincinnati since being selected by the Vikings in the seventh round of the 2010 draft. The Bills signed Scott off of Tennessees practice squad in December. He was initially selected by Pittsburgh in the fifth round of the 2010 draft. Whaley has no immediate intention to fill the spots on his roster. He said the openings leave room to add players without having to make cuts. Anthony Parker Jersey . SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. Toronto Raptors Shirts . Clarkson had been dealing with an elbow injury in early January and will be out of action for at least one week. He has three goals and five assists through 36 games with the Leafs this season. https://www.cheapraptors.com/193a-antonio-davis-jersey-raptors.html . The judges scored it 48-47, 48-47, 49-46 for Jones (19-1). It was the champions closest call. 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CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Cam Newton breaks into a smile, barely able to control his enthusiasm when thinking about the prospect of wide receiver Devin Funchess lining up opposite Kelvin Benjamin this season.Newton, the leagues MVP, may never have to worry about overthrowing another target again given the receiving corps the Panthers have assembled. The 6-foot-4, 225-pound Funchess will replace Jerricho Cotchery in the starting lineup, giving Newton another huge target to go along with the 6-5, 250-pound Benjamin and 6-5, 255-pound tight end Greg Olsen in the passing game.Weve got something only God can give us: size, speed and strength, Newton said.Funchess never got to play with Benjamin in 2015. Benjamin tore his ACL in training camp, ending his season before it had a chance to begin. Funchess went on to catch 31 passes for 473 yards and five touchdowns as a rookie in a reserve role, helping the Panthers reach the Super Bowl and finish 17-2.With Benjamin coming back and Funchess stepping up, the Panthers didnt attempt to re-sign Cotchery.Coach Ron Rivera has described Funchess as being light years ahead of last season. He said Funchess is playing faster and with more confidence.Youre seeing what hes going to add to the offense, Rivera said. We saw that at the end of the year last year. Everybody was waiting for him, and then in midseason he kind of came into his own and made some things happen. By the end of the season, he got better and stronger, and thats what hes doing right now, getting stronger, learning the plays. Hes learning how to use that big body like Kelvin does.Funchess said he feels more comfortable with offensive coordinator Mike Shulas system enterring his second season.ddddddddddddIm just smoothing out my routes and learning how to use my hands to get off the ball and get separation, Funchess said.Newton, who is 6-5, 250 himself, expects both big receivers will play a huge role in 2016 as the Panthers try to build off a season in which they led the league in scoring.The wide receiver position has changed to a degree, Newton said. You look around the league and see Odell (Beckham), Antonio Brown, those quick little shifty guys. But having a Benji, having Fun(chess), having guys that are 6-5, 6-6 and are able to move and able to jump as well, and you know the average (defensive back) is probably 5-foot-9, 5-10, that size and girth is an edge for you.Funchess isnt afraid to get physical either.In practice Tuesday he took exception to rookie cornerback Daryl Worleys failed attempt to punch the ball out after Funchess hauled in a pass. When Worleys punch caught Funchess in the throat, the receiver wound up in a scuffle on the ground, unwilling to let go of Worleys facemask until coaches came into break them up.Rivera warned he doesnt want to see that in a game, but its pretty clear he likes the energy and physicality the 2015 second-round pick possesses.With Ted Ginn Jr., Philly Brown, Brenton Bersin, Stephen Hill, Kevin Norwood and Damiere Byrd all competing for roster spots at receiver, the Panthers have some tough decisions ahead further down the depth chart. Rivera doesnt seem to mind.Its a good group, Rivera said.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '