our colors fly free.Its been so impactful since the day of that event, said Otto D

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. -- Veteran NFL receiver Hakeem Nicks decided this offseason that persistently lobbying New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton for a job gave him the best chance at salvaging his career.The 28-year-old Nicks, who participated in his first practice of Saints training camp on Friday, is coming off several seasons in which his production dipped far below the standard he set early in his career with the New York Giants. But Nicks sounds confident that the prolific offense designed by Payton, and executed by quarterback Drew Brees, provides the perfect platform for his resurgence.If you look at the offenses I was in when I had most of my production throughout my career, I felt like this offense fit my skill set the best, Nicks said. And who else to do it with than coach Sean Payton. Hes a brainiac when it comes to offenses, and I would love to play for him.Nicks, who worked out for the Saints this offseason, is taking a spot on the 90-man preseason roster that opened up when New Orleans placed Vincent Brown on injured reserve. In recent months, Nicks said hed been sending Payton texts almost weekly in an effort to persuade the coach to give him a chance. Sometimes, those texts said something like, Lets Hunt. Other times, they included video of Nicks training.Hes obviously an experienced receiver. Hes in good shape. And he was kind of on a short list if we had a roster opening, Payton said of Nicks. Plus, he wouldnt stop texting me.Nicks posted 1,000-yard seasons in 2010 and 2011 with the Giants under then-offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride, but he has been far less productive since and at this point is far from being guaranteed a regular-season roster spot.I know the situation, Nicks said. Im a man and I know what Ive got to do.Two seasons ago, Nicks left New York for Indianapolis, joining Colts quarterback Andrew Luck. But Nicks wound up having one of the least productive seasons of his career, catching 38 passes for 405 yards and seven touchdowns in 16 games. He then went to Tennessee, but said he had a preseason knee injury that he kept quiet about and rejoined the Giants in midseason, finishing 2015 with seven catches for 54 yards.Payton said Hicks dip in production could have resulted from a variety of factors, including the systems in which he played.Each situations different ... but I cant speak specifically to his (snaps) or reasons why maybe there were certain attempts thrown his way, Payton said. Its an opportunity for him to come in and kind of find his role, if you will, a little bit -- work for a role within this system, which is a little different than maybe other places hes been.Nicks said his recent dip in production motivated him to ramp up his study of pro football.I was learning the business, Nicks said. I hadnt had much success since Id been with coach Gilbride. Being younger, you think you can just go fit in anywhere, any offense. I was oblivious. ... So as I got older and started talking to some older guys that had been in the league, you know, youve got to fit your skill set. So I started studying some offenses and I feel like this is the best fit.Nicks also said he has continued to focus on recovering from last years knee injury since leaving the Giants a second time.Ive spent my whole offseason from January up until now, rehabbing and training. So I put a lot of work into it, Nicks said. The opportunity came and Im ready for it.Game notesRookie receiver Michael Thomas drew high praise from teammates and coaches after making a lunging, off-balance, one-handed catch of a long Luke McCown pass along the left sideline during 11-on-11 drills. Thomas, a former Ohio State standout drafted in the second round last spring, corralled the ball with his left hand while tumbling into the end zone. That was really an amazing play, Payton said. ... The Saints have signed offensive lineman John Fullington, who plays center and guard. He replaces lineman Tony Carter, who was waived with an unspecified injury.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFLUSA Soccer Store .1 million pounds ($61.2 million) on Saturday, giving the beleaguered English Premier League champions a major lift. 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The World Anti-Doping Agency provisionally suspended the Moscow Antidoping Center on Sunday, saying its operations must improve or a six-month ban on the facilitys accreditation will be imposed.ORLANDO, Fla. -- Theres nothing that can give Mayra Alvear back what she lost, or ease her pain, or calm her anger.With one gesture, she at least felt some joy again.Underneath a softly swaying banner displaying the number 49 -- commemorating the number of lives lost -- and as first responders unfurled and held a massive American flag for the national anthem, the Orlando Magic paid tribute Wednesday night to the victims and survivors of the Pulse gay nightclub massacre with an emotional ceremony immediately before the teams season-opener against the Miami Heat.We felt the recognition needed to be significant, Magic president Alex Martins said. We think part of the healing process for our community is making sure we dont forget. And we felt it was most appropriate that we do it on opening night, so it receives the proper recognition and exposure -- but also gave the greatest number of our fans the opportunity to recognize and remember.Some survivors were present, as were some relatives of those who were killed on June 12 in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. The gunman, Omar Mateen, was killed after a three-hour standoff during an exchange of fire with SWAT team members.What the Orlando Magic are doing is amazing, is beautiful. Im honored and grateful, said Alvear, the mother of Pulse victim Amanda Alvear. That they are lifting the number 49 out of respect, a symbol for our 49 Pulse angels, it has a deep meaning -- demonstration of love and that they care, that all of them will be remembered.The nightclub remains fenced off, yet is still attracting a daily stream of mourners. Banners on the fence are dotted with thousands of handwritten messages from visitors, with some flowers and candles on the ground.Martins was the chair of OneOrlando, a fund that collected $29.5 million in donations thats being distributed to 299 claimants. At the time of the shooting, the Magic were just a few weeks removed from the hiring of Frank Vogel as their new coach, and less than three weeks away from a free-agent period where the roster would be greatly revamped.But Martins quickly volunteered anyway, helping oversee the massive task.One of the ways that I felt I could help, that I could assist, was to help with the administration of the fund, Martins said. So I raised my hand immediately.The tribute coming before a Magic-Heat game was fitting, given how many of those affected by the events of that night were from South Florida.ddddddddddddIt was particularly poignant to one survivor.Heat employee Laura Vargas was shot twice that night. She can recall every detail -- the strobe lights, the Heineken in her hand, how she was putting away her ID as she heard the first shots. She remembers watching Mateen reload a weapon, the blood pouring from her wounds, even the look on the police officers face when she was rescued.Her best friend, Luis Vielma, who Vargas said was straight, was one of the victims.Its not even just about me, Vargas said. Its coping that hes not there anymore. Its a lot to carry around.Vargas isnt able yet to resume work. She was at the arena the Heat call home last week for an event called Loud And Proud that celebrated the LGBTQ community, but couldnt shake the feeling Mateen was there. Her flashbacks and nightmares are terrifying -- she said she had a total breakdown recently at Disney when a fireworks show sounded like gunfire.Nights like Wednesday, she said, make it all a bit easier.The love thats come out of this is not fading, Vargas said. It brings me comfort to know that my best friend is one of the reasons why this world is a little bit less crappy, that his life isnt just forgotten. No. He made a difference. And he would be happy to know that even with the chaos, the horror, he made a change.This was not a one-night commitment for the Magic, who have contributed both money and staff resources to the ongoing healing process and plan to continue. In addition to the banner, the team aired a video in tribute and invited singer Brandon Parsons -- who composed a song called Forty-Nine Times -- to perform pregame.Parsons song included this phrase: Takes more than just a gun, more than you to tear us down, so let your colors fly free.Its been so impactful since the day of that event, said Otto Drozd, the Fire Chief for Orange County Fire Rescue. This is part of the healing process. We continue to remember the 49 that lost their lives and those that were injured that night, and really, we do that because we dont want to relive it. ' ' '