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The Green Bay Packers keep absorbing the hits on the offensive line.But as far as the linemen are concerned, better that they take the blows than quarterback Aaron Rodgers.Front fives dont usually draw much attention. The Packers highlight reel is typically filled with pinpoint passes from Rodgers to receivers Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb, and pinball runs by Eddie Lacy.But its difficult to overlook how the Packers front has performed this season, especially with injuries nagging the line.The five that play together practice together each and every week give you the chance to be the most cohesive group, coach Mike McCarthy said. He pointed to a combination of talent, ability and continuity on the practice field as keys to success.They havent all been full participants at practice, though, for about six weeks.T.J. Lang is playing with an ankle injury, while fellow guard Josh Sitton has a left toe injury. Theyve either missed practice, or been limited at times since each player got hurt in the 44-23 loss on Oct. 26 at New Orleans.Right tackle Bryan Bulaga left last weeks 21-13 loss at Buffalo with a concussion. He did not take part in practice Thursday, though he was at least at the practice facility — usually a positive sign that things are going well.Yeah, when (trainers) let him out of the building and go down to the Hutson Center, thats a good thing, McCarthy said.The injuries started in the preseason, when swing tackle Don Barclay, who would have likely been the first lineman off the bench, had a season-ending knee injury.J.C. Tretter was slated to start at centre after last years starter, Evan Dietrich-Smith, signed with Tampa Bay as a free agent. But Tretter injured an ankle two weeks before the season started, forcing rookie Corey Linsley into the starting lineup.It turned out not to be a concern.The Packers have allowed 28 sacks in 14 games, which ranks 13th. But there have been just seven sacks in the six games since the loss to the Saints in late October.Similarly, after a sluggish start, the running game has picked up.Green Bay ran for 179 yards on 30 carries two weeks ago against Atlanta, and 158 on 24 carries last week against Buffalo. They are the two highest rushing totals of the season.The cohesiveness just in the run blocking improves. The course, the footwork and course of the backs, its better, theyre playing a little faster, McCarthy said. All those things — I just think when teams have a chance to continue to work each and every day together, you improve.The fifth member of the starting unit is second-year left tackle David Bakhtiari, who has improved as the season has worn on.Timing is definitely everything, Lacy said about the running game. Its about the way (defenders) angle to the blocks, where the defence flows, and there (are) a lot of different factors.That includes the five beefy Packers on the offensive line.NOTES: Lacy was limited in practice for a second straight day with eye irritation, which McCarthy said wasnt related to football. Lacy said the eye started bothering him this week after taking out a contact lens. Lacy said he plans to wear contacts again on Sunday, but would rather not have to wear goggles. ... Cobb, in the last year of his contract, said he doesnt know of any talks about an extension, that he was focused on helping the Packers secure a playoff spot. Cobb is having a career year with 76 catches for 1,076 yards and 10 touchdowns.___Online:AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL Jordan Eberle Jersey . - Even with a new coach, the Denver Nuggets still love to push the basketball. Josh Bailey Jersey . -- With the Memphis Grizzlies struggling to find their offensive rhythm, O. http://www.authenticnyislanderspro.com/C...landers-jersey/. In their first meeting for six years, the Frenchmen dropped serve twice in the first set, but Giquel broke Simon two more times in the second. Gicquel moves on to face sixth-seeded Jarkko Nieminen of Finland, who advanced with a 7-6 (5), 7-6 (5) win against wild card Pierre-Hugues Herbert, despite the Frenchmans 23 aces. John Tavares Jersey .Y. -- The New York Islanders were seeking a positive finish to a frustrating season on home ice. Billy Smith Jersey .C. - Phoenix Suns coach Jeff Hornacek says guard Goran Dragic will return to the starting lineup against the Charlotte Hornets after missing the last two games with a strained back.BUFFALO, N.Y. - Bills owners Terry and Kim Pegula are hitting the road to take part in the search for a coach.And a stop in San Diego to interview Chargers offensive co-ordinator Frank Reich on Sunday is on the itinerary, a person familiar with the search process told The Associated Press on Friday. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the Bills have not outlined their plans to replace Doug Marrone, who abruptly stepped down Wednesday.Broncos offensive co-ordinator Adam Gase was already scheduled to be interviewed in Denver on Saturday.A second person familiar with the process told the AP that the Pegulas will take part in the interviews. That way, the co-owners can familiarize themselves with the candidates and directly address questions regarding their vision for the franchise and its front-office hierarchy.The Pegulas, who also own the NHLs Buffalo Sabres, are new to NFL. They bought the Bills for a league-record $1.4 billion in October from the estate of Hall of Fame owner Ralph Wilson, who died in March.General manager Doug Whaley will conduct the interviews and President Russ Brandon will take part as an adviser.The team has not put a cap on the number of candidates it will interview, or placed a timetable on hiring a coach.The Bills are in the unusual position of embarking on their sixth coaching search in 14 years despite a 9-7 finish, which matched Buffalos best record in a decade. The Bills, however, missed the playoffs to extend the NFLs longest active post-season drought to 15 years.The teams chain of command was among the reasons Marrone exercised an opt-out clause in his contract, which came into effect with the change in ownership. The second-year coach, who will collect $4 million in salary he was due next season, was unsure whether the Pegulas were going to restructure their front office.The Pegulas have proposeed hiring a veteran presence to oversee the football operations.ddddddddddddBill Polian, 72, was a candidate to fill the newly created role. But the Bills former general manager informed the Pegulas on Thursday that Marrones departure and quarterback Kyle Ortons retirement led to his decision to stay in his current role as an NFL TV and radio broadcaster.That makes the coaching search the Bills immediate priority.Buffalo is one of four teams to express interest in Gase, who has spent the past two years overseeing a Peyton Manning-led offence that has been among the NFLs most potent attacks.Gase is available to be interviewed in Denver during the Broncos weekend off, before they prepare to host an AFC Divisional playoff game on Jan. 11. He cannot be hired until Denver is finished playing.Reich is very familiar to Buffalo. The former quarterback spent his first 10 NFL seasons with the Bills, and served as a dependable backup to Hall of Famer Jim Kelly.Reich was most memorably the starter in Buffalos 41-38 overtime win over the Houston Oilers in an AFC wild-card playoff on Jan. 3, 1993. The Bills rallied from a 35-3 third-quarter deficit, which stands as the NFLs largest comeback.Reich completed his second season with San Diego, and first as a co-ordinator. He oversaw a Philip Rivers-led attack that finished 18th in the NFL in yards gained and 17th in points.Reich previously spent four seasons as an offensive assistant in Indianapolis, where he also worked with Manning. In 2012, Reich was a receivers coach with the Arizona Cardinals.Bills defensive co-ordinator Jim Schwartz is also considered a candidate. He joined the Bills a year ago after spending five seasons as the Detroit Lions head coach.___AP Pro Football Writer Arnie Stapleton in Denver contributed to this report.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '