DAVIE, Fla. Victor Ibarbo Borre Jersey . -- New Miami Dolphins general manager Dennis Hickey stepped to the microphone and apologized for his hoarse voice, explaining he wore it down in the past few days trying to build a winner. Hickey then introduced two big acquisitions in the first hours of free agency -- 316-pound left tackle Branden Albert, and 300-pound defensive tackle Earl Mitchell. Both signed Wednesday less than 24 hours after they agreed to terms. Hickey said he was optimistic defensive tackle Randy Starks would re-sign after becoming a free agent Tuesday. Starks has spent the past six seasons with the Dolphins, and the two sides were negotiating a deal Wednesday. The Dolphins shopping will continue, with additional offensive linemen, a tight end and a linebacker the most pressing needs. Theyre trying to end a 13-year drought without a post-season victory, and eager to put in the past their bullying scandal that involved tackle Jonathan Martin. The acquisition of Albert was a step in that direction. Hell take over the position manned at the start of last season by Martin, who was traded late Tuesday to the San Francisco 49ers for an undisclosed draft choice. "Im going to be here to play left tackle and make a difference," Albert said. "Thats the reason Im here. I feel like its a team I can help the most and make my legacy even better." Albert signed a $47 million, five-year deal that includes $26 million guaranteed. Dolphins officials, accompanied by a couple of players, treated Albert to dinner Tuesday night to celebrate the agreement. "Probably the happiest person at the dining room table was Ryan Tannehill," Hickey said. "He was really excited to have a player of his calibre on our team." Albert will protect the blind side for Tannehill, who was sacked a franchise-record 58 times last year. Mitchell was also part of the dinner celebration. He signed a $16 million, four-year deal. Like Albert, Mitchell envisions better days ahead for the Dolphins. "Im coming to produce and definitely trying to help this team reach new heights," Mitchell said. "Thats my reason for being here. Im trying to get us to a Super Bowl." Mitchell blossomed in his fourth NFL season with the Houston Texans last year, when he became a starter and won raves for the way he clogged the middle. He has been playing defence only since his junior year at the University of Arizona, and he and Hickey both said hes still improving. Alberts reputation has also been on the rise, and he made the Pro Bowl last year with the Kansas City Chiefs. He has had a home the past three offseasons 45 minutes from the Dolphins complex and will now move north, eager to go to work with his new team. "I live in downtown Miami, but I probably wont anymore because of the commute," he said with a smile. "Ive got to find a place close to the facility." Meliton Hernandez Mexico Jersey . Some of his Saginaw Spirit teammates are among the mourners at todays service in east-end Toronto. An autopsy determined Trafford died of self-inflicted asphyxiation. The Toronto natives body was found last Wednesday in his SUV in a parking lot in Saginaw Township, Mich. Luuk de Jong Netherland Jersey . Louis Cardinals seized their opportunity. For the Atlanta Braves, it was another night of missed chances.ROME - Roma beat Empoli 2-1 after extra time to reach the Italian Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday thanks to a very contentious penalty.Daniele De Rossi converted the spot kick five minutes from time, sending Empoli goalkeeper Davide Bassi the wrong way, after Piotr Zielinski was harshly adjudged to have brought down Leandro Paredes.You can see that he takes his legs away, but its difficult to tell whether it was before or after he got the ball, Roma coach Rudi Garcia said. I think the referee was in a great position to judge.Empoli almost equalized right at the end, but Roma goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski pulled off a great save to deny Francesco Tavano.Roma was jeered off the pitch by its own fans after a lacklustre performance against a team struggling at the wrong end of the Serie A table, 22 points behind the capital club.Im upset above all for my players, Empoli coach Maurizio Sarri said. What did I think about the penalty? What everyoone in the stadium thought, but the club has asked me not to comment on anything, although the pictures speak for themselves. Dimitri Payet France Jersey. arcia may say it could have been a penalty, but not according to his players. I spoke to two Roma players and they said it wasnt a penalty.Roma got off to the perfect start as it took the lead with less than five minutes on the clock after Douglas Maicons cross was flicked on to Juan Manuel Iturbe.Empoli levelled 10 minutes from the end of normal time when Simone Verdi beat the offside trap to race past Davide Astori and round Roma goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski before firing into the far corner.Ashley Cole made his first appearance for Roma in nearly two months — after poor form had seen him dropped to the bench. But his return lasted barely 23 minutes before he was carted off following an accidental kick to his chin from Matias Vecino.Roma will next face either Fiorentina or Atalanta. wholesale jerseys authentic wholesale jerseys nfl cheap cheap jerseys Cheap Jerseys china wholesale jerseys ' ' '
