FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. http://www.cheapjerseysstore.net/ . -- The Atlanta Falcons defense has made plenty of rookie mistakes. No surprise there, given all the first-year players theyve put on the field.The Falcons have started as many as four rookies at times this season, and the youth movement doesnt end there. Four other regulars have been playing in the NFL only two seasons, signaling an entirely new direction for the often-maligned unit.Coach Dan Quinn wasnt at all hesitant about sending out so many young players.We knew there would be some growing pains with certain techniques and certain things that you have to go through, Quinn said Thursday. But I didnt have concerns with it. Otherwise, I wouldnt have put them in. I felt like they had earned it and were ready to go.Atlanta ranks 28th in both points (26.5 per game) and yards (376.3) allowed, but thats nothing new. The Falcons have traditionally struggled on defense, rarely placing among the NFLs elite units.Now, at least, there are plenty of reasons to be hopeful.Quinn said the improvement has been evident in recent weeks as the Falcons (8-5) make a push for their first playoff berth since 2012. They host the woeful San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, coming off perhaps their best defensive performance of the season.In a 42-14 rout of the Los Angeles Rams, the Falcons defense chalked up a pair of touchdowns -- one off an interception, another off a fumble recovery -- and came up with another big interception to halt a drive deep in Atlanta territory.It really starts with communication -- how good can you get at that? Quinn said. Not only do you know your own assignments, but youre able to share some of the information pre-snap. Over the last two weeks, Ive really seen them ramp up that communication, where the information is getting back and forth.Up front, Vic Beasley -- a first-round pick in 2015 -- has emerged as a dominant pass rusher with 13.5 sacks, tied for the league lead with Denvers Von Miller. Another second-year player, Grady Jarrett, is a key contributor on the interior line.The linebacking corps includes a pair of rookie starters, second-round pick Deion Jones and fourth-rounder DeVondre Campbell. They have drastically improved the speed and athleticism of that group, which was especially evident when Jones returned an interception for a 33-yard touchdown against the Rams.Four youngsters are playing key roles in the secondary, including rookie strong safety Keanu Neal and free safety Ricardo Allen, whos in his second season on the 53-man roster after spending a year on the practice squad. Jalen Collins, another second-year player, moved into a starting role at cornerback after a season-ending injury to Desmond Trufant. Undrafted rookie Brian Poole has made six starts as the nickel back.We have a really significant role on this team, Neal said. But I feel like weve handled it well.When Quinn arrived, it was clear the Falcons needed a major upgrade after ranking last in yards allowed in 2014. Theyve addressed that glaring weakness mainly through the draft, devoting six of nine picks in the first five rounds to defensive players.All of them are either full-time starters or a big part of the playing rotation. Their impact is evident in the statistics, where they account for 56 percent of the tackles, 59 percent of the sacks, 67 percent of the interceptions and 73 percent of the forced fumbles.Jones said he feels like a completely different player than the guy who started in Week 1.Ive still got room to grow, he said. But I can say Im starting to know the game more and more. Its been a fun experience to see myself grow as a player.That certainly bodes well for the future.The present doesnt look so bad, either.We dont look at them as young guys anymore, Quinn said. We just look at them as ballplayers who are ready to play.Game notes WR Julio Jones (sprained toe) missed another practice and its still not known if hell be able to play Sunday after sitting out last weeks game. ... WR Mohamed Sanu (groin) was listed as limited for the second day in a row. ... Also missing practice: CB Jalen Collins (knee); S Kemal Ishmael (knee); S Robenson Therezie (ankle); WR Nick Williams (concussion); and DE Adrian Clayborn (knee).---Follow Paul Newberry on Twitter at www.twitter.com/pnewberry1963 . His work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/paul-newberry .---For more NFL coverage: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL cheapjerseysstore . Artturi Lehkonen, Joni Nikko and Ville Leskinen had the other goals for Finland (1-0) while Juuse Saros stopped 28 shots. Tim Robin Johnsgard had the lone goal for Norway (0-2). cheapjerseysstore.net . Pert has formerly spent time as an assistant coach with Cardiff City, Coventry City, and Bahrain mens national team. "Martyn is a highly-respected coach with experience at the top levels in England," said Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson. http://www.cheapjerseysstore.net/ . Pettersen, winner of last years Evian Championships, had nine birdies and three bogeys, holding off a series of challengers led by Marion Ricordeau of France. The second-ranked Norwegian made her season debut after missing the LPGA Tours opening event last month in the Bahamas because of a shoulder injury. TAMPA, Fla. -- The Tampa Bay Lightning overcame an unusual call that went against them and remained undefeated.Brayden Point scored the game-winning goal in the sixth round of a shootout, and the Lightning beat the Florida Panthers 4-3 on Tuesday night.Points goal came three rounds after it seemed Tampa Bay had won the shootout 1-0.After Jonathan Drouin scored for the Lightning in the third round, Vincent Trocheck appeared to fan on his initial shot before sending the puck into the net for Florida. It was called no goal on the ice but the ruling was overturned following a replay review, tying the shootout at 1.I dont think its controversy anymore because the same result happened, Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper said.The NHL said in a statement that a video review determined Trocheck kept the puck in motion toward the net before his shot attempt. According to Rule 24.2, The puck must be kept in motion towards the opponents goal line and once it is shot, the play shall be considered complete.Lightning star Steven Stamkos forced overtime when he lifted a shot from along the goal line over goalie James Reimer with 5.5 seconds left in the third period.Theres not many guys in the league that can do that, Cooper said. When I say not many, youre talking one hand.Michael Matheson scored his first NHL goal at 15:52 of the third to give Florida a 3-2 advantage.The Lightning also got goals from Alex Killorn and Ondrej Palat. Tampa Bay has opened the season 3-0 for the fifth time.Colton Sceviour and Trocheck also scored for the Panthers, who were trying to win three in a row to start a season for the first time.It was a good game, Florida coach Gerard Gallant said. It was a close game all the way through. I thouught we did a lot of good things tonight.ddddddddddddOverall we played real good hockey.Trocheck got the Panthers even at 2 when he beat Ben Bishop from the low slot at 5:26 of the third.Bishop made 28 saves. Reimer stopped 25 shots in his first game with Florida since signing a free-agent deal in the offseason to be Roberto Luongos backup.Were real happy with the performance, Gallant said.Palat put Tampa Bay up 2-1 on a rebound goal with 3:39 left in the second after Reimer stopped Stamkos tough-angle shot. Stamkos has 48 points in 41 games against Florida.Sceviour opened the scoring at 2:38 of the second on a short-handed 2-on-1 off a pass from Derek MacKenzie.Killorn extended his season-opening goal streak to three games and tied it 6:18 into the second.Panthers star Jaromir Jagr has not scored a goal in his past four games, including all three this season, and remains one short of 750 in his career. He had one shot on goal.Jagr was called for hooking 2:11 into overtime, but Tampa Bay failed to generate any scoring chances.Game notes Tampa Bay held a pregame ceremony to honor former captain Vincent Lecavalier, who retired after playing last season with Philadelphia and Los Angeles. Lecavalier is the Lightnings career leader in games (1,037) and goals (383). He ranks second in points (874). ... MacKenzie snapped a 10-game point drought. ... Drouin had an assist. He has three assists and four points this season.UP NEXTPanthers: Return home to play Washington on Thursday night.Lightning: Complete a season-opening, four-game homestand Thursday night against Colorado. Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys China NFL Cheap Jerseys ' ' '