ORCHARD PARK, N. Morgan Burnett Womens Jersey .Y. -- Buffalo Bills president Russ Brandon opened 2013 vowing to transform what he called the franchises "tarnished" reputation. On Monday, Brandon closed the year with the job still incomplete. Though pleased with the direction the team has taken under first-year general manager Doug Whaley and first-year coach Doug Marrone, Brandon expressed disappointment with a 6-10 finish and the Bills extending the NFLs longest active playoff drought to 14 seasons. "I have all the faith and belief in (Marrone) and (Whaley) to keep continuing to get this ship pointed in the right direction and see significant progress as we enter 2014," Brandon said. "What we dont feel good about is sitting here and talking to you at 6-10. And that needs to change." Change was the operative word last off-season, when the Bills went through a near top-to-bottom overhaul. Buffalo purged much of its roster, and began a rebuilding plan that included drafting quarterback EJ Manuel with the 16th pick out of Florida State. The transition has yet to start paying dividends. In closing the season with a 34-20 loss at New England on Sunday, Buffalo finished with six wins for a third consecutive year, ended fourth in the AFC East for a sixth consecutive year, and extended its string of losing seasons to nine dating to a 9-7 finish in 2004. "With youth comes inconsistency," Whaley said. "So all those guys that contributed this year, we expect them to take a bigger step next year, play more consistent and be more productive." And that includes Manuel, who struggled with his consistency, and had his development stunted by injuries to both knees since August. Manuel missed the final two preseason games with a left knee injury. He missed four regular-season games after spraining his right knee in a 37-24 loss at Cleveland. And he then closed the year missing the final two games after tearing a ligament in his left knee. Manuel finished with a 4-6 record, completed just 58.8 per cent of his attempts (180 of 306 for 1,972 yards) and finished with 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Marrone maintains confidence in Manuel, and has already informed the quarterback hell be the teams starter entering next season. Dismissing his critics, Manuel called his rookie season a learning process. "Obviously, youre going to have ups and downs as a rookie," Manuel said. "Ive had some good games, and theres a lot I can take and build from. I dont really know whos questioning things. But as far as me, Im just continuing to get better." Marrone announced hes already made one change to his staff by firing receivers coach Ike Hilliard because of "a difference in philosophy." Hilliard, who spent 12 seasons in the NFL playing receiver, was responsible for overseeing a young group that included rookies Robert Woods and Marquise Goodwin. On the personnel front, Whaley intends to make an offer in a bid to re-sign three-time Pro Bowl safety Jairus Byrd. And Whaley didnt rule out the possibility of using the franchise designation for a second consecutive year to retain the players rights even if it risks the possibility of having the player miss the entire off-season as he did this past year. Byrd is open to re-signing, and also braced for possibility of the Bills retaining his rights once again. "Im at peace with everything. I know what to expect," Byrd said. "Ive gone through it once. And itll be good. However it works, itll be good." Statistically, the Bills showed improvement on several fronts. Their defence, though inconsistent in stopping the run, finished second in the NFL with a franchise-record 57 sacks. The defence ranked 10th in the NFL in yards allowed -- the units best finish since placing second in 2004. Byrd, defensive tackle Kyle Williams and defensive end Mario Williams all earned Pro Bowl selections this year. The defence also featured linebacker Kiko Alonso, a second-round pick, who is regarded an NFL defensive rookie of the year candidate. On offence, the Bills running attack finished second in the NFL with 2,307 yards -- the most since 1992. Running back Fred Jackson was among numerous veterans who expressed confidence the team might finally be turning the corner. "If you watched us play this year, youll know that were not the same team that weve been," Jackson said. "But theres no moral victories. We know that. We know that for us to be relevant, we have to win more football games." ---- NOTES: The Bills retained the rights to seven practice squad players: QB Dennis Dixon, DB Mario Butler, OTs Edawn Coughman and Jamaal Johnson-Webb, DE Ikponmwosa Igbinosun, WR Brandon Kaufman and LB Jacquies Smith. ... Whaley said hes open to re-signing PK Dan Carpenter and P Brian Moorman. Julius Peppers Packers Jersey . The Henry Burris-led squad finished second in the East Division before advancing to the Grey Cup where they ultimately fell to the home field advantage wielding Saskatchewan Roughriders. Brett Favre Jersey . Winnipeg trailed by five points in the final minute when quarterback Drew Willy completed a 13-play, 75-yard drive with Feoli-Gudinos 18-yard touchdown catch on third down to lift the Bombers to a 34-33 victory over the Montreal Alouettes on Friday night.TORONTO - Injuries, a crowded schedule and a fired-up opponent lying in wait. You couldnt fault Toronto FC manager Ryan Nelsen for cringing at the prospect of a hot, humid summer night in Houston. But Nelsen is looking forward to seeing his revamped lineup stand up and be counted in Saturdays MLS rematch with the Dynamo. Nelsen will be counting on 21-year-old defenders Doneil Henry and Nick Hagglund. Henry, who made his league debut in 2010, is a gifted athlete who is raw and still prone to mistakes. But his upside is immense and some see him as a future captain of Canada. Hagglund is a likable, athletic rookie who seems comfortable on any stage. Fearless is one adjective applied to him. "Its kind of exciting, to tell you the truth, to watch these guys playing and watch these guys progress," Nelsen said after training Friday. "Its fun watching these guys, especially like Nick and Doneil, progress as players and as humans." Thanks to a tour de force performance from England striker Jermain Defoe, Toronto (7-5-4) rallied from two goals down last Saturday to defeat Houston 4-2 at BMO Field. The Dynamo (5-11-3) have had all week to plan their revenge while Toronto, which has twice as many games this month as Houston, had a midweek encounter with the visiting Whitecaps. That 1-1 tie left its mark, with Nelsen revealing the bleak injury prognosis Friday before flying to Texas. Fullback Mark Bloom, who has started all 16 games this season, is out four to six weeks with a medial collateral ligament sprain. Brazilian winger Jackson will be out 10 to 14 days with a knock to the Achilles. They join captain Steven Caldwell on the sidelines. The Scottish centre back tore his quad in the win over Houston last weekend and is expected to be out for a month. Veteran Bradley Orr, a useful jack of all trades this season, replaced Caldwell against Vancouver and is expected to line up alongside Henry again Saturday. Hagglund, normally a centre back, will start for Bloom. "Im going to try and do my best Mark Bloom impression when Im on the field," said Hagglund. Dominic Oduro could join Canadian Jonathan Osorio and the central tandem of Michael Bradley and Collen Warner in midfield. Toronto will be hard-pressed if another defender goes down. Jackson would have been one of the candidates to replace Bloom if healthy. Nelsen only has fullback Ashton Morgan in reserve. Morgan Burnett Youth Jersey. Starting left fullback Justin Morrow can play centre back in a pinch. Fullback Ryan Richter, currently on loan to Ottawa Fury FC, could be recalled next week for cover. Injury issues aside, Nelsen anticipates a rough reception in Houston. "I expect a very motivated, bordering on vicious to tell you the truth, Houston team," said Nelsen. "They have to win, they have to win in front of their fans. They have to win to get their season (going). "Theyve had injuries. Thats what theyve kind of hung their hat on, that it hasnt been a successful season (as a result). Now everybodys fit. Its a make-or-break game. We understand that. We cant match that, we have to better it." Veteran midfielder Dwayne De Rosario, who spent three seasons in Houston, also expects a spirited response from the Dynamo. "If theres one thing that I know, its that Dominic (manager Dominic Kinnear) is very good at is turning the team around," he said. "Definitely I think youre going to see a much more physical, much hungrier, more tenacious team come (Saturday)." Added Hagglund: "Its gut-check time." The good news for Toronto is that it stands third in the Eastern Conference with two or three games in hand on each of the four teams around it. And it has lost just one of its last nine games (a 4-1-4 run). Houston is winless in seven games, a stretch that has seen the Dynamo outscored 19-4. Houstons last league win was May 17 against Columbus. The Dynamo, however, are returning to full strength after the World Cup and injuries, Left back Corey Ashe (knee) may be the latest to come back. Midfielders Brad Davis and Boniek Garcia (both at the World Cup) and defenders David Horst (groin) and Jermaine Taylor (hip contusion) have also returned to the lineup. Houston is looking to erase memories of the wasteful Toronto loss. “Theres obviously a bad taste in our mouths from the way things went,” goalkeeper Tally Hall told reporters in Houston. NOTES: Defoe is one yellow card away from a suspension ... Midfielder Jeremy Hall has been loaned to Wilmington to get some playing time. Hell be back early next week ... Torontos busy spell continues next week with a friendly Wednesday against Defoes old team, Tottenham, and a weekend date with Sporting Kansas City. 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