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BOURBONNAIS, Ill. -- On the hottest, most humid day of Chicago Bears training camp, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio wore a sweatshirt.I dont sweat that much, he said. Im not a sweater.In another sense, Fangio did have to sweat through a first year in Chicago with an inconsistent defense that improved, and looks to make greater strides in head coach John Foxs second season because of offseason changes.Before Fangio becomes more convinced of improvement, though, hell need to see the type of impact additions such as linebackers Danny Trevathan, Jerrell Freeman and first-round draft pick Leonard Floyd will have for a defense that rose in rankings last season from 30th to 14th.I think we have a chance to be a better defense than we were last year, but the proof will be in the pudding, Fangio said Thursday at training camp. Practice is the quiz, the games are the final exam.The biggest change came in the front seven, with the addition of 336-pound free agent defensive end Akiem Hicks, backed by free agent inside linebacker acquisitions Freeman and Trevathan.The potential exists to stop the run more effectively than last season, when Chicago ranked 22nd.It could take a while.You know weve got veteran guys, but theyre not veteran in our system yet, Fangio said.Hicks put his talents on display Thursday when he helped the first-team defense make a goal-line stand in scrimmage.For a big guy hes got a lot of energy, Fangio said. Weve just got to get him honed up a little bit better in his techniques.Hicks, whose career started with New Orleans and New England, said he feels comfortable in the Bears defensive scheme. Teammates are noticing.I like to have a big D-lineman in front of me, a hungry guy whos just a mauler, Trevathan said about Hicks. The mans a mountain who is hard to move.Trevathan, who came over from the Super Bowl champion Broncos in free agency, also raved about Fangios defensive system.Hes a mastermind, Trevathan said. He likes to put you in the right situations to make plays.He has some experience with that with other linebackers and other teams. But here hes just doing a good job of feeling his players and knowing what theyre good at and putting you in certain situations to make plays.Despite overall statistical improvement last season, the Bears defense set a franchise record for fewest interceptions (eight) and allowed the second-most touchdown passes (31) in their history.For secondary coverage to improve, Fangio said the pass rush pressure must also increase. Not having outside linebacker Pernell McPhee, who is on the preseason PUP list after knee surgery, is slowing progress.Its a concern for sure, but until I see him out on the field Im really not thinking about it as much, Fangio said.The more pressing concern is getting Floyd, an undersized, speedy pass rush linebacker, to a level where he contributes sacks.On draft day, Floyd drew comparisons to former 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith, who flourished under Fangio as a pass rusher.Hes not like Aldon at all, Fangio said. The only thing that hes similar to Aldon is theyre both tall. Theyre both kind of long.But theyre two different body types. Aldon was 25-30 pounds heavier and Aldon wasnt the athlete that this guy is in open space. Theyre similar in height, but theyre very different in style.The only change Fangio has dealt with in the secondary is Harold Jones-Quartey as a starting safety alongside safety Adrian Amos. Jones-Quartey started three games last season after being claimed off waivers.Cornerback Tracy Porter said more turnovers will come with better pass rush pressure, but also from one simple coverage approach.To just go after the ball when its in the air, he said. Yeah, we want to knock passes down when you can. Ive been told some of the wisest words: You just try to catch every ball. Whether you miss it or you knock it down, its still a PBU (pass breakup).So why not just try to go and catch the ball?Game notes Right guard Kyle Long went through his first full padded practice after suffering a July 28 calf injury. ... Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, who left Wednesdays practice, also missed Thursdays practice with what Fox called a slight hamstring injury. ... Offensive lineman Amini Silatolu, who started training camp on the physically unable to perform list, was moved to the active roster and began practicing.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: http://twitter.com/AP-NFL Diamondbacks Jerseys China . John Tavares, Thomas Vanek and Kyle Okposo were also being counted on to slow down sizzling Rangers forward Rick Nash. That plan didnt go so well early. Cheap Diamondbacks Jerseys . Jason Zucker and Matt Cooke also scored for Minnesota, which has won five of six. Kuemper made five saves in the first, nine in the second, and nine in the third. The rookies best save came with 2:17 left in the third period when he denied former Wild forward Matt Cullen from just outside of the crease on the right side. https://www.cheapdiamondbacksjerseys.us/ . It is a cliché dragged out by fans and pundits regularly when discussions take place around which teams are better than others. Arizona Diamondbacks Shirts .com) - Following a late-game loss to the reigning NBA champs, the Toronto Raptors will look to sustain their recent high-level play as they travel to Indiana to take on the Pacers. Arizona Diamondbacks Gear .Y. -- Injured Buffalo Sabres forward Marcus Foligno did not practice with the team Monday and head coach Ron Rolston said its unlikely hell play in Wednesdays season opener in Detroit. BATON ROUGE, La. -- Floridas defense stuffed LSUs Derrius Guice on a do-or-die run from the 1-yard line in the final seconds and the No. 21 Gators held on for a tension-filled 16-10 victory that clinched the Southeastern Conference East Division.The stop capped a defensive struggle in which No. 16 LSU converted a fourth-and-10 play on its final drive, only to get stopped on back-to-back runs from the 1 to end the game. Fullback J.D. Moore came up short on third down.Florida quarterback Austin Apppleby completed only seven passes on 17 attempts, but one of his connections went for a pivotal 98-yard touchdown to Tyrie Cleveland. Eddy Piniero scored the rest of Floridas points on field goals of 36, 24 and 34 yards.LSU (6-4, 4-3 SEC, No. 16 CFP) controlled most of the game and held considerable statistical advantages, outgaining Florida (8-2, 6-2, No. 23 CFP) 423 yards to 270 and holding possession for 34:02. But on three occasions, the Tigers failed to score after driving inside Floridas 10 -- the first time because of Guices fumble in the first half and the second time because of a botched field goal in the third quarter.The loss likely cost the Tigers a Sugar Bowl bid.THE TAKEAWAYFlorida: The Gators played with a lot of heart, relied heavily on their elite defense and in the end emerged with an upset victory.LSU: The Tigers two turnovers and botched field goal turned what could have been a fairly comfortable victory iinto a struggle.ddddddddddddINJURIESLSU lost a key defender in the first half when middle linebacker Kendell Beckwith needed help off the field. He spent the rest of the game on the sideline with his left knee heavily wrapped. LSU star running back Leonard Fournette, who played despite being banged up last week, came out of the game for good after being stopped short on a third-and-goal play in the second half.EMOTIONAL FLARE-UPThe two teams scuffled near the middle of the field about an hour before kickoff. Several people viewing warmups captured video they posted on social media. It was mostly yelling and shoving as coaches and police working security converged quickly to break it up. Some players also acted as peacemakers. One video captured Fournette pushing Florida defensive backs coach Torrian Gray away from a cluster of LSU players and coaches. During the opening kickoff, emotions were still running high for some, apparently. Floridas Joseph, blocking on the return, had his helmet ripped off by LSUs Devin White, who was called for a personal foul.UP NEXTFlorida: The Gators renew their non-conference rivalry with Florida State in Tallahassee.LSU: The Tigers visit Texas A&M on Thanksgiving night.---More AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25 . ' ' '