ld Sky Sports Now: In the first couple of games, I didnt see much improvement under Rafa Benitez but in the last few games, you can see the effect he has had on them.dddddddddddd Spotlight on Benitez C

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Six months after general manager Jerry Reese revamped the New York Giants defense with the draft and free agency, coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is finally going to get a chance to play with his new toy.With Olivier Vernon, Damon `Snacks Harrison, Janoris Jenkins, Eli Apple, Kelvin Sheppard, Keenan Robinson, Darian Thompson and Leon Hall added to the roster, the Giants are no longer the NFLs worst defense.Just how good they are going to be remains to be seen, but the talent is there, and the Dallas Cowboys are going to be the first test on Sunday.I like the way the guys have come together, Spagnuolo said Thursday. I just think the feel; I dont know what you call it, the chemistry, the way they are jelling on the field...Its all there for Spagnuolo, something he did not have last season when the Giants (6-10) lost six games either late in the fourth quarter or in overtime.The players can see the potential, too.He is not only waiting to let this group go, Dallas has been something I have been hearing since the moment I got here, said Harrison, who also signed as a free agent.Its a pretty big game for the team. Its a rivalry and we want to win it. I think Spags is excited. The guy has energy every single time you see him. Hes probably in the hallway now just doing flips. Thats what you get in the meeting room when he is talking about Dallas.The defensive line is imposing with Vernon and Jason Pierre-Paul at the ends and Harrison and Johnathan Hankins at the tackles. It can pressure opposing quarterbacks and stop the run.The secondary also was improved. Jenkins also was signed as a free agent and fellow cornerback Eli Apple was drafted in the first round. Add in Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Hall (another free agent) and the Giants are deep at cornerbacks.Safety Landon Collins is back after an outstanding rookie season and Thompson, the third-round pick, is fighting Nat Berhe for the other starting safety job.Free agents Sheppard and Robinson give New York depth at the linebacker spots, joining Devon Kennard, Jonathan Casillas and J.T. Thomas.Were light years ahead of where we were last year defensively, and I hope it shows this Sunday, Casillas said.Vernon, who signed an $85 million contract, gives the Giants one of the leagues top pass rushers. He had 7+ sacks and 36 quarterback hits with the Miami Dolphins last season and he looked impressive in the preseason.Harrison and Hankins are the run stuffers in the middle and JPP can create havoc, even with his fireworks-mangled right hand.Lets just wait until Sunday, Vernon said when asked how good the defense could be. I know if I were a fan I would just be anticipating Sunday.Dallas will be a test for the defense. It has one of the leagues top offensive lines, talented receivers in wide out Dez Bryant and tight end Jason Witten and promising running backs in rookie Ezekiel Elliott and Alfred Morris. The question mark is rookie quarterback Dak Prescott, who is replacing the injured Tony Romo.Prescott was outstanding in the preseason, but he now must perform when it counts, against a defense which will try to confuse him.Spagnuolo said the Giants have been talking to their scouts and players about Prescott. Collins played for Alabama against Prescott and Mississippi State.However, the job is to defend against the Dallas offense.With this team that we are playing, its not all about bringing people, Spagnuolo said. If we dont stop them from running the football, first, well never get to that other stuff. I know people are talking about confuse the rookie quarterback.Well the confusion in a rookie quarterback is more when you can get him behind schedule. If they are ahead of schedule and all he has to do is hand it off and play action passes, there isnt anything we can do to confuse that.Game notes Dwayne Harris was treated for heat exhaustion after practice. ... Thompson, who returned to practice this week after hurting his shoulder in the second preseason game, believes he is ready to play in the opener. ... Casillas (ribs) and Thompson were limited at practice for the second straight day.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: http://twitter.com/AP-NFL Cheapest Kyrie Shoes . - Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco is not a fan of his teams use of the wildcat formation, saying "it makes you look like a high school offence. Air Max 720 Clearance . -- Teemu Selanne scored the first goal of his 22nd NHL season, and the Anaheim Ducks extended the best start in franchise history with their fifth straight victory, 3-2 over the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night. http://www.wholesalenikeshoesclearance.com/cheap-max-1-shoes.html . All of the scoring came in the final 20:04. Lucic scored on a power play at 15:46 of the third period, when he tipped a shot over Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen for a 3-1 lead. Air Max 270 Black Wholesale . Laudrup revealed Thursday he was notified of his dismissal in "the briefest of letters which gave no reasons why such hasty and final action was deemed necessary. Cheap Air Max 95 Wholesale . -- Linebacker Myles Jack ran for four touchdowns, defensive end Cassius Marsh caught a scoring pass, and No.Steve Howey is backing Newcastle to get six points from their next two games and thinks the belief brought by Rafa Benitez will keep them up. Benitezs side face Crystal Palace on Saturday before travelling to Villa Park the following weekend and then hosting Tottenham on the final day. Rafael Benitez has brought belief to Newcastle, according to Howey Howey has seen enough from his former side in recent games to believe that they have turned the corner and he is convinced their renewed belief can see them escape the relegation dogfight. Rafael Benitez is the only reason why Newcastle have a chance of staying in the Premier League, according to John Beresford He told Sky Sports Now: In the first couple of games, I didnt see much improvement under Rafa Benitez but in the last few games, you can see the effect he has had on them.dddddddddddd Spotlight on Benitez Can he ensure Newcastle will be back next season? I think one of the biggest changes has been the mindset. If you look at the last three results - a great comeback at Liverpool, the draw with Manchester City and the win over Swansea - the key word is belief, both in themselves as individuals and as a team. Newcastle came from 2-0 down to secure a point at Anfield Theyll beat Palace, who will have one eye on the cup final and because Newcastle have that momentum. They will go on to beat Aston Villa the following weekend as well. Then they finish the season against Tottenham and they might lose that one.Norwich will go and Sam Allardyce of course has never been relegated, but I think Newcastle can turn it round, I really do. Also See: Newcastle have it all to do Newcastle fight delights Rafa Newcastle rally for point Newcastle video ' ' '