FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The New England Patriots needed help on defence so they added three experienced players at midseason.Turns out theyre also solid students.Linebackers Akeem Ayers and Jonathan Casillas and defensive tackle Alan Branch dove into coach Bill Belichicks complex playbook then produced on the field.Were putting guys into play, right into the mix, Patriots cornerback Darrelle Revis said Thursday. Im sure that can be a hassle coming from another team and then a whole new playbook is in front of you, but youve got to give credit to those guys.Now they can help the Patriots (10-3) clinch the AFC East title with a win or tie against the Miami Dolphins (7-6) on Sunday.A season-ending right knee injury to defensive captain Jerod Mayo in the sixth game left the Patriots thin at linebacker. So they made two trades.Before the eighth game, they obtained Ayers and a seventh-round pick in 2015 from Tennessee for a sixth-rounder that year. Before the ninth game, they got Casillas and a sixth-round pick in 2015 from Tampa Bay for their fifth-rounder that year.Then on Oct. 29, one day after the Casillas deal, the Patriots signed Branch. He had been cut by Buffalo on Aug. 24, the day after he was arrested on a drunken-driving charge, but the main factor was performance in the decision to release him, Bills coach Doug Marrone said.All three played less than a week after joining the Patriots.Ayers, a second-round draft pick by Tennessee in 2011, started 43 of the 48 games he played in his first three seasons. But he was inactive for five of seven games with the Titans this year when they switched to a 3-4 scheme.In his first game with the Patriots, just four days after the trade, he had a sack against Jay Cutler of Chicago. In the next game, he sacked Denvers Peyton Manning. And last Sunday night, his fourth start with New England, he intercepted a pass by Philip Rivers in a 23-14 win at San Diego.Just being able to move around sometimes and just being able to do different things on defence, I really enjoy it, Ayers said.Hes getting more comfortable with the system but still has a lot to learn.I just try to narrow it down as much as I can, he said. Im pretty much learning on the go and I understand Im going to make mistakes out there and there are going to be a few things that arent perfect, but (I) just know that I can fix those mistakes and try not to make them twice.Both he and Casillas also have produced on special teams.Casillas signed with New Orleans as an undrafted free agent in 2009 and started just eight games in three seasons with the Saints. He was a backup in Tampa Bay last season before starting three of his five games with the Buccaneers this season.His approach to a different playbook is simple.Its really no secret, Casillas said. If you care what youre doing, you just have to put the extra time in. Ive been putting in a little extra time with (linebackers coach) Pat Graham and even with Akeem.Branch was a second-round pick by Arizona in 2007 and started 13 games for Buffalo last year. But he didnt attend any of the Bills voluntary spring practices this year then failed his conditioning in training camp.They definitely helped me out with the cardio program they have here (to) just make sure Im able to compete with the other guys for longer than a couple of plays at a time, he said. Im definitely appreciative of the chance theyve given me.And he, Ayers and Casillas have given back.All three of those players have definitely helped us, both with their playing time, their performance and Id say the rapid pace at which theyve picked things up, Belichick said.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP_NFL Richard Dent Jersey . The top-ranked Spaniard won his fourth Madrid Open on Sunday after Kei Nishikori was forced to withdraw with a hip injury when trailing 2-6, 6-4, 3-0 in the final. And Nadal, who is coming off to uncharacteristic quarterfinal losses on clay, said his mental strength is still lacking just two weeks ahead of the French Open. David Montgomery Jersey . Onyshko, from Minnedosa, Man., will compete in artistic gymnastics while Hanet, from Kelowna, B.C., will compete in lawn bowling as a para-athlete. "It is exciting that our Canadian athletes are starting to arrive at the Games Village," said Chantal Petitclerc, Canadas Chef de Mission. http://www.cheapbearsjerseysauthentic.com/?tag=authentic-gale-sayers-jersey . -- Ben Bishop had a milestone game against one of the NHLs greatest goalies. Brian Urlacher Jersey .com) - Nino Williams posted 18 points and seven rebounds, as Kansas State edged No. Devin Hester Jersey . -- A deflected pass that landed in DeSean Jacksons hands.Liam Sutcliffe insists the Leeds players are raring to go as they look to arrest their alarming slump when in-form Hull visit Headingley on Friday night. The Super League champions are second from bottom after winning just two of their first 10 matches and their last three defeats have been at the hands of last years bottom four teams.Sutcliffe, one of only three players to have started every match so far as injuries continue to devastate Brian McDermotts squad, says there were signs in last Saturdays 14-10 defeat at a much-improved Salford that the Rhinos are close to turning the corner. It was very disappointing to lose again but there were many positives, especially from where weve been at the last couple of weeks, Sutcliffe said.Were not panicking. We know were not in a great position but everyone is still confident in the teams ability and what we can do.You cant dwell too much on the past because it wont do you any good. You beat yourself up at the weekend but, come Monday morning, everyone is ready and raring to go again. It will come good. Returning star Robert Lui inspired Salford City Red Devils to a 14-10 win over fading Super League champions Leeds Rhinos The 21-year-old Sutcliffe was earmarked as their heir-apparent to Kevin Sinfield but, after making his comeback from a seven-month absence with a knee injury in the opening game of the season, admits things have not gone to plan.He found himself pushed out to the threequuarters for the last two games after Ryan Hall, Tom Briscoe and Joel Moon joined the clubs injury list but will be back at stand-off against Hull following skipper Danny McGuires return to the sidelines with a quad problem.ddddddddddddI was really looking forward to lining up with Danny McGuire this year, Sutcliffe said. Getting injured in the first game didnt help, plus I was trying to get back into the swing of things.Theres a whole bunch of things thats not gone right, personally and team wise, but hopefully we can pick up.Leeds have won their last nine home meetings with Hull, whose last win at Headingley was in September, 2007, but Lee Radfords men are riding high and aiming for a sixth successive win.However, they will still be without the injured Gareth Ellis and Mark Minichiello, while Carlos Tuimavave is also out after suffering a groin injury in last weeks warm-up. Hull FC are looking to claim six wins on the bounce on Friday night at Leeds Leeds Rhinos squad: Hardaker, Watkins, Burrow, Galloway, Falloon, Jones-Buchanan, Ablett, Sutcliffe, Delaney, Singleton, Garbutt, Keinhorst, Achurch, Mullally, Handley, Golding, Baldwinson, Lilley, Smith.Hull FC squad: Bowden, Fonua, Green, Hadley, Houghton, Manu, Michaels, Naughton, Paleaaesina, Pritchard, Pryce, Shaul, Sneyd, Talanoa, Taylor, Thompson, Watts, Washbrook, Yeaman.Watch Leeds v Hull FC from 7.30pm on Friday on Sky Sports 2. Watch the action for £6.99 with a NOW TV day pass. 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