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Preseason is a time for new beginnings - the chance to start afresh with a belief that anything can happen. Jim Clancy Jersey . That was certainly true for Toronto FC as they opened up their training camp in Bradenton last week. The troubles and uncertainties that surrounded the club in recent years have been replaced by a new hope and optimism after an incredible offseason transformation that has included the signings of three new Designated Players, Jermain Defoe, Michael Bradley and Gilberto. I was in Florida for Torontos first training session. The energy and enthusiasm was on a completely different level compared to other years. Perhaps the biggest difference is that the squad has already been assembled and most of the key pieces are already in place. A far cry from a year ago, when Nelsen was heading into his first coaching job with a preseason squad filled with trialists. "Its a wee bit different, Ive got to admit," Ryan Nelsen told me after training in Bradenton. Its nice to have a proper squad together all pulling in the right direction. As you can see by today, the work ethic is there, the character is there and everybody is extremely excited." The difference compared to 12 months earlier is evident in all areas, but especially in personnel. Over half of the squad currently in Florida were not with the team for preseason in 2013. However, Nelsen and the players are talking up the fact that the core of the team that finished the season is still in place. "We havent changed that much, weve probably changed the same as most teams, but weve done it in big names so it makes it even more dramatic. But thats what we had to do with this club. Thats why what we did last year had method in our madness. Weve got some big names and we will have to gel them in, but its a progression and we have to keep moving the club forward." The theme Nelsens rookie season as head coach was "short-term pain for long-term gain," and things have now changed quickly. With multi-million dollar signings amongst a re-shaped squad, expectations are high. But after dealing with a tumultuous first year with the club, Nelsen laughed off the suggestion that there is pressure on him to find a winning formula quickly. "Theres absolutely no pressure," he said. "Whenever you put yourself in a situation where youve brought in good players, everybody else thinks there is expectation but for us we just try and improve every day. In everything we do, we try to become perfect. Whatever people think from outside we dont really care." "I knew the league last year but we didnt have the right pieces to be successful. Now I think we are moving in the right direction, but Im still learning as well. Ill always keep learning. When I stop learning I may as well give up," he said. Theres a new face heavily involved in Torontos training sessions this preseason. Englishman Adrian Lamb has joined the club as Fitness Coach. He has previously worked with Newcastle United, Preston North End and Aston Villa, and he was at Blackburn Rovers during Ryan Nelsens time as a player at Ewood Park. Nelsen told me Lambs preparation and attention to detail is immaculate, and that was easy to see during my time in Bradenton. He has very clear ideas of what he wants from the players and was impressive in the way he communicated to them. Lamb will bring a very professional approach to the teams conditioning this season and will be a key addition to Nelsens staff. In 2013, Toronto FC won just six matches and missed the playoffs by 20 points, but Nelsen and his staff have now been handed the tools they need to turn the ship around. The foundation for success will be laid over the next six weeks, as Nelsen and Co. make sure their team is ready to hit the ground running when the season opens in Seattle on March 15th live on TSN. Alex Gonzalez Blue Jays Jersey . The incident occurred at 6:28 of the first period in Anaheims 6-3 home win over Dallas on Sunday. Garbutt left the penalty box and skated at Penner before leaving his skates to deliver a check. Luke Maile Blue Jays Jersey . Smith, who raised eyebrows at the CFL combine in March with his ability on both sides of the ball, confirmed in a statement he tested positive for the anabolic steroid Stanozolol prior to auditioning for league officials.FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- In his second season, Julio Jones had more than 1,000 yards receiving, reached the Pro Bowl and scored two touchdowns in the NFC championship game. So what part of his game is he looking to build on in Year 3? "All around," he said. "The coaches are doing a good job with me, just moving me around, putting me in spaces to make plays -- in the backfield, in the slot, out wide, whatever the case may be, depending on who we are playing." Getting the ball to Jones will be a priority for the Falcons, who fell just shy of the Super Bowl last season and have as talented a group of skill-position players as any team in the NFC. Jones, Matt Ryan, Roddy White, Tony Gonzalez and free agent acquisition Stephen Jackson have a combined 23 Pro Bowls. In the preseason, however, those five players have not played together, and none are expected to see the field on Thursday against the Jaguars. Jones missed the first preseason game with hamstring issues, and White hurt his ankle early in the second preseason game. Gonzalez missed all of training camp and the first two preseason games to spend time with his family, leaving the receiving group in flux in the preseason. But this is the third season White, Jones, Gonzalez and third receiver Harry Douglas have been catching passes from Ryan, so the chemistry should be there once the season starts against the Saints on Sept. 8. "Its really not that hard," Jones said. "I just go out and do my thing. Everybody is moving around and learning the offence. We dont want the defence to be able to key on one guy." Jones feels playing only parts of two preseason games, assuming he sits out Thursday, is sufficient to preepare him for the season. Vernon Wells Jersey. . "It is enough. The coaches do a great job coming out here and getting our conditioning in," Jones said. "However much work the coaches feel like we need to get ready, thats what well do." Much has been expected of Jones since the Falcons traded five draft picks for the right to select him with the sixth overall pick in the 2011 draft. The deal was a good one for the Falcons, as Jones has progressed from 54 catches as a rookie to 79 last season. In the NFC championship game, Jones had 11 catches and a career-high 182 yards in addition to his two touchdowns against the 49ers. That game ended in a 28-24 loss, and the Falcons are ready to get 2013 started. But Jones stuck to the script on Tuesday, saying you cannot look to the regular season until the preseason is over. "NFL is one game at a time," he said. "You can never look forward, because thats how you get beat. You dont want to start that habit." Notes: Asante Samuel, Stephen Nicholas and Roddy White missed practice on Tuesday. ... The Falcons are 1-10 in the past three preseasons, and 36-12 in the past three regular seasons. ... Coach Mike Smith said one of the final battles for a roster spot is at linebacker, where Paul Worrilow and Joplo Bartu are competing and both figure to see a lot of action against the Jaguars. ... A top play from practice was a Julio Jones stop-and-go pass from Matt Ryan that beat rookie defensive back Robert Alford. Worst play was a fumbled handoff from Ryan to Stephen Jackson that Osi Umenyiora scooped up. ... Smith anticipates Matt Bryant will be healthy enough by the first game to enable the Falcons to keep just one kicker. ' ' '