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DETROIT -- Jeff Bower is returning to the NBA, this time to join the front office of the Detroit Pistons. Detroit announced Tuesday that Bower had been hired as the teams new general manager, part of an off-season overhaul in which Stan Van Gundy was hired last month as the coach and team president. Bower was the coach at Marist College last season, but he resigned that position Monday. "Im excited to join the Pistons organization and play a role in helping this franchise build on its great basketball tradition," Bower said in a statement. "I look forward to working with Stan, his staff and everyone in the Pistons organization to put together a team that the community can support and be proud of. Im also excited about ownerships commitment to winning and their demonstrated commitment to the community." The Pistons called a news conference for Wednesday to introduce Bower. Bower has been a general manager and coach in the NBA, holding both those positions with the New Orleans Hornets in 2009-10. "Jeff brings great basketball knowledge and NBA experience to our organization and hes enjoyed success in building teams," Van Gundy said. "Hes a great evaluator of talent and Jeff will bring solid leadership to our front office." Bower was the general manager of the Hornets from 2001-03 and again from 2005-10. Marist went 12-19 this past season under Bower, which was a two-game improvement from 2012-13. "I have a lot of respect for Jeff and the job he did in his time at Marist," athletic director Tim Murray said. "He laid the foundation for the program moving forward and I feel that this is a great opportunity for our next head coach. I wish Jeff the best of luck as he leaves Marist for a very specific and compelling NBA opportunity." The Pistons went 29-53 last season, missing the playoffs for a fifth straight year. That was the end of Joe Dumars tenure as team president. Van Gundys coaching is well respected -- he went 371-208 in seven-plus seasons with Miami and Orlando -- but now hell have the added responsibility of handling personnel matters. Its rare for one person to have that much control in the NBA, so Bower may play an important role in shaping the franchises future. Max Kepler Jersey . - The Denver Broncos kept rookie wide receiver Tavarres King from joining the Green Bay Packers by promoting him to their active roster Tuesday. Rod Carew Jersey . So much so that even a simple foul pop up to the first baseman turned into a run. Houstons four-run rally in the ninth inning to beat the Seattle Mariners 6-4 on Monday night was capped by a bizarre play that started as Crowe fouled out to first baseman Justin Smoak with runners on second and third. http://www.authentictwinsgear.com/.com) - The Denver Nuggets snapped a losing streak last time out and will try to carry that momentum Saturday night when they welcome the Indiana Pacers to the Pepsi Center. Bartolo Colon Jersey . Not sure yet. #livetweetingthegreatuntangle — Strombone (@strombone1) April 17, 2014 Stage three, coping: I feel like I could use a cigarette or something. Glen Perkins Jersey . On the day the club activated Casey Janssen from the 15-day disabled list, his return from a strained oblique that cost him the first six weeks of the regular season, it announced Sergio Santos would be placed on the disabled list on Monday with discomfort in his right forearm.JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The rebuilding Jacksonville Jaguars are hoping to get several instant starters in the NFL draft. They could be at just about any position — except quarterback. Although owner Shad Khan said the team would draft as many as two signal callers, general manager Dave Caldwell made it clear that none of the quarterbacks in this years draft is ready to step in and play right away. Not even for Jacksonville, which already has made Chad Henne the starter for 2014. "I think the majority of this (quarterback) class has a ways to go," Caldwell said. The Jaguars have the third overall pick in Thursday nights first round — selecting in the top 10 for the seventh consecutive year — and 10 choices thereafter. With a roster still being overhauled after winning just six games over the last two seasons, Jacksonville would prefer to trade down from No. 3 and garner even more picks. If not, the team likely will address an area of need, possibly selecting versatile Buffalo linebacker/defensive end Khalil Mack or dynamic Clemson receiver Sammy Watkins. Jacksonville signed Seattle defensive ends Chris Clemons and Red Bryant in free agency, and re-signed defensive end Jason Babin, but all of them are at least 30 years old. Mack would fit perfectly in Jacksonvilles hybrid Leo position and give second-year head coach Gus Bradley a young pass rusher to potentially become the centerpiece of his defence. Watkins would provide one of the leagues worst offences a big-time playmaker and help offset the loss of suspended receiver Justin Blackmon. Caldwell said last week he would be surprised if Blackmon, suspended indefinitely for repeated violations of the leagues substance-abuse policy, played next season. The Jaguars are likely to address the quarterback position in later rounds, possibly 39th overall. Caldwell, Bradley and offensive co-ordinator Jedd Fisch had a private workout with quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, opting to take a second look at Louisvilles star after his oft-criticized pro day. "We just wanted to make sure on what we were seeing and compare that to tape," Caldwell said. "His (pro day) was a very strict workout and wasnt tailored to what our offence would be, so we did a workout similar to our offence. "I dont know manny years where theres a lot that come out and are definitely ready," Caldwell said of the QBs.dddddddddddd "Andrew Luck came out and he was ready. Matt Ryan, when Matt came up, he was truly ready and he proved he was. But to say were going to get this guy in and hes going to be ready to go doesnt happen that often." Aside from the quarterback quandary, here are five things to know about Jacksonvilles draft: TRADE TALK: Caldwell said two teams have called to talk about potentially trading for the No. 3 pick. He declined to identify the teams, but said hes more likely to find a trade partner if Houston and St. Louis pick from the top two spots. He didnt rule out Jacksonville moving up, even in the first round. "If somebody we really want is there, we will go after him," Caldwell said. DRAFTING NEEDS: If any team could preach drafting "best player available" in every round, it would be Jacksonville, which has numerous holes. But Bradley acknowledges the draft is more about filling needs. "Is it really best available?" he said. "We say best available, but is it? No, need obviously plays into it. I think its best available if someones there and its like, Are you kidding me? Hes here? Then you have those conversations of, Weve got to take this guy." OBVIOUS HOLES: There are at least two offensive positions the Jaguars are sure to draft, aside from quarterback: centre and receiver. Veteran centre Brad Meester retired after 14 years in Jacksonville, and the team doesnt anticipate having Blackmon next season. Jacksonville signed Pro Bowl centre Alex Mack to an offer sheet, but Cleveland matched the five-year, $42 million deal. ANOTHER OT? After drafting Texas A&M offensive tackle Luke Joeckel with the No. 2 overall pick last year, could Jacksonville go in the same direction? With Auburns Greg Robinson, Michigans Taylor Lewan and Texas A&Ms Jake Matthews all projected as top 10 picks, the Jaguars are at least trying to make it appear they are interested in adding another offensive tackle at No. 3. "That would be a big step for us in getting better on the offensive line," Bradley said. OFF THE BOARD: The Jaguars have taken 36 players off their draft board because of injury or character concerns. Wholesale Hoodies NFL Shirts Outlet Jerseys NFL Wholesale Cheap NFL Jerseys Free Shipping Wholesale Jerseys Cheap Cheap NFL Jerseys China Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '