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FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- While most of the preseason spotlight for the Patriots focused on who was missing at quarterback, there was just as much uncertainty surrounding the running back position.LeGarrette Blount was re-signed in the offseason after just missing his second career 1,000-yard season because of a late hip injury. In addition Dion Lewis, the teams primary receiving option out of the backfield, was working his way back from surgery for a torn ACL in his left knee.James White filled Lewis absence admirably at the end of 2015, though he clearly was still learning in just his second year in the league.But as the Patriots (10-2) prepare to head into what should be their toughest four-game stretch of 2016, they suddenly find themselves with lots of options at a position once clouded with questions. They will be needed as New England closes the regular-season by facing three winning opponents over their final four games.All three running backs were showcased in New Englands 26-10 over the Rams on Sunday. Blount had the best day, adding to his growing highlight reel with to a juke-filled 43-yard touchdown for the games first score. It helped put the Rams in a hole they never really threatened to recover from.We always preach that we have to start fast, Blount said. If you can do that you know you can get everything else rolling, and you can open up the playbook and call the plays that we play.Blount has rushed for 957 yards and 13 touchdowns this season, which is already his most productive year in a Patriots uniform. Hes just 43 yards shy of reaching 1,000, and 51 yards from surpassing the career-best 1,007 he had as a rookie in 2010 with Tampa Bay. If he reaches 15 touchdowns, it also would set a new single-season mark for a Patriots running back.Lewis made his second start Sunday since returning to the active list on Nov. 13. He continued to look comfortable on his surgically-repaired knee, moving well into cuts after receptions. White was also in the mix, posting his fourth straight game with at least four receptions.With the newfound depth, the Patriots coaching staff also has shown its willingness to try out some two-back sets featuring the smaller Lewis and White. It appears to be proof that New England feels it has the personnel to keep defenses guessing.I think its like anything else we do, Belichick said. Whatever formations and groupings we run and plays we run, we try to gain an advantage and where we think we can gain advantage we try to take advantage of it.That could certainly change game to game, he said, based on the looks that defenses show them. Just having that flexibility, though, should help keep all three backs fresh as the playoffs approach.It will be even more important as the Patriots make adjustments in the passing game with tight end Rob Gronkowski now on injured reserve following season-ending back surgery. Receiver Danny Amendola became the latest injury victim Sunday when he left the game with an ankle issue. He was seen afterward walking with crutches.Whatever challenges lie ahead, Blount said he and his teammates would adjust as needed.Football does start after Thanksgiving here, he said. We have to kick it into gear and we have to do all the things that we need to do and take the necessary steps to make sure that we continue to play good football.---Follow Kyle Hightower on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/khightower---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Jimmy Garoppolo Jersey .J. -- Pitcher Carl Pavano is retiring after 14 major league seasons. George Mira Jersey . -- The Portland Timbers and Real Salt Lake played to a 0-0 tie Saturday night that left the top of the Western Conference standings unchanged. http://www.custom49ersjersey.com/custom-vernon-davis-jersey-large-1988d.html . At a Manhattan federal court hearing, attorney Jordan Siev said his law office has gotten more evidence nearly every day to support its lawsuit accusing MLB and Selig of going on a "witch hunt" to ruin Rodriguezs reputation and career. He said the defendants went "way over the line. Frank Gore Jersey . LOUIS -- Attorneys for the St. Solomon Thomas Jersey . Nathan MacKinnon, Jamie McGinn and Jan Hejda also scored for the Avalanche, who won despite being outshot 38-23. MacKinnons goal, also on the power play, came with just over a minute remaining. A slumping Andrew Wiggins and the tendency to give up big runs have plagued the Minnesota Timberwolves recently.Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns are coming off their best defensive showing of the season and would love to keep Wiggins slumping.The struggling Western Conference foes meet for the first time Friday night when Minnesota visits Phoenix.Minnesota (4-10) is on a three-game losing streak since a blowout home win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Nov. 17. During those games, the Wolves have averaged 86.6 points in losses to the Memphis Grizzlies, Boston Celtics and New Orleans Pelicans.Wiggins has made nine of his last 48 field goals in those games dropping his field goal percentage from 49.1 to 43.5. He also has gone 0 of 11 from 3-point range in the last three games and going back to the fourth quarter of Minnesotas last win, Wiggins is 0-of-13 from long range.You know, it happens, Wiggins told reporters. I went to the gym yesterday and put up some shots and my shot felt good. The good thing about it, my shot felt good today and I just missed.Wiggins was 2 of 19 Wednesday and Karl-Anthony Towns was held to a season-low nine points during Wednesdays 117-96 loss at New Orleans. It also continued a trend of allowing a big run at a key moment.In Memphis, the Wolves gave up 14 straight points when they were deadlocked at 48 in the third quarter. Against the Celtics on Monday, Minnesota blew a 15-point lead by allowing 19 straight points bridging the third and fourth. In New Orleans, the Wolves gave up a 26-4 run after being tied at 57 and were never in the game the rest of the way.We have to play tougher, Minnesota coach Tom Thibodeau said. Same thing -- foul trouble, eight-point lead, we dont close out the second quarter well and it snowballed in the third quarter. We have to keep looking. We are not playing any defense.Same thing, different day, Towns said. We have to fix it.The same thing, different day applies especiallly to third quarters.ddddddddddddMinnesota gave up a 36-18 third quarter Wednesday and has been outscored by a league-worst 8.3 points in the third.The Suns (5-11) traveled 6,182 miles on a six-game road trip and won twice. They ended the trek by holding the Orlando Magic to 36 percent shooting in a 92-87 win on Wednesday.Im very pleased with how unselfish they were, Suns coach Earl Watson said. They played selfless, and it showed on the defensive end. People always think unselfishness is from offense and Oh, he passed the extra pass. Its defensively because defense, you cannot rest, you cannot hold back your energy. You have to give your all.It marked the fourth time since the start of last season Phoenix held a team under 90 points.This was our best game of the season, Suns guard Eric Bledsoe said. I thought we were locked in defensively and we played well as team.Bledsoe was part of a three-guard starting lineup that included Devin Booker and Brandon Knight. The Suns started their trio of former Kentucky guards for the second straight game and they combined for 39 points.Alex Len collected 17 points and 12 rebounds and recorded three doubles-doubles in four games in place of Tyson Chandler at center. Chandler has missed four straight games and eight of the last nine following the death of his mother.While Chandler is expected to return Friday, T.J. Warren will not be available. Warren has not played since exiting Fridays win at Indianapolis with an illness and the Suns announced he will be out for a few weeks with a minor head injury.The teams have split the season series in the last two years although the Suns have won 18 of the last 26 meetings. In the last meeting on March 28, Wiggins and Towns combined for 59 points and Minnesota blew a 20-point lead but held on for a 121-116 home win. ' ' '