Bayern Trupp » The 5-11, 205-pound ballhaw

DENVER - Josh Kroenkes slip of the tongue even made Arron Afflalo smirk. The Denver Nuggets president explained Monday how he has closely "Afflalowed" the shooting guards two seasons in Orlando, before reacquiring him in a draft-day deal last week. "Afflalowed? I have followed," Kroenke quickly modified to laughter, "Arrons career since he left here." Theres no mistaking this: Afflalo has developed more of an all-around game since the Nuggets dealt him to the Magic on Aug. 10, 2012, as part of the blockbuster four-team, 12-player deal that also involved Dwight Howard. Back then, Afflalo was viewed as a defensive specialist with a solid jumper. Now, hes got more of a shooters mentality. So much so that Kroenke introduced him as a "new Arron Afflalo." "Arron took a lot of steps in his own growth over the time he was here and has since taken more steps," Kroenke said. "Im proud to see him doing the things hes been doing down in Orlando." The 28-year-old Afflalo is coming off a season with Orlando in which he averaged career highs in points (18.2), rebounds (3.6) and assists (3.4). He also made 128 3-pointers. This season, he will be reunited in the backcourt with Ty Lawson, who was one of the first to congratulate him after the trade that sent promising young point guard Evan Fournier to the Magic, along with a pick. "I want to continue to improve as a player," Afflalo said. "Im going to do my job, work hard this summer to put myself in the best position." In some ways, Afflalo feels like he never really left the Nuggets as he always kept close tabs on his former team. And yet plenty has changed in his two-year absence. Namely, George Karl being replaced as coach by Brian Shaw. Afflalo is ready to take on whatever role Shaw has for him, whether its as a scorer or simply being Afflalo the leader. "My job is to make sure Im capable of getting that job done," Afflalo said. "I have no problem doing whatever coach asks of me." Thats the way he was with Karl, too. Afflalo couldve been a different type of player — more of a scorer, perhaps — in his first go-round with the Nuggets. But thats not what they needed, especially in the years when they had Chauncey Billups and Carmelo Anthony on the floor. "There are probably a lot of things I probably could do back then," said Afflalo, who will wear No. 10 for Denver this season. "But its not my job to come in here and prove I could score points with the lineup I was starting with three years ago. "These days, Im a lot more confident all over the court, whether its posting up, shooting 3s, being available in the fourth quarter, being someone you can rely on in the fourth quarter." As for his defensive tenacity, that will always be a source of pride with him. "Thats part of being a complete player," he said. "I expect to be at a high level on both ends of the court." J.J. 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Rooneys latest piece of football genius lost in the furore which now stalks David Moyes, and the man who gave the Manchester United striker his start as a 16-year old at Goodison Park back in 2002.BEREA, Ohio - Defensive end Phil Taylor will not be part of the Cleveland Browns push for the playoffs.Taylor was placed on injured reserve Friday with a right knee injury that will require surgery, ending his season after just five games.The 6-foot-3, 335-pounder missed four games earlier in the year following an arthroscopic procedure on the same knee, but coach Mike Pettine said the current injury is unrelated to it.Its unfortunate because Phil did give us a spark last week in Cincinnati, and we will miss him out there, Pettine said. At the same time, we know this is something that definitely needs to be corrected, so were shutting Phil down.The coach said Taylor did not damage his anterior cruciate ligament during Clevelands 24-3 win over the Bengals on Nov. 6, but declined to reveal specifics. The victory allowed the Browns to move into first place in the AFC North with a 6-3 record.Third-year pro Billy Winn is expected to start in Taylors spot Sunday when Cleveland hosts the Houston Texans at FirstEnergy Stadium.You guys know Phil, this is a huge loss for us, Winn said. Hes super energetic and he brings all the guys together, whether its from a detailed, focused standpoint or from an enthusiastic standpoint.It stinks, but injuries are a big part of the game and I think we have the guys to carry the flag for him.Taylor has been a fixture on the Browns defensive line since being a first-round pick in 2011, starting 42 of 44 games with 140 tackles and seven sacks.The Baylor product sprained his right knee Oct. 5 at Tennessee and underwent surgery three days later, only to be hurt again in his comeback against Cincinnati. Taylor will have another operation next week, but Pettine said he should be heallthy for the start of training camp.ddddddddddddPhil Taylor is a special player, just look at his pedigree and the man-in-the-middle mentality that he brings, said safety Tashaun Gipson, who leads the NFL with six interceptions. Thats tough to come by, which is why hes definitely going to be missed, especially since were on a roll right now and fighting for the playoffs.Cleveland also will be without Pro Bowl tight end Jordan Cameron (concussion) and safety Johnson Bademosi (concussion) against the Texans, but could have Gipson in the lineup.Gipson has not practiced since being diagnosed with a concussion following the Bengals game, but was cleared to resume non-contact activities Friday. The 5-11, 205-pound ballhawk has an NFL-high 11 interceptions since the start of last season.I feel good mentally and physically, but I respect the whole concussion-protocol process, so its in the doctors hands and in Gods hands, Gipson said. Its important to be out there because we can go 7-3 and set ourselves up in a real good position.Its about me helping the team, and Im confident that I can do whatever I have to do to get on the field.NOTES: Cameron will miss his third straight game, and Pettine admitted there is no timetable for his return. The free agent to be has incurred three concussions in the last 23 months. You dont know, its a tricky thing, Pettine said. Its obviously a touchy subject, and I defer very much to the medical staff. . LB Keith Pough, a first-year pro from Howard, was signed to fill the roster spot vacated by Taylor. ... The Browns have not made the playoffs since 2002 and last finished with a winning record in 2007.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '