JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Cornerback Jalen Ramsey was the cant-miss draft pick. Defensive tackle Malik Jackson was the $90 million free agent. Pass-rusher Dante Fowler Jr. was the key piece returning from injury.Rookie Yannick Ngakoue is having as big an impact as any of them for the Jacksonville Jaguars this season.A third-round pick from Maryland, Ngakoue has a team-leading three sacks, three forced fumbles and an interception that set up a touchdown. And the Jaguars (1-3), who have a bye this week, believe hes just getting started.Every year in this league you have guys stepping up and things like that, so its no surprise, Jaguars linebacker Telvin Smith said.You cant look at a piece of paper or a draft pick or what his check is and say, `This guy is going to be this. Thats what I love about this league: Youve got to go out and re-prove yourself every Sunday, every Monday, every Thursday.Every time you step on that field, you have to say, `This is who I am. And right now, hes doing a great job of it.Ngakoue is one of eight NFL players to notch at least one sack in each of the past three weeks. He also has a forced fumble in three straight games, and now leads all rookies in both categories. His three sacks tied him with Kevin Hardy (1996) for the most by a rookie through four games in franchise history.Its not surprising to us because he works like that in practice, coach Gus Bradley said. The cool thing is that he is carrying it over, and if there is a time where he gets stuck or blocked, it doesnt frustrate him to the next play. He recovers quickly and he has been playing at a high level.Ngakoue (pronounced In-GACK-way) played at a high level as a junior at Maryland. He set a school record with 13+ sacks and ranked second in the nation in sacks per game.The Jaguars viewed Ngakoue as a perfect fit at the teams pass-rushing Leo position behind Fowler, the third overall pick in the 2015 draft who missed his rookie season because of a knee injury.Its an important spot in Bradleys 4-3 scheme and one the Jaguars failed to fill the previous three years with Jason Babin, Jeremy Mincey, Chris Clemons, Andre Branch, Ryan Davis and Chris Smith.Jacksonville parted ways with Clemons and Branch after last season, clearing the way for Fowler to step right into a starting role. But they needed a backup.First-year defensive coordinator Todd Wash felt Ngakoue could be the guy, maybe even more.It was a situation where I was standing on the table earlier in the draft for him, Wash said. I loved him coming out. I know his temperament, his ability and I think youre starting to see more. ... We really like what weve seen in the draft and what were getting right now out of him.The revamped Jaguars rank sixth in the NFL in total defense, averaging 304.5 yards a game, and insist the unit is only going to get better the longer the new faces continue to jell.Ramsey has been better than anyone expected, starting from Day 1 and basically shutting down top receivers every week.Jackson has provided consistent pressure up the middle, keeping quarterbacks in the pocket and providing the catalyst for many of the teams 12 sacks. Fowler has been solid, too, with two sacks and several big plays.Ngakoue has been just as good, especially considering he hasnt been on the field nearly as much.Got to play with a chip, Ngakoue said. Always underestimated and always out to prove something each and every day. Just because I made it to this level, its not the end. Its just the beginning. Thats my mentality each and every day.Its a good approach to have, especially as a rookie whos had some early success.The Jaguars love it, almost as much as they do his past three performances.His first step is really good, Wash said. He can cover some ground vertically. He has the ability to lean and bend. He not only is a speed guy, but has enough man in him to be a power rusher also. You cant be a one-trick pony when youre rushing the passer, so were very excited about him.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: http://twitter.com/AP-NFLBuffalo Sabres Gear . -- Josh Sterk scored once and set up two more as the Oshawa Generals edged the visiting Belleville Bulls 3-2 on Friday in Ontario Hockey League action. Sabres Jerseys 2021 . The quest begins with what is supposed to be an easy one, although Germany has traditionally been a stubborn opponent to Canadian teams at international tournaments. https://www.cheapsabres.com/ . LOUIS -- Valtteri Filppula assisted on three of Tampa Bays four goals, and the Lightning beat the St. Custom Buffalo Sabres Jerseys .25 million option on reliever Jose Veras. Fake Sabres Jerseys . A lawyer for MLB, Matthew Menchel, confirmed Wednesday the league dropped its case against Biogenesis of America, its owner Anthony Bosch and several other individuals. The lawsuit had accused Biogenesis and Bosch of conspiring with players to violate their contracts by providing them with banned performance-enhancing substances. NEW YORK -- The New York Islanders moved quickly at the start of NHL free agency, signing forwards Andrew Ladd and Jason Chimera but losing longtime stars Frans Nielsen and Kyle Okposo.Ladd agreed to a seven-year, $38.5 million contract Friday, and Chimera comes to New York on a two-year, $4.5 million deal.Nielsen signed for six years with Detroit. Okposo is headed to Buffalo on a seven-year contract. Matt Martin signed a four-year deal with Toronto.Ladd totaled 25 goals and 21 assists last season in 78 games for Winnipeg and Chicago. The 31-year-old left wing was dealt to the Blackhawks at the trade deadline. He had eight goals and four goals in their playoff push, and one goal and one assist in Chicagos first-round loss to St. Louis. He has 210 goals and 256 assists in 12 seasons.Though New York is losing some of its key players, Ladd believes the team is still headed in the right direction.I think any team with John Tavares on it and the goaltending and the defense that the Islanders have, theyre very close, he said. Im looking forward to the challenge of helping this team get to the next level and thats the Stanley Cup.Both Ladd and Chimera have ties to Islanders assistant coach and assistant general manager Doug Weight. As a rookie in 2005-06, Ladd played with Weight on Carolinas Stanley Cup winner. Chimera came up with Edmonton and made his NHL debut with the Oilers in 2000-01 -- Weights last season there.Ladd, who also won the Cup with Chicago in 2010, was given a tour of Long Island by the Islanders on Thursday and came away impressed.As a visiting player you dont get a great idea of what Long Island is and what there is to Long Island, he said. Obviously the new practice facility that they have now, those are all things I had never seen before. Just to see what theyre doing there was pretty cool and then seeing the surrounding areas. Its a beautiful area and a great place for a guy with the family.The 37-year-old Chimera had 20 goals and 20 assists for Presidents Trophy-winning Washington during the season and a goal and an assist in 12 playoff games. He has 163 goals and 206 assists overr 15 seasons.ddddddddddddIm pretty motivated to win, thats all I really care about, he said. I wanted to get on a team that had a chance to win and I felt the Islanders have the best shot at that.The Islanders are coming off a successful first season in Brooklyns Barclays Center after spending the franchises first 43 years at Long Islands Nassau Coliseum. They overcame injuries down the stretch to earn a playoff berth for the second straight year, and third in the past four, while reaching the 100-point mark in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1982. New York then beat Florida to win a postseason series for the first time since 1993 before losing to Tampa Bay in five games in the second round.You see the way they play every night out, Chimera said. I just like the makeup of their team. Theyre knocking on the door every year and hopefully I can get them over that hump.He also looked forward to playing with his fellow newcomer.Having his competitiveness and just what he brings to the rink every day, hes a great leader in his own right, Chimera said of Ladd. When you add a guy like that with skill and grit it makes your team that much better.Chimera said he wasnt concerned with the Islanders routine of practicing on Long Island and playing games in Brooklyn.I talked to (Islanders defenseman) Johnny Boychuk about it ... and he really had nothing bad to say, Chimera said. Youre playing hockey for a living so its not the worst thing in the world to have different scenarios. ... Whatever setup you have in the NHL is pretty damn good.The Islanders also re-signed forward Shane Prince, acquired at the trade deadline, to a two-year deal.The first day of free agency also marked the first day of the Islanders new ownership structure, with Jon Ledecky and Scott Malkin taking over the majority stake in the team under a deal agreed to in 2014. Charles Wang, who bought the team in 2000, retains a minority stake.---Follow Vin Cherwoo on Twitter at www.twitter.com/VinCherwooAP ' ' '