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PITTSBURGH -- For a player who believed he was being targeted by the NFL after being fined five times last season, new Pittsburgh Steelers free safety Mike Mitchell has transformed his attitude and his style of play. "Ive adjusted to the new rules changes," Mitchell said Thursday, "and just looked forward to playing clean football and not getting fined this year." After four seasons with the Oakland Raiders and one with the Carolina Panthers, Mitchell is expected to earn a starting role in the Steelers secondary this season. Though Mitchell might have toned down his heavy-hitting ways, he still plans to make an immediate impact in due to his ball-hawking skills. The Steelers had just 10 interceptions last year, 29th in the NFL, while Mitchell had four picks in one season with Carolina. "I guess I made some big plays, but that was just me sticking my toe in the water," Mitchell said. "I expect to make even bigger and better plays this year, and I have a great guy to learn from in Troy Polamalu. . I dont know if Ill be jumping over the centre, but I do plan on taking the ball away." Thats been a major issue in recent years for the Steelers, who havent created more than 20 turnovers in a season since 2010 even as they have remained near the top of the league in yards allowed. Mitchell isnt wasting any time getting settled during the first organized team activities. "I had a great break on a ball today and should have picked it, but A.B. (Antonio Brown) did a good job getting his hands up there," Mitchell said. "I should have brought it down. . Shamarko (Thomas) is leading the way with one pick, but I should have had one, too." Thomas, a fourth-round pick last year, has not been able to get on the field often enough to make the kind of splash plays the team so desperately needs, but expects to have more opportunities this season. "Sure, I want to do a lot more this year," Thomas said. "I have three veteran safeties to learn from in Troy, Mike and Will Allen. Mike, he brings a lot of athleticism to the group, and hes made some great reads on the ball." Mitchell has played for three teams in three seasons, but the six-year NFL veteran believes there are some good points to go with the bad ones. "Its bad, because Ive had to leave some good friends behind," said Mitchell, who turns 27 next month. "But its good, because Ive been able to have a lot of different experiences, playing for different coaches and different schemes. Thats why this transition . Coach (Dick) LeBeaus defence isnt easy, but Ive actually picked it up fairly well." Mitchell believes playing in so many different defensive systems may actually be to his advantage. "In Oakland, I felt like I played for three different teams in four years, because we were always changing head coaches," Mitchell said. "So, learning a new scheme is nothing thats too different for me. I think that Ive handled it well. (And) I made a couple plays this week, but theres many more to be made." NOTES: The Steelers signed CB Shaquille Richardson from Arizona, their fifth-round pick, and have five of nine draft choices under contract. ... The top four picks are still unsigned, though they should come into the fold soon. Pittsburgh will free up $8 million in cap space when the March release of linebacker LaMarr Woodley officially hits the books. ... The club signed two players Thursday and released two. They signed rookie free agent offensive lineman Emmanuel McCray and claimed cornerback Deion Belue off waivers from the Miami Dolphins. ... To make room on the roster, the Steelers released offensive linemen Nik Embernate and Kaycee Ike. Air Max 1 Sale Cheap . After just two league games in June, Toronto (6-4-1) will go on to play seven in July plus a friendly against Tottenham. 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CHICAGO -- Hyun-Jin Ryu is trying to get back on the mound as soon as possible. If that happens to be in a playoff game for the Los Angeles Dodgers, so be it. Ryu had a cortisone shot on Monday to address inflammation in his shoulder and hopes to begin a throwing program this weekend. The 27-year-old left-hander was removed from his start last Friday at San Francisco after just one inning. "I feel a lot better than when I first felt the pain, obviously," Ryu said before Los Angeles 14-5 victory at the Chicago Cubs on Friday. "Just preparing to come back soon, this is my goal. "Ive been working out obviously without throwing and hurting my shoulder even further. But right now, this is the direction and I cant really say when I foresee myself to come back." Ryu is a key part of the rotation for Los Angeles, which is looking for its second straight NL West title. Entering Fridays ggame at the Cubs, the Dodgers had a 2 1/2-game lead over second-place San Francisco.dddddddddddd Los Angeles clinched a playoff spot when Milwaukee lost 4-2 at Pittsburgh on Friday night. Ryu is 14-7 with a 3.38 ERA in 26 starts after he won 14 games in his first season a year ago. Manager Don Mattingly said its too early to tell when Ryu might return to the rotation, and the pitcher said he will be just fine if his next start comes in the playoffs. "If I am healthy enough to pitch, I can pitch any game," he said through a translator. Ryu also went on the disabled list in May with shoulder inflammation, but he thinks he will be able to return more quickly this time because of the shot. Ryus simple delivery also could accelerate his return to the mound. "That makes me feel a little better. Once he doesnt feel pain and starts throwing, hes pretty much ready," Mattingly said. ' ' '