Pirate Galaxy » e team, Babineaux said.Im blessed to be here for

The Cleveland Cavaliers, following their 2016 NBA Championship win, were invited to the White House to meet President Barack Obama, as is tradition for all sports teams who win a national championship.On Thursday, Cavs players explored the halls of the presidents famous home.J.R. Smith made sure to grab a selfie of him and his wife before they arrived at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.To watch the Cavs meet President Obama, you can tune in to Facebook, where the Cavs are broadcasting their visit live.--Meaghan Latella Custom Bills T-shirts . Now, with Game 6 set for Fenway Park and an 8:07 p.m. ET first pitch, the Detroit Tigers face the unenviable task of having to beat the Boston Red Sox twice, on the road, to advance to the World Series. Custom Bills Jersey China . -- The proud fathers huddled near the Dallas Stars dressing room, smiling, laughing and telling stories while wearing replica green sweaters of their sons team. http://www.custombillsjersey.com/ Custom Ed Oliver Jersey . 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TAMPA, Fla. -- Mike Smith is headed back to Atlanta, this time as defensive coordinator of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.The ex-Falcons coach is excited about the trip, though not because hes facing his old team for the first time since being fired two seasons ago.The winningest coach in franchise history when he was let go in December 2014, Smith spent a year away from the NFL before joining one of his former Atlanta assistants, Dirk Koetter, in trying to transform the Bucs into playoff contenders.Koetter, in his first season as coach of the Bucs, and Smith, 66-46 in seven seasons with the Falcons, both reject the notion that returning to the Georgia Dome on Sunday will be special for any other reason than its the regular-season opener.The duo said so much has changed since they left that their familiarity with players remaining on the roster from the Smith regime is only a minimal advantage.Obviously for me and Mike, were both two years removed, so theres less and less guys that theyve kept, Koetter, who spent three seasons as Smiths offensive coordinator in Atlanta before moving into the same role with the Bucs in 2015, which means this weekend actually will be the third time hes gone against the Falcons since his departure.Theres some guys that are the same, but I think my emotional time with that is passed, Koetter added. We have to look at this as a football team. This is a divisional game on the road to open the season. ... Im just worried about what our team does.Smith led the Falcons to two NFC South titles and four playoff berths, including an appearance in the 2012 NFC championship game. He fell out of favor over his last two seasons in Atlanta, going 4-12 in 2013 and 6-10 in 2014.The 57-year-old jumped at the opportunity to join Koetter, who reached out to his old boss after Tampa Bay promoted him from offensive coordinator to first-time NFL head coach when Lovie Smith was fired after last season.The former coach sees a parallel in the challenge he faced in Atlanta, which drafted quarterback Matt Ryan in 2008, and the situation Koetter inherited with the Bucs, who have second-year quarterback Jameis Winston.This is a quarterback-driven league. Theres no doubt about it. And I think Jameis is an outstanding quarterback, Smith said Thursday. Hes got some great traits on the field, but hes also a great leader.And when you have that, I think it puts you a step ahead of the teams in the league. Werre all trying to have the best possible football team, and I think it starts with the quarterback position.dddddddddddd So I do see some similarities, definitely.Smith joked that hes had a lot of sleepless nights lately, preparing to face a Falcons offense led by Ryan, receiver Julio Jones and running back Devonta Freeman.Theyre three really outstanding football players, and if they get going, they can make it be a long day for you. Weve had an opportunity to put in our preparation and now we have an opportunity to go in and play and see how we execute, said Smith, adding that the transition from head coach to defensive coordinator hasnt been as difficult as some might expect.I sleep better at night, thats the first thing. Its been enjoyable, Smith said. Its been refreshing to be a little bit more hands-on in a smaller group that youre dealing with. These guys have been great.Not only the players, but the coaches and our support staff. Its been fun to get back to just worry about Xs and Os and not having to worry about things outside of that.Like Smith and Koetter, the Falcons are playing down the significance of opening the season against familiar faces.Once youre out there playing -- and Im sure they would say the same thing -- youre competing. Its just like any other week, Ryan said. I know theyll be well coached. Thats probably the biggest thing going into it. I know theyll be well prepared on both sides of the ball.Coach Dan Quinn and defensive lineman Jonathan Babineaux agreed that when the game begins, all that matters is how well the teams play.You always face former coaches and former teammates, week in and week out. Its the way the league is. Nobody ever really stays on the same team, Babineaux said.Im blessed to be here for 12 years now. But it really doesnt happen anymore these days, the tackle added. Ive got a lot of regard for Dirk and Smitty and what they did in the past here. I think theyre going to have a successful program over there.But Sunday is about the Atlanta Falcons. Theres a lot of new guys in this locker room who werent even here when they were here. So its really no rivalry. Its just a great divisional battle.---AP Sports Writer Paul Newberry in Atlanta contributed to this report.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '