Kathryn Smith always wanted to pursue a career in sports, and that goal translated to the historic move of becoming the first full-time female coach on an NFL staff. Earlier this year, she was named the special teams quality control coach for the Buffalo Bills.We talked to Smith about her role in the Bills organization, how women can break into coaching in the NFL, and how she handles being the first full-time female coach in the history of the league. Also, what would she do to improve womens standing in the league if she were commissioner for a day?This interview has been edited for length.espnW: Do you think players treat you differently from the other coaches?Kathryn Smith: I really dont. Its not like I see them interacting with other coaches in a certain way and then being completely different when they interact with me. I feel I get a mutual amount of respect. You know, Im quality control, Im on the lower rung, so Im not out there yelling at players to do this or that. But if Im asked my opinion or if I see something I want to point out, I can say it, and its not like its dismissed. I feel like my opinion is valued.espnW: What is your typical day like?KS: Its mostly breaking down film of our previous game and film of our future opponents, getting the game plan ready for meetings, and helping out the special teams coaches in practices. Basically, I assist them in all the prep work. Its a one game, one week, one season at a time kind of approach.espnW: What has been the most difficult part of being the first full-time female NFL coach?KS: Honestly, all of the added attention. Its odd, being an entry-level coach, because Im just trying to get my work done -- not that its been necessarily bad, but its been something that other men in my position havent had to deal with on a regular basis.When I step back and look at it, the reaction is understandable, but its not what we expected. I think it was a bigger deal outside of the [Bills] organization because no one knew who I was. Here, it wasnt a big deal. Id worked with [head coach] Rex [Ryan], and some of the other players and coaches before.espnW: How do you shut out negative comments you hear from fans in visiting stadiums?KS: As much as you cannot hear it, I dont hear it. But at the same time, fans are heckling everybody. I havent felt like its been extra worse for me, and its not like Im the only one getting heckled. Theyre yelling at all of us as we come out of the tunnel. All you can do is tune it out and focus on the game.espnW: How does your presence on the coaching staff make the Bills better than or different from other teams? What makes having you on staff unique?KS: My hope is that its the work ethic that I bring -- doing my job and paying careful attention to detail. If I can do that better that someone else in my position, then were at an advantage.espnW: What advice would you give to a woman whos trying to break into NFL coaching?KS: My advice would be: Get in where you can and do what you can to the best of your ability; work hard and be persistent, but also be patient because its not going to happen overnight. I know I keep saying this, and it sounds cliché, but its important: If you do the best job, thats whats going to help you advance. Its all about whos doing a better job, because ultimately teams just want to win.espnW: If you thought it would improve your chances to get into the NFL, would you go the college coaching route?KS: I think for anyone, if you think something is going to help you advance your position then, yeah. Really, at any level, if its going to get you more experience and get your foot in the door, its definitely worth it. For me, Ill always look at each opportunity as it comes up and see what makes the most sense, and what would be the best fit.espnW: If you could be commissioner for a day, what would you do to give women more opportunities in coaching?KS: To me, its important that its an equal footing thing. I think women should get the same opportunities for doing the same amount of work to get there. You shouldnt not get a job because you are a woman, but at the same time you shouldnt just get a job because you are a woman.I think I would do something at the entry-level side of things, like internships, to help women grow and develop the same way men get to. I think in the long run that would be the best way to do it because it would be a more organic way to progress.espnW: Do you think there are opportunities for women to break into NFL coaching staffs?KS: When you look around the league and other organizations, youre seeing more women on the field. Maybe not necessarily on coaching staffs, but as trainers and in a variety of departments at the organization level. Im not the only woman on staff here who works with the players. Its growing. You can see it more at the college level, and its translating to the NFL. And I think it will continue to grow and move in that direction.espnW: Does the public have a misinformed opinion of what locker rooms and coaching staffs are like?KS: There are women around the players in all aspects, and its not as extreme as its made out to be. There are incidents here or there that get all the attention, and thats not the way it is for most of the time. It hasnt been my experience with the players. They are great guys.I mean, if you have 53 guys on a roster, maybe one guy says or does something. But you could take 53 of any type of the population and the overwhelming majority act like adults and are professional. Custom Mel Ott Jersey . With the short-handed Warriors needing help from someone -- anyone -- to stop a three-game skid, ONeal returned from right knee and groin injuries that had sidelined him for four games and put up season highs with 18 points and eight rebounds. It was just enough to help lift Golden State to a 102-101 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night. Custom Giants Jersey China . It just didnt show when he hit the ice. Berra made 42 saves and Kris Russell scored at 1:32 of overtime, lifting the Calgary Flames to a 3-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday night. http://www.customsfgiantsjersey.com/ . It was just business as usual for the Thunder at home. Durant scored 32 points and the Thunder beat the Bulls 107-95 on Thursday night for their eighth straight win. Custom Giants Jerseys . In the response filed Wednesday to the complaint by 30-year-old Alexander Bradley, attorneys say the former University of Florida player is invoking his Fifth Amendment right that protects people from incriminating themselves. Authentic Custom Giants Jersey . Irving scored 23 points, Tristan Thompson had 20 points and 10 rebounds and the Cavaliers beat the Denver Nuggets 117-109 on Friday night.INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indianapolis Colts are trying to improve their running game. Ahmad Bradshaw is just the latest piece of the puzzle. The Indianapolis Colts signed the unrestricted free agent on Tuesday, adding a veteran running back to their crowded backfield. He will join the team Wednesday under a contract whose terms were not disclosed. The 27-year-old Bradshaw spent seven seasons with the New York Giants, but left the team in February -- one of a handful of high-salaried players released as part of roster purge intended to clear up salary cap room and bring in younger talent. He ran for 1,015 yards on 221 carries (4.6 yards per carry) and scored six touchdowns last season but missed four games with injuries. Bradshaws focus is rehabbing from right foot surgery in January. He visited the Colts last week and got an evaluation by the team after battling injuries to his knee and foot for much of last year. "Im taking it slow right now," he said. "Im definitely going to continue my rehab. My focus is just to learn the offence and to get healthy and to be prepared for training camp and the beginning of the season." Still, Colts coach Chuck Pagano likes what Bradshaw can add to the team -- Super Bowl experience, toughness, and putting up big numbers running the ball. "Signing a player like Bradshaw, his resume obviously speaks for itself," Pagano said. "We know hes coming off foot surgery, hes trending in the right direction. This guys just another horseshoe guy, get us one step closer to hoisting that trophy." As the Colts opened their mandatory mini-camp, Bradshaw figures to battle with second-year running back Vick Ballard, who led the team in rushing as a rookie, for a prime role in the backfield and with Donald Brown, now in his fifth year. Delone Carter is also in the mix. "He brings just a veteran presence," Ballard said of Bradshaw. "Hes won two Super Bowls, so obviously he knows how to get it done. He can not only help the team, but he can help the running back group as a whole." Indy now has eight running backs on the roster, including seventh-round draft pick Kerwynn Williams and fullback Stanley Havili, who was acquired in a March trade with Philadelphia. Williams is listed at 5-foot-8, 195 pounds. But the other backs have a combined total of six NFL carries, all by Havili last season. In seven seasons with the Giants, Bradshaw played in 84 of 96 games, starting 33 and rushed for 4,232 yards and 332 touchdowns.dddddddddddd He is best known for scoring the winning touchdown in the Super Bowl two years ago on an awkward flop. The play gave the Giants a 21-17 victory over New England. Other than drafting Williams in the seventh round and trading for Havili, the Colts didnt make any significant moves in the backfield. Pagano has made a point to make the running game stronger and more balanced and have made moves to get there. Last year, Indy was No. 22 in the league rushing at 104.4 yards a game. Pagano said hes wanted a solid rushing attack from day one. As a rookie last year, Ballard led the team in rushing with 50.9 yards a game and just two touchdowns. Bradshaw knows Ballard has earned a big role with the Colts, but wants a shot at the top spot, too. "I like having the load on my back," he said. "But Vick, hes proved himself and I dont mind coming in and helping those guys out as much as I can." Indy spent much of the off-season fortifying its defence and an offensive line that gave up far too many hits on Andrew Luck last season. The Colts signed nine veteran free agents including right tackle Gosder Cherilus and guard Donald Thomas. Those are just additions to an already experienced front lineup that includes tackle Anthony Castonzo who is "perfecting technique" to help the game on the ground. "Every lineman loves the run game," he said. "If you can get into the game and control the run game and just pass when you have to, thats the best game for the offensive line. Everybody loves the run game." So whats the identity the Colts would like to instil? Castonzo recalled last years 19-13 overtime win against the Tennessee Titans where Indy had a more balanced game with 171 yards rushing and 297 passing. Sure, Indy showed spurts of success running the ball last year, but never found consistency running the ball. This season, its a must. "We have to get it going," receiver T.Y Hilton said. "You cant be one dimensional and just pass because defences will sit on that. Once we get Vick, Donald and the running game going, we should be excellent." And now Bradshaw, who will just add to the mix. "I feel this offence is young and they need a spark and I can be that spark they can use," he said. "With me, I feel that I can touch the ball every down and be effective." Notes: After announcing they had signed Bradshaw, the Colts said they had waived running back Denodus OBryant. ' ' '