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PITTSFORD, N.Y. -- Buffalos youth movement continued on Monday when the Bills released longtime kicker Rian Lindell. Lindell, the most accurate kicker in franchise history, was let go after 10 years in Buffalo. His release means that rookie Dustin Hopkins has won the teams kicking competition. "Its always tough when you have to release a player like Rian Lindell," coach Doug Marrone said. "A true professional thats obviously been with the organization for quite some time. And I have a lot of respect for him." Lindell leaves Buffalo with a field goal percentage of 83.3. He connected on 225 of 270 field-goal attempts here. Lindells status with the Bills had been in question the past two years. Buffalo has drafted kickers in each of the past two drafts, Hopkins and John Potter. Hopkins, 22, had significantly more power on his kicks throughout training camp than Lindell, 36, who relied more on his accuracy and consistency from shorter distances. And Marrone felt that Hopkins took control of the competition as camp progressed. "I think in the past 10 days Dustin has performed better," he said, "so we made a decision to go with Dustin." Lindell was the longest-tenured Bill prior to his release. He joined the team as a free agent in 2003 after spending his first three seasons with the Seattle Seahawks. He had a slow start to his Bills career, converting 17 of 24 field goal attempts his first year. But he recovered, and his name is at or near the top of most Bills kicking records, as a result. He holds a franchise record for consecutive PATs (225) and is second in teams scoring with 980 points. A sixth-round pick out of Florida State, Hopkins had mixed emotions on the release. "I find myself kind of in a paradox," Hopkins said. "This is something Ive worked my whole life for ... but at the same time, its kind of the bad part of pro sports, parting with a guy that Ive got a lot of respect for and have admired watching for a long time, and has meant so much to the community." One of Lindells first actions after being released was to congratulate his competitor and former teammate. "The first guy that I heard from today before I heard anything was Rian just saying he was wishing me luck and he wanted the best for me and he was happy for me," Hopkins said. "I think thats just an accurate representation of the kind of guy he is, just not bitter or anything like that but genuinely happy for a guy that hes only known a few weeks." Hopkins has impressed with his leg strength ever since joining the Bills, but he has battled consistency issues. In the preseason, he has connected on all four field-goal attempts, and has three touchbacks on seven tries. "Ive felt a lot more comfortable here recently just with the tempo and getting used to practices and games," Hopkins said. "For the most part, my mechanics are good. Im breaking down film and making sure Im documenting why I feel like Im feeling better and being successful. And I think thats all just part of trying to be a pro." ---- NOTES: Receiver Stevie Johnson said after practice that he will return to game action this Saturday against the Washington Redskins. Johnson, battling a left hamstring injury, had extensive work on the practice field Monday. After practice, Johnson said he was anxious to test the leg against another team but cautioned that he is not yet back to 100 per cent. "Ill be out there on Saturday just to see how everything feels as far as game speed," Johnson said. "It actually is not healed yet. Its a work in progress." ... The Bills are 2-0 this preseason and have allowed just 36 points. Ray Boone Jersey . 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Johny Hendricks vs.Italy won its fourth Fed Cup title Sunday, sweeping past a Russian team that was without any of its top players because of injuries and scheduling conflicts. No. 7-ranked Sara Errani cruised past Alisa Kleybanova before Flavia Pennetta and Karin Knapp won the doubles. Errani needed less than an hour to win 6-1, 6-1 against the No. 183-ranked Kleybanova, who has only recently returned to the circuit following treatment for Hodgkins lymphoma. Pennetta and Knapp beat newcomers Margarita Gasparyan and Irina Khromacheva 4-6, 6-2, 10-4. "Its down to a marvelous team and above all the fact that we are always united," Errani said. "We are very happy. It was a very good week for us. I am happy with how I played today." Italy was favoured after Russia travelled without any of its top players, some because of injuries and a scheduling conflict with the season-ending Tournament of Champions in Bulgaria. However, Roberta Vinci and Errani struggled at times before beating Fed Cup debutants Alexandra Panova and Khromacheva, respectively, on a difficult opening day Saturday to give Italy a commanding lead. Panova was scheduled to play Errani but Russia captain Shamil Tarpischev opted to replace her with the more experienced Klleybanova.dddddddddddd The 24-year-old, who was ranked 20th before her battle with cancer, was given a warm reception as she walked onto the court. Errani, who dropped just two games and earned five breaks. A stunning drop-volley handed Errani two match points and although Kleybanova saved one, she netted a volley on the second. "I knew I had to play yesterday after the two matches," Kleybanova said. "But there was no sort of pressure on me. I tried to do my best, but this is the first official match Ive played on clay since 2011. I tried to do my best but Sara was really in form. "(Corrado) Barazzutti is a captain who really understands his role. Hes certainly one of the best. And the girls are really close to each other. They have so much respect." Italy is now tied with Russia with four Fed Cup titles, one behind Spain. The United States leads with 13, followed by Australia and Czech Republic with seven titles. Captain Corrado Barazzutti tied Vicky Berner, Billie Jean King and Miguel Margets with four titles as captain. "Sara was as ever a real champion," he said. "They were all brilliant and I have to thank everyone who contributed to this project and this success." ' ' '