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Zach Collaros was a coveted prize ahead of the CFLs upcoming free agency period on February 15. Giacomo Bonaventura Jersey . And the bidding season began early when the Toronto Argonauts chose to release their backup quarterback Wednesday. But, ultimately, the 25-year-old Cincinnati product came to a quick decision on his future, as Collaros signed a deal with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats that will have him in Steeltown through 2016. The team announced later in the day that they had released their incumbent QB Henry Burris, who has since been offered a substantial multi-year deal by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, according to TSNs Farhan Lalji. “I cant wait to work with [Hamilton head coach Kent Austin], and the talent [Hamilton] already have on their roster,” Collaros told TSN Thursday, before flying to Hamilton for a team physical and press conference Friday morning. Both Hamilton and Winnipeg contacted Collaros hours after he was released by the Argos. Collaros left the negotiations to his agents, Mike Simon and Greg Diulus, and decided to focus on discussing his potential place in both the Ticats and Bombers offence. Collaros said speaking with Austin, the Grey Cup-winning quarterback and head coach, was like revisiting his college recruitment process. After Austin first spoke to Collaros Wednesday, the quarterback told TSN he was leaning "heavily" toward signing with Hamilton. Collaros came to a decision Wednesday night. “It wasnt a long process. It was kind of a crazy 24 hours. I couldnt be happier where I am,” Collaros said. “Coach Austin is an unbelievable coach. “We talked pretty extensively, and he did a really good job of recruiting. Who hes worked with, obviously the numbers the quarterbacks under him have put up, and the success hes had winning games; it was kind of a no brainer when it came down to it.” Winnipeg was long considered the frontrunner to sign Collaros, especially after Ottawa Redblacks GM Marcel Desjardins insisted he would take no free agents during Decembers dispersal draft —opting instead for veteran quarterback Kevin Glenn, and B.C.s Thomas DeMarco - and Calgary re-signed both Drew Tate and Bo Levi Mitchell. Nevertheless, several CFL sources insisted Hamiltons interest in Collaros extended back before the Ticats advanced to the 101st Grey Cup.  And now that Austin has signed the player he wants, 38-year-old Henry Burris is looking for a new starting job, again. “The first thing I would say is [Burris] is a little sad,” Burriss agent Chris Gittings told TSN. Gittings said there had been discussions “off and on” between the Ticats and Burris about a new contract before the start of the 2013 season.  “[Burris] understands how professional football works, and coming up on free agency we were prepared that anything could happen. It just means in [Burriss] amazing career he is going to have a new chapter.” Austin spoke directly to Burris about his release Thursday morning, but the veteran pivot didnt share Austins reasoning, if any, to his agent. Burris threw nearly 5,000 yards in 2013, despite sharing snaps with Dan LeFervour and Jeremiah Masoli. But Gittings never heard Burris express any frustrations. “Kent does a good job in that system, and there is a lot to like about it in terms of rotating quarterbacks,” Gittings said. “I never heard any complaining from Henry about it. You just dont hear any complaints from Henry, period." After being traded by Calgary before the 2012 season, Burris threw 10,292 yards, tossing 67 touchdowns and 37 interceptions in two season in southern Ontario. “Look at how [Burris] has played over the last two years," Gittings said. "Look at how he played in the Eastern Final [against Toronto]. That doesnt lie. It is tough to say its an exaggeration. He has played among the top quarterbacks in the CFL year in and year out, and the last two years have been fantastic years from him.” Gittings did not deny widely-reported interest from the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and insisted other teams have shown interest in Burris, although he would not name or number any other suitors. “For any team out there that is looking to get a starting quarterback or upgrade their starting quarterback position you would think they would be interested in Henry,” Gittings said. Nonetheless, Collaross arrival in Hamilton does not necessarily mean he is automatically the Ticats starter.  Austin did not explicitly tell Collaros where he falls on Hamiltons quarterback depth chart, which still includes LeFevour, and Masoli, as well as former NFLers Stephen McGee and Brian Brohm. “[Austin] really didnt discuss [who Hamiltons starter will be],” Collaros said. “It was just moreso:  ‘We want you here in Hamilton, and ‘We think its a good situation for you.” Although the market for starting pivots this CFL offseason was admittedly slim, Collaross stock rose with several impressive displays in 2013. With Toronto star quarterback Ricky Ray out with a knee then shoulder injury, Collaros started seven games, appeared in 14 games, and threw 2,316 yards with 14 touchdowns and six interceptions. He led Toronto to a league-record four-game, road win streak between late August and late September. After his obligations in Hamilton Friday, Collaros will head back to his offseason home in Ohio, but will immediately commit time to return to Hamilton in the spring to start his work with Austin and Ticats offensive coordinator Tommy Condell. “Im looking forward to meeting anybody and getting to work,” Collaros said. Claudio Marchisio Italy Jersey . -- Augusta James of Bath, Ont. http://www.socceritalyfansshop.com/Simone-Zaza-UEFA-EURO-Italy-Jersey/ . The Toronto Maple Leafs forward and Nashville Predators goaltender highlighted Mondays waiver transactions, with Calgarys Chuck Kobasew and Edmontons Philip Larsen also being placed on waivers.ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter is about ready to rejoin the team after being sidelined earlier this month by a strained right calf. Yankees manager Joe Girardi said before Saturday nights game against Tampa Bay that barring a setback, Jeter will be back with the team Monday in Toronto. Jeter broke his left ankle in the AL champioonship series in October and missed the first 91 games this year. http://www.socceritalyfansshop.com/Francesco-Acerbi-UEFA-EURO-Italy-Jersey/. Since then the 13-time All-Star, who is hitting .211 (4 for 19) with one home run and two RBIs, has spent time on the DL with a strained right quadriceps and the calf injury. The Yankees captain is on a minor league rehab assignment with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys China NFL Cheap Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' ' 

What stands out to you the most from your draft-day experience?

Nat Moore: “I thought I was going <a href="http://www.newpatriotssale.com/nfl-new-england-patriots-replica-stephen-gostkowski-jersey-3-on-sale.html">http://www.newpatriotssale.com/nfl-new-england-patriots-replica-stephen-gostkowski-jersey-3-on-sale.html</a> to be a Cowboy. I was being chaperoned and entertained by a Cowboys scout to make sure I didn’t sign with the World Football League before the draft. Ironically, the one team that I didn’t talk to the whole time was the team that drafted me, which was the Dolphins in the third round.”

How did you celebrate being drafted?

Moore: “I was in Gainesville at my apartment. I was still in school. Back in those days you could stay in school and come in and go through the minicamp and then you finished up in June and then you came back in late July. I don’t <a href="http://www.officialbearsshops.com/shop-by-players-tom-waddle-jersey-c-2_46.html">http://www.officialbearsshops.com/shop-by-players-tom-waddle-jersey-c-2_46.html</a> remember doing anything special, other than kicking the guy out from Dallas.”

What did you do in preparation to help your draft position as far as special workouts, etc.?

Moore: “Nothing. I mean if I could play football then I could play football. If you didn’t look at the tapes and say, ‘Hmm, I think he can play,’ then I don’t know anything else I was going to do because I was doing that against the top competition in the SEC, the University of Miami and Florida State. I don’t think I could have shown anything I didn’t show already. If I went through college and proved I could play then going <a href="http://www.officialbengalssales.com/shop-by-players-brandon-thompson-jersey-c-1_11.html">Brandon Thompson Authentic Jersey</a> to all of these different camps, what’s it going to change? I’m not a big proponent of that. I think that sometimes because they go and they do that, they go through testing very well at the Combine, guys move up that are not players and then in the end teams get burned by that.”

Was there something about your interviews with prospective coaches before the draft that stood out?

Moore: “No, not really. I don’t even know what a Wonderlic test is. They checked out my health and talked to me about whether I’d be a wide receiver or a running back because I had been a running back and basically that was pretty much it.”

What was it like to know you were going to be coached by Don Shula?

Moore: “It was a dream come true to know that Don Shula was going to be my coach. I was a big Baltimore Colts fan prior to Coach Shula coming to Miami so I had followed his career. Plus, the Dolphins had won the previous two Super Bowls so that added to my excitement.”

What advice would you give to this year’s class of draft choices?

Moore: “The first thing is as soon as you <a href="http://www.officialbengalsshop.com/shop-by-players-thomas-gafford-jersey-c-2_101.html">Thomas Gafford Kids Jersey</a> can get that playbook, bury your nose in it. This is what you’ve worked for your whole life, and the only way you can really compete for a job is you’ve got to know what to do. Once you know what to do it allows you to turn loose your athletic ability. If you don’t you’re thinking and if you’re thinking the play’s over.”

Unintentionally, of course, Maria Sharapova and Novak Djokovic have injected the tennis scene with an overload of drama.When the Russian lost a gripping three-setter to Authentic Phillies Youth Jersey Eugenie Bouchard in Madrid on Monday, it was more than a run-of-the-mill defeat in a preparatory tournament before the second slam championship of the season. It was a bitter fight between two gritty antagonists, the winner stepping on to the moral high ground with barely disguised glee after previously calling Sharapova “a cheater” and echoing the sentiments that have been simmering in locker rooms around the circuit during her 15-month absence from the sport for using the banned drug meldonium.They went through the ritual handshake at the end of the match, naturally – not that it in any way disguised the animus between them. Sharapova barely cracks anyway and Bouchard kept it all very cool. However, she opened up later, giving vent to feelings that few have expressed so openly.“I definitely had some more motivation going in today,” she said. “I had never beaten her before and also given the circumstances. I actually was quite inspired before the match because I had a lot of players coming up to me privately and wishing me good luck, players I don’t normally speak to.”That last bit nails it: “Players I don’t normally speak to”. The locker room never sleeps, as Boris Becker continually reminds us, and there can be little doubt that Bouchard was playing with the overwhelming goodwill of her rivals to lift her game. She has had a pretty wretched time of it this season, so this was just the sort of match and result she needed to get back to her best level.And Sharapova, who will be offered a wildcard into next month’s Aegon http://www.authenticphillieshop.com/authentic-27-aaron-nola-jersey.html Classic in Birmingham, said: “I’d be pretty worried about myself if I sat here and said I was pretty happy with losing a tennis match, no matter who I faced, no matter what round it is. I’m a big competitor. Today was just not that day.” As for Djokovic, like Sharapova he is in limbo. He has just sacked his entire coaching team after a decade of tight-knit campaigning that has garnered him 12 slam titles, and he seems rudderless in every way. A lot of players – most, in fact – change coaches but this “shock therapy”, as he calls it, looks like an extreme over-reaction to something other than a mere dip in form. No doubt he will find his game before long; whether he can do it on his return to the French Open, where he hit a high point last year, is debatable.There are a few big-name options Djokovic could approach, including Jimmy Connors, who had an ill-fated one-match stint with Sharapova several years ago, John McEnroe, who briefly worked with Milos Raonic http://www.officialnikedolphinsshop.com/andrew-franks-jersey-for-sale-c-36.html last summer, and Andre Agassi, although he has been away from the hubbub of the game for so long he might find the grind too much. If Djokovic wanted to follow the example of Tomas Berdych – who picked up with Dani Vallverdu after the Venezuelan left Andy Murray – he might consider asking Stefan Edberg if he were interested, and find out exactly what it was the Swede brought to Roger Federer’s game in their two years together.The arrival of Ivan Lendl in Murray’s camp – originally in 2012 and latterly since last year, after the Scot split with Amélie Mauresmo – has beyond argument invigorated the coaching scene. Where once low-profile former pros helped out the stars, aided by Anthony Steen Jersey teams of physios and nutritionists, now the big beasts are a dominating presence. They bring not just their knowledge but also their aura. In Murray’s case it has worked wonders for him over the past year, as he clambered to No1 in the world at the very time Djokovic’s game was slowly deteriorating, albeit from a very high level.Lendl gives Murray the sort of stern-faced support that is a stark counterpoint to Mauresmo’s gentler approach and it has worked. And, just as Murray and Lendl empathised over their shared disappointments before getting a first slam victory, so Djokovic and Agassi might find common ground.Both have flown high and come to earth with a bit of a bump, the American’s a more severe landing, it has to be said – although Djokovic seems to be struggling with priorities over the past year or so if Becker’s testimony after leaving his employment in December is a true reflection of the Serb’s commitment to his off-court preparation.Becker, one of the game’s candid characters, said Djokovic did not seem to be putting in the necessary work to stay at the highest level after he completed his career slam at Roland Garros, and few would argue with that, because the former world No1 has often struggled for the consistency he once took for granted.If, as is strongly rumoured, Agassi is to be his chosen guide, it is unlikely the man from Las Vegas would be there for him for more than the four majors and selected Masters events, as he made it clear when it was suggested Nick Kyrgios could benefit from his vast experience that he wanted to spend his quality time with his family.Whoever Djokovic chooses – and whichever direction Sharapova moves in – this summer should be one of the most intriguing in the game for a long time.

TORONTO -- Zach Collaros wont have to wait until the start of CFL free agency to find out how much hell be worth on the open market. Brett Hull Red Wings Jersey . The Toronto Argonauts released the backup quarterback Wednesday, more than two weeks before Collaros was scheduled to become a free agent. Instead of having to wait until Feb. 15 to begin weighing outside offers, Collaros is free to start testing the waters immediately and sign with the team of his choice. The move wasnt a total surprise. Last week, Argos GM Jim Barker suggested Collaros would test CFL free agency rather than re-sign with Toronto prior to the deadline. Barker said he tried re-signing Collaros and remains very interested in having Collaros back with the club. But by releasing him now Barker hopes to gain clarity on Collaros situation by Feb. 15 rather than having to deal with that uncertainty once free agency begins. "Whats difficult is when you have a player who isnt sure how much he might be able to get on the open market," Barker said. "Thats more difficult than dealing with having other teams talk to him. "This has nothing to do with our relationship with Zach, we have a great relationship. He can now go and do the things he has to do to see where things are at and it will give us a little more clarity." Collaros, 25, was solid last season, posting a 5-2 record as the starter while incumbent Ricky Ray was injured. Collaros also started Torontos 23-20 regular-season finale loss to Montreal -- Ray didnt dress because the Argos had already clinched first in the East Division -- but was one of three quarterbacks to play that day. The second-year player was especially sharp in a 38-21 win over B.C. on July 30, finishing 21-of-25 passing for 253 yards and three TDs. On Sept. 21, he completed 25-of-36 attempts for 330 yards and four touchdowns in a 33-27 victory over Calgary. The six-foot-two, 216-pound Collaros finished the season completing 190-of-287 passes (66.2 per cent) for 2,316 yards with 14 TDs and six interceptions. He also ran 59 times for 246 yards and five touchdowns and will attract attention on the open market. One team in need of a starting quarterback is Winnipeg, which had three different starters en route to posting a league-worst 3-15 record. This off-season, the Blue Bombers also hired former Argos special-teams co-ordinator Mike OShea as their new head coach. The expansion Ottawa Redblacks, who begin play this season, will also look at Collaros but the expectation is GM Marcel Desjardins will do that with most available free agents. The franchise selected Calgarys Kevin Glenn and B.C.s Thomas DeMarco in last months CFL expansion draft and also has Matt Faulkner, who played collegiately at San Jose State, on the roster. Collaros availability could also make things interesting in Hamilton. Veteran Henry Burris guided the Tiger-Cats to a Grey Cup appearance last November but the 38-year-old is slated to become a free agent next month. If Burris doesnt return to Hamilton, that would leave the defending East Division champion with youngsters Dan LeFevour and Jeremiah Massoli along with former NFLers Brian Brohm and Stephen McGee under contract. Both the Bombers and Ti-Cats have been in contact with Collaross agent on Wednesday. Barker was also clear he still wants to re-sign Collaros. "Weve been trying to sign him and obviously he wants to go to free agency, which is totally his right," Barker said. "Were not going to pull out." If Collaros moves on, Barker feels Toronto will remain strong at quarterback in 2014. The Argos carried five passers last season -- Ray, Collaros, sophomore Trevor Harris and newcomers Josh Portis and Mitchell Gale. All but Portis saw playing time in 2013. "People forget Zach got the start (when Ray was hurt) but it was neck-and-neck with him and Trevor," Barker said. "Zach made the most of it and kudos to him for doing that. "Trevor Harris has been with us now for a couple of years, hes got a tremendous upside and both Mitchell Gale and Josh Portis have a year in the system, they understand the reads, they understand what it takes to be a quarterback in this offence. I think theres going to be great competition to be our No. 2 and No. 3 should Zach choose to go somewhere else." With files from TSN.ca Alex Delvecchio Red Wings Jersey . Unfortunately for the Cleveland Cavaliers, James Harden was in the building. Gustav Nyquist Jersey . Lost to Los Angeles in first round of playoffs.MONTREAL - It was an intense week at the Bouchard household as daughter Eugenie worked her way to the Australian Open semifinals. "We were yelling like idiots," Mike Bouchard, the players father, said Thursday of his daughters stirring win over Ana Ivanovic in the quarter-finals, which made her the first Canadian to reach the semifinals of a Grand Slam tournament since Carling Bassett-Seguso in 1984. It wasnt quite as frenzied at their Westmount, Que., home two nights later, when Bouchard bowed out with a 6-2, 6-4 loss to fourth-seeded Li Na of China in the semis. "It was also exciting, but in the first set Li Na came out strong and Genie was a little nervous," he said. "I felt for her, but she came back well in the second set. Overall, it was an excellent tournament." Bouchard stole the show in Melbourne, where a dozen or so local fans formed Genies Army to cheer her on and toss her stuffed Australian animals after her wins. Several commentators spoke of Bouchard, the 2012 Wimbledon junior girls champion, being the next big thing in womens tennis and a potential future Grand Slam tournament winner. Already, her results are expected to move her from 31st into the top 20 in next weeks rankings. And it has stirred ticket sales for her next appearance on home turf. She will play for Canada against Serbia Feb. 8-9 in a Federation Cup tie at the Claude Robillard Centre in Montreal. Eugene Lapierre of Tennis Canada, tournament director for the Montreal half of the Rogers Cup, said 500 to 600 tickets per day have been sold since Bouchards win over Ivanovic. The 4,000-seat venue will likely be sold out. And ticket sales have picked up for the womens Rogers Cup at Uniprix Stadium next summer, which is rare in January. "It will drag a lot of people out to come and watch her play," said Lapierre. "It will be interesting to see how she makes the switch from a Grand Slam and playing in a 20,000 seat stadium to the Claude Robillard here with 4,000. But it will be a lot of fun." Canadian tennis has been on a high lately with Milos Raonics rise into the top 10 in the world on the mens side and Vasek Pospisil also climbing in the rankings. Both made the Rogers Cup semifinals in Montreal last summer and led the Davis Cup team to a first-ever semifinal appearance. "Its phenomenal what Eugenie has done," said Lapierre. "I wouldnt say she opened the gates for Canada. The boys started that last year. "But its a new era thats started with the sport of tennis in Canada. Itll be tremendous for the promotion of the game in Canada. Thats our goal at Tennis Canada — to get more kids playing the game. Everyones talking about Eugenie, and thats bound to be good for the sport." Louis Borfiga, Tennis Canadas high performance director, said Bouchard could have a similar impact to Nadia Comaneci, the Romanian who drew slews of girls to try gymnastics after her stunning performance at the 1976 Olympiics in Montreal. Dylan Larkin Red Wings Jersey. Or the effect that Anna Kournikova and Maria Sharapova had on womens tennis in Russia. "It will enlarge the pool of players and that will produce more very good players," said Borfiga. "Thats the difference between Canada and countries like France and Spain — their pool of players is larger." Mike Bouchard, an investment banker, is fine with having a daughter who may be seen as a role model for young players. He doesnt even mind that she is quickly becoming a celebrity. "Its good for her," he said. "Shes put in so much work and effort. "If she can be an ambassador for tennis and help tennis grow in Canada, thats fantastic. If it becomes bigger than that — international stardom — good for her. She has a strong head. Shes well grounded, and I think shell be able to go through that unscathed." Mike Bouchard knew he had a special daughter when Eugenie was a young child. When she was 12, the family the moved to Florida so she could learn at an academy run by Nick Saviano, who remains her coach. She spent more than three years in Florida before returning to Montreal to work at the national tennis centre. "It was difficult to find players at her own level to play against, and we also wanted to expose her to international coaching," said Mike Bouchard. "It takes a lot of dedication. Everyone in the family chipped in." Eugenie has a fraternal twin sister Beatrice, an 18-year-old sister Charlotte and a 14-year-old brother William, so the move was a big commitment for all of them. It paid off when Bouchard became one of the worlds top junior players and then made a rapid rise in WTA rankings. The group cant go to every tournament and they elected not to go to Australia, where Eugenie lost in the qualifying tournament last year. But her father said he was tempted to jump on a plane when she reached the semifinals. "We never anticipated shed go this far in the first Grand Slam of the year, so we gathered the kids and some friends and we watched (on TV)," he said. "There was a lot of emotions when she was hitting some winners. We were screaming and laughing and encouraging her." He was a little taken aback at a bizarre question put to Eugenie by an on-court interviewer after the quarter-final. She was asked who shed most like to date. To the apparent displeasure of Genies Army, she named Canadian pop star Justin Bieber. "Youve got to get used to that if youre going to become a celebrity," Bouchard said. "I actually thought she answered pretty well. She said Justin Bieber with a question mark at the end. It was tongue in cheek." It became a little awkward when Bieber was arrested in Florida on Thursday for reportedly taking part in an early morning drag race. "I actually dont follow anything that goes on in his life," Bouchard said with a laugh. "But I did hear about that." 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Lord Derby’s controversial plan to build 400 homes at Hatchfield Luke Kuechly Womens Jersey Farm near the centre of Newmarket received a new lease of life on Tuesday when the high court quashed a decision by Sajid Javid, the minister with responsibility for planning issues, to reject the scheme in September 2016. The proposal to develop Hatchfield Farm has been fiercely opposed by many of Newmarket’s most prominent trainers, owners and racing organisations since an initial scheme for 1,200 homes was put forward in 2009. The Jockey Club – which recently unveiled a proposal to sell Kempton Park racecourse for housing – has been highly critical of the proposal via Jockey Club Estates, which owns thousands of acres of land in the area. Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin operation, the Tattersalls sales organisation, the Darley Stud and trainers including Sir Michael Stoute, Luca Cumani and William Haggas have also voiced http://www.footballpanthershop.com/Mario_Addison_Jersey_Cheap Council leader wants Jockey Club to consider Newmarket housing needs Read more Opponents of the plan say Newmarket could struggle to maintain its position as one of the world’s great racing and training centres if development is allowed on the Hatchfield site. The land at the centre of the dispute is in Fordham Road which runs north from the top of Newmarket High Street, and the campaigners believe significant increases in traffic, particularly in the morning, will http://www.footballpanthershop.com/Michael_Oher_Jersey_Cheap add to existing congestion problems and increase the risks faced by 3,000 horses and riders who cross Newmarket’s roads every day

Chris Pronger could be entering the Hockey Hall of Fame in just two years. Mark Giordano Flames Jersey . TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun of ESPN.com points out that despite the fact that the 39-year-old Pronger is still an active NHL player with the Philadelphia Flyers, if he were to retire, he could be Hall of Fame eligible in 2015. The current Hockey Hall of Fame eligibility bylaw reads that any player who has not played in three seasons is eligible to be inducted.  Pronger last played in the 2011-12 season. "He would be eligible in 2015 as far as the way the bylaw reads and as long, obviously, as he doesnt play again prior to his election," said Jeff Denomme, president and CEO of the Hockey Hall of Fame, to ESPN.com on Monday. "If there was any question on matters pertaining to any particular candidates eligibility, I suspect thats something the board would raise at some point, though." Pronger has three years remaining on his current contract and would no longer get paid what hes owed if he called it a career. The Flyers, meanwhile, would not receive salary cap relief by placing him on the long-term injured list at the beginning of each season and wouldnt recoup the $4.94 million cap space. They cant buy him out either, since he is still injured. Despite the by-law, Lebrun says the decision would ultimately have to be made by the Hockey Hall of Fames board of directors, who may not consider him given his current active NHL status. The decision could also hinge upon the board being completely convinced Pronger wont return to the ice.  "Any time people talk about things like that, its always an honour to be regarded in that light, but I think it would be a bit early to put myself in that esteemed group, Im not too worried about it," Pronger told ESPN.com. "I dont think anybody who has ever played the game, that was their goal, its a by-product of the way you played the game. Its a great honour to be thought about in that regard, though." Pronger is still suffering from post-concussion symptoms from an incident in October of 2011. Should his career be over, the Dryden, ON, native would finish with 1,167 games played, including time with the Hartford Whalers, St. Louis Blues, Edmonton Oilers, Anaheim Ducks and the Flyers. He has 698 points and 1,590 penalty minutes. Mark Giordano Flames Jersey Authentic . And by all indications, the team is expected to select phenom Connor McDavid with their selection. The Buffalo Sabres, who were knocked down to the second overall pick after finishing with the worst regular season record, are expected to take the other generational player in Jack Eichel. Sam Bennett Flames Jersey .com) - The Kansas City Chiefs activated linebacker Joe Mays from short-term injured reserve on Saturday.Memphis, TN (SportsNetwork.com) - Mike Conley filled the stat sheet with 30 points, seven rebounds and six assists to guide the Memphis Grizzlies to a 95-87 win over the short-handed San Antonio Spurs. Marc Gasol chipped in 17 points and nine boards for the Grizzlies, who exacted a bit of revenge on the Spurs. San Antonio snapped Memphis franchise-record 22-game home winning streak on Dec. 5. The teams then played a triple-overtime thriller won by the Grizzlies, 117-116, on Dec. 17. Tayshaun Prince totaled 12 points for the Grizzlies, who have won back-to-back contests following a four-game skid. The Spurs, who played without Kawhi Leonard (bruised right hand) and Tony Parker (strained left hamstring), lost for the seventh time in nine games. Marco Belinelli and Cory Joseph each had 18 points for San Antonio. Tim Duncan chipped in nine points and 10 rebounds. The Grizzlies, off to their best start in franchise history at 23-8, trailed by only a point, twice. Both of those times came in the early stages of the game. Memphis shot 13-of--21 in the first quarter, led by a 7-of-8, 16-point effort from Conley. Brandon Bollig Flames Jersey. The hosts embarked on an 11-1 burst, capped off by a layup from Tony Allen and a technical free throw from Courtney Lee for a 13-4 lead. Conleys 3-pointer in the waning seconds provided a 30-20 cushion after 12 minutes. The Spurs struggled to a 6-of-19 shooting performance in the second quarter, and trailed 52-38 at the break. The visitors were behind 74-63 going to the fourth. Duncans jumper had the Spurs within 80-77 midway through the fourth, but Gasol countered with a jumper and Prince nailed a long-range 2-pointer for an 84-77 edge. Conley then made two from the charity stripe with 3:37 left to cap the 6-0 run and essentially seal the outcome. Game Notes Conley went 10-of-13 from the floor, including 4-of-5 from 3-point range ... Patty Mills scored 10 for the Spurs, who were 5-of-22 from beyond the arc. Belinelli made four of those shots ... San Antonio had won its previous five in Memphis. Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys China NFL Cheap Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' ' 

TORONTO - Blue Jays manager John Gibbons sat down with TSN. Andre Gomes Jersey .ca before Saturdays game against the Kansas City Royals to discuss his status, the degree to which leadership matters in baseball, and whether hell make significant adjustments to next Februarys spring training schedule. Listen to the interview here or read the transcript below. TSN.ca: Some heat around here, John, the hot seat is a little warm. Look, its been a tough year. Im giving you an opportunity to say your piece. Youre on the hot seat. Is it fair? Is it unfair? Does fairness matter? GIBBONS: Scott, fairness doesnt matter. Thats the business were in. Its the entertainment business but its serious sports. I dont get caught up in all of that to be honest with you. Yeah, it hurts, nobody likes to be ripped and things like that but on the flip side of that, Im responsible for what happens with this team on the field and it hasnt been a good year. You just grind it out. Ive said before, I show up every day and its a new day. You go out there, I love competing. You go out there and try to win that game and do the best job you can. At the end of the day, you know, all the decisions you make, do they all work? Of course not. Some of the best decisions you make backfire on you. Some of the worst ones you make, you come out smelling like a rose. Thats just the way the game is but you deal with it, you learn to deal with it, you expect it and if you cant handle it, youre in trouble. TSN.ca: You look at this team heading into the offseason, and Alex has said youre going to be back next year so you have that security, the support of your general manager, which we knew that you had. Can this team, as currently constituted, come back in spring training and head into next April and be a winning group? GIBBONS: Scott, we like the core group of this team. Theres no question, we liked it going into this year with all the big moves made and we still like it. But we have to make some additions to upgrade some areas, thats no secret. In saying that, thats not always easy. Alex, weve talked about it, I think everybody understands its pretty obvious what we need to do and hell attempt to do that. Its not easy because you go around to most teams in the game, theyre basically in a lot of ways. One thing about Alex, hes tireless, hes not afraid to make some things happen and hell put his best foot forward. Its still a good group out there but theres no question to be a better team we need to make a few changes. TSN.ca: When you assess this season, John, that 11-game win streak stands out obviously as the high point and there have been some down points both before that and after that. So lets talk about that 11-game win streak. Does that tell you that theres something in there that we just havent seen enough of or was that an outlier? Because a lot of teams dont win 11 in a row, not even the best. GIBBONS: No question about that. What really happened there is it all came together for that period of time. We pitched well during that stretch, you know we played good, solid defence and the bats, we were swinging the bats. It was one of those stretches when everything was clicking. You dont always get that over the season. Some stretches you pitch well and youre not hitting and the defence, the defence needs to be the constant. Youre going to have some bad games but thats one thing you can control a little bit of. That needs to be there every day. Pitching and offence can be hit or miss but for that stretch, it all came together for a length of time there. Everybody goes through those ups and downs but you know what those good teams do, they may not have the 11-game streak but theres more consistency throughout the year. The best teams in baseball go through their down stretches where theyll lose five, six, sometimes seven games in a row, something like that. Thats because maybe theyre not pitching good, their bats went silent or whatever it is. Over 162 games, thats the norm but the better teams, they do it better and they generally, their pitching day in and day out gives you a shot. When we talk about good pitching, it doesnt mean you have to go out and throw shutouts every night but its really, they keep you in the game and give you a shot and let your offence maybe take over. In fairness to our pitching also this year, we havent played good enough defence at times and theyve suffered for that. Im not just talking about errors and things like that. I mean, there are some balls we havent gotten to that you really need to at this level. Some double plays you need to turn at the big league level to bail you out of a tough inning that we havent always done. Lets face it, at the big league level, you have to take away hits, too. You need the routine play made but you know what, you still need to take away hits because thats what the better teams do. TSN.ca: In hockey, theres a player on each team that wears a C and that denotes leadership. What value do you place on leadership in such an individual sport like baseball? GIBBONS: Thats a good question that will always be debated. First off, youre not going to win anything without talent, in any sport, thats just a given. But still there needs to be a couple of guys, they have to be guys with credentials, those are the guys they look to, and youve got to be able to snap somebody back in place, snap a team back in and say, Listen, were not doing this well, lets go guys, lets pick it up and things like that. If its always got to be the manager or the coach, I mean its not going to work. Sooner or later, if you talk too much, they tune you out. Its just like your own children or your teacher at school, whatever it might be, talk is cheap and if you have to do it too often, apparently somebodys not listening. It always helps to have a couple of guys on a team, they take that role whether they like it or not and its not always talking, its how they carry themselves and their actions. That can be very valuable. That point will probably always be debated because Ive been on some teams where you have a bunch of renegades, you know talented teams but it can be a mess but yet they play as a team, they show up to win and that usually overrides the day. TSN.ca: The kids that have come up have injected, I guess, some refreshing air into the environment here. What have you seen, I guess you take your pick on who you want to talk about but what have you seen from Goins, Gose, Pillar and Sierra? GIBBONS: Ive been really, pleasantly surprised. Theyve all helped one way or the other and theyre doing a nice job. Like Ive said before, some guys never get opportunities in this game so when you get it, you know you may only get one so take advantage of it. Theyre all showing us something right now. Goins has been in the spotlight lately with some great defensive plays and some big hits. Hes really doing everything right now. You know, Gosey, (Friday) night had the big triple to set up an inning in a tight ball game to plate a big run for us and hes playing great defence and throwing his hits in along the way. Pillar, its been kind of hit or miss for him, he hasnt really settled in offensively but you look, hes been a good base runner, hes been good in the outfielder and things like that. Sierra, hes starting to heat up a little bit. When he keeps his swing under control, theres a lot in that bat. Hes a good, solid outfielder with a great arm. He can be a difference maker with that arm. Theyve all, one way or another, done some things to benefit us and you get excited about that and youre happy for them because, like I said, there are only so many opportunities you get in this business so it always helps to make that good impression and theyre all doing that. TSN.ca: Next year cant be this year with the record. The expectations were high coming in and you havent lived up to them this season. Do you change your approach at all heading into spring training next year? Do you make some adjustments next season based on what youve seen out of the group this year to give yourself a better chance to have a better record? GIBBONS: What you always do, game-to-game, you reflect on the game and from a managers standpoint, what might have I done different that might have affected the outcome, this and that. Youre constantly doing that and of course, at the end of the year and were getting there, you always reflect and think you know what, maybe we need to do this, more of this, less of that, what have you. Going into spring training, there will be some adjustments that will be made. Well look at the personnel and well deal with that. We were ready coming out of spring training, no doubt in my mind, we just didnt play well. We just didnt handle expectations well, whether we were a little bit tight, what have you, thats just the way it went. But you need to make some adjustments and do some things to change some things because theres no question that, you know, you need a better year next year. A lot was put into this team and we were really hyped up, as we should have been, everybody liked all the moves and there were a number of them. We like the group that we have, of course there needs to be some additions, but you know were always optimistic. Like Ive said before, the fans have turned out this year. Theyve done their part of it and this place will explode with a winning team out there and we dont think were that far off and this city and this country deserve that. Danilo Pereira Jersey . -- The Orlando Magic have made no secret that the future of their franchise will depend on how well they can develop their young players. Bernardo Silva Portugal Jersey . He looked very comfortable Wednesday night. Konerko had a big three-run double and Gordon Beckham homered for the second straight game, leading the Chicago White Sox to an 8-3 victory over the sliding Chicago Cubs.BEREA, Ohio - LeBron James says Johnny Manziel is ready to go if the Browns decide to start him at quarterback this week against Indianapolis.Manziel replaced Brian Hoyer in the fourth quarter of Sundays loss in Buffalo, and theres a chance he could start Sunday.James marketing firm represents the popular rookie quarterback and the two have become close. James said hes one of Manziels biggest supporters, hes part of the family so of course I want him out there. Eliseu Jersey. The NBA star felt Manziel played well during his two series against the Bills. The first ended with Manziel scoring on a 10-yard touchdown run.James said Manziels still learning. If coach is ready for him to give him the nod, hell be ready to go, but hes going to have some bumps and bruises, just like any other rookie quarterback.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys China NFL Cheap Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' ' 

ST. Edmonton Oilers Shop . LOUIS - David Backes, Joakim Lindstrom and Vladimir Tarasenko scored to lead the St. Louis Blues to a 3-1 exhibition victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday night.Alexander Steen had an assist on Lindstroms goal in the second period, which gave St. Louis a 2-1 lead. It was Steens exhibition debut after he led the Blues with 33 goals and 62 points last season.Ryan Murphy scored for Carolina. He sent a wrist shot through traffic at the 5:59 mark of the second.Backes had the first goal of the game just 33 seconds into the second. With St. Louis enjoying a 5-on-3 power play, Backes redirected a drive by Kevin Shattenkirk into the net.Brian Elliott stopped 19 shots for the Blues, and Cam Ward had 26 saves for the Hurricanes. Wayne Gretzky Oilers Jersey Authentic .35 million, avoiding arbitration. Davis led the majors last season with 53 home runs and 138 RBIs, both career highs. He earned $3. Milan Lucic Oilers Jersey Authentic . Austin does not believe the game-time temperature is going to be an advantage for either side heading into the Grey Cup. "We dont think about (the cold)," said Austin. "Im not even sure how you would determine an advantage.MELBOURNE, Australia - Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso set the fastest time in Fridays opening practice for the Australian Grand Prix, while pre-race favourite Lewis Hamilton was one of several drivers to strike trouble as entire field struggled to master their all-new engines and radically redesigned cars ahead of the Formula One season opener. Hamilton was unable to complete a single lap after his Mercedes engine automatically shut down due to an oil pressure alarm on his first tour of the Albert Park circuit. With repairs to the complex V6 turbo hybrid engines taking much longer than last years powertrains, Hamilton was unable to emerge in the next 90 minutes. McLarens Jenson Button was second fastest, ahead of the Williams pair of Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa. World champion Sebastian Vettel had limited running in his Red Bull as it plays catch-up after a troubled preseason testing, going out for only 10 laps, although there was some encouragement for the team as Daniel Ricciardo got through 26 laps and was fifth fastest, two places ahead of the four-time world champ. Andrej Sekera Oilers Jersey Authentic. Lotus Romain Grosjean did not emerge from the garage at all, and his teammate Pastor Maldonado only came out in the final 15 minutes and promptly spun off. Lotus was among the Renault-powered cars that were severely restricted in their preseason testing and are a long way behind schedule in developing their cars for Melbourne. The Caterham cars likewise did not complete a single lap, nor did the Marussia of Jules Bianchi, while his teammate Max Chilton made only a fleeting and off-pace appearance. McLaren rookie Kevin Magnussen was eighth fastest in his maiden F1 appearance, while Kimi Raikkonen was ninth in his first season back at Ferrari and Toro Rossos Jean-Eric Vergne completed the top ten. Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys China NFL Cheap Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' ' 

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers will honour the most successful head coach in Bomber history when they unveil a bronze statue of "Bud" Grant outside of Investors Group Field this October. Mateo Kovacic Jersey . Grant coached the Bombers for a decade, from 1957 until 1966, winning four Grey Cups in that time and one CFL Coach of the Year award, before heading south to coach the NFLs Minnesota Vikings. He is the third winningest coach in all of professional football with 290 wins in the NFL and CFL combined; he is a CFL Hall of Famer and a Pro Football Hall of Famer. "The statue of Bud Grant not only honours a man who made a tremendous impact on our Football Club during his time here, but it also symbolizes the many dedicated, talented men who have coached and played for this team over the years," said Blue Bombers President and CEO Wade Miller. The Bud Grant statue will be erected outside the Bomber Store at the southwest corner of Investors Group Field, just off Ken Ploen Way. "I certainly am unexpectedly honoured by something like this.  After so many years, its quite a tribute, and I look forward to being there," said Grant, reached at his office in Minnesota. The six-foot tall, bronze statue will sit on a three-foot base with an inscription detailing Grants accomplishments in football. Grant first played "Offensive End" for the Blue Bombers from 1953-1956 before being hired by the team at the young age of 29 to be Head Coach.  Prior to signing with the Bombers, he played one year for the Philadelphia Eagles of the NFL.  At 86 years old, Grant still maintains an office with the Vikings in Minnesota. Gareth Bale Real Madrid Jersey . Which is to say, the top of this years draft class is not as dynamic or exciting as the 2013 class of Nate MacKinnon, Sasha Barkov, Jonathan Drouin and Seth Jones and its not as strikingly promising as the highly-anticipated 2015 slate of Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel and Noah Hanifin. Casemiro Jersey . Having won the first leg 1-0 in Barcelona, Madrid entered the match at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium already in control and quickly sealed its place in the semifinals when Jese Rodriguez scored in the seventh minute.CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Charlotte Mecklenburg District Attorneys office spokeswoman Meghan Cooke has announced the Nov. 17 jury trial involving Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy has been moved to 2015.Cooke said in a release Tuesday that a new trial date has not been set. Several media outlets reported last week the trial would be moved.Hardy is appealing his July 15 conviction on charges of assault on a female and communicating threats. The Panthers pplaced Hardy on the exempt-commissioners permission list Sept. Nacho Fernandez Real Madrid Jersey. 17 and he cannot play for Carolina until his situation is resolved.The release says the courts docket is filled with cases still being heard, prompting the move. Cooke says in the release, The District Attorneys Office must now adjust the dockets in several courtrooms, affecting multiple cases.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys China NFL Cheap Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' ' 

ST. Pascal Dupuis Penguins Jersey . PETERSBURG, Florida – Drew Hutchison meant business when he arrived in Dunedin for spring training. He had a point to prove: hes back, and hes not worried about his surgically repaired elbow, as he enters what he hopes will be his first full season in the major leagues. "I expected make the team and now Im ready to go perform," said Hutchison after his final Grapefruit League start on March 27. Manager John Gibbons and pitching coach Pete Walker rave about Hutchisons poise. They love his mound presence. Theyve been thrilled with his bounce back from Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery dating back to his appearances in the Arizona Fall League. Hutchison, a command and control pitcher, routinely pumped his fastball to the plate at 92-94 miles per hour, painting the corners along the way. "We like him," said manager John Gibbons. "Hes got a chance to be a real good one. Ever since he had the Tommy John hes thrown better than he was." Results in spring training often dont matter. With Hutchison, they did. He was competing for a roster spot. He needed to show the Blue Jays he was healthy and could be consistently effective. As a young player, just 23 years old, with options, he needed to drastically outperform veterans who were out of options. He accomplished all that with a 1.80 ERA and 0.800 WHIP in four Grapefruit League starts, and gets the nod in Tuesday nights second game of the season-opening series in Tampa Bay. Not that it surprises him. "I thought Id come into camp and do exactly what I did," said Hutchison. "Thats my expectation level and thats what I feel I would be able to do." Hutchison often repeats variations of the word "expect." He has high expectations of himself, he expects to succeed; hes expecting a long and healthy career. He speaks with supreme confidence but without a hint of arrogance. Its all matter of fact. "I dont understand, at least from my perspective thats just the way Ive approached things and thats the way Ive always been," said Hutchison. "I expect that out of myself and now its time, spring trainings over and its time to go perform and win because thats what its all about." Whether Hutchisons approach translates into a successful season will be known only with the passage of time. Gibbons and Walker are looking for someone on which they can rely. The club has a reasonable idea of what to expect from R.A. Dickey and Mark Buehrle. It isnt clear what the Blue Jays will get from Hutchison and Brandon Morrow, both because of their respective injury histories and because neither has shown the ability, yet, to be a front-line starter over the course of a full season. "Hes a pitcher," said Gibbons. "It takes effort for him but hes kind of an effortless type guy. I think hes going to have a big, big year for us. I really do." Surely Hutchison must have had his doubts during the laborious rehab of his elbow? He insists he didnt. "Thats just the way Ive always been," said Hutchison. "I just expect a lot out of myself and I expect a high level from myself. Thats not to try to be, you know, thats just how I am." Brad Richards Red Wings Jersey . Bryce Harper? He also came into Wednesday without a long ball and hadnt driven in a run. He was hitting .160, had nearly three times as many strikeouts as hits and was dropped to seventh in the batting order. Eric Fehr Penguins Jersey .The law passed on Friday, in a 128-62 vote in the lower chamber of parliament, was prompted by FIFA bribery scandals in recent years.Switzerland-based sports leaders such as FIFA President Sepp Blatter and IOC President Thomas Bach are now classed as politically exposed persons in wider legislation covering money-laundering.ROME -- Roma beat Napoli 3-2 in the first leg of their Italian Cup semifinal on Wednesday thanks to a double from Ivory Coast forward Gervinho. The return match will take place next Wednesday. Udinese leads Fiorentina 2-1 in the other semifinal. Napoli staged a second-half comeback from two goals down after Gervinhos opener and a stunning strike from Kevin Strootman. But Gervinho scored the winner two minutes from time. "In our league, ninety per cent of the matches are played defensively but its good to play like this against strong players," Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi said. "Its good to see games like this, theyre an advert for football. "It wasnt good for us mentally to concede a minute after the restart. But after they made it 2-2, we responded brilliantly. Another good game like tonights awaits us in Naples." Napoli started the brighter but it was Roma which broke the deadlock in the 13th minute when Gervinho ran onto a delightful through-ball from Francesco Totti and rounded goalkeeper Pepe Reina before firing home from three meters. Strootman doubled Romas lead in the 32nd with a stunning rocket into the top right corner from more than 30 metres. Gonzalo HHiguain pulled one back for Napoli a minute into the second half as the ball deflected off Mehdi Benatia and goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis got his hands to it but could not prevent it from going in. Brendan Gallagher Canadiens Jersey. It was the former Real Madrid strikers 16th of the season. Substitute Dries Mertens levelled in the 70th, four minutes after coming off the bench, when he burst between two defenders and blasted an effort past De Sanctis. Gervinho secured the match for Roma when he collected Alessandro Florenzis pass and coolly slotted into the near side of goal. Udinese, which has eliminated both Milan teams, beat Fiorentina on Tuesday in a match which saw three wonderful goals. Antonio Di Natale broke the deadlock in the 36th minute with his first goal from open play since September but Juan Manuel Vargas smashed an effort in off the underside of the crossbar a minute from halftime. Substitute Luis Muriel scored a long-range winner for Udinese, which is hoping to reach the final for the first time since 1922. Both sides eliminated illustrious teams in the previous round. Napoli knocked out holder Lazio, while Roma defeated Juventus, which is on course for a third successive league title. 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