ok at team-mate Costa for an example of how to | Forum

VANCOUVER -- After being unwanted in Winnipeg, Joey Elliott did what many other veteran CFL free agent quarterbacks would not do. Keenan Allen Chargers Jersey . He attended a B.C. Lions open tryout camp in Las Vegas in early May. The move paid Friday off as the Lions agreed to terms with him on a three-year contract. "They didnt know I was coming -- I just showed up," said Elliott from Indianapolis, where he has been working as a substitute teacher. "I just showed up." Lions general manager Wally Buono offered a slightly different version, saying the club asked Elliott to attend a camp after his representatives tried to negotiate a contract earlier in the off-season. Regardless, Buono, was impressed that Elliott was willing to pay his own way for a flight to the gambling mecca and bet on employment with the Lions. It took a special person to humble himself the way Elliott did, said the GM. "Its huge to get another opportunity," said Elliott. "Whether youre a quarterback, or as a professional, when you are released, youre just looking for another opportunity." The 26-year-old Franklin, Ind., native spent the past three seasons with the Blue Bombers. During that time, he dressed for 33 games, including nine as the teams starter. But the Bombers deemed him expendable after what was actually his first full season. He joined the team in the fifth week in 2010 and was sidelined much of 2011 with a torn knee ligament that forced him to miss the Grey Cup against the Lions. Last season, the Purdue grad had his most productive year as a pro as he threw for 2,101 yards and five touchdowns. Elliott is expected to battle for B.C.s backup quarterback job following Mike Reillys departure to Edmonton as a free agent, but he must advance beyond the teams rookie camp first before taking the field with veterans at main training camp, starting June 2 in Kamloops, B.C. . Elliott believes he can provide a calming influence to a B.C. squad while lending experience to the Lions, who won the West Division title in 2012 but were upset by the Calgary Stampeders in the Western Final. Aside from starter Travis Lulay, the only other quarterback in the Lions den with CFL experience is second-year pro Thomas De Marco. Lulay and De Marco are also the only B.C. quarterback holdovers from last season. Buono said his main concern is that Elliott understands the teams offensive system rather than opposing defences. While he has a strong, accurate arm and can pass on the run, "one of his issues is ball security." Meanwhile, one part of the Geroy Simon trade failed to pay off Friday when the Lions released Justin Harper, who was part of a package for the CFLs all-time leading receiver. Harper was out of shape when he came into a Lions camp for offensive players this spring. Coach Mike Benevides indicated he was impressed with Harper and was willing to give him more time to get fit. However, Buono was not. "This (release) was precipitated by me being disappointed with him coming into camp at almost 250 pounds," said Buono. "Im not blaming him, but when it comes to a first impression, I was disappointed." Buono said wide receiver Emmanuel Arceneauxs return to B.C. earlier this week from the NFL factored into Harpers release. But the GM was not sure whether Harper would have attended training camp if Arceneaux had decided to pursue another NFL opportunity. The Lions also released defensive lineman Maurice Evans. In another more positive move, B.C. re-signed receiver Courtney Taylor, who excelled late last season after a lengthy spell on the practice roster. Taylor, a 29-year-old Carrollton, Ala., native spent three years in the NFL with the Seattle Seahawks, but after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2009, he was released by the Seahawks in 2010 and did not get another opportunity until the Lions signed him in October 2011. He spent the rest of the 2011 and most of 2012 on the Lions practice roster, but recorded 16 receptions for 264 yards and three touchdowns in five games late last season. "Im excited about Courtney Taylor," said Buono. "When you think about this, Courtney was a starter in the NFL, and what prevented him from continuing to be a starter was his illness." Taylor has successfully managed his MS by taking daily medication that comprises just one pill, and has not experienced any symptoms since the diagnosis. "Hes had another life to live -- and now hes back," said Buono. DeVante Parker Dolphins Jersey . From filmmaker Nanette Burstein (On the Ropes), The Price of Gold revisits the saga that rocked the figure skating world ahead of the 1994 Lillehammer Olympic Winter Games: the assault on Nancy Kerrigan, and the plot that led its way back to her rival Tonya Harding. Dion Jordan Dolphins Jersey . After Martin Skrtel put the Reds in front from close range at Stamford Bridge after only four minutes, Hazard hit back in the 17th with a superb strike. Etoo gave Jose Mourinhos team a decisive lead from Oscars back pass in the 34th. http:///...arroll-Jersey-ee-65/ . Mickelson barely made the cut but had the best round of the day with nine birdies and an eagle coupled with two bogeys to sit two shots behind leader Craig Lee of Scotland. Lee shot a 69 for a 12-under 204 total. "I just love the fact I am in contention and have an opportunity in my first tournament of the year here in Abu Dhabi," Mickelson said.Diego Costa is thriving under Guus Hiddink but Eden Hazard is still struggling. We look at the pairs contrasting fortunes under the Dutchman... Diego Costas fine finish against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday night may have been in vain but it was a further example of the forwards return to form under Guus Hiddink.Costas first-half strike was his 11th in 15 games under the Dutchman. Thats some improvement on his return of four in 21 before Hiddinks arrival. However, while Costa is heading back to his best, Eden Hazard continues to struggle and was booed from the field by some Chelsea fans.The pair were key figures in Chelseas march to the title last season and both slumped at the start of this campaign, as Jose Mourinhos champions made the worst-ever start to a Premier League defence.But while Costa has driven himself out of his bad run of form through his typical mix of belligerence and brilliance, his Belgian team-mate seems stuck. Costa before/under Hiddink - 2015/16 Premier League Before Hiddink Under Hiddink Games played 14 10 Goals per game 0.21 0.8 Assists per game 0.07 0.4 Total shots per game 1.50 2.7 Chances created per game 1 1 Shot conversion rate % 14.29 29.63 Hazard before/under Hiddink - 2015/16 Premier League Before Hiddink Under Hiddink Games played 16 10 Goals 0 0 Assists per game 0.13 0.1 Total shots per game 0.94 0.3 Chances created per game 2.75 1.2 In Hiddinks first game in charge, a 2-2 draw with Watford, Costa scored twice. It set the tone and, since the change of management, the Spaniard has scored more goals, made more assists and increased the rate at which hes shooting, creating chances and putting away his opportunities in the Premier League. Melvin Gordon Chargers Jersey. Over the past three-and-a-half months Costa has hounded and harried defenders, thrown himself into physical battles and rolled up his sleeves to turn his and Chelseas fortunes around. The sight of him pulling off his protective mask and tossing it away against PSG summed up his spirit. Diego Costa has scored 11 in 15 under Hiddink Im very proud of him, the way hes playing and, going not over the edge, but he likes to fight in the real way of the game, Hiddink said ahead of the last-16 second leg.Thats what we like. I protect him and support him when hes doing what he has done in my period at Chelsea. In the Premier League he frequently is scoring now, since December, January. Its difficult to put a brake on him. Costa wants to play every game, but I must be careful with that. Who am I to stop this man? We must let him go, but sometimes I have to put on a leash. Guus Hiddink on Diego Costas desire Theres been no such improvement in Hazards statistics. In fact, last seasons player of the year has seen his numbers in key attacking categories drop since Hiddinks arrival.The 25-year-old has had groin and hip problems this term but hes still played 34 times in the Premier League and Champions League. His return has been a meagre four assists and no goals. Hazards goal drought Eden Hazard has two goals for Chelsea this season, scoring in FA Cup wins over Championship side MK Dons and a much-changed Man City. Of course, Hazard is not a bruising, all-action battler like Costa. Thats not his style. But, aside from his struggles for form, half-time shirt swapping with Angel Di Maria and telling the French press he would struggle to refuse advances from PSG have done little to win him sympathy with the Chelsea support. Ivanovic defends booed Hazard Branislav Ivanovic has leapt to Eden Hazards defence after fans turned on the Belgian Missing the decisive penalty in Chelseas Capital One Cup shoot-out defeat to Stoke was forgiveable. So, too, perhaps, is a young players failure to match the extremely high standards he set last year.But, in changing shirts with Di Maria in the midst of Chelseas desperate bid to save their season, it feels like Hazards latest PR slip-up was one step too far. I think its a joke, Tony Cottee told Sky Sports News HQ. Its not the first time weve seen it - hes not the only player to have done it. But clubs issue rules at the start of the season about all sorts of things you can and cant do. Surely one of them should be that you do not swap shirts at half-time.Its an insult to the Chelsea fans. Its not even as if hes done it in the tunnel. Its blatant in front of everyone. Im a big fan of Hazard when hes playing well - which he hasnt been this year. Its an insult to the Chelsea fans. Im a big fan of Hazard when hes playing well - which he hasnt been this year. Tony Cottee on Hazards half-time shirt swap Fellow pundit Tony Gale is adamant Hazard wants away - but his numbers this season are hardly those of a player Real Madrid, PSG or other European heavyweights would normally chase.Perhaps Hazard should take a look at team-mate Costa for an example of how to turn his struggles around. Can Eden Hazard recapture the form we saw last season? Let us know using the message boards or by tweeting @SkyFootball Also See: Ivanovic defends Hazard Fans had right to boo Hazard Chelsea stats Get a free ￡10 bet Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '