OTTAWA - The Ottawa Redblacks woke up Monday morning to find themselves in first place in the CFL East Division standings without even lining up for a snap.
Tyus Jones Jersey . They would love to stay there for a while longer. The Redblacks have yet to suit up for a regular-season
game in the short life of the franchise, but because everyone else in the East
lost in Week 1 Ottawa sits first in the division by default. "Were developing a
new strategy as to not play so then you get first place," said head coach Rick
Campbell with a laugh. "Well take 18 bye weeks if that happens." Campbell doesnt
put much stock in the fact that the remaining teams in the East struggled in the
opening week, but he would still love to see his team break the trend. The
Redblacks open their inaugural season Thursday against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers
and know they have a tough task at hand. The Bombers defeated the Toronto
Argonauts 45-21 last week. "(Winnipeg) was a hungry team that played fast,"
Campbell said. "They came to play football and it showed and it also shows that
if youre not completely ready to play or youre making too many mistakes youre
going to get into trouble early." While the game will be significant for
everyone who has been awaiting the return of football to Ottawa, it will be even
more meaningful for Jovon Johnson who spent the past six years with the Bombers.
Johnson, a defensive back and kick returner, signed with the Redblacks as a free
agent during the off-season. In 2011 Johnson was named the leagues outstanding
defensive player. "I think I had this date circled on my calendar since I left
there, but even more so after I made the team," Johnson said. "Im looking
forward to this opportunity." Johnson said the Redblacks will need to keep
things simple in order to be successful. Emotions will likely be running high
and he says maintaining focus will be the key. "We need to know our assignments
and just do our job," he said. "We cant try to do too much. I think Toronto
overthought some things and they made some penalties and left a couple guys open
on defence." This being the Redblacks first game, mistakes are likely to be
made, but Johnson believes that if the team can make corrections on the fly they
should fare well. Johnson laughed when reminded that the team sits in first
place and said it would mean a lot more when they accomplish it on their own.
"We still have to go out and prove ourselves and we dont want anything handed to
us," he said. "Everyone looks to us as an expansion team and a lot of people
pick us to finish last so weve got a lot of things to prove and show the world
what we can do." By all accounts the Redblacks see no reason why they cant
compete with the rest of the East Division and believe the playoffs are a
legitimate goal. "Were a confident group," said Ottawa native Justin Phillips.
"We have lots of guys on this team who have been there and done that and had
success in the playoffs, won Grey Cups so we have guys who know how to get the
job done. Honestly theres no one here who lacks confidence." When asked what
would consist of a successful season, veteran quarterback Henry Burris said,
"playoffs, at minimum." While the health of the 39-year-old quarterback will be
integral to any chance of success, Burris says with the veteran talent acquired
through the dispersal draft and free agent signings theres no reason why this
team shouldnt compete for a playoff spot. "We know its not how you start its how
you finish," Burris said. "If you can get out to an early start and win games
early on it definitely helps you out down the backstretch. "All we have to do is
stay healthy and as quickly as we can gel together as a team and get on the same
page. We want to make sure we peak at the right time which is going into that
backstretch and into the playoffs because we all know anything can happen."
While Phillips would love nothing more than to see the Redblacks advance to the
post season he says hes first looking forward to getting the first game
underway. "Weve been talking and talking about it and thinking about it that now
its fun to finally get this thing going," he said. "Once we get into a routine
its going to be like any other week, but it will be nice to get that first one
out of the way." Notes: Campbell said the final roster for Thursdays game will
be decided following Tuesdays practice as the coaching staff wants to ensure
everyone gets through the practice unscathed before making a final decision.
Authentic Ricky Rubio Jersey . -- Phil Mickelson came to the St.
Adreian Payne Timberwolves Jersey . 22 because of a bruised foot and have added forward Sean Collins to the roster on
emergency recall from Springfield of the AHL.TORONTO – There may come a time in
the next few years when the Houston Astros are a good baseball team. That time,
however, is not now and with apologies to the "Its Early" crowd, with whom we
typically should all agree hardly removed from opening day, this three-game home
set with the Houston Astros is important to the Blue Jays. Nobody is suggesting
that, say, if Toronto gets swept its season is over. But a check of the math
tells you it doesnt help. The Blue Jays, by virtue of their perch in the
American League East, have the unenviable task of playing 76 of their 162 games
against their four divisional opponents. They get the New York Yankees, Boston
Red Sox, Tampa Bay Rays and Baltimore Orioles 19 times each, a veritable meat
grinder that can chew up and spit out the hope for a successful season all by
itself. Lets say, for the sake of argument, the Blue Jays go 38-38 against their
own division. That leaves 86 games against non-divisional opponents. To get to
90 wins, which likely wont be enough to win the division and may or may not be
enough to capture one of the two wild card spots, Toronto would have to go
52-34. So far, after splitting a four-game series in Tampa Bay and
disappointingly dropping two of three at home to the Yankees, the Jays are 3-4
within the AL East. Houston marks the first non-divisional opponent and due to
the make up of the schedule, this is the only time the Astros will visit Toronto
all year. It doesnt matter whether its April, June, or the intensity filled
months of August and September, Houstons only here once and when they visit the
Jays need to make hay. More than anything, manager John Gibbons wants his club
to better protect home soil. "Ive always said you cant bury yourself early,"
said Gibbons. "Especially in this division, its an uphill battle and its real
tough to come back. Were trying to get off to a good start and with more games
at home itd be nice to finish up good at home. Youve got to play good at home,
its no secret. Hold your own on the road and play good baseball at home." JEKYLL
AND HYDE ROTATION The biggest question facing the Blue Jays (3-4) heading into
the season centred on the starting rotation. Could it hold up in the toughest
division in baseball? In the wins, Dr. Jekyll rules the day. When Torontos lost,
Mr. Hyde rearrs his ugly face.
Shabazz Muhammad Jersey. . Heres a look at the numbers through the first seven games: In the three wins, no runs allowed in
20 2/3 innings pitched. April 1: Drew Hutchison, 5.1 innings pitched.April 2:
Mark Buehrle, 8.2 IP.April 5: R.A. Dickey, 6.2 IP. In the four losses, the
starts have allowed a staggering 20 earned runs in just 16 innings pitched
(11.25 ERA, averaging four innings pitched per start): March 31: R.A. Dickey, 6
earned runs in 5 innings pitched.April 3: Brandon Morrow, 4 ER in 5 IP.April 4:
Dustin McGowan, 4 ER in 2.2 IP.April 6: Drew Hutchison, 6 ER in 3.1 IP. ROTATION
JUGGLING Mondays off day has afforded manager John Gibbons the opportunity to
flip R.A. Dickey and Dustin McGowan, meaning Dickey will start Thursdays series
finale against the Astros and McGowan will open a three-game set in Baltimore on
Friday night. "Thatll split up Morrow and McGowan," said Gibbons. "The two guys
were watching a little bit. Put Dickey in the middle and he can eat some
innings, anyway." Dickey has repeatedly said he prefers pitching under a roof,
although Gibbons denied the forecasted cool conditions outdoors in Baltimore
factored in to the decision. REYES UPDATE Jose Reyes, eligible to come off the
disabled list from a strained left hamstring on April 16, ran the treadmill and
took ground balls during batting practice on Tuesday afternoon. "Ill know better
when I start running and see how Im feeling," said Reyes. "For now, Ill just
take it day by day and see what happens." Reyes has been hitting to maintain his Redblacks have yet to suit up for a regular-season
batting stroke but still has yet to run at full speed. When Reyes is ready to
play, he expects to appear in at least a couple of minor league rehab games
before returning to the Blue Jays. JANSSEN UPDATE Casey Janssen, out with an
abdominal/back strain, doesnt think hell be ready to come off the disabled list
when hes eligible on Sunday. "Probably not," said Janssen. "I dont know the
exact date but Ive got to get on a rehab somewhere; hopefully shortly
thereafter." Janssen expects only to need one or two minor league rehab games
before hes back with the Blue Jays. If he continues to progress, its not
unreasonable to expect Janssen to return mid-to-late next week.
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