Post by lingzi on Sept 12, 2012 8:39:11 GMT 1
MISSISSAUGA, Ont. Joe Flacco Jersey . - These are hard times for the defending East Division champions. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have dropped three straight games and are the CFLs lone remaining winless squad. And not only is the club coming off a lopsided 42-10 loss to the Edmonton Eskimos, they are limping into Rogers Centre to face defensive end Erijo Kuale and the Toronto Argonauts on Wednesday night. Watch the game live on TSN starting at 7pm et/4pm pt. You can also listen to the game on TSN 1050 in Toronto and nationally at TSN.ca. Backup quarterback Alex Brink will get the start for Winnipeg after incumbent Buck Pierce hurt his foot against Edmonton. Brink also left the game versus the Eskimos after taking a nasty hit from linebacker J.C. Sherritt. "Im expecting a lot out of him," Kuale said of Brink. "Just because hes the backup, were not going to treat him any different because he has the tools to be the starter. "He has a great arm. Playing him last year, he makes great decisions and hes more elusive than everyone thinks he is. Were going into this week as if Buck is playing because both of them can run, both of them can throw, both of them can make the throws they have to in order to win the game. Running back Chad Simpson will make his 2012 debut for Winnipeg. He will start at tailback in place of Bloi-Dei Dorzon and be backed up by Canadian rookie Nathan Riva, a former Western Mustangs star. Dorzon, who started the Bombers first three games, wont dress for Wednesdays contest. Simpson was injured during training camp. The Bombers were one of the CFLs biggest stories last season, surging to a 7-1 record en route to capturing top spot in the East Division with 10-8 mark. In fact, Winnipeg didnt suffer its third loss of 2011 until the 11th week of the season. But the Grey Cup finalists have struggled this year, having scored a league-low 56 points while allowing 116 points, tops in the CFL. The Bombers might be down, but Argos head coach Scott Milanovich says theyre still very dangerous. "From an offensive standpoint theyre getting a lot of big plays, he said. "Our guys are going to have to play the deep ball really well and continue to stop the run. "Defensively, historically theyve been a press-man defence, very aggressive, been able to rush the passer with four and stop the run. Were going to have to find a balance there like we do every week. Argos starter Ricky Ray also has a healthy respect for Winnipegs defensive unit. "I still see them playing hard, playing fast, he said. "They still have a good rush with their front four and have some good DBs in the back end, (Jonathan) Hefney and (Jovon) Johnson and (Ian) Logan at safety who have been in that system for a while. "Theyre still a dangerous team defensively. You dont want to make mistakes with them because they have guys who can play the ball really well in the back end and get some turnovers. Toronto made two changes on its 46-man roster, adding American kicker Swayze Waters and Canadian safety Etienne Boulay, who both signed with the club earlier this week. Swayze replaces veteran kicker Noel Prefontaine, who went on the nine-game injured list this week with a hip ailment that will require surgery. The Argos (1-2) are also entering Wednesdays contest on a losing note, dropping a 36-27 road decision to the arch-rival Hamilton Tiger-Cats last weekend. In that game, Ticats star Chris Williams returned a punt and missed field goal for first-half touchdowns. It marked the second straight game Toronto had surrendered a TD off a missed field goal and the cover unit will face a stiff challenge Wednesday containing speedy Winnipeg returner Demond Washington. But Milanovich said his clubs coverage woes wont prevent him from trying longer field goals against the Bombers. "When youre in field-goal range and its reasonable, meaning inside of 50, you have to trust your guys, he said. "You have to trust them to make the kick and if he doesnt make it you have to trust them to cover it. "Thats not going to change for me. I have a ton of confidence in our guys and our coaching staff. I think were going to see things rectified. Antonio Brown Jersey . The move is retroactive to Sunday. Nady was batting .157 with three home runs and six RBIs in 40 games. An orthopedist told the Nationals the injury could worsen and Nady would miss more time. Nate Washington Jersey . Reichelt clocked two minutes 15.17 seconds on the Rosa Khutor slope to follow up his leading time in the opening session Wednesday. Christof Innerhofer of Italy was second, 1. Torrey Smith Jersey . Ryan Theriot, Andre Ethier, Jay Gibbons and Matt Kemp each hit a solo homer, as the Dodgers bounced back from a 3-1 loss on Friday. That defeat snapped a 12-game home winning streak over the Reds. Ramirez, who was put on the DL July 20, retroactive to July 17, due to a right calf strain, went hitless in three at-bats and fanned twice before being replaced in left field by Reed Johnson to start the sixth inning. Torrey Smith Jersey . He will return 10 years later as captain of an International team that has only one victory in nine tries. Price, a three-time major champion and among the most popular players of his generation, was selected to be International captain for the 2013 matches. Champ Bailey Jersey . "I cant wait to play for, er, with Hanley," Reyes said. If Reyes played for Ramirez, there would be no change at shortstop. Instead, Ramirez is reluctantly giving up the position. CLEVELAND -- For the first time since the final year of the Michael Jordan era, the road through the Eastern Conference playoffs will again go through Chicago. Carlos Boozer had 24 points and 11 rebounds, and the Bulls clinched the top seed in the East with a 93-82 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night. Chicago, which has won six straight and 18 of 20, will have home-court advantage through the first three rounds of the playoffs. The Bulls hadnt finished with the best record in the East since 1997-98, the most recent of their six NBA championships with Jordan. Despite wrapping up the top seed, there were no celebrations in Chicagos locker room. "Its good to be the No. 1 seed, but at the end of the day we understand that there is a bigger picture," centre Joakim Noah said. "Were staying focused. Its definitely an achievement and were excited about it." The Bulls, winners of five in a row and nine of 10 on the road, had six players score in double figures. Ronnie Brewer had 12 points while Derrick Rose added 11 points and eight assists. Noah scored 11 points while Luol Deng and Kyle Korver had 10 points apiece. J.J. Hickson led Cleveland with 22 points and 15 rebounds. Daniel Gibson scored 14 points while Ramon Sessions added 13. The Cavaliers, who had won their previous two games, fell into a tie with Minnesota for the leagues worst record. The Bulls, who barely made the playoffs last season and were eliminated by the Cavaliers in the first round, have made major strides under first-year coach Tom Thibodeau, who had been a longtime assistant with Boston. "Last year we qualified on the last day and now we are the No. 1 seed." Noah said. "That feels pretty good." Rose, a leading candidate for the leagues Most Valuable Player Award, gives his coach all the credit. "Tibbs, man, is the coach of the year to me," he said. "Hes been honest, holding everyone accountable, every time we step on the court." The players also reflect the business-like attitude of their coach. "Its the next step," Thibodeau said. "We still have a ways to go. Were not done. We have to keep playing and keep improving." Boozer believes the teams chemistry is a major reason for the success. "The good thing about our team is that we have alll good guys," he said. Corey Graham Jersey. "We dont have any jerks on the team, and in the NBA thats rare." Despite clinching the East, Thibodeau doesnt plan on resting his key players. The Bulls, who have three games remaining, trail San Antonio by one game for the best record in the league. "You want to put as many things going in your favour as possible," he said. "It doesnt guarantee anything, but thats how you have to approach it." The Cavaliers were trying to win three in a row for the first time since Nov. 5-9. Coach Byron Scott was unhappy with Clevelands 16 turnovers that resulted in 16 points for the Bulls. "We did not help ourselves," he said. "They are a very good team, but we didnt do a very good job of taking care of the ball." Chicago led 54-46 at halftime, but the Cavaliers cut the lead to three midway through the third quarter. The Bulls scored 10 straight points and ended the period on an 18-6 run. Hicksons thunderous dunk brought the Cavaliers to 60-57 at the 7:06 mark of the quarter, but the Bulls scored six straight points, forcing Scott to call timeout. The run continued on Dengs layup and a basket by Boozer, giving Chicago a 70-57 lead. Hickson scored two baskets for Cleveland, but the Bulls ended the quarter on an 8-2 run and led 78-63. Roses two free throws broke a 14-14 tie midway through the first quarter, giving Chicago the lead for good. Cleveland cut the lead to 31-30 early in the second period, but the Bulls quickly built a 14-point lead. Alonzo Gee scored 11 points and Baron Davis added 10 for Cleveland. Before the game, the Cavaliers honoured their Hall of Fame radio play-by-play man Joe Tait, who is retiring at the end of the season, his 39th announcing Clevelands games. A banner bearing Taits name was raised to the rafters next to the Cavaliers retired numbers. Tait has called 3,381 Cavaliers games. His last one will be Wednesday against Washington. NOTES: Noah hit a hook shot from about 35 feet at the end of the first half, but it came after time ran out. ... The Bulls play their next two games on the road, Sunday at Orlando and Tuesday at New York. ... Cavaliers F Samardo Samuels (groin) missed his third straight game. G-F Christian Eyenga has been benched for the last two games because he has missed two many defensive assignments. ' ' '