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| 1445 Beiträge - Hardcoreposter
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TORONTO -- Corey Chamblin could win another 10 football championships and never duplicate the one he earned this year with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. The Roughriders successfully shouldered the weight of heavy expectations and overcame adversity in 2013, capping the year with a dominant 45-23 Grey Cup win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Nov. 24. The title was Saskatchewans fourth but first on home soil before a rabid Mosaic Stadium gathering of 44,710. "There will never be a more perfect night in football than that one," the Riders head coach said. "When we walked out and saw all that green, Ill tell you, it wasnt just a home game, it was more a homecoming. "Youll never replicate that. Many people are talking about repeating and all that, and I say well never be able to do what we did this year again. It was too special." The Riders were rewarded for that accomplishment by sports editors and broadcasters across the country, who voted them The Canadian Press Team of the Year for 2013. "Thats amazing," said Riders GM Brendan Taman, "Thats quite an honour." The Grey Cup champions earned 28 per cent the vote to edge out Canadas Davis Cup tennis team (23 per cent). The Vanier Cup-champion Laval Rouge et Or were third with 14 per cent while the Memorial Cup-winning Halifax Mooseheads earned 13 per cent. "They are Canadas team and their Grey Cup win in front of their home fans capped a Cinderella season for the Riders," said Bob Irving, the sports director at CJOB radio in Winnipeg. "Canadas Team wins the Grey Cup in its home province," added Montreal Gazette sports editor Stu Cowan. "Might never happen again. Enough said." Its the second time the Riders have been named team of the year. They also captured the honour in 07 after beating Winnipeg 23-19 in the Grey Cup. Saskatchewan is the second CFL champion in three years to be named the countrys top team following the B.C. Lions in 2011. Running back Kory Sheets was a one-man show in the Grey Cup with a record 197 yards rushing and two TDs for MVP honours. Slotback Chris Getzlaf, a Regina native, was named top Canadian with three catches for 78 yards. But it was Taman who built a team capable of winning a championship at home. In January, he acquired veteran slotback Geroy Simon from B.C., then in free agency signed defensive ends John Chick and Canadian Ricky Foley as well as outspoken defensive back Dwight Anderson. All four were previous Grey Cup champions and proven veterans who were expected to provide leadership to an already solid existing core. In October, Taman gambled by acquiring rush end Alex Hall from Winnipeg. Hall had a CFL-leading 15 sacks at the time but was slated to become a free agent in February with plans to pursue NFL opportunities. Although he never showed it, Taman admits the expectations weighed on him. "It was one of the toughest years that way since Ive been in the business and Ive been in it 26 years," he said. "That was the most pressure Ive felt but I kept a lot of that within, which probably wasnt healthy, however externally I never really admitted to it too much." For years, Simon was the No. 1 receiver in B.C., but assumed more of a supporting role in Saskatchewan. Although Simon became the CFLs all-time leading receiver this season, he was fourth on the Riders with 40 catches for 565 yards and three TDs. But against Hamilton, Simon had three receptions for 67 yards and his first two Grey Cup TDs. Foley, Chick, Anderson and Hall all helped Saskatchewans defence establish itself as the CFLs stingiest, allowing a league-low 22.1 points per game and finishing tied for the interceptions lead (24). And in the opening half of the Grey Cup, the unit held Hamilton to just three yards rushing and five first downs as the Riders surged to a commanding 31-6 advantage. Saskatchewan opened the season emphatically, posting an impressive 8-1 record. Anchoring the Riders start was Sheets, who ran for 100 or more yards in the clubs first six games and seven of eight, amassing over 1,000 yards at the halfway point of the season. But after opening September with a 48-25 win over Winnipeg, the Riders dropped four straight. Whats more, Sheets suffered a knee injury in a 31-29 home loss to Toronto on Sept. 14 and then later in the month Anderson and receivers Taj Smith and Eron Riley were arrested and charged with aggravated assault following a bar fight. "I think its healthy to go through a little adversity during the season because it makes you stronger down the road," Foley said. "No panic button was pressed but after we lost four in a row going on that road trip, a lot of veterans just said, Ok, enough is enough, this has got to be it." The turning point of Saskatchewans season came Oct. 4 at B.C. Place. Sheets returned to run for 80 yards and two TDs, Anderson registered one of three interceptions while Foley had two of five sacks in the Riders 31-17 road victory. "To me, thats when I knew this team had a chance to go all the way," Taman said. "When we went into a tough place to play and knocked them off and we got our running back back, thats when I knew this team had the chance to do something special. "Deep down I thought if we won this game this team is back, were back to that 8-1 team and we were." A fact not lost on Foley, named the top Canadian in Torontos 2012 Grey Cup win over Calgary. "I remember in that locker-room before the game how focused and intense we were," he said. "Darian (Riders quarterback Darian Durant) is our pre-game speech guy and he says what we need to hear and for some reason that day he pointed to me and said, Get em, and I went off. "I took a page out of (former Argos teammate) Adriano Bellis book and flipped the tables over during the pre-game speech and knocked everything over. I apologized to the guys I got Gatorade on afterwards but I think that was the turning point of our year when everybody came together in all three phases." Saskatchewan (11-7) finished its season losing two straight, including a 29-25 road decision to Calgary (league-best 14-4) for top spot in the West Division. But another big win over B.C., 29-25 in the Western semifinal, set up a conference final rematch with the Stampeders at McMahon Stadium. Saskatchewan emerged with a 35-13 victory as Sheets ran for 177 yards and a TD while Durant threw for 280 yards and three touchdowns. And then there was the Grey Cup, and the boost the Saskatchewan players received playing before the sea of green that was Rider Nation at venerable Mosaic Stadium. "What topped it all off was that it was here," Taman said. "If wed won this in Toronto or Vancouver, flying back wouldve been cool but we just literally won the game right here with all our fans sitting in that crowd. "It was a once-in-a-lifetime thing." For Chamblin, the full scope of the Grey Cup victory hasnt fully sunk in. "Not until I get that ring," he said. "Every once in a while I lean over to my wife and tell her, We won the Grey Cup. "We treated it as the next game and thats why we didnt let it get too big for us. Once I see the ring, Ill really feel like, you know what? We won the championship." Foleys third career Grey Cup win -- his first was with B.C in 06 -- was decidedly different than the 2012 championship he earned with Toronto. "In Toronto with coach (Scott) Milanovich, we never spoke about the Grey Cup at all," Foley said. "But coach Chamblin always addressed us Good morning champs, and at first I didnt know how to take it because we hadnt won anything. "But I think because we addressed the issue of pressure and the objective early on, once we beat Calgary at McMahon there really wasnt a celebration because it felt like this was what we were supposed to do. We expected to be there and then with the Grey Cup at home, instead of having pressure it was more like an advantage." And for Getzlaf, the opportunity to realize a childhood dream. "As a Saskatchewan kid, to play professional football for the team you grew up cheering for is special in itself," he said. "Then to have an opportunity to get to the Grey Cup and win it on home soil, I dont think that will sink in for a while. "When you go out on top in front of your own fans whove waited a long time for a situation like that, its such an amazing feeling." However, Getzlaf isnt resting on his laurels. "Oh no, its back to the grind," he said. "Im already back to the gym trying to make my body right to hopefully do it all over again." For Chamblin, that means aiming for another championship but not a repeat. "Repeating means doing the same thing and we cant do that," he said. "What we did will forever be etched in our minds . . . it really tested our mettle and allowed us to grow." Franco Harris Jersey . The (11-11-4) Jets are seventh in the Central Division with 26 points. Fifth place Dallas and sixth-seeded Nashville also have 26 points, but the Stars have three games in hand on Winnipeg while Nashville has two. Kevin Greene Jersey . The 11-year NBA veteran scored 18 of his 28 points in the third quarter and the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Phoenix Suns 104-96 Tuesday to match their season best of five victories in a row. http://www.shoptheofficialsteelers.com/Elite-Leveon-Bell-Ste elers-Jersey/ . Miller finished in two minutes, 6.09 seconds, one day before the first medal race on the Alpine schedule. The 36-year-old American also turned in the top time in Thursdays opening training session. Steve McLendon Authentic Jersey . - The Washington Wizards are in a great position to make the playoffs for the first time in six years, and John Wall has a lot to do with it. Adam Podlesh Jersey . Owens was roughed up in Torontos 20-9 defeat to Montreal on Tuesday, needing treatment twice after hurting his neck and taking a hard shot to the abdomen. In other news from Fridays practice, Jerious Norwood took most of the snaps at running back for Curtis Steele. Norwood also did some returning, although Milanovich said returns would likely be done by committee.SAN ANTONIO -- Tony Parker plans to play in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. The San Antonio Spurs open their rematch with the Miami Heat on Thursday, and their star point guard is nursing a balky left ankle. "Hes getting better every day, and I expect him to play," coach Gregg Popovich said Tuesday. Parker aggravated the injury Saturday, missing the second half of San Antonios series-clinching victory over Oklahoma City in the Western Conference finals. Parker didnt practice Tuesday, but said he expects to be back Wednesday. Parker is averaging a team-leading 17.2 points and 4.9 assists this post-season but has been bothered by injuries the past two rounds. "I always try to be honest with Pop," Parker said. "He knows, but if Im 50 per cent Ill try to play. If Im under 50 per cent, we can argue." Parker conceded the ankle has bothered him since San Antonios second-round series against Portland, although he did not divulge it at the time. "I dont like to talk about when Im hurt," he said. "I played on it for the whole series against Portland. Thats why I think my hamstring got hurt because I was playing on a bad ankle." Parker had tightness in his left hamstring midway through the second quarter of Game 5 against the Trail Blazers, forcing him to miss the rest of the Spurs series-clinching victory. He did not miss any of the Western Conference finals because of his hamstring.dddddddddddd But he aggravated the ankle injury in Game 4 against Oklahoma City. "I twisted it again, but didnt say anything," Parker said. "Played on it, and then Game 6 I think my body is like, Thats enough. Its perfect timing to get five days and to get better and to be ready for Game 1." San Antonio was still able to clinch the series without Parker, holding off Oklahoma City for a 112-107 overtime victory to advance to its sixth finals appearance. Parker said he wanted to return for the second half, but was overruled by Popovich and the teams medical staff. "I wanted to play. I wanted to play," Parker said. "Pop was like, No, we never know for Game 7. So I understand where he was coming from, but it was hard to watch from the locker room. At the same time, I was very proud of my teammates. They stepped up big. It was huge for us because I think those five days (off) are big for us to prepare for the finals." Asked whether he would possibly hold Parker out if he was less than 50 per cent, Popovich smirked and alluded to the calf injury that was supposed to keep the Thunders Serge Ibaka out of the Western Conference finals -- but didnt. "Its too early -- hes either 50 per cent or out for the rest of the playoffs," Popovich said. "One of the two . I had to do it. Ill never do it again, I promise. Were done with that joke." ' ' '
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| Beitrag vom 13.11.2014 - 09:55 |
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| gengm125 |
13.11.2014 - 09:55 |
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