Theyre both former CFL players who also spent many years patrolling the sidelines as assistant coaches.
Carson Palmer Authentic Jersey . Tonight, Kavis Reed and Greg Marshall will achieve career milestones together. Catch all the action on RONA Canada Day Kickoff on TSN, tonight at 7pm et/4pm pt. Also available on TSN Mobile TV. The two will make their CFL head-coaching debuts when Reed leads his Edmonton Eskimos into Mosaic Stadium to take on Marshalls Saskatchewan Roughriders. Reed and Marshall are friends, having spent time together over the years exchanging coaching ideas and sharing defensive philosophies. They were both defensive players in the CFL and each spent 10 or more years as an assistant coach before being promoted this off-season. But Reed downplayed the significance of the two making their head-coaching debuts against one another. "Its the way the schedule shakes down, to be honest," Reed said. "We wouldve met sooner or later but as its the debut, it probably adds a little more spice to it. "We have the utmost respect for one another and I know this, I expect him to do very well in his coaching career. But when the ball is kicked, Greg and I will be on the sidelines . . . and the 12 Roughriders and 12 Eskimos on the field will be our biggest concerns." Marshall takes over a Riders team that has won the West Division the past two years and suffered hard-fought Grey Cup losses to Montreal. By comparison, Edmonton finished last in the West last season with a 7-11 record and has missed the playoffs three times in five years. The Riders are again expected to challenge in the West Division. But many football pundits predict a rebuilding season for a young Eskimos squad devoid of many household names outside of such established veterans as quarterback Ricky Ray, receiver Fred Stamps, defensive back Chris Thompson and kicker Damon Duval. "The expectation across the league is because there is a lot of turnover and changes that were going to really struggle," Reed said. "I dont think our struggles are going to be any more pronounced than any of the other teams early on. "Once we get our timing together, once we get the chemistry together and if we avoid major and extended injuries well be fine." Few around the CFL were surprised when the Riders hired Marshall. For years, Marshall had been mentioned as a solid head-coaching candidate and had been considered for a number of vacancies. But Edmonton GM Eric Tillman raised eyebrows when he hired Reed. After playing as a defensive back with the Eskimos, Reed got into coaching in 2001 as the Toronto Argonauts defensive back and special-teams coach and also served as an assistant with Ottawa, Ottawa, Hamilton, Saskatchewan and Winnipeg before returning to Alberta. This isnt the first time Tillman has taken a flyer on a coach. In 2007 while in Saskatchewan, Tillman gave former Riders quarterback Kent Austin his first head-coaching job. Austin went on to lead the team to a Grey Cup title and was named the leagues coach of the year. The biggest change in Reeds job description now, simply put, is responsibility. His new duties include the establishment of the daily practice schedule, speaking daily with the media, holding meetings with coaches to establish gameplans and sitting down with Tillman. But Reed said he walked into the job with his eyes wide open, thanks to time spent with veteran CFL head coaches like Don Matthews, the late Ron Lancaster and Joe Paopao during his time as an assistant. "There are a lot more responsibilities outside of football that have to be addressed and taken care of," Reed said. "But I spent a lot of time talking a lot of people, picking their brains about the things they did and why and that has helped me a lot." Another lesson Reed learned was a head coach allowing his assistants to do their thing. So while he might sit in on the offensive and defensive team meetings now and then, Reed is leaning heavily on offensive co-ordinator Marcus Crandell -- a former CFL quarterback -- and veteran defensive co-ordinator Rich Stubler. "When I was an assistant I really appreciated when the head coach was hands-off from the sense of allowing you to teach and coach and be yourself," Reed said. "I have very competent coaches all around and I truly believe in their talents and abilities to teach. "I try to stay in periodically so I can stay in touch with what theyre teaching and if I see a pitfall I will meet with them privately to say this might be an option versus trying to mandate the option." Fortunately for Edmonton, it has a proven veteran quarterback. The 31-year-old Ray completed 64 per cent of his passes for 3,565 yards but had more interceptions (16) than touchdown tosses (11) despite the presence of Stamps (80 catches, 1,223 yards, five TDs). Last season, Edmontons offence finished second-last in scoring (21.2 points) and passing yards (239.3 yards per game) while giving up a league-high 28 interceptions. Defensively, Edmonton was ranked last in yards allowed (388.2 per game) and points (30.3), sacks (31) and TDs (48). But Thompson had seven interceptions (second-most in the league) and linebacker T.J. Hill was fourth overall in tackles (91). "We have a very athletic football team, we have speed," Reed said. "And for lack of a better term, these guys are hungry because theyre not household names. "Theyre guys looking to make their mark and I think with what were trying to accomplish we have the right kind of players here."
Tony Jefferson Authentic Jersey . -- Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Percy Harvin will have minor shoulder surgery soon to address a nagging injury he played with last season.
John Carlson Jersey . In fact, cranky would best describe the Celtics mood as they packed for a trip home to play Milwaukee on Wednesday. "It was a win, thats all it was for us," Boston coach Doc Rivers said.TORONTO -- B.C. Lions running back Andrew Harris is the CFLs top Canadian for the second week in a row while teammate Emmanuel Arceneaux is the leagues top offensive player of the week. The pair were consistently dangerous in the Lions decisive 41-5 win over Montreal on Saturday. Arceneaux caught eight receptions for 145 yards and a career-high three touchdowns, while Winnipeg native Harris had four receptions for 78 yards and a touchdown and 12 carries for 72 yards. Harris currently is the league leader in rushing yards with 273 yards, sits third in the league in receiving yards with 245 and is tied for second in the league with thhree touchdowns.
Larry Fitzgerald Jersey. Edmonton defensive end Odell Willis is the defensive player of the week. He recorded his first career interception and returned it for his first career touchdown in the Eskimos 26-3 win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Thursday. He also had two tackles, including a sack. Ottawa Redblacks kicker and punter Brett Maher is the special teams player of the week. Maher hit a 27-yard field goal with under a minute to play in the game as the Redblacks earned their first franchise win, beating the Toronto Argonauts 18-17 on Friday. Maher also kicked field goals from 48, 32, 30, 26 and 22 yards.
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