正文

ke a favourable impr

(2015-05-14 23:58:23) 下一個
Ricky Foley cant wait for the start of the CFL playoffs to begin but not at the expense of looking past the Edmonton Eskimos. Francisco Rodriguez Jersey. Foley and the Saskatchewan Roughriders conclude their regular season Saturday hosting Edmonton. Win or lose, the Riders (11-6) have already clinched second in the West Division -- and will host B.C. in the conference semifinal Nov. 17 -- while the Eskimos (3-14) are destined to finish last. But the contest has meaning for both teams. Saskatchewan is coming off a bitter 29-25 road loss to Calgary (14-3), which cemented first in the West for the Stampeders. Heading into the post-season having dropped two straight games would be hardly ideal for the Riders. While theres no playoff date for Edmonton, for many of its players this will be the final opportunity to make a favourable impression, either with the Eskimos or other CFL teams, for next year. "We cant look past Edmonton," Foley said. "If you look past Edmonton and start gameplanning for and worrying about B.C. youre going to get your head kicked in by Edmonton. "Those guys are playing for jobs and those coaches are gameplanning for jobs. Theyre going to come in here hungry. We also dont want to be on a two-game losing streak going into the playoffs, that wouldnt be very good." Despite its struggles, Edmonton boasts some solid offensive threats. Quarterback Mike Reilly, in his first season as a CFL starter, has throw for 4,157 yards and 24 TDs while running for 649 yards -- tops among quarterbacks -- and is averaging 8.4 yards per rush. The Eskimos also boast the CFLs top receiver in slotback Fred Stamps, who has 68 catches for a league-best 1,259 yards and 11 TDs. "Offensively theyve got some playmakers," Foley said. "Obviously Fred Stamps is special but the quarterback, man, hes just a football player. "Ive got so much respect for Mike Reilly. Hes a guy Ive hit a lot this year but he gets up, he doesnt complain to his O-line and being a vet Ive got a lot of respect for that kind of player. Hes going to be a good player in this league." The six-foot-two, 258-pound Foley joined the Riders as a free agent last off-season after helping the Toronto Argonauts win the 100th Grey Cup game in November at Rogers Centre. With this years CFL title game being played at Mosaic Stadium, Saskatchewan is attempting to become the third straight team to win the Grey Cup on home soil -- B.C. also did it in 2011. Foley, 31, of Courtice, Ont., has flourished in Regina with eight sacks after registered nine over three seasons in Toronto. The eight-year veteran is enjoying his best CFL campaign since a career-best 12 sacks in 09 with B.C. that earned him the leagues top Canadian award that year. But its been a season of streaks for Saskatchewan, which opened the 2013 campaign with five straight wins before a 42-27 road loss to Calgary on Aug. 9. After reeling off three consecutive victories the Riders lost 25-13 to Winnipeg. That was the start of four straight losses before a 31-17 road victory in Vancouver that began a three-game losing streak. Then came last weekends heart-breaking loss to the Stampeders at McMahon Stadium. "I thought we had a pretty good effort in Calgary," Foley said. "Theyre the best team in the league record-wise but I think we had the opportunity to beat them and shouldve beat them and you can take a little bit of positive from that. "Obviously guys are disappointed about not being able to win first place but we have to get this one this week and when B.C. comes in here be on a roll." The Riders-Stampeders rivalry this season has been intense, on and off the field. Saskatchewans Kory Sheets helped pour gasoline on the fire recently by publicly stating he was a better running back than Calgarys Jon Cornish, the CFL rushing leader. Sheets topped the rushing race midway through the season before suffering a knee injury that forced him to miss three games. Cornish, who was second overall behind Sheets at the time, stormed into the lead and hasnt looked back since. But Foley said in an eight-team league where clubs play one another often, animosity is bound to build up. "When you play a team that much and its the two top dogs in the division its going to be intense," he said. "Its like a playoff series in hockey when you see a team that much and that frequently in such a short period of time theres going to be a lot of built-up anger towards those guys. "But that makes it fun. Its good for the league, its good for the fans and its fun for us players." Once the playoffs begin, Foley said discipline will be key for the Riders. "I think thats going to be the biggest thing," he said. "There also has to be good leadership going into the playoffs. "Without question, weve got the talent to do what we want to do but the leadership has to be there, the discipline has to be there and we cant beat ourselves. We do that I think well be fine." Ryan Braun Brewers Jersey . The top-ranked Czech Republic will visit Canada for a first-round tie Feb. 7-8, 2015. "This will be our first World Group tie and the team knows that no matter who the opponent, it will be a very talented team that is one of the best in the world," Canadas Fed Cup captain Sylvain Bruneau said in a release. Aramis Ramirez Jersey . Parsons scored 26 points, and the Rockets almost blew a 12-point lead in the final 4 minutes before hanging on for a 117-115 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night. FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Geno Smith is staying put as the New York Jets starting quarterback. His hold on the job, however, is tenuous at best. "Hes our best shot, in my opinion," coach Rex Ryan said. Ryan confirmed Monday that hes sticking with the rookie despite Smiths struggles in the last several games. "I believe in Geno," Ryan said. "I think he has the tools to be a good quarterback in this league." Smith wasnt surprised when he was told Monday morning by quarterbacks coach David Lee that he would start the home game Sunday against the Oakland Raiders. "Every day I come into this building, I fully expect to play," Smith said. "I prepare that way. When I got the news, it wasnt a major reaction." Smith was benched in favour of Matt Simms at halftime of the Jets 23-3 loss to the Miami Dolphins following another brutal performance. The rookie was 4 for 10 for 29 yards with an interception and an 8.3 quarterback rating in two quarters. "If it was a tactic to wake me up or get me going," Smith said, "it definitely worked because right now I definitely feel a sense of urgency." He has one touchdown pass -- against New England on Oct. 20 -- and 11 interceptions in his last seven games. The Jets (5-7) have lost three straight to go from controlling their playoff destiny a few weeks ago to barely hanging on in the post-season mix. Still, Smith will get the start against Oakland over Simms and veteran David Garrard, who hasnt played a regular-season game since 2010. "His perseverance is impressive to me," Ryan said about Smith. "Hell bounce back from this, and Im just waiting for him to have a great game." Simms said he was anxious coming to the facility, not knowing if he would get his first NFL start or remain Smiths backup -- at least for the next game. "Obviously, when you get out there on the field and you get a little taste of the real action, all you want is you want more of it," Simms said. "But nonetheless, Genos the man and Im going to support him and prepare like I have been. "If my numbers called again, then Ill go out there and play as hard I can again." Smith was booed loudly by the MetLife Stadium crowd at times before being replaced by Simms. The son of former Giants star Phil Simms was cheered as he jogged onto the field to start the third quarter, but didnt fare much better. He was 9 for 18 for 779 yards with an interception, and was sacked three times. Scooter Gennett Authentic Jersey. "I did enough to solidify that Im still the (backup)," Simms said, smiling. "So, at least I didnt play myself out of my job, so thats the key." Garrard spoke to Smith on the sideline after the benching, encouraging him to continue to cheer for the team and keep his spirits up. The veteran also thinks Smith will be able to bounce back. "He has it in him," Garrard said. "I think these are the growing pains of a young quarterback. Being able to play your way out of it is also going to be another good lesson for him too moving forward with his career. He has to find somewhere to dig down." While Smith is getting the bulk of the criticism among the players, the fact is there are several other culprits in the Jets recent spiral. The offensive line has been inconsistent, the defence -- particularly the secondary -- has been uncharacteristically leaky and the spate of injuries to key players on offence has left a dearth of top talent on the field. "Hes only struggling because were not helping him out," left guard Willie Colon said. "Thats the bottom line." After watching the film, Ryan reiterated what he said Sunday of the teams play against the Dolphins, calling it "just a poor performance on our part." The Dolphins dominated during the first two quarters, outgaining the Jets 265 yards to 39, with 16 first downs to New Yorks 2. Miami took control in the second half and finished by outgaining New York 453-177. "Obviously, hes going through some rough times," Ryan said about Smith. "These last three games havent been good for him. Quite honestly, it hasnt been good for a lot of us." NOTES: Ryan said KR-WR Josh Cribbs shoulder injury is "pretty bad. I think its pretty serious." The Jets could be in the market for a kick returner, especially since Ryan indicated that Antonio Cromartie (four returns, 31.5 yard average) wouldnt be an ideal option since hes the teams top cornerback. ... Ryan said S Ed Reed, off to a slow start with the Jets, will continue to start "unless hes injured." ... WR Santonio Holmes only played two snaps after sitting out all week with a hamstring injury. "We thought he was going to play a little more than that," said Ryan, who added that the coaches noticed "that burst wasnt quite there." wholesale nfl jerseys wholesale jerseys ' ' '
[ 打印 ]
閱讀 ()評論 (0)
評論
目前還沒有任何評論
登錄後才可評論.