Treffen » imple, but it really stands out too,"

Final score of last years Grey Cup: Saskatchewan 45, Hamilton 23. What a disaster right? No, far from it. I thought last year for the Tiger-Cats was an immense success, not the ultimate success, but immense in my evaluation. Ending the season at 10-8 was the first time the Ticats had a 10 win season since 2001. Getting 10 wins has a psychological comfort about it in that it means you are not great but by no means are you a disaster. And then you consider in support of those 10 wins the team made it to the Grey Cup, first time since 1999, the 45-23 loss has to be put into rational perspective against the season. The Ticats had a good season last year, a type that leads to the inevitable feeling of impending improvement. Consider playing the season basically on the road at University of Guelph. To be clear, that city receives my praise for embracing the Ticats with both arms and not letting go. All adversity considered, we all thank them for what they did both on and off the field. Sure, I am positive the revenue they received enhances the quality of what it was invested in, but my attitude is "thank you for being there." If not for you, not sure what the league could do. But, this year could be different with the building of Tim Hortons Field. I live about 15 minutes away and have keep my eye on its progress month after month. It is coming, may not yet be 100 per cent ready, but its mold gives me a feeling that this could be unique. A home field advantage could finally be a tangible aspect of winning football. What needs to improve? Well, like all teams there is always room. First and most importantly, continuity of personnel. Hamilton went through 57 different starters over the course of the year; some due to injury but also some due to simple evaluation of whether this player can play productively and consistently. Given those two factors, this year cant be another 57 player year; way too many. Also a 1-4 start is hard to overcome. I always hear about how the real CFL season doesnt start until September and it is a false observational claim. Toronto finished 11-7, Hamilton 10-8; if their 1-4 start was 3-2 or 4-1, the Ticats could have been a first place team in the East. Improvement points are everywhere though when you look at the overall statistical package. Finishing eighth in protecting the quarterback and eighth in getting to the quarterback has to improve and will. Improving on their only 14 interceptions is also a priority when you compare that to Montreals 27. Red zone offense was just sixth best, as was red zone defence. Point being Hamiltons 10 wins were done the hard way, not the dominate way. Major point of optimism? Ticats finished second best in total yards, averaging 373 a game. Which brings us to the most important names in priority of performance: Zach Collaros, Dan LeFevour or maybe even Jeremiah Masoli. That battle through training camp will be entertaining and interesting. Entertaining in that all three are good athletes that can adapt exceptionally well when the situation regresses. Interesting in that Kent Austin will give the job to the guy who is the smartest under stress; a quality not always recognizable from the outside looking in. When you play a position in football you truly know the position because you have played it under pressure. I know the left tackle position. I can recognize a good one, an average one, and everything in between very quickly. The exact same can be said for Austin as a quarterback. Whichever player can take the pressure Austin puts on him - and he will - and respond, will be the starter. When you have played the position you know the position and the Hamilton Tiger cats are fortunate their head coach is a former successful CFL quarterback. Now as much as quarterback is the man in football, Hamiltons second best move this off-season was getting Justin Medlock back as kicker, punter and kickoff specialist. He was an 89 per cent kicker and 41 yards-per-punt punter. So many CFL games come down to a kick or a moment the kicker can control. Getting Medlock back is a big deal in the world of off-season football moves. Interesting time if youre a Hamilton Tiger-Cats fan. A 20-year agreement with a new stadium, a team that knows how to win through experience and yet still has a lot to improve upon. It will be entertaining and interesting to see how the new season unfolds. Entertaining as a new era of football begins in the exact physical area of history and respect. And interesting in that given the avoidance of injury disaster, this is a team that should progress on many fronts. I will miss Ivor Wynne, it was a big part of my childhood. But I will embrace Tim Hortons Field as it becomes part of my adulthood. Everything changes, but this may be easier to adapt and enjoy than anticipated. Tyreek Hill Jersey .com) - Even-money favorite Liams Map proved a little too tough down the stretch and won Saturdays $100,000 Harlans Holiday Stakes at Gulfstream Park. Christian Okoye Jersey .J. - Several people have collapsed in an overcrowded New Jersey train station while waiting in long lines to get to the Super Bowl. http://www.officialkcchiefspro.com/Marcus-allen-chiefs-jersey/ . The International Ice Hockey Federation says Pavlovs avoided a two-year sanction because he acted "without significant negligence in failing to verify the safety of the supplements he was taking. Custom Kansas City Chiefs Jerseys . -- Kevin Stadler might be playing in the Masters for the first time, but hes already showing his old man a thing or two. Patrick Mahomes Jersey . Joel Embiid was nearly unstoppable in the paint in the second half, and Naadir Tharpe seemingly couldnt miss.TORONTO -- While most of his NBA draftmates were auditioning on courts around the league, Anthony Bennett was making the rounds of NBA offices. The Brampton, Ont., native is touted as a potential top-five pick in Thursdays nights NBA draft, but the UNLV swingman has been sidelined since having rotator cuff surgery in May. Bennett has to hope he impressed in his interviews, and his play in college this past season, but he said hes confident his injury wont dictate what NBA jersey hell be wearing next season. "There were a lot of questions about the surgery of course (in interviews)," Bennett said in a phone interview from New York. "But I feel like the surgery is not really a big issue, just because David Altchek (the New York Mets doctor and a medical consultant for the NBA) did it. Hes one of the top guys. So I feel like its going to be cool." Bennetts rehab will keep him out of action until training camp, meaning hell miss NBA summer league. Plus the six-foot-seven, 240-pound player already missed draft combine and individual workouts. He did travel to the drafts top five teams -- Cleveland, Orlando, Washington, Charlotte and Phoenix -- for interviews. Bennett had surgery a few weeks after the Runnin Rebels were upset in the second round of March Madness in a 64-61 loss to California. "At the end of my season, I felt like it was the best choice, best decision for me to go ahead and get surgery for my shoulder, instead of doing it after summer league," Bennett said. "I felt like it was the right decision because Im going to be back before training camp, even though Im going to miss out on summer league. But training camp, I feel like thats one I really cant miss." Bennett played this past season at UNLV, earning Mountain West freshman of the year honours. He led the team in scoring with 16.1 points a game. He also led the team, and was fifth in the conference, in rebounds averaging 8.1. Hes one of three Canadians who are NBA-bound. Gonzaga forward Kelly Olynyk is a projected lottery pick while University of Texas point guard Myck Kabongo is expected to go late in the second round. Tristan Thompson is the highest Canadian NBA draft pick, going fourth overall to Cleveland in 2011. The forward from Brampton, Ont., said Bennett shouldnt stress about where he lands in the draft -- the health of his shoulder is more important. "Because its a long season, 82 games plus training camp, it takes a toll on your body, so make sure you get your shoulder healthy first," Thompson said in a phone interview. "And then second, it doesnt matter what number you get picked, its about the best fit in the best situation for you. Look at Darko Milicic, he went No. 2 (in 2003) but hes not in the NBA right now. And youve got Dwyane Wade (No. 5 pick the same year) who has won NBA championships. "So its about the best fit. Its not about the pick, its about whats the best fit and hoow you can extend your career for as long as you can.dddddddddddd" Two other top-10 draft prospects for this year -- Nerlens Noel and Alex Len -- also had recent surgeries, Noel for a torn ACL and Len for an ankle injury. Bennett said hes just starting lifting weights again. "Not too heavy, but just a good amount to build back the strength. Ive been doing that, and some mobility work," he said. He was just wrapping up a whirlwind Wednesday in New York that he spent doing interviews and photo shoots. All the draft prospects also toured the 9/11 memorial. Bennett has two teams worth of family members with him in New York -- some 25-30 (he lost count) of uncles, aunts and cousins, and his mom and sister. Hes purchased his suit for his walk across the stage -- scarlet and grey, UNLVs colours. "Simple, but it really stands out too," he said of his fashion choice. These are heady days for Canadian basketball as Bennett, Olynyk and Kabongo are poised to join the eight Canadians already in the NBA, two of whom -- Miamis Joel Anthony and San Antonios Cory Joseph -- played in the NBA final. "Its a big time for those young guys, and its big for our country and its big for our national team, having three guys that are potential first-round picks, all Canadians," Thompson said. "I think its because were getting the opportunity and were getting the media attention and the exposure with these young kids coming up. And also these young kids are taking this game seriously and theyre seeing that if they work hard it is possible to become an NBA player and get drafted. Its kind of a seeing is believing type thing. With Steve Nash being the forefather of all this and me and Cory being the grandpas, its exciting," he added, laughing. Nash was the highest Canadian draft pick before Thompson, going 15th overall to Phoenix in 1996. Bennett spoke to Nash, whos also the general manager of Canadas mens team, a few months ago. "It was back when I didnt really know what I was doing, if I was going to stay in college or I was going to leave, but he just told me if I do leave, just work hard, because not every year is guaranteed for you," Bennett said. "That kind of stuck with me." While Bennett insisted hell be happy wherever he lands -- "top-10, or even if its 11 through 20" -- he did say he wouldnt mind topping Thompson in the draft pecking order. "Its history. Tristan, he went No. 4 a couple of years ago, so if I beat that, Ill be happy," Bennett said. "Its just a great era of Canadian basketball right now, because we have people in the NBA, we have people getting drafted this year, we have people in college, we have people still in high school who are dominating. Its just crazy throughout different levels." Andrew Wiggins, a budding superstar from Thornhill, Ont., is being projected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 draft. Cheap Buffalo Sabres Gear Wholesale Calgary Flames Jerseys Cheap Adidas Colorado Avalanche Jerseys Montreal Canadiens Outlet Store Wholesale New Jersey Devils Jerseys Adidas Arizona Coyotes Jerseys Cheap Adidas Boston Bruins Jerseys Cheap Adidas Carolina Hurricanes Jerseys Chicago Blackhawks Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Columbus Blue Jackets Jerseys Dallas Stars Shop Free Shipping Cheap Adidas Detroit Red Wings Jerseys Anaheim Ducks Jerseys China Wholesale Edmonton Oilers Jerseys Florida Panthers Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Los Angeles Kings Jerseys Minnesota Wild Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Nashville Predators Jerseys Cheap Adidas New York Islanders Jerseys New York Rangers Winter Classic Jerseys Cheap Adidas Ottawa Senators Jerseys Cheap Adidas Philadelphia Flyers Jerseys Wholesale Pittsburgh Penguins Jerseys Cheap Adidas San Jose Sharks Jerseys St. Louis Blues Winter Classic Jerseys Wholesale Tampa Bay Lightning Jerseys Toronto Maple Leafs Outlet Store Vancouver Canucks Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Vegas Golden Knights Jerseys Cheap Adidas Washington Capitals Jerseys Cheap Adidas Winnipeg Jets Jerseys ' ' '