ekansekans's blog: "df"

The Rouge takes a look at each team and poses their biggest question heading into the off-season. Today, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. As much as the Hamilton Tiger-Cats offence flourished last season, their defence struggled equally. How else can you explain a team finishing first in scoring and passing yards and second in total offence, only to finish last in the league? And while its unfair to blame all of Hamiltons 2012 struggles on their defence, of the three units its hard to argue they dont deserve the lions share of the blame for the club failing to live up to pre-season expectations. Logic dictates, then, that the Ticats should dedicate most of their off-season time and resources to improving that unit. With the departure of defensive coordinator Casey Creehan to Winnipeg, its a chance for a fresh start on D in Hamilton. Head coach George Cortez has said the search for Creehans successor will begin immediately. The cupboard isnt completely bare in Hamilton either. The Ticats still have the makings of a strong linebacking corps with former East All-Stars Rey Williams, Jamall Johnson, and Markeith Knowlton, should they all return next season. There were also a few defensive linemen that flashed potential down the stretch last season in the Hammer. Also helping the cause is that Hamilton owns the first overall pick in the upcoming CFL Draft. A quick look at the early draft rankings shows two big defensive linemen that could help in the teams efforts to control the line of scrimmage for years to come. The Rouge asks: How should the Hamilton Tiger-Cats improve their defence this off-season? As always, its Your! Call. NFL Jerseys From China . Vienneau made 34 saves for a shutout as Sudbury blanked the Brampton Battalion 2-0 in Ontario Hockey League action. Cheap Jerseys From China . Coe, who headed the London Olympics, worked with Blatter as chairman of FIFAs ethics committee before taking a role with Englands failed bid to host the 2018 World Cup. http://studyworx.org/china.html . -- The Seattle Seahawks agreed to terms Monday with longtime cornerback Marcus Trufant on a one-year deal.VANCOUVER -- Dane Richards was getting ready to go out for dinner when his life changed. Now, the Jamaican midfielder is getting ready to make his home debut with the Vancouver Whitecaps (8-6-6) against the Los Angeles Galaxy (8-10-2) on Wednesday. "Actually, I was getting ready to go for dinner," Richards said after practice Tuesday. "I had to start packing right away, because I looked at the schedule for Vancouver and I saw that they were going to play in Chicago." Richards was acquired along with allocation money from the Red Bulls, the only Major League Soccer team he had ever known, for midfielder Sebastien Le Toux. The 28-year-old was New Yorks longest-serving active player and second all-time with 147 games played and 11,699 minutes logged. He believed his time in New York was coming to an end, and received frequent ribbing from his teammates to that effect. Still, after five and a half seasons with the Red Bulls, the trade caught him off guard. "But Im over it now and just looking forward to my new team," Richards said. The Montego Bay native saw action as a second-half substitute in Chicago, but will make his first start as the Whitecaps host the David Beckham-led Galaxy at B.C. Place Stadium. Richards had a goal and two assists with New York, but is expected to play a much more prominent offensive role in Vancouver as the Whitecaps seek a boost heading towards the stretch drive of the season. Although Richards is classified as a midfielder, he plays a distinct right-wing role and frequently moves up on the attack. The Whitecaps had developed Omar Salgado as a left-winger before he went down with a foot injury, but have lacked a consistent threat from the right side. "He brings a different dimension to our team, one that weve been missing," said Whitecaps coach Martin Rennie. "Hell bring natural width and pace that weve been looking for. Hes settled in really well so far, and he seems to be enjoying it." Richards gives the Whitecaps two speedy Jamaicans, along with rookie striker Darren Mattocks, who leads the team in scoring with six goals. Richards said he and Mattocks have worked together well so far. The winger said his role will be to take advantage of Mattocks speed and send him balls in the 18-yard box. "Theyre both dynamic players and seem to get on well with each other off the field," Rennie said. "I could see them having a good relationship on the field, too." But much of Vancouvers attention will be on defence as the hosts try to stop Beckham and dangerous mates like Robbie Keane and Landon Donovan. The Galaxy embarrassed the Whitecaps 3-0 in L.A. on June 23. "We played our best first half of the season the last The Whitecaps were never really in the game. Rennie waants to see a stronger defensive effort against the star-studded Galaxy.dddddddddddd "We have to make sure that we defend better against the most dangerous players," Rennie said. "We have to close the spaces down so that they dont have too much time to get their head up and play, because if you do that, theyll cause you problems." Rennie said the Whitecaps must also use the ball better and play their way out of the Galaxys pressure a little bit smarter than they did in the last game. But Vancouver will have difficulties on both fronts, because veteran defender Alain Rochat, who has been used in midfield in recent games, will serve a one-game suspension for taking his fifth yellow card in Chicago. With a win, the Galaxy can move within a point of the fifth-place Whitecaps. L.A. has been surging lately, posting three wins in its past five games. Vancouver only has a one and a tie in the same time span. Beckham, who missed the Galaxys game in Vancouver last year because he was serving a one-game suspension, is coming off a strong performance in a 5-3 victory in Portland on Saturday. He scored two goals, including one off a free kick over a defensive wall, assisted on another and launched the breakout that resulted in yet another one. "Its always great to score goals," said Beckham. "Usually, Im assisting more than scoring." Richards said the Whitecaps must prevent the 37-year-old former English international from making his precise deliveries. The Jamaican recalled that the Red Bulls beat the Galaxy the first time he played against Beckham, before a sold-out Giants Stadium home crowd. Richards hopes for a similar result in his first home game with the Whitecaps as he tries to "relate" to his new club. "We want to win, so I think I can help the team win," Richards said. "Im a great team player, so I can be consistent on the field and do what the coaches say, and take it from there." Beckham indicated it will be difficult for the Galaxy to repeat its previous first-half performance against the Whitecaps. L.A. scored all of its goals in the first half and cruised from there. "We played our best half of soccer of the season the last time we played them," said Beckham. "We started off well. But theyve got good young players in this team, quick players. Its going to be a tough game." Notes: The Whitecaps announced Tuesday that all 21,000 tickets have been sold. ... Vancouver striker Eric Hassli, who suffered a foot injury in Chicago, will not play. ... The Galaxy held a late-afternoon practice at B.C. Place. ... The game was virtually sold out Tuesday. ... Whitecaps midfielder Barry Robson will also make his home debut after playing his first four games on the road. ' ' '