After an astonishing 2013 season that saw 18 different QBs make starts this season, 19 if you count Buck Pierce twice (Winnipeg and BC), theres still plenty of uncertainty at that position heading into the playoffs.
[b]Kwon Alexander Super Bowl Jersey[/b] . Lets start out west and work our way across the country, from left to right with the teams in the Semi-Finals... The BC Lions embark on what they hope is a three-game road trip with a quarterbacking situation that has been patch worked together as best it could be since Travis Lulay went down with a partially dislocated right shoulder on September 15. Yes, thats his throwing shoulder! Thomas DeMarco, the strong armed second-year quarterback from Old Dominion did himself proud when he went 3-3 in replace of Lulay. He gained valuable experience this season and a highlight was finding success at Mosaic Stadium in his first career start, leading his team to a game-winning drive with under a minute to go. His poise, arm strength and positive experience on that day could prove to be extremely important if the Lions can play their way back to Saskatechewan on November 24. Making the stable of quarterbacks for the Lions even more stable is the unstable and electrifying Buck Pierce... Since coming to the Lions in a mid-season September trade, Pierce has been biding his time and digesting the Lions playbook. Taking the reins in relief of DeMarco versus Edmonton two weeks ago, Buck quickly reminded all CFL fans what makes him so special: his unabated approach to doing whatever it takes to win football games. A spectacular block, 50 yards down field, springing his running back Stefan Logan into the end zone and three TD strikes later, Pierce astonished us all with his brilliant and courageous play! His play that day and the last week of the regular season against the Stampeders vaulted him into the No. 1 slot moving into post season play. I say this in spite of Lulays triumphant return last week where we saw the Lions franchise player complete 3 of 4 passes for 54 yards and rush for a touchdown on a perfectly executed read-option play. I had a chance to speak to all three of these quarterbacks at length while covering that ball game and its extremely enlightening just how different each one of these capable quarterbacks stories really are heading into the playoffs. DeMarco is hoping hes done enough to stick as a viable option for the Lions in the future. In my opinion, he has and then some. Given the chance during the playoffs, he must make better decisions in taking care of the football and be more apt to make things happen with his legs. If he does that, the quarterback nicknamed "Little Dunigan" will be just fine. Plain and simple, Buck is grateful for this excellent opportunity. From where he started this year in Winnipeg, down about 15 pounds (so he could move quicker) to where he is now, back up to fighting weight (approximately 210) and with the green light from head coach Mike Benevides to cut it loose and go play, its remarkable. I believe they should ride Pierce as deep into the playoffs as he can go. He has the arm strength, foot speed and that special "it" factor that is infectious when he is rolling. As coach John Jenkins used to say to me all the time, “I got a pocket full of quarters Hoss, put another one in ride and lets roll.” The Lions should ride Pierce until that pocket is empty.He gives this team a veteran presence and certainly has the skill set, by land or by air to inflict serious damage on Saskatchewans defence. With the added run game emphasis and change in philosophy four weeks ago to revamp that dormant run game, Pierces speed and ability to run presents far more problems for Saskatchewan. Andrew Harris, Logan and Pierce form a potentially deadly trio to account for. As for Lulay, after what I witnessed the other night in BC Place, I believe hes not ready. Its one thing to make some throws during practice with no setbacks, and its one thing to complete three passes and score a touchdown in a real game without a hand being laid on you, but its a totally different ball game when asked to make all the throws on the field and take real football shots from an angry Rider Nation defence looking to punish an already wonky throwing shoulder any chance they get. I can tell you his arm isnt anywhere near 100% and being the future of the Lions, Id be surprised if he started, but could see him coming in off the bench at some point. Understand that this goes against the philosophy I believe in, which I learned from the legendary quarterback and head coach Jackie Parker: if you are not healthy enough to dress and start then you arent healthy enough to play. But all bets are off during the playoffs! I believe Jackie would agree... The Lions are just looking to advance one week at a time. Finding a way, with all three of these very different quarterbacks and there unique individual plights to bring home the Grey Cup while celebrating their 60th year as a franchise. Question is will they risk the franchise player for the sake of the franchise? Ready Break!!!
[b]Laken Tomlinson Super Bowl Jersey[/b] . -- The Minnesota Twins have granted relief pitcher Matt Guerrier his unconditional release, making the 35-year-old right-hander a free agent.
[b]Richard Sherman Super Bowl Jersey[/b] . The result means Atletico Madrid now tops the table, with Madrid level on points in second and Barcelona a point behind in third with nine games remaining as the title race shapes up to be the closest in years.BEREA, Ohio -- There were No. 2 jerseys everywhere, ringing the practice fields in various shapes, sizes and colours. On the first day of training camp, Browns fans came out by the thousands, many of them to get their first live look at the popular and polarizing quarterback who electrified college football and who may one day lead Cleveland back to pro football glory. They all came to see Johnny Manziel. Strutting around the field with his usual swagger, Manziel went through his first training camp practice on Saturday, a workout that finally allowed the focus to be on his playing ability after months of his social life making headlines. A day after acknowledging he "made some rookie mistakes" with his off-the-field exploits, Manziel zipped passes and showed some of the elusiveness that earned him his Johnny Football nickname while at Texas A&M. "I have fun playing this game," Manziel said. "I have fun going out on this field playing football. Its what I live for, its what I love to do." On Friday, Manziel, who will battle Brian Hoyer for Clevelands starting job, said he wished he had done some things differently during the off-season, when his wild weekends partying in Las Vegas nightclubs brought both he and the Browns some unwanted publicity. Manziel vowed to be all about football now, and his every move will be dissected over the next few weeks as he and Hoyer compete. Browns owner Jimmy Haslam hopes Manziel sticks to his word and changes his behaviour. "Johnny said it himself, he made some mistakes," said Haslam. "We expect better from him. Im sure hell perform and now were anxious to see what he can do on the field, which is what really counts." Haslam, whose Pilot Flying J truck-stop company has been at the centre of a federal investigation for fraud, rattled off the names of famous athletes like LeBron James, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Derek Jeter as examples of athletes Manziel should try to model himself after. "The really great athletes make their news on the field, not off the field," Haslam said. Hours before the Browns opened the gates of their training complex, fans waited patiently in lines for a chance to get a prime spot to see Manziel. Bracing for huge crowds at camp, the Browns required fans to register online for the first time to reserve a ticket for the practices. At 9:22 a.m., Manziel emerged through the door of Clevelands locker room and made his way onto the field. As Manziel came into view, fans wearing "Johnny Football T-shirts" and No. 2 jerseys, some of them recycled ones they wore when Tim Couch was Clevelands starting quarterback, cheerred as House of Pains "Jump Around" blared through loudspeakers.
[b]Kentavius Street Super Bowl Jersey[/b]. Manziel later said he appreciated the support. "Personally, Ive had an incredible fan base thats followed me and really come out of the woodwork here in Cleveland for me," he said. "Its truly incredible. Im truly thankful to have those guys, but more than anything, its not just my number, my name on the back. Its Cleveland. Its the Browns. Its awesome to have the fan base that we have for this team, not just me. Its a great turnout today, and Im sure that wont stop anytime soon." Hoyer had a much smaller following, but there are plenty of Cleveland fans who are pulling for the hometown kid to fend off Manziel. Hoyer opens camp with a sizeable advantage over Manziel, but the 28-year-old knows he cant afford any major slipups or his lead will evaporate. Hoyer put in countless hours rehabbing a surgically repaired right knee to be ready for this season. He knows this could be his last chance at a starting job. "Like Ive said all along, playing for this team was my dream as a child, but also being from here doesnt make me the best quarterback for this team," he said. "I want to earn it out on the field." Even Haslam feels some sentimentality toward Hoyer. "Is there a better story?" he said. "Hes a hometown kid, hes coming off an injury. We all want him to do well." Hoyer took the first reps with Clevelands starting offence, and he completed his first pass to wide receiver Austin Miles. Manziel was behind centre a few plays later, and after dropping deep in the pocket, his throw toward the sideline sailed long, beyond the outstretched hands of receiver Charles Johnson. The incompletion didnt discourage the Manzielmaniacs, who are confident he can make the Browns winners. "I loved watching him play in college," said Sam Wilson of North Canton, Ohio, who came to camp with his girlfriend, Savannah Meadows. "I think hes kind of a football genius and I think hell turn it around. I have faith in him." Not everyone was focused on Manziels throws. "I just think hes really cute," Meadows said. NOTES: Second-year LB Barkevious Mingo made several nice plays, tipping away an early pass by Hoyer. Coach Mike Pettine said Mingo came in heavier this year, but hasnt lost his speed. "Im very pleased. He got into the playbook and showed up ready to work," Pettine said of the No. 6 overall pick in 2013. ... The Browns placed TEs Gary Barnidge and MarQueis Gray, G John Greco and DT Phil Taylor on non-football injury list after they failed their conditioning tests. ' ' '
