View topic: nd pick Lukas Sutter re-enter the N

Post

MONTREAL - No one needs to tell Troy Smith or Kevin Glenn they have to step up their games following disappointing Week 1 losses in which both quarterbacks struggled as the Alouettes welcome the Lions to Montreal for their home opener.The Heisman Trophy-winner replacing future Hall of Famer Anthony Calvillo at quarterback completed fewer than half his passes as the Montreal Alouettes offence fired blanks in its CFL season opener last week in Calgary.Smith hopes to start clicking with his receivers and moving the ball when the Alouettes (0-1) take on the B.C. Lions (0-1) in a bounce-back game for both teams at Percival Molson Stadium on Friday night.It falls on my shoulders as a quarterback, said Smith, who put up only 154 passing yards in a 29-8 loss to the Stampeders. I have to do a better job of decision-making and distributing the ball.We have weapons all over the field, but if we dont protect and get the ball out on time, these weapons mean nothing. So its on me.The Lions 35-year-old pivot Kevin Glenn may be thinking the same. His team took an early 14-0 lead but he then threw four interceptions in a 27-20 loss to the Edmonton Eskimos. It was only the third time the Lions lost at home since 2011.And this week the Lions go into the game with the virtually unknown Ryan Cave playing the key position on the offensive line, left tackle. Cave was rushed in this week after Andre Ramsey fractured an ankle, Cave had only two practices with his new team.The upside is that Cave spent most of training camp with the Alouettes and knows the players he will be trying to block.Everyone knows theres a new guy on the offensive line whos had two days of practice, but hes a very intelligent guy, very football smart, said Glenn. Hes picked up the scheme and blocking assignments very quickly.Well see what happens in a game but I have confidence hell do well.The Alouettes got a break on Thursday when CFL disciplinarians elected to give linebacker Kyries Hebert a fine rather than a suspension for his clothesline tackle on Calgarys Jon Cornish.So the stage is set for yet another in a long history of close battles between the Alouettes and Lions in Montreal. Last season, a last-play Sean Whyte field goal gave Montreal a 39-38 win.B.C. coach Mike Benevides played film of that game to his players as a reminder.What happened last year was BS, said Benevides. We had multiple turnovers and didnt score off it.We became unglued somewhat and, at the end of the game, theres a quarterback that hadnt played a lot (Tanner Marsh) who finds a way to get into field goal range and beat you. You cant let that happen.Smith was tabbed as the Alouettes starter going into their first season since 2000 without CFL al-time passing leader Calvillo behind centre.He had an impressive array of receivers led by S.J. Green, but wasnt able to find them consistently, often overthrowing them. The teams lone touchdown by running back Steven Lumbala came on the final play of the game after pair of Calgary roughing calls put the ball on the one.More reps, more practice, was Smiths answer to what he needs to find his groove. As a quarterback, I think staring down the eye of adversity and understanding that only you can surface yourself out should be fun.Anybody who is worth their weight in marbles would not want to dig themselves into a situation like this, but would love to dig themselves out.How long first-year coach Tom Higgins will stick with Smith if the offence doesnt click remains to be seen. Marsh is the backup, and third stringer Alex Brink has CFL experience.When asked about it, Higgins didnt rule it out. But he expects that Smith only needs time and experience with CFL football to succeed.I dont know if were going to a two-quarterback system, he said. Im hoping thats not the case.But Troy has been under pressure before. Its about production. Its about us giving him an opportunity to be successful. I think we have the ability to run the football. We need to do that. We need to get the ball out of Troys hand quicker in certain situations, but also give him an opportunity to air the ball out.The Alouettes will be without key receiver Duran Carter, as well as safety Mike Edem, with ankle injuries.The Lions have started the season without No. 1 quarterback Travis Lulay, who is on the six-game injured list with a shoulder injury. The 35-year-old Glenn completed 18 of 28 passes for 251 yards against the Eskimos, including 102 yards to Andrew Harris.Cutting down on turnovers will be the top priority, although that will be a challenge against a ball-hungry Montreal defence.Theyre an attack defence, said Glenn. They come after you.They want to disrupt the offence and cause turnovers, and thats one thing we learned last week, that we cant turn the ball over and win.Former Lions defensive end Chris Wilson will likely line up across from Cave, but linebackers like Hebert and Chip Cox will no doubt also test the newcomer as he tries to play one of the most difficult positions on the field with little practice time.Benevides is confident the six-foot-five 345-pound Cave wont be trampled.With the challenge a very good Montreal defence presents, at least his advantage is that hes seen those men and what they can do, said Benevides. Yeah, its not an ideal world to have a professional player playing after two days with the program, but thats the challenge we have to face.Hes done a good job. Hes a smart player, a big player. In three days of knowing him, I like him a lot.Note to readers: CORRECTS Smiths passing yards to 154 sted 148 in fourth graf. Wholesale Jerseys . Over the course of his career Glenn is 79-71-1 in 151 starts for a .526 career winning percentage. Since becoming a Stampeder, he has elevated his play and raised his stock around the league. Cheap NFL Jerseys . – Canadas Nicole Vandermade won the Four Winds Invitational on Sunday for her first Symetra Tour title, closing with a 4-under 68 for a one-stroke victory. http://www.wholesalejerseyssundaynfl.com/. He was still a kid, going into his senior year of high school. Thursday, the point guard stood in front of a couple dozen members of the media and spoke with poise about how much hed grown since then, and how hes ready for the next level. Cheap NFL Jerseys China . Kyle Shanahan was hired as offensive co-ordinator Monday after spending the previous four years in the same role with the Washington Redskins. Wholesale NBA China Jerseys . The 10-year deal the league and players agreed to that ended the 2011 lockout gave either side the right to opt out after six years. With the league projecting financial growth, there has been speculation that players will take that option in three years, especially since a new national TV contract will be in place by then.The Winnipeg Jets will let 2012 second-round pick Lukas Sutter re-enter the NHL Draft instead of signing the 20-year-old to an entry-level contract. Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff explained why the club made the decision. "Development takes on different forms and we have to make some tough calls at different points and times. It certainly was a very difficult decision to move past Lukas," Cheveldayoff told the Winnipeg Sun on Thursday. "Lukas is a fine young hockey player. Unfortunately, he ran into some injuries and things like that and we wish him all the best." The Jets drafted SSutter with the 39th overall selection in the 2012 draft.ddddddddddddSutter was coming off a WHL season with the Saskatoon Blades in which he scored 28 goals and added 31 assists in 70 games. In the 2012-13 season, Sutter scored 13 goals and totalled 24 points in 72 games with the Blades. He spent this past season with the WHLs Red Deer Rebels, scoring 10 goals and adding 13 assists in 45 games before having shoulder surgery. Sutter will again be draft-eligible for this years selection on June 27-28 in Philadelphia. You can watch the first round of the draft live on TSN on June 27 at 7pm et/4pm pt. ' ' '