Gildenregeln » Sports Writer Tom Withers in Krasnaya Polyana, Russ

Quite surprisingly, this is the first time since 1986 that the Argonauts and Ticats have met in the Eastern Final. Wholesale Flames Jerseys . The Hamilton Spectators Steve Milton also points out that, even more amazingly, this is the first time the Argos and Ticats have each had at least 10 wins in the same year. Rookie Shane Horton starts at middle linebacker for all-star Robert McCune, who will miss the game with a shoulder injury. Horton was a safety at USC and has played both outside linebacker and rush end for Toronto this year. He took at least 90 per cent of the snaps at MLB during practices this week. Another rookie will start at the boundary halfback position. Neiko Thorpe, a member of the 2010 NCAA champion Auburn Tigers, played well replacing Pat Watkins at cornerback when the two teams played last month in Guelph. Hes a big DB at 62". Hell line up next to the 65" Watkins. Both Romby Bryant and Jason Barnes are listed as backup receivers. Head coach Scott Milanovich said earlier in the week that he didnt plan to dress five import receivers. With Chad Owens, John Chiles and Dontrelle Inman listed as starters, one can assume that either Bryant or Barnes is out. Barnes did take more reps with the first team this week than Bryant did. Kicker Swayze Waters had a very good week at practice. The yard lines were not drawn on the field during Fridays workout, but Waters hit what appeared to be a 60-yard field goal at the end of a special teams session and was mobbed by his teammates. While punting from sideline to sideline with Noel Prefontaine during practice, Waters kicked one from one sideline, across the field, over the head of some media members and over the players bench. It went roughly 75-80 yards in the air. Jerious Norwood gets the start at running back for the injured Chad Kackert. Norwood is coming off a game against Montreal where he carried the ball eight times for 102 yards and caught four passes for 62 more. A kick return specialist in the NFL, Norwood said his fastest time in the 40-yard dash was 4.33 seconds. Aaron Maybin gets the nod at DE. His only start of the season came in the season finale against Montreal. The most obvious thing about Maybin is how quickly he gets off the ball. The Argos have not had a great pass rush this season and Maybins presence may help. Ticket demand was such that an additional block of upper-deck seats was made available Saturday afternoon. The latest estimate is that around 40,000 will be in attendance. Glen Johnson will be the referee for the game. TSN.ca asked some of this years East Division All-Stars which players they thought had a chance to be the star on Sunday. Chad Owens: "Ricky Ray. Hes been our most consistent player, hes probably been the most consistent player in the whole league and hes poised for these moments. I think hes going to continue to be Ricky Ray and help us win." Khalif Mitchell: "Neiko Thorpe. Hes been more sound in the stuff that hes been doing as far as film and knowing his assignments. Hes the first one talking whenever a coach is asking about whats going on (in practice) or whats supposed to happen in a situation. Hes the first one to be vocal about it and that shows his confidence and that hes been studying off the field." Pat Watkins: "Mr. Ricky Ray. I mean, thats a sure bet. Born a star, been a star. Continuing to grow, a leader. Hes the man to get this while team going. If he plays well, well rally behind him." Chris Van Zeyl: "Khalif Mitchell. Hes dominant. When you watch him on film, theres not an offensive line, when he puts his mind to it, that can stop him. Ive watched him all year terrorize the guys on our team and whether he wins or loses, he leaves his mark every play. Hes a fiery guy, he brings emotion to the game and the defence feeds off him". Jeff Keeping: "Andre Durie. Hes been great this year and has been one of our best players. He works hard all the time, does everything the coaches ask him to do, and that exemplifies what this team is all about." Ricky Ray was asked three different times in three different ways and still wouldnt talk about one specific player. When teased afterward that he was incredibly boring, he laughed and said "I know". Scott Milanovich acknowledged that he had a gut feeling that one of his stars would step up. When asked which one, he chuckled and said "Ill tell you after the game". Mike Hogan is the play by play voice of the Argos on TSN 1050 radio in Toronto. The pre-game show for Sundays game is Noon et, with a 1pm kickoff. You can listen online at TSN1050.ca. Flames Jerseys China . In a matter of days, he went from unwanted to wanted, from fired to hired, from discarded by the Philadelphia Eagles with reputation tarnished to rock star treatment and a new fat contract from the Washington Redskins. Flames Jerseys 2021 .J. -- Tom Coughlin doesnt have many options at halfback for the winless New York Giants. https://www.cheapflames.com/ . Like a magic trick, the puck popped out behind Stalock in the San Jose net. While Sharks coach Todd McLellan decried the legality of the tiebreaking goal, the Los Angeles Kings celebrated their latest, greatest escape yet.BEREA, Ohio -- The Browns fired their coach after one season. Now theyre sweeping out their front office. Owner Jimmy Haslam announced Tuesday that CEO Joe Banner will step down in the next two months and general manager Michael Lombardi is leaving the team. "Mike and Joe have left us in good position in terms of free agency and cap space as well as this years draft, where we have 10 overall picks and three of the first 35," Haslam said at a news conference. Its yet another stunning development for a franchise that has undergone nearly constant change in the past 15 years. Haslam also said assistant GM Ray Farmer, who was pursued by Miami to be the Dolphins GM this winter, has been promoted and will immediately take the over the teams football operations and lead the Browns during free agency and draft. Cleveland has two first-round picks in Mays draft and is well under the salary cap to spend on free agents. Haslam added that president Alec Scheiner will keep his current role. "Alec Scheiner will run our business side and remain as president, Mike Pettine will be our head coach and Ray Farmer will be our GM," Haslam said. "We will not have a CEO and those three people will report directly to me." The shake-up comes one month after the Browns finally hired coach Mike Pettine. Banner and Haslam had fired coach Rob Chudzinski after a 4-12 season, the teams sixth straight with at least 11 losses. Wisconsin said Tuesday that coach Gary Andersen was contacted by the Cleveland Browns for their coaching vacancy but decided not to pursue the position following a conversation with the NFL team, which spent 25 days to hire Pettine. "Mike will have final say on the 45-man roster-- who plays on Sundays-- and Ray will have final say on the 53-plaayer roster," Haslam said. Calgary Flames Shirts. Banner, who previously worked in Philadelphia, was hired by Haslam to run the team shortly after his ownership was approved by the league in 2012. "We appreciate Joes contributions to the Cleveland Browns, especially in helping us as new owners," Haslam said in a release. "He was committed to creating a successful organization and bringing in talented individuals. We thank him for his work and dedication. We wish him and his family the best." Banner will transition out of his job over the next two months. "It is bittersweet leaving the Browns organization," Banner said. "I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Jimmy Haslam and helping him set the infrastructure for this franchise. I am proud of the talented individuals we brought in to help lead this team and feel that the Cleveland Browns are in good hands moving forward." Lombardis departure ends a curious second stint with the team. His hiring was widely panned by some Cleveland media members and many fans because of his time with coach Bill Belichick when he was Clevelands coach. Lombardi kept a low profile over the past year in Cleveland and was not in attendance at any major news conferences. "Were also grateful for Mike Lombardis efforts and commitment since rejoining our organization," Haslam said. "He is an experienced and creative NFL executive with a unique ability to see the big picture. He has tremendous instincts and I know hell be a valuable addition to any NFL organization. We simply wanted to give Ray this opportunity that hes earned. We wanted to move forward under his leadership and capabilities." AP Sports Writer Tom Withers in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia, contributed to this report. ' ' '