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18.02.2019 02:03
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WINNIPEG -- The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are taking that first letter in CFL very seriously, naming Canadian Mike OShea as their new head coach on Wednesday. He was recruited by former University of Guelph teammate and fellow Canadian Kyle Walters, Winnipegs new general manager. "Being Canadian is extremely important to me," OShea said after he was introduced as the teams 30th head coach. But he admitted his nationality hadnt really crossed his mind as he accepted his first head coaching job. He was special teams co-ordinator with the Toronto Argonauts, also his home for most of his 16 years in the league as a middle linebacker. "Do I think it can help in certain situations? Absolutely. . . I am an extremely proud Canadian." OShea succeeds Tim Burke, who was sacked after Winnipeg tied its worst record ever in the 18-game CFL this season at 3-15. Burke replaced Paul LaPolice in mid-2012 and no one has been able to hold the job for long in recent years. It was a point not lost on OShea, 43. How much time will he have to build a winner? "Thats one of the first questions I asked them," he said. "I wanted to find out what their commitment level was. They are committed to this town, this province, this organization and theyre committed to winning. To me it was an easy choice." Its been a busy week for the Bombers. On Tuesday they also named former quarterback Danny McManus and Ted Goveia as new assistant GMs to join Walters in rebuilding the team. Not that OShea likes to think of this as a rebuilding effort, which suggests a process that might take some time. He got a round of applause from the fans in the room when he made that clear. "I know what I believe and the only reason you start a season is to win a Grey Cup, so its my job as a coach (much clapping ensues) its my job as a coach to get people to buy into that." Not long removed from his playing days, some may see OShea as to young and inexperienced to take on the role of head coach. That notion was quickly refuted by Argonauts safety and special teams player Matt Black, who played under OShea for the past four seasons in Toronto. "These people that dont think OShea is qualified are sorely mistaken," Black posted on his Twitter account. "His players will sacrifice their bodies for him. Mark my words..." The Bombers havent won a Grey Cup since 1990, although their last appearance at the final isnt that long ago -- 2011. One of the remaining big pieces to put in place is a starting quarterback for 2014 but OShea wouldnt comment at all on any suggestion Zach Collaros might be a candidate. The Argos backup is under contract and off limits as such. OShea did say he was a great guy. The Argos are having a pre-Christmas sale it seems with defensive co-ordinator Chris Jones named head coach of the Edmonton Eskimos just last week. The Bombers have now pretty well cleaned house after the Joe Mack as GM era, replacing their president, general manager and coach. OShea, a native of North Bay, Ont., spent the past four seasons as an assistant coach with the Argonauts. He was part of four Grey Cup winning teams, three as a player (1996, 1997 and 2004) and his first as a coach in 2012, leading a stalwart special teams unit for the Argos. OShea also won the CFLs Most Outstanding Canadian award in 1999. He described the kind of team he hopes to put on the field next season. "If I were going to envision how were going to win games, its gong to be defence and special teams. Its going to be hard-nosed but disciplined football. Theyre going to be hard-working guys, character players. Were going to do it the old-fashioned way." Walters says like OShea, he wants the Bombers to become a team that wins consistently and the work starts right now. "Our No. 1 priority is to put a process in place that can ensure sustainable winning. And as Mike said you dont start the year with any other goal than winning the Grey Cup . . . and that will be our goal." Several key members of the Argos took to Twitter to wish their former coach well in Manitobas capital. "Just found out that our Special Teams Ace is moving on and up!" posted star receiver and kick returner Chad Owens. "Proud and Blessed to have battled for you Osh! Def wont be the same!" Added receiver Andre Durie: "It has been a true honour to have played with and Developed under Coach OShea ...wish him all the best in the Peg....except against us." <a href="http://www.eaglesrookiestore.com/Eagles-Dallas-Goedert-Jersey/">Dallas Goedert Jersey</a>. Kelli Stack and Alex Carpenter also scored for the Americans, who avoided a repeat of Finlands upset at the Four Nations Cup in Lake Placid, N.Y., in November. 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In the other Group A game, the Czech Republic stunned Canada, 5-4 in a shootout. Dominik Simon scored the deciding goal in the tiebreaker. The United States scored its first three goals on power plays. "Overall, I love to see the power-play goals we were able to get tonight," said U.GREEN BAY, Wis. - Green Bays defence had all it could handle the first time it faced Cam Newton.Three years after Newton had a breakout performance against Green Bay in his second NFL start, the Packers will have to try to contain the Carolina Panthers versatile quarterback without at least one key defensive player.Starting cornerback Sam Shields wont play Sunday, when the Panthers come to Green Bay for a game between division leaders.Shields, who leads Green Bay with two interceptions, sustained what coach Mike McCarthy on Friday called a knee strain in the a comeback win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.McCarthy didnt know if the injury would keep Shields sidelined more than a game.Hes getting better, though, McCarthy said.Tied for the NFC North lead, the Packers (4-2) might also be without their other starting cornerback against the NFC South-leading Panthers (3-2-1).Tramon Williams sustained an ankle injury in the last game. Like Shields, Williams didnt practice this week, but McCarthy said the team isnt counting out the veteran player from playing Sunday. Williams is questionable on the injury report.Were still going through the process, but hes better today than he was yesterday, McCarthy said. The Packers didnt practice Friday, but estimated Williams would have been a limited participant had they been on the field.I think tomorrow will be the biggest indicator, obviously with us going (back) to the practice field, McCarthy said. As I stated earlier in the week, well give Tramon Williams every opportunity all the way up to game time to play.Williams has missed only one game in his eight-year pro career.Thaat came in Week 2 of the 2011 season, when a shoulder injury kept Williams from playing the last time Green Bay and Carolina met.dddddddddddd. Green Bay won that game at Carolina, 30-23.McCarthy referred to Williams as an old-school pro for his high rate of durability, playing in 128 of Green Bays 129 games (including playoffs) since 2007.I dont think theres any question when we got back here Monday that he was going to do everything that he could to play in this game, McCarthy said.Green Bay spent this week preparing the young tandem of Davon House and Casey Hayward to fill in at cornerback if it has to play without both Shields and Williams on Sunday.House and Hayward have played a lot in situational roles on defence this season.House has made two starts as the nickel cornerback, contributing an interception and a forced fumble. Hayward had his first interception of the season in the last game and also has a fumble recovery.That type of production when they have been called on gives defensive co-ordinator Dom Capers comfort if House and Hayward are needed for enhanced roles Sunday.I feel very fortunate, Capers said. I think the depth in our secondary is probably as good as it has been.NOTES: Packers DE Datone Jones is out for a second straight game with an ankle injury. Hes struggling laterally right now, and until he gets that back, it doesnt make sense to push it forward, McCarthy said. ... LB Jamari Lattimore is questionable Sunday after suffering a neck injury in the last game. Brad Jones, who lost his starting job to Lattimore after the first week of the season, is next on the depth chart. <a href="http://www.chinawholesalejerseysnfl.com/">Wholesale Jerseys</a> ' ' ' |
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