Bayern Trupp » up his team-leading

OTTAWA - The Ottawa Redblacks woke up Monday morning to find themselves in first place in the CFL East Division standings without even lining up for a snap. They would love to stay there for a while longer. The Redblacks have yet to suit up for a regular-season game in the short life of the franchise, but because everyone else in the East lost in Week 1 Ottawa sits first in the division by default. "Were developing a new strategy as to not play so then you get first place," said head coach Rick Campbell with a laugh. "Well take 18 bye weeks if that happens." Campbell doesnt put much stock in the fact that the remaining teams in the East struggled in the opening week, but he would still love to see his team break the trend. The Redblacks open their inaugural season Thursday against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and know they have a tough task at hand. The Bombers defeated the Toronto Argonauts 45-21 last week. "(Winnipeg) was a hungry team that played fast," Campbell said. "They came to play football and it showed and it also shows that if youre not completely ready to play or youre making too many mistakes youre going to get into trouble early." While the game will be significant for everyone who has been awaiting the return of football to Ottawa, it will be even more meaningful for Jovon Johnson who spent the past six years with the Bombers. Johnson, a defensive back and kick returner, signed with the Redblacks as a free agent during the off-season. In 2011 Johnson was named the leagues outstanding defensive player. "I think I had this date circled on my calendar since I left there, but even more so after I made the team," Johnson said. "Im looking forward to this opportunity." Johnson said the Redblacks will need to keep things simple in order to be successful. Emotions will likely be running high and he says maintaining focus will be the key. "We need to know our assignments and just do our job," he said. "We cant try to do too much. I think Toronto overthought some things and they made some penalties and left a couple guys open on defence." This being the Redblacks first game, mistakes are likely to be made, but Johnson believes that if the team can make corrections on the fly they should fare well. Johnson laughed when reminded that the team sits in first place and said it would mean a lot more when they accomplish it on their own. "We still have to go out and prove ourselves and we dont want anything handed to us," he said. "Everyone looks to us as an expansion team and a lot of people pick us to finish last so weve got a lot of things to prove and show the world what we can do." By all accounts the Redblacks see no reason why they cant compete with the rest of the East Division and believe the playoffs are a legitimate goal. "Were a confident group," said Ottawa native Justin Phillips. "We have lots of guys on this team who have been there and done that and had success in the playoffs, won Grey Cups so we have guys who know how to get the job done. Honestly theres no one here who lacks confidence." When asked what would consist of a successful season, veteran quarterback Henry Burris said, "playoffs, at minimum." While the health of the 39-year-old quarterback will be integral to any chance of success, Burris says with the veteran talent acquired through the dispersal draft and free agent signings theres no reason why this team shouldnt compete for a playoff spot. "We know its not how you start its how you finish," Burris said. "If you can get out to an early start and win games early on it definitely helps you out down the backstretch. "All we have to do is stay healthy and as quickly as we can gel together as a team and get on the same page. We want to make sure we peak at the right time which is going into that backstretch and into the playoffs because we all know anything can happen." While Phillips would love nothing more than to see the Redblacks advance to the post season he says hes first looking forward to getting the first game underway. "Weve been talking and talking about it and thinking about it that now its fun to finally get this thing going," he said. "Once we get into a routine its going to be like any other week, but it will be nice to get that first one out of the way." Notes: Campbell said the final roster for Thursdays game will be decided following Tuesdays practice as the coaching staff wants to ensure everyone gets through the practice unscathed before making a final decision. Toronto Raptors Shirts . Off-season additions Jermain Defoe and Michael Bradley did not train with the club today, prompting Nelsen to declare its too early to tell if either will be ready for Saturday. Stitched Raptors Jerseys . Rookie Marek Mazanec made 39 saves for his first NHL victory and the Predators beat the Chicago Blackhawks 7-2 Saturday night. https://www.cheapraptors.com/.com) - Thursday marks the official debut of a new dirt racing surface at Meydan Racecourse. Fake Raptors Jerseys . Minutes before the final whistle of Sporting Kansas Citys 3-0 victory over a shorthanded Montreal Impact squad on Saturday afternoon, Saputo tweeted: "Our fans deserve better. Raptors Jerseys 2020 . -- The Phoenix Coyotes have won three in a row for the first time in 4 1/2 months, and theyve done it just in time for the stretch run to the playoffs.Casey Haerther hit his fifth homer of the year and starter Ethan Hollingsworth got his first win in front of the Shaw Park crowd, as the Goldeyes beat the Kansas City T-Bones 5-3 in front of 5,078 on a chilly Canada Day afternoon. With the victory, the Fish won their sixth straight (theyve won nine of 10), improved to 29-14 on the season and tightened their stranglehold on first place in the American Associations North Division. “This team is firing on all cylinders right now,” said Haerther, who had two hits in four trips and raised his batting average to a league-leading .392. “Ive played on some good teams, but I dont remember many like this. Were pitching well, hitting well and guys are playing great defense. “And it doesnt feel streaky. It feels like were just going out there and playing and when the guys do what they do, we win.” Kansas City opened the scoring with a run in the first, but the Goldeyes answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning. In fact, the first four Goldeyes in the lineup hit safely. Tyler Kuhn led off with a single, Josh Mazzola followed with a single, Haerther drove home Kuhn with a single and RRay Sadler drove home Mazzola with another single.dddddddddddd Haerther homered in the third to make it 3-1 and then, with two out in the sixth, a solo homer by Reggie Abercrombie made it 4-1 and an RBI double by Ryan Pineda drove home Brock Bond with the fifth Goldeyes run. Kansas City scored a pair in the seventh, but Brendan Lafferty and Chris Kissock came on to shut the door in the eighth and ninth innings and the Goldeyes opened this three-game series with Kansas City with a victory. Hollingsworth (2-0, 2.55 ERA) picked up the win for Winnipeg. Meanwhile, K.C. starter Andy Noga (0-3, 4.53 ERA) suffered the loss. Kissock picked up his team-leading ninth save. “I used my two seam and four seam fastballs and just got ahead of the hitters,” said Hollingsworth. “I really didnt throw very many off-speed pitches. I just used the fastball and got some great defense behind me.” The Goldeyes and T-Bones will play Game 2 of this three-game series on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. Chris Salamida (3-3, 4.53 ERA) will get the start for Winnipeg, while Rick Zagone (6-1, 5.40 ERA) will take to the hill for Kansas City. ' ' '