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"I dont believe in building through free agency. wholesale nfl jerseys ." Argos general manager Jim Barker uttered those words during an interview with TSN 1050 radio just prior to the CFLs annual free agent frenzy. If you turn back the clock Barker is true to his word. Last February the only free agent the team added was LB/DE James Yurichuk. He proved his worth as a situational player who excelled on special teams, but it was far from being the kind of deal that captured the attention of more than just the die-hard fan. This may be a similar season in terms of who the Argos bring in according to Barker. "I do believe in plugging holes (via free agency) and trying to find that right guy thats going to bring our club up a notch," Barker noted. The bigger question may be what the club does about three specific players who may opt to not return to Toronto, Pat Watkins, Robert McCune and Swayze Waters. Watkins, a league all-star at cornerback last year, would be the toughest to replace. Hes also been the hardest to find. "Honestly we have not been able to get in touch with him. He doesnt return our calls, which is a bad thing," chuckled Barker. "If a guy doesnt want to be in Toronto then god bless him and good luck. Were persistent. Were sending players to his house, doing all those kind of things to try and run him down. But Pat is one of those guys who is very elusive. Its not a shocking development for us. Its possible hes just involved in something and not worried about it." Swayze Waters led the CFL in punting average and was virtually automatic on field goals down the stretch and is looking at returning to the states. "Hes tried out for a couple of NFL teams," Barker told TSN 1050. "Every indication hes given us is that hes coming back to Toronto if he comes back to the CFL." The Argos are preparing for the scenario where Waters makes an NFL team, and last week signed LSU grad Josh Jasper. Robert McCunes worth was evident in the teams loss to Hamilton in the Eastern Final. The middle linebacker, who was third in the league with 99 tackles, missed the game with a shoulder injury. It seemed every time Henry Burris scrambled, he ran right where McCune would have been. "With Robert were kind of waiting," said the GM. "Obviously Robert had a great year for us. Hes 34 years old. Thats a decision that were in the process of making, to which direction were going to go with him." If the Argos and McCune were to part ways it would leave the team down a couple of middle linebackers, as Jason Pottinger was selected by Ottawa in the expansion draft. Barker has a replacement all picked out, someone who may not be thought of as an MLB. "Shane Horton. Thats his natural position." Barker said, then may have tipped his hand about McCunes future. "(Horton) played out of position playing rush end last year. Hes going to be a very, very good middle linebacker." Barker added he feels that at 215 pounds, Horton is big enough to play in the middle. Herve Tonye-Tonye, a non-import who just completed his rookie season, can also play the inside. As far as non-imports are concerned, it may be an interesting free agency period because of the recent expansion draft. Stocking the Ottawa RedBlacks took its toll on the existing teams rosters, so there will be a desire to restock the shelves with fresh talent. Barker commented on a few of the Canadians on the Argos that are on the verge of free agency. Chad Rempel, long snapper: "Chad worked out with Tampa Bay (NFL). He wants to give that a chance until thats exhausted." Zander Robinson, tight end/fullback: "Zander loves being in Toronto and loves how weve used him in the offence. Hes a valuable guy for us, but hes also exploring NFL opportunities." David Lee, defensive end: "Is a guy that had a real good year for us. I think he wants to try the free-agent market. Its his first time going through that and I think hes a guy that wants to go out and see what the market is all about." Mike Bradwell, wide receiver. "I think were really close. He loves being in Toronto." Coaching Moves/Tryout Camp: The Boatmen lost several coaches in the off-season. Special teams coordinator Mike OShea left to become the head coach of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, while defensive coordinator Chris Jones took over the head coaching job with the Edmonton Eskimos. Jones also took a handful of assistant coaches with him. Barker says there will be announcement about the new-look staff in the immediate future. "Were excited about what our staff is going to look like" said Barker. "Scott (head coach Milanovich) will be announcing those (soon). Hes come up with a couple of guys who have great CFL experience.” Barker spoke to TSN 1050 from Atlanta, where the Argos were hosting a tryout camp. Over 60 players were in attendance and Barker was happy with what they found. "There were two players that were going to attempt to sign" said the GM. "Were pretty excited." If those players head north in June theyll attend training camp. Where that will be is still anyones guess. The team will not be back at the University of Torontos Erindale campus and at present are homeless. Where are they heading? "Those are questions for (Executive Chairman and CEO) Chris Rudge. "I know that theres some different things going on with York University," said Barker. "Other than that, Im not privy to those things.” cheap nfl jerseys . Make that 2-40 now. Tony Gwynn Jr. led off the ninth with a walk against Miami closer Steve Cishek and later scored, Ben Revere added the go-ahead run when Miami second baseman Donovan Solano bobbled a potential double-play grounder and the Phillies rallied past the Marlins 5-4 Thursday night to snap a six-game losing streak. cheap jerseys .J. -- The New York Giants are not only back in the playoff hunt with a four-game winning streak, theyre calling the plays that get them those wins. WASHINGTON -- Kris Medlen understood the enormity of his latest start and he delivered. The Braves starter pitched seven shutout innings in his latest winning performance and Martin Prados two-run double proved decisive to help Atlanta end a four-game losing streak with a 5-1 victory over the Washington Nationals on Wednesday night. Medlen (5-1) allowed seven hits while striking out seven and walking one in his fifth start of the season. The Braves have won 16 consecutive starts behind the right-hander dating back to May 2010. More importantly, Atlanta salvaged the three-game divisional series and halted the Nationals three-game winning streak. The Braves, who entered the day atop the National League wild card chase, moved within six games of the NL East leading Nationals. "If nothing else, we get a chance to just go, Phew," said Braves third baseman Chipper Jones following the win and before the team heads off to face San Francisco. "You know, take a deep breath and a win like this kind of rejuvenates us. "So I think if we were heading out to the Left Coast having lost five in a row, theres always that little check in your spirit in the back of your mind ... this win allows us to take a deep breath and hopefully build some momentum going out West." Coming off a shutout in his last outing, Medlen extended his scoreless streak to 21 innings. Since entering the Braves rotation on July 31, the Medlen is 4-0 with a 0.84 ERA. "Yes, I guess you can call it the biggest game of my career just because we needed a stop and I was up to the challenge, and I just tried to challenge the hitters," Medlen said. Prados fifth-inning double gave the Braves an early 2-0 lead. After the Nationals cut the lead in half in the eighth, the Braves pulled away with three runs in the ninth. The Nationals scored an unearned run against the Braves bullpen after Medlin exited following 103 pitches. Bryce Harper opened the eighth with an opposite field single against reliever Eric OFlaherty, and took second on left fielder Reed Johnsons bobble. After moving to third on Ryan Zimmermans ground ball out, Harper scored on Michael Morses single. OFlaherty walked Adam LaRoche, but avoided further damage by inducing Ian Desmond into a double play grounder. With two outs in the fifth inning and Tyler Pastornicky on first base, Ross Detwiler (7-6) walked Medlin on four pitches. Up stepped Prado, who laced a 2-2 slider toward centerfielder Harper. The rookie initially broke in on the liner which sailed over his head. Both runners scored on the double, Prados second of the gaame.cheap jerseys from china. "I thought I had a good read on it. He hit it off his front foot, had some spin on it," said Harper, who finished 1 for 4. Two of the Braves three ninth-inning runs against Nationals reliever Tom Gorzelanny were unearned. Dave Ross sacrifice fly scored Jones and Michael Bourns pinch-hit RBI single plated Freddie Freeman. Bourn later stole third base and advanced home on a throwing error by Kurt Suzuki. The Nationals had opportunities against Medlen with the best coming in the sixth. Jayson Werth opened the inning with a double to left as Prados attempt at a diving catch came up short and the ball rolled to the wall. One out later, Zimmerman singled and Medlen walked Morse, loading the bases. The 26-year-old Medlen hung tough, getting LaRoche out on a foul pop to first base and Desmond, a notoriously good hitter in bases-loaded situations with a grounder. "We had the right people up at the right time, but we didnt get it done," Nationals manager Davey Johnson said. With runners on the corners against Medlen in the second, Suzuki hit a grounder through the box, but with Danny Espinosa running on the pitch, Braves second baseman Pastornicky moved as well and was perfectly positioned to start a 4-3 double play. "(Medlen) walks out there like, I know I can get you out," a proud Jones said. "Hes got a few different ways to do it. What a great time for him to have a great start. We needed it bad." Braves closer Craig Kimbrel struck out the side in the ninth in a non-save situation. The Nationals, who matched a franchise on Tuesday by extending their division lead to seven games, maintain a 10-5 series lead over the Braves this season. By taking two of three from both the Braves and New York Mets on the home stand, Washington picked up two games against Atlanta in the standings. "We gained some ground and thats what we wanted to do in this series," Detwiler said. "Its tough to sweep no matter who it is." The two sides wrap up their regular season meetings September 14-16 in Atlanta. Notes: Pre-game showers delayed the start by 29 minutes. Before the game Washington honoured the retiring Jones, who finished 1-for-4 in his final regular season game at Nationals Park. .Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez rested usual starters Brian McCann along with Bourn and Dan Uggla, who also pinch-hit in the ninth. . Atlanta opens a four-game series at San Francisco Thursday with RHP Tommy Hanson facing lefty Barry Zito. Following an off-day, Edwin Jackson starts for Washington on Friday at Philadelphia. cheap jerseys cheap jerseys from china ' ' ' |
