Rosenhof: Story » cant afford to overlook the expansion CFL

HAMILTON - The Ottawa Redblacks might be out of playoff contention but Hamilton coach/GM Kent Austin says the Tiger-Cats cant afford to overlook the expansion CFL franchise. Hamilton (6-8) hosts Ottawa (2-12) tonight tied with Toronto and Montreal atop the East Division. The Ticats, Argonauts and Alouettes also must consider that the B.C. Lions (8-7), currently fourth in the West, have a better record than the third-place Eastern squad and would cross over and assume the No. 3 playoff seed if that remained the case at the end of the regular season. Catch the action unfold on TSN1, TSN3, TSN4 and TSN5, and on TSN Radio 1200 at 7pm et/4pm pt. Toronto hosts Montreal at Rogers Centre on Saturday afternoon (TSN1, TSN3, TSN4 and TSN5 at 4pm et/1pm pt). Every game you play is a dangerous game and I dont buy that they (Redblacks) dont have anything to play for, Austin said Thursday. In fact, being out of the playoffs would give them a little bit more of a reason to do more and maybe to live a little bit on the edge more. Hamiltons first win of the season came against Ottawa — a 33-23 decision July 26 at McMaster Universitys Ron Joyce Stadium. Dan LeFevour started at quarterback for Hamilton as incumbent Zach Collaros was out with concussion-like symptoms. Hamilton was 1-6 when Collaros returned to the lineup and hes led the squad to five wins in seven games. The Ticats are also 4-0 at new Tim Hortons Field. However, Hamilton missed a glorious chance to take sole possession of first in the East last Friday when it relinquished a 17-point, third-quarter lead in Toronto, eventually dropping a heart-breaking 34-33 loss to the Argos. But defensive tackle Bryan Hall said thats all behind the Ticats now. I didnt sleep well at all (that night) and Im sure a lot of guys didnt either, said Hall, adding the coaches have been doing a great job of moving on. But Austin bristled when asked if the loss was a reality check for the Ticats after four straight victories. This is not a complacent football team and we certainly werent in a position last week to be complacent, he said. We have fought hard. The players have fought hard and scratched and clawed their way back into this (playoff race) to give us an opportunity to make a stretch run and get in the playoffs and to hopefully perform well at that time. Ottawa quarterback Henry Burris will make a second return to Hamilton. He spent two years with the Ticats, leading them to a Grey Cup appearance last year before being released after Collaros was signed as a free agent. Burris subsequently joined the Redblacks. We know Henrys strengths and weaknesses, said Austin. He has more strengths than weaknesses, obviously. Theyre going to put together a plan that not only fits what he does well but also what they think will attack our defence, so, yes, we gameplan accordingly. But that being said, Ive always maintained the belief that its really your adjustments during the game that make the difference. Ottawa is looking to rebound from a 41-3 road loss to B.C. on Saturday night. The most important (thing) for us I think going into this week is the fact the guys are embarrassed and I think well see more spark, Burris said. Well see more passion, more hunger. Burris said the Redblacks are more concerned with finishing the year strong than playing the role of spoiler down the stretch. To win out here would be the perfect way to at least finish off with a good taste in our mouth and give us something to look forward to next year, he said. Hamilton will dress two new international running backs after losing Mossis Madu to a shoulder injury against Toronto. Madu was replacing injured tailback C.J. Gable. Delone Carter spent time in the NFL with Indianapolis and Jacksonville before signing with Hamilton on Oct. 7. Hell be joined in the backfield by rookie Sam Ojuri, who was signed in July and had been on the Ticats practice roster. Nick Bosa 49ers Jersey . The question all fans want to know heading into this light heavyweight affair is will Rua display his true potential. Working with UFC welterweight fighter Demian Maias team in Sao Paulo Brazil and having training partners such as fellow UFC stand outs Fabio Maldonado and Daniel Sarafian, the 32-year old feels very well prepared for Friday nights encounter. San Francisco 49ers Jerseys . But qualifying for her first Scotties Tournament of Hearts after years of falling short in tough Manitoba provincial championships is as good as consolation prizes get for the 29-year-old from Winnipegs Fort Rouge Curling Club. http://www.thesf49ersshoponline.com/Youth-Ya-Tittle-49ers-Jersey/ . -- Adrian Peterson takes a look around the league and sees big money flying everywhere. Patrick Willis Jersey . On Monday night, many fans in this city placed the blame squarely on the captain for his role in the James Neal overtime winner against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Roger Craig Womens Jersey . -- Rory McIlroy birdied his last two holes Thursday for a 7-under 63 to take the lead after one round of the Honda Classic.Washington, DC (SportsNetwork.com) - Indiana and Washington sported different lineups Wednesday than the ones they trotted out during last seasons Eastern Conference semifinals. But the Wizards have their star. The Pacers do not. John Wall had 31 points, 10 assists, six rebounds and three steals as Washington defeated short-handed Indiana 96-94 in overtime on Wednesday night. The Pacers led 88-87 in the extra session before Wall netted six straight points during the middle stages of the frame and the Wizards hung on down the stretch. Trailing 96-94 in the closing seconds, Roy Hibbert missed a left wing 3- pointer and Chris Copelands putback was off the mark for Indiana, which was without Paul George, George Hill, C.J. Watson, David West and Rodney Stuckey. Lance Stephenson, of course, left Indiana for Charlotte in the offseason. Garrett Temple hit four 3-pointers and netted 16 points to go with seven rebounds and Marcin Gortat posted 14 points and 10 boards for Washington, which is still without the blossoming Bradley Beal. The Wizards signed Paul Pierce to be their small forward in place of Trevor Ariza. The Pacers won last years semifinal in six games. Donald Sloan, who tallied a career-high 31 points to go with seven assists and six rebounds, netted the final seven IIndiana points in regulation to force overtime.dddddddddddd Copeland supplied 19 points and 12 rebounds off the bench and Solomon Hill provided 14 points and eight rebounds for the 1-4 Pacers, who are off to their worst start since the 1996-97 squad began 1-5. Gortat split a pair of foul shots with 2:06 remaining in the fourth before Sloan drove in for consecutive layups to tie the score. Pierce sunk two free throws at the other end and Sloan drove into the paint before contorting his body and getting his layup to drop with 6.9 seconds left. Pierces right wing triple at the buzzer clanked off the back of the rim. Wall nailed two straight pull-up jumpers from the top of the key, then stole the ball away from Sloan prior to driving in for an up-and-under layup to stake Washington to a 93-88 lead in overtime. Earlier, the game was tied 24-24 after a quarter of play, but a 16-2 Washington run in the second helped it build a 46-41 cushion heading into the break. The Wizards took a 66-61 margin into the fourth. Game Notes The Wizards played 12 overtime games last season, tied for the fifth most in league history. They were 4-8 ... The Pacers outrebounded the Wizards, 57-43 ... Washington was 21-of-23 from the foul line. ' ' '