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28	October 2019

e together and there will be setbacks and

KAMLOOPS, B. Fake Reds Jerseys .C. -- Khari Jones stepped in for a snap at B.C. Lions training camp on Monday morning and launched a tight spiral down the sideline reminiscent of his time as a CFL quarterback. In some ways, it represented what the clubs new offensive co-ordinator hopes to accomplish in 2014. Jones was hired this off-season to kickstart a Lions attack that had been criticized in recent years for being both predictable and conservative under Jacques Chapdelaine. The team parted ways with its former offensive co-ordinator in November and handed the keys to Jones, whose aggressive philosophy as a player seems to have followed him into coaching. It was one of two big off-season hires -- Mark Washington was promoted from defensive backs coach to defensive co-ordinator -- and a move the Lions hope will help get them back to the Grey Cup. "I hope its a high-powered offence," said Jones. "I hope its an offence where we can put points up on the board, because thats what wins you football games, but a balanced offence as well. An offence that uses its weapons, and we have a lot of weapons on this team. Lions head coach Mike Benevides said he expects Jones personality to be reflected in his play calling for a team that has not won a playoff game since its victory in the 2011 Grey Cup and will be feeling the pressure to perform with the big game set for Vancouver again this November. "Hes going to find a lot of ways to get matchups and tempo and things like that -- things he believes from the quarterback position," said Benevides. "Hes had enough experience as a player and as a coach to understand how you have to make sure you stay balanced, you attack and find ways to expose your athletes." Lions starting quarterback Travis Lulay said Jones wants his offence to be on the front foot in all aspects of the game, something the team didnt always do last season. "One of the big things and one of the first points of emphasis he says is we want to be aggressive," said Lulay. "We want to be aggressive when were running the football, we want to be aggressive when were throwing the football. "We want to have a confident, fast-playing, high-tempo attitude and approach to the game. We dont want to be passive, we dont want to be back on our heels." Jones started his playing career with the Lions in 1997 before moving on and having his best years with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He spent the last two seasons coaching quarterbacks with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, and before that he held the same position with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats for three years, including one as offensive co-ordinator. Lions No. 2 quarterback Kevin Glenn -- who could start the season in the top job if Lulay isnt fully recovered from shoulder surgery -- played for Jones with Hamilton for three seasons and said one of his best attributes is his ability to put players in a position to succeed. "I think he does a very good job of learning a guys skillset and being able to exploit the defence," said Glenn. "Hes just one of those guys who believes in his players. Its not going to be a situation where he thinks he has to trick the defence into doing something. Hes going to say Hey, were going to line up and were going to beat you. "Hes an aggressive offensive co-ordinator and I think thats because he was an aggressive quarterback." Aggression is a common theme at Lions camp and is also something players use to characterize Washington, B.C.s new defensive co-ordinator after six seasons coaching the secondary. "Mark doesnt even like the word defence. He thinks its kind of passive," said Lions defensive back Ryan Phillips. "He wants to be aggressive and smart." Washington, who replaced Rich Stubler in the off-season, said he wants his defence to force the issue at all times, but not necessarily in the classic sense of the word. "When we say we want to attack, attack, attack, people automatically believe that thats going to be blitz, blitz, blitz, pressure, pressure, pressure, but thats not always the case," said Washington, himself a former defensive back with the Lions. "Attacking is a mentality. Attacking is were not going to sit back and let you dictate to us. Were going to dictate terms to you." Benevides was the Lions defensive co-ordinator when Washington first got the job to coach the secondary and is confident his former pupil is ready for the challenge. "What I know about Mark is hes an outstanding teacher," said Benevides. "Hes a guy that understands what it takes to win, a tremendous competitor. Even when he was a player, he made sure he had some answers to attack the opponent." Phillips said even though be has a new job, Washington hasnt altered his approach to the game or his players. "Just because they changed his title, it didnt mean he changed himself. Hes been the same since he started coaching. Hes going to be a guy who wants to work," said Phillips. "He was the same way as a player -- a guy that went out and worked hard, did the things he had to do and took it to the next level." After two straight disappointing seasons and a year ahead filled with the added pressure of being Grey Cup hosts, the Lions are banking that both Jones and Washington can help them climb even further. Cheap Reds Jerseys . Behind the talents of rookie Johnny Gaudreau, the Flames will look to keep pace Thursday night when they face the Minnesota Wild in the second of a six-game homestand. Cincinnati Reds Shirts . Algeria led 3-0 at halftime, but withstood a stronger South Korean second half performance to claim its first World Cup win since 1982 and move into second place in Group H with one match left to play. Defeat for South Korea means it must now beat already-qualified Belgium to stand a chance of progressing to the knockout stages. https://www.cheapredsjerseys.us/ .J. -- The New York Jets have promoted Tony Sparano Jr.Toronto FC supporters have heard all about it. They have watched it from afar. And now they have seen it for themselves. Jermain Defoe is a difference maker. Just two matches into his Major League Soccer career, the England international now has three goals. He followed up his opening day brace by scoring the winner against DC United in the clubs home opener on Saturday. MLSE has spent big bucks bringing the former Spurs forward to Toronto as part of a remarkable offseason transformation and even at this early stage, they are seeing a return on their investment. On Saturday, BMO Field was alive again. It was like 2007 all over again. A stadium and fan base that has seen the life gradually sucked out if it, year by year, failure after failure, was reinvigorated. With Defoe, its not just about the goals. Far from it. His movement is exceptional. Against D.C. United he created three first half chances which showcased his exceptional reading of the game - he was one or two steps ahead of the D.C. defence every time he sensed a potential opening in front of goal. An MLS coach told me last year he believes when LA Galaxys Robbie Keane is on his game, he is "unstoppable." Defoe has shown in his first two matches that he has the ability to have that same impact in Major League Soccer. And its not just Defoe. MLSE President Tim Leiweke must have been grinning from ear to ear when he saw three of the clubs big offseason acquisitions involved in the only goal of the game against D.C. Michael Bradley played a lovely ball through for Brazilian Gilberto who saw his shot saved by Bill Hamid, only for Defoe to pounce and score his third goal in just two matches. For the second week in a row, Bradley ran the midfield. Prior to signing Bradley, TFC GM Tim Bezbatchenko described him as "the heart and soul" of the U. Cincinnati Reds Store. S. Mens National Team. He has very quickly become he heartbeat of Toronto FC as well. It was also the first chance we got to see Gilberto. The 24-year-old missed most of preseason through injury but started against D.C. and was impressive showing some quality touches as well as the physical attributes necessary to succeed in MLS. Defensively, Toronto also looked solid. Brazils number one goalkeeper Julio Cesar kept his first clean sheet for the club while the central defensive tandem of veteran Steven Caldwell and young Canadian Doneil Henry continues to develop a strong understanding. The quality on the pitch and the atmosphere in the stands was night and day compared to six months ago. There have been false dawns before, but this time it feels different. For the first time in club history the Reds have won back-to-back games to start the MLS season. There is of course still much work to be done. This is a team in the early stages of its life together and there will be setbacks and bad days ahead. There are questions about the depth of the squad should some of the key pieces be missing for an extended period of time. Head coach Ryan Nelsen talks often about the fact the team is not anywhere near where he wants it to be - he told me he wants the team to be able to win playing beautiful football and also learn how to win ugly. Saturday was probably somewhere in between. It is very much a work in progress and will remain so for many weeks ahead, but after seven years of missing the playoffs, on Saturday at BMO Field it was a celebration for Toronto FC fans as their team finally gave them some hope for the future. ' ' '