Off-Topic » and a hard place," Ward said. "Its a decision y

MISSISSAUGA, Ont. -- It didnt take Pat Watkins long to reclaim his starting job with the Toronto Argonauts. The all-star cornerback missed all of Torontos training camp dealing with a personal matter. But hell be on the field Friday night when Toronto begins its Grey Cup defence at Rogers Centre against the arch-rival Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Watkins rejoined the Argos just prior to their 24-20 exhibition win over Montreal last Thursday and resumed practising after passing his physical on the weekend. Against Hamilton, Watkins will start at right cornerback alongside Jahlil Carter, who moved to halfback after starting at the corner in Torontos 35-22 Grey Cup win over Calgary. "Im feeling pretty good," Watkins said. "They put me into a lot of special teams this week to try and get that extra energy and I believe it worked. "Its a lot easier to work with someone like Jahlil who knows the system. Its easier to communicate with him as far as the language that we speak as opposed to having someone new there who has to learn the different terms." The six-foot-five, 205-pound Watkins made an immediate impact last season, his first with Toronto. The former San Diego Charger and Dallas Cowboy finished tied with retired safety Jordan Younger for second in the CFL with five interceptions and was named a league all-star. But an ankle ailment forced Watkins to miss Torontos Grey Cup victory. Watkins return couldnt have come at a better time for Toronto as hell be just one of five returnees to a revamped defence, joining Carter and linebackers Marcus Ball, Brandon Isaac and Robert McCune. The Argos will unveil a new defensive line against Hamilton with ends David Lee and Nekos Brown and tackles Khalif Mitchell and Jonathan Williams. The six-foot-five, 315-pound Mitchell is a former CFL all-star and Grey Cup champion, however Brown and Williams are rookies while Lee is entering his second CFL season. Ball, McCune and Isaac anchor the linebacking corps but the secondary features three new starters in safety Matt Black, halfback Antareis Bryan and corner Alexander Robinson. While Toronto might lack playing experience on defence, head coach Scott Milanovich said the units athleticism and speed give defensive co-ordinator Chris Jones plenty of options with his schemes and player rotations. "The thing Chris has always been so good at is taking the talent he has and fitting his defence around the strengths," Milanovich said. "Therell certainly be some new wrinkles but there will be things that look familiar too. "Theres a lot of guys were looking at who have to prove they can do it on game night. Weve seen them cover and rush the passer and do all those things well in practice but until you see it when it matters youre never really sure." Torontos defence will be challenged by a Hamilton offence spearheaded by veteran quarterback Henry Burris. The Ticats led the CFL in scoring last year, averaging 29.9 points per game, while the 38-year-old Burris posted career highs of 5,367 passing yards and 43 TDs. "Henry is so hard to put your finger on because you can do everything right and he can still make a play," Milanovich said. "Thats always the difficulty of playing against Henry because hes mobile, hes strong, hes athletic, he can run." Hamiltons defence underwent changes this off-season as well, and with good reason. Last year, the Ticats allowed 32 points and 306 yards passing per game, both league highs, as the team missed the CFL playoffs with a 6-12 record. Although the Ticats return eight defensive starters, they also have a new defensive co-ordinator in Orlondo Steinauer. The 40-year-old Seattle native not only played eight seasons as a defensive back with Toronto but later served as its defensive backs coach and defensive co-ordinator before joining Hamilton this off-season. "Were going to play with great effort,I can tell you that, and run to the football," Ticats head coach Kent Austin said of his defence. "Were going to hit, were going to tackle and were going to tackle the football. "We want to be an opportunistic defence that gets turnovers. You have to get turnovers in this game . . . so we want a defence that plays the game in such a way that its not reckless but its effort level allows it to create an environment conducive for getting the ball and getting the other team off the field. We want a fast defence and a defence that has interchangeable parts so we can have versatility." Steinauers unit will face a Toronto offence anchored by veteran quarterback Ricky Ray and receiver/kick-returner Chad Owens, the leagues outstanding player last season. "I dont think for us Ricky will be fooled very often," Milanovich said. "He has played against every different coverage that I know of and maybe Orlondo can come up with something new but I think Ricky will find rhythm in his drops and his progressions." Although two veteran quarterbacks will lead offences featuring many familiar faces against defences with plenty of question marks, both coaches wouldnt give the offensive units the advantage Friday night. "I dont feel that way," Milanovich said. "Ive prepared against Chris Jones in the past and its not fun and thats one of the reasons why I wanted him here. "At the same time, were in a situation where we dont know what Orlondo will do and I think you see how many strides theyve made defensively already." Added Austin: "Every game takes on its own story, thats what I love about this game, it takes on its own complexion. I wouldnt say that the inexperience on one side of the ball creates an advantage for the other side of the ball with the opposing team. It can, it all depends on the quality of the individuals, how well theyre being coached and how well theyre prepared." Prior to the game, Toronto will unfurl its Grey Cup banner but the majority of players wont be on the field. And thats fine with Issac. "I really dont care about the banner, I already know we are champions," he said. "The banner is for the fans and community. "I mean, were appreciative of the banner going up so down the road, 10-to-12 years from now, we can come back and say we won a championship but other than that, its nothing." Burris wont be bothered by having to sit through the pre-game celebration. "Its one of those situations you say congratulations to them, they did it last year but this is a new year," he said. "If they want to celebrate a party, well, hopefully we can make this our coming-out party. "When someones going to have a party and youre the guest, yeah, that does get you going. But the thing is were going to be pumped up just as we would for any other game but the main focus for us is focus on our job. It doesnt matter what they do because if we do what we do and do it best, that will take care of itself." Wholesale New Balance Ireland . The game had many controversial incidents that, upon closer inspection, were not as controversial as many believed. The Formations Toronto FC lined up in its usual 4-4-2 formation, with Nick Hagglund slotting in at right fullback and Bradley Orr at centreback in place of the injured Mark Bloom and Steven Caldwell, respectively. New Balance Outlet Ireland . Masahiro Tanaka has touched down in the United States and the courting of the Rakuten Golden Eagles stud pitcher has begun in earnest by a bevy of MLB teams interested in the Japanese ace. http://www.wholesalenewbalanceireland.com/. His actions are much louder on the Fenway Park mound. De La Rosa had another strong home start, going seven solid innings to lift the Boston Red Sox to a 2-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Saturday night. Cheap New Balance Ireland . In the calls, Hernandez discussed the murder of Odin Lloyd, including his "belief about his criminal liability" and the "extent of his control over persons charged as accessories," according to the request filed Thursday in Fall River Superior Court. New Balance Sale Ireland . The 49ers announced the deal Tuesday. San Francisco selected Lloyd in the fourth round of the 2003 draft.FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Rob Gronkowskis season appears to be over after he hurt his knee when hit after a reception. The New England Patriots star tight end, who missed the first six games recovering from off-season forearm and back surgeries, was injured just before the midpoint of the third quarter Sunday and driven off the field on a cart. Gronkowski suffered a suspected torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and is expected to undergo an MRI on Monday. Coach Bill Belichick said he was taken to a hospital for evaluation. The Patriots beat the Cleveland Browns 27-26 on Tom Bradys two touchdown passes in the last 61 seconds. "Weve sustained some pretty big injuries this year with really important, critical players," Brady. "I think we all feel sorry for Rob, but I dont think anyone feels sorry for the Patriots." Gronkowski raised his right arm to the crowd as he left on the cart with team physician Dr. Thomas Gill sitting next to him. Gronkowski was hurt on a hit by Browns safety T.J. Ward after a 21-yard reception with the Browns leading 12-0. Ward was among many players from both teams who went up to Gronkowski before he left the field. "My intention is never to hurt anyone. Thats not what this game is about. Thats not how I play," Ward said. "I hate to see guys go down with any type of injury. I just wanted him to know, whether he accepted it or not, it wasnt intentional to injure him. But we have to play this game. We have to play it the way that they force us to, and unfortunately, it incurred an injury for him." Ward said if he hit Gronkowski high, there was a chaance he might be fined.dddddddddddd. "Its not a decision where Im going to go low on every play," he said, "but, actually, it has kind of turned into that in those situations, in those split-second decisions where you have a guy running down the field whos 280 (pounds), and Im 200, and the fact that if you do even hit him in his chest and he decides to hunch down or flinch or lower his head, then I could have the chance of being fined." "Its kind of being caught between a rock and a hard place," Ward said. "Its a decision you have to make, but you have to follow the rules at the same time." He said he had been fined three times and "I dont like playing for free." Asked if he had an issue with Ward hitting Gronkowski low, Belichick said, "Thats a question you should take up with the league." The Patriots (10-3) have won three straight games and hold the No. 2 spot in the AFC despite numerous injuries. Gronkowski, wide receiver Danny Amendola, running back Shane Vereen and defensive players Vince Wilfork, Jerod Mayo and Tommy Kelly all have missed an extended amount of time. In the six games before Sunday, Gronkowski led NFL tight ends with 37 catches and 560 yards receiving. He had two catches for 32 yards Sunday. Now hes out again. "As a team, we want him to play," Patriots cornerback Devin McCourty said, but "you just hate to see that for him. A guy thats battled back through his arm and his back (injuries) and been very productive for us this year, it stinks to see him get carted off the field like that." ' ' '