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6/12/2019 06:15 | Sujet du message:
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KAMLOOPS, B. NMD Sale .C. -- B.C. Lions head coach Mike Benevides says his team has a better handle on what makes Khalif Mitchell tick this time around. The hulking defensive tackle helped the Lions win the 2011 Grey Cup, however a series of incidents on an off the field the following season precipitated a trade to the Toronto Argonauts prior to the 2013 campaign. The mercurial Mitchell rebounded in Toronto and asked for his release from the Argos to pursue NFL opportunities this winter, but when those failed to materialized the Lions surprised the rest of the CFL by bringing him back into the fold. "I think hes a person thats matured. Hes a person thats experienced some things," Benevides said at training camp this week. "The biggest thing I see is everybody else understanding who he is. "I think hes very conscious of whats occurring and whats going on around him. What people need to know is he is not a bad person. Hes a good person." Benevides would know. He was the Lions defensive co-ordinator back in 2011 when Mitchell had his best season, compiling 33 tackles and six sacks. "I see everybody understanding who he is and sometimes you have a misconception or you dont understand someone and that sometimes creates issues," said Benevides. "Khalif is a very charismatic guy, hes a very passionate guy. He enjoys the game. His teammates and his team and the guys around him are very important to him." But it was those teammates who wanted him out the door after the six-foot-six, 315-pound Mitchell made headlines for all the wrong reasons in 2012. The league suspended him two games for violently hyperextending the arm of an opponent that July before fining him an unspecified amount for making multiple throat-slashing gestures in another game. Mitchell was then fined and suspended again for violating the CFLs social media policy after using a racial slur on Twitter. Benevides said the teams leadership group was consulted when the idea to was first floated to bring Mitchell back, and it was agreed that all parties could move on and work towards winning the Grey Cup, which the Lions host in November. "It was a long process and discussion. There was a lot of guys that I spoke to and they were the ones who said Bring him back in the room," said Benevides. "At the end of the day we all have a job to do and thats win." But while his coach has seen growth and maturity, the 29-year-old Mitchell emphasized hes still the same person in many ways. "I havent changed who I am. Even when I came back to B.C. I was like Im going to be Khalif and they were like We understand that," said Mitchell, referring to himself in the third person. "I think a lot of people dont understand who Khalif is because a lot of people only see me in football or from the negative things that Ive produced in the media." Lions running back Andrew Harris expressed delight when Mitchell was traded last year, tweeting "Good riddance!!!!" after the deal with the Argos was announced. The Winnipeg native said hes willing to move on because of Mitchells unique skill set and a hope that he has learned from his mistakes. "Khalif is a beast. Hes a guy that can help us win football games, and thats the most important things," said Harris. "All the off-field stuff that happened in the past, its just maturing from that now. Things happen with people and youve just got to move on from that and trust that there will be better judgement in the future. "Theres definitely no animosity between us. Were teammates now and were just working together for the one goal and thats the Grey Cup." Lions linebacker Solomon Elimimian added that there werent any awkward conversations when Mitchell walked back into the locker-room. "I think the guys all know Khalif, and thats the biggest thing for us," said Elimimian. "We know that hes a good guy. We know he means well. We know that hes a very bright man. But also the thing is hes a great football player and thats what we need in the locker-room and on the field." Lions defensive back Ryan Phillips said it was made clear to Mitchell upon his return that he can be himself as long as it doesnt hurt the team. "Just understand that theres consequences to mistakes," said Phillips. "Hes grown up from that. We know the dominant player he can be as long as hes focused on football." Theres no doubt that Mitchell will help an already solid defence get better. The Lions surrendered the second fewest rushing yards per game (94.4) in 2013, but allowed the second most rushing touchdowns (17) and recorded the third fewest sacks (45). Mitchell put the drama from 2012 behind him and nearly matched his 2011 numbers while playing with Toronto last season, registering 32 tackles and five sacks. "In order to be successful in our division, youve got to be very good against the run. Youve got to be big inside," said Benevides. "Hes another big, effective body that can have an impact in the interior line of scrimmage, and good teams win at the line of scrimmage." Mitchell said he never expected to return to the West Coast after his messy divorce with the Lions last year, but is ready to do what he does best -- stop the run and get after the quarterback. "I definitely wasnt expecting to come back. Im sure when they told me Good riddance and Bye they werent expecting me to come back either," he said. "Im here now and regardless of what the situation was, at the end of the day weve got to win a championship." NMD Wholesale . Here are some of the best from Week One and some to watch in Week Two: TOP PERFORMERS Anthony Allen, RB, Saskatchewan (176 YDS, 2 TD, 30 touches vs. Hamilton) - Powerfully-built back burst onto the scene in his CFL debut, after a couple of years in the NFL, playing 21 games with the Baltimore Ravens. NMD Clearance . Knapp defeated American Alison Riske 6-3, 7-5 to secure Italys victory in the best-of-five series. She held a 5-2 lead in the second set, only to let Riske tie it at five. https://www.cheapnmdoutlet.com/ . Specifically, thumbs up to the Canadian-based teams in the NHL, or at least most of them.TORONTO – Randy Carlyle really doesnt see what all the fuss is about as it pertains to the looming intrigue of the Toronto crease. "We added the goaltender based upon adding strength to the position," said Carlyle of the Jonathan Bernier acquisition this past summer. "I dont know how I can put it any plainer, any simpler." According to the Leafs head coach, the decision to add Bernier from Los Angeles was not an indictment on James Reimer, who delivered a year of rare stability for Toronto goaltending in 2013, but an opportunity to pounce on a rising stock and thereby solidify the position beyond the 25-year-old incumbent. "Its adding strength to a position thats very critical in the NHL," Carlyle explained from the teams annual charity golf tournament in Milton, Ontario. "You show me an NHL hockey club that made it anywhere in the playoffs or even qualified for the playoffs without A-quality goaltending. And thats what were going to ask of both our goalies." Reimer guided the Leafs to their first playoff berth in nine years with "A-quality goaltending", posting a sparkling .924 save percentage in 2013, amongst the best at the position in the lockout-shortened regular season. His performance, however impressive, was not enough though to squash lingering doubts about his viability as an NHL number one – despite assertions from the organization stating the contrary – his starting status immediately thrust into question with the addition of Bernier. Leafs general manager Dave Nonis made it poignantly clear in the immediate aftermath of the trade, which sent Ben Scrivens and Matt Frattin to the Kings, that Reimer and Bernier would battle for playing time. NMD Discount. "I like to think that I was the guy that was here," said Reimer on Tuesday morning, ever diplomatic, "and so obviously thats a position I want to keep." Itching for an opening in California, Bernier found himself stuck hopelessly behind Jonathan Quick, an opportunity set to present itself with the impending competition in Toronto. While he owns a limited track record – just 62 career games to 104 for Reimer – the organization believes that he has the tools to become a viable NHL starter, potential hes hinted at in the past, most recently in 2013 when the Quebec native strung together a 1.88 goals against average and .922 save percentage in 14 games. "Were confident that we have two very, very capable goaltenders," said Dave Poulin, the Leafs VP of hockey operations, noting the viability of a tandem approach and benefits of internal competition. Ultimately, the Leafs just need continued stability in goal, be it from Reimer, Bernier or both. Carlyle believes performance will sort out the matter. "Because theres two of them, that creates a problem – both cant play at once," Carlyle concluded of the two competing netminders. "Our motto is going to go along the lines – and you always state this at the beginning of the season and sometimes it changes and there are factors that do take place over the course of the season that force you to change – but if you win, youre in. And thats pretty simple." ' ' '  |
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