OTTAWA - The Ottawa Redblacks woke up Monday morning to find themselves in first place in the CFL East Division standings without even lining up for a snap. Custom Baltimore Ravens Jerseys . They would love to stay there for a while longer. The Redblacks have yet to suit up for a regular-season game in the short life of the franchise, but because everyone else in the East lost in Week 1 Ottawa sits first in the division by default. "Were developing a new strategy as to not play so then you get first place," said head coach Rick Campbell with a laugh. "Well take 18 bye weeks if that happens." Campbell doesnt put much stock in the fact that the remaining teams in the East struggled in the opening week, but he would still love to see his team break the trend. The Redblacks open their inaugural season Thursday against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and know they have a tough task at hand. The Bombers defeated the Toronto Argonauts 45-21 last week. "(Winnipeg) was a hungry team that played fast," Campbell said. "They came to play football and it showed and it also shows that if youre not completely ready to play or youre making too many mistakes youre going to get into trouble early." While the game will be significant for everyone who has been awaiting the return of football to Ottawa, it will be even more meaningful for Jovon Johnson who spent the past six years with the Bombers. Johnson, a defensive back and kick returner, signed with the Redblacks as a free agent during the off-season. In 2011 Johnson was named the leagues outstanding defensive player. "I think I had this date circled on my calendar since I left there, but even more so after I made the team," Johnson said. "Im looking forward to this opportunity." Johnson said the Redblacks will need to keep things simple in order to be successful. Emotions will likely be running high and he says maintaining focus will be the key. "We need to know our assignments and just do our job," he said. "We cant try to do too much. I think Toronto overthought some things and they made some penalties and left a couple guys open on defence." This being the Redblacks first game, mistakes are likely to be made, but Johnson believes that if the team can make corrections on the fly they should fare well. Johnson laughed when reminded that the team sits in first place and said it would mean a lot more when they accomplish it on their own. "We still have to go out and prove ourselves and we dont want anything handed to us," he said. "Everyone looks to us as an expansion team and a lot of people pick us to finish last so weve got a lot of things to prove and show the world what we can do." By all accounts the Redblacks see no reason why they cant compete with the rest of the East Division and believe the playoffs are a legitimate goal. "Were a confident group," said Ottawa native Justin Phillips. "We have lots of guys on this team who have been there and done that and had success in the playoffs, won Grey Cups so we have guys who know how to get the job done. Honestly theres no one here who lacks confidence." When asked what would consist of a successful season, veteran quarterback Henry Burris said, "playoffs, at minimum." While the health of the 39-year-old quarterback will be integral to any chance of success, Burris says with the veteran talent acquired through the dispersal draft and free agent signings theres no reason why this team shouldnt compete for a playoff spot. "We know its not how you start its how you finish," Burris said. "If you can get out to an early start and win games early on it definitely helps you out down the backstretch. "All we have to do is stay healthy and as quickly as we can gel together as a team and get on the same page. We want to make sure we peak at the right time which is going into that backstretch and into the playoffs because we all know anything can happen." While Phillips would love nothing more than to see the Redblacks advance to the post season he says hes first looking forward to getting the first game underway. "Weve been talking and talking about it and thinking about it that now its fun to finally get this thing going," he said. "Once we get into a routine its going to be like any other week, but it will be nice to get that first one out of the way." Notes: Campbell said the final roster for Thursdays game will be decided following Tuesdays practice as the coaching staff wants to ensure everyone gets through the practice unscathed before making a final decision. John Brown Jersey . The Senators will put the busy off-season and training camp behind them when they open their regular season on the road. They kick things off Friday against the Buffalo Sabres and then head to Toronto to take on the Maple Leafs on Saturday. John Brown Ravens Jersey . MORITZ, Switzerland -- Latvia won a four-man World Cup bobsled race Sunday, while the U. http://www.ravensjerseyscheapauthentic.com/ravens-hayden-hurst-black-jersey/ . - Defensive end-linebacker Mike Neal apparently is returning to the Packers.SURREY, B.C. -- Andrew Harris wants to become a dictator. Coming off a stunning loss to the Montreal Alouettes last week, the B.C. Lions running back said after Mondays practice that his team needs to impose its will on opponents to be successful. Harris also rejected the suggestion, which has been aired numerous times since Thursdays last-second setback, that the Lions offence is too predictable. "If you have confidence and everyones on the same page, even if (your opponents) know what youre doing, youre still going to be successful," he said. "Thats just the attitude that we need to have and the attitude that we have now. And, its going to change and were adapting to it. Were making those changes and (simplifying) things down. "So no matter what theyre doing to us, we should have an answer for it and just be better than them on that given play. ... Youve got to be a dictator in that situation." Harris said the Lions need to take that approach when they host the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (4-4) on Friday. He also wants to make more of an impact after playing primarily a blocking role against a blitz-happy Montreal defence that sacked quarterback Travis Lulay five times while pressuring him constantly. Harris rushed for a season-low 19 yards on just eight carries against Montreal and hopes to be more involved. "Im just looking to make an impact," he said. "It has nothing to do with if I get the ball or not. ... It just depends how the game goes. "Obviously, as a competitor, you want to get the ball in your hands and make plays. Thats definitely something I want to do. But no matter the impact or the role I have to play in any particular game, youve just got to go back there and do your job." The 19-yard output came after he rushed for just 20 in a season-opening loss to Calgary. Meanwhile, Lulay has yet to throw for 300 yards in a game, and a young receiving corps has not lived up to some lofty expectations after general manager Wally Buono unloaded veterans Geroy Simon (traded to Saskatchewan) and Arland Bruce (released and signed by Montreal.) The offensive line, riddled with injuries as it was last season, has also struggled to find cohesion. But Harris said critics of the B.C. offence do not realize how close it is to achieving more success. "Its easy for people to criticize us," he said. "Theyre not on the field. They dont understand whats going on behind closed doors and the work we put in. The thing about us is, were working hard and its just little things that are making a difference between winning and losing games. "But we are 5-3. We are busting our butts every day, and were continuing and were looking to attack more now as an offence." He chalked up his lack of attacking activity to Montreals heavy blitzes and his additional blocking duties. Anthony Averett Jersey. "I had to pass-protect 19 or 18 plays in that game, and thats unheard of," said Harris. Lulay said the Lions hope to get the ball more often to Harris early against Hamilton while agreeing with the tailbacks contention that B.C. needs to dictate more of the offensive flow. "When youre playing too much on the up-front, you have to find a way to answer a bit better, or plant some of that stuff down and, maybe, put a little bit of fear into their defence," said Lulay. "Thats why we came up a bit short (against Montreal), I think. It was just not being able to have an answer early in that football game." Chances are the Lions will throw in a few different offensive wrinkles against the Tiger-Cats, who beat Winnipeg last weekend. Lulay said he will look to utilize Harris earlier in the game and work more screens. Harris and Lulay are not worried about becoming locked into a B.C. offensive system. Both noted that offensive co-ordinator Jacques Chapdelaine and head coach Mike Benevides welcome suggestions from players. "I definitely want input," said Benevides. "I think input matters in anything." If it were up to Harris, he would curb the extra criticism that Lulay has faced. "He gets paid the big bucks, and hes the face of the team, so thats what happens," said Harris. "But its a team effort. I see Travis. I know how hard he works. Hes the first guy here (at practice), the last guy to leave, and I know how much the game means to him and how much this team means to him." Lulays abilities to handle an increased leadership role and excel on the field at the same time have also come into question following Simon and Bruces departures. But Harris said the Lions offensive struggles are not about the system or the personnel. "Its just a matter of coming together and being a team -- and attacking," he said. It will also be about defending after the Lions allowed the Als to connect on a 57-yard pass that set up their game-winning field goal. If everyone makes one more play successfully defensive back Korey Banks said B.C. will be fine. He said, who said the onus is on the players to excel rather than anything the coaches might do system-wise, also defended the teams offence. With Simon and Bruce gone, the offensive unit just needs time to "grow." "Theyre gonna find a way," said Banks. "Thats the bottom line." Notes: Banks sat out practice after suffering a charley horse in Montreal, but said he will play against Hamilton. ... Offensive lineman Jovan Olafioye (back) also rested and also said he will play. Linebacker Anton McKenzie was absent while getting a sore hand examined by a doctor, but Benevides also expects him to be available. White NFL Jerseys Cheap Youth NFL Jerseys China Wholesale Jerseys 2020 Stitched NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Autographed Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Discount Jerseys ' ' '