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created on 10/29/2012  |  http://fubar.com/df/b351055

McCambridge said. ColinHAMILTON, Ont. Kyle Williams Jersey . -- When Kent Austin turned the Hamilton Tiger-Cats down in 2011, he had no idea hed be running the CFL team a year later. The Ticats and the Saskatchewan Roughriders both pursued Austin to fill their respective head-coaching vacancies in 2011 but he opted to stay in his job as head coach at Cornell University. This time, the Ticats sweetened the pot. On Monday, the club hired Austin as their head coach, general manager and vice-president of football operations. "Last year the timing wasnt right, it was not conducive for what was right for our family in our opinion," Austin said during a news conference at a Hamilton hotel. "I had a tremendous opportunity given to me at Cornell . . . and wanted to honour that commitment. "But things change and for me this opportunity continued to grow and continued to grow in our thoughts. I just thought it was the best time and my family really wanted to come." In his new roles, Austin is in charge of all football-related decisions, something he says was more attractive to him. Still, he was surprised the Ticats gave him a second chance. "Sometimes opportunities come around once in this profession and if you pass them up you dont see them again," he said. "But for whatever reason it did and came at a time that was right for us." Austin takes over as head coach from George Cortez, who was fired last week after compiling a 6-12 record in his first season with Hamilton. Bob OBillovich is also out as GM and is mulling over an offer to remain with the franchise as a consultant. Hamiltons offence was one of the CFLs most potent under Cortez, who also served as the offensive co-ordinator. But the defence struggled mightily and was a big reason why the Ticats missed the playoffs. Hamilton led the CFL in scoring (29.9 points per game) and passing (298.2 yards per game) and was second in total offence (378.6 yards per game). Veteran quarterback Henry Burris led the league in passing (5,367 yards) and touchdowns (43) -- both career highs. However, the Ticats registered 45 giveaways (second only to Winnipegs 53) and were the CFLs second-highest penalized squad. Defensively, Hamilton allowed a league-worst 32 points per game and was second-last in yards allowed (409.2 per game). The watershed moment in the units struggles came in Hamiltons regular-season finale Nov. 1 versus arch-rival Toronto at Rogers Centre. Hamilton entered that contest needing the win to make the CFL playoffs against a Toronto squad that had already clinched a post-season berth and rested 10 starters, including starter Ricky Ray. But the Argos earned a 43-40 victory on Swayze Waters 51-yard field goal on the games final play. Whats more, fourth-stringer Zack Collaros calmly marched Toronto into field goal range after Hamilton tied the score. "The two most important stats in football are turnover ratio and big plays," Austin said. "If you win those two categories you have a really high probability of winning football games. "We need to eliminate turnovers and make sure we win the turnover ratio and make sure we have big plays and not just on offence but on defence as well, what we call explosive plays." The quarterback is a key figure in three-down football, something Austin is all too familiar with. So its no surprise he believes pressuring the passer is important to a defence. "I played the position and coached the position and sometimes you give quarterbacks too much credit in football," he said. "There are times you need to get after the quarterback and pressure him. "Not all the time but certainly we want to get teams in second-and-long in this league and give the quarterback a lot to think about." Austin joins the Ticats with an impressive coaching resume but with little front-office experience. He said he will evaluate Hamiltons roster, its current front-office personnel and coaching staff before deciding what changes are required. Austin said while hed like his coaches to have CFL experience, he wants them to be shrewd evaluators who are capable of designing schemes that put Hamiltons players in the best position to succeed. Ticats president Scott Mitchell was dogged in his pursuit of Austin, saying the former CFL quarterback remained on his radar even after he decided to remain at Cornell. "I always felt Kent was a person that had the talent to scale beyond being just a head coach so when things clarified themselves in our organization I felt like he was the perfect fit," Mitchell said. "Hes got incredible natural leadership abilities, hes a confident person. "I think he is because of his success and because he builds a process that demands accountability. For us, I think we need someone who can be the face of the franchise thats running football operations anyway they see fit and brings a lot of confidence and leadership to the organization." Austin won a Grey Cup as the Roughriders head coach in 2007 and helped the Toronto Argonauts win a CFL title in 2004 as the teams offensive co-ordinator. The 49-year-old also earned championship rings as a quarterback with Saskatchewan in 1989 and B.C. in 94. Austin entered the coaching ranks in 2003 as a quarterback coach with the Ottawa Renegades. The following season he joined the Argos before being fired in 2006 but resurfaced as Saskatchewans head coach for the 2007 season. Austin led the Roughriders to a 23-19 Grey Cup win over Winnipeg at Rogers Centre and was named the CFLs coach of the year. On Jan. 16, 2008, Austin became the offensive co-ordinator at the University of Mississippi, his alma mater. Two years later, he accepted the head coaching job at Cornell and is coming off a season where his team posted a 4-6 record. Over three seasons at Cornell, Austin compiled an 11-19 record. Hamilton hasnt won the Grey Cup since 99 under the late Ron Lancaster. But it hasnt been for a lack of trying since businessman Bob Young became owner in 2003. Young hasnt been afraid to spend money, signing quarterback Casey Printers to a deal reportedly worth $500,000 annually in 2007. Last year, the Ticats signed free-agent slotback Andy Fantuz of Chatham, Ont., to a multiyear deal reportedly worth $190,000 a year and also lured Cortez from the NFLs Buffalo Bills with a four-year contract that was said to be worth $300,000 a year. Next season, Youngs team will be paying two head coaches -- Cortez and Austin -- but the Ticats owner believes his club has the right man in charge this time around. "Im not a fast study, it takes me a while to learn things," he said. "We still have to get better and Kent gives us that change to get a lot better." NaVorro Bowman Womens Jersey . Speaking at an season-ending media conference for the QMJHLs Quebec Remparts, Roy stated that he has not had any contact with the Canadiens about a job with the organization. Aldon Smith Red Jersey . LOUIS -- The St. http://www.the49ersfans.com/colin-kaepernick-jersey . LOUIS -- Jake Westbrook worked seven innings of three-hit ball and the St. Colin Kaepernick Youth Jersey . Balotelli faces a four-match ban after being charged by the English Football Association on Monday with violent conduct for appearing to stomp on Scott Parkers head during Citys 3-2 win against Tottenham at the weekend. Dashon Goldson Jersey .C. - Jordan Staal is committed to playing with the Carolina Hurricanes for a long time. NASHVILLE -- As baseballs new Mr. Moneybags, Ned Colletti gets mentioned when almost any free agent is discussed this off-season. "Theres a perception that were in on a couple dozen starting pitchers, three dozen outfielders and infielders, 17, 18 catchers," the Los Angeles Dodgers general manager said. "People like to have us in. I guess it doesnt hurt to have us in, even though were not in. We may have to hire somebody next year just to tell everybody who were not in on," he said. As teams headed home from the winter meetings Thursday, the biggest free agents were still on the market. The availability of slugger Josh Hamilton and pitcher Zack Greinke held up decisions on other signings and possible trades involving Rangers infielder Michael Young and Mets Cy Young Award winner R.A. Dickey. The New York Yankees, quiet thus far, were pursuing former Boston star Kevin Youkilis and also met with the agent for Mark Reynolds. With most clubs already packed up and leaving the sprawling, 2,881-room Opryland hotel, Philadelphia acquired outfielder Ben Revere from Minnesota for right-handers Vance Worley and Trevor May. Hamilton could remain with Texas, and Seattle seemed to be interested. Greinkes options include staying with the Los Angeles Angels, moving up the coast to the Dodgers or signing with the Rangers. Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik said that after taking in information from other clubs and agents, it was time to return home and "cool your jets." "There can be a domino effect," he said. "I think when clubs are focusing on a certain position, a certain need, theres options out there. And once one option goes away, then that changes the landscape of what a club would want to do. Everybodys got their ducks lined up in a row, and its just a matter of how things fall. And theres timing involved." The annual meeting wasnt much of a swap session. The Phillies-Twins deal was just the fourth trade over the four days. Atlanta announced a one-year deal with outfielder Reed Johnson on Thursday, and Texas said reliever Koji Uehara had reached an agreement with Boston. Minnesota agreed with reliever Jared Burton on a $5.5 million, two-year contract that includes a club option for 2015. Third baseman Ian Stewart said he is re-signing with the Chicago Cubs, confirming the move on Twitter. But the 25-foot wide dais with a podium backed by MLB logos was used just three times: Yankees general manager Brian Cashman discussed Alex Rodriguezs hip injury; Major League Baseball announced an auction benefiting Stand Up to Cancer; and the Mets talked about David Wrights $138 million, eight-year contract, which had been agreed to last week. The Yankees have been laying back, watching as catcher Russell Martin agreed with Pittsburgh last week and backup third baseman Eric Chavez went to Arizona during the meetings. Wanting to get under the $189 million luxury tax threshold in 2014, New York was being cautious. Still, Cashman maaintained it hasnt been a rough week for him. Justin Smith Womens Jersey. "Because I dont read the papers as much as I used to," he said. "This years marketplace, it might be strong in terms of the dollars being thrown around, but I dont think its a strong market in terms of the available talent." As the meetings ended, Cashman had made a $12 million offer to Youkilis, who would play third base while A-Rod recovers. The Phillies were trying to obtain Young, who has been with the Rangers for his entire 13-season career and would have to approve a trade. Arizona was listening to offers for outfielder Justin Upton. "It seems like when people leave the winter meetings, theres a bit of a quiet period," Red Sox GM Ben Cherington said. "People kind of get out of the frenzy, maybe take a step back and realize that maybe something they were talking about isnt such a good idea. Sometimes things get close and never end up happening." For all the talk, the Dodgers have made only one big move since the end of the season, re-signing closer Brandon League. But theyve been quite busy throughout 2012. After they were bought in May for $2 billion by a group headed by Mark Walter and Stan Kasten, Los Angeles added stars Hanley Ramirez, Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford and Josh Beckett. The Dodgers face a Sunday deadline to reach a deal with South Korean pitcher Ryu Hyun-Jin, whose rights they gained for a $25.7 million bid. Quite different from the days under previous owner Frank McCourt. "You couldnt get an agent to return a phone call," Colletti said. "Now youve got them lined out the door." Texas GM Jon Daniels was popular, too, given his interest in Hamilton and Greinke, and talks involving Upton and a possible multi-team trade. "It just makes it tougher, more than two clubs," he said, adding he had a variety of trade and free-agent options. "There are a couple of big decisions that are going to impact the direction. Weve narrowed it down, but theres still a couple ways we can go. Some of that is up to us, and some of that is up to the guys on the other side of the table." After exploring trades involving Dickey, Mets GM Sandy Alderson said it was possible the team could keep the knuckleballer without the sides agreeing to a new contract that runs beyond 2013. "I dont think its necessarily the optimum result, but its a possible result," he said. Some teams worry about overpaying this early in the off-season. Other clubs conclude they must. "You run into people, like, Man, I didnt want to do that, but I had no choice," Cashman said. "So theyre getting a problem solved, but theyre not happy with their solution and what they had to do to solve it. I dont want to be in that position. Id rather feel good about what Im doing." NOTES: The winter meetings will return to Nashville in 2015, the governing body of the minor leagues announced. Next years meetings are in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., and the 2014 session is in San Diego. ' ' '

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