certainly contribute at the next leavel with most teams
ALLEN PARK, Mich. - As usual, Martin Mayhew chose his words carefully when assessing the off-season for the Detroit Lions — but the biggest issue facing the team is fairly obvious.Ndamukong Suh, Detroits All-Pro defensive tackle, can become a free agent now, and if he leaves, the Lions would have to scramble to replace his formidable presence in the middle of their defence.I had an opportunity to sit down and talk with him on Monday, said Mayhew, Detroits general manager. We had a good conversation. We look forward to working with him to try to get a deal done.Mayhew spoke to reporters for about a half-hour Thursday, recapping a solid year in which the Lions made the playoffs for only the second time in the past 15 seasons.Suh was a big part of Detroits 11-win season, helping the Lions become one of the leagues top teams against the run.Mayhew said Suh is open to staying in Detroit.We talked about that on Monday, had a good conversation with him, Mayhew said. He wants to be here and we want him to be here. As I said before, I think thats a pretty good combination. Well see how it all plays out.Mayhew said hes leaving all options open with Suh — including the possibility of using the franchise tag on him. The teams preference, though, is to reach a long-term deal.The fact that Detroit is coming off an encouraging season probably wont hurt.He likes to win, I know that, Mayhew said. I know he likes coach (Jim) Caldwell, I know hes very comfortable here in Detroit, so those things all play in our favour. At the end of the day money talks, so well have to step up in terms of pursuing him financially as well.Suhs situation — however its resolved — could have a major effect on the rest of Detroits plans this off-season.Defensive tackle Nick Fairley can also become a free agent, and the offence is coming off an uneven season in which the line struggled to protect quarterback Matthew Stafford.Although he addressed Suhs uncertain future, Mayhew wouldnt talk much about the status of any individual players. Veteran offensive linemen Rob Sims and Dominic Raiola have reached the end of their contracts, and offensive lineman Travis Swanson — a third-round pick in last years draft — may be ready for a bigger role.Making the playoffs was an important step in Caldwells first season as Detroits coach, but the Lions lost the regular-season finale at Green Bay with the NFC North title at stake. Then they fell 24-20 at Dallas in their post-season opener.We have to get better from a talent standpoint. We have to be a better football team, Mayhew said. I think were a good football team right now, but were not a great football team. We have to be able to go and win at Green Bay, which we have not done in a long time.Having a bye and having a home game would have obviously helped us in terms of the playoffs and advancing. In those games, the other team played better than we played and we lost.One thing Mayhew didnt want to do was dwell on the pass interference flag that was rescinded late in the loss to Dallas. The reversal by the officials cost the Lions what would have been a huge first down, and the Cowboys ended up rallying to win.I think that the focus on a couple bad calls takes away from the fact that two really good teams played an outstanding football game that day, Mayhew said. You know, when the penalty happened there were eight minutes left in the game when they got the ball back.We had every opportunity to do something to overcome that and do something positive to win that game and we didnt. ... Im from the old school of, No excuses, no explanations. Did you win the game? No, we didnt win it. They won it, they advanced. We hope to see them next year at some point.NOTES: Mayhew was asked about rugby star Jarryd Hayne, who visited Detroit recently during his tour of NFL teams. Were always on the lookout for players that can help us, Mayhew said. Well see what happens. Hes still out there and hes still looking at other teams as well. Im not sure whatll happen with him, but wed like to have him.___Online: http://pro32.ap.org/poll and http://twitter.com/AP_NFL Cheap Air Max 95 China .com) - Minnesota Vikings fans would surely concede Teddy Bridgewater is not Peyton Manning. Yeezy Boost 350 Cheap . Cammalleri suffered a concussion in the Flames 2-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday. The 31-year-old forward did not travel with the team to Carolina. http://www.cheapairmaxchinawholesale.com/air-max-270-react-outlet.html . Roma has a game in hand but now second place is even at risk for the capital side as Napoli moved to within three points with the win. "The result is not always fair," Roma coach Rudi Garcia said. "If we play like this until the end we will win many matches. Air Max 90 Cheap China . - A retired Indiana school principal who was NASCAR star Jeff Gordons drivers education teacher was killed with his wife in a Tennessee crash while returning from watching Gordon race. Vapormax Plus Wholesale . Not Peyton Manning. Hes holding on to the heartache to stoke his competitive fire.This week, collegiate players from across Canada participated in three regional combines in Edmonton, Montreal and Toronto. Those who impressed in each of the three events were asked to attend the main CFL Combine which begins Friday in Toronto. TSNs Duane Forde gives his thoughts on this weeks regionals, who impressed and who to look out for in Toronto this weekend. EDMONTON - Twenty-one draft eligible players participated in Mondays Edmonton regional combine with five of them advancing to the national combine in Toronto. The most impressive among them was Simon Fraser receiver Tore Corrado. Having established himself more as a kick returner than as a receiver at the NCAA Division II-level, Corrados quickness is his greatest strength. His skill set gives him an opportunity to be an effective player on the bigger Canadian field. Corrados SFU teammate Dylan Roper turned scouts heads early in the day when he hoisted 225 lbs. 26 times. The defensive end clinched his trip to Toronto in the one-on-one drills, where his quickness off the edge and non-stop motor were evident. The Regina Rams also had two players promoted to the main combine in guard Kyle Paterson and defensive end Michael Dadzie. The latter hails from the athletic hotbed of Brampton, Ontario and, although he wasnt a full-time starter for the Rams, he possesses a combination of strength and speed that intrigues scouts. Paterson hopes to continue following in the footsteps of fellow Weyburn, Saskatchewan natives and U of R products Brendon LaBatte and Brett Jones. He topped the bench press test with 27 reps and was clearly the most athletic O-lineman in attendance. Rounding out the national combine invitees was rock solid Manitoba linebacker Thomas Miles, who tested well and brings an element of physical play to the table. My honourable mentions from the Edmonton regional go to scrappy Manitoba receiver Andrew Smith, who combines good leaping ability with a willingness to compete in the air for every ball, and Calgary kicker John Mark, who wasnt as accurate as usual, but hit the ball well on every field goal attempt. MONTREAL - There were twenty-seven draft eligible performers among the participants at Wednesdays Montreal regional combine, five of whom earned their way to the national event. Nigel Romick of Saint Marys distinguished himself in a very competitive defensive line group, testing very well across the board and showing great versatility by taking one-on-one reps at tackle, end and even linebacker. Sherbrooke receiver Francis Lapointe, one of the favourites among scouts entering the combine, lived up to his advance billing, running solid pass routes and tying for the fastest 40-yard dash of the day. Two running backs with very different skill sets will also be moving on to the national stage. Bruising fullback Alexandre Dupuis of the Montreal Carabins came back last fall from injuries to both knees that had wiped out his 2012 campaign and continued to impress with his work ethic and toughness.dddddddddddd Meanwhile, Lavals shifty Guillaume Bourassa, who has always had to share time in the crowded Rouge et Or backfield, shone as both a receiver and blocker. Performing on the Concordia University field that he has called home for the last four years, Stingers linebacker Travis Bent also punched his ticket to Toronto. The native of Ajax, Ontario was one of the most heavily recruited players in this class coming out of high school. A number of other players also caught my eye in Montreal, led by Mount Allisons Quinn Everett, who shows good potential as an O-lineman after spending the last four years on the defensive side. Defensive linemen Vincent Desloges (Laval), Shaquille Armstrong (Concordia) and Sanmi Adereti (St.FX) all had their moments, as did receivers Nathan Heather and Mike Harrington, while McGill DB Mattey Ossom and Bishops LB Omar Smith-Jackson displayed outstanding athleticism. TORONTO - On Thursday, Toronto was home to the third and final regional combine with 25 draft eligible prospects on hand. Four would ultimately earn promotions to this weekends national combine, led by former St.FX defensive back Raye Hartmann. An AUS All-Star in 2011, Hartmann had sat out the last two seasons, but showed absolutely no signs of rust as the 62" Mississauga, Ontario native was dominant in pass coverage and excelled in testing. Big Queens receiver Scott MacDonell was equally impressive, using his 65", 225 lbs. frame to his advantage in one-on-ones. He runs well for his size and could certainly contribute at the next leavel with most teams, at least occasionally, employing a tight end package. The day got off to a bit of a rough start for Toronto running back Aaron Milton, when he raised some eyebrows by declining to do the bench press test, later citing a shoulder injury. The big back more than made up for it on the field, showing both explosiveness as a ball carrier and receiver, as well as a willingness to get his nose dirty in blocking drills. High-energy defensive end James Tuck of the York Lions snagged the other invitation, combining an impressive level of athleticism with an even more impressive effort level. Winnipeg-born, Texas-raised offensive lineman Tchissakid Player of Northwestern State was a virtual lock to claim a spot at the main combine until a pulled hamstring ruled him out. Strong-legged kicker Zack Medeiros (Western), waterbug receiver Quincy Van De Cruize (Bishops), and hard-working Guelph defensive tackle Jeffery Finley were among several who didnt advance but likely still helped their stock on Friday. ' ' '