MONTREAL -- It has been two years since the Montreal Alouettes have been to the Grey Cup game. That wouldnt be unusual for most Canadian Football League teams, but it hasnt happened to the Alouettes since 2000. And general manager Jim Popp doesnt want three in a row. "We won our division last year, we didnt win our playoff game, but weve been right there," Popp said. "We all felt we should have been in five straight Grey Cups." The Alouettes were first in the East Division at 11-7 last season but were beaten at home in the division final by the eventual Grey Cup champion Toronto Argonauts. But it wasnt that defeat that sparked a big change in Montreal. Rather, it was coach Marc Trestman finally landing his dream job as an NFL head coach with the Chicago Bears. Trestmans departure after five years brought in former U.S. university coach Dan Hawkins. Like his predecessor, Hawkins enters the CFL with no experience of the 12-man game. The difference is that this time he will be well-supported with a staff of 11 co-ordinators and assistants. Among them is former Winnipeg head coach Doug Berry, who was hired as Hawkins senior adviser and who could likely step into the top job if needed. The main job will be to bring consistency to the defence and special teams. The offence is almost unchanged from a year ago, except for the addition of 35-year-old receiver Arland Bruce III to replace the departed Brian Bratton. It all hinges on the health of quarterback Anthony Calvillo, the leagues all-time passing leader who turns 41 on Aug. 23. Calvillo is hardly slowing down. He wasnt fast to begin with. And last season he topped, 5,000 yards passing for the seventh time, completing 333 for 5,082 yards, 31 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. He is coming off surgery to his non-throwing shoulder but looked sharp in the pre-season. The team signed free agent Quinton Porter as insurance, but the veteran pivot asked for his release when it became clear he wouldnt get the back-up role ahead of third-stringer Josh Neiswander and impressive newcomer Tanner Marsh. Calvillo has his offensive line intact and his solid array of tall receivers in S.J. Green, Jamel Richardson and Brandon London. Adding Bruce was a bonus. They will start the season with both incumbent running back Brandon Whitaker and new signing Jerome Messam out with injuries. Chris Jennings, who filled in after Whitaker blew out a knee last season, is to start the campaign but the multi-skilled Whitaker is expected back soon. The offence was not an area of concern for Montreal. Perhaps their biggest problem last season was special teams, where they gave up too many long returns and couldnt get their own return game going. The result was weak field position at both ends. With new special teams co-ordinator Ray Rychelski in place, they hope speedy Noel Devine will break more long returns this season. Last year, special teams was only one of former coach Andy Bischoffs many duties. "I dont know if it was the philosophy or we needed to get better personnel-wise, but for whatever reason, we were getting big field position changes," said Popp. "We didnt seem to get the returns and we seemed to give up big returns. "The coaching was good, but there was something not clicking." "Coach Rays approach is different. Its more like NFL teams. Its very direct. Well see what results we get." There were changes in the defensive backfield with the signing of veteran cornerbacks Byron Parker and Geoff Tisdale. Dwight Anderson and Seth Williams are gone. The biggest change may be moving bruising tackler Kyries Hebert from safety to outside linebacker, his natural position. Canadian Shea Emry remains at middle linebacker with Chip Cox also back, and with the versatile Marc-Olivier Brouillette slotting in wherever hes needed. Rookie Mike Edem, drafted third overall from the University of Calgary, has been impressive at safety, flanked by returning defensive backs Billy Parker and Jerald Brown. The team has also gone back to a four-man line and signed the spirited Ejiro Kuale from Toronto to play rush end along with veteran John Bowman. Scooter Berry and Alan Michael Cash return at tackle, and Moton Hopkins is back after missing a year with a blood clot in a leg. Popp wants stability on defence after going through a succession of defensive co-ordinators in recent years. Each one changed the system so that new players were needed to fit the co-ordinators style. Jeff Reinebold is out, and the new co-ordinator is Noel Thorpe. "With coaches, co-ordinators and philosophies, that there hasnt been the consistency we had on offence," said Popp. "Youre trying to find a coach that maybe fits the personnel better. "That was thought out much better this time around. Reinebold is a very good coach, it just didnt work. We were very good some weeks and others we werent. But thats our league. The best co-ordinators have had 500-yard games against them. But you want consistency, not a roller coaster." "The system is simplified. In the system that had evolved, there were a lot of checks and changes and when there are always new people in, everyones not always on the same page and it becomes difficult. In this system, there are less adjustments. Theres a lot more man coverage. Usually that will spell out less mistakes." Popp hopes better special teams and defence will bring the Alouettes back to the Grey Cup game, where theyve been eight times in 13 years, winning in 2002, 2009 and 2010. It will be the 18th season since the team returned to Montreal in 1996 after a 10-year hiatus and theyve had winning records every year but two -- 9-9 in 2001 and 8-10 in 2007. In that span, theyve never missed the playoffs. "Weve been at a high level, and the question is whether we stay at that level or drop a notch down," said Popp, who has been GM for all that time. "But those are the two areas that, if we can be better, well already be a better team." Vapormax 2019 Cheap . - Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie never doubted he would bring back coach Dennis Allen for a third year despite back-to-back 4-12 records. Nike Air Max 720 Cheap China . Burke is expected to miss two to three months after breaking a finger in the teams third preseason game. Tinsley, a 10-year veteran, spent the last two seasons in Utah, where the point guard averaged 3. http://www.brandshoescheaponline.com/wholesale-air-force-1-china.html . Newcastle dominated in the early stages but City weathered the storm and then raised its game in extra time. Negredo broke the deadlock from close range after a simple move in the 99th minute before Dzeko took the ball round goalkeeper Tim Krul to seal the victory in the 105th. Air Max 270 React Cheap . Third-seeded Murray had the easiest path to victory on New Years Eve, barely breaking a sweat during his 6-0, 6-0 win over 2,129th-ranked Qatari wildcard recipient Mousa Shanan Zayed. Air Force 1 Wholesale China .B. - Sebastien Auger made 44 saves as the Saint John Sea Dogs edged the visiting Acadie-Bathurst Titan 2-1 on Saturday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. RIO DE JANEIRO -- Hungary is the home of 15 Olympic mens water polo medals, more than any other country. It owned the pool in Sydney, Athens and Beijing, winning three consecutive gold medals.And it was practically an afterthought when it arrived in Rio de Janeiro.While Serbias recent success dominated the pre-Olympic talk heading into group play, it didnt take very long for Hungary and Croatia to break out of the shadow created by the world champions. Hungary led most of the way before settling for a 13-13 tie with Serbia in the first game in Brazil on Saturday, and Croatia followed with a 7-5 victory over the United States.It was only opening day -- each team plays five matches before the field is cut down for the quarterfinals -- but it was clear there is depth in the mens field beyond the powerful Serbians.I think they are one of the favorites, but we are also there, Hungary driver Marton Vamos said. We can beat everybody.Serbia is seeking its first gold medal after winning bronze at each of the last two Olympics. It arrived in Rio coming off a dazzling stretch that included the world championship last year and the European title in January.Hungary finished fifth at the London Olympics, missing the podium for the first time since 1996 in Atlanta. It dropped to sixth at last years world championships in Russia, but the country remains a threat in the eyes of its competitors.Hungary is the land of water polo, Serbia driver Stefan Mitrovic said.It sure looked that way in the opener at the Maria Lenk Aquatics Centre. Gabor Kis scored in the final seconds of the first half and Norbert Hosnyanszky added another goal early in the third, helping Hungary open a 10-6 lead.Hungary looked as if it was going to hang on for 13-12 win before Filip Filipovic scored his third goal in the final seconds for Serbia. Hungary coach Tibor BBenedek said he was satisfied with the result for the group play opener, and then happily reaffirmed Serbias status as the favorite.ddddddddddddIt should be the problem of Serbia, a smiling Benedek said. They are the favorite of the tournament. We are easy for this.Croatia rallied for an 8-6 victory over Italy in the 2012 Olympic final, and lost 11-4 to Serbia in the final of the world championships last year. Facing a U.S. squad overhauled by former Serbia coach Dejan Udovicic, Croatia showed off the same championship mettle it employed to such great success in London.Andelo Setka gave Croatia a 5-4 lead with a long shot from up top with 2:16 left in the third. He added another goal from outside in the fourth, and Croatia shut out the U.S. for much of the second half.For us, Croatia and Serbia are the two most strong right now, U.S. captain Tony Azevedo said. Hungary had a great game. They were up by four, but they also ended up tying when they were up by four. So Serbia clearly is still more dominant, but you know whats great about the Olympic Games, you never know.Azevedo, making his fifth appearance in the Olympics -- a record for the U.S. program -- scored two goals in his return to his native Rio de Janeiro. He also plays professionally for Sesi in Sao Paulo.Its really nice, and to get that first goal out of the way is great, he said. But honestly, I dont care if I score another goal again. I just need to win this damn game.Also Saturday, Italy edged Spain 9-8, Brazil topped Australia 8-7, Greece rallied for a dramatic 8-7 victory over Japan and Montenegro posted a 7-4 win against France. Greece trailed 7-4 after three quarters.---Jay Cohen can be reached at http://www.twitter.com/jcohenap ' ' '
