WINNIPEG -- Two is better than one for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers this season when it comes to kickers, at least when theyre both Canadians. [url=http://www.dolphinsrookiestore.com/Dolphins-Mark-Duper-Jersey/]Mark Duper Jersey[/url] . Coach Mike OShea says they opted to stick with veteran Mike Renaud

WINNIPEG -- Two is better than one for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers this season when it comes to kickers, at least when theyre both Canadians. Mark Duper Jersey . Coach Mike OShea says they opted to stick with veteran Mike Renaud for punting and go with Canadian newcomer Lirim Hajrullahu for field goals and kickoffs. He says American Brett Maher was pretty much in a tie with the Canadians, and as an import he needed to win all three battles. "I said all along in that battle he had to win the job outright in all three phases and I think he drew even in all three phases," he said Monday after Maher was released. "I think it was a pretty even draw. . . And the way our roster shapes up, that wasnt necessarily good enough." But he says Maher is a quality kicker who should find a home if anyone watched what he did with the Bombers. Renaud is entering his sixth season with Winnipeg. Rookie Hajrullahu is a native of St. Catharines, Ont., whose 402 points and 72 field goals are records at Western, where he played for the Mustangs through 2013. Winnipegs roster issues when it comes to the import-Canadian balance werent helped any Monday with the news linebacker Graig Newman could miss the entire regular season, after suffering a serious ankle injury in their final pre-season game in Calgary. OShea held out some hope he might return earlier. "Graigs a guy we went after hard in the off-season and Im not saying hes done for the season," he said. "I know thats whats been said in the report but Im optimistic and sos he and well see him soon. Hes already in his mind figuring out his rehab and how hard hes going to work. . . Ask me again in a couple of months, three months possibly." Newman was scheduled for surgery Monday after dislocating and fracturing his ankle in their 23-20 loss to the Calgary Stampeders Saturday night, the Bombers second pre-season loss after bowing 24-22 to the Toronto Argonauts last Monday. "Graig is not only a great football player, but a great person, and our entire organization supports him throughout this process," general manager Kyle Walters said in a release. "We look forward to him beginning rehab and returning to the field as soon as possible." The six-foot-one, 195-pound native of Langley, B.C., had 18 tackles and one sack last season with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He also had one punt return for seven yards. "This is obviously very disappointing as I was really looking forward to being a part of all the new things going on in the Blue Bomber organization," Newman said in a statement issued by the team. "This is a great province to play football in, and I look forward to getting back out there as soon as possible." The Bombers also cut veteran Canadian offensive lineman Chris Kowalchuk on Monday. He was entering his sixth season, although he had only played a total of six games over the last two. They released three rookies as well, Canadian running back Errol Brooks and pair of imports, receiver C.J. Tarver and linebacker Kenny Tate. OShea says playing both pre-season games in less than a week was tough and he decided to give the players Monday off. "It makes it harder to practice right now," said OShea. "The guys had two games in six days, theyre tired and they need a little bit of a rest." He says its still training camp mode in terms of their practice shcedules, but theyre also getting ready for the CFL season opener, which will be played in Winnipeg against the Toronto Argonauts June 26. The break is timely, OShea said. "Our focus is cleaning ourselves up with the focus shifted to our opponent." He also said he has no worries about how the offensive line is shaping up, despite some criticism of the way they allowed Calgary to get to their quarterbacks on the weekend. "Theyre taking the techniques . . Theyre applying them in the game. . . By the time we roll into week one theyre all going to be better and theyre going to be better as a unit." He also said he wasnt worry about a defence that lost the battle in both pre-season games. "Im not concerned at all. I know what weve put in and I know that well keep working. The efforts there, the buy-in is there." Minkah Fitzpatrick Dolphins Jersey . Those who impressed in each of the three events were asked to attend the main CFL Combine which begins Friday in Toronto. Christian Wilkins Womens Jersey . The Italian football federation announced the appointment, three days after new president Carlo Tavecchio was elected. Tavecchio and Conte spoke on the phone early Thursday. http://www.dolphinsrookiestore.com/Dolphins-Nat-Moore-Jersey/ . -- With the Memphis Grizzlies struggling to find their offensive rhythm, O.The San Antonio Spurs will try to take a 2-0 cushion over the Oklahoma City Thunder when the two teams continue the Western Conference finals tonight at AT&T Center. Catch all the action on TSN2 and TSN GO at 9pm et/6pm pt. San Antonio took the series lead Monday night with a 122-105 home victory in Game 1. The Spurs used a balanced scoring attack and clamped down defensively late in the third quarter to claim the win. Five San Antonio players scored in double figures and the Spurs outshot the Thunder from both the field and behind the 3-point line. Russell Westbrook knocked down a jumper with 5:09 left in the third to give the Thunder a 76-75 lead -- their first since a 5-4 edge early in the first -- but after Kevin Durant drained a jumper of his own nearly 30 seconds later, San Antonio turned up the intensity on the defensive end. The Spurs held Oklahoma City to just one field goal over the next seven-plus minutes, turning a one-point deficit into a 13-point advantage early in the fourth quarter. Durants 3-pointer just over three minutes into the fourth brought the visitors within 95-85, but the Thunder failed to get any closer the rest of the way as the Spurs ran away with the victory. Tim Duncan led the charge offensively with 27 points and seven rebounds, while Manu Ginobili and Danny Green combined for 34 points on 7-of-9 shooting from 3-point range. Ginobili netted 18 points, while Green and Kawhi Leonard each scored 16 in the win Tony Parker, who sustained a left hamstring strain in San Antonios series- clinching Game 5 win over Portland in the conference semifinals, supplied 14 points and 12 assists for the Spurs. "We were taking what we were given," Duncan said. "We knew wed be able to get into the middle and attack a little more than we have." The reason the Spurs wwere able to attack the middle was due to the absence of OKCs big man, Serge Ibaka. Jason Taylor Womens Jersey. He injured his left calf in Game 6 of the conference semifinals against the Los Angeles Clippers and is expected to miss the remainder of the postseason. San Antonio exploited the advantage and trounced the Thunder in the paint to the tune of 66-32. "Were a no-excuse team," Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks said. "Serge is out. Hes not coming back. We have to play better." The Spurs shot 57.5 percent from the field and 53 percent from beyond the arc. Oklahoma City shot respectable percentages of 46.3 from the floor and 44.4 outside the 3-point line. Durant registered 28 points, nine rebounds and five assists, while Westbrook finished with 25 points, seven assists and five boards for the Thunder, who won all four meetings with the Spurs during the regular season. The Thunder trailed by as many 15 points in the first half before Westbrook and Durant fueled OKCs comeback in the third, scoring all but two of the teams 23 points in the period. Westbrook registered the Thunders first nine points in the third, including a jumper with 8:13 on the clock that brought the team within 72-68. Ginobili buried a 3-pointer to quell the Westbrook barrage, but Durant ripped off five straight points and Westbrook followed with a free throw and a jumper to give Oklahoma City a 76-75 lead. Durant followed two free throws from Boris Diaw with another jumper, but the Thunder managed just one field goal -- a Durant jumper with 22.9 seconds left in the frame -- for nearly nine minutes as the Spurs surged ahead for good. "The third quarter was obviously our best quarter, but we didnt close out well," Durant said. "Were not taking any moral victories out of it." Game 3 will be Sunday night in Oklahoma City. ' ' '