WINNIPEG -- Winnipeg Blue Bombers head coach Mike OShea may not know exactly what to expect from the Ottawa Redblacks on Thursday but he says there are a lot of reasons, including quarterback Henry Burris, not to look at them as just an expansion team. Saints Jerseys China . "Theyre going to be well coached," he said of the Redblacks, who play their inaugural regular-season game Thursday at Investors Group Field. "Their GM didnt hire guys that dont have CFL experience. These are all guys that are very well-versed in the CFL game. Theyre going to be well-prepared "The expansion draft saw them get a lot of good players. Theyve got a quarterback that passed for 50,000 (yards) and ran for five (thousand). He was right up there for MVP of the league last year. I dont look at them as an expansion team." He says he expects them to come out flying. He says the Bombers will only be guessing at what the Redblacks will bring but that same uncertainty applies to all teams up to a point at the start of a season. Veteran Winnipeg defensive back Johnny Sears seconds OSheas assessment of Burris, who took Hamilton to the Grey Cup final last year. "Theyve got Henry Burris so you now they have a chance to win no matter who else theyve got on the team, so thats a challenge in itself," said Sears, who will be competing against former teammate Jovon Johnson in Ottawas secondary. Burris, 39, shows no signs of slowing down. After 14 seasons in the CFL with Calgary, Saskatchewan and Hamilton, he has completed 3,672 passes for 51,526 yards and 324 touchdowns. Hes rushed for another 5,033 yards and 55 touchdowns. He earned two Grey Cup rings with the Stampeders, one in 1998 as a backup and another in 2008 as the starter. The Bombers were also looking at Burris in the off-season but he picked the expansion Redblacks, who bring the nations capital back to the CFL for the first time since 2005. The Ottawa Renegades, the short-lived replacement for the Ottawa Rough Riders, folded after just four seasons due to mounting losses. Not that Winnipeg is unhappy with their final choice at quarterback, former Saskatchewan Roughriders backup Drew Willy. The Bombers surprised many by dominating the Toronto Argonauts 45-21 last week with strong games from both their offence and defence. Willy threw four touchdown passes in that win but says as far as preparing for Ottawa, he agrees they will have to wait and see Thursday. "You kind of look at the (defensive) co-ordinators past and where the head coach has been and try to get some tendencies here and there but they could come out with something entirely different so really youve got to play what your eyes see," he said. He said theyve prepared well for that with the unorthodox defence they had to compete against in Bomber training camp. New Orleans Saints Shirts . Osmond, of Marystown, N.L., fell in the middle of her routine and placed fifth in the ladies free skate at Iceberg Skating Palace (110.73 points), but that was all the Canadians needed after a strong performance by Kevin Reynolds in the mens free earlier Sunday. New Orleans Saints Store . NORRIS COLE (Heat): Its funny, you watch a guy play and now really produce and it just jumps off the page at you - why? You put a young player with potential in a winning environment where there is veteran leadership, outstanding coaching and management and a way that things are done and its a wonderful environment for growth, improvement in a climate of constant accountability and expectation of achievement/production. https://www.saintsjerseyssale.com/ . -- Fantasy football owners and Denver Broncos fans can rest easy: Peyton Manning is back.DUNEDIN, Florida – General manager Alex Anthopulos was expected to return on Tuesday from a business trip to the Dominican Republic. While he was away, it was the division-rival Baltimore Orioles conducting a little business of their own, scooping up Ubaldo Jimenez on Monday evening to a reported four-year, $50-million contract. Jimenezs signing leaves only one remaining marquee starting pitcher on the market. That would be Ervin Santana, with whom the Jays have been linked for what feels like an eternity. Santana is coming off a strong year for the Royals, in which he authored a 3.24 ERA and a 1.142 WHIP over 211 innings. Hes exceeded the 200-inning plateau in four of the last six seasons, which reflects positively on his durability but would give a club pause when considering how much, and how long, to invest in a 31-year-old. "Some things could still change but were going forward with what we have unless something happens," said manager John Gibbons. "We like this group. Thats not my department. You know, Alex is working hard. Hes been doing it all winter, half of last season, looking at some different options." Its anyones guess who will fill out the back end of the Jays rotation. Esmil Rogers (4-7, 4.89, 1.434 WHIP in 106 2/3 innings as a starter last season) and Todd Redmond (4-2, 4.41, 1.240 WHIP in 69 1/3 innings as a starter last season) appear to have the inside track, if only because both are out of options. Whoever doesnt win the starting job, if he isnt sent to the bullpen, could be lost on waivers if an attempt is made to send him to the minors. There appears to be a preference for starting Drew Hutchison and Kyle Drabek, both of whom had Tommy John elbow surgery during the 20112 season but who have returned to full health, at Triple-A Buffalo. Saints Jerseys 2021. Marcus Stroman, a top prospect, doesnt expect to crack the opening day roster but hopes to prove in spring training he can compete with big league talent. Lefthander Sean Nolin, shelled in his one-off debut against the Orioles last May, could be a factor. Chad Jenkins, who is effective more often than not when called upon, should be afforded consideration. Ricky Romero would have to show significant signs of improvement this spring to have a chance at cracking the roster. Hutchison and Drabek come from similar backgrounds in that theyve both had regular turns in the rotation, only to go down with injury. Now theyre trying to work their way back to Toronto – this time for good – knowing the odds, at least initially, are stacked against them. Drabek pays his predicament no mind. "You just kind of have to go into it thinking its your job," said Drabek. "Ive won a job before and, you know, thats kind of how I prepare for it. Thats how my Dad wanted me to. Just go in there, do every thing you can right and really not think about it." "You obviously have to earn it," said Hutchison. "You got there once so you obviously know youre capable of it and you believe in yourself and you know what you can do. Its really about just coming out here and competing and getting the job done." If Santana eludes them or the term and money prove to be too much of a gamble for Anthopoulos, the Jays will need one of their young pitchers to emerge a pleasant surprise. Its not the situation a team built to win now wants but after a quiet offseason, its the scenario which seems most favourable at the moment. ' ' '