12-02-2019, 07:39 AM
SURREY, B. Air Force 1 Outlet Clearance .C. -- Wally Buono is glad he was wrong about Andrew Harris. Then the B.C. Lions head coach and general manager, Buono had a different vision for the Winnipeg native than the one that has played out since he became the clubs feature running back midway through the 2011 season. "Smart as I was, I wanted to make a safety out of him," said Buono, now the Lions GM and vice-president of operations. "I think it just shows you the kind of athlete Andrew is. Football has never been too big for him. Its just finding a place for him." That place is in Vancouver for at least the next two seasons after the Lions signed Harris to a contract extension witha guaranteed base salary of $145,000 on Wednesday that will keep him with the team through 2015. With incentives, the deal could be worth as much as $175,000. Harris was a junior football star in the province before signing with the Lions, first making the practice roster and then special teams. "My career has been a bit of journey and I wouldnt want to have it any other way," Harris said as he met the media at the Lions practice facility. "Its been ups and downs and thats part of a career. The one nice thing about this is its another step to another chapter." The soon-to-be 27-year-old Harris decided to move to Vancouver full-time this off-season despite a trying 2013 campaign that saw B.C.s running game struggle for long stretches. "For me its a very good day, and I think for the province and the organization its a good day," said Buono. "For an individual to call this place home after going back and forth I think speaks volumes for what Andrew wants to be a part of. In the organization, you want to keep your assets and hes been a tremendous asset for us." The five-foot-11, 213-pound Harris has rushed for 2,568 yards on 481 carries (5.3-yard average) with 15 TDs during his career, quickly making him one of the premier Canadian running backs in the game. "Hes an elite player," said Lions head coach Mike Benevides. "Hes dynamic, and the combination of he and the other guys weve got on our roster will bode well for us." Harris rushed for 998 yards and seven touchdowns last season, while leading all CFL backs with 61 receptions for 513 yards. His 1,511 yards from scrimmage in 2013 not only led his team, it was more than 400 yards ahead of the next player. But the Lions ground attack lost its way last season, going 10 games without a 100-yard rusher. Harris totalled just 10 yards on two separate occasions during that dry spell, but he never let the adversity affect him, at least in public. "It was tremendously frustrating for all of us, not just Andrew," said Benevides. "He was the byproduct of everything around him. The biggest thing that I think people discredit is the teammate that he is, the pro that hes matured into." The addition of running back Stefan Logan, who started his career with the Lions back in 2008 before jumping to the NFL, and new blocking schemes on the leaky offensive line helped get the ground game back on track by October. "At the end of the day there was still a solid nucleus. I had faith in the coaches, I had a feeling the coaches still had faith in me and it was just a matter of getting everything put together," said Harris, who has never missed a game in his four CFL seasons. "Sometimes it takes a while to get things on the right course and get things going. "Thats what makes a team and makes a brotherhood and a family. I really think that more than ever the nucleus of this team is really close and were building towards a championship team." Now the diminutive Logan and the power-running Harris are set to spend an entire season together sharing the workload for new offensive co-ordinator Khari Jones. "Its one of those things where someone makes a play, you want to make a play as well and we feed off each other," said Harris. "Thats one side of it, and then staying healthy. Were both going to be very fresh. Its going to be a great season and Im very excited about it." The pressure will be on to produce title-calibre results in 2014, with the Lions set to host the Grey Cup at B.C. Place Stadium in November. Harris is one of the constants on a team that has seen a huge exodus of both assistant coaches and players this off-season following an 11-7 campaign that ended with a loss to the eventual Grey Cup-champion Saskatchewan Roughriders in the West Division semifinal. "Ive always been part of championship teams and this organization is looked on as a championship team. Any time you dont get to the championship its unsuccessful," said Harris. "Thats the goal. Thats the mindset. This 2014 season with the Grey Cup here is absolutely a redemption year. "We want to be feared at the end of the season going into the playoffs." Cheap Nmd China .6 seconds left to give the Toronto Raptors a 92-89 victory over the Boston Celtics in an exhibition game Wednesday night. Under Armour Outlet Clearance . Vargas (8-3) allowed four singles and two walks while striking out five, allowing only two runners from a diluted Twins lineup to reach second base. Mike Moustakas and Jarrod Dyson hit RBI singles in the second inning against Kevin Correia (4-10), and that was all Vargas needed. http://www.outletsneakersclearance.com/ .Morse gets a $1 million signing bonus and salaries of $7 million next season and $8 million in 2016 under the agreement announced Wednesday.There is no doubt the Montreal Canadiens are facing adversity in the Eastern Conference Final. Yet heading to New York, the Habs remain positive as it all comes down to the one main ingredient that the organization has built its team on - character. And now its being put to the test. From Geoff Molson, to Marc Bergevin, to Michel Therrien and right through the dressing room, the Canadiens have preached character. While the belief of "No Excuses" still hangs on the dressing room walls, the main trait they has nearly become a motto has been character. After the devastating news prior to Game 2 that Carey Price would not be available for the remainder of the series, Therrien said in his press conference that after everything Price had done for the team, it was time for the team to do something for him. Win. Win and give him a chance to return this season for a shot at the Stanley Cup. While the Canadiens could have played the sympathy card and come out flat, they came out instead with a very strong performance in Game 2 but faced a storyline they themselves have cast on opponents several times during the season. That story is facing a hot goaltender. Lundqvist was outstanding with his 40 saves. Its a game the Canadiens must build on and convince themselves they can win on the road without Price. The Habs have faced tough stretches earlier in the season, and found ways to bounce back. They will have to rely on their leadership and character to carry them through.. Balenciaga Sneakers Sale. Playoff veterans like Daniel Briere have been through these situations before. In fact, the last time the Canadiens were in the Conference Final was in 2010 against Briere and the Flyers, where Philly used both Michael Leighton and Brian Boucher to roll into an improbable appearance in the Stanley Cup Final against Chicago. Brian Gionta, Josh Gorges, Andrei Markov and Brandon Prust have all been through playoff experiences that can help in a leadership role to support the team through this adversity. Its no secret that the Canadiens will need offensive production as well from Thomas Vanek, Max Pacioretty, Brendan Gallagher and Alex Galchenyuk to name a few. A perimeter shot with no traffic in front of Lundqvist isnt going to work. Theyll need to drive the net, go back to the dirty areas and cause some traffic in front of the Rangers net. P.K. Subban will also need to put some points on the board, and help ensure the Canadiens power play can take advantage of any chances they get. It will take a full team effort, but the Habs have shown through the year they have the resiliency to battle through, and now that battle is on Broadway. Teams with great character always find a way, and while its not an easy task heading on the road trailing in the series, the opportunity is still there to change momentum back into Montreals favour. The Habs now have to find a way to seize that opportunity. ' ' '