Pirate Galaxy » progression for a little while and were very pleased

REGINA -- Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Darian Durant took another step forward Friday but not enough to earn head coach Cory Chamblins approval. Durant practised a second straight day after suffering a sprained right foot in Saskatchewans 39-28 road win last week over the Toronto Argonauts. It was another positive sign for Durant, who wore a walking boot earlier in the week and didnt practise before Thursday. But Chamblin continues to take his time deciding whether Durant or backup Drew Willy will start Sunday nights home game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. "He (Durant) did take two days in a row so that looks good," Chamblin told reporters. "He did have a little bit of pain after (Thursdays) practice and he fought through it. "If hes healthy I guess hell probably get that but I cant say 100 per cent hes the quarterback right now at this point. Too many other things can happen between now and then." Durant, 30, has been excellent for the unbeaten Riders (3-0). He has completed 54-of-75 passes (72 per cent) for 674 yards with eight touchdowns and no interceptions and has a league-best efficiency rating of 135.1. With Durant, the Riders offence leads the CFL in scoring (38 points per game) and rushing (173 yards) and is second in total yards (398.7). Running back Kory Sheets is the leagues rushing leader with 442 yards and is averaging an impressive 6.4 yards per carry. Thats not good news for a Hamilton defence allowing 147.3 yards per game rushing and 8.8 yards per carry this season. The unit is also giving up 29.7 points per game. But Saskatchewan can do more than just run as Taj Smith has a team-high 11 catches for 200 yards and three TDs. If Durant cant play, sophomore Willy will make just his second CFL start. He was 22-of-34 passing for 225 yards and a TD with two interceptions in a 28-17 loss to Montreal last September. On Thursday, Durant said his foot didnt bother him when he ran straight ahead or dropped back to pass. That wasnt the case when he rolled out of the pocket or tried to execute play-action pass plays but Durant added hes played through worse pain. "Im a competitor and theres not one game I want to sit out," he said. "It will take a lot to hold me back. "I feel like I have a high tolerance for pain so Ill be fine." Chamblin is trusting Durant to be honest with him regarding his foot. "He knows how much pain he has," Chamblin said. "Darian and I have a good relationship that hed tell me if it was that bad." Sundays game will also mark the return of Hamilton coach Kent Austin to Regina. Austin spent his first seven CFL seasons as a quarterback with Saskatchewan, leading the club to a wild 43-40 Grey Cup win over Hamilton at Rogers Centre in 89. He became Saskatchewans head coach in 2007, guiding the Riders to a 12-6 record and 23-19 Grey Cup win over Winnipeg. Two months later, Austin left to become the offensive co-ordinator at his alma mater, Ole Miss, before being named Cornells head coach Jan. 26, 2010. He returned north of the border Dec. 17, 2012 as Hamiltons head coach, GM and director of football operations. Earlier this week, Austin said some of his most cherished football memories came while in Regina but the game was more about the two teams on the field than his return to Saskatchewan. But theres no shortage of other storylines Sunday. Slotback Geroy Simon, 37, acquired from B.C. in the off-season, will make his Riders debut. The CFLs all-time receiving yards leader missed the first three games with a leg injury needs 29 catches to break Ben Cahoons league record of 1,017. Riders linebacker Renauld Williams faces the Ticats for the first time since they released him this off-season. Williams amassed 185 tackles over two seasons with Hamilton after spending his first three years with Saskatchewan. Hamiltons roster features quarterback Henry Burris, slotback Andy Fantuz and defensive end Shomari Williams, all former Riders who left Saskatchewan to sign with the Ticats as free agents. Fantuz is injured but Chamblin is well aware of how dangerous the elusive Burris can be. "Hanks just always going to give you troubles," he said. "If you cover them all in the pass, hell run and if you do the run, hell pass. "Hanks a pretty good player." Saskatchewan drafted Williams first overall in 2010 and the 28-year-old Toronto native played three years there before signing with Hamilton this off-season to be closer to home. The former Queens star is looking forward to playing before the Riders rabid fans. "The crowd is pretty crazy, probably one of the craziest crowds they have in the CFL," he said. "I have a lot of friends there and it will be nice to go back but its another game, really, at the end of the day." Williams said Hamiltons top defensive priority will be containing Sheets. "We want to be a great run-stopping defence so we can set things up for the pass," he said. "We definitely have to stop Kory Sheets first."Eddie Rosario Jersey . Pence singled in the winning run with no outs in the ninth inning to give the Giants a 7-6 victory over the San Diego Padres on Sunday. Kent Hrbek Jersey . - 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. http://www.twinssale.com/twins-michael-pineda-jersey/ . Terms of the deal were not immediately available. The 26-year-old finished last season with Clevelands Triple-A affiliate in Columbus after signing with the Indians in August. Marwin Gonzalez Twins Jersey .500 on the season. The Jets are now 0-5-1 in the second game of back-to-backs. The game started the same way the Vancouver game started the night before, with the Jets taking the first two penalties of the game and killing off the first, but the Oilers getting on the board first, scoring on the second man-advantage. Custom Minnesota Twins Jerseys ., and Rudi Swiegers of Kipling, Sask., took sixth spot on Saturday in pairs at the NHK Trophy ISU Grand Prix figure skating competition.Melbourne Victory have again looked to the continent for a defensive leader, signing Spaniard Alan Baro on a one-year A-League deal.Baro, 31, joins from Spanish second-tier club Ponferradina as a replacement for departed A-League winner Matthieu Delpierre.Victory have described the centre-back as a versatile, skilful and durable player who can also play as a holding midfielder.Given the rest of Victorys defenders are aged 23 or younger, coach Kevin Muscat said a wiser older head in the back four had been identified as a priority.Its been a work in progression for a little while and were very pleased, he said on Monday.We identified Alan as a player who can add valuable experience and leadership to the team, having played consistently at a high level in Spain.Hes a very good defender. An agggressive defender who likes to build up and play football .dddddddddddd.. a natural fit for us.Baro spent a season at Socceroo star John Aloisis former club Osasuna during a decade in Spains lower leagues.He said his internet searching for his new home convinced him of the worth of moving to Australia.I look for information about Melbourne Victory and I see that it is a great club that has won a lot of leagues, he said.After James Donachie and Mitch Austin, Baro is the third new signing to join Victory pre-season training ahead of glamour friendlies later this month.Victory meet Juventus on July 23 at the MCG and Atletico Madrid at Simonds Stadium on July 31. ' ' '