Sending him down to the D-

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Moncton is hosting its third Touchdown Atlantic CFL game in four years this weekend but something seems to be different about this one, as it might not sell out. Roberto Garza Bears Jersey . Moncton calls itself the "Hub of the Maritimes" and it positions itself as the central meeting place of the Maritimes. Within a few hours from Moncton one can reach Halifax, Fredericton, Saint John and all of PEI.  Add an hour or two, and youre into the state of Maine. But something is missing this year.  There doesnt seem to be the excitement, the hoopla or the drive to make it happen like the previous two times. The previous times were in 2010, when Moncton sold out close to 21,000 seats and the tickets sold out in 32 hours. Edmonton won the game over Toronto, 24-6. A year later, the first none sellout took place when there were 700 seats still available in a matchup with Hamilton and Calgary. The game saw a lot of points scored in a Tiger-Cats 56-36 win over the Stamps. This week, some 1,400 tickets were available for Touchdown Atlantic III and as of Friday night, some 900-1,000 tickets remained. So why isnt this game selling out? Or if it does sell out, why did it take so long? There are several reasons that come to mind. First of all, its no longer the novelty it was in 2010. Secondly, some that I spoke to said "its too bad that Anthony Calvillo of the Als wont be playing." But the biggest factor for the decrease in interest seems to be the fact that the game doesnt have a home team; a real Atlantic franchise. "I love the CFL and my family and I have taken in the first two games but we want to cheer for or own team," said Dave Astle, a strong CFL football fan. "They (CFL) have talked about expansion down here for years; maybe they should do it and well come back - be it in Moncton or anywhere in Atlantic Canada." Asked whether there will be more Touchdown Atlantic games in the future, CFL commissioner Mark Cohon said its too early to say. "Well analyze it later and depending on a lot of factors, there may be another game," Cohon said. "But folks have to remember that we are taking a team away from a home date, so the revenue generated from such a game (has to) at least match what a home gate will bring in. So, if revenues are there we might consider other games." Theres still talk about CFL expansion to this part of Canada. Moncton has a leg up on anyone else because they have a stadium. The stadium is under five years old but has to be expanded when the CFL plays.  Seating in the stadium is 10,000 and expansion seats are almost the same amount. Cohon says it would be at least $100,000 to bring the stadium to CFL regulation size. For the first time ever, an elected public figure has come out in favour of a stadium for Halifax. Newly elected Mayor Mike Savage has come out in support and would like to build a facility that could host CFL games. Mind you, Halifax has been down that route before. Remember the 1981 Atlantic Schooners in the days of the late J.I. Albrecht? So, the third Touchdown Atlantic game will be held and Brian Warschick from the Halifax area will take it in.  Hes been to all games. "I love the CFL," said Warschick, who turned 60 this year.  "I grew up on Kenny Ploen, the Bombers and the CFL.  Ill be wearing my Hamilton sweater at the game as they are my second favourite team," he told TSN.ca. Warshick went to the first two games with friends but this one is extra special. His son goes to St.FX University and Warshick will be going to Antigonish to pick him up but his son will have on a Montreal Als journey. "It will be a great day, regardless of the outcome," Warshick said. If Touchdown Atlantic had more fans like Brian Warshick, a sellout would not be in doubt. For TSN.ca Im Alex J. Walling Alex J can be reached via email: [e-mail] Dick Butkus Bears Jersey .J. -- Pitcher Carl Pavano is retiring after 14 major league seasons. Jarvis Jenkins Authentic Jersey . PAUL, Minn. http://www.footballbearsjerseyfanatics.com/authentic-william-perry-bears-jersey/ .J. Jefferson has been charged with assaulting his girlfriend.Only a year ago, Brampton, Ontarios Anthony Bennett was making a splash in the NCAA at UNLV, averaging 16.1 points per game, 8.1 rebounds, shooting .533 per cent from the field and .375 per cent from the three-point line with a good mix of power and range. The 68" freshman was drawing comparisons to former alum and Naismith Player of the Year Larry Johnson, and was considered a cant-miss NBA lottery pick. Today, two months into his rookie NBA season after being selected first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2013 Draft, ESPNs NBA Insider Chad Ford says "hes looking like the worst #1 draft pick of the last twenty years." Bennetts season averages of 2.5 points and 2.1 rebounds per game, shooting .275 per cent from the field, .556 per cent from the free throw line and .148 per cent from behind the arc in 10.5 minutes per game do little to contravene Fords claim. Bennetts agent and former AAU coach Mike George feels the media criticism is making a bigger story than necessary and is tinged with bias. "Obviously hes the #1 pick so theres a lot of pressure in that regard," George says. "I also think the fact that hes Canadian [means] a lot of the American media are not telling both sides of the story." Yet, Ford was also the biggest champion of the now since forgotten, Serbian 7-footer Darko Milicic, who in 2002 was drafted behind LeBron James and ahead of Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. So how did Bennett go from stud to dud? Last January, he developed a torn left rotator cuff which he played through, until the Runnin Rebels were eliminated from the NCAA tournament in March. After declaring for the draft, he had shoulder surgery in May and wasnt cleared for basketball activity until September, missing all of Summer League. He finally was able to participate in Clevelands training camp, with a focus of getting back into game shape, working on his conditioning and losing weight. The other side of the story that George refers to - the unfair media criticism - is that the Cavaliers strategy was always to ease Bennett in. Mary Schmitt Boyer of the Cleveland Plain-Dealer, who covers the team, agrees. "They actually are kind of stacked at power forward," she says. "So bringing him along slowly, on what they anticipated was going to be a playoff team, was definitely part of the plan. I know that they are a little sensitive to critticism of him, compared to some of the other players. Jared Allen Authentic Jersey. . They say if he played as many minutes as some of these other players, his stats would be better. Im not sure I am totally in agreement on that." But minutes are hard to come by for a rookie on an underperforming 11-21 squad searching for wins. Sending him down to the D-League isnt an option that the Cavaliers are entertaining, so is their master plan working? "For the past two months, hes been going two-a-days and getting himself back in shape," George says. "Thats why hes cut his weight down to 243 right now, and you see the difference between his play today and the start of the season. He looks different on the floor, hes running better, and playing with more confidence." Schmitt Boyer offers a more measured assessment. "Its very, very incremental," she says. "Hell do little things that coaches see and will point out to him when they are going through game footage. But I do think hes catching on and getting a little better, although theyve set the bar pretty low. I sense that his confidence is actually getting better. Even if it might not be totally showing up in his stats, theyre showing more confidence in him." That confidence, coupled with opportunity, may be the shift Bennett needs, as he has lost 17 pounds since training camp. The Cavaliers have indefinitely suspended centre Andrew Bynum, freeing up minutes in the frontcourt and have ended the small forward experiment, moving him back to his natural slot in the power forward position. "Is he starting off slower than a number 1 pick should?" Schmitt Boyer asks. "Yes, and Im not trying to soften what hes doing in any means. A couple years ago, people were really down on Tristan Thompson and now Im not sure he wouldnt be the second pick in that draft. Its a little quick to determine him the worst number one pick in twenty years. He may well be a bust, I just dont think its fair to say that after two months in the NBA." The end result of Bennetts rookie campaign lies somewhere in between. He wont go down as the worst pick in the last twenty years, yet is hard pressed to live up to the standard of a number one draft pick. Make no mistake, no one will pencil him in for the All-Rookie team just yet, but chances are high Bennett will prove that Ford may have been suffering from a case of premature proclamation. Cheap Jerseys nfl jerseys cheap authentic wholesale jerseys jerseys from china authentic Cheap Jerseys wholesale stitched jerseys ' ' '