Tuesday 28 August 2012

Could Vince Young ever play for the Montreal Alouettes?

With the Montreal Alouettes adding free agent NFL quarterback Vince Young to their negotiation list. Could the former Texas Longhorn star make his way up to Canada?

The answer to this question will not be known for a while. For starters, the Alouettes are well stocked with quarterbacks on their roster. Do they want to risk releasing one of their backups who they've invested time in for a player with no CFL experience?

For Young to potentially join the organization it could bring unwanted attention for the mercurial star. It would be a dramatic fall from grace for a player who went from being third overall selection in the 2006 NFL Draft, to being on the cover of the Madden video game, to now playing football in Canada. Most importantly, it would take some time for Young to immerse himself into the Canadian game.

Keep in-mind, that the CFL negotiation list is ever changing like gas prices. The Alouettes could have done this to protect themselves from another CFL team adding Young. Considering that this list is kept under wraps, they could very well delete him at anytime without the announcement ever going public.

Most certainly Young will continue to explore his NFL options before ever considering venturing up to the CFL to continue on with his professional football career.

For now it has brought some attention to the Alouettes, and Young on a potential marriage in the future.

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Sunday 12 August 2012

The Montreal Alouettes sign former LSU star Jordan Jefferson to their practice roster

The Montreal Alouettes have added former LSU Tigers quarterback Jordan Jefferson to their practice roster.

Jefferson would be best remembered for being apart of LSU 2011 undefeated regular season that ended up losing 21-0 to their SEC rival Alabama Crimson Tide in the BCS title game this past January.

During his four years in Baton Rouge, Jefferson split time with various quarterbacks. However, his career was somewhat tarnhished due to an off the field incident with law. Prior to the 2011 season, Jefferson was arrested for allegedly being involved in a local bar room fight.

As a result, Jefferson missed the first half of LSU's football schedule until the grand jury reduced the charges. As soon as he was reinstated to join his teammates, he had an impact with his mobility in the Tigers first encounter with the Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa.

The one obvious glare about Jefferson's quarterback skills is his lack of accuracy. His career average was 56.8 percent. His ability to process a defense and make the correct reads was not a strong point for him, as he tended to rely on his legs when the passing pocket collapsed.

In the title game versus the Crimson Tide, Jefferson passed for a paltry 53 yards, and was swallowed up for 15 yards on 14 carries by a ferocious Alabama defense when he tried running with the football.

Many LSU fans, and media members questioned Tigers head coach Les Miles for not pulling Jefferson for Jarrett Lee at halftime after it was obvious the Tigers offense was stuck in park.

Jefferson has incredible athletic ability but for him to potentially crack this Alouettes roster it will require patience, and an ability to improve on his passing skills. This is a long term project for the Alouettes, and most likely Jefferson will not see the field this season considering the depth they have the quarterback position.


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Tuesday 7 August 2012

First half thoughts on the Montreal Alouettes 2012 football season

As the Montreal Alouettes enjoy their bye week, they can take the Toronto Argonauts loss to the B.C. Lions as an indirect victory in the division standings.

For now the Alouettes have made up the lost ground to the Argonauts by having identical 3-3 records.

As the Alouettes will reconvene towards the end of the week in preparation for their road game versus the Edmonton Eskimos. This will mark the beginning of a 12 week odyssey of games for a team still trying to find its identity.

Let takes a look at the good and bad during the first half of season

The positives

They should be commended for not allowing the traveling obstacles be an excuse in preparing for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. From the sound of the whistle, they came out and controlled the tempo of the football game. The Alouettes had the Blue Bombers in chase mode, and the home team could not keep up with visitors.

Had the Alouettes lost last Friday night, the sirens would have gone off with the fans that would have demanded changes to the roster.

However, this victory could signal that things are slowly turning towards the right direction with their best overall performance.

2-Way is the only way

It is has been abundantly clear that running back Brandon Whitaker needs to be more involved in the offense. In the two games that he has 20 plus touches, the Alouettes have a 2-0 record. In games where he has less than 20 touches, they're 1-3.

Whitaker is an under appreciated talent. But when he is involved, he is arguably the toughest player to stop on the football field. Clearly versus the Blue Bombers they had no answer in stopping the man they call "2-Way".

Optimus Prime is transforming

At the beginning of training camp,  there was talk of Jamel Richardson potentially reaching 2,000 receiving yards. However, he got off to a slow start, and that lofty goal maybe out of reach.

But history has shown, besides the 2011 season, Richardson is a slow starter out of the gates and elevates his game by middle of the season.

Furthermore, with him attracting extra attention from the opposing defenses, it has enable the likes of Brian Bratton, and Brandon London to benefit statistically on the football field.

As the Alouettes embark on 12 straight football games, they will need their leader to flex his dominance which he showed against the Blue Bombers with two touchdown receptions.

Potential negative

The offensive line takes great pride in protecting quarterback Anthony Calvillo. However, this year there have been cracks in their protection schemes that has resulted in Calvillo taking some unwanted hits.

If the Alouettes are to make it to the Grey Cup, they will need the front five to play at their best in protecting their quarterback. Otherwise, Calvillo will not survive the 12 straight games they will play until the end of the regular season.

The negative

There was a lot of groaning among the Alouettes fans on lack of defense displayed by the team. As repeated many times, with a new defensive coordinator in Jeff Reinebold, it would take time for everyone to understand the angles, and concepts in these schemes.

In their last two games, the defense has displayed more confidence in attacking the football, knowing their gap assignments, and overall playing level.

From the third quarter of their loss to Argonauts till late into the fourth quarter of the Blue Bombers victory, the Alouettes defense allowed only six points during that span. 

As they progress through August into the fall season, this defense could be different in November than they were in June.     

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Saturday 4 August 2012

Post game thoughts on the Alouettes-Blue Bombers game

The Montreal Alouettes snapped their two game losing streak with a critical road victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Thus it avoids being tied for last place with the Blue Bombers, and now Montreal has a two game lead over the defending division champions.

Why did they win?

Before the game, there was a torrential storm in the Winnipeg area. However, the Alouettes were not deterred and came out played their best overall football game.

The Alouettes received excellent pass protection from their offensive line. It seemed when rookie sensation Patrick Lavoie was inserted into the lineup, the Blue Bombers defense was confused as he was able to open more passing lanes for quarterback Anthony Calvillo to survey.

Furthermore, the game was all but over late in the fourth quarter on Alouettes receiver, Jamel Richardson's second touchdown reception of the game. Richardson was left wide open by the Blue Bombers defense who did not have the correct personnel on the field that resulted in a breakdown in coverage.

The team defense stifled the Blue Bombers offense as Winnipeg quarterback, Alex Brink never got on track until late in the fourth quarter.

In-fact dating back to the third quarter of their loss to the Toronto Argonauts, the Alouettes defense had given up six points until the Blue Bombers scored 23 points in the fourth quarter.

It seems that the team defense is getting better on each play, and with the bye week coming at the right time, it would enable everyone to recharge their batteries for what will be a grueling stretch of 12 games in a row.

The value of Whitaker

The Alouettes are 2-0 when running back Brandon Whitaker has 20 plus touches on the football. He continues to dominate the Blue Bombers as he totaled 179 yards before he left the game with an upper body injury.

It has become clear that Whitaker is the key element for this offense to produce points and yards. So far, in the two games where he had a prominent role, the Alouettes offense has averaged 38.5 points per game.

With the second half of the season coming up, it will be important that they get Whitaker the football.

Big loss

Didier Ormejuste of RDS tweeted that Marc-Olivier Brouillette has a broken left wrist. The reports are surfacing he could be out between four to six weeks. With the bye week arriving, the timetable of Brouillette potentially coming back to the team could be in the middle of September.

This is a big loss in-terms of the roster ratio. Brouillette versatility enabled the team to use an import elsewhere on the field.

With him out of the lineup for the rest of the summer season, players such as special teams stalwart Brian Ridgeway will need to elevate his game even more.

No team is exempted from injuries, but with Brouillette out of the lineup it is a blow for the Alouettes who are trying to position themselves for a chance at first place going into the month of September.

Special Teams

For now it seems that second year player Bo Bowling will be given the torch to be the Alouettes returner. Bowling provided decent field position against the Blue Bombers, and showed glimpses of his speed.

With NFL training camps well underway, the curiosity begins if general manager, Jim Popp will scour through the waiver wire to convince a free agent to come up to Montreal.

Moving on

The Alouettes will get to enjoy some time off from the football grind. As head coach Marc Trestman has always preached, he wants his players far away from football, and off their feet during vacation.

When they come back to work next week, they will start preparing for their road game versus the Edmonton Eskimos in less than two weeks.

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Friday 3 August 2012

Top 10 MMA Rankings- August 2012

Courtesy of Dave Simon at www.ringsidereport.net





This is the 13th monthly installment of the Ringside Report official Top 10 MMA rankings. These rankings were compiled and debated on the August 1 episode of Ringside Report Radio.

There was no change in the HW rankings this month. No Top 10 Heavyweights competed in July and none are expected to compete in August.

Heavyweights- 207-265 lbs.

1. Junior Dos Santos (15-1, UFC HW champion) Last fight: TKO win over Frank Mir on May 26, 2012 at UFC 146. Next fight: versus Cain Velasquez, date and location TBA

2. Cain Velasquez (10-1) Last fight: TKO win over Antonio Silva on May 26, 2012 at UFC 146. Next fight: versus Junior Dos Santos, date and location TBA

3.Alistair Overeem (36-11-1) Last fight: TKO win over Brock Lesnar at UFC 141 on December 30, 2011. Next Fight: TBA

4. Daniel Cormier (10-0) Last fight: unanimous decision win over Josh Barnett on May 19, 2012 in Strikeforce: Heavyweight Grand Prix Finale. Next fight: versus Frank Mir for Strikeforce on October 27, 2012

5. Josh Barnett (31-6) Last fight: unanimous decision loss to Daniel Cormier on May 19, 2012 in Strikeforce: Heavyweight Grand Prix Finale. Next fight: TBA

6. Frank Mir (16-6) Last fight: TKO loss to Junior Dos Santos for UFC HW title on May 26, 2012 at UFC 146. Next fight: versus Daniel Cormier on October 27, 2012 for Strikeforce

7. Fabricio Werdum (16-5-1) Last fight: TKO win over Mike Russow on June 23, 2012 at UFC 147. Next fight: TBA

8. Antonio Silva (16-4) Last fight: TKO loss to Cain Velasquez on May 26, 2012 at UFC 146. Next fight: versus Travis Browne on October 5, 2012 at UFC on FX 5

9. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (33-7-1-1) Last fight: submission loss to Frank Mir on December 10, 2011 at UFC 140. Next Fight: TBA

10. Shane Carwin (12-2) Last fight: UD loss to Junior Dos Santos on June 11, 2011. Next fight: versus Roy Nelson at TUF 16 finale on December 1, 2012

Honourable mentions: Sergei Kharitonov, Mark Hunt, Fedor Emelianenko (retired), Cheick Kongo, Roy Nelson, Gabriel Gonzaga, Travis Browne, Ben Rothwell

There is no movement in the light-heavyweight division this month. No Top 10 light-heavyweights competed in July. Mauricio “Shogun” Rua (3rd) is scheduled to face Brandon Vera on August 4. Lyoto Machida (4th) is scheduled to fight Ryan Bader on August 4. Phil Davis (6th) will fight Wagner Prado on August 4.

Light-Heavyweights- 205 lbs.

1. Jon Jones (16-1, UFC Light-Heavyweight Champion) Last fight: UD win over versus Rashad Evans to retain UFC LHW title on April 21, 2012. Next fight: defending UFC LHW title versus Dan Henderson on September 1, 2012 at UFC 151.

2. Dan Henderson (29-8) Last fight: UD win over Mauricio “Shogun” Rua on November 19, 2011. Next Fight: versus Jon Jones for UFC LHW title on September 1, 2012 at UFC 151.

3. Mauricio “Shogun” Rua (20-6) Last Fight: UD loss to Dan Henderson on November 19, 2011. Next Fight: versus Brandon Vera on August 4 at UFC on FOX 4

4. Lyoto Machida (17-3) Last fight: submission loss to Jon Jones on December 10, 2011 at UFC 140. Next Fight: versus Ryan Bader at UFC on Fox 4 on August 4, 2012

5. Rashad Evans (17-2-1D) Last fight: Unanimous Decision loss to Jon Jones for UFC LHW title at UFC 145 on April 21, 2012. Next fight: TBA

6. Phil Davis (9-1) Last fight: UD loss to Rashad Evans on January 28, 2012 at UFC on Fox 2. Next fight: versus Wagner Prado on August 4, 2012 at UFC on FOX 4.

7. Alexander Gustafsson (14-1) Last fight: unanimous decision win over Thiago Silva on April 14, 2012. Next fight: TBA

8. Gegard Mousasi (32-3-2) Last fight: Unanimous Decision win over Ovince St-Preux on December 17, 2011. Next fight: TBA

9. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (20-5) Last fight: TKO win over Tito Ortiz on December 10, 2011 at UFC 140. Next fight: TBA

10. Quinton “Rampage” Jackson (32-10) Last fight: UD loss to Ryan Bader on February 25, 2012 at UFC 144. Next fight: versus Glover Teixeira on October 13, 2012 at UFC 153

Honourable mentions: Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal, Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante, Forrest Griffin, Ryan Bader, Glover Teixeira, Ryan Jimmo

Anderson Silva remains the number 1 middleweight in the world with a second round TKO win over 2nd ranked Chael Sonnen on July 7. Sonnen remains the 2nd ranked middleweight. Chris Weidman jumps from an honorable mention in July to 3rd overall with his KO win over Mark Munoz on July 11. Munoz was previously ranked 3rd and drops to 6th overall. Previously 7th ranked Demian Maia’s debut at welterweight takes him out of the middleweight rankings. Brian Stann takes his place and improves from 8th to 7th. Tim Boetsch improves from an honorable mention in the July 2012 rankings to 10th overall this month due to his victory over previously 10th ranked Hector Lombard on July 21. Yushin Okami drops from 6th to 8th.

Middleweights- 185 lbs.

1. Anderson Silva (32-4, UFC Middleweight Champion) Last fight: TKO win over Chael Sonnen on July 7, 2012 at UFC 148. Next Fight: TBA

2. Chael Sonnen (27-12-1D) Last fight: TKO loss to Anderson Silva on July 7, 2012 at UFC 148. Next Fight: TBA

3. Chris Weidman (8-0) Last Fight: KO win over Mark Munoz on July 11, 2012 at UFC on Fuel 4. Next Fight: TBA

4. Vitor Belfort (21-9) Last fight: submission win over Anthony Johnson at UFC 142 on January 14, 2012. Next fight: versus Alan Belcher on October 13, 2012 at UFC 153

5. Michael Bisping (22-4) Last fight: UD loss to Chael Sonnen on January 28, 2012 at UFC on Fox 2. Next fight: versus Brian Stann on September 22, 2012 at UFC 152

6. Mark Munoz (12-3) Last fight: KO loss to Chris Weidman at UFC on Fuel 4 on July 11, 2012. Next Fight: TBA

7. Brian Stann (12-4) Last fight: KO win over Alessio Sakara on April 14, 2012. Next fight: versus Michael Bisping on September 22, 2012 at UFC 152

8. Yushin Okami (26-7) Last fight: TKO loss to Tim Boetsch on February 25, 2012 at UFC 144. Next fight: versus Buddy Roberts on August 11, 2012 at UFC 150

9. Luke Rockhold (10-1, Strikeforce MW champion) Last fight: UD win over Tim Kennedy on July 14, 2012 for Strikeforce: Rockhold v. Kennedy. Next Fight: TBA

10. Tim Boetsch (16-4) Last Fight: SD win over Hector Lombard on July 21, 2012 at UFC 149. Next Fight: TBA

Honourable mentions: Mamed Khalidov, Jorge Santiago, Rousimar Palhares, Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza, Wanderlei Silva, Alan Belcher.

No movement in the welterweight rankings. No Top 10 welterweights competed in July. 7th ranked Jake Shields is expected to make his UFC middleweight debut versus Ed Herman on August 11. Previously ranked middleweights Nate Marquardt and Demian Maia get honorable mentions after victories in their welterweight debuts in July.

Welterweights- 170 lbs.

1. Georges St-Pierre (22-2 UFC Welterweight Champion) Last fight: UD win over Jake Shields on April 30, 2011 Next fight: versus Carlos Condit at UFC 154 on November 17, 2012.

2. Carlos Condit (28-5, interim UFC Welterweight Champion) Last fight: UD win over Nick Diaz on February 4, 2012 at UFC 143 for interim UFC Welterweight Championship. Next fight: versus Georges St-Pierre at UFC 154 on November 17, 2012.

3. Nick Diaz (26-8-1D) Last fight: UD loss to Carlos Condit on February 4, 2012 at UFC 143 for interim UFC Welterweight Championship. Next fight: TBA

4. Johny Hendricks (13-1) Last fight: SD win over Josh Koscheck at UFC on Fox 3 on May 5, 2012. Next fight: versus Martin Kampmann on November 17, 2012 at UFC 154.

5. Josh Koscheck (17-6) Last fight: SD loss to Johny Hendricks at UFC on Fox 3 on May 5, 2012. Next fight: versus Jake Ellenberger on September 1, 2012 at UFC 151

6. Jon Fitch (23-4-1NC-1D) Last fight: KO loss to Johny Hendricks on December 30, 2011 at UFC 141. Next fight: versus Erick Silva on October 13, 2012 at UFC 153

7. Jake Shields (27-6-1D) Last fight: UD win over Yoshihiro Akiyama on February 25, 2012 at UFC 144. Next fight: versus Ed Herman at on August 11, 2012 at UFC 150.

8. Martin Kampmann (20-5) KO win over Jake Ellenberger on June 1, 2012 at TUF 15 finale. Next fight: versus Johny Hendricks on November 17, 2012 at UFC 154.

9. Rory MacDonald (12-1) Last fight: TKO win over Che Mills on April 21, 2012. Next fight: versus B.J. Penn on September 22 at UFC 152.

10. Jake Ellenberger (27-6) Last fight: KO loss to Martin Kampmann on June 1, 2012 at TUF 15 finale. Next fight: versus Josh Koscheck on September 1, 2012 at UFC 151

Honourable mentions: B.J. Penn, Dong Hyun Kim, John Hathaway, Erick Silva, Thiago Alves, Rick Story, Diego Sanchez, Tyron Woodley, Demian Maia, Nate Marquardt

No changes in the lightweight rankings this month. Number 1 ranked Benson Henderson will face 2nd ranked Frankie Edgar for the UFC lightweight championship on August 11. 9th ranked Donald Cerrone is scheduled to fight Melvin Guillard on August 11.

Lightweights- 155 lbs.

1. Benson Henderson (16-2, UFC Lightweight Champion) Last fight: UD win over Frankie Edgar on February 25, 2012 at UFC 144 for UFC LW title. Next fight: defending UFC LW title versus Frankie Edgar on August 11, 2012 at UFC 150

2. Frankie Edgar (14-2-1) Last fight: UD loss to Benson Henderson on February 25, 2012 at UFC 144 to lose UFC LW title. Next fight: versus Benson Henderson on August 11, 2012 at UFC 150 for UFC LW title

3. Gray Maynard (11-1-1D-1NC) Last fight: SD win over Clay Guida on June 22, 2012 at UFC on FX 4. Next fight: TBA

4. Gilbert Melendez (21-2, Strikeforce LW champion) Last fight: SD win over Josh Thomson on May 19, 2012 at Strikeforce: Barnett v. Cormier . Next fight: versus Pat Healy for Strikeforce on September 29, 2012

5. Nate Diaz (16-7) Last fight: submission win over Jim Miller on May 5, 2012 at UFC on Fox 3. Next fight: expected to face winner of Edgar- Henderson title match at a date TBA.

6. Anthony Pettis (15-2) Last fight: KO win over Joe Lauzon on February 25, 2012 at UFC 144. Next fight: TBA

7. Clay Guida (29-13) Last fight: SD loss to Gray Maynard on June 22, 2012 at UFC on FX 4. Next fight: TBA

8. Jim Miller (21-4) Last Fight: submission loss to Nate Diaz on May 5, 2012 at UFC on Fox 3. Next fight: TBA

9. Donald Cerrone (18-4-1) Last Fight: UD win over Jeremy Stephens on May 15, 2012 at UFC on Fuel 3. Next fight: versus Melvin Guillard on August 11, 2012 at UFC 150

10. Michael Chandler (10-0, Bellator LW champion) Last fight: TKO win over Akihiro Gono on May 4, 2012 at Bellator 67 in non-title bout. Next fight: TBA

Honourable mentions: Rafael Dos Anjos, Jorge Masvidal, Joe Lauzon, Edson Barboza, Eddie Alvarez, Takanori Gomi, Shinya Aoki

No movement in the featherweight division this month. 2nd ranked Chad Mendes scored a KO win over Cody McKenzie on July 7. 10th ranked Pat Curran is scheduled to defend his Bellator FW title versus Patricio “Pitbull” Freire on August 24 at Bellator 73.

Featherweights-145 lbs.

1. Jose Aldo (21-1, UFC Featherweight Champion) Last fight: KO win over Chad Mendes at UFC 142 on January 14, 2012. Next fight: versus Erik Koch on October 13, 2012 at UFC 153

2. Chad Mendes (12-1) Last fight: KO win over Cody McKenzie on July 7, 2012 at UFC 148. Next Fight: TBA

3. Erik Koch (13-1) Last fight: UD win over Jonathan Brookins on September 17, 2011. Next fight: versus Jose Aldo on October 13, 2012 at UFC 153

4. Chan Sung Jung (13-3) Last fight: submission win over Dustin Poirier on May 15, 2012 at UFC on Fuel 3. Next fight: TBA

5. Charles Oliveira (16-2-1) Last Fight: submission win over Jonathan Brookins on June 1, 2012 at TUF 15 finale. Next fight: versus Cub Swanson on September 22, 2012 at UFC 152.

6. Hatsu Hioki (26-5-2) Last fight: UD loss to Ricardo Lamas on June 22, 2012 for UFC on FX 3. Next fight: TBA

7. Darren Elkins (14-2) Last fight: UD win over Diego Brandao on May 26, 2012 at UFC 146. Next fight: TBA

8. Dustin Poirier (12-2) Last Fight: submission loss to Chan Sung Jung on May 15, 2012 at UFC on Fuel 3. Next fight: TBA

9. Diego Nunes (17-3) Last fight: UD loss to Dennis Siver at UFC on Fuel TV 2 on April 14, 2012. Next fight: versus Bart Palaszewski on October 5, 2012 at UFC on FX 5

10. Pat Curran (17-4, Bellator champion) Last fight: KO win over Joe Warren on March 9, 2012 to win Bellator FW title. Next fight: versus Patricio “Pitbull” Freire on August 24 at Bellator 73.

Honourable mentions: Joe Warren, Marlon Sandro, Bart Palaszewski, Patricio “Pitbull” Freire, Yuri Alcantara, Cub Swanson, Ricardo Lamas, Dennis Siver, Hacran Dias, Mark Hominick

Previously 3rd ranked Renan Barao’s victory over Urijah Faber on July 21 improves him to 2nd overall. Faber drops from 2nd to 3rd. Ivan Menjivar’s decision loss on July 7 to Mike Easton does not effect his ranking. No Top 10 bantamweights are scheduled for competition in August.

Bantamweights- 135 lbs.

1. Dominick Cruz (19-1, UFC Bantamweight Champion) Last fight: UD win over Demetrious Johnson on October 1, 2011 to defend UFC BW title. Next fight: TBA

2. Renan Barao (29-1-1, UFC interim BW champion) Last fight: UD win over Urijah Faber on July 21, 2012 at UFC 149. Next Fight: TBA

3. Urijah Faber (26-6) Last fight: UD loss to Renan Barao on July 21, 2012 at UFC 149. Next Fight: TBA

4. Brian Bowles (10-2) Last fight: submission loss to Urijah Faber on November 19, 2011. Next Fight: TBA

5. Michael McDonald (15-1) Last fight: KO win over Miguel Torres on April 21, 2012. Next fight: TBA

6. Scott Jorgensen (13-6) Last fight: KO loss to Eddie Wineland on June 8, 2012 at UFC on FX 3. Next fight: TBA

7. Ivan Menjivar (24-9) Last fight: UD loss to Mike Easton on July 7, 2012 at UFC 148. Next Fight: TBA

8. Brad Pickett (21-6) Last fight: submission win over Damacio Page at UFC on Fuel 2 on April 14, 2012. Next fight: versus Yves Jabouin on September 29, 2012 at UFC on Fuel 5.

9. Eddie Wineland (19-8-1D) Last fight: KO win over Scott Jorgensen on June 8, 2012 at UFC on FX 3. Next fight: TBA

10. Bibiano Fernandes (11-3) Last fight: UD win over Rodolfo Marques and TKO win over Antonio Banuelos to win DREAM BW Grand Prix on December 31, 2011 at DREAM New Year’s Eve 2011. Next fight: TBA

Honourable mentions: Eddie Wineland Antonio Banuelos, Yves Jabouin, Zach Makovsky, Nick Denis, Mike Easton, Takeya Mizugaki, Chris Cariaso, TJ Dillashaw, Mike Easton

No movement in the flyweight rankings. 4th ranked Chris Cariaso defeated 9th ranked Josh Ferguson on July 11. No Top 10 flyweights are scheduled for competition in August 2012.

Flyweights

1. Joseph Benavidez (16-2) Last fight: TKO win over Yasuhiro Urushitani on March 3 at UFC on FX 2 in semi-finals of UFC Flyweight championship tournament. Next fight: versus Demetrious Johnson for UFC BW title on September 22, 2012 at UFC 152

2. Demetrious Johnson (11-2-1) Last fight: UD win over Ian McCall on June 8, 2012 at UFC on FX 3. Next fight: versus Joseph Benavidez for UFC BW title on September 22, 2012 at UFC 152

3. Ian McCall (11-3-1) Last fight: UD loss to Demetrious Johnson on June 8, 2012 at UFC on FX 3. Next fight: TBA

4. Chris Cariaso (14-3) Last fight: UD win over Josh Ferguson on July 11, 2012 at UFC on Fuel 4. Next Fight: TBA

5. John Dodson (13-5) Last fight: UD win over Tim Elliott on May 5, 2012. Next fight: versus Jussier Da Silva on October 5, 2012 at UFC on FX 5

6. Louis Gaudinot (6-2) Last fight: submission win over John Lineker on May 5, 2012 at UFC on FOX 3. Next fight: versus Darren Uyenoyama on October 5, 2012 at UFC on FX 5.

7. Darren Uyenoyama (7-3) Last fight: UD win over Norifumi Yamamoto on November 12, 2011 at UFC on FOX 1. Next fight: versus Louis Gaudinot on October 5, 2012 at UFC on FX 5.

8. Yasuhiro Urushitani (19-5-6) Last fight: TKO loss to Joseph Benavidez on March 3 at UFC on FX 2 in semi-finals of UFC Flyweight championship. Next fight: versus John Lineker on September 1, 2012 at UFC 151

9. Josh Ferguson (8-5) Last fight: UD loss to Chris Cariaso on July 11, 2012 at UFC on Fuel 4. Next Fight: TBA

10. John Lineker (19-6) Last fight: submission loss to Louis Gaudinot on May 5, 2012 at UFC on FOX 3. Next fight: TBA

Honorable mentions: Tim Elliott, Jussier Da Silva

Wednesday 1 August 2012

Brian Baldinger of the NFLNetwork joins GamePoints on TSN990

GamePoints Rendez-Vous with Sarah Karp-Ward

Why De'Audra Dix should be given another opportunity by the Montreal Alouettes

As the Montreal Alouettes complete the first half of the CFL season before their bye week. Heading into the second half of their schedule, questions will linger if the organization could make changes to their roster.

Already the team has parted ways with their big off season signing in Aaron Hunt.  As they approach an important division game versus the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, they could be staring at a 2-4 record and in last place by Saturday morning.

There is no denying the Alouettes secondary has underperformed. So far in five games, they have allowed a 100 yard receiver in three of those contests.

If the Alouettes are looking to bring in reinforcements, one player who is available and knows the team very well is De'Audra Dix.

Dix was apart of the organization that included their two successive Grey Cup triumphs, and now is patiently waiting for an opportunity from a CFL team.

So far, defenders such as Wopamo Osaisai and Seth Williams have repeatedly been picked on by the opposition. It seems the Alouettes do not have anyone to step in to replace these two players.

Why shouldn't Dix be given a chance? If the worst case scenario is he provides experienced depth to this position group, it gives this team another veteran who knows what it takes to win football games.

Granted last year was a trying season for the entire defense as this unit resembled a make shift recreational squad by the time they lost to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the playoffs. But Dix has the nose for the football, and is agile enough to cover the quicker receivers.

Right now, the Alouettes secondary has had issues with smaller receivers in the league. If Dix is brought into the fold, it would not take long for him to immerse himself back onto the team considering how many close friends he has on the roster.

If the Alouettes secondary does experience another rough outing versus the Blue Bombers, could management make changes, and if so, could Dix be receiving a phone call from management? They have nothing to lose in bringing Dix back onto the roster as already their secondary has been dominated by the opposition.

Follow me on Twitter @MoeKhan19

Listen to me every Sunday/Tuesday nights on Gamepoints, every Friday morning on The Midnight Snack, and various shows on TSN 990.

Photo credit: www.cflblogzone.com