nothing.Deep in his own half, the mercurial McKenzie

WINNIPEG -- The Winnipeg Blue Bombers may not be getting much respect from oddsmakers, who have them dead last as a Grey Cup bet this season, but coach Tim Burke will take that wager. He says the team is further ahead than it was at the start of 2012, when they finished out of the playoffs with a 6-12 record, tied with Hamilton in the CFL cellar. "Definitely, offensively, were farther ahead than we were at this point last year," he says. "(And) I think as far as desire to win were farther ahead than we were last year." Starter Buck Pierce was sidelined last season by a series of injuries, and the Bombers floundered behind their backup quarterbacks. But Burke says the fire in the belly that got them to Vancouver to compete for the Grey Cup in 2011 also seemed lacking. "I dont think we had the fire that we had coming back from the year before and I think we have a little bit more of that this year. Hopefully enough of it to get us some wins," he said. But can they pull off a repeat of 2011, when they stunned pretty well everyone by rebounding from an even more dismal 4-14 finish the year before to challenge for the Cup? Head coach Paul LaPolice, who led them to that final, paid for last years poor performance with his job and Burke took over mid-season. This year, Burke has put his stamp on the Bombers from the start. The team even has a brand new touchdown song to play in their new $200-million stadium, if and when they score one. They didnt get a chance at their first exhibition game, with total offence consisting of two field goals in a 24-6 loss to the Toronto Argonauts. That was close compared with the 52-0 drubbing by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats that closed their pre-season. Burke had left most of his A team at home when the Bombers crumbled before Hamilton and Henry Burris, and probably was glad the debacle wasnt televised. But more so than in past years, this pre-season was about testing rookies and resting starters for the first regular-season game June 27 against Montreal. First and foremost, the Bombers need Pierce healthy. Failing that, they must rely on one of their backups -- Justin Goltz or Max Hall -- to win games Pierce cant play. It was Pierce who got them to the 2011 cup final but, with his injury record, training camp has been spent weighing who should stand directly behind him on the depth chart. Hall is a CFL rookie (with NFL experience) but even Goltz, who won the toss as No. 1 backup, has thrown very few passes in his three seasons. Alex Brink and Joey Elliott, cut in the off-season, were always ahead of him on the chart. That focus on backups means Pierce hasnt had much time to work on his game, but he insists he isnt concerned. "Its OK, theyre going to give me lots of reps this week, and well get ready to go," he said as camp wound down. "Ill be fine. Ive been playing for nine years, Ill be OK." The Bombers have been prepping a new-look offence and new protection schemes. They arent taking the wraps off those though until the June 27 season opener at home against Montreal. Of course, Pierce has to co-operate. Breaking out for an eight-yard run on his first play of the first pre-season game showed that the best-laid plans can fail in the execution. The Bombers let him play only three series before giving him the hook. Quarterbacking remains the big question mark hanging over Winnipegs offence. Otherwise, it seems in good hands with the return of healthy runningbacks Chad Simpson, Chris Garrett and Will Ford. Burke has the enviable problem of looking for ways to hang onto all the talented import tailbacks at his disposal. Simpsons starting job is secure after racking up more than 1,000 yards in his rookie season, good enough to be named an East Division all-star, but its a toss up between the other two, with one destined for the regular roster and another likely the practice roster. For receivers, Winnipeg has rookie of the year Chris Matthews and veteran Terrence Edwards, two 1,000-yard-plus performers, and plenty of depth behind them, including non-import Cory Watson. Offensive co-ordinator Gary Crowton also now has a year of CFL experience under his belt. The offensive line, a weak link as last season opened, has firmed up. And 2012 draft pick Tyson Pencer seems healthy enough and is persuading coaches he could become the ratio-changing tackle they saw in the six-foot-seven, 315-pound rookie, although he starts the season on the nine-game injured list. Burke has clearly had issues with his defence though this season. Last season, injuries forced the Bombers to play musical chairs with their defence. This season, Burke hasnt been happy with the veterans on the secondary and told them to pick up or pack up. Despite a $35,000 signing bonus, two-time all-star Jonathan Hefney got a ticket to ride. It may have been his play, but it also followed the news hed been busted for marijuana possession at home in South Carolina. He was quickly snapped up by the Stampeders and his was the only departure that could be called a surprise. To fill his place at halfback, the Bombers tabbed Demond Washington, who dazzled at times last season as a kick returner, when he held onto the ball. Cauchy Muamba, brother to Winnipeg defensive linebacker Henoc Muamba, moves into safety, replacing Ian Logan. Burkes call for new players challenging for spots on the secondary to push the veterans was heard, says Washington, who started as a linebacker, cornerback or halfback in seven games last season. "I know theyre hungry," he said of the rookies. "But the veteran guys are hungry too. We cant just sit there and let them get all the meat. Weve got to get in and get us some food too." Cornerback Jovon Johnson, the CFLs outstanding defensive player in 2011, says the secondary is ready and the veterans know the score. "I mean, weve got talent, all the way across the board," he said. "In this business, nobodys ever safe. Youve got to come out and go out and perform and if you dont do that, theyll find guys to replace you."Royals Jerseys China . Hargreaves began his career in 2008 with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and has played with the Edmonton Eskimos and last season with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Fake Royals Jerseys . -- Brandon Jennings made the most of his first game with the Detroit Pistons on Sunday night. https://www.cheaproyals.com/ .C. -- Manny Malhotra had two goals and an assist, leading the Carolina Hurricanes to a 6-3 win over the Ottawa Senators on Saturday. Stitched Royals Jerseys . Sgt. Eric ONeal says most of the arrests at Monday nights game were for public drunkenness, though one person was taken into custody on suspicion of trying to steal a seat from the stadium. Kansas City Royals Store . With his new coach and six-time Grand Slam singles champion Boris Becker watching him during an official match for the first time, Djokovic appeared tentative early against the Slovakian player, who often appeared content to keep the ball in play.The Chiefs have gone back to the top of the Super Rugby table, producing resilient defence on the way to a 23-13 win in Suva on Friday night over previous leaders the Crusaders.In Super Rugbys debut in Fiji, fullback Damien McKenzie landed a final-minute penalty for the hosts to deny the Crusaders a bonus point.Rain fell through the day in Suva making for slippery conditions, but that didnt inhibit either side from trying to throw the ball around.The Chiefs had been knocked off the top of the table with their 45-25 defeat to the Waratahs before the June break.They scored two tries to one in a typically physical encounter between two New Zealand sides and they completed the double over the Crusaders, having won their round-one clash in Christchurch.It was the Crusaders, despite facing a breeze, who made much the better start and they virtually camped inside opposition territory in the opening quarter.Fiji Test winger Nemani Nadolo looked fired-up for the occasion and continually looked for the ball to carry.But the Chiefs produced some excellent scrambling and the Crusaders only reward was a 19th-minute Richie Mounga penalty.The Chiefs hit back three minutes later, as Fiji-born new All Blacks centre Seta Tamanivalus well-weighted kick provided wiinger James Lowe with the try.ddddddddddddWhereas that effort came against the run of the play, the Chiefs second touchdown eight minutes from the interval was created out of nothing.Deep in his own half, the mercurial McKenzie suddenly found a gap to step through and then off-loaded to send halfback Brad Weber over.McKenzie landed his second conversion from wide out to go with an earlier penalty and the Chiefs had raced out to a 17-3 lead.Right on halftime, the Crusaders finally breached the Chiefs defence and it came off an attack started by Nadolo and finished off by another Fijian on the other winger Jone Macilai.McKenzie landed another penalty to edge the Chiefs out to 20-10 heading into the final quarter.The Crusaders then twice turned down penalty shots at goal and instead went for the corner.Twice the Chiefs repelled them, the second time with a breakdown steal from lock Brodie Retallick, who then set off on a goose-stepping run.With six minutes to go and off another penalty, the Crusaders eventually went for the posts and Mounga landed the goal to make it a seven-point game, before McKenzie had the last say. 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