ft had the Russian been picked earlier. Scherbak s

DW: You are of course the younger brother of NFL Hall of Famer Marcus Allen – did the two of you ever get to play together on a team, whether it was in peewee or high school or whatever?DA: No, we never got a chance to play together because hes three years older than me, and so the closest we got to play with each other was on the street playing street ball against other neighbourhoods. We lived on Weston Drive, and Weston Drive was a force to be reckoned with growing up as kids. But we didnt get to play professionally because he played in the NFL, and I came to the Canadian Football League and we pretty much stayed in our leagues and divisions, so we never got a chance to play. We always desired to play with each other if I had of been in the National Football League. #53179647 / gettyimages.com DW: You played your entire career in the CFL, but when a player like Doug Flutie returned to the NFL and had success, did you consider giving the NFL a shot?DA: Well, I did consider it but I think the number a major reason why I came to the Canadian Football League was because Warren Moon was my hero growing up, and knowing that my size was always a factor when I came out of college at Cal State Fullerton, scouts were always wondering and questioning if I could handle the physicality of the National Football League because I was only around 61” and 150 something pounds coming into the professional ranks my first year in Edmonton. Now I was an athletic quarterback, and I dont think they were prepared for someone who could run and throw in that era because if you werent 64” and 220 pounds, and a pocket passer you werent going to play quarterback in the National Football League in that era in the 80s.(Image courtesy of AJ Sports World)DW: Your were in attendance at the Raptors game a few weeks ago – are you a big Raptors fan, and what do you think of the success theyve been having?DA: Im a huge sports fan in general, but I do enjoy going to National Basketball League games, the Raptors are doing an outstanding job. The way theyve slowly built their team, and I think the biggest change this year is that their bench is much deeper, and I think those guys understand their roles and I think all the great basketball players on their team are playing very well. I mean, the latest loss is even due to one of their starters going down. But theyre a sound basketball team that plays hard and I enjoy watching them play. To #RaptorsNation pic.twitter.com/LW1AtrLsY5 — Hall of Famer (@damonallen9) October 22, 2014DW: I know you also enjoy a good game of golf – first of all whats your handicap, and also whats your favourite part of the game?DA: I play to around a five handicap. I think the one thing I do like about golf is throughout my whole life Ive always been around team sports, and I think golf is somewhat individual, even though when you look at the structure of golf, the individuals do have teams around them that make sure they stay on top of their game. Even golf is starting to be more of a team sport because you have a fitness specialist, and philosophy person, a psychology expert, everything, trainers, and so golfers are much more prepared and its not just them versus the course. But that is the one aspect I like about golf, when it comes down to just you challenging the course, or challenging your foursome or the individual youre playing with. #165009962 / gettyimages.com DW: A few hockey questions for you now – are you a big hockey fan?DA: Im a big hockey fan! I started my career off in Edmonton and I was able to see a few Stanley Cups in Edmonton and get to know [Wayne] Gretzky and [Mark] Messier and all those guys during that era. I came from a city of champions, so that was my first introduction to hockey, and I think every since that Ive really enjoyed the game and I have great friends around the NHL. I try to go to some games, and see the good teams when they come to town. Im a good friend with P.K. Subban and Kevin Weekes and yeah, I do always have a great time at hockey games.DW: I was actually going to ask who your favourite player is… I guess you might say P.K. Subban?DA: Oh ya, new generation Im a big fan of P.K. Subban, Sidney Crosby, [Alexander] Ovechkin… I like individual players, not necessarily the teams they play for. I like the skillset these young guys have; its amazing.DW: Did you play at all as a kid?DA: No, not as a kid. I actually wish I had continued on my learning process when I was in Edmonton, I started off playing early in my career but I let it go once I went to Vancouver with the B.C. Lions. I regret not keeping up with the sport, I can still skate, but I wish I could play hockey well.DW: You were drafted by the Detroit Tigers, is that correct?DA: Yes, I am a baseball player, body wise and all those things, so most people actually thought I was going to be a baseball player. I grew up playing two sports all the way through college; I won a National Championship in the College World Series, and was also playing football at the same time. For me sports were always about participating in the game, and when I came out of college I was a middle reliever spot starter so there was time when you didnt play because your starter would go six or seven innings. There were times in college where you would sit around waiting to be called upon, and you dont get called. In football, I was the starting quarterback so the participation aspect was so crucial to me in my decision-making on what sport I wanted to play. I just didnt know I was going to be playing 23 years of football, thats all.(Image courtesy of Bring Back Titan Football)DW: So tell us a little about the Jack Daniels Holiday Barrel Tree event and the charity its supporting…DA: Im excited about supporting a charitable event, especially when it talks about giving back, and understanding the nature of the Jack Daniels Holiday Barrel Tree thats going to be lit in support of Dr. Jay Charitable foundation of care that helps families and children facing terminal illnesses, its just making their lives easier. I think I have a heart for giving, and giving back, especially when it comes to young kids, whether they have an illness or whether they want an opportunity to play sports. I just have a heart for it. The great thing about the tree is it will be up all the way until December 27th. It will be down their on King Street West, and my good friend Mike “Pinball” Clemons is here. Everyone should see this tree made out of barrels.DW: Yeah, it sounds really cool.DA: I think everyone whos downtown between now and the 27th should come by and see the tree. Its that time of the season where we all think about giving to others and giving back, and like I said I have a heart for it and Im looking forward to it. Redskins Jerseys China . -- Marty Havlat scored three goals for the first time in nearly nine years, and the San Jose Sharks prevented Colorado from clinching the Central Division title with a 5-1 victory over the Avalanche on Friday night. Clinton Portis Jersey . 1 Caroline Wozniacki and three-time champion Serena Williams cruised into the semifinals, while last years runner-up Vera Zvonareva succumbed to Aussie Samantha Stosur in Thursdays womens quarterfinal action at the U. http://www.cheapredskinsjerseysauthentic.com/?tag=authentic-russ-grimm-jersey ... maybe even more than that. Maybe all season I have to take a few blows. Charles Mann Jersey . The NFLs Defensive Rookie of the Year will be named at the NFL Honours Award show on February 1. The 23-year-old 2013 second-rounder out of Oregon becomes the third Bills linebacker to win the honour after Jim Haslett (1979) and Shane Conlan (1987. Sam Huff Jersey .Y. -- Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire will have less time to remain eligible for the Hall of Fame ballot under changes made Saturday.PHILADELPHIA -- It didnt take Russian forward Nikita Scherbak long to win over the Montreal media. "Oh my God, a lot of people," a nervous Scherbak said as he approached a phalanx of media backstage at Wells Fargo Center after going 26th overall to the Canadiens in the first round of the NHL draft Friday. "Oh my God." Within five minutes, the Saskatoon Blades winger was over his nerves and had English, French and Russian reporters eating out of his hand. What do you know about Montreal, he was asked. "Merci, bonjour," he offered. And what about the Habs? "I know Montreal wins a lot of Stanley Cups." Asked how much he weighed, Scherbak said he was 190 pounds. "But I havent eaten for two days, Im so nervous," he said to laughter. "Im sitting eating my fingers." The Russian, either six foot or 6-2 depending on who you believe, scored 28 goals and added 50 assists in his first year with the Blades to lead all WHL rookies. He also was named the Blades most valuable player and rookie of the year. "I think Im a good playmaker," he said. Habs GM Marc Bergevin marvelled at the Russians poise. "I saw somebody with a lot of personality. Hes got an appeal to him. Hes got confidence. Montreals a different market and from what weve seen so far we feel we could handle that." The Canadiens also have players who can mentor the young Russian in Alexei Emelin, Andrei Markov and Alex Galchenyuk. Asked how close Scherbak is to making the NHL, Bergevin gave the stock answer. "Thats going to be up to him," he said. As for his playing skills, Bergevin pointed to his speed, skating, vision and playmaking ability. "For us, hes a top talent," he said. "For whatever reason he was at 26 so we jumped on him." The GM acknowledged that he would have looked to move down the draft had the Russian been picked earlier. Scherbak said he came to Canada because he wanted to fulfil his dream and that of his family to play in the NHL. "I dont think about the KHL," he added. The language barrier wasnt easy. At first, he said all he could do was "just show." Then he learneed "easy words like cat, dog, like food, eat, sleep.dddddddddddd" A year on, he can chat away. "Thats pretty good," said one reporter. "I think so too," smiled Scherbak. "Maybe I learn French right now," he added. Reporters suddenly felt old when, asked who he looked up to in the NHL, Scherbak cited 21-year-old Edmonton Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Earlier in the day, Montreal coach Michel Therrien acknowledged he has replayed the Eastern Conference final loss in his head. "Of course," he said at the draft. "if you look at the big picture, yes were happy about the progress we made. But at the same time, when youre two wins away from reaching the Stanley Cup final, yes youve got to be disappointed." The Canadiens have already made some decisions. Bergevin says free agents Thomas Vanek, defenceman Douglas Murray and tough guy George Parros wont be back. Talks continue with three other free agents: captain Brian Gionta, and defencemen Mike Weaver and Francis Bouillon. Markov and Therrien have both signed new deals. "Thats good news for us," Therrien said of Markov staying in the fold. "Hes an important player, hes a veteran. Hes got such an important role, so were all pleased hes back with us." Therrien agreed to a four-year contract extension earlier this month. The 50-year-old is in his second stint at the Habs helm. His record over the last two seasons is 75-42-13. Finding an assistant coach to replace Gerard Gallant, now head coach of the Florida Panthers, is also on the Habs to-do list. Defenceman P.K. Subbans contract is also a major issue. Bergevin says there has already been a meeting with Subbans agent. Asked about young goalie Dustin Tokarskis immediate future, Therrien said simply: "Well see at the (training) camp." Tokarski acquitted himself well in filling in for the injured Carey Price against the Rangers. Therrien made a point of praising backup Peter Budaj, who was ignored in favour of Tokarski. "Peter is one of the best backups in the NHL. So I have a lot of respect for Peter Budaj." 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