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TORONTO - While Ottawa Redblacks general manager Marcel Desjardins has entertained some offers for his first overall pick in the CFL draft, he says theres a "relatively good chance" hell make the pick Tuesday night. "There has been some (interest) but not a whole lot," Desjardins said Monday. Desjardins says he knows who he wants to take first overall but is keeping it to himself. One player the Redblacks wont use the top pick on is McGill tackle Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, the top-ranked CIS prospect for the draft who was selected in the sixth round of the NFL draft Saturday by the Kansas City Chiefs. "As much as he wouldve been a guy that we probably wouldve selected, now that he has a commitment from an NFL team theres no reason for us to go in that direction," Desjardins said. The popular sentiment is if Desjardins keeps the No. 1 pick, hell use it on Laval centre Pierre Lavertu. The six-foot-three, 300-pound Lavertu finished third in the CFL scouting bureaus season-ending top-15 rankings, and while he might not have the most upside and potential, Lavertu is generally regarded as one of the most pro-ready prospects in the draft. Drafting Lavertu first overall would address a need for Ottawa after the off-season retirement of veteran Marwan Hage, whom the Redblacks selected in the CFL expansion draft in December from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. "Offensive line is a need, no doubt," Desjardins said. "But that doesnt necessarily mean 100 per cent thats what well do. "Theres a good chance but everybody talks about a certain number of guys, whether its those two or three other top prospects. Just because theyre being written about and spoken about that doesnt mean we have them graded the same way." For the first time ever, the CFL draft will be held at night, with the first round broadcast live on TSN. That could give teams more time to talk trade with Desjardins, although the Redblacks GM isnt anticipating a lot of last-minute offers. "Maybe a little bit but I wouldnt think that dynamic would change," he said. Toronto Argonauts GM Jim Barker said the extra time could prompt some action. "Im sure from early in the morning there will be people calling and youll sit there and probably want to do something," he said. "It will make for a long day . . . but I think its kind of cool were doing it in the evening." If the Redblacks are coveting Lavertu, they might be well advised to take him with the early selection because the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, who have the No. 2 selection, are said to be very interested in the Laval centre. So much so that if Ottawa does take Lavertu first overall, the Bombers would then reportedly be willing to deal the second pick to acquire some assets while moving down in the first round and selecting a player who could still help them. A potential trade partner could be the B.C. Lions, who are said to like Simon Fraser centre Matthias Goossen, the CFL scouting bureaus fifth-ranked prospect. Barker says Lavertu and Goossen are definite players of interest. "I think theres a lot of teams in this league looking for a centre . . . and theres a couple of them, he (Lavertu) and Goossen," Barker said. "Those are guys who are being looked at by all the teams. "I wouldnt say he (Lavertu) is the top prospect, hes one of the top prospects, theres no doubt about that. Hes a tough guy coming out of a good program." Hamilton could be another team on the lookout for a centre after losing Hage in the expansion draft. But the Ticats, who have the final first-round pick at No. 9 overall, would have to deal with either Ottawa or Winnipeg to be assured a shot at either Lavertu or Goossen. All nine teams will make first-round selections Tuesday night. The Edmonton Eskimos will select third overall, followed by the Montreal Alouettes. B.C. is at No. 5, with Toronto, the Calgary Stampeders and Grey Cup-champion Saskatchewan Roughriders selecting before Hamilton completes the opening round. Another offensive lineman expected to go early in the first round is Montreal tackle David Foucault. The towering six-foot-eight, 300-pound Foucault finished behind Duvernay-Tardif in the final top-15 list and although hell attend the Carolina Panthers mini camp this week, it wont be with the security of having signed an NFL contract. What makes Foucault a top prospect is much more than just his sheer size. Many CFL scouts believe he has the potential to develop into a dominant left tackle, a key spot on any offensive line. Should Edmonton pass on Foucault, its very likely Montreal will take him with the fourth selection. Another first-round prospect is Concordia Stingers defensive lineman Quinn Smith, who finished ranked fourth on the top-15 list following an impressive showing at the CFL combine. The six-foot-two, 305-pound Toronto native was solid on both sides of the football. Last week, Smith announced he had tested positive for the anabolic steroid Stanozolol prior the combine. If Smiths B sample also tests positive, hell receive a two-year ban from the CIS, thus ending his college career. But in the CFL, Smith would be deemed a first-time offender of its drug policy and be subjected to mandatory testing and an assessment, followed by counselling. A second offence would trigger a three-game suspension. The agreement also calls for a one-year ban for a third offence and a lifetime suspension for a fourth. Nate Lowe Jersey . He left in the 4th inning of Saturdays game against the Tigers after experiencing tightness. Reyes and the team still hope that he will be ready for Opening Day in Tampa Bay in one week. Rays Jerseys China . Alen, 28, hit .315 with five home runs, 59 RBI and a career-high nine stolen bases for the Goldeyes last season. He is the longest serving catcher in Goldeyes history, having already spent five seasons with the organization. https://www.cheapraysonline.com/ . Three pitches later, he was hugging Mike Napoli at home plate after his teammates winning home run. Napoli and Ortiz hit consecutive homers with one out in the 10th inning and the Boston Red Sox rallied past Minnesota 2-1 Wednesday, sending the Twins to their fifth straight loss. Trevor Richards Rays Jersey . Once again, the third baseman delivered in a big spot. Ramirez kept up his torrid hitting with a two-run homer to help back Wily Peraltas solid start, and the Brewers extended their winning streak to seven with a 4-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday night. Yonny Chirinos Rays Jersey . -- Former Penn State coach Joe Paterno was admitted to the hospital Friday for observation due to minor complications from cancer treatments, his family said.The Montreal Canadiens hit the ice for the first time on Thursday with head coach Michel Therrien experimenting with lines out of the gate. Two of his lines involved players already familiar with one another, with sophomores Alex Galchenyuk and Brendan Gallagher centred by Lars Eller and Ryan White in between Brandon Prust and Travis Moen. "Well try different lines during the camp," Therrien told reporters afterwards. "But we already have a good idea of what we want to do." In an interesting move, prospect Christian Thomas - the son of former NHLer Steve Thomas acquired over the summer for Danny Kristo - joined veterans Rene Bourque and Tomas Plekanec, while newcomer Daniel Briere was grouped with long-time linemates Max Pacioretty and David Desharnais. Therrien has big expectations for Desharnais, whose production dropped off in the lockout-shhortened season after signing a contract extension.dddddddddddd. "We want him to compete, to be on pucks, to drive the net," explained Therrien. "He knows that." Missing from Day 1 were bruising winger George Parros and captain Brian Gionta, who are still recovering from injury. Parros had offseason rotator cuff surgery and is still targeting Oct. 1 for his debut after Wednesdays medical revealed his rehabilitation is on track. Gionta, meanwhile, is rehabbing from surgery on his left biceps tendon. "We hope that hell (Gionta) be ready, but well let the medical staff decide," said Therrien. The head coachs main defence pairings on the first day looked set as well, with Josh Gorges skating with P.K. Subban, Andrei Markov with Raphael Diaz, free agent acquisition Douglas Murray alongside Francis Bouillon and Davis Drewiske with Jarred Tinordi. ' ' '
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