TORONTO -- Quinn Smiths CFL draft stock is on the rise. The Concordia Stingers defensive lineman was ranked fourth among the CFL scouting bureaus top-15 prospects for next months draft. Heady stuff, considering Smith wasnt rated on either the fall or winter lists. But the six-foot-two, 305-pound Toronto native raised eyebrows at last months CFL combine, excelling on both sides of the ball. And that versatility will enhance his chances of being taken early in the May 13 draft, with the expansion Ottawa Redblacks holding the first pick overall. "Obviously I felt I shouldve been on the first two but Im very happy that my hard work paid off to be quite high on the new list," Smith said during a CFL conference call Tuesday. "I want to be a professional football player. "It doesnt matter what city, what team. Im going to be happy wherever I go." Once again Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, McGills highly rated offensive lineman, topped the rankings. But the six-foot-five, 310-pound medical student is projected as a mid-round NFL draft pick. Where Duvernay is taken by an NFL club will dramatically impact when hes selected in the CFL draft. David Foucault, Montreals towering six-foot-eight, 300-pound offensive tackle, moved up a spot into No. 2, with Laval offensive lineman Pierre Lavertu dropping to No. 3. St. Francis receiver Devon Bailey also dropped one position behind Smith into No. 5. Manitoba defensive tackle Evan Gill remained at No. 6, ahead of Western defensive lineman Dylan Ainsworth, who skyrocketed from No. 15. Manitoba running back Anthony Coombs moved up a spot to No. 8, ahead of Simon Fraser offensive lineman Matthias Goosen (who dropped from No. 5) and Queens defensive back Andrew Lue (from No. 8). Rounding out the top-15 were Laval defensive back Adam Thibault, Simon Fraser linebacker Casey Chin, defensive lineman David Menard and defensive back Antoine Pruneau -- both from the University of Montreal -- and Western linebacker Beau Landry. Ainsworth was another player who excelled at the CFL combine, especially in the 1-on-1 drills when he steamrolled over Foucault. The six-foot-three, 225-pound native of Delta, B.C., credited teammate Landry with helping him prepare for the weekend-long audition before league officials. "Just seeing my name there the first couple of rankings was an honour for me, it was just up to me to prove myself at the combine," Ainsworth said. "As a result of training hard with (Landry) I feel like I did as well as I really couldve hoped. "To see me shoot up to the No. 7 spot is huge but the real ranking is May 13 and thats what Im most excited about, just to see what happens and how it all plays out." With Duvernay-Tardif expected to head to the NFL, Foucault is being mentioned as the most CFL-ready prospect among the eligible offensive linemen. But he, too, is attracting American interest, having recently interviewed with NFL clubs at the leagues Super Regional combine earlier this month in Detroit despite suffering a foot injury while running his 40-yard dash. "Just three of the 33 guys on the offensive line got an interview with NFL teams and I got some good feedback," Foucault said. "Right now, I dont know what (is happening), theres a little stress because I dont control this part." Foucault, a converted defensive lineman from LaSalle, Que., would welcome playing in the CFL, but admitted his focus right now is on the NFL because its draft is first on the calendar. The NFL draft will go May 8-10 and those players not selected could still be signed as priority free agents before CFL officials begin stockpiling their rosters with top prospects. "I just want to be a football player," Foucault said. "Its a good thing to play in the NFL or CFL but I want to take my chances to go to the NFL because I want to try." The CFL draft remains first and foremost on Smiths radar. Hed prefer to play professionally as a defensive lineman but wouldnt refuse the opportunity to line up along the offensive line, either. "Ive played both but playing defensive tackle has got me a free education at university, its got me to the CFL combine and I had a really great showing," he said. "If a team drafted me and wanted me to play the O-line I would have no problem with that. "I love playing football on the offensive or defensive side but defensive tackle is my natural position." Ainsworth, too, might find himself lining up in a different position in the CFL, either as a rush end or linebacker. While hed prefer to remain on the defensive line, Ainsworth is also keeping an open mind about where he could be lining up as a pro. "Defensive line is more my natural position, its sort of what I have more of a passion for," he said. "But any team that comes knocking whatever they want me to play is what I"ll be playing. "Its not an issue of what I want, its an issue of where I can fit and best contribute." But Ainsworth definitely has a preference regarding when hed like to hear his name called May 13. "Im hoping first round," he said. "Just to go in the first round would be awesome but realistically any team that picks you youre going to be happy to go there. "Its just going to be a nice weight lifted knowing where you need to go. Then the real work starts there." . LOUIS -- When Braves second baseman Tyler Pastornicky backpedaled into shallow right field to catch the popup and Jason Heyward didnt arrive fast enough to take charge, Kolten Wong got the green light. . That Ginette Reno can sing.
https://www.cheapcoyotes.com/1238z-robb ... yotes.html. Rob Klinkhammer and Mikkel Boedker scored 63 seconds apart in the first period for the Coyotes, who handed the Kings their third straight loss and took over sole possession of eighth place in the Western Conference. Mike Smith made 36 saves. . Watch the action live on TSN and listen on TSN 1050 Radio beginning at 7pm et/4pm pt. The Raptors maintained their spot atop the Atlantic Friday after defeating the Wizards, 96-88, for their second win in a row. . -- Conor Casey scored two goals, his first of the season, as the Philadelphia Union beat Chivas USA 3-0 on Saturday night.TORONTO -- Canadian lightweight T.J. Grant, twice denied a shot at the UFC lightweight title due to a concussion, has not been forgotten, says UFC president Dana White. Grant (21-5) was originally due to fight Benson (Smooth) Henderson in August. But he was replaced by Anthony (Showtime) Pettis after being sidelined by a concussion in training. Pettis took advantage of his opportunity, submitting Henderson in the first round to win the championship belt. The UFC had hoped Pettis would make his first title defence in December against Grant in Sacramento. But the 29-year-old from Cole Harbour, N.S., said this week via Twitter that he was still feeling the effects of the concussion. "Its one of those unfortunate things that can happen in a contact sport," White said Thursday when asked about Grant. "Were not going anywhere. The kids just got to take his time, heal up, and relax and well see what happens." Pettis, Carlos (The Natural Born Killer) Condit and Chuck (The Iceman) Liddell all went througgh the same kind of wait for their title shots, White added.dddddddddddd The UFC boss also noted how a knee injury knocked bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz off the UFC 148 card, costing him a lucrative piece of the pay-per-view. "That kid lost his lottery ticket," White said. "These things happen. bad things happen like this. Its part of the sport. Theres nothing you can do about it." Grant earned his title shot by knocking out Gray (The Bully) Maynard in May at UFC 160. "It sucks but it is the best for both myself and the UFC. Please dont worry," the fighter said via Twitter of his latest injury setback. Grant, ranked third among lightweight contenders, has won five straight since dropping down to 155 pounds from welterweight. "The belts going to be there no matter who has the belt," White said. "It will be there and well figure the T.J. Grant thing out when T.J. Grants healthy." The December title shot has been given to No. 5 Josh Thompson. ' ' '
