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MONTREAL -- Coach Tom Higgins calls working with general manager Jim Popp "a match made in heaven. Cheap Jaylen Adams Jersey ." And the pleasantries exchanged between the two men on a conference call on Tuesday made it hard to imagine they were rivals for the Montreal Alouettes head coaches job. That was settled when team owner Bob Wetenhall insisted that the jobs of coach and general manager be kept separate, and that Popp would have to stick to his GM duties. "This is the model that has made us successful," said Wetenhall. "This has given Jim the time and the freedom to go out and build our team, year after year, always with a few new players added. "To have a GM with the freedom and the time to do this is the model we really wanted to go back to." In the 59-year-old Higgins, the Alouettes hired a CFL veteran who spent seven years as a head coach in Edmonton and Calgary, winning a Grey Cup with the Eskimos in 2003. The Woodbridge, N.J., native spent the last six years as the leagues director of officiating. "Tom brings a winning record and a tremendous reputation as a stand-up, high class guy," said Wetenhall. Popp, the teams general manager since it returned to Montreal in 1996 who is considered among the CFLs best, had hoped to continue in both jobs after taking over from the fired Dan Hawkins, who had no previous CFL experience, only five games in to the 2013 campaign. When Higgins was confirmed in the job on Monday, it raised speculation that Popp may be on his way out. Wetenhall would not confirm Popps long-term status with the club, but made it clear he wanted his GM to stay. And Popp, whose name has been linked to NFL jobs in recent years, said hes wants to carry on. "Ive been with the Alouettes for 18 years -- I plan on being there, its my other home," said Popp. "Ive had six children that were all born in Montreal and I really have no interest in leaving. "Circumstances come up, but the organization knows how loyal I am. Im a company man and its a place I enjoy being. Theres a lot that gets thrown around out there, a lot of it thats not true. But Im very happy." That Popp joined in the conference call was a surprise. His name wasnt mentioned in the Higgins announcement. And it was unusual that the general manager was not involved in the decision to hire the head coach. Wetenhalls son Andrew, a team governor, said that as a candidate for the coaching job, Popp would have been in conflict of interest if he had a say in who the next coach would be. But Popp had provided the owners with a list of potential coaching candidates with an assessment of their abilities. "This is a case where two people can work together who didnt select one another," said Andrew Wetenhall. "We have the added benefit of two guys who know each other and have a heck of a lot of respect for each other." Higgins said he didnt feel awkward at all working with Popp. "I couldnt be happier," he said. "I think our personalities complement one another. "We both want the same thing. This is an opportunity for myself to get back on the field where I belong. This is not a challenge whatsoever." Higgins first job will be to hire an offensive co-ordinator and fill out the coaching staff, which he expects to complete within 10 days. The Alouettes had already signed defensive co-ordinator Noel Thorpe to a two-year contract extension on Dec. 4, with the added title of assistant head coach. They also confirmed that Andre Bolduc, a former CFL player and head coach at Sherbrooke University, was signed as a defensive assistant coach. Wetenhall said one of Higgins assets was his ability to work with young quarterbacks, which will be needed in Montreal this season. For the first time since 2000, they will not have Anthony Calvillo as the starter as the CFLs all-time passing leader has retired. Troy Smith, the 2006 Heisman Trophy winner, and youngster Tanner Marsh are expected to compete for the starting job, with Alex Brink also in the picture. Higgins said he has worked with gifted young pivots before in Henry Burris and Ricky Ray. He feels the Alouettes can improve on last years 8-10 season. "Ive always marvelled at the level of talent in Montreal," he said. "I hope to bring a level of consistency and discipline. "We are going to be competitive and entertaining. And when you start doing that and playing disciplined football, usually you win more than you lose." Cheap Dominique Wilkins Jersey . Grimes signed a $32 million, four-year contract to remain with Miami. The deal, which includes $16 million guaranteed, rewards Grimes for his recovery from an Achilles tendon injury that forced him to miss almost all of the 2012 season. Cheap DeAndre Bembry Jersey . Zdeno Chara scored with 13 seconds left in regulation after David Krejci tied it late, lifting the Bruins to a 3-2 win over Pittsburgh on Saturday night in a game that saw Orpik taken from the ice on a stretcher.8. Remember the Titans (2000)Sure this plot has been done to death. The one where the team comes together despite seemingly insurmountable odds to not only win the championship, but to become better people in the process. It might be a little overdone and corny, but Remember the Titans is still worth the watch. 7. The Express (2008)The Express is likely one of the more underrated or unfamiliar flicks on this list. Its about real life college star Ernie Davis, who became the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy in 1961. If anything, this movie is good for a history lesson for all those sports nuts out there. 6. Brians Song (1971)Brians Song is probably the most emotional movie on the list. Its based on the real-life relationship between Brian Piccolo (James Cain) and Gale Sayers (Billy Dee Williams), who were running backs for the Chicago Bears in the 1960s. If there was ever a chick-flick/sports movie genre, this one would definitely top that list. 5. The Blind Side (2009)The Blind Side is the most successful football movie in terms of Academy Awards with Sandra Bullock taking the Oscar for best performance by an actress in a leading role. Plus, whenever you see offensive tackle Michael Oher in an NFL game on TV, you can say "hey, thats that guy from that movie." 4. Friday Night Lights (2004)Based on the book by H.G. Bissinger, Friday Night Lights takes a look at the surreal culture of high school football in the United States and the pressure these young men deal with from coaches, family annd the small towns they play in. Cheap Hawks Jerseys. It was even good enough for a TV series. 3. The Longest Yard (1974)Younger generations might think of Adam Sandler and Chris Rock when The Longest Yard is mentioned, but it was the original with Burt Reynolds in 1974 that made this one a cult classic. Everybody loves a story of revenge and thats exactly what The Longest Yard is about. Plus, its always funny when someone gets smoked in the nether regions not once, but twice. Check out the clip below to see what we mean. 2. Any Given Sunday (1999)The star-studded cast in Any Given Sunday, led by Al Pacino (who plays fictional coach Tony DAmato), takes a look at the struggles behind modern day football, both on the field and off it. Its one of the more gritty and "real" football movies, revealing the unglamorous side of pro sports. And thanks to Pacino, Any Given Sunday has one of the best pre-game speeches in sports movie history. 1. Rudy (1993)Who doesnt love the story of Rudy? The inspirational true tale of Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger, who overcame major obstacles – mostly size – to accomplish his dream of playing for the University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish, has been referenced anytime a player defies the odds to make it big. Sure he only played one down, but it was his "never give up" attitude that made this film worth watching. So what do you think of the list? Is there something we missed? Tell us what you think in the comment section below. Let the debate begin! Cheap Washington Nationals Gear Cheap Philadelphia Phillies Gear Cheap New York Mets Gear Cheap Miami Marlins Gear Cheap Atlanta Braves Gear Cheap Texas Rangers Gear Cheap Seattle Mariners Gear Cheap Oakland Athletics Gear Cheap Los Angeles Angels Gear Cheap Houston Astros Gear Cheap Minnesota Twins Gear Cheap Kansas City Royals Gear Cheap Detroit Tigers Gear Cheap Cleveland Indians Gear Cheap Chicago White Sox Gear ' ' '
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Activity: May 25 '20
