Bewerbungen » "You always keep the mentality that when

SURREY, B.C. -- Stephen Adekolu and Bryan Burnham are close friends off the field, so its probably fitting their careers have followed similar paths. Both experienced injuries in university that affected their ability to catch on with professional teams, both had to fight for spots on the practice roster with the B.C. Lions, and both are now getting their chance to play because of injuries. Its something the rookie receivers could only dream of back in training camp. "When we first started I remember guys lockers clearing out," Adekolu said after practice Wednesday. "If you really looked at me and Burnham, its no secret that we were the bottom two that had to fight our way up and beat out a lot of guys. Thats what we both did." The 25-year-old Adekolu and the 24-year-old Burnham were happy to work with the scout team and said running opponents plays against the CFLs No. 1 defence in practice for the first 12 weeks of the season did a lot for their confidence. "We would make small bets or joke around on who would get the most yards on our first-team defence," said Adekolu, a native of Brampton, Ont. "We were like: If thats the best defence and we give them a good look, we could go out and play." And thats exactly what they did last week when both dressed for their first pro games in a 40-23 home loss to the Toronto Argonauts. Adekolu watched mostly from the sidelines, but Burnham wound up as the Lions second-leading receiver with five catches for 90 yards and a touchdown in place of Courtney Taylor, who has a foot injury and is likely lost for the season. "Ive always stayed ready. Those older guys have really helped me stay mentally in it and always ready for when they called my number," said Burnham, who grew up in Moorestown, N.J. "I definitely didnt think it was going to come this quick. You never want to see someone get hurt. "You never wish for that, but when it does come youve got to be ready for it because thats football." Lions head coach Mike Benevides said both players have earned their chance, adding that Adekolu will see time on offence this week against the Calgary Stampeders. "(Burnham) performed at a high level during the (Toronto game) and I think theres a high level of confidence of what he can bring," said Benevides. "With Stephen, hes preformed throughout the entire season in practice. He had a strong pre-season and its time to see what he can bring to the table as a fifth guy and a rotational-type of person." Burnham played at the University of Tulsa in the NCAA, while Adekolu spent five CIS seasons at Bishops University. Each suffered knee injuries late in their college careers, which meant they had to work even harder to get a chance at the next level. Adekolu went to rookie camp with the Montreal Alouettes last season but experienced tendinitis before returning to Bishops, while Burnhams last game with Tulsa was the 2012 season opener when he tore his anterior cruciate ligament. Both signed with the Lions this winter and have climbed the depth chart much quicker than expected. "I think the biggest thing and the best thing is that the young guys are willing to take coaching," said quarterback Kevin Glenn. "Theyre very good character guys. Theyre humble and theyre really just out there wanting to help the team." That attitude has resonated with teammates, who can often sense when a player is unhappy with a situation. "I like to try to come to practice everyday with the same attitude. Im out here having a great time. I love being here," said Burnham. "I think if you come out here and start to be too serious when things are going wrong, thats when things start to split and you see guys start to change their demeanour." Part of Burnhams even-keel approach comes from his father Lem, who played for the Philadelphia Eagles in the late 1970s before becoming a psychologist. "He always just stayed on me about being patient and managing my stress and being anxious to get out there -- youve got to manage that or its going to tear you apart," said Burnham, whose sister works in the Lions front office and suggested he try out after NFL teams passed. "Its something I really worked at ... he always gives me little mental exercises. "He always said for the longest time: Ive been there." The Lions (7-5) visit the Calgary Stampeders (10-2) on Saturday as they continue to battle for playoff positioning in the West Division. Apart from Taylors ailment, the door has been opened for Burnham and Adekolu because of injuries to return man Tim Brown and defensive back Dante Marsh. B.C. handed Calgary its only home defeat of the season in a 25-24 decision back on Aug. 1, and Glenn said the Lions can take some positives from that game even though theres been a lot of personnel changes on both sides. "The biggest thing I think is we came back from being 11 points down in the second half," said the veteran pivot. "We never quit. Thats a big thing." Adekolu and Burnham also havent quit, and both are excited to step on the field together in a game situation. They also know if they dont perform, theres a hungry recruit just like them waiting to jump up and snatch their spot. "You always keep the mentality that when you get your chance either someones not doing their job or someone got hurt," said Adekolu. "Football is youre taking someones job or youre playing well enough to get a job. I want to step in and show that I can do the job theyre expecting." Wholesale Philadelphia Eagles Jerseys .Y. - Alex Smith and the Kansas City Chiefs didnt flinch in the face of adversity. Wholeasale Eagles Jerseys . 25 against Miami. 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Authentic Philadelphia Eagles Jerseys .com) - Bradley Beals 22 points and seven rebounds helped the Washington Wizards erase a halftime deficit and top the Utah Jazz, 93-84, on Sunday.MINNEAPOLIS -- Adrian Petersons lead blocker will be missing from the Minnesota Vikings for their first three regular season games. Pro Bowl fullback Jerome Felton has received a three-game suspension for violating the NFLs policy on substance abuse, the league announced Monday. No details were disclosed, per the NFLs confidentiality agreement with the players union. Felton was drafted by Detroit in the fifth round in 2008 out of Furman but bounced between three teams over his first four years in the league until his breakthrough last season with the Vikings, when Peterson rushed for 2,097 yards and won the Most Valuable Player award. Felton then signed a three-year contract with the club in March worth as much as $7.5 million, including $2 million guaranteed. With an $850,000 base salary for 2013, Felton will lose $150,000 because of the ban. Felton had an emergency appendectomy two weeks ago and has been recovering since, so even though his suspension doesnt take effect until Saturday, hes not expected to play in the teams final preseason game Thhursday against Tennessee.dddddddddddd He must miss the games at Detroit on Sept. 8, at Chicago on Sept. 15 and against Cleveland on Sept. 22, and hell be eligible to return to the active roster the day after that with his first allowable action on Sept. 29 against Pittsburgh in London. Shortly after Felton first signed with Minnesota last year, he was arrested outside a fast food restaurant near the teams practice facility and cited for two misdemeanour counts of driving while impaired. The Vikings were off Monday, after playing at San Francisco the night before. In a statement, general manager Rick Spielman said, "We respect the leagues decision and Jerome understands it. Jerome is focused on returning to the playing field in week four." Without him, the Vikings will turn to fullback Matt Asiata and tight end Rhett Ellison to fill his role. Undrafted free agent Zach Line, who was a standout at Southern Methodist and has two touchdowns and 74 yards on three receptions in the preseason, has a chance to make the team, too. ' ' '