SURREY, B. [url=http://www.cheapeccoaustralia.com/]Ecco Shoes Australia Sale[/url] .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 o

SURREY, B. Ecco Shoes Australia Sale .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." Cheap Ecco Shoes Online . Heavily-criticized after allowing a dozen goals on 58 shots in two games in Boston, Luongo continued his dominance at home. Hes now allowed two goals in three home games in this series. Ecco Shoes Australia Wholesale .Y. -- Scott Chandler is returning to Buffalo, where he spent the past three seasons establishing himself as the Bills top pass-catching tight end. http://www.cheapeccoaustralia.com/ . -- Caris LeVert had 14 points and a career-high 11 rebounds for his first career double-double, and No.LONDON - IOC President Thomas Bach defended the choice of Sochi as host of the Winter Olympics on Monday and said hes "sleeping very well" despite the terror threat hanging over the games. Bach reiterated his confidence that Russia will provide "safe and secure" games without taking away from a festive Olympic atmosphere. Russia is mounting a massive security operation for the games, which open Feb. 7 amid threats of attacks from Muslim insurgents from the North Caucasus region. "We have full confidence in the host country and we also know that Russia and the Russian (security) services are working closely with different international services in order to ensure that all the participants and spectators in the games can feel safe and secure," Bach said in a conference call with reporters. On a separate issue, Bach repeated that Russia has promised that athletes and spectators will not face any discrimination based on sexual orientation. Russia enacted a law last year banning gay "propaganda" among minors. Bach said athletes are free to speak out on any political issues at news conferences at the games, but are prohibited from doing so on the medal podium or other Olympic sites. "Its very clear that the games cannot be used as a stage for political demonstrations," he said. "The IOC will take, if necessary, individual decisions based on the individual case. On the other hand, the athletes, of course, enjoy the freedom of speech. So, if in a press conference they want to make a political statement, then they are absolutely free to do so." More than 50,000 police and military personnel are being deployed to guard Russias first Winter Games. An Islamic militant group in Dagestan claimed responsibility for two suicide bombings that killed 34 people in late December in Volgograd and threatened to attack the games in Sochi. Russian security officials have been hunting for three potential female suicide bombers, one of whom is believed to be in Sochi itself. Bach said the International Olympic Committee remains in constant ccontact with Russia about the security measures. Cheap Ecco Shoes Australia. Asked whether hes worried, he said, "Im sorry to tell you Im sleeping very well." "Im really looking forward to the first Winter Games under my presidency and Im very confident they will be successful," said the German, who was elected head of the IOC in September, succeeding Jacques Rogge after 12 years in office. Bach compared the security situation to that of the 2002 Salt Lake City Games in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks in the U.S. "In Salt Lake City there were thousands of security people around the place and people still felt fine and appreciated seeing that security was being taken seriously," he said. "I think the security forces can operate in a way that doesnt affect the atmosphere." Bach also defended Russias massive spending on the games. The $51 billion price tag — which includes the cost of roads, railways, hotels and other projects — is a record for any Olympics. Bach said Russia was using the Olympics as a "catalyst" to transform the region and create a winter sports complex for the entire country. Its up to host nations, he said, to decide how — and how much — they invest in long-term infrastructure projects. The spending on the Sochi Olympics has been engulfed in claims of kickbacks and other corruption. On Monday, anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny claimed that Russia spent twice as much as necessary to build at least 10 of the Olympic venues. Bach said the IOC stands "against any form of corruption," adding that he hopes people can differentiate "between just a general claim and concrete information." In general, Bach said, the Olympic atmosphere is building up in Sochi as the games approach. Referring to concerns about warm weather in the subtropical area, he said there was "plenty of snow" and more was forecast for later in the week. "I think overall we can say Sochi is ready to welcome the best winter athletes of the world," Bach said. ' ' '