Jim Popp wont have to go very far to check in on his first round CFL draft pick. With Popp caring for his wife who is recovering from a shark bite suffered in Hilton Head, South Carolina, Universite de Montreals David Foucault has done the general manager the favor of choosing a team just 20 minutes away for his NFL free agent tryout. “Thats the calculated risk we take,” admittted Popp of Foucaults decision to work out with the Carolina Panthers. “Im going to try to sneak in and see if I can watch him a little bit.” CFL agent Darren Gill calls the 6-foot-7 Foucault “electrifying,” with “stud freak athletic ability,” adding, “people gravitate to him and his sense of humour." Gill also confirmed Foucault -- who would have had the no. 1 NFL combine vertical jump for O-linemen-- drew interest from the Miami Dolphins along with several other NFL clubs. “What were comfortable with is he grew up an Alouette fan, he always wanted to be an Alouette and hes from our home town,” Popp said. “Hes one of the best players in the draft and we know if he doesnt stick in the NFL hell be happy to come to us.” The fact the no. 5 selection overall is a lifelong Alouettes fan whose favorite player is Anthony Calvillo is only a bonus. With the retirements of Andrew Woodruffe and Scott Flory, the Als still feel they have time to groom him at guard, with the succession plan to ultimately keep the tackle position Canadian, which currently remain the undisputed domains of Josh Bourke and Jeff Parrett. While defense was the Alouettes strength in 2013, co-ordinator Noel Thorpe has to be pleased three of the teams next four selections were invested on the defensive side, including 10th overall pick Andrew Lue of Queens, a possible Mike Edem clone. “Hes very physical, puts his hands on receivers,” Popp said. “We think he can have an impact immediately on special teams and can move around from corner to halfback and possibly to ‘Will or Sam linebacker.” Looking for talent in the middle and late rounds is a Popp speciality, and once again the only architect the Alouettes have known since their rebirth in 1996 is pleased with his third and fourth round picks. “I call him ‘Quadzilla,” Popp said of James Tuck, a fourth rounder from York. “He has massive thighs. He may be able to play defensive end or linebacker for us.” Tuck has already realized a life-goal, becoming the first Lion since CFL veteran Ricky Foley (coincidentally the D-lineman who concussed Anthony Calvillo) to be drafted. “Im ecstatic, I cant even measure,” Tuck gushed over the phone soon after receiving a call from the Alouettes. “Foleys been pretty inspirational, taking me aside at spring workouts, showing me little things,” Tuck said. An admitted Argos fan in the past, Tuck has also trained with James Yurichuk.“I look up to him. Hes got a high motor and I like to think I have one as well.” Popps annual sleeper may be third round selection Jeff Finley from the University of Guelph. “Hes the ‘Klassen of this draft,” insisted the GM. “Michael Klassen took it to the next level for us last year and we really feel Finley is that guy.” Last November, Finley was cheering against the Als in their playoff loss to the Ti-Cats. Hed met several, including Henry Burris and as a St. Catherines, Ontario-native was a longtime Hamilton supporter. Finley promises to be a quick study on Alouette culture thanks to fellow Gryphon alums Ryan Bomben and Jake Piotrowski. Finleys defensive co-ordinator at Guelph was Kevin MacNeill, a former Alouette, who was with the team for all of three days on a free agent tryout. “I dont think I even had a cup of coffee,” MacNeill chuckled. But Finleys work ethic is no joke. “Hes extremely physical, quick and hardworking.” McNeill mentioned. Finley should also be a quick study since hes a science student studying advanced anatomy. “He knows his way around a cadaver,” revealed MacNeill. With that being the case, getting his hands on live quarterbacks should be no problem. Discount Air Max . The Ravens werent about to let it happen again. 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John Wall scored 33 points, Gooden got 11 of his 21 in the final quarter and the Wizards overcame a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit for a 101-94 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday night.ENGLEWOOD, Colo. - Judging by the scarcity of players working with strength and conditioning coach Luke Richesson to the side, the bye week did the battered Denver Broncos an abundance of good.Denver had listed 22 players on its injury report before the season finale against Oakland, when safety David Bruton Jr. and left guard Orlando Franklin sustained concussions.Those were the only players who werent between the lines Monday when the Broncos (12-4) began preparations for their playoff game against Indianapolis (12-5).Most notable among them were Peyton Manning (age 37) and top tackler Brandon Marshall (sprained foot). Manning sat out all of last weeks workouts and Marshall practiced for the first time since getting hurt at San Diego on Dec. 14.Yeah, it was much needed, said fourth-year safety Rahim Moore. I needed it, our team needed it, especially guys like Peyton, whos been playing since I came out the womb.Lest that gets back to the five-time MVP, Manning might want to know Moore also compared him to a luxury sports car roadster, not an old jalopy.Moore said the bye was good for Peyton because it recharges him, makes him feel refreshed. Hes an older guy. He needs it. You cant run a Ferrari — or no, a Bugatti — too much. Hes our Bugatti. Thats how Peyton is to his team, so youve got to give him some rest.After the tuneup, the Broncos are eager to rev that engine again.Weve got to get back to work, Moore said. We went from 100 (mph) to zero. Now were trying to get back to 100.Joining Manning and Marshall on the practice fields wreathed by a good foot of snow were receivers Demaryius Thomas (ankle, finger), Emmanuel Sanders (back) and Wes Welker, all of whom missed the pair of indoor practices that preceded their three-day break.Tight end Julius Thomas, who had three TD catches against Indy in the regular-season opener, was among the players who most appreciated the bye. Hes been bothered by a bum ankle and hasnt reached the end zone since Nov. 9.It was a big week for me. It wass good to get some rest, he said.dddddddddddd. Every doctor will tell you the most important thing is rest, but its tough to do in the middle of the season.With their bye week coming way back in September, the Broncos felt that not having to play on wild-card weekend would do them a world of good. Now, its a matter of making sure all that rest and relaxation doesnt turn into rust and ruin.Our bye this year came way earlier than most byes, probably the earliest Ive ever had a bye, coach John Fox said. So, in some ways I think this year was even more important to have the bye. But its like holding Jell-O. There is no perfect answer. Somebody mentioned six of the last nine Super Bowl champions came through the wild-card round. So, really, the key is just playing your best football when you get to the elite eight, however you get there.Also back on the field was Pro Bowl safety T.J. Ward, who missed the season finale with a neck injury.I feel better. Thats all Im going to tell you guys, Ward said with a laugh. But I feel better.Although he didnt push it Monday, Marshalls return served to rejuvenate Denvers defence.Its good to see him out there, nose tackle Terrance Knighton said. Hes not quite himself yet, obviously. He didnt take much of the team reps but well be fine. Its still a long week, a lot of days left and hell be ready by Sunday.Luckily, weve played well enough in the season to get a bye week, which helped us, because if we played last week, Brandon Marshall probably doesnt play and T.J. is probably a little rusty, Knighton said. Those three days off allowed people to refocus and its almost like a new season now.That fits right into Foxs philosophy.Ive always described it as three different levels: theres preseason, theres regular season and then the real season, Fox said. And thats the playoffs.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL___Follow AP Pro Football Writer Arnie Melendrez Stapleton on Twitter: http://twitter.com/arniestapleton ' ' '