TSN reporter Mark Masters was at Rogers Centre on Friday, as the Toronto Argonauts practiced in preparation for Sundays Eastern Final tilt with the Montreal Alouettes (TSN, Noon et/9am pt). . East Division all-star Patrick Watkins once again sat out practice on Friday with Jalil Carter taking first-team reps at the boundary-side corner. Were not sure whats going to happen with him," said head coach Scott Milanovich. "Were going to give him until game day and hell workout and see how hes feeling and well make a decision then." Milanovich will not risk playing Watkins if hes not at least close to full strength. "Nobodys 100 per cent at this point," he said. "It depends how close he is to 100 per cent. Hes got to be pretty healthy to play DB against Montreal with how they throw the ball." Carter and Watson are actually friends off the field and spent part of practice talking to each other on the sideline. "We hang out a lot outside of football," said Carter, who hasnt played since August and was just added back to the practice roster this week. "He always gives me pointers whether Im up or not. He always helps me out. "It was weird. The first day I seen him [in training camp] we had a long conversation. I had never met him before, but it was an instant thing. We clicked and hes my good friend." What does Carter have to say to Argos fans nervous that Watkins may be replaced with an untested rookie with just four CFL games on his résumé? His answer: trust defensive co-ordinator Chris Jones. "Coach Jones does a good job grabbing guys," said Carter. "He grabbed some pretty good players. To the fans, I assure you, Coach Jones did a good job picking out his players." Per team policy, Watkins was not made available for interviews. SPECIAL SPEECH At the end of their final full practice before the Eastern Final the Argos got a visit from Michael "Pinball" Clemons. The teams vice-chair, who coached Toronto to its last Grey Cup win in 2004, accepted an invitation from head coach Scott Milanovich to address the players. "He just happened to stop by practice today and Im going to take advantage of him any time hes around," said Milanovich, "so I asked if he wouldnt mind saying a few words and he was gracious enough to oblige." Clemons had the players chanting and swaying during his approximately five-minute address. "In a message like this the biggest thing you want them to remember and realize is they got enough, they got what it takes," said Clemons. "The last time I spoke to them was before the Winnipeg game [a 29-10 win on Sept. 29] and that was a big game and they went out and had a convincing win and that was great." "When he came out to talk to us earlier it was, No matter what happens, no matter how deep the water is, youre going to keep stroking, keep fighting," said Ricky Ray. "That was the same message today, that we got here by fighting all year long and now its time to go out there and make something of it." "What I say is highly overrated," said Clemons. "What they do is the real difference. We just talked a little bit about how you finish in the playoffs and getting to the big show." CONSTRUCTION ZONE Fridays workout was confined to half the field at Rogers Centre as construction crews started to prepare for the Grey Cup halftime show. Milanovich admits he did think about changing venues before deciding it would be too much trouble. "We didnt know what the weather would be like so [going outdoors wasnt an option and] to go indoors [somewhere else] we wouldnt had any more room than this so we were fine here today," he said. "Day three is a Red Zone day," said defensive captain Jordan Younger, "wed only be working on the short half of the field anyway." LETS GET PHYSICAL Montreals big-bodied receiving corps can be imposing. And, for the Argos, the only way to fight fire is with fire. "Everyone in the CFL knows these guys are the most physical, possessive receivers in the game, very big and very strong and if you dont get physical with them its going to be a long game defensively," said linebacker Marcus Ball. "Theyre a physical group," said linebacker Brandon Isaac. "They like to push, pull and in our preparation we got to be ready for that. We got to want it more than they do. Thats what it comes down to. The Xs and Os have been drawn. They know what we like to do, we know what they like to do so we just got to execute, be physical and make plays. "They have some great receivers. Were just trying to battle and get under their skin and hopefully theyll make a mistake." FRIENDLY CHATTER Isaac and Ball tried to get under the skin of Jamel Richardson and S.J. Green before their last game in Montreal on September 23. A heated conversation during the pre-game warm-ups led to a bit of a scrum. "They were trying to get their team pumped up and we were doing the same," said Isaac. "We going to fuss, we going to fight, but at the same time we got to get out there and play football." "It was just friendly chatter," said Ball, "getting the guys amped up, you know what I mean? [Richardsons] a great athlete so me and him we get at every now and then, nothing disrespectful, its all about the game." There are other more practical ways for Isaac, Ball and company to rattle the Montreal receivers. "Knock them off their routes," said Isaac, "be very physical, get to [Anthony] Calvillo, pressure him, give him different looks, disguise well. There are things you can do, but you have to make the sacrifice and get after them because theyre big guys." SOMETHING TO PROVE After six years in Montreal Etienne Boulay was unceremoniously dumped by his hometown team during the off-season. A concussion-shortened 2011 campaign made the Alouettes lose faith in the safety. But the Argos scooped him up last July and now the 29-year-old has a chance to get the last laugh on his former team. "Of course any time someone thinks your career is over or youre not good enough to make their team you kind of have a little something to prove, a little chip on your shoulder," Boulay said. "I get a chance to go home and chances like that dont come up very often. They released me and I have a chance to go back there and prove them wrong." [url=http://www.buccaneersofficialteamstore.com/autographed-kevin-ogletree-jerse... Ogletree Jersey . -- The TPC Sawgrass would seem to be the last golf course where a player can relax. . The Argentina international fell awkwardly following a challenge on Sunday by Southampton defender Nathaniel Clyne and came off in the 14th minute of the match at Etihad Stadium. Aguero says on Twitter that "the studies I had done revealed theres no significant injury but it was a very tough hit to my knee. [url=http://www.buccaneersofficialteamstore.com/autographed-connor-barth-jersey-... . This is the most-watched US Open match ever on TSN. Overall, 2.3 million Canadians tuned in to watch some or all of Mondays 4th round match on TSN. Full coverage of the U.S. Open continues on TSN and TSN2 through to the Finals this coming weekend. [url=http://www.buccaneersofficialteamstore.com/autographed-derek-hagan-jersey-s... Hagan Jersey . Now theyre supposed to get a chance to confront another central figure: former Saints defensive co-ordinator Gregg Williams. Former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue is overseeing the latest round of player appeals; former Saints assistant coach Mike Cerullo was scheduled to take questions Thursday. .49 points. For their Cirque du Soleil inspired "The Circus" free program, Canada scored 95.230 points out of a possible 100.CINCINNATI, Ohio -- The Bengals suffered a major blow to their defence on Friday when Thomas Howard was placed on injured reserve after tearing his ACL during practice on Thursday. "It was an unfortunate thing, anytime a player like Thomas, a young talent, gets hurt," coach Marvin Lewis said. "You have to move on. Its a freak thing that happens." Howard, a seven-year veteran from UTEP, was Cincinnatis tackling leader last season with 120 stops, and started in the Bengals Week 1 loss to the Ravens on Monday night. He had four tackles, including a sack, and a pass defenced in the 44-13 defeat. To take his place on the roster, Cincinnati signed linebacker Roddrick Muckelroy. A third-year player from Texas, Muckelroy started three preseason games for the Bengals this summer, posting 17 tackles, including a sack. He was a fourth-round draft choice in 2010 by Cincinnati. The Bengals (0-1) take on the Browns (0-1) on Sunday. "We were lucky to get Muckelroy back here this morning," Lewis said, "and get going from there." Muckelroy, who was oone of the final cuts by the Bengals two weeks ago, was still in the area. [url=http://www.buccaneersofficialteamstore.com/autographed-michael-koenen-jerse... Koenen Jersey. He was scheduled to move back to Houston today before he received a call from the team last night. Howard was signed by the Bengals last year following the lockout and took over at weakside linebacker when Keith Rivers had an off-season injury. Howard started 15 games and had four passes defenced and two forced fumbles. He led team in tackles in four of final six games last regular season, as well as the playoff loss to Houston. With Howard out, Vincent Rey and Dan Skuta will see action against Cleveland. Rey has seen time mostly on special teams while Skuta has started four games over the past three seasons, including three at middle linebacker last year when Rey Maualuga had an ankle injury. "Its unfortunate timing. Thomas is young enough, he might just have to take a hiccup for a second and move forward," Lewis said. "Hes a wonderful, wonderful human being and person. He understands things happen for a reason and hell come out of this well." ' ' '