TORONTO -- Chad Owens thought his pro football career was over when he ripped up his knee playing for the Colorado Crush of the Arena Football League. Then the league folded. "And there was no really guarantees coming back from the injury that Id have a job, at least (in) football," the compact Argos receiver-returner said Wednesday. "But I believed, man. I believed that God wasnt finished with me and there was something better to come. "So I worked hard, had an opportunity to come up here that next season, 2009." Three years later, Owens is a finalist for the CFLs outstanding player award. The 30-year-old multi-threat speedster from Hawaii is up against Calgary running back Jon Cornish. The Argos celebrated news of Owens nomination with cheers and fist pumps after coach Scott Milanovich told them in a team huddle at the end of practice inside the Rogers Centre. Toronto (9-9) hosts Edmonton (7-11) on Sunday in the Eastern Conference semifinal. The Eskimos cross over from the West by virtue of having a better record than the 6-12 Tiger-Cats and Blue Bombers. Owens set a pro football record this season by collecting 3,863 all-purpose yards. He led the league in receiving yards (1,328) and combined return yards (2,510) Listed at five foot eight and 180 pounds, Owens looks like somebodys little brother as he lines up in the Argos huddle. But his size doesnt seem to matter when he hits full speed. The Flyin Hawaiian is hard to catch or keep up with. Milanovich credits improvement in technique for Owens breakthrough in receiving this year. Prior to this season Owens had never cracked the 1,000-yard mark as a receiver. Milanovich, a former quarterback himself, says Owens had improved the way he runs routes for quarterback Ricky Ray. "Part of the thing with receivers is they think theyre open but if theyre not open when the quarterbacks ready to deliver the ball, theyre really not open," Milanovich said. "And so that was one of the things that Chad had to really grasp -- its not good enough to get open but youve got to get open when Rickys ready to deliver." Owens credits Ray for delivering the ball on time. "And he throws just such a catchable ball," he said. "I dont want to say a soft ball -- it gets to you on time but it doesnt have that sting. Its just so easy to catch." It has not all been smooth sailing on the field for the father of three. Owens has fumbled 10 times this season, losing eight of them. Ball security has been a constant watchword in recent games. The former University of Hawaii standout was acquired by Toronto in a June 2010 trade with the Montreal Alouettes in exchange for a pick in the 2011 CFL Canadian draft. Originally drafted in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL draft by Jacksonville, he had shorts stints with the Jaguars and Buccaneers before signing with Colorado. He says his circuitous road to football success proves you should never sell yourself short, regardless of your circumstances. "If you believe in yourself and you believe in what you can do and you believe that theres something better for you ahead, man youve got to keep working, youve got to stay true to yourself, stay true to what you believe in, man, and just keep working. And youll never be denied. "Thats been me, my whole life. Ive always believed and always believed that if I worked harder than you, then I will beat you. Not to sound big-headed or anything but thats just the way I had to do it. I was under-sized so I had to out-work them and I had to believe." He points to his injury at Colorado -- "It was like playing in the phone booth," he said of the indoor game -- when he tore his anterior cruciate ligament. When it happened in 2008, he said his immediate reaction was to look up and say Why me? "But that same night it hit me also and I realized something. I needed that," said Owens, wearing a wristband citing the biblical reference John 3:30. "I needed to get slowed, as we learned in church. God slowed me, man, and it wasnt my time. So I had to get back, I had to realize what I really had and how fortunate I was. "It definitely made me realize that ... Im thankful man that I got blessed with the opportunity to come up to the CFL." Coach Handbags New 2014 . -- His passes were hitting receivers in stride and right between the numbers, not skipping off the ground or whizzing behind their heads like so many of Tim Tebows. Discount Coach Handbags . Harang held his former team to four hits in seven shutout innings and had one of Los Angeles 12 hits as the Dodgers beat the San Diego Padres 8-1 Thursday night to split a two-game series. [url=http://www.coachhandbags2014new.com/]http://www.coachhandbags2014new.com/[/... . - Offensive lineman Joel Reinders and the Toronto Argonauts agreed to a contract on Tuesday, the CFL club announced. CHICAGO -- Livan Hernandez is getting another chance, this time in Milwaukee. The veteran right-hander signed a one-year contract with the Brewers on Friday after being let go by the Atlanta Braves. "It came fast," Hernandez said. And he was glad to take it. The Braves designated Hernandez for assignment on June 15 and released him on Monday. He pitched 18 games for the Braves, all out of the bullpen, with a 1-1 record and a 4.94 ERA. Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said hell be used in long relief and as a spot starter. "Smart guy. Understands how to pitch," Roenicke said. "He doesnt have the stuff he used to have, but he really changes speeds really well." Hernandez is in his 17th major league season and has a career record of 175-177 with a 4.40 ERA. "I know a lot of people here," he said. "Ive got a lot of friiends.dddddddddddd" Milwaukee designated left-hander Juan Perez for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster. The Brewers also reinstated shortstop Cesar Izturis from the 15-day disabled list and designated infielder Edwin Maysonet for assignment. They might have another roster move coming soon, with right-hander Shaun Marcum bothered by tightness in his right elbow. He was scratched from his scheduled start on Tuesday, and Roenicke said the Brewers will decide within the next few days whether to put him on the disabled list. "We kind of know what we want to do already," Roenicke said. "Its probably more of timing with that. Figuring out for sure whats the best way to proceed." Marcum (5-3), who has a 3.39 ERA in 13 starts, had ulnar collateral ligament surgery in 2008 when he pitched for Toronto. ' ' '