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." Air Max Outlet . 5 Trade Deadline is drawing closer and teams will be deciding on whether to buy or sell. Discount Air Max .Simon will work with head coach Gord Dineen and associate coach Derek King behind the bench of the Toronto Maple Leafs American Hockey League affiliate for the 2014-15 season. https://www.airmaxchina.us/ .com) - The Eastern Conferences best team takes on one of its worst Tuesday night when the Atlanta Hawks pay a visit to the Wells Fargo Center to take on the Philadelphia 76ers. Fake Air Max . -- Michael Phelps is 0 for 1 in his comeback to the pool. Cheap Air Max .J. -- The New York Jets have promoted Tony Sparano Jr.The 41st Ryder Cup had all the drama, the quality and the excitement we have come to expect from one of the worlds foremost sporting occasions, and Ewen Murray has been reflecting on the best and worst of the week in Minnesota. The 41st edition of the Ryder Cup had it all. Just when you think Medinah in 2012 and Gleneagles in 2014 raised the bar, alongside comes Hazeltine National which, over the course of three frenetic days, provided the good, the bad and the ugly. The vast majority of the Hazeltine crowd were well behaved, but there were a few who spoiled the party The ugly was a tiny minority, and I emphasise the word tiny, of 50,000 fans who overstepped the line in golfing etiquette. When you have that amount out of people watching a spectacular sporting event along with a fully charged atmosphere, there is always going to a few who will spoil the party. American fans, whether it be NFL or baseball, basketball or golf, are noisy. They shout and roar. They have huge passion and they support their respected teams and individuals vigorously. Take that away from sport and you lose a lot of enjoyment, and 95 per cent of the fans in Minnesota were genuinely, good golfing fans. Ian Poulter points out a troublemaker on the second day In modern society, its expected and sadly acceptable for fans to cheer when a putt is missed or a tee shot is errant. One must move with the times or be classed a dinosaur. The thing that is not acceptable is when the antics of the small circle of fools interrupt the golf.That did happen a couple of times throughout the event and it was dealt with by the 95 per cent who were there to watch two teams go head to head. They singled the idiots out and the security officers escorted them off the property. Danny Willetts brother hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons Pete Willett, brother of Danny ... oh dear! Why a magazine would interview Pete would be my first question. Secondly, his brother is the Masters champion and will play a fair amount of golf in the United States. What was there to gain in slating Americans and their lifestyle?Now he knows how much there was to lose. Willetts golf was far from what hes capable of and the next few events in America for him will not be a breeze, but he has a strong mind and a good work ethic. Hell bounce back. Lee Westwood was short of form heading into the Ryder Cup, and struggled from the off at Hazeltine The bad? The performance of some of the experienced players in the European side. With six rookies in the team, the onus was on the experienced players to produce and in Westwood, Kaymer and Rose, they failed. I would say at this point, golf is not a tap and you cant turn it off and on. Westwood had struggled in the run up to the event and some will say this was one Ryder Cup too many.For Matthew Fitzpatrick and Andy Sullivan, it was perhaps one too early. However, they along with Chris Wood, will be older and wiser in the run up to the 2018 edition in France. The experienced gained in Minnesota will be most valuable to them next time round. Darren Clarke brought back Westwood for Saturdays fourballs and left out Rafa Cabrera Bello When a captain loses, hes classed as poor. In victory, hes a genius. Darren Clarkes use of Lee Westwood and his resting of an in-form Rafa Cabrera Bello will no doubt be criticised. So, too, will be the omission of Russell Knox, and the fact that five Europeans played in all five sessions will also scrutinised. These may have been his only mistakes and they are easy to point out in hindsight.Personally, I think Paul Casey would have made a difference, but Darren couldnt picck him as he is not a European Tour member.dddddddddddd Russell Knox would have qualified for the side had he played in and performed well at the Wyndham. If Kaymer and Westwood, two of his three wildcards, had excelled, it would have been a different tale. Sadly, they didnt. A lot of ifs and buts, there always is when theres an inquisition. Thomas Pieters was a revelation in his first Ryder Cup The good? The big problem here is, where do we start? For Europe, lets begin with Thomas Pieters. The Belgian star was exceptional alongside McIlroy and looked equally comfortable on his own in the Sunday singles. He already is one of Europes finest players. He will challenge for majors and he will be a Ryder Cup player for many years to come. Give Captain Clarke some credit there, Thomas was his other wild card.The quality of golf on show over the three days was, at times, outstanding. A week during which the game of golf had lost Arnold Palmer, it seemed the players wanted to play Palmer style. Shots they are wary of week in week out, they threw caution to the wind rising to the challenge. Rory McIlroys clash with Patrick Reed was pure theatre The first eight holes of the opening singles match was like one of Spielbergs finest scripts. McIlroy and Patrick Reed going hell for leather, trading blow for blow, putt for putt while trying to outdo one another with their celebrations. Reed copied Rorys bow, Mcllroy copied Patricks quietening tactics made famous at Gleneagles. Their golf and sportsmanship was brilliant.Yet it wasnt the match of the tournament. The clash of Phil Mickelson and Sergio Garcia will be remembered for years to come. Trading birdies from the off, they were both round in an approximate 63. You got the feeling they could have played another round and still they would be all square. Sergio Garcia and Phil Mickelson blitzed Hazeltine on Sunday in a match of outstanding quality With Phil rolling in a 20 footer at the last, Sergio followed him from a third of that distance to record half a point each. The number 63 features a lot in Mickelsons year. The lip out at Royal Troon for a first 62 in a major and Stenson shooting 63 the final round of the Open to stop Phil winning his second Claret Jug. At Hazeltine, Phil and Sergio served up a Ryder Cup treat.It was victory for Davis Love III, heaven knows how he felt four years ago at the closing ceremony in Chicago. His team had blown a four-point lead in front of Americas loyal fans. The son of one of the most respected PGA professionals in the USA is one of the good guys. His players raised their games and played their hearts out for him. The score flattered the US a touch, but best team won by the Twin Cities. Atonement for Davis Love III after his heartbreak of Medinah This win for the United States is good for the Ryder Cup as its their first win since 08, and only their third since 1993. When the European bruises and egos heal, the hype will begin all over again. France has a tough act to follow, but Le Golf National is one of the best courses in Europe. Its just over 700 days to the Friday morning foursomes.I close with Sundays final words: The US stars earned their stripes. And yes, it was a glittering show in Minnesota. 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