By Fred Williams Aug 10, 2007, 15:15 GMT
Edmonton, AB - The Edmonton Eskimos will have fiery linebacker A.J. Gass in the lineup Saturday when they face the Hamilton Tiger- Cats at Commonwealth Stadium.
The CFL suspended Gass for one game earlier this week for his actions in a melee in last week's 34-32 loss to the Calgary Stampeders. But Gass appealed the decision, meaning he will be able to play against Hamilton.
The appeal hearing will be held early next week. If the league rejects the appeal, Gass will have to serve the suspension.
Gass was banned for ripping the helmet off Calgary lineman John Comiskey's head and heaving it downfield, resulting in his being ejected from last Saturday's game. Teammate Kenny Onatolu was also kicked out of the game for fighting.
What precipitated the entire incident was Gass becoming incensed after being hit in the groin area by a Calgary player during a pileup.
MAXIE RETURNS: Demetrious Maxie retired in the offseason to join the Calgary Stampeders football operations department. But injuries to the club's defensive line forced the former All-Canadian out of retirement.
Maxie was back on the field at defensive tackle for the Stampeders for their game Thursday night against the Montreal Alouettes. Defensive linemen Karon Williams (groin) and Anthony Gargiulo (leg) were both injured in Calgary's win last week over Edmonton.
Maxie's presence didn't help the Stampeders in the win-loss column as Montreal beat Calgary 30-18 at Molson Stadium.
Maxie was out scouting NFL training camps last week when he got the call from Calgary that he was needed back on the field. The 33-year-old played 13 seasons in the CFL before retiring to become Calgary's assistant player- personnel director. He appeared in 165 career games and registered 70 sacks and in 1999 and 2000 was a CFL all-star.
Injuries have also been a problem this year for Montreal, which has lost over 70 man-games to various ailments, including 28 games by starters. But relief could be on the way as the Als have a bye week next week.
PAYTON ROMPS: Jarrett Payton has the Montreal Alouettes on a nice roll.
The son of former NFL legend Walter Payton ran for 141 yards and a touchdown in Montreal's 30-18 win over Calgary on Thursday night. The victory was the Alouettes' third straight since Payton was inserted into the starting lineup.
Payton missed Montreal's first four regular season games with an ankle injury. He returned to the lineup three weeks ago and helped the Alouettes sweep a home and home series with Toronto before Thursday's game.
In three games, Payton has rushed for 301 yards and scored two touchdowns and is averaging over six yards a carry.
NEW QB: The Toronto Argonauts have another new quarterback.
This week, the Argos signed Robert Kent to their practice roster. Kent spent the last two years in af2, the Arena Football League's developmental circuit. He had 3,997 yards passing, 86 touchdowns and 16 interceptions last season with the Lubbock Renegades.
Kent becomes the sixth quarterback to join the Argos this season.
Veterans Michael Bishop (broken arm) and Damon Allen (toe) are both injured while former Heisman Trophy winner Eric Crouch (knee) is on the nine-game injured list, meaning he can't resume playing until the second half of the season.
That leaves newcomer Rocky Butler and former NFLer Mike McMahon to handle quarterback duties, with Kent serving as the emergency No. 3 option.
Toronto will have to do without Allen for some time as this week the Argos placed the veteran on the nine-game injury list, meaning he won't be eligible to return until the club's home game against Edmonton on October 6.
Kent was a four-year starter at Jackson State, setting school records for completions (1,539), passing yards (11,797) and touchdown passes (104). Kent has some previous pro experience, having attended the training camp of the CFL's Montreal Alouettes as well as the NFL's Tennessee Titans.
TICATS ADD RAMBO: The Hamilton Tiger-Cats shored up their front office this week, hiring Dan Rambo as their director of football operations.
Rambo has previous CFL experience with both the Saskatchewan Roughriders (1983-1990) and Ottawa Rough Riders (1991-1992).
He also spent eight years as a scout for the NFL's Denver Broncos and held positions with the World League of American Football as Director of College Scouting and Director of European Football Operations.
NEW CFL VP: The CFL announced this week it has hired Rob Assimakopoulos as its vice president of marketing.
Assimakopoulos joins the CFL after spending the last 12 years in the marketing industry, the last six with Molson Canada.
'Rob has proved to be an innovative marketer and brings a fresh perspective to our team,' CFL commissioner Mark Cohon said. 'His experience and successes with various corporate brands throughout his career will help us drive our brand to further heights and engage more and more fans with our great game.'
© 2007 The Sports Network
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