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OTTAWA - The Ottawa Redblacks woke up Monday morning to find themselves in first place in the CFL East Division standings without even lining up for a snap. They would love to stay there for a while longer. The Redblacks have yet to suit up for a regular-season game in the short life of the franchise, but because everyone else in the East lost in Week 1 Ottawa sits first in the division by default. "Were developing a new strategy as to not play so then you get first place," said head coach Rick Campbell with a laugh. "Well take 18 bye weeks if that happens." Campbell doesnt put much stock in the fact that the remaining teams in the East struggled in the opening week, but he would still love to see his team break the trend. The Redblacks open their inaugural season Thursday against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and know they have a tough task at hand. The Bombers defeated the Toronto Argonauts 45-21 last week. "(Winnipeg) was a hungry team that played fast," Campbell said. "They came to play football and it showed and it also shows that if youre not completely ready to play or youre making too many mistakes youre going to get into trouble early." While the game will be significant for everyone who has been awaiting the return of football to Ottawa, it will be even more meaningful for Jovon Johnson who spent the past six years with the Bombers. Johnson, a defensive back and kick returner, signed with the Redblacks as a free agent during the off-season. In 2011 Johnson was named the leagues outstanding defensive player. "I think I had this date circled on my calendar since I left there, but even more so after I made the team," Johnson said. "Im looking forward to this opportunity." Johnson said the Redblacks will need to keep things simple in order to be successful. Emotions will likely be running high and he says maintaining focus will be the key. "We need to know our assignments and just do our job," he said. "We cant try to do too much. I think Toronto overthought some things and they made some penalties and left a couple guys open on defence." This being the Redblacks first game, mistakes are likely to be made, but Johnson believes that if the team can make corrections on the fly they should fare well. Johnson laughed when reminded that the team sits in first place and said it would mean a lot more when they accomplish it on their own. "We still have to go out and prove ourselves and we dont want anything handed to us," he said. "Everyone looks to us as an expansion team and a lot of people pick us to finish last so weve got a lot of things to prove and show the world what we can do." By all accounts the Redblacks see no reason why they cant compete with the rest of the East Division and believe the playoffs are a legitimate goal. "Were a confident group," said Ottawa native Justin Phillips. "We have lots of guys on this team who have been there and done that and had success in the playoffs, won Grey Cups so we have guys who know how to get the job done. Honestly theres no one here who lacks confidence." When asked what would consist of a successful season, veteran quarterback Henry Burris said, "playoffs, at minimum." While the health of the 39-year-old quarterback will be integral to any chance of success, Burris says with the veteran talent acquired through the dispersal draft and free agent signings theres no reason why this team shouldnt compete for a playoff spot. "We know its not how you start its how you finish," Burris said. "If you can get out to an early start and win games early on it definitely helps you out down the backstretch. "All we have to do is stay healthy and as quickly as we can gel together as a team and get on the same page. We want to make sure we peak at the right time which is going into that backstretch and into the playoffs because we all know anything can happen." While Phillips would love nothing more than to see the Redblacks advance to the post season he says hes first looking forward to getting the first game underway. "Weve been talking and talking about it and thinking about it that now its fun to finally get this thing going," he said. "Once we get into a routine its going to be like any other week, but it will be nice to get that first one out of the way." Notes: Campbell said the final roster for Thursdays game will be decided following Tuesdays practice as the coaching staff wants to ensure everyone gets through the practice unscathed before making a final decision. Authentic New Balance Store . Switzerland faces Belgium or Kazakhstan in the quarterfinals in April. Serbia dropped into the World Group playoffs in September. 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Clearance New Balance Shoes . -- Green Bay wide receiver Greg Jennings will be on the sideline as the Packers make their push for a perfect regular season.ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Though his physical condition is no longer a big question mark for Peyton Manning, when he looks around at training camp, he must feel like hes starting over again. Manning lined up for his first snaps Thursday behind an offensive line that has been shuffled, in front of a running back who took only about 25 per cent of the snaps last year and looking down the line at some pass catchers, who 12 months ago, were either bit players or playing somewhere else. The quarterback who thrived on the familiarity of playing with the same receivers -- Reggie Wayne and Marvin Harrison -- same tight end -- Dallas Clark -- and same running backs -- either Edgerrin James or Joseph Addai -- year after year in Indianapolis, is now having to adjust to a revamped offensive roster to start his third year in Denver. Bottom line: "Just because you did certain things last year means nothing as far as this upcoming season," Manning said. "Ive always felt the NFL does not owe you anything." But even by an NFL rosters constantly shuffling standards, the Broncos did some major reorganizing around their franchise quarterback -- the 43-8 loss to Seattle in the Super Bowl exposing too many problems for the AFC champions to stand pat. The line will be different with the return of Ryan Clady at left tackle and the shifting of Orlando Franklin, who had a poor Super Bowl, from right tackle to left guard. Montee Ball will replace Knowshon Moreno at running back. Meanwhile, Emmanuel Sanders replaces Eric Decker at receiver. And just to accentuate the feel Thursday, former No. 5 receiver Andre Caldwell was getting reps in place of Demaryius Thomas, who was excused to attend his grandmothers funeral. "Were certainly looking for continuity and chemistry with the new players,&quoot; Manning said.dddddddddddd "Every year you have to establish that particular teams identity. Were in the process of doing that right now." John Elway, who put this roster together, said he hopes part of the new identity will take some of the focus off Manning, much the same way he became less of a focal point in his final years, which produced his two Super Bowl wins. "I think that weve got to get to be where were a complete football team," Elway said. "We cant rely on 18 to win it because he cant win it by himself." While Elway was talking more about his off-season revamp of the defence, he has also been making plenty of moves to shore up the parts around Manning, who set records for yards (5,477) and touchdowns (55) last season and also won his fifth Most Valuable Player Award. Ball, last years second-round pick, is viewed as a long-term prospect at running back. The Broncos spent this years second-round pick on receiver Cody Latimer, in the hopes hell be catching passes from Manning and his successor for years to come. In practice Thursday, Manning looked often toward tight end Julius Thomas, the 6-foot-5, 250-pound pass catcher with whom the Broncos are hoping to sign a long-term contract extension. "An important part of the team this year," Manning called him. And a familiar one -- something Manning almost certainly didnt think hed be searching for this hard come Year 3 with the Broncos. "Thats probably the worst thing about football, is when you lose great players from the previous year, who are also great guys," Manning said. "Well certainly miss guys like Eric and Knowshon -- guys youve played in a lot of big games with, guys you put a lot of sweat and work in with in this facility and this weight room. "But its an opportunity for other guys to step up." ' ' '