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Getting called out by former NFL star receiver Chad Johnson was a welcome break from the monotony of training camp for Tyron Brackenridge. Johnson, now with the Montreal Alouettes, took aim at the Saskatchewan Roughriders safety Tuesday on Twitter. Brackenridge was still chuckling about it Wednesday. "Was it entertaining?" Brackenridge asked with a laugh during a telephone interview. "I had fun with it. "When youre dealing with the pressure of training camp, these two-a-days and meetings, its good to have a little laugh here and there. He felt like I was the one he wanted to call out, I just entertained his antics." It began innocently enough on Twitter when a fan asked Johnson, a popular social media figure with 3.6 million followers, which team was he most looking forward to facing this season. "#41 from the Rough Riders," Johnson tweeted, referencing Brackenridge. After Brackenridge said, "Cant wait!" Johnson turned up the heat, tweeting: "I will run through you or around you, whichever you prefer." Brackenridge responded: "your cfl career will be short messing with me! You better ask your teammates or better yet find out for yourself." Johnson countered: "They speak highly of you but youll be dealt with." Added Brackenridge, "they speak highly of me for a reason. Its a thin line between tough & stupid. If your not looking for #41 youll regret it.." The colourful Johnson, in his first CFL season following a two-year hiatus from football, certainly didnt select a shrinking violet. The six-foot, 190-pound Brackenridge was a league all-star last year and voted the CFLs hardest hitter by his peers. Johnson referenced that when a fan asked who Brackenridge was. "The person wholl force me to keep my head on a swivel August 16," Johnson tweeted. Johnson ended the lively banter asking his supporters to follow Brackenridge. "I need at least 2 million of you to follow the homie @Tbrack41 please," Johnson tweeted. Brackenridge, 29, who has over 7,000 Twitter followers, said Johnsons comments were unsolicited although the two have a history. Theyve faced each other in the NFL and worked out together during the off-season with the same trainer. "We dont really know each other personally, like buddy buddy," Brackenridge said. "But at the end of the day, things like this make it fun to play the game and look forward to . . . its all fun and games." That is until June 29, when Saskatchewan opens its season hosting the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in a Grey Cup rematch. Brackenridge hasnt circled Aug. 16 on his calendar — when Montreal visits Regina — because as defending champions the Riders are expecting the best from every opponent this season. "Yes, we have a target on our back but we must defend the title week in and week out and just continue to be consistent and play like pros," he said. "Thats what keeps me on my toes . . . knowing I must continue to elevate my game." However, Brackenridge appreciates the recognition he received from Johnson. "It feels good to know you have respect around the league but you have to continue to earn that every week," he said. "Each year is a new year, you constantly have to get better otherwise somebody will come in and try to take your job or expose you." As for facing Johnson, Brackenridge will worry about that in August. The two teams will meet again in October in Montreal. "I approach every game the same . . . like its a championship game," Brackenridge said. "Im a competitor and I want to win each game, I want to win every play. "When we play them, Ill have the same mentality as I do when we play Hamilton in Week 1." Johnsons tweets did prompt one Riders fan to offer on Twitter a $100 donation to charity if Brackenridge legally hits Johnson hard enough to separate him from the football. The Riders team that will defend the Grey Cup title will differ vastly from the one that won it. Among those departing are running back Kory Sheets (Oakland, NFL), receivers Weston Dressler (Kansas City, NFL) and Geroy Simon (retired), linebackers Rey Williams (retired) and Craig Butler (Hamilton, free agent) and defensive tackle Keith Shologan (Ottawa expansion draft). "Unfortunately, its the nature of the game," Brackenridge said. "Each year youre going to have new personnel, youve just got to make it work. "Training camp is about building the chemistry to goes on throughout the season." Brackenridge was a key contributor last year with 48 tackles, a league-high five forced fumbles and three interceptions. He was a league all-star and voted the Riders top defensive player. Brackenridge spent time in the NFL with Kansas City (07-08), the New York Jets (09) and Jacksonville (09-10). Entering his fourth CFL campaign, Brackenridge says hes very comfortable with the nuances of Canadian football. "Ive learned a lot in this league," he said. "I was a little raw when I first came in but now the game is normal again . . . Id say Im pretty comfortable right now." And that includes life off the field as Brackenridge was married this off-season. "Everything is complete," he said. "They (wife, Christine, and three-year-old daughter Brooklyn) make it fun for me every day. "Im very blessed and thankful and enjoy this game with a smile on my face." Hes also thankful to be playing in Saskatchewan, home to the CFLs most passionate fans. Last November, a loud, predominantly green gathering of 44,710 watched the Riders defeat Hamilton 45-23 for just their fourth CFL title and first at Mosaic Stadium. "Ill tell you what, they make it extremely fun to play this game," Brackenridge said of Rider Nation. "They make it easier for guys like me who are away from home and our families. "Everything we do is dedicated to them as well as our families. It (13 Grey Cup) is very special to people born and raised in this province . . . that moment will live on forever." Nike Shoes From China Outlet .Y. -- Major League Soccer has agreed to new measures to protect gay players from discrimination and harassment as a result of meetings with New Yorks attorney general. Clearance Nike Shoes From China . Week 2s biggest games include Florida facing Miami and Notre Dame travelling to the Big House to conclude their rivalry against Michigan in primetime on TSN2 and TSN 1050. https://www.nikeshoeschina.us/ . - Chris Davis hit a two-run double, scoring Nelson Cruz in his Orioles debut in Baltimores 9-7 win over to the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday. Nike Shoes From China . But sometimes the way you lose takes precedence over the final score. And how the Jets lost the 5-4 game to the New York Islanders on Thursday is what had Coach Claude Noel hot after the game. Fake Nike Shoes . His chance at winning a Stanley Cup in Philadelphia is over. Same with Jeff Carter. And Brian Boucher. Throw in Ville Leino and Dan Carcillo.Englewood, CO (SportsNetwork.com) - Gary Kubiak was introduced Tuesday as the new head coach of the Denver Broncos and said he was happy to be home. Kubiak, the former head coach of the Houston Texans who spent last year as the offensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens, has a long history with the Broncos. He was the backup quarterback for John Elway from 1983-91 and spent 11 seasons as the clubs offensive coordinator from 1995-2005. When I got off the plane ... I knew that I was home, said Kubiak on Tuesday. Im proud to be back in the Bronco nation. This was a big part of my life and Im looking at it be a big part of it again. Now, its time to go to work. Kubiak takes over for John Fox, who guided Denver to AFC West titles in each of his four seasons and also led the Broncos to the Super Bowl after the 2013 campaign. This years squad was eliminated in the divisional round at home by the Indianapolis Colts, leading to Foxs departure in a mutual decision with management. This is a great football team, Kubiak said about trying to fulfill the lofty expectations created by the success of the last four years. The next level is winning the Super Bowl. You have to position yourself for taking that next step. Its been proven year in and year out that you want to be playing your best in January. Kubiak remembers how important January football is. He was on the sideline as offensive coordinator for each of Denvers two Super Bowl titles with Elway as the quarterback. Elway, of course, is now in charge of the Broncos as the teams executive vice president and general manager. He and Fox could not agree on a direction for the team going forward, opening the door for a new coach. Kubiak was the Hall of Famers No. 1 choice. He was definitely at the top of the list, Elway said about the coaching search. Gary was the leader in the clubhouse. Our concern was whether he wanted to be (a head coach) again. Kubiak went from the Broncos offensive coordinator to the head coach of the Texans in 2006. He helped turn the Houston franchise around in his eight seasons, leading the club to its first two playoff appearances. Thhe Texans went 10-6 in 2011 and 12-4 in 2012, winning the AFC South and one playoff game each year, but a disastrous 2013 followed.ddddddddddddAfter winning their first two games of the 2013 campaign, Houston went on to lose 11 straight before Kubiak was fired in early December. He finished his tenure with a record of 61-64. Kubiak landed in Baltimore this past season and helped the Ravens to one of their top offensive performances. Baltimore posted a franchise-record 364.9 yards per game on offense and the Ravens reached the playoffs as a sixth seed, beating Pittsburgh before falling to New England. As numerous coaching vacancies opened earlier this month, Kubiak declined to throw his hat in the ring. He said he was happy to remain in Baltimore, that is until the Broncos job was there for the taking. I felt very good about what I was doing (in Baltimore), said Kubiak on Tuesday. I was very comfortable, but this (opportunity) is a game changer. This is where I got my start. This is home for me. This means so much to me. I cant wait to go out there. I was standing there with (the team) last time they won the championship. Now, Kubiak will have the task of trying to lead the Broncos to another title. Whether he has quarterback Peyton Manning at his disposal is another question. Kubiak said he has spoken with Manning, who hasnt decided whether he will return for another season. We have talked, talked a couple of days ago at length and last night via text, said Kubiak, who added that the two didnt speak about Mannings upcoming decision. We didnt get that far. It was just conversations about family, about how hes feeling. We were just setting the stage for our time to get together and talk. This is his time, his decision and I need to be there for him. Kubiak started five games as Elways backup during his time as a player with the Broncos. After his playing career ended, he took his first coaching job as running backs coach with Texas A&M in 1992 and 93, then moved on to the NFL as quarterbacks coach with San Francisco in 1994 before first returning to the Broncos. ' ' '