Laurent Duvernay-Tardif has become a master of time management. Jon Lester Jersey . This off-season, the McGill Redmen offensive tackle/medical student has deftly juggled his schedule to accommodate working 60-plus hours a week in the pediatric emergency ward at Montreal Childrens Hospital, working out, playing football in Florida and travelling across the U.S. for individual sessions and visits with NFL officials. On Friday and Saturday, hell spend some well-earned down time watching television to learn where his football future lies. The six-foot-five, 314-pound Duvernay-Tardif is projected to go anywhere between the third and seventh rounds of the NFL draft, which begins Thursday night with the first round. The second and third rounds will go Friday, with the final four being held Saturday. "Ive enjoyed every moment of this process," the articulate Duvernay-Tardif said in a telephone interview. "Its been really intense but at the same time its amazing to think I might play in the NFL, which is a dream. "This process isnt one every 23-year-old gets to go through and I believe the interviews alone are something that will help me in my life. Ive really enjoyed it." Duvernay-Tardif, a converted defensive lineman, has been firmly entrenched atop the CFL central scouting bureaus list of the top-15 prospects for the May 13 draft. But the native of St. Hilaire, Que., has seen his NFL stock skyrocket following his pro day in Montreal in March. Auditioning for nine NFL teams -- Oakland, Kansas City, Philadelphia, Arizona, New York Jets, Green Bay, Chicago, San Francisco and Buffalo -- and four CFL clubs -- Montreal, Calgary, Toronto and Ottawa -- the two-time All-Canadian was impressive in posting a 40-yard dash time of 4.94 seconds, a 31.5-inch vertical and 34 reps in the bench press. Duvernay-Tardif wasnt invited to the NFL combine but those numbers were as good as any offensive lineman who tested in Indianapolis. NFL draft guru Mike Mayock, a former Toronto Argonauts defensive back, says Duvernay-Tardif -- who was featured in Sports Illustrated in March -- has definitely impressed. "I think Duvernay-Tardif has gone from an afterthought to a solid fourth- or fifth-round developmental project with starter skills," he said. Gil Brandt, the former Dallas Cowboys player-personnel director, also sees the towering McGill star being drafted. "I would imagine that a team will take a chance on him around the sixth or seventh round and hope to turn him into an NFL player," Brandt wrote in his blog on the NFLs website. However, Duvernay-Tardif isnt the only Canadian garnering NFL interest. Also highly regarded is Brent Urban, a six-foot-seven, 298-pound defensive tackle from the University of Virginia who was a 2013 second-round pick of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Urban, of Mississauga, Ont., was a two-year starter for the Cavaliers who was invited to this years Senior Bowl but missed the game due to injury. Injuries are the biggest knock against Urban but teams definitely like his ability in a 3-4 defensive scheme (three down linemen, four linebackers). "The Urban kid is interesting," Mayock said. "I wanted to see more of him at the Senior Bowl and he got hurt. "The five technique is probably his best position, a 3-4 defensive end in a 3-4 defence. I think he can go in the third round. I think hes a big, strong kid. Hes stout. In addition to playing that five technique, he could probably move inside also. So I like him and I think theres some significant upside there." Last year, Rice tight end Luke Willson, a native of LaSalle, Ont., was the lone Canadian drafted, going in the fifth round to the Super Bowl-champion Seattle Seahawks. In 2012, a record four players from Canada were selected. Three Canadians -- defensive linemen Tyrone Crawford of Windsor, Ont. (third round, Dallas) and Christo Bilukidi of Ottawa (sixth round, Oakland) and centre Philip Blake of Toronto (fourth round, Denver) -- were drafted. So was Akiem Hicks, an American defensive lineman who played at the University of Regina (third round, New Orleans). Other Canucks who could hear their name called include Winnipeg natives T.J. Jones, a receiver at Notre Dame, and John Urschel, an offensive lineman at Penn State, as well as Oregon linebacker Bo Lokombo, of Abbotsford, B.C. Duvernay-Tardif, Canadian university footballs top lineman in 13, performed at his pro day weighing 298 pounds, some 17 pounds under his playing weight at the East-West Shrine Bowl in January. But that was by design so Duvernay-Tardif could be quicker and more explosive in testing. "There are many NFL teams that like bigger offensive lineman and others like the Philadelphia Eagles who like offensive linemen to be a bit smaller and quicker," he said. "I think I was able to show I could be both kinds of player." Duvernay-Tardif said he visited with nine NFL teams following his pro day, with many curious how he can juggle football with his heavy academic load. During the season at McGill, Duvernay-Tardif had a limited practice schedule because of his studies, meaning he had to be imaginative in order to keep up. "I think most teams believe being involved in medicine is a plus but they want to know why and how youre able to manage that," he said. "I had to tell teams I was watching a lot of film by myself and having Facetime meetings with my coach to prepare for games because I wasnt able to attend every practice. "But when its time to go to the board and draw concepts and schemes and explain them, I can do that because I think medicine has helped me become a cerebral guy and able to process information." However, not all the questions Duvernay-Tardif faced dealt with football. "All the questions about drugs and arrests are kind of (out there) for me but I guess its a reality of professional football," he said. "But every time they did, I was like, What? For sure, no, I am not doing coke (cocaine) or anything like that." For prospects like Duvernay-Tardif, the draft culminates months of uncertainty and seemingly endless testing and intense questioning. However, Duvernay-Tardif wont be content just hearing his name called and signing an NFL contract. "The draft is important and will be a great moment," he said. "But at the same time if I go to a team and get cut during training camp I wouldnt have done anything. "My main focus will be going to training camp and working hard to make the team." Kosuke Fukudome Jersey . The game was the first of two international friendlies that Canada is playing during the international break, with the second game against Slovenia set for Tuesday in Celje. Canada looked uncomfortable defensively throughout the game, and every free kick that came into Canadas penalty box looked like ending up in the back of the net. Joe Maddon Jersey . On Saturday, the paths of Drew Tate and Kevin Glenn cross again as opposing quarterbacks. http://www.cubsteamproshop.com/cubs-ron-santo-jersey/ . "Im proud, obviously. Its been a long day, but now Im a Crystal Palace player, Im very happy," Bannan said. "The seasons been started now for a couple of weeks and Ive not featured at Villa.TSN presents a full day of NBA action on Thursday, including Pau Gasol facing his former team as the Chicago Bulls take on the Los Angeles Lakers and Stephen Curry and NBA-leading Warriors facing the Los Angeles Clippers. Watch all five Christmas games on TSN1, TSN3, TSN4 and TSN5. Lakers vs. Bulls After winning a couple titles alongside Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol is a major reason why the Chicago Bulls are thinking big. Gasol faces his former team for the first time as the surging Bulls host the Los Angeles Lakers, who should have Bryant available on Christmas night after pulling off a huge upset without him. You can watch the game live on TSN1, TSN3, TSN4, TSN5 at 8pm et/5pm pt. Gasol signed a three-year, $22 million deal with Chicago this summer following six-plus seasons with the Lakers, including championship runs in 2009 and 10. The Spanish big man is averaging 18.0 points and what would be a career-best 11.4 rebounds. Emotional, weird, hard to focus, but at the same time I kind of look forward to it in a way, he said of Thursdays showdown. To see some of the people that Ive been through a lot with. ... Just makes Christmas a little more special. Gasols arrival has provided a huge lift for the Bulls (19-9), who have climbed atop the Central Division behind a 7-1 run. Chicago is on the verge of a season-best fifth consecutive victory after winning 99-91 at Washington on Tuesday. Derrick Rose came up big again with 10 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter after scoring 15 of his 29 over the final 12 minutes against Toronto the night before. Rose is averaging 22.7 points on 50.9 percent shooting over his last six games and is starting to look more and more like his old self. Hes having fun out there. When hes playing, hes playing at a really high level. A lot of guys are stepping up, it just feels good to have Derrick back on the court, center Joakim Noah said. Its real, Chicago Bulls are getting healthy again. Its very real. ... We know the skys the limit for our team. Our confidence is getting better, and were just going to keep working. Its all coming and its going to be a special year. It appears the Bulls will get their first glimpse of Bryant in two seasons with the 16-time All-Star expected to return after sitting out Tuesdays surprising 115-105 win over NBA-leading Golden State due to rest, his first absence since missing last seasons final 57 games with a fractured left knee. The 36-year-old Bryant is averaging 24.6 points and over 35 minutes while shooting just 37.2 percent, way down from his career mark of 45.2. Looking at our schedule coming up, I just thought it was a good time to give him a day of rest and let him prepare for the next game, coach Byron Scott said. Hes on board with it. ... Youve got to remember - this is 19 years in this league. Thats an unbelievable career. I dont care how much his mind is willing. Youre not going to be able to play 82 games at the level that he is accustomed to playing. The Lakers (9-19), who snapped a three-game losing streak, shot 51.7 percent against the Warriors for their highest mark in 12 games. Former Bulls forward Carlos Boozer scored 18 points off the bench to lead seven players in double figures while Ronnie Price finished with 17 points - his most in three years. Like Gasol, this game could have extra significance for Boozer, who landed in Los Angeles after the Bulls used the amnesty clause to cut him this offseason. I think he should get some love, Noah said of his former teammate. Carlos was big part of this team for four years, and somebody who fought hard every night. The Bulls had dropped seven straight against Los Angeles before taking five of the last six meetings. Noah is averaging 18.3 points and 17.0 boards during a three-game stretch in the series. Rose hasnt faced the Lakers since scoring 22 points - including the winning basket with 5 seconds left - in an 88-87 road victory on Christmas Day in 2011 in what was both teams first game following the lockout. Rose is averaging 24.6 points against Los Angeles for his second-highest mark against any team. Bryant is averaging 30.4 poinnts over his last nine games on Christmas. Javier Baez Jersey. Warriors vs. Clippers Stephen Curry and the NBA-leading Golden State Warriors have been one of the seasons big stories, and theyre excited to showcase their talents on the biggest of stages. The Los Angeles Clippers also have earned plenty of accolades, though theyre trying to put an end to a recent rough patch. The high-scoring Pacific Division rivals will go toe-to-toe Thursday night at Staples Center in the fifth and final game of the leagues much-anticipated Christmas Day slate. You can watch the game live on TSN1, TSN3, TSN4, TSN5 at 10:30pm et/7:30pm pt. Theres big moments throughout the course of the season that you enjoy, Curry said, and you have fun showing what you can do. Curry has averaged 23.4 points in leading Golden State to a 23-4 start - at least three fewer losses than every other team. The Warriors are third in the league in scoring with 108.1 points per game, while Los Angeles (19-10) ranks fourth at 106.8. Theyre really good, Clippers coach Doc Rivers told the NBAs official website. But we are, too. Golden State came out on the losing end of a seven-game, first-round series against Los Angeles this past spring, but it took this seasons first meeting 121-104 on Nov. 5. Curry poured in 28 points to lead all scorers, Draymond Green added 24 and the Warriors shot a season-best 58.1 percent. The Warriors have strung together six consecutive regular-season home victories in the series, but have dropped 15 of 20 road matchups since 2004-05 - including the last three by an average of 16.6 points. Playing on Christmas Day is special, forward David Lee said. You know its a bigger stage than a normal regular-season game would be, and we enjoy that and we enjoy the challenge of facing a good Clippers team that we beat once this year. Its two teams that have had fun the last couple years playing against one another. Golden State has split its last four overall following a franchise-best 16-game winning streak, with both defeats coming on the road. The Warriors were handed a 115-105 loss against the Lakers on Tuesday despite Kobe Bryant getting the night off to rest. They kicked our (butts). They were much better than we were, said coach Steve Kerr, whose team had 20 assists negated by as many turnovers. We werent ready to play. We started turning the ball over immediately. We never had any energy, which is going to happen occasionally in the NBA with 82 games. Thats where we have to improve, you have to be able to stay in games with your defense. Aside from Tuesdays display, the Warriors have mostly shined on that end of the floor. They lead the NBA with a defensive rating of 96.9 - the number of points allowed per 100 possessions - and are holding teams to a league-low 42.2 percent shooting. That doesnt bode well for a Clippers team that shot just 40.2 percent in Tuesdays 107-104 loss at Atlanta, their worst mark in 26 games. Los Angeles also fell 125-118 at San Antonio the night before to drop to 3-5 since Dec. 12. Im fine with where were playing, Rivers said. It was a tough trip. Im not going to over-analyze it. Blake Griffin finished with 21 points, eight rebounds and a career high-tying 11 assists against the Hawks, while DeAndre Jordan scored 15 to go with 22 boards. Jordan has averaged 16.5 points on 82.8 percent shooting and 17.0 rebounds over a four-game stretch against the Warriors, including playoffs. Despite their recent efforts, the Clippers wont be making any excuses Thursday. If you cant find energy for that game, thats a problem, Griffin said. I think well be ready for that game. Getting back home could make all the difference for Los Angeles, which has won each of its seven games there this month by an average of 14.7 points. Griffin is averaging 29.6 points on 52.5 percent shooting over a five-game stretch at Staples and the Clippers are 9-1 at home when hes scored at least 21. All-Star point guard Chris Paul is averaging 22.9 points against the Warriors since joining Los Angeles in 2011-12, his highest mark against any team during that span. Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Wholesale Cheap Jerseys 2019 China Jerseys China Jerseys Wholesale Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping NFL Jerseys China ' ' '