MONTREAL -- Coach Tom Higgins calls working with general manager Jim Popp "a match made in heaven." And the pleasantries exchanged between the two men on a conference call on Tuesday made it hard to imagine they were rivals for the Montreal Alouettes head coaches job. That was settled when team owner Bob Wetenhall insisted that the jobs of coach and general manager be kept separate, and that Popp would have to stick to his GM duties. "This is the model that has made us successful," said Wetenhall. "This has given Jim the time and the freedom to go out and build our team, year after year, always with a few new players added. "To have a GM with the freedom and the time to do this is the model we really wanted to go back to." In the 59-year-old Higgins, the Alouettes hired a CFL veteran who spent seven years as a head coach in Edmonton and Calgary, winning a Grey Cup with the Eskimos in 2003. The Woodbridge, N.J., native spent the last six years as the leagues director of officiating. "Tom brings a winning record and a tremendous reputation as a stand-up, high class guy," said Wetenhall. Popp, the teams general manager since it returned to Montreal in 1996 who is considered among the CFLs best, had hoped to continue in both jobs after taking over from the fired Dan Hawkins, who had no previous CFL experience, only five games in to the 2013 campaign. When Higgins was confirmed in the job on Monday, it raised speculation that Popp may be on his way out. Wetenhall would not confirm Popps long-term status with the club, but made it clear he wanted his GM to stay. And Popp, whose name has been linked to NFL jobs in recent years, said hes wants to carry on. "Ive been with the Alouettes for 18 years -- I plan on being there, its my other home," said Popp. "Ive had six children that were all born in Montreal and I really have no interest in leaving. "Circumstances come up, but the organization knows how loyal I am. Im a company man and its a place I enjoy being. Theres a lot that gets thrown around out there, a lot of it thats not true. But Im very happy." That Popp joined in the conference call was a surprise. His name wasnt mentioned in the Higgins announcement. And it was unusual that the general manager was not involved in the decision to hire the head coach. Wetenhalls son Andrew, a team governor, said that as a candidate for the coaching job, Popp would have been in conflict of interest if he had a say in who the next coach would be. But Popp had provided the owners with a list of potential coaching candidates with an assessment of their abilities. "This is a case where two people can work together who didnt select one another," said Andrew Wetenhall. "We have the added benefit of two guys who know each other and have a heck of a lot of respect for each other." Higgins said he didnt feel awkward at all working with Popp. "I couldnt be happier," he said. "I think our personalities complement one another. "We both want the same thing. This is an opportunity for myself to get back on the field where I belong. This is not a challenge whatsoever." Higgins first job will be to hire an offensive co-ordinator and fill out the coaching staff, which he expects to complete within 10 days. The Alouettes had already signed defensive co-ordinator Noel Thorpe to a two-year contract extension on Dec. 4, with the added title of assistant head coach. They also confirmed that Andre Bolduc, a former CFL player and head coach at Sherbrooke University, was signed as a defensive assistant coach. Wetenhall said one of Higgins assets was his ability to work with young quarterbacks, which will be needed in Montreal this season. For the first time since 2000, they will not have Anthony Calvillo as the starter as the CFLs all-time passing leader has retired. Troy Smith, the 2006 Heisman Trophy winner, and youngster Tanner Marsh are expected to compete for the starting job, with Alex Brink also in the picture. Higgins said he has worked with gifted young pivots before in Henry Burris and Ricky Ray. He feels the Alouettes can improve on last years 8-10 season. "Ive always marvelled at the level of talent in Montreal," he said. "I hope to bring a level of consistency and discipline. "We are going to be competitive and entertaining. And when you start doing that and playing disciplined football, usually you win more than you lose." Los Angeles Rams Taylor Rapp Jersey . Howard hit a three-run homer with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning to lift the Philadelphia Phillies to a 6-3 win over the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday night. Los Angeles Rams Jerseys Outlet . Phoenix originally signed Barbosa to a 10-day contract on Jan. 8 after Eric Bledsoe injured his knee and then signed him to another 10-day deal. http://www.ramscheap.com/.com) - One point guard will return, while another will sit when the Minnesota Timberwolves visit American Airlines Center to take on the Dallas Mavericks. Cheap Los Angeles Rams Jerseys Online .com) - The NBA will be on display overseas Thursday with the New York Knicks taking on the Milwaukee Bucks at O2 Arena in London. Wholesale Los Angeles Rams Jerseys . Robert Griffin III, the No. 2 pick in the 2012 draft, set numerous rookie records and was picked AP Offensive Rookie of the Year for the Washington Redskins.MIAMI -- Todd Frazier had a season-high four hits Sunday, including three on one good foot. Frazier hobbled after being spiked on his left foot on a play at first base in the third inning, but he stayed in the game to help the Cincinnati Reds break out of an offensive slump and beat the Miami Marlins 7-3. Afterward, Frazier was smiling even though he said his foot was throbbing. The Reds improved to 5-11 since the All-Star break and scored more than five runs for the first time during that stretch. "Everybody did a good job manufacturing runs," Frazier said. "We were hitting singles. We do have the power, but it goes to show you that we know how to get runs in doing little stuff." Cincinnati totalled 15 hits, all but one a single. Billy Hamilton scored three times and Devin Mesoraco hit a two-run single as the Reds built a 7-1 advantage -- the sort of cushion unfamiliar to them lately. "It was great to get the separation and build the lead," manager Bryan Price said. "Its nice to have some wiggle room. Its a lot more fun." Mike Leake (9-9) struggled with his control but allowed only one run in six innings to help the Reds take three of four games in Miami. They are 4 1/2 games behind NL Central leader Milwaukee. "Were still in this," Leake said. "Weve still got a chance. Its up to us if we want to bear down and make it good year, or we want to throw it in." The Marlins managed only eight runs and 24 hits in the series, and theyve lost to Cincinnati in eight of their past nine games. Jacob Turner (4-7), starting in place of injured right-hander Henderson Alvarez, allowed five runs in four innings. That hiked his ERA to 5.97. "I just couldnt locate the fastball," Turner said. "I left too many pitches over the middle. When youre doing that on 2-0 counts, its a tough way to pitch." Zack Cozarts two-out RBI single in the second put Cincinnati ahead. In the third inning, Hamilton and Jay Bruce each singled, stole second and scored. Bruce singled home Hamilton and sccored on a double by Ryan Ludwick.dddddddddddd. Two-out, run-scoring singles by Hamilton and Frazier in the fourth made it 5-0. The Reds went 7 for 18 with runners in scoring position. Garrett Jones hit his 12th homer for the Marlins, who totalled five hits. They went 1 for 9 with runners in scoring position. A MIXED AFTERNOON Giancarlo Stanton, the NL leader in home runs and RBIs, struck out four times for the second Sunday in a row. But he also robbed Kristopher Negron of an RBI extra-base hit when he made a long run for an over-the-shoulder catch near the right-field foul pole in the second inning. LEAKES DAY Leake improved to 3-0 with a 1.93 ERA in three career starts against Miami. He allowed only three hits but walked four. The right-hander escaped a bases-loaded, none-out jam in the third without allowing a run. Jordany Valdespin hit into a forceout, Stanton struck out and Casey McGehee grounded out. "Not my best stuff, but I was able to throw some pitches when I needed to," Leake said. TRAINERS ROOM First baseman Frazier found himself in an awkward position when he couldnt find the base with his left foot, and Valdespin stepped on it. "Im lucky -- he could have taken my ankle right out," Frazier said. "He had no room to get to the bag." Frazier came away limping, which earned him a visit from the trainer and Price. "With as many injuries as weve had over the course of the year, I said, boy, not one more," Price said. "We avoided disaster there." ON DECK The Reds open a four-game series at Cleveland on Monday when Alfredo Simon (12-6, 2.84 ERA) pitches against Corey Kluber (11-6, 2.61). Simon is 0-3 since his first All-Star selection. The Reds have lost their past nine games in Cleveland, and theyre 0-5 on the road against American League teams this year. The Marlins are off Monday and open a three-game series at Pittsburgh on Tuesday when Brad Hand (2-3, 4.15) pitches against Charlie Morton (5-10, 3.54). Miami has lost six consecutive games in Pittsburgh. 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