June 29 "That's a question mark for us"
June 28 "When the offence struggles, as a defence we have to step it up"
June 27 "I don't know what happened"
June 25 "It was a routine play, but a big man like that, running that fast, he's hard to bring down"
June 24 "I don't recall that I touched it,"
June 23 "They did pound us a couple of times in high school"
June 22 "I realize I didn't have the best game last week"
June 21 "We're about achieving victories and that's the bottom line"
June 19 "He needed a change and got one "
June 18 "We've come to expect that from the Argos"
June 17 "Ricky did his job very well"
June 16 "It's a complete shock"
June 15 "It's in everybody's best interests to do so"
June 14 "In the CFL, the quarterback is, and will always be, the most important position"
June 13 "I think we're going to be pretty good this year"
June 10 “It wasn’t pretty, that’s for sure,”
June 9 "The commissioner continues to focus on preparations for the start of the 2006 season"
June 8 "nobody wins"
June 6 "Hey, this is what Islam is about, it has nothing to do with what's going on" June 5 "OK, but it wasn't great"
June 4 "It took a minute for me to realize where I was, but I finally came back to my senses"
June 3 "This game was what it is: It's information"
June 2 "Joe was a phoney back then and he's a phoney now"
Friday, June 02, 2006
The opening Kick Off's of June
June 29 Into the Green Zone
June 29 A Winning Winnipeg combo
June 29 Maas looking for a spark
June 28 Gass is back
June 28 Montford still hoping for another shot
June 28 More depth on the Bomber D
June 27 Marshall making a difference in the Peg
June 27 Temper, Temper in Cowtown
June 27 Practice once, pratice twice, Pinball's advice
June 25 Kudos for Kevin
June 25 Struggling Cats
June 25 Argos taking time to adjust
June 24 Alouettes tame the Cats
June 24 Eskimos dodge disaster
June 24 A sluggish start in Edmonton
June 23 Welcome to Mosaic Field?
June 23 Esks look forward to return match
June 23 Roberts was the Friday Night Light!
June 22 New Look Loop
June 22 Stegall rates the coaches
June 22 They like to hit
June 21 Eskies to pay for careless penalties
June 21 Argos rushing to change the gameplan
June 21 Brady dropped from Eskies
June 19 Just Win, or leave town
June 19 Clermont out indefinitely
June 19 Spergon in the spotlight
June 18 The Tao of Ricky
June 18 Berry shares the blame load
June 18 Riders ripped
June 17 Ricky cares
June 17 Stamps counter Eskimo punches
June 17 Allen's quest for passing glory sidetracked
June 16 No Lame Duck
June 16 Ricky at the Ready
June 16 Where have all the Gades gone?
June 15 Riders ready to challenge
June 15 Is Hank ready to lead the Stamps to the next level?
June 15 Eskies have their own Ricky!
June 14 All eyes on Ricky
June 14 The Wright guy!
June 14 Return of the ReneRiders?
June 13 Jason and the Tiger-Cats
June 13 Renovation plans in Montreal
June 13 Under further review, we'll take the reviews
June 10 Sideline Joe Standing by
June 10 Thinking big in Hamilton
June 10 The Original Whizzinator is back in the bag an on its way home
June 9 Kenton's back
June 9 Unlucky 16 in Montreal
June 9 Ricky, Ricky, Ricky
June 8 Keep your pushing limited to the field
June 8 The Greybeard of 26
June 8 Survey says
June 6 Musical chairs in Winnipeg
June 6 Khari wants redemption
June 6 Familiarity breeds contempt
June 5 Bombers send 14 home
June 5 Ti Cats vow fans will behave
June 5 Northern Exposure
June 4 Instant Replay gets a test drive
June 4 Argos punt the rugby player
June 4 QB job up for grabs with Blue
June 3 Plenty of room for Blue to improve
June 3 Stamps save best for last
June 3 Butler steps up for Riders
June 2 Ti-Cat's spoil Ricky's debut
June 2 Alouette's edge Bombers
June 2 CFL, players say yes
June 29 A Winning Winnipeg combo
June 29 Maas looking for a spark
June 28 Gass is back
June 28 Montford still hoping for another shot
June 28 More depth on the Bomber D
June 27 Marshall making a difference in the Peg
June 27 Temper, Temper in Cowtown
June 27 Practice once, pratice twice, Pinball's advice
June 25 Kudos for Kevin
June 25 Struggling Cats
June 25 Argos taking time to adjust
June 24 Alouettes tame the Cats
June 24 Eskimos dodge disaster
June 24 A sluggish start in Edmonton
June 23 Welcome to Mosaic Field?
June 23 Esks look forward to return match
June 23 Roberts was the Friday Night Light!
June 22 New Look Loop
June 22 Stegall rates the coaches
June 22 They like to hit
June 21 Eskies to pay for careless penalties
June 21 Argos rushing to change the gameplan
June 21 Brady dropped from Eskies
June 19 Just Win, or leave town
June 19 Clermont out indefinitely
June 19 Spergon in the spotlight
June 18 The Tao of Ricky
June 18 Berry shares the blame load
June 18 Riders ripped
June 17 Ricky cares
June 17 Stamps counter Eskimo punches
June 17 Allen's quest for passing glory sidetracked
June 16 No Lame Duck
June 16 Ricky at the Ready
June 16 Where have all the Gades gone?
June 15 Riders ready to challenge
June 15 Is Hank ready to lead the Stamps to the next level?
June 15 Eskies have their own Ricky!
June 14 All eyes on Ricky
June 14 The Wright guy!
June 14 Return of the ReneRiders?
June 13 Jason and the Tiger-Cats
June 13 Renovation plans in Montreal
June 13 Under further review, we'll take the reviews
June 10 Sideline Joe Standing by
June 10 Thinking big in Hamilton
June 10 The Original Whizzinator is back in the bag an on its way home
June 9 Kenton's back
June 9 Unlucky 16 in Montreal
June 9 Ricky, Ricky, Ricky
June 8 Keep your pushing limited to the field
June 8 The Greybeard of 26
June 8 Survey says
June 6 Musical chairs in Winnipeg
June 6 Khari wants redemption
June 6 Familiarity breeds contempt
June 5 Bombers send 14 home
June 5 Ti Cats vow fans will behave
June 5 Northern Exposure
June 4 Instant Replay gets a test drive
June 4 Argos punt the rugby player
June 4 QB job up for grabs with Blue
June 3 Plenty of room for Blue to improve
June 3 Stamps save best for last
June 3 Butler steps up for Riders
June 2 Ti-Cat's spoil Ricky's debut
June 2 Alouette's edge Bombers
June 2 CFL, players say yes
It's a brand new year
PRE-SEASON GAMES 2006
June 9 Hamilton 21 - Toronto 11
June 9 Saskatchewan 22 - Edmonton 7
June 8 BC 57 - Calgary 13
June 8 Montreal 30 -Winnipeg 15
June 3 Saskatchewan 14 Edmonton 8
June 2 Hamilton 33 - Toronto 3
June 2 Montreal 25 - Winnipeg 24
June 2 Calgary 26 - BC 23
June 9 Hamilton 21 - Toronto 11
June 9 Saskatchewan 22 - Edmonton 7
June 8 BC 57 - Calgary 13
June 8 Montreal 30 -Winnipeg 15
June 3 Saskatchewan 14 Edmonton 8
June 2 Hamilton 33 - Toronto 3
June 2 Montreal 25 - Winnipeg 24
June 2 Calgary 26 - BC 23
Sunday, April 09, 2006
CFL finds foot, shoots once again!
The long suffering football fans of Ottawa have been give a reprieve of sorts one guesses, they at least won't have to deal with a circus like act for a football team this year. Then again they won't have a football team this year either.
The CFL decided on Sunday that it was best to just shut down the Ottawa branch plant of CFL enterprises for this year, supposedly only a temporary setback on the way to what passes for professional football in Canada.
The Ottawa Renegades who were bought by the Glieberman roadshow last year, succumbed to their own inflicted wounds as the second time around owner had pulled the plug two weeks ago, the CFL in its own style stumbled around for the next ten days or so looking, begging and pleading with someone to pick up the ball and run with it, alas to no avail. The fact that no one seemed inclined to saddle up with the CFL this time around, is not a particularly strong vote of confidence for the way they do business.
The situation left the leauge with no choice but to shut down a football operation in Ottawa, for a second time. How they failed to see this coming at the end of last year is anyone's guess, and how they neglected to have a plan in place earlier this year when the warning signs began to show up (hmm, lack of ticket sellers, no management structure, players leaving as fast as the phone could ring) is one of those peculiar mysteries only found it seems in the CFL.
Left out in the cold, as usual is the Ottawa football fan, who true did not wholly embrace this group of players representing the city, but frankly were left to be hung out to dry by successive managements in the capital city over the last ten years. Cynicism probably is a common currency when it comes to football and paying customers in Ottawa.
The CFL vows to do it right for next year and perhaps it may finally manage to solve the riddle that has been football in Ottawa. But there's load of fence mending to be done now, the reputation of the CFL in Ottawa has been a tainted pool of water for a long, long time, the evacuation of the Glieberman clan, not once but twice will do nothing to enhance the CFL brand any time soon.
The league and its commissioner Tom Wright are fully complicit in this mess. Wright for falling asleep at the helm of the ship and letting such a situation fester for so long. The league as a whole for allowing the Glieberman gang to take charge once again after making a mess of things the first go around. Greed and laziness took over the rest of the CFL teams and rather than planning for a successful franchise in a strong league, they decided to take a quick payday and thus weaken their brand significantly.
For Wright it most likely signals the end of his career with the CFL, already on a muddy field with his owners, the complete lack of leadership on the issue should guarantee a help wanted sign in the CFL window shortly. Applicants should forward a resume at their peril!
It's sad what the league has done to what was once a very good football city, if the third time is going to be the charm it had better be a well planned operation from day one, but be forewarned, the fans there will be rather suspicious of any promises from the league offices in the next while.
The league can go around and pat themselves on the back for "addressing the issue", but simply put it's not good optics to shut down a franchise two months before the season begins. Professionally run leagues don't behave like pyramind schemes and right now in Ottawa, the fans are thinking that they've been taken for suckers once again.
The CFL decided on Sunday that it was best to just shut down the Ottawa branch plant of CFL enterprises for this year, supposedly only a temporary setback on the way to what passes for professional football in Canada.
The Ottawa Renegades who were bought by the Glieberman roadshow last year, succumbed to their own inflicted wounds as the second time around owner had pulled the plug two weeks ago, the CFL in its own style stumbled around for the next ten days or so looking, begging and pleading with someone to pick up the ball and run with it, alas to no avail. The fact that no one seemed inclined to saddle up with the CFL this time around, is not a particularly strong vote of confidence for the way they do business.
The situation left the leauge with no choice but to shut down a football operation in Ottawa, for a second time. How they failed to see this coming at the end of last year is anyone's guess, and how they neglected to have a plan in place earlier this year when the warning signs began to show up (hmm, lack of ticket sellers, no management structure, players leaving as fast as the phone could ring) is one of those peculiar mysteries only found it seems in the CFL.
Left out in the cold, as usual is the Ottawa football fan, who true did not wholly embrace this group of players representing the city, but frankly were left to be hung out to dry by successive managements in the capital city over the last ten years. Cynicism probably is a common currency when it comes to football and paying customers in Ottawa.
The CFL vows to do it right for next year and perhaps it may finally manage to solve the riddle that has been football in Ottawa. But there's load of fence mending to be done now, the reputation of the CFL in Ottawa has been a tainted pool of water for a long, long time, the evacuation of the Glieberman clan, not once but twice will do nothing to enhance the CFL brand any time soon.
The league and its commissioner Tom Wright are fully complicit in this mess. Wright for falling asleep at the helm of the ship and letting such a situation fester for so long. The league as a whole for allowing the Glieberman gang to take charge once again after making a mess of things the first go around. Greed and laziness took over the rest of the CFL teams and rather than planning for a successful franchise in a strong league, they decided to take a quick payday and thus weaken their brand significantly.
For Wright it most likely signals the end of his career with the CFL, already on a muddy field with his owners, the complete lack of leadership on the issue should guarantee a help wanted sign in the CFL window shortly. Applicants should forward a resume at their peril!
It's sad what the league has done to what was once a very good football city, if the third time is going to be the charm it had better be a well planned operation from day one, but be forewarned, the fans there will be rather suspicious of any promises from the league offices in the next while.
The league can go around and pat themselves on the back for "addressing the issue", but simply put it's not good optics to shut down a franchise two months before the season begins. Professionally run leagues don't behave like pyramind schemes and right now in Ottawa, the fans are thinking that they've been taken for suckers once again.
Monday, April 03, 2006
The final snaps of April
The quotable CFLers, we track the comments through the month of April.
April 4 "I need to be able to do both (careers) correctly"
April 3 "We'll hop on a Greyhound and go to Vancouver and play!"
April 4 "I need to be able to do both (careers) correctly"
April 3 "We'll hop on a Greyhound and go to Vancouver and play!"
Opening Kickoffs of April
We will update the breaking stories of April here in our Kickoffs feature.
April 4 Tall in the Alouette Saddle
April 4 Eskies pull out the signing pen
April 4 Kicking the tires, but holding onto the wallet
April 3 Locking up Lewis
April 3 Crunch time for the Gades
April 3 A White Knight
April 4 Tall in the Alouette Saddle
April 4 Eskies pull out the signing pen
April 4 Kicking the tires, but holding onto the wallet
April 3 Locking up Lewis
April 3 Crunch time for the Gades
April 3 A White Knight
Answering the SOS for the Renegades
Trying to figure out the final desination of the Ottawa Renegades is a lot like trying to figure out the winning combination for the 6/49. There's any number of possible combinations but only one grouping is going to win it. Mind you if you should figure out the lucky six numbers for Wednesday or Saturdays nights, Tom Wright would like to chat with you.
We'll endeavour to try to keep up to speed with the lastest headlines from the latest crisis of the CFL.
April 3 CFL's most wanted?
April 3 Expecting a mid April call
April 3 Crunch time for Renegades
April 3 Players will do anything to play
April 3 Looking for a white knight!
April 1 Aspers say No thanks, but looking to help
April 1 Son of CFL legendary name looks into Renegades situation
We'll endeavour to try to keep up to speed with the lastest headlines from the latest crisis of the CFL.
April 3 CFL's most wanted?
April 3 Expecting a mid April call
April 3 Crunch time for Renegades
April 3 Players will do anything to play
April 3 Looking for a white knight!
April 1 Aspers say No thanks, but looking to help
April 1 Son of CFL legendary name looks into Renegades situation
Thursday, March 02, 2006
In Ottawa it's the law of Lonnie no more
Well it's nice to return to the ole Twelve Man blog with some interesting developments out of Ottawa.
The rather strange long ride of the Lonnie Glieberman era seemingly has come to an end in the Nation's capital. Lonnie, son of Bernie the owner, returned for a second kick at the Renegade cat last year and promptly alienated many in the community all over again.
His rule was one of near farce, highlighted by his Mardi Gras promotion which seemed to signify the direction his stewardship would take, that of a frat boy out for a lark. From that point on the idea of the Renegades being taken seriously would never be the same.
What followed in 2005 was a domino of mistakes that have once again found the franchise listing and taking on the red ink. From firing the popular head coach Joe Paopao in a most unseemly manner to the massive evacuation of star players in the off season, the Renegades appeared to be heading onto the rock with captain Lonnie at the helm.
Even this week the bizarre happenings continued, and this from a Renegades franchise that has more than its fair share of stories to tell over the last few years. Two consultants hired by owner Bernie basically suggested that Lonnie and his GM Forrest Gregg, be terminated and replaced by Bob Nicholson presently employed by baseball's Washington Nationals, and an executive steeped in Canadian football history and a former executive with the Toronto Blue Jays. Why he would want anything to do with a train wreck like the Renegades is anyone's guess.
It was a finding that sent newly hired head coach John Jenkins into a fit of rage in a public press conference, calling the two consultants traitors and treasonous, all of this at the same time as the franchise tries to increase its season ticket base above it's paltry 4000 mark.
The Renegades have not announced a replacement for the younger Mr. Glieberman and no doubt questions will now pop up about the long term interest of his father in keeping his money invested in the troubled franchise. You get the feeling that there is still trouble in Ottawa when the remaining employees refer to the team offices as the Alamo!
But for now, the news that Lonnie has stepped aside is viewed as very much a positive story for a team that has been nothing but a lightning rod for negativity in the last few years!
The rather strange long ride of the Lonnie Glieberman era seemingly has come to an end in the Nation's capital. Lonnie, son of Bernie the owner, returned for a second kick at the Renegade cat last year and promptly alienated many in the community all over again.
His rule was one of near farce, highlighted by his Mardi Gras promotion which seemed to signify the direction his stewardship would take, that of a frat boy out for a lark. From that point on the idea of the Renegades being taken seriously would never be the same.
What followed in 2005 was a domino of mistakes that have once again found the franchise listing and taking on the red ink. From firing the popular head coach Joe Paopao in a most unseemly manner to the massive evacuation of star players in the off season, the Renegades appeared to be heading onto the rock with captain Lonnie at the helm.
Even this week the bizarre happenings continued, and this from a Renegades franchise that has more than its fair share of stories to tell over the last few years. Two consultants hired by owner Bernie basically suggested that Lonnie and his GM Forrest Gregg, be terminated and replaced by Bob Nicholson presently employed by baseball's Washington Nationals, and an executive steeped in Canadian football history and a former executive with the Toronto Blue Jays. Why he would want anything to do with a train wreck like the Renegades is anyone's guess.
It was a finding that sent newly hired head coach John Jenkins into a fit of rage in a public press conference, calling the two consultants traitors and treasonous, all of this at the same time as the franchise tries to increase its season ticket base above it's paltry 4000 mark.
The Renegades have not announced a replacement for the younger Mr. Glieberman and no doubt questions will now pop up about the long term interest of his father in keeping his money invested in the troubled franchise. You get the feeling that there is still trouble in Ottawa when the remaining employees refer to the team offices as the Alamo!
But for now, the news that Lonnie has stepped aside is viewed as very much a positive story for a team that has been nothing but a lightning rod for negativity in the last few years!
Friday, February 03, 2006
Looking Back at 2005
We're cleaning up the blog for the next season, so for those that want to see how their favourite team did in 2005, we provide the scores from Pre-season to the Grey Cup.
· 2005 Pre-season
· June 7-Preseason CGY 18-SASK 14
· June 9-Preseason OTT 27-MTL 16
· June 10-Preseason WIN 20, EDM 20
· June 11-Preseason HAM 16, TOR 16 in HFX
· June 12-Preseason BC 37, SASK 23
· June 16=Preseason MTL 36, OTT 17
· June 16-Preseason EDM 23, WPG 9
· June 16-Preseason BC 32, CAL 16
· June 17-Preseason TOR 34, HAM 31
2005 Regular Season
· June 22-MTL 31, HAM 21
· June 24-EDM 41, OTT 16
· June 25-BC 27, TOR 20
· June 25-SASK 42, WPG 15
· June 30-EDM 27, WPG 8
· July 1-OTT 39, MTL 36
· July 1-TOR 22, CAL 16
· July 2-SASK 23, HAM 21
· July 7-CAL 21, WPG 16
· July 8- MTL 32, EDM 29
· July 8-BC 37, OTT 29
· July 9-TOR 27 , SASK 26
· July 15-EDM 14, WPG 12
· July 15-BC 30, TOR 22
· July 16-OTT 33, CAL 18
· July 17-SASK 32, HAM 13
· July 21- EDM 29, OTT 21
· July 22-WPG 51, MTL 46
· July 23-BC 28, HAM 22
· July 23- CAL 44, SASK 18
· July 28- TOR 36 , MTL 24
· July 29- OTT 21 , SASK 16
· July 29- BC 40, CAL 27
· Aug 1, TOR 34, WPG 27
· Aug 4, MTL 42, SASK 13
· Aug 5, BC 25, EDM 19
· Aug 6, OTT 28, HAM 12
· Aug 6, CAL 31, WPG 21
· Aug 11, OTT 22, SASK 17
· AUG 12, MTL 18, TOR 10
· AUG 12, BC 39, CAL 31
· AUG 13, WPG 44, HAM 14
· AUG 18, CAL 40, MTL 37
· AUG 19, WPG 38, OTT 17
· AUG 19, BC 39, HAM 15
· AUG 24, TOR 25, CAL 16
· AUG 26, HAM 41, WPG 39
· AUG 26, EDM 36, MTL 26
· AUG 27, BC 19, SASK 15
· SEP 2, MTL 41, OTT 18
· SEP 4, SASK 45, WPG 26
· SEP 5, EDM 25, CAL 23
· SEP 5, HAM 33, TOR 30
· SEP 8, BC 61, OTT 27
· SEP 9. CAL 16, EDM 11
· SEP 10, TOR 48, HAM 0
· SEP 10, SASK 19, WPG 17
· SEP 16, WPG 37, OTT 21
· SEP 16, CAL 39, HAM 17
· SEP 17, BC 27, MTL 26
· SEP 18, SASK 37, EDM 36
· SEP 22, SASK 45, OTT 23
· SEP 23, SASK 24, TOR 13
· SEP 24, EDM 37, BC 20
· SEP 25, MTL 42, WPG 23
· SEP 28, TOR 29, OTT 18
· SEP 30, HAM 40, EDM 14
· OCT 1, MTL 32, CALL 11
· OCT 2,SASK 28, BC 19
· OCT 7, OTT 43, HAM 21
· OCT 8, MTL 38,SASK 34
· OCT 10,EDM 17, TOR 13
· OCT 10,WPG 44, BC 23
· OCT 14, CAL 34, HAM 17
· OCT 15, EDM 19, SASK 18
· OCT 16, MTL 46, bc 44
· OCT 16, TOR 35,WPG 32
· OCT 21, HAM 40, OTT 32
· OCT 21, TOR 49, MTL 23
· OCT 22, BC 41, WPG 1
· OCT 23, CAL 29, SASK 21
· OCT 27,TOR 34, HAM 11
· OCT 28,EDM 22, BC 19
· OCT 29 MTL 43, OTT 23
· OCT 30,CAL 46, WPG 24
· NOV 4, HAM 15, MTL 9
· NOV 5, OTT 27, TOR 17
· NOV 6, SASK 13,BC 12
· NOV 6,CAL 43, EDM 23
2005 Playoffs
· NOV 13, EAST SEMI, MTL 30 ,SASK 14
· NOV 13, WEST SEMI, EDM 33,CAL 26
· NOV 20, EAST FINAL, MTL 33,TOR 17
· NOV 20, WEST FINAL, EDM 28,BC 23
· NOV 27, GREY CUP, EDM 38, MTL 35
· 2005 Pre-season
· June 7-Preseason CGY 18-SASK 14
· June 9-Preseason OTT 27-MTL 16
· June 10-Preseason WIN 20, EDM 20
· June 11-Preseason HAM 16, TOR 16 in HFX
· June 12-Preseason BC 37, SASK 23
· June 16=Preseason MTL 36, OTT 17
· June 16-Preseason EDM 23, WPG 9
· June 16-Preseason BC 32, CAL 16
· June 17-Preseason TOR 34, HAM 31
2005 Regular Season
· June 22-MTL 31, HAM 21
· June 24-EDM 41, OTT 16
· June 25-BC 27, TOR 20
· June 25-SASK 42, WPG 15
· June 30-EDM 27, WPG 8
· July 1-OTT 39, MTL 36
· July 1-TOR 22, CAL 16
· July 2-SASK 23, HAM 21
· July 7-CAL 21, WPG 16
· July 8- MTL 32, EDM 29
· July 8-BC 37, OTT 29
· July 9-TOR 27 , SASK 26
· July 15-EDM 14, WPG 12
· July 15-BC 30, TOR 22
· July 16-OTT 33, CAL 18
· July 17-SASK 32, HAM 13
· July 21- EDM 29, OTT 21
· July 22-WPG 51, MTL 46
· July 23-BC 28, HAM 22
· July 23- CAL 44, SASK 18
· July 28- TOR 36 , MTL 24
· July 29- OTT 21 , SASK 16
· July 29- BC 40, CAL 27
· Aug 1, TOR 34, WPG 27
· Aug 4, MTL 42, SASK 13
· Aug 5, BC 25, EDM 19
· Aug 6, OTT 28, HAM 12
· Aug 6, CAL 31, WPG 21
· Aug 11, OTT 22, SASK 17
· AUG 12, MTL 18, TOR 10
· AUG 12, BC 39, CAL 31
· AUG 13, WPG 44, HAM 14
· AUG 18, CAL 40, MTL 37
· AUG 19, WPG 38, OTT 17
· AUG 19, BC 39, HAM 15
· AUG 24, TOR 25, CAL 16
· AUG 26, HAM 41, WPG 39
· AUG 26, EDM 36, MTL 26
· AUG 27, BC 19, SASK 15
· SEP 2, MTL 41, OTT 18
· SEP 4, SASK 45, WPG 26
· SEP 5, EDM 25, CAL 23
· SEP 5, HAM 33, TOR 30
· SEP 8, BC 61, OTT 27
· SEP 9. CAL 16, EDM 11
· SEP 10, TOR 48, HAM 0
· SEP 10, SASK 19, WPG 17
· SEP 16, WPG 37, OTT 21
· SEP 16, CAL 39, HAM 17
· SEP 17, BC 27, MTL 26
· SEP 18, SASK 37, EDM 36
· SEP 22, SASK 45, OTT 23
· SEP 23, SASK 24, TOR 13
· SEP 24, EDM 37, BC 20
· SEP 25, MTL 42, WPG 23
· SEP 28, TOR 29, OTT 18
· SEP 30, HAM 40, EDM 14
· OCT 1, MTL 32, CALL 11
· OCT 2,SASK 28, BC 19
· OCT 7, OTT 43, HAM 21
· OCT 8, MTL 38,SASK 34
· OCT 10,EDM 17, TOR 13
· OCT 10,WPG 44, BC 23
· OCT 14, CAL 34, HAM 17
· OCT 15, EDM 19, SASK 18
· OCT 16, MTL 46, bc 44
· OCT 16, TOR 35,WPG 32
· OCT 21, HAM 40, OTT 32
· OCT 21, TOR 49, MTL 23
· OCT 22, BC 41, WPG 1
· OCT 23, CAL 29, SASK 21
· OCT 27,TOR 34, HAM 11
· OCT 28,EDM 22, BC 19
· OCT 29 MTL 43, OTT 23
· OCT 30,CAL 46, WPG 24
· NOV 4, HAM 15, MTL 9
· NOV 5, OTT 27, TOR 17
· NOV 6, SASK 13,BC 12
· NOV 6,CAL 43, EDM 23
2005 Playoffs
· NOV 13, EAST SEMI, MTL 30 ,SASK 14
· NOV 13, WEST SEMI, EDM 33,CAL 26
· NOV 20, EAST FINAL, MTL 33,TOR 17
· NOV 20, WEST FINAL, EDM 28,BC 23
· NOV 27, GREY CUP, EDM 38, MTL 35
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
The Final Snaps of January-February
We track our favourite quotes of the off season with our Final Snaps feature library.
February 3 "It's a matter of speaking to all the teams on the 15th"
February 2 "If Brendan gives me a fair enough deal, I'll be back up there."
February 1 "However, when I returned to Seattle, I was singing the Canadian national anthem because I really enjoyed my time in Canada"
January 31 "It's important that a message is sent to the players,"
January 27 "Kickoff returns are suicide. Sometimes when they kicked away from me I was happy."
February 3 "It's a matter of speaking to all the teams on the 15th"
February 2 "If Brendan gives me a fair enough deal, I'll be back up there."
February 1 "However, when I returned to Seattle, I was singing the Canadian national anthem because I really enjoyed my time in Canada"
January 31 "It's important that a message is sent to the players,"
January 27 "Kickoff returns are suicide. Sometimes when they kicked away from me I was happy."
Opening Kickoffs January-February
We rebuild our website slowly, reviewing those items that made it onto our opening Kickoff feature!
February 3 No NFL expansion plans for Canada
February 3 Why Not Windsor
February 3 Ti-Cats keep Hitchcock signed
February 2 A Renegade runs West
February 2 Talbot takes to Toronto
February 2 Argos step up to help Toronto
February 1 No Flutie reunion
February 1 When a Saint comes marching in
February 1 Eye in the sky, an eye on the field?
January 31 CBC adds more games to schedule this year!
January 31 Argos to run Crouch through some paces
January 31 Ryan to the Pack?
January 27 CFL Schedule released for 2006
January 27 Gizmo and friends go to the hall
January 27 Stegall stays for one more year
February 3 No NFL expansion plans for Canada
February 3 Why Not Windsor
February 3 Ti-Cats keep Hitchcock signed
February 2 A Renegade runs West
February 2 Talbot takes to Toronto
February 2 Argos step up to help Toronto
February 1 No Flutie reunion
February 1 When a Saint comes marching in
February 1 Eye in the sky, an eye on the field?
January 31 CBC adds more games to schedule this year!
January 31 Argos to run Crouch through some paces
January 31 Ryan to the Pack?
January 27 CFL Schedule released for 2006
January 27 Gizmo and friends go to the hall
January 27 Stegall stays for one more year
Saturday, January 28, 2006
Blow em up, to start all over again?
The CFL has released its potential free agent list on its website, and after a quick scan it seems to the casual eye that almost the entire Ottawa Renegade line up is seeking free agency. No less than 16 Rens are possible free agents, three having recently resigned with the Red, Black and White.
Only the Saskatchewan Roughriders come close at 14 potential free agents on their list. While Calgary must be happy town as only thee Stamps are up for free agency as the February 16th freedom date comes up.
For the Rens the one name that pops out at you is Josh Ranek, the power back for the Rens who can bulldoze down a defensive line and at times seemed to be the only other form of offence besides quarterback Kerry Joseph.
In Montreal the interesting name is that of Ted White the perpetual back up to Anthony Calvillo, White who seems rather infrequent time on the field might be a risk for another team, unless they want a guy that is well rested one assumes.
Michael O’Shea once again can test the waters as the Argos line backer comes up for free agency. There’s always Hamilton eh Mike!
Speaking of which, the Ti-Cats will be scanning the list looking for a running back now that Jesse Lumsden has decided to test out the NFL again, this time in the camp of the Washington Redskins. They might lose Safety Rob Hitchcock if there’s a team looking to shore up the defense with a Canadian safety.
While not a free again Milt Stegall has signed on for one more year in the Peg, so that leaves Keith Stokes on the free agency list as someone the Bombers may wish to collect their pop bottles and cans for. Stokes may become in demand as other CFL teams examine their roster slots and try and guess which players may stick in the NFL or which position needs an injection of life. The Bombers will also be looking for a kicker as Jon Ryan heads for a shot at NFL glory weighing offers from at least two teams.
In Saskatchewan Saladin McCullough is ready to run and run and run, is he ready to have a break out year. Quite possibly, only question is will it be in Green and White. Three other free agents on the flat lands to watch, Trevis Smith, Jason French and Paul McCallum, hmm McCallum in Blue and Gold wouldn’t that be an interesting little bit of theatre, bring your banjoes.
Team happy, The Stamps only have three up for grabs. Mike Juhasz may find a shot with someone else looking for some Canadian hands in the receiving corps.
The Eskimos with six free agents will most likely concentrate on getting Jason Tucker back on the dotted line; he may find himself part of a bidding war as the other eight CFL teams try to capture some of that Grey Cup magic from Edmonton.
Across the mountains in Vancouver, the Lions having had their quarterback controversy solved for them by the Kansas City Chiefs will now concentrate on getting the team back on track for a Grey Cup bid. Line backs Barrin Simpson and Kelly Lochbalm will be holes to fill should they find success on the free agent market. On the O line, Bobby Singh is available and might fetch a bit of interest as well, he might be a must sign for Wally Buono should he wish to keep Dave Dickenson healthy this year.
It all sorts itself out on February 16th and then the real roster work begins for the CFL’s nine teams.
Only the Saskatchewan Roughriders come close at 14 potential free agents on their list. While Calgary must be happy town as only thee Stamps are up for free agency as the February 16th freedom date comes up.
For the Rens the one name that pops out at you is Josh Ranek, the power back for the Rens who can bulldoze down a defensive line and at times seemed to be the only other form of offence besides quarterback Kerry Joseph.
In Montreal the interesting name is that of Ted White the perpetual back up to Anthony Calvillo, White who seems rather infrequent time on the field might be a risk for another team, unless they want a guy that is well rested one assumes.
Michael O’Shea once again can test the waters as the Argos line backer comes up for free agency. There’s always Hamilton eh Mike!
Speaking of which, the Ti-Cats will be scanning the list looking for a running back now that Jesse Lumsden has decided to test out the NFL again, this time in the camp of the Washington Redskins. They might lose Safety Rob Hitchcock if there’s a team looking to shore up the defense with a Canadian safety.
While not a free again Milt Stegall has signed on for one more year in the Peg, so that leaves Keith Stokes on the free agency list as someone the Bombers may wish to collect their pop bottles and cans for. Stokes may become in demand as other CFL teams examine their roster slots and try and guess which players may stick in the NFL or which position needs an injection of life. The Bombers will also be looking for a kicker as Jon Ryan heads for a shot at NFL glory weighing offers from at least two teams.
In Saskatchewan Saladin McCullough is ready to run and run and run, is he ready to have a break out year. Quite possibly, only question is will it be in Green and White. Three other free agents on the flat lands to watch, Trevis Smith, Jason French and Paul McCallum, hmm McCallum in Blue and Gold wouldn’t that be an interesting little bit of theatre, bring your banjoes.
Team happy, The Stamps only have three up for grabs. Mike Juhasz may find a shot with someone else looking for some Canadian hands in the receiving corps.
The Eskimos with six free agents will most likely concentrate on getting Jason Tucker back on the dotted line; he may find himself part of a bidding war as the other eight CFL teams try to capture some of that Grey Cup magic from Edmonton.
Across the mountains in Vancouver, the Lions having had their quarterback controversy solved for them by the Kansas City Chiefs will now concentrate on getting the team back on track for a Grey Cup bid. Line backs Barrin Simpson and Kelly Lochbalm will be holes to fill should they find success on the free agent market. On the O line, Bobby Singh is available and might fetch a bit of interest as well, he might be a must sign for Wally Buono should he wish to keep Dave Dickenson healthy this year.
It all sorts itself out on February 16th and then the real roster work begins for the CFL’s nine teams.
Friday, January 27, 2006
2006 schedule is released
The CFL released its 2006 schedule Friday, two games on June 16th featuring the BC Lions and Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Montreal Alouettes and Edmonton Eskimos, the four teams chosen to l kick off the 94th season for Canada's league. The Friday Night Football double header will feature the Eskimos taking part in a Grey Cup rematch with the Alouettes at Molson Stadium, while the Leos and Eskies will do battle at BC Place.
Once again this year Atlantic Canada will see some CFL action, the Als and Renegades will bring pre-season football back to Halifax on Saturday June 3rd, as the CFL continues to test those expansion waters of the Atlantic coast.
As for the regular season, rivalries once again rule the schedule makers computer programs, with key match ups timed to hit the high profile dates on the calendar.
The usual rivalry games are featured once again over Labour Day, the Stamps and Eskies and Ti-Cats and Argos will renew the ages old battle for bragging rights on Labour Day. While the day before, the Riders and Bombers will stoke the prairie fire that has become their annual Labour Day match up. The Renegades and Alouettes will launch the Labour Day weekend festivities with a match up on Friday Night Football.
Lions fans will have five straight Friday night home games to kick off the season, as BC Place is home to Friday Night football until September, as a matter of fact 6 of the Leos 9 home games fall on a Friday night this year.
The twenty week schedule leads up to the 94th Grey Cup celebration, this year at Winnipeg's Canad Inns Stadium on November 19th.
For the full schedule, click this link here.
Once again this year Atlantic Canada will see some CFL action, the Als and Renegades will bring pre-season football back to Halifax on Saturday June 3rd, as the CFL continues to test those expansion waters of the Atlantic coast.
As for the regular season, rivalries once again rule the schedule makers computer programs, with key match ups timed to hit the high profile dates on the calendar.
The usual rivalry games are featured once again over Labour Day, the Stamps and Eskies and Ti-Cats and Argos will renew the ages old battle for bragging rights on Labour Day. While the day before, the Riders and Bombers will stoke the prairie fire that has become their annual Labour Day match up. The Renegades and Alouettes will launch the Labour Day weekend festivities with a match up on Friday Night Football.
Lions fans will have five straight Friday night home games to kick off the season, as BC Place is home to Friday Night football until September, as a matter of fact 6 of the Leos 9 home games fall on a Friday night this year.
The twenty week schedule leads up to the 94th Grey Cup celebration, this year at Winnipeg's Canad Inns Stadium on November 19th.
For the full schedule, click this link here.
Sunday, November 27, 2005
Redemption Day for Ricky Ray!
In one of the most memorable days in Grey Cup History, one statistic tells it all, Ricky Ray played a complete game when it counted. The Edmonton Eskimo quarterback, who had been pulled in two previous playoff games this year, went the distance and led his Edmonton Eskimos to Canada’s Holy Grail of Football. In a thrilling finale to the CFL season, Ray’s Eskimos prevailed over the Montreal Alouettes 38-35 in a game that went deep into the CFL’s unique overtime format.
Ray took charge of his Eskimo offence and put points on the board in overtime to claim the victory. While the first half was a rather humdrum affair, the second half more than made up for it. With end to end excitement and big plays galore, both Ray and the Alouettes Anthony Calvillo traded offensive weapons in their bid to claim the Cup.
Ray was named the games MVP and was most deserving of the honour, having put aside the controversy generated the last two weeks. He went to work and methodically put his game plan into effect. Short hitch passes, long bombs, crushing runs he used the majority of his line up to move the Eskimos down the field, even taking the ball in himself to answer Montreal scores almost point by point.
By the end of Ray’s work day he had a remarkable 359 yards in passing, completing 35 of 45 passes. In fact his stats would have been even more impressive, if a few of his first half passes had been caught by the normally sure handed Eskimo receivers. The Eskimos day was aided by a spectacular record breaking 96 yard, kick off return by Tony Tompkins, (and something he actually predicted on Saturday) picking up important points when it looked like Montreal was planning a replay of last weeks Eastern final comeback.
From the second half kick off on, the viewer was on the edge of their seat wondering which of the gunslingers would be the last to lay down their arms. In the end, it was double shot by Calvillo that proved to be costly. In a mental error, Calvillo rethrew a ball that he caught off of a rebound; a violation of the rule book providing a costly penalty that seemed to put the Als on their heels for good. Calvillo's move resulted in a few Als fans painting him as the goat of the game, but in reality it was only with Calvillo's stable hand on the offense that the Als were close.
From that point in Overtime though, it was time for the Edmonton defence to shut down the Alouettes offence, which it did quite successfully in the last gasp moments of the overtime.
Once again the CFL delivered on its usual spectacular finish to the regular season. It would be hard to think of a more exciting finish to a championship game, than that provided by Ray, Calvillo and their team mates on Sunday afternoon.
For Ray it marks a final exclamation point on any questions of his ability to put away the big win. His stats tell the story of this one, passing yardage, ball control and points on the board. All will go a long way to making Sunday the day that the Eskimos finally became Ray’s team, his MVP trophy a testimony to his place in the CFL history books and in the every growing library of Eskimo lore.
Ray took charge of his Eskimo offence and put points on the board in overtime to claim the victory. While the first half was a rather humdrum affair, the second half more than made up for it. With end to end excitement and big plays galore, both Ray and the Alouettes Anthony Calvillo traded offensive weapons in their bid to claim the Cup.
Ray was named the games MVP and was most deserving of the honour, having put aside the controversy generated the last two weeks. He went to work and methodically put his game plan into effect. Short hitch passes, long bombs, crushing runs he used the majority of his line up to move the Eskimos down the field, even taking the ball in himself to answer Montreal scores almost point by point.
By the end of Ray’s work day he had a remarkable 359 yards in passing, completing 35 of 45 passes. In fact his stats would have been even more impressive, if a few of his first half passes had been caught by the normally sure handed Eskimo receivers. The Eskimos day was aided by a spectacular record breaking 96 yard, kick off return by Tony Tompkins, (and something he actually predicted on Saturday) picking up important points when it looked like Montreal was planning a replay of last weeks Eastern final comeback.
From the second half kick off on, the viewer was on the edge of their seat wondering which of the gunslingers would be the last to lay down their arms. In the end, it was double shot by Calvillo that proved to be costly. In a mental error, Calvillo rethrew a ball that he caught off of a rebound; a violation of the rule book providing a costly penalty that seemed to put the Als on their heels for good. Calvillo's move resulted in a few Als fans painting him as the goat of the game, but in reality it was only with Calvillo's stable hand on the offense that the Als were close.
From that point in Overtime though, it was time for the Edmonton defence to shut down the Alouettes offence, which it did quite successfully in the last gasp moments of the overtime.
Once again the CFL delivered on its usual spectacular finish to the regular season. It would be hard to think of a more exciting finish to a championship game, than that provided by Ray, Calvillo and their team mates on Sunday afternoon.
For Ray it marks a final exclamation point on any questions of his ability to put away the big win. His stats tell the story of this one, passing yardage, ball control and points on the board. All will go a long way to making Sunday the day that the Eskimos finally became Ray’s team, his MVP trophy a testimony to his place in the CFL history books and in the every growing library of Eskimo lore.
Saturday, November 26, 2005
It's yellow and black with Maas as the Quarterback
The word is leaking out, Jason Maas is about to roll out of the pocket and take the ball all the way to Hamilton. League officials who insisted on anonymity say that after Sunday's Grey Cup game, Maas will be traded to the Hamilton Tiger Cats.
This is not exactly a huge surprise, people have been waiting for the other cleat to drop ever since the Cats and Eskies made the deal to send Troy Davis to Edmonton. The name of Maas immediately was placed into the rumour mill and all the pieces seemed to fit, the only blip on the road to Hamilton was Maas' late game heroics in the Western Semi Final game and one week later in the Western final.
As they complete the deal, the Eskimos are apparently going to welcome Danny McManus back into the green and gold fold, as well as another former Eskie offensive lineman Tim Bakker.
Maas will make for a welcome addition to a Tiger Cat team that took a few steps backwards in 2005, expected to challenge for the CFL east, the Cats found themselves out of the running early on in the season and out of the playoffs by the time the season ended.
Putting Maas into Black and Gold in 2006 would give the Tiger Cat fans a sign that the last year was a blip on the road back to respectability. The CFL will instantly become a much closer division should Maas be moved after Sunday.
This is not exactly a huge surprise, people have been waiting for the other cleat to drop ever since the Cats and Eskies made the deal to send Troy Davis to Edmonton. The name of Maas immediately was placed into the rumour mill and all the pieces seemed to fit, the only blip on the road to Hamilton was Maas' late game heroics in the Western Semi Final game and one week later in the Western final.
As they complete the deal, the Eskimos are apparently going to welcome Danny McManus back into the green and gold fold, as well as another former Eskie offensive lineman Tim Bakker.
Maas will make for a welcome addition to a Tiger Cat team that took a few steps backwards in 2005, expected to challenge for the CFL east, the Cats found themselves out of the running early on in the season and out of the playoffs by the time the season ended.
Putting Maas into Black and Gold in 2006 would give the Tiger Cat fans a sign that the last year was a blip on the road back to respectability. The CFL will instantly become a much closer division should Maas be moved after Sunday.
Thursday, November 24, 2005
And The Winners Were!
The CFL handed out it's prized possessions on Thursday night as the league celebrated excellence with a gala presentation at Vancouver's Performing Arts Centre. The Rogers CFL Players Awards recognized outstanding performances from a memorable 2005.
The man of the night by far was Toronto Argonaut Quarterback, Damon Allen. The 21 year veteran of the CFL was a double winner on Thursday, taking home the Rogers fans choice award and the award for Most Valuable Player for 2005. It was Allen's first win of the MVP trophy in his storied career, an oversight that should have been corrected many years ago but finally was and to universal acclaim.
Another long serving Quarterback, Danny McManus of the Hamilton Tiger Cats picked up the Tom Pate Award, an award presented by the CFLPA to recognize community involvement. And judging by McManus' qualifications it might take a St. Theresa to wrest the trophy from his grasp. McManus has raised over 200,000 dollars for the McMaster Children's Foundation, a testimony to his dedication to the children of South Western Ontario.
Cory Holmes did not go home empty handed either. Up against Damon Allen for outstanding player even Holmes must have known that was not going to happen this year. But his work on special teams certainly qualified him for recognition. Holmes not only starred on the Saskatchewan Roughriders special teams but dominated in the running game this season as well. A versatile and talented back who can break a play with a change of direction. By the end of the night Holmes was on winners row with the John Agro trophy.
One of the few rays of hope in Winnipeg came from Defensive End Gavin Wells, who pulled more than his share of work in a horrid season for the Blue and Gold. Wells was in on 12 quarterback sacks in 2005. Not a bad beginning for a guy in his rookie year, good enough to win him the title of Rookie of the Year.
The top lineman of the year award went to Gene Makowsky, his second year in a row in collecting trophies from the CFL. Makowski's presence on the Saskatchewan Offensive Line provided a great amount of protection for Saskatchewans QB's and opened up those holes that allowed Cory Holmes to run the wide open prairie.
Top Defensive honours went to Calgary's John Grace, part of the fast tracked rebuilding program in the Stampede City. Grace is the anchor of the Stampeders linebacker department and was a major reason that Calgary's defence has come on so strong in the last year.
The Top Canadian this year is BC Lion Brent Johnson, the Leos linebacker had a record 16 sacks and came into his own in 2005.
The Commissioner's Award went to the local Vancouver group that organized this years Grey Cup Week events. Known locally as the waterboys, the group was formed by Bobby Ackles in 2003 to rebuild the base of football support that once was a mainstay in BC. Two short years later the Leos are one of the lynch pins of the CFL, a stable and model franchise that contends year in and year out.
For Commissioner Tom Wright the CFL Awards always present an opportunity to celebrate what is so right about the CFL. Thursday night proved once again that the league continues to showcase the kind of talent and citizenship which should help continue the leagues growth for years to come.
The man of the night by far was Toronto Argonaut Quarterback, Damon Allen. The 21 year veteran of the CFL was a double winner on Thursday, taking home the Rogers fans choice award and the award for Most Valuable Player for 2005. It was Allen's first win of the MVP trophy in his storied career, an oversight that should have been corrected many years ago but finally was and to universal acclaim.
Another long serving Quarterback, Danny McManus of the Hamilton Tiger Cats picked up the Tom Pate Award, an award presented by the CFLPA to recognize community involvement. And judging by McManus' qualifications it might take a St. Theresa to wrest the trophy from his grasp. McManus has raised over 200,000 dollars for the McMaster Children's Foundation, a testimony to his dedication to the children of South Western Ontario.
Cory Holmes did not go home empty handed either. Up against Damon Allen for outstanding player even Holmes must have known that was not going to happen this year. But his work on special teams certainly qualified him for recognition. Holmes not only starred on the Saskatchewan Roughriders special teams but dominated in the running game this season as well. A versatile and talented back who can break a play with a change of direction. By the end of the night Holmes was on winners row with the John Agro trophy.
One of the few rays of hope in Winnipeg came from Defensive End Gavin Wells, who pulled more than his share of work in a horrid season for the Blue and Gold. Wells was in on 12 quarterback sacks in 2005. Not a bad beginning for a guy in his rookie year, good enough to win him the title of Rookie of the Year.
The top lineman of the year award went to Gene Makowsky, his second year in a row in collecting trophies from the CFL. Makowski's presence on the Saskatchewan Offensive Line provided a great amount of protection for Saskatchewans QB's and opened up those holes that allowed Cory Holmes to run the wide open prairie.
Top Defensive honours went to Calgary's John Grace, part of the fast tracked rebuilding program in the Stampede City. Grace is the anchor of the Stampeders linebacker department and was a major reason that Calgary's defence has come on so strong in the last year.
The Top Canadian this year is BC Lion Brent Johnson, the Leos linebacker had a record 16 sacks and came into his own in 2005.
The Commissioner's Award went to the local Vancouver group that organized this years Grey Cup Week events. Known locally as the waterboys, the group was formed by Bobby Ackles in 2003 to rebuild the base of football support that once was a mainstay in BC. Two short years later the Leos are one of the lynch pins of the CFL, a stable and model franchise that contends year in and year out.
For Commissioner Tom Wright the CFL Awards always present an opportunity to celebrate what is so right about the CFL. Thursday night proved once again that the league continues to showcase the kind of talent and citizenship which should help continue the leagues growth for years to come.
Enjoy your Turkey!
To the Twelve Men on the Field browsers from below the 49th and to the upper left hand side of the map as well, a Very Happy Thanksgiving Day.
American Thanksgiving is truly one of those amazing holidays where Americans travel some great distances to share turkey, football, parades and friends and family. Think Planes, Trains and Automobiles to understand the length that some Americans go to in order to be home for Thanksgiving.
If you have a friend in the USA perhaps send them a card to celebrate the big day, but don't expect a reply until the days of sloth die down.
May the family be well, the Turkey well done and the football entertaining.
The above item first appeared on my A Town Called Podunk blog, my general interest blog check it out for a wide variety of topics.
American Thanksgiving is truly one of those amazing holidays where Americans travel some great distances to share turkey, football, parades and friends and family. Think Planes, Trains and Automobiles to understand the length that some Americans go to in order to be home for Thanksgiving.
If you have a friend in the USA perhaps send them a card to celebrate the big day, but don't expect a reply until the days of sloth die down.
May the family be well, the Turkey well done and the football entertaining.
The above item first appeared on my A Town Called Podunk blog, my general interest blog check it out for a wide variety of topics.
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Try and run the ball through this line!
Now if the BC Lions had put this defensive weapon to work last Sunday, then Bobby Ackles would be celebrating Grey Cup Week in a whole different way!
With a naval escort from Victoria and a Coyote ride to the Coach's press conference, one could say that the Grey Cup was in good hands.
HMCS Vancouver made the journey from CFB Esquimalt on Wednesday, proudly displaying Lord Grey's Drinking cup on the frigates helicopter deck as it passed under the Lions Gate Bridge and headed for Canada Place. Once there the crew of the Vancouver turned over to the Cup to the Army who stood on guard for Grey and got the trophy to the conference on time. The military will continue to be involved in Grey Cup week right up until the big game on Sunday.
Grey Cup festivities have begun to pick up in Vancouver, as the locals shake off the disappointment of the Leos not taking part in the final game of the 2005 Canadian Football season. The Alouettes and Eskimos are in town preparing their game plans to try and lay claim to the championship of Canadian football.
BC Place was sold out a number of months ago for the Grey Cup finale and surprisngly few of the tickets purchased by Lions fans have been dumped on the open market. Perhaps BC's football fans have finally figured out that Montreal and Edmonton having participated in more than their share of Grey Cup games, these two teams might actually put on an entertaining affair this Sunday.
With a week full of activities this is possibly the closest Canada gets to a Mardi Gras and one can't let a little thing like the home team's absence get in the way of a good time.
As for the military escort, Ackles may wish to give Wally Buono the Coyote units home phone number. It could go a long way to solving any further controversies in the Lions Den in 2006!
(photo credits Canoe/DND)
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
The Final Snaps of November
A collection of our Final snap quotes for November
Nov 29 "This one really hurts"
Nov 28 "That was wild"
Nov 25 "I remember early on in my career I was very superstitious"
Nov 24 "All's well that ends well"
Nov 23 "There's something a little bit special every time I play the Eskimos"
Nov 22 "I Wasn't planning on coming up here"
Nov 29 "This one really hurts"
Nov 28 "That was wild"
Nov 25 "I remember early on in my career I was very superstitious"
Nov 24 "All's well that ends well"
Nov 23 "There's something a little bit special every time I play the Eskimos"
Nov 22 "I Wasn't planning on coming up here"
Opening kickoffs for November
A compilation of the Opening kickoffs for Npvember
Nov 29 Welcome Home
Nov 29 Waiting for Jason
Nov 29 The game is still the thing
Nov 28 A Fitting end
Nov 28 One pass too many
Nov 28 Day belonged to Ray
Nov 25 The three amigos
Nov 25 A final day for Lapointe's hobby
Nov 25 The state of the CFL
Nov 24 A Familiar Foe
Nov 24 A most outstanding player
Nov 24 Mitchell back for seconds
Nov 23 Eskies listed as Favourites
Nov 23 Stegall to return for 12th season
Nov 23 The Don and Danny Show
Nov 22 Higgins gets an extension
Nov 22 Lions QB's ponder their future
Nov 22 Austin in Demand
Nov 29 Welcome Home
Nov 29 Waiting for Jason
Nov 29 The game is still the thing
Nov 28 A Fitting end
Nov 28 One pass too many
Nov 28 Day belonged to Ray
Nov 25 The three amigos
Nov 25 A final day for Lapointe's hobby
Nov 25 The state of the CFL
Nov 24 A Familiar Foe
Nov 24 A most outstanding player
Nov 24 Mitchell back for seconds
Nov 23 Eskies listed as Favourites
Nov 23 Stegall to return for 12th season
Nov 23 The Don and Danny Show
Nov 22 Higgins gets an extension
Nov 22 Lions QB's ponder their future
Nov 22 Austin in Demand
We're here for the party!
Stories from Vancouver as the week of celebration carries on.
Nov 25 The Commish gives out some dish
Nov 22 Toronto is not amused at missing the flight
Nov 22 Tickets Tickets take our tickets
Nov 22 Gizmo the Greatest
Nov 25 The Commish gives out some dish
Nov 22 Toronto is not amused at missing the flight
Nov 22 Tickets Tickets take our tickets
Nov 22 Gizmo the Greatest
Montreal Mania
Following development with the Alouettes as they prepare to face the Eskimos in the Grey Cup.
Nov 25 Als defence adjusting to new role
Nov 25 Lapointe to start on Sunday
Nov 24 Als feel at home
Nov 24 Edwards long trek back
Nov 23 Something to prove
Nov 23 The Delivery guys
Nov 23 It's reunion time
Nov 23 History lessons
Nov 21 A confident Calvillo
Nov 21 Saving the best for last
Nov 21 Als confident as they head west
Nov 21 The back ups big day
Nov 21 Als D took charge
Nov 25 Als defence adjusting to new role
Nov 25 Lapointe to start on Sunday
Nov 24 Als feel at home
Nov 24 Edwards long trek back
Nov 23 Something to prove
Nov 23 The Delivery guys
Nov 23 It's reunion time
Nov 23 History lessons
Nov 21 A confident Calvillo
Nov 21 Saving the best for last
Nov 21 Als confident as they head west
Nov 21 The back ups big day
Nov 21 Als D took charge
Everything Eskie
A compilation of all the news from the Eskimo camp as they prepare for the Grey Cup on Sunday.
Nov 25 Tompkin's talks up touchdowns
Nov 25 50 years later, same teams, same place
Nov 24 The Legend and the Kid
Nov 24 Memory lane
Nov 24 Maas tries to keep his mind on the game
Nov 24 Mitchell thrilled to be back in Grey Cup
Nov 23 A Number one fan
Nov 23 Don't go changing, to try to please me
Nov 23 The Bertrand decision
Nov 22 Just another game
Nov 22 Back where he belongs
Nov 22 Back on the scene
Nov 22 All for the good of the team
Nov 22 Sticking with Ricky
Nov 21 A week like no other
Nov 21 Now about that call coach
Nov 21 Eskies ruin that BC Party
Nov 21 The Maas Chronicles
Nov 21 The magical Maas
Nov 21 The Legend of Jason Maas
Nov 21 Ray watched with mixed emotions
Nov 21 Walking wounded
Nov 21 The O line held the line
Nov 21 Joe Montford with the sack
Nov 21 The Rookie
Nov 21 Esks run over Lions
Nov 25 Tompkin's talks up touchdowns
Nov 25 50 years later, same teams, same place
Nov 24 The Legend and the Kid
Nov 24 Memory lane
Nov 24 Maas tries to keep his mind on the game
Nov 24 Mitchell thrilled to be back in Grey Cup
Nov 23 A Number one fan
Nov 23 Don't go changing, to try to please me
Nov 23 The Bertrand decision
Nov 22 Just another game
Nov 22 Back where he belongs
Nov 22 Back on the scene
Nov 22 All for the good of the team
Nov 22 Sticking with Ricky
Nov 21 A week like no other
Nov 21 Now about that call coach
Nov 21 Eskies ruin that BC Party
Nov 21 The Maas Chronicles
Nov 21 The magical Maas
Nov 21 The Legend of Jason Maas
Nov 21 Ray watched with mixed emotions
Nov 21 Walking wounded
Nov 21 The O line held the line
Nov 21 Joe Montford with the sack
Nov 21 The Rookie
Nov 21 Esks run over Lions
Printers packs his bags
With the BC Lions quest for a Grey Cup at an end by Sunday night, could it be that the season long controversy over quarterbacking has come to an end as well.
It was an emotional Casey Printers who addressed the media following the Lions elimination from the CFL playoffs, a frustrated quarterback who vented about how he gave it his all this season, but that this team was never really his. And while his tenure this season in the Lions den has been a roller coaster ride of emotion, he probably spoke more than a bit of truth that will need to be examined by the Lions management.
Printers was unfairly tossed into the Western Final with only three minutes to play, expected to pull off a last minute miracle to salvage a Lions season that was filled with high expectations but ended with a free fall of major proportions.
Many an arm chair coach and GM will be questioning Wally Buono’s hesitation in going to Printers earlier in the fourth quarter or even in the third. As Printers’ rightly pointed out, this has always been Dave Dickenson’s team and on Sunday Buono kept it that way til almost the very last minute.
At the start of the season the Lions were the envy of every franchise in the CFL, two capable exciting quarterbacks each possessing the skills to lead a well stocked offense on to victory. It was the dream of any GM to have such depth at the most vital position on a team, but by the end of the season that gift had become a curse. As the season went on and the Lions began to stumble the reticence to move Printers into the lineup seemed to split this team, players unsure who their QB would be, no one seemingly on the same page as Buono.
With the early exit one week before a Grey Cup Game hosted by the Lions management, the Lions will need to address the situation once and for all. Printers was saying all the right things that he wants to come back to BC, but underlying his words is a sense that he only wants to come back if he becomes the go to guy in the Lions den. However, if his agent is to be believed (and hyperbole was created to describe this guy) then Printers may very well be NFL bound by January. Printer’s agent says that Casey is scheduled in for up to 21 show and tell sessions with NFL franchises once the New Year beckons. Considering the kind of money that Printers wants (the same kind of cash as Ricky Ray) there’s every chance that he’ll end up holding a clipboard and biding his time below the 49th.
Then again, the Lions could swing a deal to send Printers off to a new CFL destination. There’s a need for a starting quarterback in Hamilton, Saskatchewan and (hot rumour of the week) Winnipeg and who knows what the Toronto needs will be, Damon Allen needs to make a decision now that his remarkable year has come up one game short from what could have been a story tale retirement story.
And with the circus in Ottawa one wonders if Kerry Joseph is even safe from the mercurial nature of the Gliebermen. That’s five of the nine teams in the league that would probably give their right arm for a quarterback with the potential of Printers.
Somehow, unless Wally Buono has a major change in his mindset, you get the idea that Printers will be wearing somebody else’s colours next year, whether they are NFL or CFL, they most likely won’t be BC Lions orange and white.
It was an emotional Casey Printers who addressed the media following the Lions elimination from the CFL playoffs, a frustrated quarterback who vented about how he gave it his all this season, but that this team was never really his. And while his tenure this season in the Lions den has been a roller coaster ride of emotion, he probably spoke more than a bit of truth that will need to be examined by the Lions management.
Printers was unfairly tossed into the Western Final with only three minutes to play, expected to pull off a last minute miracle to salvage a Lions season that was filled with high expectations but ended with a free fall of major proportions.
Many an arm chair coach and GM will be questioning Wally Buono’s hesitation in going to Printers earlier in the fourth quarter or even in the third. As Printers’ rightly pointed out, this has always been Dave Dickenson’s team and on Sunday Buono kept it that way til almost the very last minute.
At the start of the season the Lions were the envy of every franchise in the CFL, two capable exciting quarterbacks each possessing the skills to lead a well stocked offense on to victory. It was the dream of any GM to have such depth at the most vital position on a team, but by the end of the season that gift had become a curse. As the season went on and the Lions began to stumble the reticence to move Printers into the lineup seemed to split this team, players unsure who their QB would be, no one seemingly on the same page as Buono.
With the early exit one week before a Grey Cup Game hosted by the Lions management, the Lions will need to address the situation once and for all. Printers was saying all the right things that he wants to come back to BC, but underlying his words is a sense that he only wants to come back if he becomes the go to guy in the Lions den. However, if his agent is to be believed (and hyperbole was created to describe this guy) then Printers may very well be NFL bound by January. Printer’s agent says that Casey is scheduled in for up to 21 show and tell sessions with NFL franchises once the New Year beckons. Considering the kind of money that Printers wants (the same kind of cash as Ricky Ray) there’s every chance that he’ll end up holding a clipboard and biding his time below the 49th.
Then again, the Lions could swing a deal to send Printers off to a new CFL destination. There’s a need for a starting quarterback in Hamilton, Saskatchewan and (hot rumour of the week) Winnipeg and who knows what the Toronto needs will be, Damon Allen needs to make a decision now that his remarkable year has come up one game short from what could have been a story tale retirement story.
And with the circus in Ottawa one wonders if Kerry Joseph is even safe from the mercurial nature of the Gliebermen. That’s five of the nine teams in the league that would probably give their right arm for a quarterback with the potential of Printers.
Somehow, unless Wally Buono has a major change in his mindset, you get the idea that Printers will be wearing somebody else’s colours next year, whether they are NFL or CFL, they most likely won’t be BC Lions orange and white.
Sunday, November 20, 2005
Lapointe carries the load
The Don is going back to the big game, and the CFL's most cantankerous coach can thank a young Quebeccer by the name of Eric Lapointe for his tickets to Vancouver. Lapointe who spends a fair amount of time on the special teams component of the Als, got a chance to run from the backfield during the Eastern final, and when given the chance took that ball and ran and ran and ran with it.
Placed into the game when starting running back Robert Edwards was injured, Lapointe provided an instructional video on how to be a power back. He bashed his way to over 100 yards in less than a half of football, knocking Argo linemen and Safety's alike to the side as he single handedly brought the Als back from the dead. Lapointe scored three touchdowns in his thirty minutes of fame, knocking the Argos back on their heels and silencing a huge Argo crowd of 44,000 who couldn't believe what they were seeing. Mistake after mistake, gave the Alouettes new life and they took advantage of everything the Argos offered up.
The Argos couldn't stop Lapointe and couldn't score on their own as they blew a first half lead eventually ending up on the short end of a 33-17 defeat. Montreal's defence finally got back on track in the second half shutting down the Argo attack and putting pressure on Argo QB Damon Allen for the remainder of the game.
On the offensive side of the game, when he wasn't dishing the ball off to Lapointe, Al's QB Anthony Calvillo was sitting in his pocket taking his time to find receiver after receiver. The Als offensive line rose to the occasion in this Eastern Final, making the room for Lapointe to bash through the line and giving Calvillo time to pick apart the Argonaut secondary.
The win marks the third time in four years that the Alouettes will head for a Grey Cup Sunday appearance and it wouldn't be a Montreal Grey Cup without their old nemesis the Edmonton Eskimos.
Edmonton's defence is one of the most respected units in the CFL but they could get a work out next Sunday back at BC Place. If Edwards is ready they have to deal with a rusher who was number three in the CFL this year with 1,199 yards to his credit. If he can't suit up, then Lapointe gets the ball and as the Argos learned to their regret, once he gets up a head of steam he can't be stopped.
Many we're expecting a Toronto/BC showdown the last Sunday in November, turns out the consolation prize may be more entertaining than that main event would have been.
Placed into the game when starting running back Robert Edwards was injured, Lapointe provided an instructional video on how to be a power back. He bashed his way to over 100 yards in less than a half of football, knocking Argo linemen and Safety's alike to the side as he single handedly brought the Als back from the dead. Lapointe scored three touchdowns in his thirty minutes of fame, knocking the Argos back on their heels and silencing a huge Argo crowd of 44,000 who couldn't believe what they were seeing. Mistake after mistake, gave the Alouettes new life and they took advantage of everything the Argos offered up.
The Argos couldn't stop Lapointe and couldn't score on their own as they blew a first half lead eventually ending up on the short end of a 33-17 defeat. Montreal's defence finally got back on track in the second half shutting down the Argo attack and putting pressure on Argo QB Damon Allen for the remainder of the game.
On the offensive side of the game, when he wasn't dishing the ball off to Lapointe, Al's QB Anthony Calvillo was sitting in his pocket taking his time to find receiver after receiver. The Als offensive line rose to the occasion in this Eastern Final, making the room for Lapointe to bash through the line and giving Calvillo time to pick apart the Argonaut secondary.
The win marks the third time in four years that the Alouettes will head for a Grey Cup Sunday appearance and it wouldn't be a Montreal Grey Cup without their old nemesis the Edmonton Eskimos.
Edmonton's defence is one of the most respected units in the CFL but they could get a work out next Sunday back at BC Place. If Edwards is ready they have to deal with a rusher who was number three in the CFL this year with 1,199 yards to his credit. If he can't suit up, then Lapointe gets the ball and as the Argos learned to their regret, once he gets up a head of steam he can't be stopped.
Many we're expecting a Toronto/BC showdown the last Sunday in November, turns out the consolation prize may be more entertaining than that main event would have been.
No More Mighty Lions roar, get your tickets at the door!
We can here the cry up Robson Street and down Granville right now, Tickets; Tickets get your tickets…….Please!
After a season which started full of promise, the BC Lions 2005 campaign came to a sudden and unexpected end. The Leos came out flat in the first half of their Western Conference Final against the Edmonton Eskimos, taking too many penalties and giving away too many footballs at key points of the game. That combined with yet another unscheduled relief performance by Eskie Jason Maas, led the Eskimos to a 28-23 victory over the Defending Western Champions. A loss that sent thousands of Leo’s fans home to vent, many of whom called up the post game shows to suggest some changes are needed in the Lions den.
The quarterback controversy that has dogged this team since the start of the season, played out probably its final act on Sunday afternoon at BC Place. As Wally Buono turned the ball over to Casey Printers late in the fourth quarter hoping the spark would lead to a last minute comeback and a chance to star in their own homefiled Grey Cup game. But in the end it wasn’t meant to be, some last second excitement only served to bring the fans up high, only to drop them down hard by the games completion.
The final minutes of play were as exciting as a CFL game can give you, but like many a CFL game calls by the officiating crew were a tad hard to follow. A drive by the Leos, was kept alive on a pass interference call as time ticked down, but another play which featured a pass route diversion by a hit was left as is, running out the clock and the Lions season. Consistency never seems to be gold standard in CFL officiating at times.
Regardless, the Lions have no one to blame but themselves for their predicament. They never seemed to get untracked until the mid part of the second quarter, falling behind by a score of 21- 3 and then coming back to tie the game at 21 before falling behind for good. Dickenson analyzed his game in the dressing afterwards and declared that the effort was not his best game, and how you want to perform in the big games and he didn’t get the job done.
An emotional Casey Printers proclaimed how he gave it all for this club this year and was quite frustrated at not being able to pull the Western Final out of the fire. The timing of his insertion into the game will be the thing of debate for much of the off season, at least until either he or Dickenson find themselves with a new home in 2006. The uncomfortable situation between the two determined quarterbacks seemed to sap this team of its energy as the season went along, culminating in last gasp grab for the home playoff date, only to lose that advantage by half time, leaving the team to scramble to keep things hopeful til the end.
For Vancouver itself, a Lion less Grey Cup might put a bit of a damper on many of the Grey Cup activities, as the normally fickle Lions fans lose their zeal to Party on the Pacific. A smart Edmonton football fan is already placing his or her ad in the Vancouver Sun or Province for Monday morning. The game already announced as a sell out may find some serious re-allocation of football colours in the stands by next Sunday.
The Orange and Black sweaters, flags and fingers will be making way for the Green and Gold of the Eskimos, with a smaller section of red white and Blue Alouette material.
It’s not the way it was supposed to be this Grey Cup Week, in Bob Ackles and Wally Buono’s world this was the week to climb that final mountain and claim the Grey Cup in their home city.
Instead, the Eskimos and Als will battle it out on the field, while the Lions clean it out in the dressing room!
After a season which started full of promise, the BC Lions 2005 campaign came to a sudden and unexpected end. The Leos came out flat in the first half of their Western Conference Final against the Edmonton Eskimos, taking too many penalties and giving away too many footballs at key points of the game. That combined with yet another unscheduled relief performance by Eskie Jason Maas, led the Eskimos to a 28-23 victory over the Defending Western Champions. A loss that sent thousands of Leo’s fans home to vent, many of whom called up the post game shows to suggest some changes are needed in the Lions den.
The quarterback controversy that has dogged this team since the start of the season, played out probably its final act on Sunday afternoon at BC Place. As Wally Buono turned the ball over to Casey Printers late in the fourth quarter hoping the spark would lead to a last minute comeback and a chance to star in their own homefiled Grey Cup game. But in the end it wasn’t meant to be, some last second excitement only served to bring the fans up high, only to drop them down hard by the games completion.
The final minutes of play were as exciting as a CFL game can give you, but like many a CFL game calls by the officiating crew were a tad hard to follow. A drive by the Leos, was kept alive on a pass interference call as time ticked down, but another play which featured a pass route diversion by a hit was left as is, running out the clock and the Lions season. Consistency never seems to be gold standard in CFL officiating at times.
Regardless, the Lions have no one to blame but themselves for their predicament. They never seemed to get untracked until the mid part of the second quarter, falling behind by a score of 21- 3 and then coming back to tie the game at 21 before falling behind for good. Dickenson analyzed his game in the dressing afterwards and declared that the effort was not his best game, and how you want to perform in the big games and he didn’t get the job done.
An emotional Casey Printers proclaimed how he gave it all for this club this year and was quite frustrated at not being able to pull the Western Final out of the fire. The timing of his insertion into the game will be the thing of debate for much of the off season, at least until either he or Dickenson find themselves with a new home in 2006. The uncomfortable situation between the two determined quarterbacks seemed to sap this team of its energy as the season went along, culminating in last gasp grab for the home playoff date, only to lose that advantage by half time, leaving the team to scramble to keep things hopeful til the end.
For Vancouver itself, a Lion less Grey Cup might put a bit of a damper on many of the Grey Cup activities, as the normally fickle Lions fans lose their zeal to Party on the Pacific. A smart Edmonton football fan is already placing his or her ad in the Vancouver Sun or Province for Monday morning. The game already announced as a sell out may find some serious re-allocation of football colours in the stands by next Sunday.
The Orange and Black sweaters, flags and fingers will be making way for the Green and Gold of the Eskimos, with a smaller section of red white and Blue Alouette material.
It’s not the way it was supposed to be this Grey Cup Week, in Bob Ackles and Wally Buono’s world this was the week to climb that final mountain and claim the Grey Cup in their home city.
Instead, the Eskimos and Als will battle it out on the field, while the Lions clean it out in the dressing room!
Yes, I know what am I doing here.
With the Grey Cup only one week away now it's probably a little late of me to get back into the Twelve Men groove, but I figured I should at least make mention of the finals and try and recapture my readership with some Grey Cup material.
As expressed earlier, this poor little blog has suffered from my neglect and that's too bad, as I enjoy the CFL it's wild and wooly finishes and colorful characters. So I'll try to be a tad more consistent over the next week.
We'll look at the two finals first and then as the week progresses take a look at what's ahead for the Party on the Pacific.
Hope you stick around for the ride!
As expressed earlier, this poor little blog has suffered from my neglect and that's too bad, as I enjoy the CFL it's wild and wooly finishes and colorful characters. So I'll try to be a tad more consistent over the next week.
We'll look at the two finals first and then as the week progresses take a look at what's ahead for the Party on the Pacific.
Hope you stick around for the ride!
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