The Opening Kickoff-- September 2009

With one full month of competition under its belt, the CFL continues the march towards Grey Cup Sunday in November. We'll track our three top stories of the day from this location, providing a snapshot of the CFL in September.

September 22-- Simpson told to stay away
September 22-- Alouettes trade QB Santos to Bombers
September 22-- Roughriders’ defence hoping to toss Eskimos’ Ricky Ray off his passing game
September 21-- Printers returns to Lions
September 21-- Despair begins to take its toll
September 21-- Swap for receivers gets Stamps approval
September 20-- Cobourne deepens hole for Blue Bombers
September 20-- Buono achieves milestone in B.C.
September 20-- Edmonton Eskimos beat Saskatchewan Roughriders 31-27
September 19-- Argo defence swears off costly 4th-quarter swoons
September 19-- Ticats let the good times roll
September 19-- Esks know ex-teammate Jones will be ready to play
September 18-- Change is in the air for Blue
September 18-- Saskatchewan Roughriders' John Chick is a well-rounded force
September 18-- B.C. Lion quarterback fears that next hit
September 17-- Lions QB Jarious Jackson sidelined three to five weeks; will Casey Printers be called back to the den?
September 17-- Lewis finds silver lining despite not finding endzone
September 17-- Simpson rejects Blue return
September 16-- The sorry state of Winnipeg
September 16-- Argonauts turn ship around
September 16-- Copeland shines in clutch in Calgary
September 15-- Roughriders preparing for back-to-back series against Edmonton Eskimos
September 15-- Speedy receiver Ware gets another shot with Eskimos
September 15-- Leos do the math — two in, two out
September 14-- Jim Davis a smash hit with Stampeders defence
September 14-- Bombers crushed
September 14-- Buono 'disgusted' with Lions' performance
September 13-- Alouettes exact revenge on Lions
September 13-- Riders romp over Bombers
September 13-- Eskimos need to recuperate after Stampeders sweep
September 12-- Stamps score satisfying sweep against Eskimos
September 12-- Barrin of beef
September 12-- Ticats lose squeaker 25-22
September 11-- Lions coach Wally Buono going home for record
September 11-- Hughes back for Banjo Bowl
September 11-- Expect trench warfare
September 10-- Quarterbacks and purse snatchers beware
September 10-- Als "disappointed" with CFL protest rejection
September 10--One-time B.C. Lion charged with sexual assault in Vancouver
September 9-- CFL denies Alouettes' protest
September 9-- Argo coach to fans: Stay patient
September 9-- Riders sign Kitwana Jones
September 8-- Stampeders' win gives Hughes warm welcome back to Calgary
September 8-- Classic case of anti-Americanism
September 8-- Bishop not the solution
September 7-- Ti Cats win Labour Day Classic
September 7-- Calgary cleans up on Labour Day
September 7-- Als to protest officiating error
September 6-- Riders pick on Bombers pivot
September 6-- Labour Day game often fulcrum of season
September 6-- Argos eye Ticats first, Dominique Dorsey next
September 5-- CFL admits error during Alouettes’ loss to Lions
September 5-- Kelly ready for some jeers
September 5-- Stamps lineman clued up on Classic
September 4-- Labour Day Classic means more than usual to Ticats
September 4-- Lions should hurry up and win, already
September 4-- Time for Eskimos pass defence to tighten up
September 3-- Riders grand at the gate
September 3-- Bruce set to square off with Argos
September 3-- Lancaster’s grandson takes over as Rams quarterback
September 2-- Blue Bombers end Pacman pursuit
September 2-- Fine is just fine with B.C. Lions
September 2-- Hughes may return to Stamps after being released by Eagles
September 1-- Pacman is Bomber-bound
September 1-- Alouettes look to break B.C. Place jinx
September 1-- Jason Armstead returns to — and for — the Roughriders

The lines are now open, unless of course you're calling in

"In Philadelphia and Chicago, that’s how you live. That’s how you grow up. It’s a give and take. Here if I give it back, everybody flips out."-- Blue Bomber head coach Mike Kelly reflecting on what may or may not make for good entertainment on your radio dial.

With the pressure building in Winnipeg to get things on track, the first casualty it would seem would be unfettered access to the coach via the home teams radio call in show.

Blue Bomber head coach Mike Kelly informed the media on Sunday that as of Monday he would not be taking any phone calls on his CJOB radio show, the Mike Kelly Show. The weekly radio yak machine has featured some rather caustic give and take between the coach and his callers, some apparently not overly thrilled with his stewardship of the Blue this season.

So, following the apparent advice (that of mothers everywhere) of "if you have nothing good to say, say nothing at all" the coach won't be reaching for the phone lines when Monday's show comes around.

Now for former radio programmers and talk show hosts everywhere, this is not quite the disaster that it may sound like (after all a talk show without anyone to talk to quickly becomes rather pointless), there will still be questions asked and answers provided.

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While the phone lines will go silent, those that take the time to attend the show's broadcast location at Winnipeg's Upperdeck Sports Bar will stil be allowed to grab a microphone and ask away and e mail inquiries will still be accepted (though the coach will apperently pick and choose the questions he feels are pertinent and offer a less venomous outlook).

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For Kelly the edgy give and take of the phone calls has been a counterproductive exercise, callers apparently emboldened by their anonymity through the telephone, taking shots that aren't warranted or helpful to the cause, and a part of his radio program that he feels would be best left behind.

Instead, he's hoping that with the face to face nature of the studio audience the questions will be interesting and the tone civil.

Though you have to wonder if trading in a phone line for the best of the bar room crowd will provide the positive vibes that he seems to be seeking!

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Winnipeg Free Press-- Bomber coach nixes calls to radio show
Winnipeg Sun-- Kelly phoning it in

CFL Players of the Week -- Week Eight

No runners up for week eight, as all four selections were unanimous.
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Video Replay of the players of the week.
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Among the best of the league this week were:
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OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Fred Reid -- RB-- Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Unanimous selection

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Stevie Baggs -- DE -- Saskatchewan Roughriders
Unanimous selection

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Larry Taylor -- KR/WR -- Montreal Alouettes
Unanimous selection

CANADIAN PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Matthieu Proulx -- S -- Montreal Alouettes
Unanimous selection

Week Nine (August 28, 2009)

Another short schedule for week nine as the CFL provides bye weeks for four of the member squads While the Lions, Als, Riders and Bombers all lounge around the backyard, the layabouts from last week will take to the field.

Friday, August 28-- Calgary 23 at Toronto 20 (25,329)
Saturday, August 29-- Hamilton 30 at Edmonton 31 (35,036)

All games on TSN

Gibson's Players of the Month

The Players of the Month for July were:

Offence-- Anthony Calvillo QB Montreal
Defence--Siddeeq Shabazz LB Winnipeg
Special Teams-- Larry Taylor WR Montreal
Canadian-- Calvin McCarty RB Edmonton

CFL Players of the Week -- Week Seven

The receivers shine in Week seven.
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Video Replay of the players of the week.
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Among the best of the league this week were:
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OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Jeremaine Copeland-- R -- Calgary Stampeders
Runner Up-- QB -- Ricky Ray -- Edmonton Eskimos
Runner UP-- qb -- Henry Burris -- Calgary Stampeders

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
John Chick -- DE -- Saskatchewan Roughriders
Runner up-- Unanimous selection

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Justin Medlock -- K -- Toronto Argonauts
Runner Up -- Unanimous selection

CANADIAN PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Paris Jackson -- SB -- BC Lions
Runner Up-- S -- Mathieu Proulx -- Montreal Alouettes

Week Eight (August 21, 2009)

A short schedule for week eight as the CFL provides bye weeks for four of the member squads, with the four playing this week scheduled for byes next week. Both matches make up a Friday night doubleheader on TSN.

Friday, August 21-- Saskatchewan 25 at Montreal 34 (20,202)
Friday, August 21-- Winnipeg 37 at BC 10 (27,983)

All games on TSN

There are fans... and then there are fanatics!

The past weekend provided the perfect travel connections for three dedicated CFL fans to take in as much action as possible in four days.

Week seven's geographic mix, allowed Alpesh Patel, Vipin Patel and Stephen Roth to take the kind of road trip that most CFL fans can only dream about, a weekend of football spanning four provinces and allowing them to watch all eight Canadian Football League teams in action.

The National Post outlines the trio's version of planes, trains and automobiles providing for a dream weekend of football in the summertime.

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Should you get the same travel bug, we would imagine that local travel agents are standing by, ready to re route you to and fro, with seats on the fifty five for all venues.

Week Seven (August 13 - 16

Games for week seven of the 2009 season include:

Thursday, August 13-- Calgary 35 @ Edmonton 38 (33,035)
Friday, August 14-- BC 38 @ Toronto 36 (24,745)
Saturday, August 15-- Montreal 39 @ Winnipeg 12 (25,053)
Sunday, August 16-- Hamilton 23 @ Saskatchewan 33 (30,360 )

CFL Players of the Week -- Week Six

The Cats and Bombders shine on the awards list for week six.
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Video Replay of the players of the week.
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Among the best of the league this week were:
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OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Fred Reid-- RB -- Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Runner Up-- QB -- Anthony Calvillo -- Montreal Alouettes

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Markeith Knowlton-- LB -- Hamilton Tiger Cats
Runners up-- DT-- Jermaine McElveen -- Montreal Alouettes

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Sean Whyte -- K -- BC Lions
Runners up-- RB/KR- Arkee Whitlock –- Edmonton Eskimos,
WR -- Ryan Grice-Mullen - BC Lions

CANADIAN PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Doug Brown -- DT -- Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Runner Up-- WR -- Robb Bagg -- Saskatchewan Roughriders

CFL Players of the Week --- Week Five

The Cats, Eskimos and Riders dominate the awards list for week five.
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Video Replay of the players of the week.
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Among the best of the league this week were:
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OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Deandra' Cobb--Hamilton Tiger Cats
Runner Up-- QB -- Ricky Ray-- Edmonton Eskimos

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Jamall Johnson -- LB -- Hamilton Tiger Cats
Runners up-- DE-- Gavin Walls -- Winnipeg Blue Bombers,
DT -- Dario Romero, Edmonton Eskimos

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Arkee Whitlock -- RB/KR -- Edmonton Eskimos
Runner up-- S - Dylan Barker – Hamilton Tiger-Cats

CANADIAN PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Chris Getzlaf -- SB -- Saskatchewan Roughriders
Runner Up-- Unanimous selection

Week Six (August 7 - 8)

Games for week six of the 2009 season include:

Friday, August 7-- Toronto 0 @ Montreal 25 (20.202)
Friday, August 7-- Saskatchewan 20 @ BC 35 (30.117)
Saturday, August 8-- Edmonton 21 @ Hamilton 28 (19,206)
Saturday, August 8-- Winnipeg 23 @ Calgary 31 (35,650)

The Final Snap -- August 2009

We look for the one quote of the day from the CFL that defines an interesting event or personality.

August 31-- "We have so much talent on this receiving corps, you just don't know who it's going to be"
August 30-- "As much as it means to the fans, it comes back our way, too"
August 29-- "I know they put a lot of onus on me"
August 28-- "That’s all part and parcel of being a good football team"
August 27-- "We're not gelling as quickly as we all want to, but we're going to stay the course"
August 26-- "That’s the time when you have to stand up and make plays"
August 25-- "they just didn't really do that did they?"
August 24-- "If we could get good clean charters out of here with good hours, we would be willing to bite the bullet on the cost"
August 23-- "This is not like hockey where you can bag-skate them.”
August 22-- "That was embarrassing on every level"
August 21-- "It's a delicate decision and we need to be correct in our decision-making"
August 20-- "It’s still in me, but it has been toned down. My wife’s not excited about that energy"
August 19-- "I haven't given up my whole plate yet but a couple of peas and carrots and I still have the main entree"
August 18-- "Even though we lost, I can still see a growth"
August 17-- "If you don't like it, it's time for you to go into hibernation"
August 16-- "We haven’t done anything to show him we deserve the time off.”
August 15-- "It's a game we had and we just gave it away."
August 14-- "I finally have an opportunity to play and show people what I can do"
August 13-- "If they had pinned us back it would have been a lot harder . . . so he really he set that win up for us"
August 12-- "But in any sport, you’ve got to respect a man’s space. That’s as far as this goes"
August 11-- "We're emphasizing not letting the receivers get yards after the catch"
August 10-- "Grice-Mullen can be a great returner before he can ever be a great receiver"
August 9-- "They teach you to play through the whistle, but while I'm hustling I'm thinking, 'this isn't going to count'"
August 8-- ""
August 7-- "He told me about the respect they had for me as a team"
August 6-- "When I retire, I promise you I’ll subscribe to both papers, how about that?”
August 5-- "I don't want players to think of me as somebody who can't take a hit or can't take physical defence"
August 4-- "Damn. I had fun there. I always had it in the back of my mind that I had a job if that league was still around"
August 3-- "This got his attention and he's responded so well to it"
August 2-- "But that's a matter of me going back this week and doing extra conditioning"
August 1-- "You have plays like that at different times of your season that change your season and obviously that was a huge play"

The Opening Kickoff-- August 2009

With one full month of competition under its belt, the CFL continues the march towards Grey Cup Sunday in November. We'll track our three top stories of the day from this location, providing a snapshot of the CFL in August.


August 31-- Freak injury sidelines Alouettes' Josh Bourke
August 31-- It's back to the drawing board for Ticats
August 31-- Lions run defence to be tested again
August 30-- It's my fault, Argos' Andrus admits
August 30-- Bomber coach nixes calls to radio show
August 30-- Ricky dodges a bullet
August 29-- Als legend Sam Etcheverry dies at 79
August 29-- Inappropriate gesture irks Buono
August 29-- Edmonton Eskimos beat Hamilton Tiger-Cats 31-30
August 28-- Roughriders' Darian Durant recognizes importance of personal sacrifices for good of team
August 28-- Stamps beef up run defence
August 28-- Lions homecoming for UBC's McCuaig
August 27-- Argos' offence continues to stall
August 27-- Esks’ Lumsden to limit physical contact for six months
August 27-- Hogtown jitters
August 26-- Glenn on call as Porter hurt
August 26-- Record Numbers
August 26-- Edmonton signs running back to practice roster
August 25-- Hamstring injury sidelines Edmonton Eskimos’ McCarty
August 25-- Eubanks ready to get his mitts on Argos
August 25-- Time to challenge wisdom of summoning the short-yardage offence
August 24-- Are Bombers foolish to risk Reid on returns?
August 24-- 'Mid-term' report card for the Saskatchewan Roughriders
August 24-- Romero cracks up fans with antics
August 23-- Extra! Extra! REID ALL IT'S ABOUT
August 23-- Stampeder jolts back to reality
August 23-- Eskimos get back to work
August 22-- Bombers defuse Lions
August 22-- Riders vow to make changes after break
August 22-- Stamps’ Arthur itching to return to action
August 21-- Alouettes hold off Roughriders
August 21-- Ticats take show to London in effort to expand fan base
August 21-- Barrin mind
August 20-- Roughriders looking for revenge
August 20-- BC Lion Jarious Jackson showed true character, channeled his anger
August 20-- Kelly's scheme no dream
August 19-- Ex-Al may bolster Stamps defence
August 19-- Als' Larry Taylor a victim of his own success
August 19-- Riders still searching for an identity
August 18-- Perseverance pays off for Als' Bowman
August 18-- Paris Jackson lights it up
August 18-- Think Tank in session
August 17-- Ticat rally falls short
August 17-- Bombers add returner, dump Giles
August 17-- Jarious Jackson looking out for No. 1
August 16-- Als dine on turnovers
August 16-- Lumsden 'laying low' until next week
August 16-- Brief CFL career opened doors for `Cool Hand Luc'
August 15-- Lions-Argos QB quandry
August 15-- Calvillo leads Als over Bombers
August 15-- An uplifting of the spirit
August 14-- Bombers focus on consistency
August 14-- McPherson prepared to wait for his turn
August 14-- Student, teacher square off for real
August 13-- Eskimos capture Battle of Alberta over Stamps
August 13-- Argos' Murphy anxious to meet former teammates
August 13-- Roughriders don't have history of developing quarterbacks
August 12-- Mallett runs into high praise
August 12-- Johnson leading Ticats defence
August 12-- Romby lets play do his talking... he hasn't had much to say
August 11-- Argos turn to Pickett to spark offence
August 11-- 'We still have a legitimate shot'
August 11-- B.C. Lions: Yurichuk making up for mistakes
August 10-- Argos ponder change at pivot
August 10-- Short passes work, for now
August 10-- Huff lays down law on stamps penalty parade
August 9--
August 9--
August 9--
August 8--
August 8--
August 8--
August 7--
August 7--
August 7--
August 6-- Cobourne and Robertson ready to face off
August 6-- Ticats look for support outside Hamilton
August 6-- Frustrated Lewis wants more action
August 5-- Lions can't afford more mistakes
August 5-- Argos coach Andrus not sweating so-so start
August 5-- Siddeeq the Freak gets his props
August 4-- Schultz decides to leave Roughriders
August 4-- Alouettes' offence stuck in neutral
August 4-- Bombers' linebacker Shabazz nurses ankle injury
August 3-- Edmonton Eskimos’ coach says team should focus on improving
August 3-- Thelwell joins Stamps receivers in sick bay
August 3-- Argos close to bringing back Sam
August 2-- Well, at least they're being honest
August 2-- Michael Bishop in pain but happy to take over as Bombers' new starting QB
August 2-- Rider pride runs wild at McMahon
August 1-- Cobb carries Ticats
August 1-- Argos lose ugly to Bombers
August 1-- Esks block out trouble

Arland dons his Tigers stripes

“It was an easy trade for Hamilton, they got a heck of a deal"-- Toronto Argonauts GM, Adam Rita outlining his thoughts on the relocation plans of Arland Bruce III, former member of the Double blue.

The Arland Bruce days in Argo Blue have come to an end, the showdown between coach Bart Andrus and his talented but decidedly independent thinking receiver ended on Wednesday as the Argos traded Bruce to their bitter rivals the Hamilton Tiger Cats.

The move was a reinforcement of control for new head coach Bart Andrus, who quickly tired of the off field inconsistencies (and perhaps one or two of the on the field ones) that Bruce showcased in his first four weeks under the Andrus regime.

As the weeks went by, it became clear that the two weren't going to be getting along too well, with Bruce proving to be a bit of a disruptive force early on this season. So Andrus it seems outlined where he stood and in the end the Argos management decided that their new coach needed their support much more than they required Bruce's talents.

So it's down the QEW he goes, in return the Cats have received the rights to highly touted Canadian defensive lineman Corey Mace,currently with the Buffalo Bills, the Cats also will receive a third-round pick next year as well as a conditional pick in the 2011 draft.

As Wednesday was coming to an end, the word was that the Argos had made contact with Mace and it's anticipated that an agreement may soon be worked out to bring him back across the border to Ontario. An ending that at least may help calm down those Argo fans who may be feeling that they played a poor hand of poker this week in TO.

For Bruce, it's perhaps the best result he could have hoped for, a chance to remain in the centre of the CFL's media universe (though slightly west of the centre) and provides the chance to come back and haunt his former team on a somewhat regular basis.

The only question for Hamilton fans probably is what may be ahead, can he just concentrate on the football while in Hamilton and leave the off field theatrics back in the Argo camp. If he can focus on the football, the Cats suddenly have become a very serious threat to the final standings for the 2009 season.

In the end though, the two weeks of drama have at least kept the CFL on the sports pages in Southern Ontario.

And while they've not said a word, we suspect that the league likewise is pretty content with the way it all has played out.

As if the Argo/Tiger Cat rivalry needed any help in raising the temperature, we now add in the element of the Cats taking on the spurned son of the Double Blue, old Harold Ballard would have loved the theatre of it all.

Hamilton Spectator-- Argos send disgruntled receiver Bruce to Ticats
National Post-- Bruce starting fresh with Tiger-Cats
Globe and Mail--Hey Bart, get used to flakes
Globe and Mail-- Bruce says he won’t lie down on job
Globe and Mail-- Bruce dealt to Tiger Cats
Globe and Mail-- Re-visiting the Arland Bruce Shuffle
Toronto Star-- Argos end Bruce saga with trade to Hamilton
Toronto Sun-- Argos deal Bruce to arch-rival Ticats
Toronto Sun-- Bruce traded to Hamilton
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Photo above from Globe and Mail website

Week Five (July 30--August 1)

Games for week five of the 2009 season include:

Thursday, July 30--Montreal 19 at Edmonton 33 (33,206)
Friday, July 31-- BC 18 at Hamilton 30 (20,103)
Saturday, August 1-- Winnipeg 13 at Toronto 12 (23,821)
Saturday, August 1-- Saskatchewan 24 at Calgary 23 (35,650)

CFL Players of the Week Archive 2009

We archive the Player of the Week selections here for the 2009 Season!

Week Four -- July 23-26
Week Three -- July 16-19
Week Two -- July 9-12
Week One -- July 1 -4

CFL Players of the Week -- Week Four

Two Als, and two Eskimos highlight the week four selections of the Players of the Week.
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Video Replay of the players of the week.
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Among the best of the league this week were:
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OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Anthony Calvillo-- QB -- Montreal Alouettes
Unanimous selection

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Anwar Stewart-- DE -- Montreal Alouettes
Runner up-- LB-- Barrin Simpson-- Winnipeg Blue Bombers

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Tristan Jackson-- KR -- Edmonton Eskimos
Runner up-- K -- Sandro DeAngelis-- Calgary Stampeders

CANADIAN PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Calvin McCarty -- RB-- Edmonton Eskimos
Unanimous selection

Printers, Bishop on the Bombers speed dial?

The growing chorus of dissatisfied Blue Bomber fans may soon be heard, their increasing anger and disappointment over the state of the Bombers perhaps answered.

A report in the Globe and Mail suggests that phone calls have been made and tentative contacts made with both Casey Printers and Michael Bishop, two high profile former CFL quarterbacks currently sitting on the sidelines in the US after less than successful 2008 campaigns.

With the Bomber offence struggling under Stefan Lefors, the post game talk shows have been jammed with stadium, armchair and TV GM's offering up their advice as to what path the Blue should go to try and get things back on track.

Concerns over the lethargic and inconsistent Bomber offence (one first down in thirty minutes of football, just the latest trend) have grown as the Bombers pile up the losses.

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During the course of Friday nights broadcast of the Bombers Argos game, head coach Mike Kelly was quoted as suggesting that he was almost at the point of having to "fish or cut bait" when it came to his dedication to Stefan Lefors to lead the Bomber offence.

Printers received a look over during the winter when he was put through some offensive paces by the Bombers after his release from his horrific year with the Ti Cats, with the Bombers suffering some horrors of their own in the first quarter of the CFL season, the Blue may be on the verge of perhaps giving Printers another shot at CFL success.

Likewise, Bishop may get a chance to reclaim a starting position, last lost in Saskatchewan following last years playoffs, Bishop who started the year last season with the Argonauts was moved when Toronto made Kerry Joseph their number one starter, his stay in Regina however was shortlived when the Riders failed to move forward in last years playoffs.

With the way the Bombers season is progressing, even the prospect of picking up the damaged or frustrated cast offs of last year may seem like progress, if nothing else, it may buy them some time with their fans, who are quickly letting the team know that they aren't happy with the way things are going so far.

Winnipeg Free Press-- Back to the sandlot, boys
Winnipeg Free Press-- Hey Kelly, your offence -- it's a really big issue
Winnipeg Sun-- Blue hit new low
National Post-- Bombers’ offence sputters in loss to Argos

Buono sticks with Buck, but those whispers will continue from the fans

Loyalty is a trademark of Lions head coach Wally Buono, where injury never plays a role in replacing a starting quarterback, so it probably is not a surprise to learn that when the Lions host the Stamps on Friday night, it will be Buck Pierce who takes to the field as the starting quarterback of the hometown Leos.

Despite an impressive performance in relief and his selection as the offensive player of the week for week three, Jarious Jackson will be back on the sidelines on Friday, scouting out the trends of the Stamps defence and standing ready just in case he's needed again.

Quarterback controversies are not an unknown thing in BC, it's one of those problems that coaches love to have, when they have two strong performers at the starting position, but they can at times become a disruptive part of a teams psyche.

It wasn't too long ago, that the Casey Printers/Dave Dickenson tandem provided for the conversation starters on the sports talk shows of BC, each player had his own fan base, equally able to voice an opinion as to which QB should be carrying the load on a game to game basis.

That hasn't developed yet with Jackson/Pierce, but the makings of it are surely there. Jackson has frequently risen to the occasion when called on in relief, whether its a move to shake up a lacklustre offence, or the result of injury.



With the Lions having struggled out of the start of the season, Jackson's success in game number three probably converted a few more fans over to his side of the debate, fans who had seen some bad signs in the first two games, were quite thrilled with the Lions plan B QB's, ability to take charge of last Thursday's domination of the Edmonton Eskimos.

Should they stumble on Friday against the Stamps, one suspects that it won't be long before coach Buono hears from the loyal supporters. Winning will quiet that debate for the short term, but the two seem equal in talent and heart, eventually Jackson we suspect will be a starting QB in the CFL, whether that is in BC remains to be seen.

Though when given the chance, he clearly provides for a most entertaining audition tape...

Vancouver Province-- QB silence is golden
Canadian Press/TSN-- Despite Stellar performance by Jackson, Pierce to start vs Stamps
Vancouver Sun-- Buck Pierce remains Buono's man
Vancouver Sun-- Buck’s back in the saddle as starter

From the land of Friday Night Lights, to one with Friday Night Football

Once again, the Saskatchewan Roughriders have stolen the week's thunder, this time with a surprise signing of potentially one of the names to watch in Canadian Football.

The Riders announced the signging of Graham Harrell this week, introducing him to his new team mates and the curious onlookers of a Riders practice on Tuesday.

Harrell, is a highly regarded quarterback out of Texas Tech, the first quarterback to throw for over 5,000 yards in consecutive seasons and one of the top five finalists for the Heisman trophy.

In short, he's a guy with a lot of talent it would seem and considering his passing stats, someone who just may be suited to the pass happy CFL.

His road to Regina came as a byway of the NFL draft, where scouts suggested that his passing numbers were more a result of the type of offence that Texas Tech put in place, whispering concerns over his arm strength, apparently loud enough to move him off the depth charts of much of the NFL.

While there was a slight bit of interest in the newly formed UFL, Harrell instead has decided that for now, the best place for him to play professional football will be above the 49th parallel, far from the football factories of Texas, but not to far from that passion for the game.

One of his first observations of his early days in Regina has been that total involvement that football and the community have in Saskatchewan. One where a little bit of success could go a long way in building up a core of supporters.

The Riders have no plans to rush Harrell into their system, in fact his first official function it seems was to sign on to the Injured List, though many suspect it was a method the Riders have used in order to work around their cap problems with the new hire.

His placement on that list, will allow him nine weeks to learn the system and now ease into the CFL and learn the differences between the styles of football. It may not be what the list was designed for, but he more than likely is not the first person in the CFL to come down with such maladies as Turf toe, throwers elbow or any other creative injury to while away the hours.

You can't help but notice their glee in luring such a high profile candidate into their organization. A move that has attracted attention on both sides of the border.

Harrell no doubt will be anxious to prove those NFL scouts and doubters wrong and if all goes according to plan, the Riders will be more than happy to provide that platform for him.

From the accounts of his time in Texas, he sounds like someone that is perfectly suited to the more wide open Canadian game, once he's comfortable we're sure we'll see him in play, perhaps not in the starting role that he may have become accustomed to, but as another part of what continues to be a well run machine out of Saskatchewan, one that frequently finds the players required to keep the Riders part of the hunt for the Grey Cup.

Regina Leader Post-- CFL offers new Roughriders quarterback Graham Harrell opportunity
Vancouver Sun-- Riders land Texas gunslinging QB

CBC -- Roughriders sign U.S. college star Harrell

Dallas Morning News-- Harrell heading to Saskatchewan, CFL

The Daily Toreador-- Harrell will play in Canadian Football League

Week Four (July 23-25)

Games for week four of the schedule include:

Thursday, July 23-- Hamilton 8 at Montreal 21 (20,202)
Friday, July 24-- Toronto 19 at Winnipeg 5 (28,466)
Friday, July 24-- Calgary 48 at B. C. 10 (27,191)
Saturday, July 18-- Edmonton 38 at Saskatchewan 33(30,945)

All Games on TSN

CFL Players of the Week -- Week Three

Two Lions a Cat and a Stampeder highlight the week three selections of the Players of the Week.
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Video Replay of the players of the week.
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Among the best of the league this week were:
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OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Jarious Jackson- QB -- British Columbia Lions
Unanimous selection

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Dwaine Carpenter -- LB -- Calgary Stampeders
Runner up-- DL-- Malik Jackson -- Calgary Stampeders

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Nick Setta-- K -- Hamilton Tiger Cats
Runner up-- LB-- Tyler Ebell-- BC Lions, Sean White-- BC Lions

CANADIAN PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Paris Jackson -- SB-- BC Lions
Runner Up-- T-- Jeff Perrett -- Montreal Alouettes

Ready to raise a roof in Regina

Flush with success at the box office and the talk of the province for all these years, the prospect of a little comfort for the faithful seems like a long over due thing.

Monday, officials in Saskatchewan floated the idea that a covered stadium is something that should be further investigated, the project just one segment of a comprehensive review of options, would provide the Saskatchewan Roughriders with what would be a modern and well equipped home and the province with an entertainment and sports venue that could be used year round.

It's an idea that seems to make perfect sense, especially considering the climate of the province, one that makes parkas and thermal underwear a must have, sometimes as early as November and long into March.

For the Riders, it would be some long overdue recognition of the importance of the team to the core of Saskatchewan's image, a top notch place from which to showcase the team and add to the community something that only a few select Canadian cities have, a covered stadium for multi use purposes.

Should the folks in Saskatchewan decide to go ahead with the project, estimated to cost around 350 million dollars (not counting land acquisition), they would be but one of three indoor venues in the nation for football, following the Rogers Centre in Toronto and BC Place in Vancouver, there is the Olympic Stadium in Montreal, but it's one of those on occasion homes, usually hosting the last game of the year for the Alouettes and any playoff matches, including it's hosting of the Grey Cup upon it's Montreal arrival.

And if the proponents of the domed Saskatchewan stadium need an extra selling point, it may just be that prospect of hosting more Grey Cups in the future, combining the organizational excellence that Saskatchewan provided a few years back with a climate controlled field of play for the national classic.

With a new stadium on the drawing board in Winnipeg, and a potential new one soon to be examined in Hamilton, putting a domed stadium in Regina would give it a leg up in attracting the Grey Cup on a more regular basis.

Winnipeg's current design does not feature the covered stadium concept, an oversight in the minds of many, it would be quite interesting to watch as their neighbours to the west trump the design with something more practical and more usable on a year round basis.

The old idea that football was made to be played in the elements, does hold much appeal, but come November when the frost is on more than the pumpkins, we think over all even the most die hard Rider fan more than likely would like to come in from the cold.

If they build it, we suspect they'll come!

Regina Leader Post-- Domed stadium to be studied for downtown
Regina Leader Post-- Stadium partnerships key to avoiding political pitfalls
Regina Leader Post-- Downtown stadium favoured -- with the right game plan
Regina Leader Post-- Another step closer to a domed stadium for Regina
Regina Leader Post-- Paying for new stadium for Regina still to be determined
Regina Leader Post-- The option to be explored is a dome in downtown Regina -- It's good to see everyone catching up!

Regina Leader Post-- Roughriders chairman Rob Pletch says team hoping for a dome in Regina
Regina Leader Post-- Sask. government will not go into debt to build new stadium in Regina: Cheveldayoff

Regina Leader Post-- North Dakota's Fargodome a possible model for new stadium in Regina

Globe and Mail-- Report: Regina needs domed stadium

The 2009 Season

Week by Week result's of the CFL's 2009 season

Week Five (July 30-Aug 1)
Week Four (July 23-25)
Week Three (July 17-19)
Week Two (July 9-11)
Week One (July 1-3)

CFL Players of the Week -- Week Two

Week number two saw some new faces to the Players of the week rankings...

Video Replay of the players of the week.

Among the best of the league this week were:

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Deandra' Cobb- RB -- Hamilton Tiger Cats

Runner up-- QB--Anthony Calvillo - Montreal Alouettes

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Siddeeq Shabazz -- LB -- Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Runner up-- LB-- Otis Floyd-- Hamilton Tiger Cats, DT-- Keron Williams-- Montreal Alouettes

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Larry Taylor -- KR -- Montreal Alouettes

Runner up-- LB-- Jerrell Freeman-- Saskatchewan Roughriders

CANADIAN PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Brent Johnson -- DT-- BC Lions

Runner Up-- S-- Ian Logan -- Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Ryan Thelwell, Calgary Stampeders

Stamps slow out of the gate in defense of their title

The long term contract, it's the dream of many a CFL player, providing with it a little security and a financial benefit to go with it.

Such was the good news for Henry Burris in late June as the Stamps announced that their star quarterback had signed on for another four years in Red and White, a move that met with approval all around from the QB himself, to team management to the fans.

Now if only he could get untracked and make it all come together on the field.

Other CFL stars hoping for a little of the same kind of respect from their teams might be hoping that Burris gets going as well, after all, the concept of a long term contract as a motivational force for success is going to get a second look if the Stamps don't soon return to the winning ways that brought them a Grey Cup last season.

So far this year they've looked anything but of championship stock, dropped passes, fumbles, missed tackles and sloppy play have proved to be uncharacteristic of John Hufnagel's team, the Stamps are in a most unfamiliar place early on, last in the CFL West at 0 and 2 heading into this week's play with Toronto on the schedule for Friday Night Football.

Most alarming for Hufnagel will be the Points against so far, as the defense has surrendered a league leading 82 points over two games, a hard bit of math to conquer if you're seeking a few wins along the way, even in the overly offensive style of play featured in the CFL.

It's clearly too early to be pushing any panic buttons and since they are the Grey Cup Champions one would expect that when the game comes around again in November the Stamps most likely will be expected to be a challenger for a repeat.

But not unless they shake these early season cobwebs out of their heads and get back into a frame of mind that wins are there for the taking. So far the Stamps have played far too tentatively and made too many on field miscues, mental errors that have cost them valuable field and ball possession and allowed their opposition to flourish over two games.

Friday's match up offers up an interesting comparison, the Argos who self destructed at a key point of last week's game against Saskatchewan have had a few days to feel the wrath of their coach and focus on what needs to be done to correct their problems.

They will be rather anxious to show that they are quick studies and that last week was not a trend that will continue.

Likewise, the Stamps are going to be eager to turn around the sloppy start to the year, no one more so than Burris, who one imagines is eager to show management that their faith and long term vision was correct.

Any number of CFL players might be quietly hoping that he's back on his game soon, making their case that a long term deal has benefits for all in the long run.

.

Calgary Herald-- Back to Square one

Calgary Herald-- Sluggish start sends veteran to the sidelines

Calgary Sun-- Injuries back to bug Stampeders after ugly loss

Calgary Sun-- Champs pledge turnaround

Week Three (July 16-18)

Games for week three of the schedule include:

Thursday, July 16-- BC 40 at Edmonton 22 (33,661)
Friday, July 17-- Toronto 9 at Calgary 44 (33,109)
Saturday, July 18-- Montreal 43 at Saskatchewan 10 (30,945)
Saturday, July 18-- Winnipeg 13 at Hamilton 25 (24,292)

CFL Players of the Week-- Week One

The CFL announced its players of the week for the first week of regular season action.

Video replay of the Players of the week.

Among the best of the league this week were:

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Jamal Robertson-- RB -- Toronto Argonauts
Runner up-- Weston Dressler -- SB-- Saskatchewan Roughriders

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Stevie Baggs -- DE -- Saskatchewan Roughriders
Runner up-- - DT -- Adriana Belli- Toronto Argonauts

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Damon Duvall- K/P- Montreal Alouettes
Runner up-- Titus Ryan -- K -- Calgary Stampeders

CANADIAN PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Adriano Belli-- DT -- Toronto Argonauts
Runners up-- Andrew Nowacki -- WR -- Edmonton Eskimos

Week Two (July 9-11)

Action for week two includes:

Thursday, July 9-- Edmonton 16 at Montreal 50 (20,202)
Friday, July 10-- Calgary 18 at Winnipeg 35 (29,533)
Friday, July 10-- Hamilton 31 at BC 28 (30,062)
Saturday, July 11-- Saskatchewan 46 at Toronto 36 (30,005)

All games on TSN

The final Snap -- July 2009

We review the quotables from the CFL for the month of July and archive our findings below.


July 31 "At this point in my career, I want to have fun--regardless of the outcome, I just want to have fun. I want to be a kid again"
July 30 "With the field being so wide, I'm not noticing there's 12 people on the field"
July 29 "It was an easy trade for Hamilton, they got a heck of a deal"
July 28 "He’ll make any offence better"
July 27-- "I still know a lot of guys on the team, so if I get an opportunity to get out there and play I'll just go out there and win for Winnipeg"
July 26-- "But the thing we didn't do that we've done in the past was we didn't panic"
July 25-- "It’s very upsetting, but that’s life. It should be upsetting for everybody"
July 24-- "Hopefully we put this thing to rest one way or the other"
July 23-- "I wanted to be an Eskimo. I love the city of Edmonton and wanted to play here"
July 22-- "We’re still evolving at our quarterback position and still haven’t had a proven performance yet"
July 21-- "I always tell them I don't regret for one minute ever going to Canada."
July 20-- "But he has enough physical stature to play safety like we want him to"
July 19-- "It's whatever it takes to win. We'll make decision on our starter by day one [of practice.] "
July 18-- "I told everybody at the beginning that I was never a vengeful person"
July 17-- "This is no different than week one. I’m ready to go if they need me for 70 plays or overtime"
July 16-- "I’d say I’ve been developing patience in the game of football ever since Pop Warner,"
July 15-- "Right now, we're having a little trouble as a whole on defence,"
July 14-- "Now, all of a sudden, I'm a fashion critic here, too? Do I have to put on a boa or anything"
July 13-- "Personally, it doesn't matter to me if I get zero interceptions if we win a Grey Cup "
July 12-- "We need to get better in a short amount of time"
July 11-- "I never thought in a million years we'd lose to Hamilton"
July 10-- "I'm good with anything Arland wants to do when he scores touchdowns, as long as its legal and within the rules of the CFL "
July 9-- "It’s a catch I have to make. I hold myself accountable for that,"
July 8-- "There are many, many, many players that have less than $1,000"
July 7-- "As soon as I get home, I'm in bed "
July 6-- "It's awesome. This is a dream come true."
July 5-- "None of this has been my determination, let's put it that way. It's been out of my hands for awhile"
July 4-- "When I think about where we are (as a league), I’m really thinking about not just this year but for the next 30 to 40 years"
July 3-- "It was just one of those nights -- it was ugly"
July 2-- "You saw a lot of Canadians rallying to our league and we're just continuing that momentum"
July 1-- "We’ve got to keep on hitting him and staying in his face"