GA Russell

Recently I've been seeing some internet abbreviations a lot that I can't figure out just what they mean: pwn, or pwned FTW Can one of you gurus help?

Week 7 previews: http://sports.canada.com/default.asp?c=can.../AJN4095890.htm ***** Thursday night: Montreal Alouettes 30....Calgary Stampeders 18 http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Football/CFL/New...4406626-cp.html

It looks like Rocky Butler will start at QB for the Argos this week. http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Football/CFL/Tor...402251-sun.html

Ed Brown died last week. I had his bubble gum card in 1959 when he was with the Bears. When I lived in Pittsburgh in the 70s I heard radio legend Myron Cope tell a story about Brown. He was the Steelers QB in '63. To my knowledge the Steelers had never had a good team till then. The team was started in the mid-30s. Going into the last week of the season the Steelers were second in the East. That was because in those days the rankings were calculated differently. Now a tie is considered to be one-half win and one-half loss. But in those days ties were disregarded when calculating the winning percentage. The Steelers had a number of ties that year. (No OT, kids!) So with few losses their winning percentage was higher than it would be considered today. There were no playoffs then. The championship game was between the two first place teams. Going into the last week of the season, if the Steelers won that game they would finish first and play in the championship game for the first time. So according to Cope Brown decided that he would go on the wagon the entire week before the game. Well in the game Brown spent the day overthrowing his receivers, and they lost. And all of the players blamed Brown for going on the wagon! Here's his LA Times obit: Ed Brown, 78; former NFL quarterback From the Associated Press August 8, 2007 Ed Brown, a former NFL quarterback and a leader of the University of San Francisco's undefeated 1951 team, has died. He was 78. Brown died Thursday in Kennewick, Wash., of prostate cancer, said his daughter, Brooke Brownie. Brown played 12 NFL seasons, including eight with the Chicago Bears and nearly four more with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was the Bears' starting quarterback from 1955 to 1959, playing in the 1956 NFL title game and earning a spot in two Pro Bowls while also serving as Chicago's punter. Brown passed for 15,600 yards and 102 touchdowns in his NFL career, including a career-best 2,982 yards and 21 TDs for the Steelers in 1963. Brown, who grew up in San Luis Obispo, led San Francisco to a 9-0 record in 1951, his senior year. He earned the nickname "All-Around Brown" while playing quarterback, kicker and punter for a team that included future Pro Football Hall of Famers Gino Marchetti, Ollie Matson and Bob St. Clair. The Dons then received praise for refusing to drop their two black players, Matson and Burl Toler, in order to receive a bowl bid, as was required by most major bowl games at the time. San Francisco shut down its football program after the season, citing the high costs. Brown served two years in the Marines before joining the Bears as a sixth-round pick. After leaving the NFL in 1965, he ran a business for 13 years. In addition to his daughter, he is survived by sister Greta Gerrie, brother Clarence Brown, son Beau Brown and grandchildren Bria and Brynn Brownie. Brown's funeral is Saturday at Reis Family Mortuary in San Luis Obispo.

Just a reminder. I'm going to spend what time I have listening to this.

Damon Allen injured his toe against Montreal the other day. Does this mean that Mike McMahon will start for the Argos whether they like it or not? http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/R...tsFootball/home ***** Demetrious Maxie has come out of retirement to help the Stampeders. He played for the Stallions, so that ups to 3 the number of US team veterans still in the league (along with Calvillo and Allen). http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Football/CFL/Cal...399419-sun.html

Thanks Lon. I'll look forward to the Maynard.

Today I went to BJ's to have my oil changed and tires rotated, and bought on an impulse Perry Mason, Season 2, Volume 1 (first 15 episodes) for $27.99.

I read his book Real Money maybe six months ago. He wants you to play the market every day - sell on every downturn, buy on every up-turn. My understanding is that amateurs never make money doing that. Maybe some of you disagree.

Calgary Stampeders 34....Edmonton Eskimos 32 http://sports.canada.com/default.asp?c=can.../AJN4095226.htm I missed the first twelve minutes, but listened to the Eskimos broadcast with Bryan Hall of the rest of the game. I had the pleasure of meeting Bryan at the 1978 Grey Cup game. He has his faults, especially running on with his observations getting in the way of his calling the game. But you can't deny his passion for the game and the league. Great game. DeAngelis kicked a field goal on the last play of the game to win it. With five minutes to go in the second quarter there was a fight, and two of Edmonton's linebackers (including AJ Gass) were ejected. None of the Stamps were thrown out. But the Eskimos held on till Calgary's final drive when they lost a third linebacker due to injury. I think Edmonton went to the prevent defense at the end, and Henry Burris had no trouble moving the team all the way down the field for the final field goal. Edm was rushing only three, and dropping nine back; and the Stamps made moving the ball look easy. Despite being in last place in the West, Ricky Ray now leads the league in TD passes with 12. I haven't had the opportunity to listen to more than one game per week until this week; but I get the impression that the number of exciting games is way up from last year. I said earlier that I thought that Burris was overrated, but he looked sharp this game.

BMG is now carrying Beatles titles, including Rubber Soul, Sgt. Pepper, The White Album and Abbey Road. http://www.bmgmusic.com/catalog/browse/art...FEY?partyId=136

Happy Birthday a few hours late Shawn!

Sorry to see this. In the spring of '68 I attended a press party in New Orleans for the first Jazzfest. I met Doug Ramsey there. Earl and his brother Willie played with their group, and they were great!

As I recall, Screaming Jay Hawkins claimed to have over 50 children, and after he died the executor of his estate called for people to come forward and make their claim.

Hamilton Tiger-Cats 43....Winnipeg Blue Bombers 22 http://sports.canada.com/default.asp?c=can.../AJN4095070.htm I missed the first quarter of this one, but heard the rest. The Bombers led 8-7 early, but after that the Ticats prevailed. Jesse Lumsden on his birthday had two very long runs for TDs. Richard Karikari has landed with the Ticats; but he was removed in the first quarter (I don't know why, maybe an injury) so his future with the team may be in doubt. Speaking of doubtful futures, Troy Westwood missed three FGs (and made two), so he may be back on the healthy scratch list again. This was the Ticats' first win of the season, and it was against the first place Bombers. With the Bombers sporting a 3-2-1 record, it looks like for now the East is wide open. Maybe again this year the fourth place Western team will cross over for the playoffs. Nick Setta, who I learned went to Notre Dame, missed a chip shot FG, so he is now I think 16 for 19 on the year. After so many years with bad kicking, it's nice to see the Ticats enjoy strength in that department.

I was never moved to buy a Clancy Brothers record, but I always enjoyed seeing them on TV. Here's his LA Times obit: Tommy Makem, 74; Irish folk musician, storyteller From Times Wire Services August 3, 2007 Tommy Makem, a musician, singer and master storyteller who teamed up with the Clancy Brothers to popularize traditional Irish folk music around the world, has died. He was 74. Makem died of lung cancer Wednesday in Dover, N.H., where he lived for many years, his son Conor told the Associated Press. Playing banjo, tin whistle and singing in a deep baritone, Makem was known as the Godfather of Irish music for bringing Irish culture to audiences. His original songs, such as "Four Green Fields" and "Gentle Annie," have become Irish folk music standards. "He was a great entertainer," his lifelong collaborator Liam Clancy told Ireland's RTE state radio. "He had a knack of making an audience laugh and cry, holding them in the palm of his hand." Working with the Clancy Brothers — Liam, Tom and Paddy — Makem shot to fame in the late 1950s and early 1960s, playing to sold-out audiences at New York's Carnegie Hall and London's Royal Albert Hall. They appeared on the "Ed Sullivan Show," "The Tonight Show" and other TV variety programs. Three weeks ago, Makem visited his home county of Armagh in Ireland and traveled to Belfast, where he was presented with an honorary doctorate at the University of Ulster. Makem was born in Keady, County Armagh, in 1932. He got much of his musical education from his mother, Sarah Makem, a folk singer. The songs she taught him provided the foundation for his later work with the Clancy Brothers and as a solo artist. Seeking a career in acting, Makem moved to New York in the 1950s. He appeared on television, in summer stock and in off-Broadway shows. He began singing professionally in 1956 when he was asked to perform at the Circle in the Square Theater in New York's Greenwich Village. He became friends with Pete Seeger and the other members of the folk group the Weavers. After he teamed up with the Clancy Brothers, they were signed to Columbia Records by talent scout John Hammond, who also discovered Bob Dylan. Along with Joan Baez, Makem was named the most promising newcomer at the 1961 Newport Folk Festival. In 1962, when playing for President Kennedy, whose ancestors came from Ireland, Makem introduced a song about Irish immigrants in America: "This song is about some people who came and got a rather black welcome," Makem said. "I think, all things considered, some of them didn't do too badly." Makem left the group in 1969 to pursue a solo career before teaming up with Liam Clancy from 1975 to 1998. Tom Clancy died in 1990, and Paddy died in 1998. "In life, Tommy brought happiness and joy to hundreds of thousands of fans the world over," Irish President Mary McAleese said in a statement. "Always the consummate musician, he was also a superb ambassador for the country, and one of whom we will always be proud." Besides Conor, Makem is survived by sons Shane and Rory.

Week 6 previews: http://sports.canada.com/default.asp?c=can.../AJN4094727.htm ***** First Week 6 results: Montreal Alouettes 29....Toronto Argonauts 27 http://sports.canada.com/default.asp?c=can.../AJN4094880.htm Saskatchewan Roughriders 21....British Columbia Lions 9 http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Football/CFL/Gam...4389800-cp.html ***** The Als' Mike Vilimek is out for the season with a torn ligament in his right knee. I'm under the impression that he is the best blocking back in the league, but some of you may have your own favorite.

That's an easy one for me. Paul Desmond!

Happy Birthday tomorrow Lon! One in three chance of a complete cure sounds pretty good to me. Aren't the chances usually worse? I'll keep you both in my prayers.

Thanks for that info, John. The NFL pays a lot more, so they have the first pick of all the players. (Of course, the NBA with Charlie Ward and MLB with Bo Jackson show who really have the first pick.) So I have met many Torontonians who assume that everyone in the NFL is better than everyone in the CFL. They don't appreciate that they are different games, and that the ability to play American rules football doesn't prove that you have what it takes to play Canadian rules football (and vice versa). ***** Here's Ian Busby's weekly view: RANKINGS (WITH PREVIOUS WEEK IN BRACKETS) 1. (1) B.C. Lions -- Starters dropping all over the place. 2. (2) Winnipeg -- End of record chase takes heat off. 3. (4) Saskatchewan -- Defence causing fits for even the best of QBs. 4. (5) Calgary -- Could be a championship contender if turnovers are cut down. 5. (3) Edmonton -- Everyone gets blown out at times. 6. (7) Montreal -- Fully earned win in Toronto but need to prove worth at home. 7. (6) Toronto -- Finally Allen and Avery get jobs back. 8. (8) Hamilton -- Frustration building but there are positive signs every week. --- CRYSTAL BALL OUR PREDICTIONS FOR THE WEEK AHEAD Toronto at Montreal -- Als continue to struggle on home turf. Argos by 3. Saskatchewan at B.C. -- 'Riders get revenge for earlier loss. Roughies by 3. Winnipeg at Hamilton -- Tabbies finally cut out penalties and get first win. Ticats by 3. Calgary at Edmonton -- Esks get back to basics in beating provincial rival. Edmonton by 7.

Happy Birthday Herb!

I see that the league's website, cfl.ca, is offering the television broadcasts of its games on the internet again this year. The price for those outside Canada is $9.95 USD. "Archived" games are $3.95. The 2006 Grey Cup game is free. Why they would want to offer that one as a free sample is a mystery to me. That was the most boring Grey Cup game in memory. If I were them I would offer for free the 1996 Grey Cup game, which I went to, with the snow coming down and Doug Flutie scrambling. http://www4.insinc.com/cfl/ ***** PS - Ian Busby won the 50/50 last week! His take was $19,000+. He said in his column that it was difficult to write about the game because he was so excited to win.

I lived in Pittsburgh when Bill Robinson played for the Pirates in the late 70s. Each year for the 4th of July the Pirates would have a Fireworks Night. So we went one year, and Robinson won the game in the bottom of an extra inning with a home run. We went the next year, and Robinson won it again with a single in the bottom of the ninth!

BClug, you think this may be the week the Lions lose one? Yesterday I saw a headline at cfl.ca (which is no longer there for me to give a link) that said that somebody (the Eskimos?) released Val St. Germain. He had a great career, but I guess he is done now. Do you think he will be elected to the Hall of Fame?

Man, Paris Hilton stories are all over the internet tonight. I swear I'm not googling Paris Hilton looking for them! This is from Fox News. Now the Hiltons are denying the original story. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,291395,00.html Paris Hilton Still a Grandpa's Girl Monday, July 30, 2007 By Hollie McKay Rumors that Paris Hilton may be out of pocket when her papa passes have been dismissed, according to her rep. Sydney's Daily Telegraph newspaper reported that the Barron Hilton, the last remaining Hilton with a large share in the hotel chain, was so humiliated by her wild ways and drink-driving charge that he cut her inheritance by $60 million. However, Barron believes he has been misrepresented. "Barron Hilton (Paris's grandfather) was contacted and said the characterization of his feelings towards Paris or his will are inaccurate," a spokesperson for the hotel heiress told FOXNews.com. While no comment was made regarding whether his will has been changed, a spokesperson for the "Simple Life" sensation said Paris's relationship with her grandfather remains strong. "Paris said that when she was in jail she had a lot of time to reflect on what's important," added the rep. "She intends to devote more of her time to charity work and helping those in need and that is what she has been doing."