2007 CFL season

[GA Russell]

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.

[John Tapscott]

Hamilton Tiger-Cats 43....Winnipeg Blue Bombers 22

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.

I could hardly believe the score when I saw it. Wow! Glad to see Hamilton finally win a game. Hope they catch and pass the Argos. I'm really cheesed off right now with the Argos. And it's good to see our Canadian lad Lumsden doing so well. The Ti-Cats, unlike the Argos, realize that you need a running game to succeed in the CFL.

[GA Russell]

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.

[GA Russell]

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

[GA Russell]

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

[GA Russell]

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

[GA Russell]

In the past few years I have listened to almost all of the games, but this year I have had the opportunity to catch only a few. But this week I heard some of these three:

Saskatchewan Roughriders 24....Toronto Argonauts 13

http://sports.canada.com/default.asp?c=can.../AJN4096153.htm

I tuned in to this one with a minute to go in the second quarter. Unfortunately for me, most of the scoring was in the first half.

I listened to the Argos broadcast. Rocky Butler had a solid game, perhaps his best as a pro. But the Riders were the better team throughout.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers 22....British Columbia Lions 21

http://sports.canada.com/default.asp?c=can.../AJN4096197.htm

I tried to listen to the Lions broadcast, but again this year I have troubles getting it on my computer. Some webcasts are better than others, and for me the Riders' is the best. I have dial-up, and I think that's what makes the difference. So I listened to the Bombers broadcast with Bob Irving, whom I met at the '96 Grey Cup game in a hotel lobby.

Paul McCallum missed a makeable FG with about five minutes to go in the game which it turned out would have given the Lions the win. The Lions clobbered the Bombers in the first quarter, but Winnipeg came back in the second quarter to make a game of it. Apparently the Bombers have played poorly in the first quarter throughout the year thus far.

Milt Stegall didn't make a catch, yet the Bombers won. Everyone was thinking that that had never happened before.

This makes two straight home losses for the Lions. The Riders are now in first place tied with the Lions.

After the game Irving interviewed Kevin Glenn, and I was struck by how much Glenn sounded like Wynton Marsalis! Glenn was born in Detroit and played at Illinois State, so no apparent New Orleans connection.

Edmonton Eskimos 19....Hamilton Tiger-Cats 17

http://sports.canada.com/default.asp?c=can.../AJN4096331.htm

Two evenly matched teams on the scoreboard, although Edmonton at home seemed generally to be the better team.

Going into the game, the Edmonton defense was ranked last in the league in 12 categories.

The win puts the Eskimos in third place ahead of the Stamps for the time being. But they didn't look like a team headed for the playoffs against the lowly Ticats. Of course the Ticats are getting better, but they are now only 1-6.

*****

This coming week will be the first of two with only two games. This week's games will be among the four Western teams. Next week's will be among the four Eastern teams.

*****

The Argos put Damon Allen on the nine-week injured list for his toe injury.

[GA Russell]

The Stamps are thinking about giving up on punter Burke Dales. They have signed Duncan O'Mahony for a one-game tryout.

Dales was the toast of the town his rookie year. He has a decent 45 yard average this year, but apparently he has kicked poorly in the clutch.

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Football/CFL/Cal...416658-sun.html

*****

The Hall of Fame has improved its website since the last time I visited some time ago:

http://www.footballhof.com/index.htm

[GA Russell]

Week 8 previews:

http://sports.canada.com/default.asp?c=can.../AJN4097349.htm

*****

Week 8 first result:

Calgary Stampeders 45....British Columbia Lions 45

http://sports.canada.com/default.asp?c=can.../AJN4097540.htm

[GA Russell]

And the second of the two games:

Saskatchewan Roughriders 39....Edmonton Eskimos 32

http://sports.canada.com/default.asp?c=can.../AJN4097692.htm

This game started at ten o'clock eastern time, so I listened to some of the Riders network pre-game show and the first three quarters before going to bed with Edmonton leading 32-27. It is just as well that I turned it off when I did because the game was delayed for an hour at the start of the fourth due to lightning.

Here's an article about the CBC discontinuing its broadcast of the game due to the delay. I guess it's no wonder why the league chose to sign an exclusive deal with TSN starting next season.

http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/R...tsFootball/home

It rained for much of the game, and kick receivers were having big trouble holding onto the ball.

Ricky Ray completed his first eleven passes.

Val St. Germaine played for the Riders at left tackle, so he is back in the league.

An announcer commented that Kerry Joseph is healthy this year, explaining his much-improved play. He said that last year Joseph was bothered by a leg injury.

The halftime show discussed the history of the Roughriders dinner. The story of Allan Sherman's getting booed off the stage by the very drunk crowd after he showed up late was pretty amusing. I saw Sherman in New Orleans about 1967 and really enjoyed him. We had all of his albums when I was growing up. "Hello young lovers, you're under arrest!"

*****

The Als released Robert Edwards today, and the Argos signed him hours later.

Walter Payton's son Jarrett has looked terrific running for the Als, so I guess they figured they didn't need his contract. As I recall, all contracts extant after Labor Day are guaranteed for the remainder of the season.

Edwards' brother Terrence left the Als for the Bombers in a huff over the off-season. He was a free agent, and I think he felt that GM/Coach Jim Popp did not sufficiently value his worth. He may have been right, considering how well he has played for the Bombers. Anyway, I wonder if the problems with Terrence carried over to the relationship between Popp and Robert.

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Football/CFL/Tor...4430294-cp.html

*****

The Ticats traded Corey Holmes back to Sask today for Jason Armstead. this comes as a surprise to me. Holmes has not enjoyed the success with the Ticats that he did those years with the Riders, but I still rate Holmes better than Armstead. The Ottawa people loved Armstead, but I always felt he was a little overrated. Still, with Jesse Lumsden having a good year I guess the Cats don't really need another runner like Homes.

The Ticats also gave up a prospect named Chris Getzlaf from the Univ. of Regina.

http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/R...tsFootball/home

Edited August 20, 2007 by GA Russell

[GA Russell]

The CFL now has its own channel on YouTube! I think this is important enough to reprint the article and not just the link:

http://blog.canoe.ca/remotecontrol

CFL Joins YouTube World

The CFL has been working hard the past few years cultivating the image of being a younger, 'hipper' league.

Another step in that direction: Today's announcement that the league has launched a new YouTube channel.

CFLtv, as it's called, is designed to offer “football fans with 24/7 access to unique, high-quality CFL video.” And yes, you can even catch the highlights you missed on Saturday, when someone at CBC decided most of the country didn't really need to see the final 13 minutes of the Edmonton-Saskatchewan game in Regina.

In typical YouTube fashion, fans can also contribute their own videos and post comments about anything they see there.

Another smart move, it says here, from a league that truly seems to have grasped the changing media landscape out there.

PS - Here's the link:

http://www.youtube.com/cfl

It talks about subscribing. I don't know what that's all about, but it sounds like it might cost money. I have only dial-up here, so I can't check it out.

Edited August 24, 2007 by GA Russell

[GA Russell]

Week 9 previews (only two games again this week):

http://sports.canada.com/default.asp?c=can.../AJN4098616.htm

*****

Remember Ben Sankey? I haven't thought about him in years. Now we know that he has been playing minor league indoor football.

BC signed him today to be the fourth or fifth string QB!

http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/R...tsFootball/home

[GA Russell]

Week 9 results:

Winnipeg Blue Bombers 15....Toronto Argonauts 13

http://sports.canada.com/default.asp?c=can.../AJN4098761.htm

I tuned in for the last 1:07, so I got to hear the final drive and the FG that won the game.

It was nice that Milt Stegall had a good game on his Night.

Montreal Alouettes 27....Hamilton Tiger-Cats 9

http://sports.canada.com/default.asp?c=can.../AJN4098892.htm

I heard the second half of this one. Not much happened. Damon Duval kicked an 82-yard punt for a single near the end.

The Als let backup QB Marcus Brady play a little bit, and then for the last drive put in third stringer Brad Banks.

The Ticats have lost their momentum after their big win against Winnipeg. They're not improving anymore. They play their next two games against the Argos. That matchup is looking like a battle between the two teams that won't make the playoffs.

[GA Russell]

As I recall, all contracts extant after Labor Day are guaranteed for the remainder of the season.

The Stampeders cut Marc Boerigter today.

My guess is that his knee injury has ended his career.

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Football/CFL/Cal...4448260-cp.html

[GA Russell]

I went to the library today and used their computer with its DSL hookup.

I went to the CFL YouTube site and didn't notice anything about subscriptions.

What I saw was highlights of every game played so far. Most of them were scoring drives.

Highly recommended!

[B. Clugston]

Remember Ben Sankey? I haven't thought about him in years. Now we know that he has been playing minor league indoor football.

BC signed him today to be the fourth or fifth string QB!

http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/R...tsFootball/home

Sankey will be the third string quarterback when the Lions take on the Als. Jarious Jackson gets the start and that other guy is No. 2.

[GA Russell]

BClug, I assume you are saying that Buck Pierce has been put on the injured list too, is that right? Maybe his hand and rib injuries weren't getting any better while he played, and Wally figured that it would be better to give him a rest to recover while the team played an Eastern team.

*****

I mentioned some weeks ago that during a game I listened to between the Eskimos and the Stamps, AJ Gass was thrown out for flinging a Stamps helmet down the field during a melee. Gass appealed his one-game suspension to an arbitrator, and today he won! I can't believe it. It looks to me like the arbitrator decided to play Commissioner-for-a-day and second guess the league's decision. If any league can't suspend a player for a game because of his involvement in a fight, all the games will be up for grabs.

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Football/CFL/New...4455906-cp.html

*****

When Damon Allen hurt his toe right after Michael Bishop broke his wrist, I read an article about the Argos' QB woes. It mentioned their efforts to find a new QB during the off-season, and said that Casey Printers had been considered but received a better offer from an NFL team. It didn't mention the team.

Does anyone know who Casey Printers is with now?

[GA Russell]

The Argos cut Bashir Levingston today. I imagine that he had a pretty good salary, and the article says that they didn't really need him anymore because of Dominique Dorsey's success.

http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/R...tsFootball/home

[GA Russell]

Does anyone know who Casey Printers is with now?

Here's an article from the CP today that says that Printers has been with Kansas City this camp, and was cut yesterday.

http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/R...tsFootball/home

*****

Week 10 previews:

http://sports.canada.com/default.asp?c=can.../AJN4099761.htm

*****

Friday result:

British Columbia Lions 46....Montreal Alouettes 14

http://sports.canada.com/default.asp?c=can.../AJN4099943.htm

Edited September 1, 2007 by GA Russell

[GA Russell]

The NFL is making its final cuts this weekend.

Kenton Keith made the Indianapolis squad.

http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/R...tsFootball/home

*****

The Argos expect to sign Marc Boerigter this week.

Here's an article that says that he has had two knee surgeries, and confirms that salary was a reason they cut Bashir Levingston.

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Football/CFL/Tor...463398-sun.html

*****

Does anybody else have the impression that right now all four Western teams are better than all four Eastern teams?

[GA Russell]

Saskatchewan Roughriders 31....Winnipeg Blue Bombers 26

http://sports.canada.com/default.asp?c=can.../AJN4100379.htm

Sounds like a great game!

[GA Russell]

Toronto Argonauts 32....Hamilton Tiger-Cats 14

http://sports.canada.com/default.asp?c=can.../AJN4100499.htm

I tuned in for the fourth quarter, and the Argos already had it in the bag by that time.

Michael Bishop returned from his broken wrist layoff and looked good.

By the way, I read yesterday that when a player is placed on the nine-week injured list, his salary does not count against the salary cap. I suspect that explains why Damon Allen is on the list for his toe injury.

Calgary Stampeders 35....Edmonton Eskimos 24

http://sports.canada.com/default.asp?c=can.../AJN4100561.htm

It was a tale of two halves. The Eskimos scored 17 points on Calgary turnovers and errors in the first half and led throughout. But it was all Calgary in the second half, as they stopped fumbling and making stupid penalties.

*****

During the off-season I commented that I felt that Kerry Joseph and Henry Burris are the two most overrated players in the league, and that Kemau Peterson drops too many passes. The press even took to calling him Kemau Incompleterson.

But I will admit that so far all three are having their best years as pros.

[GA Russell]

The Ticats have won the Casey Printers sweepstakes. Three year deal at $500,000. per year, making him the league's highest paid player. So long Jason Maas.

http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/R...tsFootball/home

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/sto...ory/GlobeSports

The Ticats could afford to outbid four other interested teams because they have room under the salary cap. Maybe that room explains why the Ticats are so bad this year.

*****

The Bombers have signed Juran Bolden and Ike Charlton. Bolden was great once upon a time, but I don't expect him to have much left in his tank.

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Football/CFL/Win...4472890-cp.html

*****

The Argos cut Heisman Trophy winner Eric Crouch today.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/sto...ory/GlobeSports

*****

The practice roster is increased by five this week to make room for the NFL cuts.

Edited September 6, 2007 by GA Russell

[GA Russell]

The Ticats traded Jason Maas to the Als today for non-import fullback Jeff Piercy.

Maas caught an early flight to Montreal, and is expected to be in uniform for the game Sunday against BC.

Anthony Calvillo was injured last week and won't play this week. I wonder how serious his injury is.

http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/R...tsFootball/home

*****

Week 11 previews:

http://sports.canada.com/default.asp?c=can.../AJN4101135.htm

*****

On Monday I listened to the Eskimos broadcast of the game against the Stamps in Calgary. Four streakers disrupted the game at various times. Bryan Hall said that he suspected the idea was put into their heads by a new television commercial that includes footage of a streaker. He wouldn't mention the company, but felt strongly that the league should move to have its airing discontinued.

Here's an article about problems with drunks at the Bombers games. Last year Bob Ackles mentioned in a halftime interview that people in BC had complained about drunks there. Maybe we will start to see something done by the teams, but this article says that fans are showing up to the games drunk. I can't imagine the teams forbidding beer at the tailgate parties, but if the situation gets bad enough they might try something.

Has anyone seen the television commercial Bryan Hall spoke of? Who was the company?

http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/R...tsFootball/home

Edited September 7, 2007 by GA Russell

[GA Russell]

Week 11:

Calgary Stampeders 20....Edmonton Eskimos 17

http://sports.canada.com/default.asp?c=can.../AJN4101304.htm

Same as Monday: The Eskimos dominated the first half; the Stampeders made adjustments and dominated the second half.

As I recall, Sean Fleming missed 41 and 45 yard FG attempts which went for a total of one point. Obviously, that made a difference.

Toronto Argonauts 35....Hamilton Tiger-Cats 22

http://sports.canada.com/default.asp?c=can.../AJN4101393.htm

With Jason Maas gone for Montreal, Timmy Chang started at QB for Hamilton, and was pretty bad, although the team is so bad I don't feel like the QB can be blamed, just like I never blamed Maas. Third-string QB Richie Williams came in in the fourth and looked pretty good, although the game was over by that time.

Casey Printers will probably start for the Ticats next week.

The rumor in Hamilton is that the Ticats were a million dollars under the salary cap, which is why they could afford to spend so much money on Printers. I think the salary cap is less than five million, so that low payroll may indeed explain why the Ticats are so bad. The announcer said that the Ticats have 20 new players on the team this year, many of them rookies.

He also said that I think four of the assistant coaches are former US college coaches with no CFL experience. One in particular is the defensive coordinator. How can you compete for the world championship of the sport of Canadian rules football with a defensive coordinator who has never coached or played the game?

*****

During the Eskimos' pre-game show, a reporter said that she had heard that Anthony Calvillo had a torn rotator cuff on his throwing arm/shoulder, and should be out a minimum of four weeks. No wonder they wanted Maas.