The Winnipeg Jets are back in 2011-2012, and I’m loving every minute of it.
I had thought my interest in the NHL faded because it was a childhood fad which had run it’s course… however, it is now apparent it was solely due to the Jets leaving town for cactus country.
Now I am following the Jets and the NHL this year as much if not more closely than the years preceding the Jets’ departure.
And by the way – that’s not a bad thing in my books.
So, let me offer my “now educated” opinion on the Jets as they currently stand – a week prior to their first trade deadline.
Goal: Ondrej Pavelec and Chris Mason.
IceCaps Depth: former NHL’er David Aebischer.
This is the best tandem the Jets have ever had… sorry Pokey and the Bandit weren’t even close to the current pair.
If these two can both be kept happy, the Jets are in really good shape.
OPINION: leave the goalies alone if you can.
Pavelec is a restricted free agent and isn’t going anywhere, but Mason is an unrestricted and may want to try to find a starting job next year.
Defence: Dustin Byfuglien, Zach Bogosian, Toby Enstrom, Ron Hainsey, Johnny Oduya, Mark Stuart, Randy Jones, Mark Flood.
IceCaps Depth: Derek Meech (UFA), Paul Postma, Arturs Kulda, Brett Festerling.
The Jets are deep in NHL caliber defencemen both in Winnipeg and St. John’s.
None of the 12 defence listed above have looked out of place when they have appeared in Jets uniforms this year.
In fact, this depth has created a problem for one player in particular, that being Mark Flood – who the Jets can’t send down without losing him to waivers… but haven’t got a steady opening for him in Winnipeg either.
OPINION: Byfuglien, Bogosian and Enstrom are “untouchables” – beyond that, the Jets may be looking to deal from their strength to find a scoring forward.
Oduya, Jones and Flood are all unrestricted free agents this year as well.
Forwards: Not going anywhere – Bryan Little, Blake Wheeler, Evander Kane, Alexander Burmistrov, Andrew Ladd, Chris Thorburn.
Available due to free agency – Kyle Wellwood, Jim Slater, Tanner Glass, Tim Stapleton.
Available – Nik Antropov, Eric Fehr, Antti Miettinen.
IceCaps Depth: Jason Jaffray (UFA), Patrice Cormier, Aaron Gagnon, Spencer Machacek.
No doubt the Jets don’t want to give up or lose any of their potential free agent forwards, especially 2/3 of the GST line.
Fehr and Miettinen are disappointments, and not likely to garner alot of value or interest… but Antropov, who is a journeyman rental player anyway, may get a few passing glances.
OPINION: the Jets will probably be sellers, but to what extent is the big question.
Unlikely is the Jets packaging a successful deal for a big name scoring forward… even though that is the fans’ best wishes.
The Winnipeg Jets aren’t likely to make a huge splash before the trade deadline – but it sure is fun playing the guessing game.
Jets management have been content to build from the draft and system depth so far… but does any of this change with the team being within striking distance of a playoff appearance in their first season?
Perhaps the strategy shifts slightly for the right price.
dave@cflcentral.net
February 20th, 2012
With the 2011 season barely in the books, the CFL offseason shell game for the head coaches and quarterbacks has begun… this year, with a bang.
It stands to reason that by the start of training camp next year – virtually every team will have been involved in one or both of the HC or QB adjustments.
Let’s start it off with the coaching list:
BC – Wally Buono steps down as coach, and remains as GM.
Expect Mike Benevides to be promoted from defensive coordinator to head coach before Christmas.
Edmonton – Kavis Reed appears to be exempt from this year’s edition of coaching musical chairs.
Calgary – No change yet, but no one has ruled out John Hufnagel exiting as coach to concentrate on the GM job.
Saskatchewan – the search continues for GM Brendan Taman, as he has apparently pared down his coaching prospects to a short list.
Winnipeg – Paul LaPolice is safe – but the major re-structuring will be who the new offensive coordinator is, and whether LaPolice will relinquish the play calling duties.
Hamilton – Marcel Bellefeuille was dismissed immediately after the TiCats season ended, and this is the one vacancy which is not receiving much media attention.
Toronto – Jim Barker steps down (or was pushed out) as coach, but retains the GM duties, as was predicted.
Former Montreal offensive coordinator Scott Milanovich was hired quickly as the new Argo head coach.
Montreal – Marc Trestman likely has his job with the Alouettes as long as he wants to keep it.
Trestman filled the OC spot with former QB Marcus Brady almost as fast as Milanovich jumped to Toronto.
And how is the quarterback shuffle going?
BC – unless something “too good to refuse” falls out of the sky, don’t expect Buono to tinker with his QB’s this year… and why would he?
Edmonton – GM Tillman has made the biggest move in a long time, trading franchise mainstay Ricky Ray to the Argos for… Steven Jyles?!
Unless ET has the next Doug Flutie squirreled away somewhere, don’t expect this to be the end of the QB dealing in Edmonton.
It is inconceivable the Eskimos will go into 2012 with over-the-hill Kerry Joseph and career-underachiever Steven Jyles as their QB duo.
Calgary – things will be interesting in the southern Alberta city now, as the Stamps figure out what to do with Henry Burris.
It is a foregone conclusion that Drew Tate is the next Calgary QB, and the only mystery is where will Burris land.
Would Calgary break with tradition and deal Burris to the hated Eskimos? Or is Burris headed to Hamilton or Winnipeg?
Saskatchewan – Darian Durant is still going to be the QB of the Riders.
Expect the new Roughrider coach to be an offensive mind who can get Durant back on track, and build the offence around his strengths.
Some speculate on Kent Austin… I highly doubt that. My money is on someone like former star QB Dave Dickenson.
Winnipeg – will Buck Pierce be back? Will both Brink and Elliott be back?
Pierce is looking for a substantial deal to stay with the Bombers, but don’t rule out a move to Edmonton or Hamilton either.
One would expect GM Mack to view Pierce as a priority, unless he considers Burris an upgrade.
Hamilton – Once the new coach is hired, one of his first decisions will be the mediocre QB personnel currently on the roster.
Kevin Glenn has made some reference to retirement, but do the Tiger Cats want him back anyway?
Is Porter good enough to be the starter? Most say no – but he is adequate as a backup… if you can convince him to be satisfied with that position.
Or is it time for Hamilton to blow things up and go after Pierce, Burris or even Adrian McPherson from Montreal?
Toronto – it didn’t take GM Barker long to see the plan he could never grasp as the head coach… Milanovich obviously brought the common sense to the conversation.
While Barker was content to have underwhelmers like Cleo Lemon, Dalton Bell and Steven Jyles grounding the ship… Milanovich was not going to have any part of it from day one.
And that new philosophy might be as important for the longterm success of Toronto as obtaining Ricky Ray.
Montreal – Calvillo is coming back for at least one more, but Adrian McPherson isn’t content to sit as number two anymore.
One thing is for sure, the Alouettes are going to need another QB maybe sooner than later… and possibly during the season if Calvillo falters.
If McPherson gets out of Montreal, the Als may be in the hunt for another prospect.
There are two persistent rumours which involve coaches and quarterbacks.
The first is Kent Austin returning to the CFL… which I can’t see – especially back to Saskatchewan.
My opinion is Austin has a plan for his football coaching career, and the CFL was a first step… followed by NCAA assistant, NCAA head coach – then eventually, a shot at the NFL.
The second has Casey Printers resurfacing for a final attempt to revive his once-promising CFL career.
The only plausible fit for Printers until today was Toronto… that has to be off the table, unless Milanovich is interested in Printers as a backup.
No way is Printers going back to Hamilton, and it doesn’t make sense for either Edmonton or Winnipeg to have waited for a full year if either Tillman or Mack wanted Printers in the organization.
The only outside possibility is Joe Popp in Montreal, seeing enough upside in Printers to try and recreate another Anthony Calvillo.
Remember, when Popp salvaged Calvillo from the scrap heap in Hamilton – everyone was convinced his QB career was over as well.
This column and these stories will be updated as necessary when the questions turn into answers.
One thing is for certain, this won’t be a boring offseason!
dave@cflcentral.net
December 12th, 2011
It is somewhat humorous that the CFL is bemoaning less than sellout attendance for the West and East semi final games.
While the East final is a sellout, and the West final is close… there are simple explanations for the empty seats.
Montreal don’t play in the Olympic Stadium all year for one reason – they know the Als have a loyal 25,000 fanbase… so by playing in the miniature McGill rather than the cavern big O, they can virtually guarantee sellouts during the year.
Toronto would dearly love to duplicate the Alouettes concept, and vacate the huge Roger’s Centre for the regular season in favor of a cozy little 20,000 seat facility.
Now… the West – and the subject for today’s meteorological lecture.
The CFL doesn’t get it… short story.
The Western Semi was played in -8C with a -15C windchill… is any further explanation necessary?
The Eastern Final is forecast at between -15C and -20C with a -25C windchill… so don’t be surprised to see a bunch of fans disguised as empty seats in Winnipeg.
It’s late November… are there REALLY any surprises in the weather?!
And how was June for temperature… perhaps a little bit more conducive to an outdoor spectator sport?
Fiction: The CFL can’t start in June because of the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs.
Fact: Except for the select very few who are either hockey fanatics, or have their team in the final – a nice warm June night would be enjoyed by far more in the stadium watching their team start the CFL season.
Fact: The CFL goes up against the NHL in the fall as well, and sometimes even have a game going on while the NHL home team is playing… see: Lions and Canucks playing right across the street from each other at the very same time.
Fact: The CFL move to Sunday afternoons after Labour Day, which then also puts them head-to-head against the NFL.
Fiction: The CFL can’t compete with people going to the lake and the cabin in June.
Fact: The Victoria Day weekend is in May, which would be during preseason – and affects a select few… even less when preseason games tend to be weekday games.
Fact: There are no long weekends in June… which is when most people head to cottage country.
Fact: The CFL lose far more people to the beach on the July Canada Day start than they ever would at any point in June… notice nothing is ever said about July and August summer holidays?
Fiction: The CFL doesn’t want to be interfering with school exams.
Fact: University and college students are long done exams, and no school kids are studying on Friday night or Saturday afternoon.
Fact: Students in any school are more likely to have a heavier home workload in the fall when they go back to school.
Fact: Just like the “outdoors crowd”, this affects a small minority of people.
Fiction: The cold weather is “football weather”!
Fact: Players get hurt easier and more frequently in colder weather.
Fact: Fans prefer to enjoy a game at +10C rather than enduring -15C.
Fact: Ask the West Final players and fans if they would rather be in Commonwealth this weekend or the dome in BC… I dare you.
Fiction: The CFL traditional “midway point” is the Labour Day games, and Thanksgiving the 3/4 mark.
Fact: This is perhaps the most ridiculous of all the arguments. The later the season is, the more important the games become – especially this year… and more exciting.
Fact: Let’s use the 2011 season, and compare data between the actual and our proposed schedule:
Preseason 1: Wed, June 15… Wed, May 18
Regular Season 1: Thu, June 30… Thu, June 2
August long: Week 5 – Thu, July 28… Week 9 – Thu, July 28 (mid-season)
Labour Day: Week 10 – Fri, September 2… Week 14 – Fri, September 2
Thanksgiving: Week 15 – Fri, October 7… Week 19 – Fri, October 7 (season final)
Semi Finals: Sun, November 13 (-8C EDM)… Sun, October 16 (+12C EDM) Environment Canada
Finals: Sun, November 20 (-15C WPG forecast)… Sun, October 23 (+10C WPG) Environment Canada
Grey Cup: Sun, November 27 (not outdoors)… Sun, October 30 (not outdoors, but would have been +9 in Regina who hosts 2013) Environment Canada
FACT IS: Players would rather go through 2-a-day workouts during training camp in May instead of the June heat.
Fans would rather go to games at +20C in June instead of -20C in November.
The CFL needs to play to their climate… don’t waste May in favor of November.
You want the fans in the stands? Then give them something to work with!
dave@cflcentral.net
November 19th, 2011
Remember when we all took calculus, trigonometry, algebra, geometry, and other forms of advanced math in school – and we could never figure out why?
Simple – it was so we could figure out the playoff potentials in sports toward the end of a season!
It has been many years since the CFL has had so much riding on the final regular season weekend.
Let’s break it down…
Toronto and Saskatchewan are playing out the string – and getting ready to go… snowmobiling?
Hamilton win or lose in Toronto will finish third in the East, and be traveling to either Winnipeg or Montreal for the East Semi-Final.
And that’s the end of the easy stuff.
Montreal and Winnipeg… first place in the East… Winnipeg won the season series 2-1… both have 10-7 records.
Here’s an ironic situation for you… the Bombers crapped the bed at home against Toronto, and handed the “control” for first back to the Alouettes.
But thanks to the Stampeders walking into Montreal and winning – Winnipeg once again control their own fate… all they need to do is go into Calgary and knock off their new best friends.
A Winnipeg loss isn’t tragic – provided the Lions beat the Als in BC… and the Lions certainly have something to play for as well.
Long story short – to finish first in the East, the Als have to win in BC and hope the Bombers lose in Calgary.
BC, Edmonton, and Calgary are all technically tied for first in the West with identical 10-7 records.
Just an aside… 5 teams going into the final week of the season at 10-7? Has that ever happened before?
BC hold the hammer in the West – having won the season series 3-1 over Edmonton, and 2-1 over Calgary.
Edmonton gets the nod over Calgary – winning the season 2-1.
Here we go…
A BC win over Montreal clinches first in the West for the Lions.
BC could afford to lose, provided Winnipeg wins in Calgary and Saskatchewan wins in Edmonton… and BC will know what they need to do by game time, as their game is the final on the schedule.
If the Lions have nothing to play for, neither will the Alouettes – as it would mean Winnipeg won in Calgary and took first.
An Edmonton win over Saskatchewan gives the Esks at least second, with a shot at first in the West.
Then they have to hope for a Lions loss.
An Edmonton loss, and they have to hope for a Stamps loss – so Edmonton won’t finish third.
A Stampeders win over Winnipeg gives the Stamps a shot at first or second.
Combined losses by BC and Edmonton are the only way Calgary can finish first.
A win by Calgary and a loss by either Edmonton or BC would give the Stamps second in the West.
But a win by both Edmonton and BC – sends Calgary to third, and a trip to Edmonton for the West Semi-Final.
Naturally a Calgary loss means third place… period.
That should be the scenario… hope it isn’t too outrageous to understand.
Let the games begin!
dave@cflcentral.net
October 30th, 2011
Ever notice how some teams (pick a sport) not only are good, not only usually win – but also get breaks they didn’t necessarily have a hand in, directly?
As a Jets fan, I think back to the days of the Gretzky-led Oilers… and it didn’t seem to matter whether teams had them dead to rights, more often than not Edmonton found a way to hoist another Stanley Cup.
Recently, I find the same air of inevitability surrounding the Montreal Alouettes.
In 2011, other teams in the CFL have had what they consider success against the Als… and at times the Alouettes finally looked – mortal.
But here we are with only a couple weeks to go in the season, and again Montreal is on the verge of clinching the Eastern Final game… one step away from another Grey Cup berth.
I mentioned how some teams catch the breaks whether indirectly or directly.
Case in point… the 2011 edition of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Trust me when I tell you, it is no easier on the heart being a fan of the Bombers than it is the Jets.
As the Als sat on their couch last night and watched – the Bombers mailed in a total stinkaroo against the out-of-contention Toronto Argonauts.
This one week after a come-from-behind win vs the Alouettes, which allowed Winnipeg to control their own fate regarding the Eastern Final as a home game.
On top of that debacle, Winnipeg has likely lost QB Buck Pierce for their last hope of grabbing the East top spot.
And while Alex Brink has looked ok coming off the bench, he has generally sucked as a starter.
The Als now have the opportunity to win out, and grab the bye week.
But it is not a done deal for them just yet… they first have to beat Calgary at home, and then go into BC and win.
The latter may not be the easiest of tasks.
However that BC vs MTL game could become a moot point if Winnipeg whiffs in Calgary… which Montreal will already know when they take the field against the Lions following the Bomber Stampeder game next Saturday.
This gift of “fate control” was wrapped and returned by the Bombers to the Als doorstep – all while Montreal sat, relaxed, and enjoyed their Friday TSN TV viewing experience courtesy of the Argos.
How about those Bombers?
This team has visited top spot in the East a few times this season… but have never taken ownership of the position.
Going into the final week of the season, Winnipeg is now 10-7… respectable after the 4-14 finish of last year, but not all that acceptable when one examines the 7 losses this season.
An elite team expects to trade wins and losses with other top teams… so losing to Calgary, Montreal, and Edmonton is not a cause for alarm.
And even though two of those 3 losses were on home turf – the Calgary loss was by a missed field goal, and the Montreal loss was on a tough goal line stand.
BUT… that accounts for the 3 losses the team can live with.
What about the other 4?
All 4 were against the two non-playoff teams, Toronto and Saskatchewan.
A loss to each away, and a loss to each at home.
When a team wants to be a “player” in the post season, it is not advisable to pad the stats of the teams that aren’t going to the dance.
Of a greater concern is the fact that the Bombers barely showed up for 3 of the 4 games, and really played a half or less of decent football in any of these 4 losses.
Swaggerville?
The little campaign in Winnipeg early in the year was ill-advised at best.
For a team that has the longest running drought of ANY team in the CFL with regards to Grey Cup championships… you don’t start an “in your face” campaign after a couple early wins.
The mark of a good team, especially those who have been good for long periods of time… they don’t feel the need to gloat, and know better than to incite their opponents and hand them emotional incentives.
The better a team is, the more their rivals are aware of the success – and there is no legitimate need or reason to start a publicity strutting stunt.
Defending Champions will tell you that everyone they play, get up a little extra for games against them… the last thing the champs want is to draw additional and unnecessary attention to themselves!
So the Bombers will continue with tradition… never accepting the easy road, but always insisting on doing things the hard way.
Will the Bombers manage to overcome the challenges, and finally break the longest Cup quest in the league?
Maybe… but not without having to play past the Montreal Alouettes, who are still the champs until someone proves otherwise.
However, the safe betting at this point is an Edmonton or BC vs. Montreal Grey Cup game in Vancouver.
dave@cflcentral.net
October 29th, 2011
Good luck picking the CFL this year.
Edmonton kicks the crap out of the Tiger Cats in Hamilton, and the Alouettes are outplayed and shut down by Winnipeg in Montreal… so of course Montreal will win easily in Edmonton, right?!
BC is now officially the beast of the CFL… as the Lions walk into Mosaic in Regina and stomp the guts out of an equally hot (to that point) Roughriders team, and even up their potential disaster season at 6-6.
Both Edmonton and Calgary who are sputtering along had best be very worried about BC roaring up in their rear-view mirrors.
And speaking of the Stamps – Hamilton hanging 55 points on Calgary? Really?!
Now… Winnipeg and Toronto.
I guess when you are the lowly Argos, a win by a point on a missed field goal is a big victory.
As for the Bombers – I hate to say “I told you so”, but I certainly did.
Sure they have one of the best QB’s in the league in Buck Pierce, and yes the fragile Pierce has stayed relatively healthy… BUT, it appears that is all now catching up to Winnipeg – who have been skating through very fortunate to this point in the year.
With the porous poor pass protection the Bombers have given Pierce this season, including a couple devastating highlight reel unblocked KO’s… Buck is now game to game with bruised/cracked ribs.
And behind Pierce – Joey Elliott (out for the season), Alex Brink (injured), Justin Goltz (who?), and Brandon Summers (huh?)… all 4 “household names” combined couldn’t carry Buck Pierce’s equipment bag.
Excuse me if I don’t get too excited about the long TD pass Goltz threw in Toronto – because in reality, that was all about Clarence Denmark making a ridiculous circus catch on an overthrown football.
After that… Goltz and the offence was nothing against a team prone to coughing up games in the last 5 minutes.
Depending on how severe the injuries are to Pierce and Brink (if Pierce is out and Brink is ok, the Bombers are still in a bad way) – perhaps now Winnipeg might get off their butts and bring in a veteran QB.
In a pass-happy league that is all about the QB… lack of depth will kill a promising season in a big hurry.
As I said a few different times at the start of the 2011 season – I would hate to see Winnipeg’s promising year derailed due to management’s shortsightedness in the most important position.
Editor’s Note: Michael Bishop was signed by Winnipeg on Sept. 28.
My annual Maritimes rant – on the heels of another successful Touchdown Atlantic in Moncton, NB:
Both Moncton and Halifax talk a good game about trying to land the 10th CFL franchise… but neither have progressed much with a viable stadium plan.
Having said that, Halifax is actually working on a stadium concept… but it is hard to generate much enthusiasm yet, because they have been this far before.
Moncton seems to be content to host the annual Touchdown Atlantic game, and may talk to the CFL about hosting a few Tiger Cats games in 2013 when Hamilton go to work on replacing Ivor Wynne.
With Ottawa coming back in 2014 (barring any further court battles over the Lansdowne Park development), the time is right for either Nova Scotia or New Brunswick to take the ball and run with it.
Make no mistake – whichever location actually begins to build… they will have the 10th CFL team in place by the time the project is completed.
The safe bet is, and has always been in actuality – Halifax, with the bigger population base.
After wisely passing on a monumentally expensive bid for the Commonwealth Games which included a stadium, next on the radar is the FIFA Women’s Soccer Event in 2015.
The feasibility study is underway, and decisions have to be made by December 2011 – for Halifax to remain in contention for the FIFA tournament. CBC STORY
Any hope of multi-level government funding for a stadium must include a world sporting event as well.
If Halifax whiffs on the FIFA bid, it is anyone’s guess when the next opportunity may present itself.
2016… a 10 team CFL? Dare to dream!
dave@cflcentral.net
September 25th, 2011
Hopefully David Braley is paying attention to the Eskimos 2011 turnaround.
Hire the right GM, who hires the right coach, who hires people that understand the CFL game… presto chango!
With the “right” GM and HC in place – the first order of business is to find the QB who can lead the team… which in the CFL, is everything.
I will leave the GM and HC positions alone for now – except to say, Jim Barker has to go… from both jobs.
Just as an aside – Braley also needs a decent VP of Marketing as well… all you need to do to discover this is try to buy Argos merchandise.
The Argos are failing on the field and off the field.
The community doesn’t hear enough about them – and when the faithful few football fans come to check out the product, they are disappointed.
Paint Hogtown double blue – and give people a reason to wear the colors.
Toronto’s QB situation…
We all know that Barker was determined to make Cleo Lemon into a CFL starter.
Pretty much everyone except Barker realized about midway through 2010 that it was never going to happen.
Enter Steven Jyles off the injury list, where he has been since the Argos stomped him out of a game in Winnipeg as the Bomber backup last year.
Jyles is a journeyman QB who, like Kevin Glenn – is a solid backup, but falls just short of ever becoming a quality starter.
Dalton Bell may turn into a starting QB someday, and maybe not… he needs to bide his time and develop.
Right now the Argonauts have a couple number two QB’s and a couple number 3′s… no legitimate starters.
There are 4 QB’s sitting at home right now that are as good or better than anything Toronto has on their roster currently.
1. Casey Printers – still young by QB standards, and with the right situation may become a marquee QB once again.
Age and a couple doses of harsh reality will have gone a long way to tempering Printers ego from successes that are now ages ago.
2. Jared Zabransky – it remains a mystery why Edmonton dumped him, and unless there is something sinister in his background – it appears he was cut due to a philosophy change by Eric Tillman.
When Zabransky played in 2010 – he showed enough that he bumped Jason Maas to 3rd string, and at times there were calls to start him ahead of a faltering Ricky Ray.
3. Michael Bishop – is a veteran QB who is likely the most “game ready” of all 4 QB’s listed here, having played with Calgary for a stint already this year.
Bishop is not a long term fix, but nevertheless a good enough QB to stabilize the Argos in that position for this year and possibly 2012.
4. Adam Tafralis – might be the diamond in the rough. He decided to try his luck with the United Football League this season rather than return to the Tiger Cats, where it is evident that the coaching staff were not going to give him an opportunity to move ahead of either Kevin Glenn or Clinton Porter.
Unfortunately for Tafralis, the UFL folded prior to the 2011 season, so he now finds himself out of football.
Out of the 4 I have hand picked… either Printers or Zabransky could develop into a quality starter if given the same opportunity that Cleo Lemon had.
And going in… both have proven CFL stats, game knowledge and wins – unlike Lemon, who now is just another in a long line of NFL rejects who failed in the CFL.
However, until the Toronto executive suite decides to pull the plug on the present onfield staff and start fresh – it isn’t likely there will be any change in the personnel.
Personally, I think Toronto has more depth than Edmonton did before their dramatic 180 turn… which is another reason for ownership to consider the “Eskimo method”.
dave@cflcentral.net
September 19th, 2011
I am going to tell you a little story about the two coaches in my short football career… my high school coach, and my junior football coach.
Two vastly different individuals, and in watching the TSN series on the Argonauts – made me think back to my coaches.
In high school, our coach was very similar to Wally Buono… a quiet friendly guy – but make no mistake, he was all about the business of the team all the time.
He was not our buddy, but he treated the players with respect – whether we were in the starting lineup, or as backups… and all of us enjoyed playing for him.
Coach had a gameplan, and he knew just who to plug into the various positions to get the most out of his concepts.
He led by example with his own actions and conduct – both on the sidelines, and in his personal life.
The result: we went undefeated in my grade 12 year, and won the Saskatchewan Provincial Championship.
In junior football, our coach was similar to Jim Barker… a guy who could be laughing it up one minute, and the next reading us the riot act.
I learned early on that the term “player’s coach” actually meant “some players’ coach”… catering to the local neighborhood guys, and treating the rest of us who traveled as outsiders.
It didn’t matter whether we came from the other side of Winnipeg, or from outside the city – if you weren’t a player from the local high schools, you had to work quite a bit harder for any breaks.
Off the field coach loved to hang with the guys, and tried his best to be our “bud” when we were socializing… but most of us who enjoyed the details of the game, really never cared for him as a coach.
The ironic part was… to a man, there was far more talent on our junior roster than we ever had on our unbeaten high school team.
Coach was great at giving pregame speeches… but was woefully deficient at coming up with an effective gameplan during the week.
Unlike high school – there never were any “situation drills”, “defensive schemes”, or “offensive packages” for the upcoming team… just the same thing week after week.
The result: winless… not only for one season, but two. Sadly it got to the point where we became “used to losing”.
Coming into junior ball, I had never endured a loss on the football field… leaving after my years of junior, I never had another win after my HS Championship.
Although a few of us considered requesting a release so we could go to another team – some decisions are easier to make today with the benefit of hindsight and 25 years of life experiences.
Bottom line to my comparison saga… there is a reason some coaches win, and some coaches don’t.
Jim Barker would do well to realize he is a pretty good GM, and vacate the sidelines in favor of another coach.
Statistics and history do not lie – Barker will never be a good CFL coach… and in contrast, there is a reason that David Braley leaves Wally alone to figure things out.
dave@cflcentral.net
September 11th, 2011
Those words were spoken by former Rider head coach Greg Marshall when responding to his and offensive coordinator Doug Berry’s dismissal on Aug 19th.
I was never in favor of the former “Bomber admin” taking over the Riders to begin with… that includes: Brendan Taman GM, Greg Marshall HC, Doug Berry OC, and Bob Dyce assistant coach.
BUT – fact is, the Riders decided to go that way… and to fire a new head coach after only 8 games, is pretty bush league and a big waste of everyone’s time.
I guess nothing should be a surprise after Miller and Taman’s handling of the Gary Etcheverry demotion, in favor of Ritchie Hall – before the season started.
Anyone who thinks this is still the 2007 team of Eric Tillman and Kent Austin had better give their head a shake.
And anyone who thinks that Ken Miller is a great coach and will turn things around… keep shaking the head.
Ken Miller was not the coaching genius everyone made him out to be… rather he was the caretaker of the Tillman/Austin team, which has been in decline since it was built in 2007.
Not only was the onfield product regressing, but also the coaching staff that Austin had put together were gradually moving on to bigger things.
Good coaches will not stay assistants – and a few have moved on to their own gig… including Paul LaPolice to Winnipeg, and Kavis Reed to Edmonton.
Now, if you are Greg Marshall and taking your first head coaching job… why would you be ok with:
1. Ken Miller picking your coaching staff?
2. Ken Miller and Brendan Taman picking your players?
3. Ken Miller hanging around the practice field almost every day, and interacting with the players?
4. Ken Miller lurking around the sidelines (including the road) during most games?
Fact is… as a rookie head coach, FINALLY getting the chance after being turned down numerous times over 17 years – Marshall was likely far too accepting of things that veteran coaches would have objected to in short order.
It will be interesting to see what becomes of the legend of Ken Miller now.
Remember, Ron Lancaster was viewed as a coaching mastermind when he left Edmonton for Hamilton. Then the coaching legacy took a beating.
Miller starts his second stint as Rider coach with alot of bling in the kitty from the organization… back to the VP is the coach, and the GM is his boss but not really scenario again.
Some of the glowing reputation is deserved, however much of it is unearned accolades… and with that, expectations.
So how quickly will the goodwill account go down for Miller? Should be interesting to watch, considering the talent pool hasn’t been upgraded.
One thing Miller won’t be getting – is any sympathy should things blow up… this after his constant interference with Marshall’s job.
One has to wonder just how much of a realistic chance Greg Marshall ever had… hired for a job that he was never allowed to do his way or with his people.
I agree with Marshall that things were not handled properly… but I suggest that it was from day 1, not just day last.
In the long run I think the Riders made things easier for Marshall than themselves.
Marshall is a good defensive mind, and will certainly be back in the CFL fairly soon.
As for his next head coaching opportunity? THAT won’t come so quickly.
dave@cflcentral.net
September 1st, 2011
The backup quarterback syndrome… also known as the backup goalie phenomenon.
The most popular player on an average football team is – the backup quarterback.
Jack Layton was the consummate backup QB.
Never in any danger of getting in the game as the starter, Jack could wow the spectators with a perceived perfection from the sidelines… while the first stringer could play the tough game, take the beating, and make the odd mistake.
Jack could hold press conferences and talk about successful passes he would never throw… naturally Utopia sounds good to everyone – no matter whether in sports or politics.
The backup QB can have his own pet playbook, and talk about how the games would go if he were in… all without any danger of ever having to demonstrate the viability of a single play.
Fact is, it is far easier to be a pro QB from the sidelines – and it is a breeze to be the Prime Minister from a non-government seat in Parliament.
Analyzing and correcting some statements made during last week’s NDP campaign, disguised as the Layton State Funeral:
“Jack did so much for Canada”. Really? Like what exactly? He was never in government to implement policy… what did he do for me and other Canadians?
In reality – Jack furthered the cause of Jack Layton and the NDP party, nothing more.
“Canada has lost a great leader”. Really? What defined Jack as a great leader? Jack ran a 3rd place party and capitalized on a Bloc purge in Quebec.
Was Quebec legit? Considering the state of some of their absentee candidates, give me a break.
In reality – Jack was an average politician who never met a special interest cause he didn’t like. Jack talked a big game without ever needing to back his dreams and ideas up.
“Jack has the power to unify this nation”. Really? The great uniter? I for one never felt Jack Layton spoke for me, or ever would.
In reality – Jack was the mastermind of one of the most divisive periods in Canadian history… choosing to spit in the face of the voting public and attempting to form his own version of government, teamed up with the separatist Bloc and the “natural governing party” in the Liberals.
“Jack inspired hope in all Canadians”. Really? Speaking for myself, I didn’t quite feel hopeless to begin with… but Jack certainly didn’t expand my confidence one tiny bit.
The liberal democratic movement were always full of emotion when Jack pumped them up with his “brighter tomorrow” speeches.
In reality – Jack gave the same speeches for the last 9 years, while nothing had changed in his (lack of) ability to deliver the goods.
And thus ends a week of trumped up hysteria and corporate mourning – concluding with the utter nonsense of the CN Tower and Niagara Falls both being lit up in NDP orange on Saturday night.
After all, people always feel a deep sense of loss when their backup quarterback dies… all that “potential” and “if only” are now gone.
Rest in peace, Jack… the man few of us actually knew, but thousands pretended they did in the last couple weeks.
dave@cflcentral.net
August 29th, 2011
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