tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-93103652011-12-14T21:07:46.600-06:00News from The Canadian Football League. Find news from your favorite CFL FOOTBALL Team.kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.comBlogger8051100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-90348662962350315192011-11-27T01:59:00.002-06:002011-11-27T02:02:50.111-06:00CFL GREY CUP PICK<div><br /></div><div>Bombers Vs Lions</div><div><br /></div><div>The Bombers beat the Lions in both matches this year but they were early in the year</div><div>when the Lions were struggling and the Bombers winning.</div><div><br /></div><div>Home field advantage goes to the Lions but so does the pressure to win at home.</div><div><br /></div><div>In a bit of a upset take the Bombers by 12</div><div><br /></div><div>Last Week 1-1 Over-All Playoffs 3-1</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-9034866296235031519?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-7633872874300712622011-11-20T10:28:00.002-06:002011-11-20T10:30:35.361-06:00CFL FINALS PICKS<div><br /></div><div>Ti-Cats Vs Bombers</div><div><br /></div><div>Have to take the home in the bitter cold of the prairies.</div><div><br /></div><div>Bombers by 7</div><div><br /></div><div>Eskimos Vs Lions</div><div><br /></div><div>Here is the upset of the week.</div><div><br /></div><div>Eskimos by 9</div><div><br /></div><div>Last Week 2-0</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-763387287430071262?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-32883594495294865212011-11-12T14:30:00.002-06:002011-11-12T14:35:12.910-06:00CFL DIVISION SEMI-FINALS PICKS<div><br /></div><div>Ti-Cats Vs Als</div><div><br /></div><div>Two teams who struggled at the end.</div><div>Both teams have something to prove.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ti-Cats by 6</div><div><br /></div><div>Stamps Vs Eskimos</div><div><br /></div><div>The battle of Alberta. The Stamps will probably need Burris to come off the bench.</div><div><br /></div><div>Eskimos by 8</div><div><br /></div><div>Last Week 2-2 Final regular season 30-42</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-3288359449529486521?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-51483616649157469662011-11-03T14:35:00.003-05:002011-11-03T14:38:47.470-05:00CFL WEEK # 19 PICKS<div><br /></div><div>Ti-Cats Vs. Argos</div><div><br /></div><div>Battle of Ontario will have Hamilton looking for a win before the playoffs.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ti-cats by 9</div><div><br /></div><div>Riders Vs Eskimos</div><div><br /></div><div>The game is huge for the Eskimos.</div><div><br /></div><div>Eskimos by 6</div><div><br /></div><div>Bombers Vs Stamps</div><div><br /></div><div>The Bombers will have to do it with out Pierce at QB.</div><div><br /></div><div>Stamps by 10</div><div><br /></div><div>Als Vs Lions</div><div><br /></div><div>The Als want the bye badly.</div><div><br /></div><div>Als by 8</div><div><br /></div><div>Last Week 0-4 Over-All 28-40</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-5148361664915746966?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-86547345930665826892011-10-28T16:34:00.002-05:002011-10-28T16:39:52.564-05:00CFL WEEK # 18 PICKS<div><br /></div><div>Argos Vs Bombers</div><div><br /></div><div>The last ever regular season game at Canad Inn Stadium should be</div><div>memorable night for the Bombers.</div><div><br /></div><div>Bombers by 14</div><div><br /></div><div>Ti-Cats vs Riders</div><div><br /></div><div>Playing for next year for the Riders. Cats trying to figure who will</div><div>be their QB for the playoffs.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ti-Cats by 8</div><div><br /></div><div>Eskimos Vs Lions</div><div><br /></div><div>Banged up Lions will lose second straight.</div><div><br /></div><div>Eskimos by 3</div><div><br /></div><div>Stamps Vs Als</div><div><br /></div><div>Als still hoping for a first round bye will crank it up for this match.</div><div><br /></div><div>Als by 10</div><div><br /></div><div>Last Week 3-1 Over-All 28-36</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-8654734593066582689?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-59154632915715936992011-10-21T10:45:00.002-05:002011-10-21T10:52:12.906-05:00CFL WEEK #17 PICKS<div><br /></div><div>Eskimos Vs Argos</div><div><br /></div><div>The Argos have nothing to play for and the Eskimos are looking at first place.</div><div>Should be a easy call.</div><div><br /></div><div>Eskimos by 9</div><div><br /></div><div>Riders Vs Stamps</div><div><br /></div><div>See above accept the Stamps are trying to claw their way back into first.</div><div><br /></div><div>Stamps by 5</div><div><br /></div><div>Als Vs Bombers</div><div><br /></div><div>The game of the week could decide who will finish first in the East.</div><div>Bombers are a banged up group and are making changes on the O-line.</div><div><br /></div><div>Als by 15</div><div><br /></div><div>Lions Vs Ti-Cats</div><div><br /></div><div>Must win for the Cats if they have any remote chance of catching the Bombers for</div><div>second place. The Lions late game wins will finally catch up to them this week.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ti-Cats by 8</div><div><br /></div><div>Last Week 1-3 Over-All 25-35</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-5915463291571593699?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-289501015085632192011-10-14T18:03:00.002-05:002011-10-14T18:08:59.777-05:00Stamps Vs Argos<div><br /></div><div>Probably the biggest interest in this one is the Wendy's Kick To Win halftime show.</div><div><br /></div><div>Stamps by 10</div><div><br /></div><div>Bombers Vs Eskimos</div><div><br /></div><div>The Bombers looked good last week, a return to their old ways.</div><div><br /></div><div>Bombers by 6</div><div><br /></div><div>Ti-Cats Vs Als</div><div><br /></div><div>The Cats have played the Als well this year but the Als are in the hunt for first.</div><div><br /></div><div>Als by 8</div><div><br /></div><div>Lions Vs Riders</div><div><br /></div><div>The Riders will be able to hold on for one more week,</div><div><br /></div><div>Riders by 6</div><div><br /></div><div>Last Week 2-2 Over-All 24-32</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-28950101508563219?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-89997091617668990512011-10-08T12:04:00.002-05:002011-10-08T12:07:38.728-05:00CFL WEEK # 15 PICKS<div><br /></div><div>Bombers Vs Ti-Cats</div><div><br /></div><div>The Bombers are 2-0 against the Ti-Cats this year. Do they have their number?</div><div>Go with the Cats at home.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ti-Cats by 6</div><div><br /></div><div>Stamps Vs Lions</div><div><br /></div><div>The Lions streak has to come to a end soon.</div><div><br /></div><div>Stamps by 5</div><div><br /></div><div>Argos Vs Als</div><div><br /></div><div>You have to take the Als at home.</div><div><br /></div><div>Als by 15</div><div><br /></div><div>Riders Vs Eskimos</div><div><br /></div><div>The Eskimos end the Riders season this week.</div><div><br /></div><div>Eskimos by 12</div><div><br /></div><div>Last Week 3-1 Over-All 22-30</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-8999709161766899051?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-79518231110594263402011-09-30T14:36:00.002-05:002011-09-30T14:40:33.705-05:00CFL WEEK # 14 PICKS<div><br /></div><div>Als Vs Bombers</div><div><br /></div><div>The Als have AC and the Bombers no Pierce. End of story.</div><div><br /></div><div>Als by 10</div><div><br /></div><div>Eskimos Vs Lions</div><div><br /></div><div>Lions are on a roll but look for the Eskimos to spoil the party.</div><div><br /></div><div>Eskimos by 6</div><div><br /></div><div>Riders Vs Stamps</div><div><br /></div><div>Big game for the Riders but they fall short in this one.</div><div><br /></div><div>Stamps by 8</div><div><br /></div><div>Ti-Cats Vs Argos</div><div><br /></div><div>The Cats have found their way. Argos next year.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ti-Cats by 13</div><div><br /></div><div>Last Week 1-3 Over-All 19-29</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-7951823111059426340?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-74377037650795410812011-09-22T14:17:00.002-05:002011-09-22T14:23:24.877-05:00CFL WEEK # 13 PICKS<div><br /></div><div>Als Vs Eskimos</div><div><br /></div><div>This could be the match of the week. Tight contest.</div><div><br /></div><div>Als by 2</div><div><br /></div><div>Lions vs Riders</div><div><br /></div><div>Two teams who started the season struggling have all of sudden turned it around.</div><div>Like the home team in this one.</div><div><br /></div><div>Riders by 7</div><div><br /></div><div>Bombers Vs Argos</div><div><br /></div><div>The Argos will be hard pressed to make the playoffs but a loss in this one puts the</div><div>nail in the coffin. </div><div><br /></div><div>Bombers by 12</div><div><br /></div><div>Stamps Vs Ti-Cats</div><div><br /></div><div>Game will be in Moncton. This should favour the Stamps.</div><div><br /></div><div>Stamps by 9</div><div><br /></div><div>Last week 1-3 Over-All 18-26</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-7437703765079541081?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-52920399993042187522011-09-16T18:59:00.002-05:002011-09-16T19:05:02.336-05:00CFL WEEK #12 PICKS<div><br /></div><div>Eskimos Vs Ti-Cats</div><div><br /></div><div>The Ti-Cats are a good team at home simply put.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ti-Cats by 9</div><div><br /></div><div>Argos Vs Riders</div><div><br /></div><div>Now can the Riders beat some else beside the Bombers.</div><div>This week , yes.</div><div><br /></div><div>Riders by 12</div><div><br /></div><div>Lions Vs Stamps</div><div><br /></div><div>The Stamps are the class of the west.</div><div><br /></div><div>Stamps by 10</div><div><br /></div><div>Bombers Vs Als</div><div><br /></div><div>This one could get ugly fast.</div><div><br /></div><div>Als by 15</div><div><br /></div><div>Look for a home sweep this week.</div><div><br /></div><div>Last Week 2-2 Over-All 17-23</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-5292039999304218752?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-76546067146769017762011-09-09T14:41:00.002-05:002011-09-09T14:46:33.793-05:00CFL WEEK # 11 PICKS<div><br /></div><div>Stamps Vs Eskimos</div><div><br /></div><div>The Eskimos looked good last week and good enough to sweep.</div><div><br /></div><div>Eskimos by 9</div><div><br /></div><div>Argos Vs Lions</div><div><br /></div><div>New starting QB for the Argos but the season is done for them already.</div><div><br /></div><div>Lions by 12</div><div><br /></div><div>Ti-Cats Vs Als</div><div><br /></div><div>Can the Ti-Cats win the season series from the Als?</div><div>If they do, this will probably be the downfall of the mighty Als.</div><div><br /></div><div>Als by 5</div><div><br /></div><div>Riders Vs Bombers</div><div><br /></div><div>The Bombers have to rebound this week if they want to back all the Swag talk.</div><div><br /></div><div>Bombers by 14</div><div><br /></div><div>Last week 1-3 Over-All 15-21</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-7654606714676901776?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-61772925578365287442011-09-02T11:40:00.003-05:002011-09-02T11:47:04.606-05:00CFL WEEK # 10 PICKS<div> <br /></div><div>Lions Vs Argos</div><div> <br /></div><div>The Owners teams battle it out. Could Lemon's last chance before Jyles takes over.</div><div> <br /></div><div>Argos by 4</div><div> <br /></div><div>Bombers Vs Riders</div><div> <br /></div><div>7-1 vs 1-7. Should be a easy pick but this is the classic weekend... still.</div><div> <br /></div><div>Bombers by 12</div><div> <br /></div><div>Als vs Ti-Cats</div><div> <br /></div><div>A real important game, especially if the Bombers pulling away for first place.</div><div>These teams are fighting for a home playoff game.</div><div> <br /></div><div>Go with the home team.</div><div> <br /></div><div>Cats by 6</div><div> <br /></div><div>Eskimos Vs Stamps</div><div> <br /></div><div>The Eskimos are still to banged up to challenge the Stamps.</div><div> <br /></div><div>Stamps by 15</div><div> <br /></div><div>Last week 0-2 Over-All 14-18</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-6177292557836528744?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-16133888597539152442011-08-26T10:27:00.002-05:002011-08-26T10:32:48.530-05:00CFL WEEK # 9 PICKS <br /> <br />Ti-Cats Vs Bombers <br /> <br />A sold out crowd of 30,033, Bomber Coach LaPolice's wife and Ti-Cat Stala <br />exchanging Tweets all leading to what should be a great game. <br /> <br />Look for Glenn and the Ti-Cats to end the Bomber 4 game win streak. <br /> <br />Ti-Cats by 6 <br /> <br />Als Vs Stamps <br /> <br />Just like the other game this week, two teams coming off a bye week. <br />Who will be more rusty? Stamps have not looked great at home this year. <br /> <br />Als by 5 <br /> <br />Last week 1-1 Over-All 14-16 <br /> <br /> <br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-1613388859753915244?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-7717297219469013002011-08-18T21:44:00.002-05:002011-08-18T21:47:58.300-05:00CFL WEEK # 8 PICKS <br /> <br />Riders Vs Argos <br /> <br />Hard to believe both teams are very much alive for a playoff spot and a shot <br />at the Grey Cup with 1-6 records but that is the CFL. <br /> <br />The Argos need the win more as they probably will need a cross over playoff spot. <br /> <br />Argos by 7 <br /> <br />Lions Vs Eskimos <br /> <br />Eskimos are hurting in the the receiver spot but home filed will help. <br /> <br />Eskimos by 9 <br /> <br />Last Week 3-1 Over-All 13-15 <br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-771729721946901300?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-32724016589602084562011-08-11T11:18:00.002-05:002011-08-11T11:28:40.545-05:00CFL WEEK # 7 PICKS <br /> <br />Eskimos Vs Als <br /> <br />Eskimos stayed in Winnipeg to practice this week. <br />Team bonding is good but the injuries are going to cost them. <br /> <br />Als by 10 <br /> <br />Stamps Vs Riders <br /> <br />The Stamps are back for the second time in three weeks. <br />The Riders will be in big trouble if they drop another one to Calgary. <br /> <br />Stamps by 3 <br /> <br />Argos Vs Ti-Cats <br /> <br />Battle of Ontario. Must win time for Argos. <br />Are the Cats a streaky team? Few L's, followed by a few W's. <br />Will see this week if the rebound or head for another losing streak. <br /> <br />Cats by 9 <br /> <br />Bombers Vs Lions <br /> <br />The Lions are still angry over the missed called in Winnipeg that stopped <br />a B.C. drive late in the fourth quarter. <br />The Bombers have taken their focus off football with all their Swaggerville <br />comments. They have to win this week to back-up all the talk or LaPolice <br />will have to put his foot down. This is the game of the week. <br /> <br />Lions by 8 <br /> <br /> <br />Last Week 4-0 Over-all 10-14 <br /> <br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-3272401658960208456?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-6267718165079205302011-08-04T16:54:00.002-05:002011-08-04T16:59:30.246-05:00CFL WEEK #6 PICKS<br /><br />Als Vs Argos<br /><br />Two straight L's for the Als. Don't bet on three.<br /><br />Als by 8<br /><br />Eskimos Vs Bombers<br /><br />The two last place teams from last year are now the two first place teams.<br />One year make a difference.<br />Can the Eskimos remain perfect?<br />A sold-out Bomber stadium could be the 13th man.<br /><br />Bombers by 9<br /><br />Riders Vs Lions<br /><br />Battle for the bottom should see the Lions get their first win of the season.<br /><br />Lions by 4<br /><br />Ti-Cats Vs Stamps<br /><br />The Ti-Cat win streak comes to an end this week.<br /><br />Stamps by 13<br /><br />Last week 3-1 Over-All 6-14<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-626771816507920530?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-15956265085300069112011-07-28T17:40:00.002-05:002011-07-28T17:45:30.262-05:00CFL WEEK # 5 PICKS<br /><br />Lions Vs Bombers<br /><br />The Bombers will playing this game with heavy hearts with the passing<br />of Coach Richard Harris. He could very well be the most liked man in the CFL.<br />The Bombers could come on fire or have a difficult time. Very hard game to call.<br /><br />Bombers by 4<br /><br />R.I.P. Richard Harris<br /><br />Als Vs Ti-Cats<br /><br />How is AC? Als hate to lose two in a row but the Cats are on a roll.<br /><br />Cats by 6<br /><br />Argos Vs Eskimos<br /><br />Is 5-0 possible? Maybe but not likely.<br /><br />Argos by 7<br /><br />Stamps Vs Riders<br /><br />Riders got their first win last week and are now looking for their first home win<br />this year.<br /><br />Stamps by 3<br /><br />Last Week 0-4 Over-All 3-13<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-1595626508530006911?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-10581429203736273962011-07-21T23:08:00.002-05:002011-07-21T23:14:00.030-05:00CFL WEEK # 4 PICKS<br /><br />Ti-Cats Vs Lions<br /><br />If the Lions go 0-4 can Wally's days in B.C. be over?<br />Not this week.<br /><br />Lions by 8<br /><br />Bombers Vs Argos<br /><br />Looks like Buck will play but the Bombers have lost back up Elliot for the year.<br />Argos will get their revenge in their home opener.<br /><br />Argos by 7<br /><br />Eskimos Vs Stamps<br /><br />First battle of Alberta this year goes to Stamps.<br /><br />Stamps by 10<br /><br />Riders Vs Als<br /><br />The Als could go 4-0 and the Riders 0-4.<br />Bet on it.<br /><br />Als by 15<br /><br />Last Week 3-1 Over-All 3-9<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-1058142920373627396?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-77252465921888859082011-07-14T15:46:00.002-05:002011-07-14T15:55:40.128-05:00CFL WEEK # 3 PICKS<br /><br />Stamps vs Bombers<br /><br />The Bombers have two in a row but this one could be tough for the Bombers.<br /><br /><br />Stamps by 10<br /><br />Argos Vs Als<br /><br />Three straight road games for the Argos will take it's toll on them.<br /><br />Als by 15<br /><br />Riders Vs Ti-Cats<br /><br />The battle of two win less teams along with QB problems in Hamilton.<br />Hard pick. Take the home team.<br /><br />Ti-Cats by 6<br /><br />Lions Vs Eskimos<br /><br />The Eskimos are not a 2-0 team and the Lions are not a 0-2 team.<br />This should be close.<br /><br />Lions by 3<br /><br /><br />Last Week 0-4 Over-all 0-8 Yikes.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-7725246592188885908?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-66917343908030321442011-07-08T15:16:00.002-05:002011-07-08T15:21:13.198-05:00CFL WEEK # 2 PICKS<br /><br />Argos vs Bombers<br /><br />The Argos play second straight on the road and the Bombers will be without Greg Carr.<br />Good defence vs weak offence = Argos win<br /><br />Argos by 8<br /><br />Stamps Vs Lions<br /><br />Two teams would could have started the season with a win.<br />Should be a close one.<br /><br />Lions by 6<br /><br />Als Vs Riders<br /><br />Als hung on last week and the Riders were given a wake up call.<br /><br />Riders by 4<br /><br />Ti-Cats Vs Eskimos<br /><br />Will Glen recover from his benching last week? Are the Eskimos for real?<br /><br />Ti-Cats by 6<br /><br />Last Week 0-4 Bad start.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-6691734390803032144?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-51721293916333306092011-06-30T17:04:00.002-05:002011-06-30T17:12:56.357-05:00CFL Week #1 Picks<br /><br />Lions Vs Als<br /><br />First game of the year could see the Als come out a little stale.<br /><br />Lions by 6<br /><br />Bombers Vs Ti-Cats<br /><br />Since LaPolice had been the head honcho in Bomber land they are<br />0-2 in pre-season and 0-9 for a combined 0-11 on the road.<br />This team made almost no changes with the exception of the loss<br />of sack leader Phil Hunt. They need to start the year right or<br />it will be another long year.<br /><br />Ti-Cats by 9<br /><br />Argos Vs Stamps<br /><br />The Argos looked decent in their last pre-season game but now the<br />real actions begins.<br /><br />Stamps by 10<br /><br />Eskimos Vs Riders<br /><br />The Eskimos are in a rebuild stage and could have a decent year but<br />you have to take the Riders in their home opener.<br /><br />Riders by 12<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-5172129391633330609?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-21330962073113084482011-01-06T14:22:00.000-06:002011-01-06T14:23:47.366-06:00<div><div style="overflow: hidden; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; border: medium none;"><p>Former CFL quarterback Cody Ledbetter has been sentenced in the United States to 12 years in prison for fleeing to Canada in 2009 while under a court-ordered probation.</p> <p>The former Hamilton Tiger-Cat pleaded guilty in 2005 to two counts of having an improper relationship with a 16-year-old girl from the high school in Alvarado, Texas, where he was a coach. He was put on probation for 10 years.</p> <p>Ledbetter, 37, who left the CFL in 2002, broke the probation and fled to Ottawa in September 2009. He was in hiding until he was arrested by Canadian authorities after a July 31, 2010, altercation with his girlfriend in Ottawa.</p> <p>Prosecutors in Ottawa stayed four charges against Ledbetter to allow for his deportation back to the United States.</p> <p>A Texas judge handed down the 12-year sentence during a hearing in Tarrant County on Wednesday, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram</p><span><br /><a style="color: rgb(0, 51, 153);" href="http://www.cbc.ca/sports/story/2011/01/06/ottawa-ledbetter-sentence.html#ixzz1AHxWpC00"><br /></a></span></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-2133096207311308448?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-75999311422528262702010-11-24T10:42:00.003-06:002010-11-24T10:45:12.539-06:00CFL GREY CUP PICK<br /><br />Riders Vs Als<br /><br />One year later, same teams in the final. The cold will help the Riders<br />and they want revenge for last year but the Als have been the better<br />team all year.<br /><br />Als by 15<br /><br />Last Week 1-1 Over-All 47-29<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-7599931142252826270?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-84653778507649139892010-11-20T21:10:00.002-06:002010-11-20T21:14:28.881-06:00CFL FOOTBALL DIVISION FINALS PICKS<br /><br /><br />Argos Vs Als<br /><br />The Argos have played the Als very well this season but the Grey Cup<br />Champs will rise to the challenge.<br /><br />Als by 6<br /><br />Riders Vs Stamps<br /><br />Cold, Cold, Cold but both teams are use to this weather.<br />Stamps just seem stronger over all.<br /><br /><br />Stamps by 5<br /><br /><br />Last Week 2-0 Over-All 46-28<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-8465377850764913989?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-13904328956055229442010-11-14T12:04:00.002-06:002010-11-14T12:08:11.253-06:00CFL Divisional Semi-Finals Picks<br /><br />Argos Vs Ti-Cats<br /><br />The Cats have more experience but the Argos have proved they<br />can play with any one. Look for an upset.<br /><br />Argos by 4<br /><br />Lions Vs Riders<br /><br />I would have picked the Lions in an upset but with the travel<br />problems etc. Bet on the home team.<br /><br />Riders by 7<br /><br />Last Week 1-3 Final Season Record 44-28<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-1390432895605522944?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-72406846254670828592010-11-05T11:32:00.003-05:002010-11-05T11:38:54.514-05:00CFL WEEK # 19 PICKS<br /><br />Stamps Vs Bombers<br /><br />Bomber players are playing for jobs next year and the Stamps are<br />just trying to survive the game without injuries.<br /><br />Bombers by 5<br /><br />Lions vs Ti-Cats<br /><br />Lions playoff lives are on the line while the Ti-Cats are looking<br />to rebound after being destroyed last week. Hard game to call.<br /><br />Ti-Cats by 13<br /><br />Eskimos Vs Riders<br /><br />The Eskimos were not very impressive against a raw rookie QB<br />and win less team on the road last week. They will know before<br />the start of their game if they need to win.<br />Don't see the Riders losing their fifth in a row.<br /><br />Riders by 12<br /><br />Argos Vs Als<br /><br />AC might not play this week. Another hard game to call.<br /><br />Als by 3<br /><br />Last Week 4-0 Over-All 43-25<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-7240684625467082859?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-55403636303119809632010-10-29T10:24:00.002-05:002010-10-29T10:31:48.204-05:00CFL WEEK # 18 PICKS<br /><br />Two back to back weeks bad results.<br /><br />Als Vs Argos<br /><br />The game is more important to the Argos standings wise but you<br />can bet the Als want revenge for losing in Toronto earlier in the year<br />and the beating they took last week to Hamilton.<br /><br />Als by 10<br /><br />Ti-Cats Vs Stamps<br /><br />Great win for the Cats last week and heart breaker for the Stamps.<br />The Ti-Cats are not a great road team and the Stamps want to gear<br />up for the playoffs.<br /><br />Stamps by 8<br /><br />Bombers Vs Eskimos<br /><br />The Bombers will be using a 4th string QB as their starter and<br />brought in 3 new QB's this week and only one of them has any<br />CFL experience. The defence maybe good but 0-8 on the road<br />and no QB is a disaster.<br /><br />Eskimos by 9<br /><br />Riders Vs Lions<br /><br />While the Riders usually play well in Vancouver, the Lions need<br />to keep up with the Eskimos for a play off birth.<br /><br />Lions by 4<br /><br />Last Week 1-3 Over-All 39-25<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-5540363630311980963?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-36545955524251161162010-10-22T15:08:00.002-05:002010-10-22T15:13:02.683-05:00CFL WEEK # 17 PICKS<br /><br />Als Vs Ti-Cats<br /><br />The Als have nothing to play for this week. Have to take the Cats.<br /><br />Ti-Cats by 6<br /><br />Lions Vs Stamps<br /><br />No way the Stamps let the Lions walk over them again at home.<br /><br />Stamps by 20<br /><br />Argos Vs Bombers<br /><br />Must win for Bombers. Much better at home.<br /><br />Bombers by 8<br /><br />Riders Vs Eskimos<br /><br />Gut feeling says Riders.<br /><br />Riders by 7<br /><br />Last Week 1-3 Over-All 38-22<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-3654595552425116116?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-88754185057451916022010-10-15T12:20:00.002-05:002010-10-15T12:28:27.271-05:00CFL WEEK # 16 PICKS<br /><br />Ti-Cats Vs Argos<br /><br />Battle of Ontario has favored the Ti-Cats this season,<br />look for a change this evening as the Argos win at home.<br /><br />Argos by 7<br /><br />Eskimos Vs Lions<br /><br />Huge choke last week for the Lions and in house fights<br />have cost Casey Printers his job and likely any future<br />in the CFL. This could spark or derail the Lions.<br /><br />Lions by 8<br /><br />Bombers Vs Als<br /><br />Brink was awful but so were other Bomber players<br />last week. The come back OT win was a thriller but<br />this week the Als win lay a beating on the Bombers.<br /><br />Als by 20<br /><br />Stamps Vs Riders<br /><br />The Riders need to show that last week loss to the Argos<br />was a fluke. They will this week.<br /><br />Riders by 5<br /><br />Last Week 2-2 Over-All 37-19<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-8875418505745191602?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-54891383511801460662010-10-08T12:07:00.002-05:002010-10-08T12:11:54.225-05:00CFL WEEK # 15 PICKS<br /><br />Eskimos Vs Ti-Cats<br /><br />The Cats get their revenge at home this week.<br /><br />Ti-Cats by 13<br /><br />Argos Vs Riders<br /><br />This could be the blow out of the week.<br /><br />Riders by 20<br /><br /><br />Stamps Vs Als<br /><br />Can the Stamps sweep? Don't bet on it.<br /><br />Als by 5<br /><br />Lions Vs Bombers<br /><br />The Bombers are much better at home but brink gets the call,<br />not willing to bet on a rookie QB<br /><br />Lions by 4<br /><br />Last Week 3-1 Over-All 35-17<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-5489138351180146066?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-12743354982565032192010-10-01T15:01:00.002-05:002010-10-01T15:05:46.985-05:00CFL WEEK # 14 PICKS<br /><br />Als Vs Stamps<br /><br />The Stamps will end their mini slump. The Als sneaked by last week.<br /><br />Stamps by 5<br /><br />Riders Vs Argos<br /><br />The Argos have been struggling of late.<br /><br />Riders by 7<br /><br />Bombers Vs Lions<br /><br />The Lions have improved as of late but the Bombers should finally win a road game.<br /><br />Bombers by 11<br /><br />Ti-Cats Vs Eskimos<br /><br />Two in a row for Eskimos?<br /><br />Eskimos by 3<br /><br />Last Week 4-0 Over-All 32-16<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-1274335498256503219?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-28412557740947021942010-09-24T14:32:00.002-05:002010-09-24T14:38:12.264-05:00Als Vs Bombers<br /><br />The Bombers are a much better team at home but they are still<br />on the bottom of the East Division. The Als are the Als.<br /><br />Als by 15<br /><br />Riders Vs Ti-Cats<br /><br />The Cats and Riders both needed luck last week to win their games.<br />Very much a toss up game.<br /><br />Riders by 5<br /><br />Lions Vs Stamps<br /><br />The Stamps so far this year have handled the Lions easily, why<br />should this game be any different.<br /><br />Lions by 17<br /><br />Eskimos Vs Argos<br /><br />All eyes will be on this match being held in NB.<br />While the Argos are listed as the home team, this could<br />be either team's game.<br /><br />Eskimos by 3<br /><br />Last Week 3-1 Over-All 28-16<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-2841255774094702194?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-34246667183710852010-09-17T09:39:00.002-05:002010-09-17T09:53:17.610-05:00CFL WEEK # 12 PICKS<br /><br />Stamps vs Riders<br /><br /> The Riders have dropped 2 of their last 3 games and the Stamps have won 7<br />in a row. The easy pick would be the Stamps but the Riders are at home and<br />are unbeaten on their own field this year.<br /><br />Riders by 6<br /><br />Ti-Cats Vs Lions<br /><br />The Lions have won 2 in a row but the mini streak is over this week.<br /><br />Ti-Cats by 13<br /><br />Bombers Vs Argos<br /><br />Very hard game to call. While the Argos have lost 3 in a row, the Bombers<br />have just 1 win in their last 6 games and are 0-5 on the road this year.<br />Both teams are dealing with injuries, more so the Argos.<br />The Bombers have already dropped the season series to the Ti-Cats and<br />loss to the Argos would virtually knock them out of the East Division<br />playoff run and at best hope for a cross over.<br /><br />Bombers by 4<br /><br />Eskimos Vs Als<br /><br />AC or no AC? It won't matter who is a QB this week.<br /><br />Als by 16<br /><br />Last Week 2-2 Over-All 25-15<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-3424666718371085?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-27490188317086722892010-09-10T10:40:00.002-05:002010-09-10T10:50:44.788-05:00Stamps Vs Eskimos<br /><br />It's been 4 days since the Stamps destroyed the Eskimos while the<br />Eskimos have made a few changes, all that will do is make it a little<br />closer. Say under a 30 point win for the Stamps.<br /><br />Stamps by 27<br /><br />Als Vs Ti-Cats<br /><br />The Cats are on a roll and the Als without AC are no threat.<br /><br />Ti-Cats by 9<br /><br />Argos Vs Lions<br /><br />The Lions should get heir first home win in 2010.<br />The Argos are battling some serious injury problems.<br /><br />Lions by 12<br /><br /> Riders Vs Bombers<br /><br />Buck is hurt, Again. Surprise. Will Jyles step up against<br />his old team? The Bombers did play better last week<br />and believe they can win their first game in 6 weeks.<br />The Riders could have broken out big last week but<br />seemed a little rusty. Hard game to call.<br /><br />Riders by 7<br /><br />Last Week 3-1 Over-All 23-13<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-2749018831708672289?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-84248400738874124652010-09-03T13:34:00.002-05:002010-09-03T13:40:28.568-05:00CFL WEEK # 10 PICKS<br /><br />Lions Vs Als<br /><br />Normally with no AC at QB, you would take any opponent to be the Als.<br />But, the Lions are brutal, no O-line.<br /><br />Als by 5<br /><br />Bombers Vs Riders<br /><br />Who is at QB for the Bombers is a mystery, so is when will Paul LaPolice<br />get his first road victory as a Coach. Don't see the Riders losing two<br />straight games.<br /><br />Riders by 12<br /><br />Argos Vs Ti-Cats<br /><br />Great defensive battle two weeks back. Look for the Cats to sweep.<br /><br />Ti-Cats by 6<br /><br />Eskimos Vs Stamps<br /><br />Big win for the Eskimos last week but don't expect two in a row.<br /><br />Stamps by 15<br /><br />Last Week 0-2 Over-All 20-12<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-8424840073887412465?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-60979991406402163622010-08-27T11:05:00.003-05:002010-08-27T11:08:28.172-05:00CFL WEEK # 9 PICKS<br /><br />Stamps Vs Lions<br />Games after the bye week are always the hardest to pick.<br />The Lions have to win a game in the temp stadium some time don't they?<br /><br />Lions by 4<br /><br />Riders Vs Eskimos<br /><br />This could be another upset, on second thought, no chance.<br /><br />Riders by 12<br /><br />Last Week 2-0 Over-All 20-10<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-6097999140640216362?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-15522289672090418652010-08-19T18:57:00.002-05:002010-08-19T19:00:21.882-05:00CFL WEEK # * PICKS<br /><br />Bombers Vs Als<br /><br />Both teams have injuries but the Als hate to lose two in a row.<br /><br />Als by 19<br /><br /><br />Ti-Cats Vs Argos<br /><br />The Argos will lose their first home game.<br /><br />Ti-Cats by 9<br /><br />Last Week 3-1 Over-All 18-10<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-1552228967209041865?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-43720540547239903612010-08-12T11:23:00.002-05:002010-08-12T11:30:23.475-05:00CFL WEEK # 7 PICKS<br /><br />Lions Vs Riders<br /><br />Jackson starts a QB for the Lions this week. That makes three different starters<br />in 7 weeks for the Lions. Trouble in Lion Country.<br /><br />Riders by 14<br /><br />Ti-Cats Vs Bombers<br /><br />The Cats have been dealing with off field issues or rather where is the field<br />going to be issues this week. It should not be a distraction. A split should<br />be no surprise this week. Having said that, look for the Cats to take the<br />season series.<br /><br />Ti-Cats by 16<br /><br />Als Vs Argos<br /><br />Argos will want revenge for the beating they took at the hands of the Als<br />back in Montreal. Good Luck with that.<br /><br />Als by 15<br /><br />Eskimos Vs Stamps<br /><br />You have to pick the Stamps at home.<br /><br />Stamps by 10<br /><br />Last Week 2-2 Over-All 15-9<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-4372054054723990361?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-70676798874529320932010-08-06T11:33:00.003-05:002010-08-06T11:37:53.051-05:00CFL WEEK # 6 PICKS<br /><br />Riders Vs Als<br /><br />Durant is not 100 %. The Als are at home.<br /><br />Als by 5<br /><br />Argos Vs Eskimos<br /><br />Are the Argos for real at 3-2? Nope. Last week against the Als was accurate.<br /><br />Eskimos by 9<br /><br />Bombers Vs Ti-Cats<br /><br />Last time in Hamilton, Bombers were awful. The Cats schedule has been<br />tough this year. Look for the Cats to sweep the home and home series.<br /><br />Ti-Cats by 9<br /><br />Stamps Vs Lions<br /><br />The Lions will get back on track this week or Wally could be on thin ice.<br /><br />Lions by 10<br /><br />Last week 3-1 Over-All 13-7<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-7067679887452932093?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-69352235691023033512010-07-28T08:54:00.002-05:002010-07-28T09:02:16.136-05:00CFL WEEK # 5 PICKS<br /><br />Argos Vs Als<br /><br />Who would have thought this match would be a battle for first place.<br />The Argos will come crashing down.<br /><br />Als by 17<br /><br />Lions Vs Eskimos<br /><br />This is by far the most important match of the week. If the Eskimos lose,<br />say by to Hall, is the Lions lose, they are in the same boat as the Eskimos<br />and could see changes as well.<br /><br />Eskimos by 6<br /><br /><br />Ti-Cats Vs Riders<br /><br />The Cats can not afford another loss.<br /><br />Ti-Cats by 6<br /><br />Bombers Vs Stamps<br /><br />The Bombers are not as good as last week's out and not as bad as their<br />road loss in Hamilton. As an average team playing in Calgary, don't bet<br />on them.<br /><br />Stamps by 15<br /><br />Last Week 3-1 Over-All 10-6<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-6935223569102303351?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-84421568174274482952010-07-22T11:51:00.002-05:002010-07-22T11:59:30.218-05:00CFL WEEK # 4 PICKS<br /><br />Ti-Cats Va Als<br /><br />The Als finally have a home game. While the Cats looked better last week<br />or at least Glenn did, they will be pressed to show against the Als.<br /><br />Als by 15<br /><br />Lions Vs Argos<br /><br />No Printers, can the Argos win two in a row at home?<br /><br />Yes.<br /><br />Argos by 7<br /><br />Eskimos Vs Bombers<br /><br />While the Eskimos are 0-3, better hands could have easily changed<br />these results. The Bombers were brutal last week, not scoring until<br />the fourth quarter. Buck is out to injury, can the pick it up for Jyles?<br /><br />Eskimos by 6<br /><br />Riders Vs Stamps<br /><br />The Riders luck runs out.<br /><br />Stamps by 9<br /><br />Last Week 4-0 Over-All 7-5<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-8442156817427448295?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-38999789364024233812010-07-14T11:34:00.002-05:002010-07-14T11:44:17.142-05:00CFL WEEK # 3 PICKS<br /><br />Stamps Vs Argos<br /><br />Big win last week for the Argos. A win at home this week can help get<br />the fans on board and keep building. The Stamps are 2-0 and would<br />love to come home from Southern Ontario win two wins. Long road<br />trip will take it's toll on the Stamps.<br /><br />Argos by 5<br /><br />Bombers Vs Ti-Cats<br /><br />The Bombers gave another TD on a missed field goal attempt.<br />They had a week to prepare and failed to make the changes.<br />This week Hamilton is 0-2 and will want big revenge from week 1.<br />This could get ugly fast.<br /><br />Ti-Cats by 19<br /><br />Als vs Lions<br /><br />The Als struggle in Vancouver but the Lions were nothing special<br />last week. The Als are tired from three straight road games but<br />should find enough this week. The pass coverage needs to be worked<br />on by the Als.<br /><br />Als by 5<br /><br /><br />Eskimos Vs Riders<br /><br />The Eskimos simple let the game against the Als slip. Dropped<br />balls cost them big time. The Riders offence might be the best<br />in the CFL.<br /><br />Riders by 14<br /><br />Last Week 2-2 Over-All 3-5<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-3899978936402423381?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-66335065965637908932010-07-10T10:50:00.002-05:002010-07-10T11:00:35.108-05:00CFL WEEK # 2 PICKS<br /><br />Argos Vs Bombers<br /><br />The Argos will make some mistakes with all the changes. Not a bad start<br />in their first outing. The Bombers did show some good stuff against<br />the Ti-Cats but where the Cats coming into the game to confident?<br /><br />Many this game is the Bombers. It will be a lot closer than expected.<br /><br />Argos by 4<br /><br />Stamps Vs Ti-Cats<br /><br />The Stamps did not look spectacular against the Argos last week and<br />I do not see the Cats starting the year 0-2.<br /><br />Ti-Cats by 9<br /><br />Riders Vs Lions<br /><br />Good win for the Lions last week. The Riders were very lucky the Als<br />took the foot off the pedal last week, otherwise it could have been a<br />blow out. The Riders do well at B.C. Place. But this is not B.C. Place.<br /><br />Lions by 8<br /><br />Als Vs Eskimos<br /><br />Who goes 0-2? Don't bet on the Als. A huge Coaching mistake in not<br />going for three points at the end of the half last week cost the Als the<br />game. Tresty won't want to look bad again this week.<br /><br />Als by 15<br /><br />Last Week 1-3<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-6633506596563790893?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-60281518808125839972010-07-01T09:05:00.002-05:002010-07-01T09:17:34.417-05:00CFL WEEK # 1 PICKS<br /><br />Als Vs Riders<br /><br />Do the Riders get their revenge? Maybe, this week but in the end<br />the Riders are no where near as strong as last season. The Als<br />have not changed much, which can hurt, just ask the Stamps last season.<br />Still like the Grey Cup Champs on day 1.<br /><br />Als by 10<br /><br />Argos Vs Stamps<br /><br />The Stamps O-Line is a huge question mark but the Argos whole<br />team is a question mark. You know, Mr. Barker would love to<br />win this one in Calgary. Not going to happen.<br /><br />Stamps by 15<br /><br />Ti-Cats Vs Bombers<br /><br />The Cats are going to challenge the Als this year, while the Bombers<br />offence maybe better this year (has to be) the defence will be weaker.<br />Weather could play it to this game with thunderstorms and high winds<br />scheduled to take place.<br /><br />Ti-Cats by 16<br /><br />Lions Vs Eskimos<br /><br />The west is real open this year. Any team could finish first or last this year.<br />The Eskimos could emerge at the top.<br />Home team gets the call.<br /><br />Eskimos by 6<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-6028151880812583997?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-45764171836914600062010-05-10T11:25:00.000-05:002010-05-10T11:26:09.313-05:00<p>Former Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive back Gabriel Fulbright was shot and killed in Dallas early Saturday, according to media reports.</p> <p>Fulbright, 27, was gunned down outside a convenience store at about 2:50 a.m. He was pronounced dead at Baylor University Medical Centre.</p> <p>Fulbright, who had a nine-month-old daughter, appeared in nine games for the Bombers in 2006 and 2007, making two tackles and one special teams tackle. He also had five punt returns for 13 yards and one kick return for 21 yards.</p> <p>The Bombers released him in July 2007.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-4576417183691460006?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-33604441426445261062010-03-19T10:06:00.000-05:002010-03-19T10:07:23.150-05:00<p>NEW YORK - Former CFL and NFL receiver Rocket Ismail has a new job as a television announcer for bull riding.</p> <p>Ismail, who began his pro career with the CFL's Toronto Argonauts before heading to the NFL, will serve as a correspondent for some of the Professional Bull Riders telecasts on cable channel Versus. He became interested in the sport when he took part in "Ty Murray's Celebrity Bull Riding Challenge" on CMT.</p> <div id="sidebar"> </div> <p>Ismail will interview riders about their lives outside of competition, making his debut during Saturday's broadcast from Fresno, Calif.</p> <p>The former Notre Dame star played nine seasons in the NFL, making 363 catches for 5,295 yards and 28 touchdowns.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-3360444142644526106?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-58895538915023064352010-03-15T14:58:00.000-05:002010-03-15T14:59:25.865-05:00he Toronto Argonauts have signed former Queen's quarterback Danny Brannagan to a contract that will see him in double-blue through the 2012 season. <p>''We are thrilled to welcome Danny to the Toronto Argonauts,'' Argonauts head coach Jim Barker said in a release. ''We believe he is a special individual who brings a lot to the table. He can make all the throws and he understands the Canadian game and how to read defences. We are excited to watch Danny compete with the other quarterbacks we have signed.''</p> <p>Brannagan led the Queen's Gaels to their first Vanier Cup Championship since 1992, earning the Most Valuable Player and Yates Cup MVP honours along the way. In a prolific five season career at Queen's, Brannagan passed former Argo Tommy Denison as the leading passer in Gaels history.</p> <p>''I'm very excited about this opportunity,'' Brannagan said. ''I'm fortunate to have had a successful university career and realize that not a lot of people get to compete at the next level. The Argos have a great and storied football program that I've followed growing up. I was lucky to meet several members of the coaching staff at the CFL Evaluation Camp and I was very impressed with them. I look forward to going out there and competing for a spot on the team.''</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-5889553891502306435?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-81435104689418903932010-01-26T22:39:00.001-06:002010-01-26T22:41:08.431-06:00University of Mississippi offensive coordinator Kent Austin has been hired as Cornell's 26th head football coach, multiple sources close to the Big Red program confirmed Tuesday.<span class="aa"></span><div class="articleflex-container"> <div class="articleflex"> <span class="adlabel-horz"></span><br /> <div id="adcontainer___gelement_adbanner_0"><div class="" id="__gelement_10"><script src="http://gannett.gcion.com/addyn/3.0/5111.1/133600/0/0/ADTECH;alias=ny-ithaca.theithacajournal.com/sports/college/article.htm_ArticleFlex_1;cookie=info;loc=100;target=_blank;grp=53267;misc=1264610259568;noperf=1;key=Cornell+hires+Ole+Miss+assistant+as+football+coach;kvtitle=Cornell-hires-Ole-Miss-assistant-as-football-coach" id="__gelement_11"></script> </div> </div><banner id="__gelement_adbanner_0" position="ArticleFlex_1"></banner> </div></div><p><span class="pp"></span>Cornell has scheduled a press conference for 10 a.m. Wednesday to announce the hiring. The position has been vacant since Dec. 27, when Jim Knowles resigned to take the defensive coordinator position at <a itxtdid="7902314" target="_blank" href="http://www.theithacajournal.com/article/20100126/SPORTS03/1260329/Cornell-hires-Ole-Miss-assistant-as-football-coach#" style="border-bottom: 0.2em dotted rgb(43, 101, 176) ! important; font-weight: normal ! important; font-size: 100% ! important; text-decoration: none ! important; padding-bottom: 0px ! important; color: rgb(43, 101, 176) ! important; background-color: transparent ! important; background-image: none; padding-top: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt;" classname="iAs" class="iAs"><nobr style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 100%; color: rgb(43, 101, 176);" id="itxt_nobr_3_0">Duke<img style="border: 0pt none ; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; display: inline ! important; height: 10px; width: 10px; position: relative; top: 1px; left: 1px; float: none;" name="itxt-icon-0" src="http://images.intellitxt.com/ast/adTypes/mag-glass_10x10.gif" /></nobr></a> University after six seasons.<span class="aa"></span></p><p><span class="pp"></span>The sources requested anonymity because the announcement had not been made official by either school. Several players confirmed the hiring publicly Tuesday afternoon.<span class="aa"></span></p><p><span class="pp"></span>Austin, a former standout quarterback at Ole Miss, was hired by Rebels coach Houston Nutt on Jan. 16, 2008 as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. In two seasons on the Mississippi staff, Austin helped lead the Rebels to back-to-back nine-win seasons and consecutive Cotton Bowl victories.<span class="aa"></span></p><p><span class="pp"></span>"Everywhere he's gone, he's won," Cornell junior linebacker Brandon Lainhart said. "He knows what it takes and understands what it takes to win, and I'm excited about that."<span class="aa"></span></p><p><span class="pp"></span>Before his two-year coaching stint at Ole Miss, Austin was a successful coach and player in the Canadian Football League. He won Grey Cup titles as a player, assistant coach and head coach.<span class="aa"></span></p><p><span class="pp"></span>This is the second straight time Cornell has tapped Mississippi's coaching staff to fill a head coaching vacancy. Knowles was the linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator at Ole Miss before being hired by Cornell in 2004.<span class="aa"></span></p><p><span class="pp"></span>Cornell athletics director Andy Noel held a team meeting with a few players Sunday to tell them of the hiring, junior defensive back Emani Fenton said.<span class="aa"></span></p><p><span class="pp"></span>Fenton said Noel told the selected players that there were a lot of qualified candidates who applied for the job, but Austin's pedigree and character stood out.<span class="aa"></span></p><p><span class="pp"></span>Noel told Fenton that Austin is 7-0 in championship games as a player and coach.<span class="aa"></span></p><span class="pp"></span>"The one thing Andy said was, 'Emani, we're going to win. We're going to win this year,'" Fenton said. "He's been on the big stage, and he's not only gotten there, but he has won when he's gotten there."<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-8143510468941890393?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-47086372123154699932010-01-12T10:49:00.000-06:002010-01-12T10:50:35.197-06:00<p> The Winnipeg Blue Bombers took Jovon Johnson off the free-agent market Tuesday.</p> <p> The cornerback-kick returner was slated to become a free agent next month. But the Bombers re-signed Johnson to a new deal.</p> <p> Johnson started all 18 games with Winnipeg last year, posting 75 tackles and six interceptions -- returning one for a TD en route to be named a CFL all-star. Johnson was also a solid special-teams performer, returning 65 punts for 593 yards and a TD as well as three missed field goals for 203 yards and a touchdown.</p> <p> "I'm very pleased that we were able to reach an agreement for me to remain a Blue Bomber," Johnson said in a statement. "I think we did some great things last season and I hope to build on that heading into 2010.</p> <p> "The fans in Winnipeg are great and the support we get definitely weighed in on my decision. It's a great football city."</p> <p> The Hamilton Tiger-Cats were also busy, re-signing safety Sandy Beveridge and linebacker Yannick Carter.</p> <p> "We're excited to extend the contracts of two valuable Canadian players," GM Bob O'Billovich said. "Last season, Sandy provided us with solid play at safety and on special teams, while Yannick continued to show that he's one of the better special teams players in the league."</p> <p> The six-foot-two, 214-pound Beveridge, a native of Port Coquitlam, B.C., had a career-high 41 defensive tackles last season along with two interceptions and a sack. Beveridge is heading into his eighth CFL season.</p> <p> Carter, a six-foot-one, 205-pound native of Pickering, Ont., registered a career-high 24 special-teams tackles last year, his first with Hamilton. Carter joined the Ticats in an off-season trade with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-4708637212315469993?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-63012684090585392612010-01-08T10:58:00.000-06:002010-01-08T10:59:29.212-06:00<p> CHICAGO–The son of Bears Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton has signed to play indoor football with the Chicago Slaughter.</p><p> Jarrett Payton signed for the 2010 season to play running back for the Slaughter, which will begin Indoor Football League play on Feb. 27. </p><p> Jarrett Payton briefly played for the Tennessee Titans and last played for the Argonauts of the CFL.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-6301268409058539261?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-34125028668913147322010-01-04T14:30:00.000-06:002010-01-04T14:32:08.918-06:00<p>REGINA - The general manager of the Saskatchewan Roughriders wiped tears from his eyes as he stood in court Monday and apologized for sexually assaulting a teenage girl who was babysitting his children.</p> <p>Eric Tillman, who was facing a two-week trial, pleaded guilty to the encounter in the summer of 2008 when the girl was 16 years old. Tillman said he was "profoundly sorry" for what he did to the teen, his family and the entire Roughrider organization.</p> <p>Defence lawyer Aaron Fox argued for an absolute discharge. The Crown did not oppose a discharge of some kind, but prosecutor Bill Burge said he would leave it to the judge to consider whether it should be absolute or conditional. Judge Murray Hinds was to hand down a sentence Tuesday.</p> <div id="sidebar"> <div id="leadphoto"> <div class="bd"> <a href="http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/top/photo;_ylt=A2KIilfIT0JL9joA5RX9NgU6?slug=capress-crime_fbo_tillman_sex_assault-0210330842&amp;prov=capress"><img src="http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/capress/9f/fullj.5d2e89de267feac6f550728caa56a69b/capress-crime_fbo_tillman_sex_assault-0210330842.jpg?x=180&amp;y=200&amp;xc=56&amp;yc=1&amp;wc=190&amp;hc=211&amp;q=70&amp;sig=jUmmQjZADJjBg0LRYt_NjA--" class="photo" title="Saskatchewan Roughriders general manager Eric Tillman, left, along with his defence lawyer Aaron Fox arrive to the Provincial Courthouse on Monday, Jan. 4, 2010 in Regina, Sask. Tillman is on trail for an alleged sexual assault charge against a teenage girl. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Troy Fleece" alt="Saskatchewan Roughriders general manager Eric Tillman, left, along with his defence lawyer Aaron Fox arrive to the Provincial Courthouse on Monday, Jan. 4, 2010 in Regina, Sask. Tillman is on trail for an alleged sexual assault charge against a teenage girl. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Troy Fleece" width="180" height="200" /></a> <div class="caption"> Saskatchewan Roughriders gener… <br /> <span> The Canadian Press - Jan 4, 2:26 pm EST </span> </div> </div></div><br /></div> <p>Tillman, who helped lead the Riders to the Grey Cup championship in 2007, has been on paid administrative leave from the Canadian Football League club since being charged last February.</p> <p>The team issued a statement after the day's court proceedings that said president and CEO Jim Hopson has called for a special meeting of the board of directors as soon as reasonably possible.</p> <p>The club and Tillman have agreed that he won't resume any day-to-day responsibilities until the matter is resolved, according to the statement.</p> <p>CFL commissioner Mark Cohon had no comment.</p> <p>Court heard that Tillman came up behind the teen, put his hands on her hips with his fingers through her belt loops and pulled the girl towards him.</p> <p>Court was told he was on a double dose of sleep aids and muscle relaxants that day for a sore back and employees had described him as acting "loopy." The defence said Tillman did not remember how he got home from the office or what happened with the babysitter.</p> <p>Burge said the teenage girl declined to make a victim impact statement.</p> <p>When the charge was first laid, Tillman suggested there was more to the story and said he would rely on the justice system to air the facts. The Crown elected to proceed on a summary basis, meaning the charge was considered less serious than an indictable offence.</p> <p>Tillman was hired by the Roughriders in August 2006 and led the team to a Grey Cup the following season. He hired head coach Kent Austin before the 2007 season, cut the club's payroll to meet the CFL's salary cap and worked to clean up the team's image after several players were charged over off-field incidents.</p> <p>Months prior to Tillman's hiring, Trevis Smith, who was a former linebacker with the team, was charged with two counts of aggravated sexual assault after two women complained he exposed them to HIV without telling them he had the virus. In February 2007, Smith was found guilty and received a five-year jail sentence. He was granted parole early last year and was deported to the United States.</p> <p>But Smith wasn't the only Roughrider to get into trouble with the law. Between 1999 and 2007, more than a few players made headlines for everything ranging from drug possession to assault.</p> <p>Tillman has enjoyed great success in the CFL as a general manager. He led the B.C. Lions and Toronto Argonauts to Grey Cup titles in 1994 and 1997, respectively, and has worked as a television analyst with TSN and Sportsnet.</p> <p>Tillman also served as the general manager of the expansion Ottawa Renegades for three seasons before returning to broadcasting and ultimately landing the post with the Riders. In July 2008, the Riders rewarded him with a contract extension through 2010.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-3412502866891314732?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-21915489283216273332009-12-18T20:40:00.001-06:002009-12-18T20:41:38.734-06:00<p>Ex-NFL running back Lawrence Phillips has been sentenced to more than 31 years in prison in total for attacking his girlfriend and, in a separate incident, driving his car into three teens.</p> <p>Phillips, 34, was sentenced Friday in San Diego for assault and other crimes.</p> <p>Phillips told the judge he didn't get a fair trail and he'll appeal.</p> <p>Phillips twice choked his girlfriend in 2005 in San Diego. Later that year, he aimed his car and struck three teens after a pickup football game in Los Angeles.</p> <p>A Los Angeles judge gave him 10 years for that attack but he was re-sentenced to seven years on Friday.</p> <p>Phillips was once one of the nation's top college football players at Nebraska. The St. Louis Rams selected him sixth overall in the 1996 draft but released him the following year due to insubordination.</p> <p>After stints with the Miami Dolphins and San Francisco 49ers, he rushed for more than 1,000 yards for the Montreal Alouettes in 2002 and contributed to their Grey Cup win that season, but was released the next year for behavioural reasons.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-2191548928321627333?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-14761711983345708172009-12-14T10:31:00.000-06:002009-12-14T10:32:09.354-06:00The search for the 41st head coach in Toronto Argonauts history was in full swing Monday following the dismissal of Bart Andrus after the Canadian Football League team's 3-15 record this season. <p>"We would like to thank Bart for his efforts during a challenging season," Argos president and CEO Bob Nicholson said in a statement. "Bart came to us with an impressive resume ... we look forward to building a winning team on the field."</p> <p>The three wins by Toronto is the worst showing in 16 years and might also result in general manager Adam Rita losing his job.</p> <p>However, there is talk Rita could stay on should current B.C. Lions owner David Braley purchase the Argos from David Cynamon and Howard Sokolowski.</p> <p>Under the 51-year-old Andrus, Toronto won once in its final 14 games this past season and was the most penalized team in the league.</p> <p>Defensive end Jonathan Brown told the Toronto Sun last month that Rita's trade of all-star receiver Arland Bruce early in the season was the beginning of the end.</p> <p>"Arland is a big-play threat and we never could recover from that," he said. "In this league, you need to have a perennial all-star at the receiver position."</p> <p>In July, Bruce was left behind for a road game for disciplinary reasons. The Argos fined him four times this season for unprofessional behaviour that included leaving his playbook on a plane in Calgary and missing special-teams meetings.</p> <h3>Andrus had struggles</h3> <p>Besides Bruce, Andrus's public spat with cornerback Byron Parker became a distraction off the field. Parker was dealt to the Edmonton Eskimos in September.</p> <p>Despite going over much game film of the Argos and other CFL teams following his hiring last January, Andrus, who had no previous experience in the league, appeared to have his struggles adjusting during games as the season progressed.</p> <p>One of the knocks on the former NFL assistant coach was his decision to be the team's offensive co-ordinator rather than hiring someone with CFL experience. He relented once the season ended, saying he would step away from the role if he remained at the helm.</p> <p>The Argos were plagued by a weak offence as veteran quarterback Kerry Joseph could not be resurrected under Andrus, while Cody Pickett was inconsistent and third-stringer Stephen Reaves remains an unknown.</p> <h3>NFL experience</h3> <p>In his lone season with Toronto, Andrus fared worse than his predecessors, Don Matthews and Rich Stubler, who combined for a 4-14 mark in 2008. The Argos dropped nine consecutive games with Matthews at the helm.</p> <p>Andrus wasn't the first choice of Toronto management to take over. Lions defensive co-ordinator Mike Benevides turned the job down.</p> <p>Andrus joined the Argos following two stints with the NFL's Tennessee Titans, and had experience coaching in the defunct NFL Europe and collegiately in the United States.</p> <p>He guided the Amsterdam Admirals for six years before the European league folded. The team made the championship final twice, with Andrus recognized as the league's top coach in 2005.</p> <p>In Toronto, the hope was he could follow in the footsteps of Alouettes bench boss Marc Trestman, who also was a CFL neophyte before taking Montreal to the Grey Cup in 2008.</p> <p>The Alouettes fell to Calgary in last year's championship, but redeemed themselves last month with a 28-27 victory over Saskatchewan on a last-second 33-yard field goal by Damon Duval to take the CFL title.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-1476171198334570817?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-42341719274146296452009-12-13T01:08:00.000-06:002009-12-13T01:09:29.913-06:00Turner Gill is about to be named as head coach of Kansas football, according to a <a href="http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/news?slug=jn-gill121209&amp;prov=yhoo&amp;type=lgns">report at Yahoo! Sports</a>, though University of Buffalo athletic director Warde Manuel told <a href="http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/story/892230.html">The Buffalo News</a> he had no information about Gill taking the Kansas job. <p>Gill takes over the Jayhawks despite finishing 5-7 at Buffalo in 2009, his third losing season in four years at the Mid American Conference school. His overall mark is set at 20-30.</p> <p>Gill has apparently edged out the likes of hot coaching prospect Jim Harbaugh at Stanford, among others.</p> <p>The new head Jayhawk never played in the NFL, but was a on his way to stardom in the Canadian Football League when he was forced to retire at 23 from concussions. He was a standout baseball player in high school and was drafted at shortstop by the Chicago White Sox.</p> <p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turner_Gill">Gill</a> will be joining his daughter, a sophomore cheerleader, at Kansas.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-4234171927414629645?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-40328010781708857732009-12-11T10:39:00.000-06:002009-12-11T10:40:56.794-06:00Notre Dame football: Notre Dame confirms Kelly hiring<br /><br />Following is the statement released Thursday night from the University of Notre Dame.<br /><br />Brian Kelly, a veteran of 19 seasons as a collegiate head coach — and most recently the architect of two consecutive Bowl Championship Series appearances at the University of Cincinnati, including a perfect 12-0 regular season in 2009 that earned him national-coach-of-the-year honors - tonight has been named the 29th head football coach at the University of Notre Dame.<br /><table style="text-align: left; width: 321px; height: 270px;" align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td style="vertical-align: top;"><noscript><br /></noscript> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <!--END Inline Ad-->Currently the ninth-winningest active coach in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision in terms of victories, Kelly has signed a five-year contract to coach the Irish. He will be introduced at a 1:30 p.m. EST Friday press conference at the Guglielmino Athletics Center. Kelly officially takes over at Notre Dame on Monday; he will not coach the Bearcats in their Sugar Bowl date against Florida.<br /><br />Kelly's head coaching resume includes:<br />— Three seasons at Cincinnati from 2007-09, including a 34-6 record (.850) and two straight outright <a itxtdid="7129482" target="_blank" href="http://www.southbendtribune.com/article/20091210/SPORTS13/912109914/-1/googleNews#" style="border-bottom: medium none ! important; font-weight: bold ! important; text-decoration: none ! important; padding-bottom: 0px ! important; color: darkblue ! important; background-color: transparent ! important; cursor: pointer ! important; background-image: none; padding-top: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt;" classname="iAs" class="iAs"><nobr style="font-weight: bold; color: darkblue;" id="itxt_nobr_5_0">BIG EAST</nobr></a> Conference title teams that earned BCS appearances in 2008 (Orange Bowl) and '09 (Sugar Bowl).<br />— Three seasons at Central Michigan University from 2004-06, including a 19-16 overall record (.542) that featured a 9-4 mark and Mid-American Conference title in 2006.<br />— Thirteen seasons at Grand Valley State University from 1991-2003, including a 118-35-2 record (.767) that was highlighted by NCAA Division II national championships in 2002 (14-0) and 2003 (14-1).<br />— An overall record of 171-57-2 (.747) in those 19 seasons as a head coach.<br /><br />“I am very pleased that a thorough and extensive search has led us to a new head coach in Brian Kelly, who I am confident will help us accomplish our goal of competing for national championships,” said Notre Dame athletics director Jack Swarbrick.<br /><br />“I am absolutely delighted to welcome Brian and his family to the Notre Dame family,” said Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., Notre Dame's president. “He brings to us a long and successful career as a head coach, and I am confident that he will have even greater success here. I'm also very pleased that he has put considerable emphasis on excellence in the classroom and that his student-athletes graduate at a rate well above the norm.”<br /><br />Kelly earned the Home Depot National Coach of the Year Award in 2009, was the BIG EAST Conference Coach of the Year in 2007, 2008 and 2009 (the first time a BIG EAST football coach has won the award three straight years) — and was the American Football Coaches Association Division II Coach of the Year in both 2002 and 2003. Kelly currently ranks ninth among active FBS head coaches in victories with 171.<br /><br />He boasted a 2-1 record at Cincinnati in postseason bowl games - including a 27-24 win over Western Michigan in the International Bowl after the 2006 season (he coached in that game immediately after taking the job at Cincinnati), a 31-21 win over Southern Mississippi in the Papajohns.com Bowl after the '07 season and a 20-7 loss to Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl after the '08 campaign. Kelly's '06 Central Michigan team finished 9-4 and qualified for the Motor City Bowl (Central Michigan defeated Middle Tennessee 31-14, though he did not coach after accepting the head coaching position at Cincinnati) - and his 12-0 team in '09 earned a Sugar Bowl assignment against Florida.<br /><br />In six NCAA Division II playoff appearances at Grand Valley State, Kelly's teams combined for an 11-4 (.733) postseason record - including four straight victories in winning both the '02 and '03 NCAA titles. His '01 Grand Valley State team fell 17-14 to North Dakota in the Division II national title game.<br /><br />Kelly's '09 team at Cincinnati finished third in the final BCS standings and fourth in both the final regular-season Associated Press and USA Today/ESPN polls. His '08 team ended up 11-3 and 17th in both polls - and his ‘07 Bearcat squad finished 10-3 and 17th (AP) and 20th (USA Today/ESPN) in the final polls.<br /><br />His 2009 Cincinnati team won all 12 of its regular-season games, led the nation in passing efficiency (166.19), ranked second in kickoff returns (29.2 each) and sixth in total offense (464.25 yards per game), passing yardage (320.33) and scoring (39.83 points). Meanwhile, Kelly's Bearcat defense rated third nationally in tackles for losses (8.42 per game) and eighth in sacks (2.92). Among the standouts he coached on the '09 Bearcat roster are first-team All-America receiver Mardy Gilyard (he ranks second nationally in all-purpose yards at 203.5 per game) and quarterback Tony Pike (ninth in passing efficiency at 155.36). Eleven Cincinnati players merited all-BIG EAST honors for '09 (five first-team selections), including Gilyard, the league's Special Teams Player of the Year for the second straight season.<br /><br />In three years at the helm of the program, Kelly put together a 34-6 record and led the Bearcats to their first two BIG EAST Conference championships in 2008 and '09. Cincinnati achieved a then-school-record 11 victories in 2008, followed that up with a dozen wins in '09, and had back-to-back-to-back 10-win seasons for the first time in school history. Kelly's Bearcats in '08 won the school's first outright conference championship since 1964, and earned the school's first berth in a BCS game, playing against Virginia Tech in the 75th FedEx Orange Bowl. In '08 Cincinnati achieved its then-highest ranking to close the regular season - 12th in the AP and USA Today/ESPN polls and the BCS standings entering the Orange Bowl.<br /><br />Following the close of the '08 regular season, Kelly was named the BIG EAST Coach of the Year for the second straight season.<br /><br />Cincinnati placed 10 players on the 2008 all-BIG EAST teams (including first-team selection Connor Barwin) - with kick returner Gilyard named the BIG EAST Special Teams Player of the Year and punter Kevin Huber earning the first AFCA All-America nod in program history. Huber became the first two-time AP first-team All-America selection in Bearcat football history.<br /><br />The Bearcats' 27-24 bowl victory over Western Michigan in 2006 came just 34 days after his hiring. Then, in his first full season at the helm in ‘07, Kelly put the Bearcats on the national radar by jumping out to a 6-0 start and earning the Bearcats their first appearance in the polls in more than 30 years. By winning 10 games for the first time since 1951, the Bearcats earned their 10th bowl appearance in program history and sixth bowl appearance in eight years. Cincinnati finished 17th in the AP poll, earning its first appearance in a final poll.<br /><br />Along the way to the 2007 Papajohns.com Bowl victory, the Bearcats' third straight bowl win, Kelly earned BIG EAST Coach of the Year honors. Cincinnati listed seven individuals on the all-BIG EAST teams, including BIG EAST Special Teams Player of the Year and consensus All-America punter Huber. Cincinnati ranked second in the BIG EAST and 24th nationally in passing offense (254.1), and was also second in the league and 27th nationally in passing efficiency (139.4). Kelly's Bearcats led the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) in net punting with an average of 41.5 yards per punt.<br /><br />During his three years at Central Michigan, he transformed a Chippewa program that had won more than three games only once in the past four seasons into a conference champion. Central Michigan posted a 9-4 record in 2006 en route to winning the MAC title and qualifying for its first bowl game in 12 years.?? Kelly inherited a program that had produced a mere 12 wins over its previous four seasons when he took the helm at Central Michigan in 2004. He guided the Chippewas to a 4-7 record in 2004 and a 6-5 slate — the school's first winning season in seven years — in 2005.<br /><br />The Chippewas in 2005 defeated both defending MAC divisional champions, Miami and Toledo, and also knocked off eventual ‘05 league champ Akron. Central Michigan was ranked 35th nationally in total offense and 26th in passing offense while the team's rushing defense was ranked 20th (while leading the MAC at 113.7 yards per game, compared to 245.8 in '03 — the year before Kelly arrived).<br />Kelly's 2006 Chippewas lost non-conference contests to bowl-bound Boston College and Kentucky by a combined 16 points. Central Michigan rolled up a 7-1 record in conference play to win the MAC West, then dominated Ohio 31-10 in the league championship game. Central Michigan boasted the 19th-most prolific passing attack in the nation, averaging 252.4 yards per game, and was ranked 31st in total offense (380.2 yards per game) and 24th in scoring offense (29.6 points). Quarterback Dan LeFevour, a freshman who passed for 2,869 yards and 25 touchdowns, was ranked 20th in passing efficiency and 14th in total offense.<br />Kelly had 12 of his players achieve first-team all-conference honors over his three years at Central Michigan (including '05 MAC Defensive Player of the Year Daniel Bazuin) — and three advanced to the NFL (including 2005 draftees Eric Ghiacuic and Adam Kieft and free agent Tory Humphrey).<br /><br />Kelly arrived at Central Michigan after winning the back-to-back NCAA Division II national titles at Grand Valley State. The Lakers were 41-2 in Kelly's final three seasons, at one point winning 32 consecutive games. Grand Valley State went 14-0 in 2002 en route to its first national title and was 14-1 in 2003 when it claimed its second crown. Kelly was named the AFCA Division II Coach of the Year after both seasons. ??Kelly led the Lakers to five conference titles and six Division II playoff appearances in his 13 seasons at Grand Valley. The Lakers never finished lower than third in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletics Conference.<br /><br />Kelly mentored a pair of finalists for the Harlon Hill Award, presented annually to the top player in Division II. Curt Anes won the award in 2002 after finishing as runner-up in 2001, while Jeff Fox was third in the balloting in 1998. Both players were quarterbacks in Kelly's system.<br />Kelly's Grand Valley State players earned 77 All-America awards (11 in 2002 alone). Four players moved on to the NFL and another three to the Canadian Football League.<br /><br />His 2001 national runner-up squad set 77 NCAA, GLIAC and school records, including the all-time Division II scoring record by averaging 58.4 points per game. The 2001 team also became the first Division II unit in 53 years to average more than 600 yards per game in total offense (600.8).<br />Grand Valley State followed up its record-shattering 2001 season by averaging 497.5 yards and 47.0 points during its undefeated 2002 national championship run (that ended with a 31-24 championship game win over Valdosta State) The 2003 team, meanwhile, was more noted for its defense. The Lakers defeated North Dakota 10-3 in the 2003 national title game.?? In 10 of his 13 seasons at Grand Valley State, Kelly's teams won eight or more games - and he finished with a 103-22-2 mark in GLIAC contests.<br /><br />Born Oct. 25, 1961, in Everett, Mass., and raised in Chelsea, Mass., Kelly attended St. John's Prep School in Danvers, Mass. He was a four-year letter-winner at Assumption College (Worcester, Mass.) as a linebacker, captaining the squad in both '81 and '82 under coach Paul Cantiani on teams that finished 8-3 and 7-1-1. After graduating from Assumption in 1983 with a bachelor's degree in political science, he served as linebacker coach, defensive coordinator and softball coach from 1983-86 at Assumption under head football coach Bernie Gaughan.<br /><br />Kelly joined the Grand Valley State staff in 1987 as a graduate assistant and defensive backs coach. He became the defensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator in 1989 and took over as head coach in 1991 (replacing Tom Beck, who left to become running backs coach at Notre Dame under Lou Holtz). His very first team Laker team finished 9-3 and qualified for the NCAA playoffs. In 2009 Kelly was inducted into the Grand Valley State Athletics Hall of Fame.<br /><br />Kelly has served on the AFCA Ethics Committee - and he's currently one of 59 FBS head coaches who vote in the USA Today poll.<br /><br />Kelly and his wife Paqui are parents of three children - Patrick, Grace and Kenzel.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-4032801078170885773?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-63957809160684560832009-11-28T09:37:00.000-06:002009-11-28T09:39:33.662-06:00CFL GREY CUP PICK<br /><br />Als Vs Riders<br /><br />The Riders will have the fan support without question.<br />While the Riders are a good football team, the Als<br />simply are in a league of their own.<br /><br />Als by 15<br /><br />Last Week 2-0 Playoffs 3-1 Over-All 52-24<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-6395780916068456083?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-6834495485169024732009-11-20T12:01:00.002-06:002009-11-20T12:06:42.327-06:00CFL DIVISION FINALS PICKS<br /><br />Lions Vs Als<br /><br />The Lions are one of the few teams who have played the Als real well<br />this season. If someone is going to knock off the Als, the Lions would be the<br />best bet. However, you still can't bet against the Als.<br /><br />Als by 10<br /><br />Stamps Vs Riders<br /><br />The ride is over for the defending Grey Cup Champs. Riders can book<br />their tickets to the Grey Cup now.<br /><br />Riders by 8<br /><br />Last Week 1-1 Regular season and playoffs 50-24<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-683449548516902473?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-36037595479319323842009-11-18T14:09:00.000-06:002009-11-18T14:10:57.401-06:00<div class="page_content_title">Your 2009 CFL All-Star Team</div> <div id="view_article" class="view_article" style="display: none;"><a href="http://cfl.ca/article/your-2009-cfl-all-star-team"><></a></div><a href="http://cfl.ca/article/your-2009-cfl-all-star-team"> <span class="photo"> <img class="article_image" src="http://static.cdn.mrx.ca/cfl/league/images/en/newser/2009/11/2009_CFL_All_Star_Newser5846.jpg" /> </span> </a><div class="clear"><a href="http://cfl.ca/article/your-2009-cfl-all-star-team"> </a></div><a href="http://cfl.ca/article/your-2009-cfl-all-star-team"></a><br /><a href="http://cfl.ca/article/your-2009-cfl-all-star-team"></a><table border="0"><tbody><tr> <td colspan="6"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong>2009 CFL All-Star Team</strong></span><br /></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="6"><br /></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="6"><span style="font-size:8pt;"><strong>OFFENCE </strong></span><br /></td> </tr> <tr> <td>QB<br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td>Anthony Calvillo</td> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td>MTL</td> </tr> <tr> <td>RB</td> <td><br /></td> <td>Avon Cobourne<br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td>MTL</td> </tr> <tr> <td>RB</td> <td><br /></td> <td>Joffrey Reynolds</td> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td>CGY</td> </tr> <tr> <td>R<br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td>Arland Bruce III</td> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td>HAM</td> </tr> <tr> <td>R<br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td>Jeremaine Copeland</td> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td>CGY<br /></td> </tr> <tr> <td>R<br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td>Fred Stamps</td> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td>EDM<br /></td> </tr> <tr> <td>R<br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td>Kerry Watkins</td> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td>MTL</td> </tr> <tr> <td>T</td> <td><br /></td> <td>Ben Archibald</td> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td>CGY<br /></td> </tr> <tr> <td>T</td> <td><br /></td> <td>Dan Goodspeed</td> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td>HAM</td> </tr> <tr> <td>G</td> <td><br /></td> <td>Scott Flory</td> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td>MTL</td> </tr> <tr> <td>G</td> <td><br /></td> <td>Gene Makowsky</td> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td>SSK<br /></td> </tr> <tr> <td>C</td> <td><br /></td> <td>Jeremy O'Day</td> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td>SSK<br /></td> </tr> <tr> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="5"><strong><span style="font-size:8pt;">DEFENCE</span></strong></td> <td><br /></td> </tr> <tr> <td>DT</td> <td><br /></td> <td>Doug Brown</td> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td>WPG</td> </tr> <tr> <td>DT</td> <td><br /></td> <td>Keron Williams</td> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td>MTL</td> </tr> <tr> <td>DE</td> <td><br /></td> <td>John Chick<br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td>SSK<br /></td> </tr> <tr> <td>DE</td> <td><br /></td> <td>Anwar Stewart</td> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td>MTL</td> </tr> <tr> <td>LB</td> <td><br /></td> <td>Chip Cox</td> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td>MTL</td> </tr> <tr> <td>LB</td> <td><br /></td> <td>Markeith Knowlton</td> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td>HAM</td> </tr> <tr> <td>LB</td> <td><br /></td> <td>Jamall Johnson</td> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td>HAM</td> </tr> <tr> <td>CB</td> <td><br /></td> <td>Brandon Browner<br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td>CGY<br /></td> </tr> <tr> <td>CB</td> <td><br /></td> <td>Jovon Johnson</td> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td>WPG</td> </tr> <tr> <td>DB</td> <td><br /></td> <td>Korey Banks</td> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td>BC<br /></td> </tr> <tr> <td>DB</td> <td><br /></td> <td>Jonathan Hefney</td> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td>WPG</td> </tr> <tr> <td>S</td> <td><br /></td> <td>Barron Miles</td> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td>BC<br /></td> </tr> <tr> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="5"><span style="font-size:8pt;"><strong>SPECIAL TEAMS</strong></span></td> <td><br /></td> </tr> <tr> <td>K</td> <td><br /></td> <td>Damon Duval</td> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td>MTL</td> </tr> <tr> <td>P</td> <td><br /></td> <td>Damon Duval</td> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td>MTL</td> </tr> <tr> <td>ST</td> <td><br /></td> <td>Larry Taylor</td> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td>MTL</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-3603759547931932384?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-78564530995677156332009-11-13T13:37:00.002-06:002009-11-13T13:41:36.443-06:00CFL SEMI-FINAL PICKS<br /><br />Lions Vs Ti-Cats<br /><br />Kevin Glenn finished off his old team in Winnipeg last week, will Casey Printers<br />do the same to the Ti-Cats this week? The Cats play well at home but have<br />little playoff experience.<br /><br />Lions by 4<br /><br />Eskimos Vs Stamps<br /><br />Who would have thought the Eskimos would have put a beating on the Lions<br />last week. Look for another upset this week.<br /><br />Eskimos by 6<br /><br />Last Week 2-2 Final regular season 49-23<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-7856453099567715633?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-61861745357415085862009-11-06T14:44:00.002-06:002009-11-06T14:49:53.328-06:00CFL WEEK # 19 PICKS<br /><br /><br />Eskimos Vs Lions.<br /><br />The Eskimos have been hit by the flu bug and Printers is looking good for the Lions.<br /><br />Lions by 13<br /><br />Als Vs Argos<br /><br />Will this be Bart's last game? <br /><br /><br />Als by 18<br /><br />Stamps Vs Riders<br /><br />The Riders have something to prove this week.<br /><br />Riders by 8<br /><br />Ti-Cats Vs Bombers<br /><br />All the ex-Bombers roll into Winnipeg. Goodspeed,Gauthier,Jones,Glenn etc.<br />Great way to end the season for the CFL. Battle for second. Could go either way.<br /><br />Bombers by 4<br /><br /><br />Last Week 3-1 Over_all 47-21<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-6186174535741508586?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-43602609853044562002009-10-30T10:38:00.002-05:002009-10-30T10:45:25.650-05:00CFL WEEK # 18 PICKS<br /><br />Argos Vs Eskimos<br /><br />The Argos gave the Eskimos a good run for their money a few weeks back but<br />a win at home for the Eskimos closer to a playoff game.<br /><br />Eskimos by 16<br /><br />Riders Vs Ti-Cats<br /><br />The Riders are a decent road team but the Cats are looking to go on a roll<br />before the playoffs with a win in their last home game.<br /><br />Ti-Cats by 8<br /><br />Stamps Vs Lions<br /><br />The Lions can finish anywhere from 1st to fourth. The Stamps have some<br />in-house problems.<br /><br />Lions by 7<br /><br />Bombers Vs Als<br /><br />Great win by the Bombers last week but AC should be back and the Als want<br />to be perfect at home.<br /><br />Als by 15<br /><br />Last Week 4-0 Over-All 44-20<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-4360260985304456200?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-42943880718285936952009-10-23T15:02:00.002-05:002009-10-23T15:08:55.717-05:00CFL WEEK # 17 PICKS<br /><br />Ti-Cats Vs Argos<br /><br />The Cats have not been on a hot streak but most games have been close.<br />The Argos are out. Hamilton should destroy the Argos, right?<br />This one could be a upset. Still have to bet on the Cats.<br /><br />Ti-Cats by 6<br /><br />Eskimos Vs Stamps<br /><br />The Eskimos did not look great last week against the Argos.<br /><br />Stamps by 10<br /><br />Als Vs Bombers<br /><br />Will AC play? Even if he plays, look for the upset.<br /><br />Bombers by 10<br /><br />Lions Vs Riders<br /><br />Will Casey play? Riders fought hard last week. The tie was a moral victory.<br /><br />Riders by 7<br /><br />Last Week 3-1 Over-All 40-20<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-4294388071828593695?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-64635861784650899152009-10-16T14:55:00.002-05:002009-10-16T15:01:31.898-05:00CFL WEEK # 16 Picks<br /><br />Eskimos Vs Argos<br /><br />The Argos could be done tonight. The Eskimos have injuries, so an upset could be in the works.<br />Still..<br /><br />Eskimos by 6<br /><br />Riders Vs Stamps<br /><br />No Dressler. The Stamps have some locker room problems but should respond at home.<br /><br />Stamps by 5<br /><br />Ti-Cats Vs Als<br /><br />Wow, talk about choking under a game that could have virtually handed second place<br />to the Ti-Cats last week. Als should remain perfect at home.<br /><br />Als by 15<br /><br />Lions Vs Bombers<br /><br />This one will be the game to watch. Last time these teams hooked up at B.C Place,<br />Fred Reid nearly set a CFL rushing record. Reid is banged up this week and the Bombers<br />have gone the passing route as of late. Can the Bombers win 4 in a row?<br /><br />Lions by 8<br /><br />Last Week 3-1 Over-All 37-19<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-6463586178465089915?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-32061843354577947802009-10-09T15:06:00.001-05:002009-10-09T15:11:11.437-05:00CFL WEEK # 15 PICKS<br /><br />Lions Vs Eskimos<br /><br />The Eskimos are battling some injuries and have lost 3 of their last 4.<br />Lions seem on the up swing.<br /><br />Lions by 4<br /><br />Argos Vs Riders<br /><br />No report needed.<br /><br />Riders by 20<br /><br />Stamps Vs Als<br /><br />The Als have only an unbeaten home record to play for. Might be an upset.<br />still...<br /><br />Als by 5<br /><br />Bombers Vs Ti-Cats<br /><br />The Bombers are winning and the Cats have lost a few of late. But the<br />Cats have played well with the exception of the Als games.<br /><br />Ti-Cats by 13<br /><br />Last Week 4-0 Over-All 34-18<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-3206184335457794780?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-37659047714915915112009-10-02T14:53:00.000-05:002009-10-02T14:58:08.853-05:00CFL WEEK # 14 PICKS<br /><br />Eskimos Vs Bombers<br /><br />The Eskimos are hurting with 6 changes to the line-up while the Bombers<br />are having the same roster for two weeks in a row for the first time this season.<br />Still, The Bombers are hard to figure out.<br /><br />Bombers by 6<br /><br />Riders Vs Lions<br /><br />The West is a battle and this should be the match of the week. Flip a coin.<br />Lions by 4<br /><br />Als Vs Argos<br /><br />The Argos once in awhile surprise but the Als are the class of the league.<br /><br />Als by 15<br /><br />Ti-Cats Vs Stamps<br /><br />Stamps are tough at home.<br /><br />Stamps by 15<br /><br />Last Week 3-1 Over-All 30-18<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-3765904771491591511?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-59240398705857523742009-09-30T11:07:00.000-05:002009-09-30T11:08:30.861-05:00<p>The Canadian Football League is bringing a long-awaited regular season game to Moncton, N.B., in 2010, according to a city MLA. </p><p>Moncton East Liberal MLA Chris Collins said in an interview on Wednesday that the contract to host the game at the University of Moncton's new track stadium was signed between the league and the city last week. </p><p>Collins has been pushing for the game for several years and he said both the city and the province are emerging as winners by luring the CFL to Moncton. </p><p>"The city certainly wins and the province wins because it establishes Moncton as no doubt the entertainment capital of Atlantic Canada. We have hit that," Collins said on Wednesday. </p><p>"This is kind of an award to us for all of the previous work that has been done to establish the city as that." </p><p>No details have been announced about the date for the game or which of the league's eight teams will be playing in Moncton. </p><p>Earlier in September, Moncton Mayor George LeBlanc said the city was negotiating a five-year contract to bring annual regular-season CFL games to the southeastern New Brunswick city. </p><p>The idea of Moncton hosting an annual football game started gaining momentum last November when Mark Cohon, the commissioner of the CFL, raised the idea during his annual state-of-the-league address in Montreal. </p><p>Cohon said in that speech that the main obstacle to Maritime expansion is the lack of a stadium with a minimum seating capacity of 20,000. </p><p>However, Cohon said the CFL will look into staging 2010 regular-season games in Moncton at the university's new stadium that could see its seating expanded up to 20,000. </p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-5924039870585752374?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-76029827658929673952009-09-25T11:19:00.002-05:002009-09-25T11:22:20.997-05:00CFL WEEK # 13 PICKS<br /><br />Als Vs Ti-Cats<br /><br />The Cats are real.<br /><br />Ti-Cats by 6<br /><br />Lions Vs Stamps<br /><br />The Stamps rebound<br /><br />Stamps by 10<br /><br />Riders Vs Eskimos<br /><br />Look for a split<br />Riders by 8<br /><br />Argos Vs Bombers<br />Wow, so many changes for the Bombers, still a home game<br /><br />Bombers by 4<br /><br />Last Week 2-2 Over-All 27-17<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-7602982765892967395?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-32662864053988434742009-09-18T10:51:00.002-05:002009-09-18T10:58:30.151-05:00CFL WEEK # 12 PICKS<br /><br />Stamps vs Ti-Cats<br /><br />In what could be the match of the weekend, the Ti-Cats look o get back on track<br />after losing in TO last week. The Stamps are staring to get on a roll with a sweep<br />of the Eskimos. Should be close but look for the experience of the Stamps to prevail.<br /><br />Stamps by 5<br /><br />Argos vs Lions<br /><br />This game should be a Lions win hands down. That is if Pierce can play through<br />the whole game now that Jackson is out.<br /><br />Lions by 4<br /><br />Bombers vs Als<br /><br />While the Bombers should be better then last weeks mauling, don't bet on them<br />winning.<br /><br />Als by 15<br /><br />Eskimos Vs Riders<br /><br />Two teams going different directions. The Riders are a very streaky team over the years.<br />This streak is on the positive side.<br /><br />Riders by 7<br /><br />Last Week 3-1 Over-All 25-15<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-3266286405398843474?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-91006593448002329402009-09-11T15:02:00.001-05:002009-09-11T15:05:19.976-05:00CFL WEEK # 11 PICKS<br /><br />Ti-Cats Vs Argos<br /><br />The Argos finally in a home game.<br /><br />Argos by 7<br /><br />Stamps Vs Eskimos<br /><br />A sweep for the Grey Cup Champions<br /><br />Stamps by 5<br /><br />Lions Vs Als<br /><br />No-Contest.<br /><br />Als by 17<br /><br />Riders Vs Bombers<br /><br />Bombers take the Banjo Bowl.<br /><br />Bombers by 8<br /><br />Last Week 3-1 Over-All 22-14<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-9100659344800232940?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-11501576139248615172009-09-08T11:21:00.001-05:002009-09-08T11:22:13.964-05:00<p>The Montreal Alouettes are filing an official protest with the CFL following several officiating decisions that they believe cost them a road game against the B.C. Lions on Friday. </p> <p>General Manager Jim Popp wants the league to reinstate a fourth-quarter touchdown scored by Avon Cobourne and order both teams to replay the final minute of the game. </p> <p>The Als lost the game 19-12 but the game would have been tied had Cobourne's touchdown and a potential extra point been allowed. </p> <p>Popp tells RDS sports channel that a do-over wouldn't be difficult from a logistical standpoint given that B.C. is travelling to Montreal for a weekend game at Molson Stadium. </p> <p>Popp says that if the league doesn't want replay the game, it could simply declare the result invalid and award a point to each team. </p> <p><strong>Disputed finish</strong> </p> <p>An officiating error forced the Als to make three attempts at running a third-down play from the Lions' 8-yard line with one minute remaining. Montreal was trailing 19-12 at the time. </p> <p>Two of the plays, including the one where Cobourne scored, did not count but Director of Officiating Tom Higgins later admitted off-field supervisors made a blatant error.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-1150157613924861517?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-18391627232021385542009-09-04T20:32:00.001-05:002009-09-04T20:40:33.944-05:00CFL WEEK # 10 PICKS<br /><br />Als vs Lions<br /><br />Usually not a great place for the Als. The Lions are a different club this year and<br />the Als are the class of the league.<br /><br />Als by 5<br /><br />Bombers Vs Riders<br /><br />You can bet Michael Bishop has a ton to prove this week in Regina and he<br />will need to if the Bombers have any hope. While Fred Reid and Co. did<br />a number on the Lions last game, you can be assured the Riders won't<br />let the Bombers run all over them.<br /><br />Riders by 13<br /><br />Argos Vs Ti-Cats<br /><br />A must win for the Argos this week, if they have any hope of making the playoffs.<br />The good news is it is the Ti-Cats. While the Cats are much improved, the Argos<br />seem to have their number. However that should come to an end this week.<br /><br />Ti-Cats by 16<br /><br />Eskimos Vs Stamps<br /><br />Simply put, take the Stamps at home.<br /><br />Stamps by 10<br /><br />Last Week 2-0 Over-All 19-13<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-1839162723202138554?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-42089805565570098262009-09-01T13:17:00.001-05:002009-09-01T13:17:56.927-05:00<p>Adam "Pacman" Jones appears to be headed north of the border to play in the CFL.</p><p>Jones' lawyer says he has been in negotiations with a CFL team. Attorney Worrick Robinson told The Associated Press on Tuesday a deal could be completed by the end of the week.</p><p>Robinson wouldn't identify the team, but The Canadian Press and <a href="http://si.com/">SI.com</a> reported that Jones would play for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.</p><p>Jones turns 26 at the end of this month. He spent last season with the Dallas Cowboys after missing the previous year because of multiple violations of the NFL's personal conduct policy.</p><p>Robinson says there were discussions with "a number of NFL teams" but nothing worked out.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-4208980556557009826?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-84204768431794870932009-08-30T01:25:00.000-05:002009-08-30T01:26:14.763-05:00Former Montreal Alouettes quarterback Sam Etcheverry died Saturday following a lengthy battle with cancer. <p>He was 79. Etcheverry, who spent the majority of his career with the Alouettes, was one of the most dominant quarterbacks in the CFL during the 1950s. Nicknamed "The Rifle," he led Montreal to three straight Grey Cup appearances and was named the league's top quarterback in 1954. Two years later, he became the first quarterback in league history to pass for more than 4,000 yards in a season.</p> <p>The Alouettes announced Etcheverry's death in a press release.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-8420476843179487093?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-60680042992222349512009-08-28T10:56:00.002-05:002009-08-28T11:01:22.710-05:00CFL WEEK # 9 PICKS<br /><br />Stamps Vs Argos<br /><br />Will the Argos finally win a home game? Probably not this week. Even though the<br />Stamps are not as strong on the road, you can't bet against the Grey Cup Champs.<br /><br />Stamps by 10<br /><br />Ti-Cats Vs Eskimos<br /><br />While the Cats seem to be for "real" it will be very hard to pick up a win Edmonton.<br />With a win against the Cats, The Eskimos with a sweep the following weeks against<br />the Stamps can make a serious run for first in the West.<br /><br />Eskimos by 13<br /><br />Last Week 2-0 Over-All 17-13<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-6068004299222234951?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-641063284105463382009-08-21T10:48:00.002-05:002009-08-21T10:52:36.003-05:00CFL WEEK # 8 PICKS<br /><br />Riders Vs Als<br /><br />Hard not to take the Als at home. The Riders are a decent team on the road however<br />and should make this game close.<br /><br />Als by 5<br /><br />Bombers Vs Lions<br /><br />Are the Lions starting to get on a roll? Are the Bombers as bad as last week?<br />If the Lions are getting on a roll, they could walk all over the Bombers. <br />The Bombers if they play like the second half against the Stamps two<br />weeks back will make it interesting.<br /><br />Bombers by 4<br /><br />Last Week 3-1 Over-All 15-13<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-64106328410546338?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-77549164178492198092009-08-13T14:02:00.001-05:002009-08-13T14:07:43.667-05:00CFL WEEK # 7 PICKS<br /><br />Stamps Vs Eskimos<br /><br />The first of three meetings in five weeks between the two teams.<br />The Stamps have been at home for a couple of weeks and have not looked great.<br /><br />Eskimos by 6<br /><br />Lions Vs Argos<br /><br />Over one year since the Argos have won at home. They have to win some time. right?<br />New starting QB will either lift them or destroy them, the question is which one?<br /><br />Lions by 12<br /><br /><br />Als Vs Bombers<br /><br />Will the Als be over confident after shutting out the Argos? Probably not.<br /><br />But on a wild guess<br /><br />Bombers by 4<br /><br />Ti-Cats Vs Riders<br /><br />The Riders get back on track. End of story.<br /><br />Riders by 17<br /><br />Last Week 3-1 Over-All 12-12<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-7754916417849219809?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-53672729282363576522009-08-12T00:50:00.001-05:002009-08-12T00:51:43.570-05:00<div class="storybody">SAN DIEGO (AP) — Former NFL running back Lawrence Phillips has been convicted of assault and other felony charges in San Diego.<br /><br />A Superior Court jury found Phillips guilty Tuesday of seven counts. Phillips had been accused of choking his girlfriend on two occasions in August 2005, once into unconsciousness.<br /></div><div id="inlinegoogleads"><br /><!-- end google ads --> </div> He faces up to 25 years in prison when he's sentenced next month. Phillips already is serving a 10-year sentence for hitting three teenagers with his car in Los Angeles.<br /><br />Phillips was once one of the nation's top college football players at Nebraska. The St. Louis Rams released him for insubordination in 1997. He went on to play for the Miami Dolphins and San Francisco 49ers, and spent time in NFL Europe and the Canadian Football L<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-5367272928236357652?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-265732722713452542009-08-11T20:24:00.000-05:002009-08-11T20:25:18.891-05:00<p>The Winnipeg Blue Bombers' rally came up short on Saturday, but their late efforts didn't go unnoticed.</p><p>Two members of the Bombers were named Tuesday as Canadian Football League players of the week, with running back Fred Reid earning offensive player honours, while defensive tackle Doug Brown earned the nod as top Canadian.</p><p>Hamilton linebacker Markeith Knowlton was named the top defensive player, while B.C. Lions kicker Sean Whyte was selected as the special teams player.</p><p>Winnipeg fell behind the Calgary Stampeders 23-3 during Saturday night's game in Calgary, but they roared back in the second half to make a game of it. Only a last-minute interception ended the comeback bid, as the Stamps went on for a 31-23 victory.</p><p>Reid was one of the sparkplugs in the second half, picking up 150 yards rushing, 23 yards through the air, and a pair of touchdowns. He finished the game with 167 yards on the ground.</p><p>Montreal quarterback Anthony Calvillo was the runner-up for the award.</p><p>Brown picked up seven tackles and two quarterback sacks for the Bombers defence, which have up 30 points during the first three quarters, but allowed just a single point in the fourth quarter.</p><p>Saskatchewan wide receiver Rob Bagg was also considered for the award.</p><p>In Hamilton, Knowlton was dominant defensively, as he picked up 11 tackles, an interception and a fumble return in Saturday's 28-21 victory over the Edmonton Eskimos. He helped to hold Edmonton to just three points in the second half as the Ticats improved to 4-2 on the year.</p><p>Montreal defensive tackle Jermaine McElveen was the runner-up.</p><p>In B.C., the Lions ended a two-game losing streak with a 35-20 win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders, with Whyte doing plenty of damage.</p><p>The rookie kicker was 4-for-4 in field goals, hitting on attempts of 44, 43, 33, and 19 yards. He also converted all three Lions' touchdowns and finished the game with 15 points.</p><p>Whyte's teammate, receiver Ryan Grice-Mullen, and Edmonton running back/kick returner Arkee Whitlock also received consideration for the honour.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-26573272271345254?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-78355829324518822382009-08-07T18:03:00.002-05:002009-08-07T18:09:39.342-05:00CFL WEEK # 6 PICKS<br /><br />Argos Vs Als<br /><br />The Als will storm back after last weeks loss.<br /><br />Als by 15<br /><br />Riders Vs Lions<br /><br />The Riders love playing in Vancouver but how long can the Lions go with out a homw win?<br /><br />Lions by 4<br /><br />Eskimos Vs Ti-Cats<br /><br />It looks like the Cats are for real but they have 2 W's against the Lions and one against<br />the Bombers. Two of the bottom teams.<br /><br />Eskimos by 6<br /><br />Bombers Vs Stamps<br /><br />This could be a huge blow out. The Stamps want revenge for losing big to the<br />Bombers in week 2 and they don't want lose two in a row at home.<br /><br />Stamps by 15<br /><br />Last Week 1-3 Over-All 9-11<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-7835582932451882238?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-37394788092790001492009-08-05T12:13:00.000-05:002009-08-05T12:14:19.539-05:00<span name="intelliTxt" id="intelliTXT"> Anthony Calvillo, Siddeeq Shabazz, Larry Taylor and Calvin McCarty were named the Gibson's Finest CFL Players of the Month for July the Canadian Football League announced today.<p> </p><p>The four players were chosen by a panel of judges that includes former Canadian Football League players Matt Dunigan and Duane Forde, now of TSN, and Pierre Vercheval of RDS.</p></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-3739478809279000149?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-25318712410161029272009-07-30T11:03:00.002-05:002009-07-30T11:15:01.850-05:00CFL WEEK # 5 PICKS<br /><br />Als Vs Eskimos<br /><br />This should be a interesting one. The Als destroyed the Eskimos last time they played<br />in Montreal. They are still unbeaten. The Eskimos picked up a big win last week<br />to break their mini slump and have revenge on their minds. This would be the time<br />to pick a team to beat the Als but as the saying goes, never beat against a streak.<br /><br />Als by 3<br /><br />Lions Vs Ti-Cats<br /><br />Another re-match. The Cats were the surprise a few weeks back at B.C. Place.<br />The Lions were just awful last week. The Cats picked up Arland Bruce which<br />could either be the final piece of the puzzle to challenge for the Cup or it<br />could be the straw that breaks the camels back with all of Arland Bruce's<br />me me attitude. Which will it be?<br /><br />Lions by 6<br /><br />Bombers Vs Argos<br /><br />The second part of a home and home series. The Argos have removed a distraction<br />in Arland Bruce. The Bombers put on on one of the worst offensive performances<br />in recent history and elected to bring in ex Argo Bishop to correct it.<br />This should lead to a Argo win, right? Will go with change working.<br />Bombers by 7<br /><br />Riders Vs Stamps<br /><br />The Grey Cup champs are on a roll up and the Riders on a roll down.<br />Enough said.<br /><br />Stamps by 1o<br /><br />Last Week 3-1 Over-All 8-8<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-2531871241016102927?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-20325083695450538032009-07-23T10:05:00.002-05:002009-07-23T10:16:18.013-05:00CFL WEEK # 4 PICKS<br /><br />Ti-Cats Vs Als<br /><br />The Ti-Cats 2-1 and battling the Als for first in the East, not many would<br />bet on that. It is only week 4 and the Als have looked great and will<br />bring the the Cats back to .500<br /><br />Als by 15<br /><br />Argos Vs Bombers<br /><br />The first of a home and home set. The Bombers have been struggling<br />on offence but the huge blow up with Arland Bruce III leaves the<br />Argos in big trouble in this one.<br /><br />Bombers by 14<br /><br />Stamps Vs Lions<br /><br />Who would have thought before the season started these two teams would<br />both be 1-2. The Stamps are champs and the Lions are on the way down.<br /><br />Stamps by 3<br /><br />Eskimos Vs Riders<br /><br />This game should tell if Eskimos are a bad football team who suffered<br />two bad defeats and an unconvincing win over he Bombers or if they<br />were in a mini-slump.<br /><br />Eskimos by 6<br /><br />Last Week 2-2 Over-All 5-7<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-2032508369545053803?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-90928551033336276632009-07-16T01:48:00.002-05:002009-07-16T01:56:31.136-05:00CFL Week # 3 Picks<br /><br />Lions Vs Eskimos<br /><br />The Eskimos were awful last week and will want to rebound this week.<br />This week could decide the Lions season. If they go 0-3, they might<br />not be able to fight back.<br /><br />Eskimos by 9<br /><br />Argos Vs Stamps<br /><br />Will the Argos continue to take dumb penalties? Probably won't<br />matter much as the Grey Cup Champs will not go 0-3<br /><br />Stamps by 23<br /><br />Als Vs Riders<br /><br />Someone will have their first loss. Bet on it being the Riders.<br />Not that the Riders are bad but right now the Als look like<br />the class of the league.<br /><br />Als by 5<br /><br />Ti-Cats Vs Bombers<br /><br />Two 1-1 teams battle with many ex Bombers with the Ti-Cats.<br />Throw in the so called Bomber spy at the Ti-Cat practice and<br />this could be the game of the week.<br /><br />Bombers by 4<br /><br />Last Week 2-2 Over-All 3-5<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-9092855103333627663?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-26651427267828451532009-07-12T01:51:00.001-05:002009-07-12T01:52:49.346-05:00<div class="lead_photo"> <img src="http://media.govolsxtra.com/media/img/photos/2009/07/11/071209nettle-jersey_t607.jpg" alt="Ex-UT linebacker Nettles battling terminal cancer, wants story to help others " /> <div class="lead_photo_caption"> <p class="photo_credit"> Photo by Bruce Lipsky </p> <p class="caption">Ray Nettles poses in his Jacksonville, Fla., home with his recently framed BC Lions jersey. Nettles, 59, a former University of Tennessee linebacker, is now in the fight of his life. </p> </div><!-- end .lead_photo_caption --> </div><!-- end .lead_photo --> <p>JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Among the football mementos Ray Nettles has strewn about his Southside home, his personal favorite is a large framed picture of him standing on the sideline in the closing moments of the Toronto Argonauts losing 21-16 to the Ottawa Rough Riders in a 1977 Canadian Football League playoff game.</p> <p>His Argonauts uniform has mud spots, and Nettles is wearing a large neck collar. After watching Toronto's quarterback get sacked to seal the defeat, the image captures a bearded Nettles looking despondent and totally exhausted, like a warrior on his last legs.</p> <p>That picture is a perfect illustration of how Nettles has spent his entire existence, always pushing himself to the limit. Whether as a hard-hitting middle linebacker, a bouncer, a carouser, a restaurant manager, a beer drinker or just driving that trademark Harley motorcycle, Nettles lived and played at full speed, doing almost everything to excess.</p> <p>Now as he approaches his 60th birthday on Aug. 1, Nettles has come to realize what an ill-fated path he's been traveling all these years. As much as he reveled in being that notorious tough guy - earning him All-SEC honors at the University of Tennessee and being elected to the CFL Hall of Fame in 2005 - Nettles' penchant to constantly experience life on the edge didn't suit him so well off the field.</p> <blockquote class="pullquote inline-center clear inline_pullquote"> "God has given me the chance to sit here and talk about this. I want my story to matter to somebody." <p class="attribution">Ray Nettles</p> </blockquote> <p>After years of abusing alcohol and feeding a cocaine habit that nearly killed him more times than his family cares to recount, Nettles, who is now battling Stage 4 cancer in his liver and lungs, acknowledges how much of a golden opportunity he wasted. The Englewood High School graduate understands all about misplaced priorities, the price of addictions, manipulating people and, most painful of all, hurting the ones who loved him the most.</p> <p>But in a life in which Nettles - ranked among the top 50 athletes in First Coast sports history - has endured so many extreme highs and lows, the fiery leader of UT's 1970 and '71 defenses is trying to make up for lost time in what may be his final season.</p> <p>"God has given me the chance to sit here and talk about this," Nettles said. "I want my story to matter to somebody."</p> <p>Nettles has packed a lifetime of hardship and redemption into the past two years. He was diagnosed with liver cancer in August 2007, saw it go into remission and return, and now his terminal illness has spread into both of his lungs. Within a span of one week in 2007, Nettles lost his mother, Lucille, to cancer and fell off his motorcycle, breaking his neck and causing him to go back on pain medication, which reignited a longtime cocaine habit.</p> <p>Last September, a tenant at his rental property (now in foreclosure) was arrested for drug possession. Nettles admits that, for several months, he allowed the tenant to pay rent with cocaine. That complicated scenario led to Ray being angrily confronted by his wife, Bonnie, when she discovered a voice mail of an unidentified caller asking if her husband wanted to purchase drugs.</p> <div class="inline_wrapper inline-right photothumb_inline"> <div class="inline_bucket"> <a href="http://www.govolsxtra.com/photos/2009/jul/11/60638/" title="View Full Size"><img src="http://media.govolsxtra.com/media/img/photos/2009/07/11/071209nettleswife_t160.jpg" alt="Ray Nettles poses with his wife, Bonnie, who married him twice. Ray's friends and family say Bonnie is his lifesaver." /></a> <p class="credit">Ray Nettles poses with his wife, Bonnie, who married him twice. Ray's friends and family say Bonnie is his lifesaver.</p> <p class="caption">Ray Nettles poses with his wife, Bonnie, who married him twice. Ray's friends and family say Bonnie is his lifesaver.</p> </div> <!-- end .inline_bucket --> </div> <!-- end .inline_wrapper --> <div class="inline_wrapper inline-right text-inline"> <div class="tab_header gallery"> <h4 class="subhead">Nettles file</h4> </div> <div class="inline_bucket"> <p>Ray Nettles' football career</p> <p>High school: Englewood (Fla.) High, 1964-68. Duval County defensive player of the year.</p> <p>College: University of Tennessee linebacker, 1969-71. All-SEC and All-American in 1971, when he led the team in tackles with 174 (108 solo). Vols were a combined 30-5 in his three seasons as a player.</p> <p>Pros: Drafted in the sixth round by the Miami Dolphins, but signed with the British Columbia Lions of the Canadian Football League. Played nine seasons in the CFL with five teams. All-Star selection his first three seasons with the Lions and won the Schenley Award as the league's top lineman (offense, defense, linebackers) in 1973. Inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2005.</p> </div> <!-- end .inline_bucket --> </div> <!-- end .inline_wrapper --> <p>The next day, after years of Nettles living in denial about his addictions, a determined Bonnie and his sister, Dale, drove Ray to Statesboro, Ga., for a life-changing rehabilitation at Willingway Hospital. What has transpired in Nettles' life since then - sobriety, his Tennessee football fraternity rallying to support him, repairing his broken marriage and turning back to his faith in God for guidance - is one of those comebacks for the ages.</p> <p>"It's been something tremendous to witness," said Anne Cummings, Nettles' older sister and a nursing supervisor at Flagler Hospital. "It's a shame you wait to the end of your life to get where you can enjoy it. Ray is aware that he had some wasted years. You see this with a lot of football players. They try to play with pain, and after they shoot these guys up (with painkillers), then they learn to manage pain chemically. It's not too big of a step to addiction.</p> <p>"We're just so thankful to the Lord that Ray is back where he is. Underneath all the mess, Ray is a fine person with a good heart. He still wants time to do something worthwhile before he leaves us."</p> <p>As the terminal illness keeps weakening his body, Nettles acknowledges he's "in overtime" of his life.</p> <p><strong>An extreme makeover</strong></p> <p>Nettles was the epitome of a rough-and-tumble linebacker and did everything to live up to that reputation on and off the field. Before and after his pro career (1972-80), when the long-haired country boy played for five teams and won the Schenley Award in '73 as the CFL's outstanding lineman, Nettles acknowledges he routinely consumed beer in large quantities.</p> <p>But when he tried cocaine for the first time, according to Nettles, in the hotel room of 1972 Heisman Trophy winner and then-Montreal Alouettes tailback Johnny Rodgers after a CFL awards banquet, Nettles didn't think it was a big deal. Nettles was 24 and figured it was just an experiment that would go away like some passing fad.</p> <p>After 35 years in the fast lane - which includes being on nearly every medication or painkiller possible, a 1996 diagnosis of hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver and a statement from a doctor to Bonnie in 2004 that her husband had "enough cocaine in his system to kill two people" - Nettles has finally come to understand what a dangerous game he was playing over that time.</p> <p>It's little wonder that he could never sustain a lasting relationship with women, including Bonnie, who divorced him in 2001 after five years over his alcohol abuse. She remarried Ray in 2004, only to come home to their apartment in Atlanta from a plane trip (she's a flight attendant with Air Tran) and find her husband crawling to open the door. Ray had injected cocaine into his knee, which later swelled up like a volleyball and put him near death in the hospital.</p> <p>Bonnie left Ray again, moved back to Jacksonville without divorcing him, and spent the next four years wondering if the man she never stopped loving could ever get off the addiction train.</p> <p>During their first marital go-around, Ray carefully kept his on-again, off-again cocaine use hidden from Bonnie. "Ray never did any drugs in front of me," she said. "I was totally oblivious to it."</p> <p>Because he was on all kinds of medications and painkillers anyway, Nettles, who endured 11 surgeries because of football-related injuries, had a convenient alibi to explain his sometimes erratic behavior.</p> <p>"Oh, I was good. I was a manipulator," Ray said. "People accepted me as being normal. Very seldom was I out of line or off balance. I had the cat-and-mouse game thing down.</p> <p>"You know when you're an alcoholic, you climb in your own bottle by yourself. Well, that's the way I was with cocaine. It got to the point where I wasn't a social, recreational user anymore, and it haunted me."</p> <blockquote class="pullquote inline-center clear inline_pullquote"> "Ray never did any drugs in front of me. I was totally oblivious to it." <p class="attribution">Bonnie Nettles</p> </blockquote> <p>Jamie Rotella, a UT player living outside Atlanta and Nettles' closest friend from his college days, understands the transformation his fellow linebacker has undergone as well as anyone. Rotella conquered his own alcohol problems just as his parents were passing away in 2001 and 2002.</p> <p>"There's so many bells and whistles and shiny things out there that you forget your upbringing and teachings," Rotella said. "I had given up on Ray for a while, because he had such a poor (health) diagnosis. It's a miracle that he's finally sober. I don't know what God has in store for Ray, but his time on this earth isn't done yet."</p> <p><strong>Wife's fierce loyalty</strong></p> <p>Bonnie Nettles has known her husband since she was 11, living across the street from him in the same house in which both of them now reside. She admittedly "had a crush" on him back then. Bonnie remained good friends with Ray and his family through his career at Tennessee and beyond.</p> <p>During Bonnie's teenage years, her mother gave Bonnie an ominous forewarning about Ray Nettles. "She said, 'Stay away from him because he'll break your heart,' " Bonnie recalled.</p> <p>For a period of about 30 years, there was no connection between the two, because they were living different lives far apart from each other.</p> <p>Bonnie married a man who was stationed in the Navy in Jacksonville and moved to his native Wisconsin in the 1970s. They had two children.</p> <p>Ray bounced through the CFL and had two brief marriages to Canadian women, including a Miss Nude Ottawa. He never had children.</p> <p>As Bonnie's first marriage was ending after 17 years, she came home to visit her mother in 1993 and ran into Ray while visiting his family. They went out to dinner. Much to Ray's shock, hours of conversation ensued in which Bonnie confessed that she was smitten with him.</p> <blockquote class="pullquote inline-center clear inline_pullquote"> "I drew that line in the sand I felt so violated emotionally. I gave him 24 hours to commit to getting help, or I was done with him forever." <p class="attribution">Bonnie Nettles</p> </blockquote> <p>But Ray wasn't the long-term commitment type.</p> <p>Less than a year after that chance encounter with Bonnie, he married a girl he picked up hitchhiking while driving a truck back to Jacksonville from South Florida. She enticed Ray into returning to his old drug habit, and his third marriage ended even quicker than his first two.</p> <p>It wasn't until 1996, a time when Bonnie thought Ray's biggest vice was nothing more than drinking beer, that a courtship developed and the two married. But until Ray finally completed the Willingway program last December - he had to suspend treatment for three weeks because of gall bladder problems - Bonnie thought it'd be impossible for them to stay together.</p> <p>Alcohol sabotaged their first marriage. They remarried in 2004, largely because Ray's health was in decline and Bonnie couldn't resist his need for her. That threatened to unravel again last year when Bonnie discovered Ray was using drugs again.</p> <p>"I drew that line in the sand," Bonnie said. "I felt so violated emotionally. I gave him 24 hours to commit to getting help, or I was done with him forever."</p> <p>Ray didn't want to go to Willingway, but the thought of losing Bonnie scared him more than rehab.</p> <p>"If I didn't take heed to this person who loved me as much as she did, there would have been a whole different tune to this song," Ray said.</p> <div class="inline_wrapper inline-left photothumb_inline"> <div class="inline_bucket"> <a href="http://www.govolsxtra.com/photos/2009/jul/11/60624/" title="View Full Size"><img src="http://media.govolsxtra.com/media/img/photos/2009/07/11/071209nettles2_t160.jpg" alt="A collection of letters, including one from former Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer sent to Ray Nettles." /></a> <p class="credit">A collection of letters, including one from former Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer sent to Ray Nettles.</p> <p class="caption">A collection of letters, including one from former Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer sent to Ray Nettles.</p> </div> <!-- end .inline_bucket --> </div> <!-- end .inline_wrapper --> <p>Ray's friends and family agree that, cancer or not, Bonnie has been his lifesaver.</p> <p>"I've only known Ray for less than a year, after he's seen the light," said Frank Cerisi, the pastor at University Baptist Church, where the Nettles attend services. "The first time I had lunch with him, he said, 'I believe (Bonnie) was an angel sent from God for me.' She's the constant in his life. She's loved him through thick and thin."</p> <p><strong>A Volunteer rally</strong></p> <p>Perhaps the most amazing part of Nettles' fight with cancer and his addictions is the unconditional support, emotionally and financially, he received from his Tennessee teammates and coaches.</p> <p>"The hair on the back of my neck goes up every time I talk about it, because it was so touching," said David Allen, a former UT cornerback and a urologist living in Athens, Ga.</p> <p>During a 52-day stint at Willingway, Nettles discovered that the team concept extended far beyond the football field. It also had no time limits.</p> <p>Just as the Vols rallied around their fiery defensive leader in the 1970-71 seasons, they did it again nearly four decades later.</p> <p>After Bonnie confronted Ray about his drug use, she put the word out to former UT offensive lineman Bill Emendorfer that Ray needed help. Emendorfer mobilized other teammates, and soon it was like the Vols were preparing for another big game. Emendorfer and Allen knew about Willingway's success rate due to past family experiences, so the wheels were put in motion to get Nettles there immediately.</p> <p>Soon thereafter, defensive end and Palatka native Carl Johnson organized a "catastrophic illness trust" with a Tennessee bank to fund Nettles' recovery. Soon after Nettles checked into rehab, many teammates he hadn't talked to in several years or decades reopened communication lines.</p> <blockquote class="pullquote inline-center clear inline_pullquote"> Perhaps the most amazing part of Nettles' fight with cancer and his addictions is the unconditional support, emotionally and financially, he received from his Tennessee teammates and coaches. </blockquote> <p>"It brought a lot of old friends together," Emendorfer said. "We rallied around a cause, which is what a team is about."</p> <p>While many addicts struggle with loneliness in their recovery, Nettles rarely felt alone once the mail carrier arrived at Willingway. Hardly a day went by when he didn't receive a card or letter from the UT football fraternity.</p> <p>"Every day when it seemed like things were toughest, I'd get one of those letters," Nettles said. "God was sending them through so many people."</p> <p>Nettles usually received his mail around 2 p.m., but he waited until near bedtime to open them, because the nights were always hardest on his psyche.</p> <p>"You have a bunch of friends who are excited about helping you help yourself to get well and live a long, happy, rest of your life. Addiction is tough and cancer is tough - but I've never seen anyone TOUGHER THAN YOU!!!" - UT head coach Bill Battle, Oct. 17, 2008.</p> <p>"The Ray Nettles I know met every fight head on and won! There has never been a better example of toughness and fight that has worn the orange than you were at your middle linebacker position in that old Bubble defense. Now go to work and win this fight as well." - UT guard Phil Fulmer, Oct. 3, 2008.</p> <p>Every message from Nettles' circle of Vols had words of encouragement. However, it took Nettles' best friend from his playing days, Rotella, to express the tough love that people with addictions need to hear.</p> <p>"It's my understanding that the people running the (Willingway) program are all ex-users and know when you're conning them. Thank God! You're good at telling a person what they want to hear. How about dropping all the bull and help yourself. And if you don't want to do it for your own health, how about doing it for all the people that paid for the program, care enough to write you letters, and pray for you. If that's not good enough, how about doing it for your family who loves you very much and wants the healthy Ray back in their lives. ... This is the fourth quarter! Step up and be the man I know you are, but more importantly, be the man God made you to be! I'm always your brother." - Jamie Rotella, Oct. 29, 2008.</p> <p>Ex-teammates and coaches opened their wallets as well. The recovery at Willingway, a place Nettles calls "The Betty Ford clinic of the South," is expensive.</p> <p>Just for Nettles to walk through the door and be admitted cost $15,000. Allen, who phoned Willingway and urged officials to admit a reluctant Nettles, put it on his credit card. Within two weeks, Nettles' teammates collected enough money to reimburse him, Allen said. Since Bonnie's insurance only covered the original detox, that left approximately $45,000 to cover the rest of Nettles' treatment. The Vols also took care of that debt.</p> <p>"If (Nettles) was a sorry person, he wouldn't have gotten that kind of response from players and coaches," said former UT head coach Bill Battle, who coached Nettles for two seasons. "Ray is a great human being that demons got a hold of for a while."</p> <p>For all of these Vols, most of whom played when Tennessee was a perennial top-10 football program, seeing Nettles conquer his addictions has felt like one of the greatest victories of their lives.</p> <p>"I don't think any of us want to take credit for something that was a natural thing for teammates to do," Emendorfer said.</p> <div class="inline_wrapper inline-right photothumb_inline"> <div class="inline_bucket"> <a href="http://www.govolsxtra.com/photos/2009/jul/11/60625/" title="View Full Size"><img src="http://media.govolsxtra.com/media/img/photos/2009/07/11/071209nettles3e_t160.jpg" alt="All-SEC linebacker Ray Nettles poses for a publicity photo for the 1972 season at Tennessee." /></a> <p class="caption">All-SEC linebacker Ray Nettles poses for a publicity photo for the 1972 season at Tennessee.</p> </div> <!-- end .inline_bucket --> </div> <!-- end .inline_wrapper --> <div class="inline_wrapper inline-right text-inline"> <div class="tab_header gallery"> <h4 class="subhead">Video</h4> </div> <div class="inline_bucket"> <p><a href="http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid10363234001?bctid=29004109001">Watch Ray Nettles tell his story</a> (video by The Florida Times-Union)</p> </div> <!-- end .inline_bucket --> </div> <!-- end .inline_wrapper --> <p><strong>Walk toward redemption</strong></p> <p>There's no definitive timetable on how much longer Nettles can last with his Stage 4 cancer. Doctors gave him a best-case scenario of one year back in April, though Bonnie fears the disease might be advancing at a faster rate.</p> <p>Nettles recently had to stop taking Nexavar, a commonly prescribed drug to combat liver cancer, because the side effects were too extreme. He was removed as a liver transplant candidate two years ago, because of his alcohol use. Breathing has also become a big issue. He can no longer walk any significant distance.</p> <p>He's scheduled for CAT scans on his liver and lungs Monday in Gainesville. That diagnosis is expected to give him a clearer picture, but any trepidation Nettles might have about the future has gradually eroded.</p> <p>The prospect of death, almost like pain on the football field, doesn't seem to faze him. After years of addiction, he's just happy to not be running from a previously flawed lifestyle.</p> <p>"I want to try to make a difference in people's lives in the right way," Nettles said. "I'm still taking a lot of baby steps in my walk with Christ. Now, even though I don't always feel well, I don't have anymore bad days. My life was a total mess, and I'm just relieved that all the lies and deception is over with.</p> <p>"I'm not afraid of what tomorrow brings. For years, I dedicated myself to being the hardest, baddest guy in whatever I did, whether it was right or wrong at the time. I finally realized through my recovery and God's grace that I had been doing it all wrong. Once I could admit that to myself and the people who loved me, I had such a relief like I've never felt before."</p> <p>Because of the drinking that led to his liver problems, his cocaine habit, the motorcycle accidents and the other bad choices, Nettles never dreamed he'd make it anywhere close to his 60th birthday, which is three weeks away.</p> <p>So whatever time he has remaining, Nettles wants his better-late-than-never turnaround to impact as many people as possible. The same guy who stood up in the locker room at the 1971 Liberty Bowl, exhorting his UT teammates in loud, obnoxious terms to stomp all over Arkansas, is now sending a different kind of message. He wants people to understand that redemption is possible for anyone who cares to seek it because, well, he's living proof.</p> "I'm not here to preach about what to do and what not to do with your life," Nettles said. "I'm just saying if you think you don't have another chance, you have one. ... We hop back and forth, taking whatever road is hottest at the moment. But you can always get on that right road, stay on it, and your life will grow tenfold<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-2665142726782845153?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-35167773853317403752009-07-09T10:33:00.002-05:002009-07-09T10:41:21.515-05:00CFL Week # 2 Picks<br /><br />Eskimos Vs Als<br /><br />The Eskimos won last week but were playing a very new Blue Bomber team<br />and while field conditions were not great, they had a hard time getting going.<br />The Als who were flying last week will not give the Eskimos as much time to<br />get on track. This could be a blow out.<br /><br />Als by 15<br /><br />Stamps Vs Bombers<br /><br />Could the defending Grey Cup Champs go 0-2? Probably not with all<br />the distractions the Bombers are dealing with this week. Armstrong<br />refusing to play last week and then been released. Doug Brown will<br />also miss his second straight game. This again could be another blow out.<br /><br />Stamps by 20<br /><br />Ti-Cats Vs Lions<br /><br />B.C. 0-2. No way. The Cats looked awful last week. How long with<br />the fans put up with losing season after losing season? Again could<br />be another blow out.<br /><br />Lions by 23<br /><br />Riders Vs Argos<br /><br />Looks like Arland Bruce III is out. If that is the case, the Argos will<br />be in trouble. <br /><br />Riders by 4<br /><br />Last Week 1-3<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-3516777385331740375?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-39809988378386815842009-07-02T12:15:00.000-05:002009-07-02T12:16:21.615-05:00TORONTO — The CFL may not be all that thrilled with Arland Bruce's tribute to Michael Jackson in the Argos' 30-17 win in Hamilton.<br /><br />The league is reviewing the Toronto receiver's TD celebration Wednesday night.<br /><br />After scoring on a 21-yard pass from Kerry Joseph to put Toronto ahead 6-0, Bruce removed his helmet, shoulder pads and uniform top and laid down in the end zone. Bruce said he was simply honouring the memory of Michael Jackson by pretending to be buried.<br /><br />Bruce received two objectionable conduct penalties.<br /><br />"I made the mistake of telling him in camp that once he got to the end zone I didn't care what he did," Toronto coach Bart Andrus said later. "But he's straight with it now and I think next time around he will celebrate in an appropriate manner."<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-3980998837838681584?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-14509711992421237782009-07-01T09:50:00.002-05:002009-07-01T10:04:25.481-05:00CFL WEEK # 1 PICKS<br /><br />Argos vs. Ti-Cats<br /><br />A new year and new attitude. The Ti-Cats have been saying that for years.<br />The key is how they start the season. If the Cats can get on a roll early,<br />maybe just maybe they could be loking at second place in the East.<br /><br />The Argos ???? It will take a few games to tell.<br /><br />Ti-Cats by 13<br /><br />Als Vs Stamps<br /><br />So what has changed since the Grey Cup. Not a great deal.<br />Two teams content with what they got.<br />Time will tell if standing still was the right call.<br />We will go with the champions.<br /><br />Stamps by 5<br /><br />Bombers Vs Eskimos<br /><br />Both teams made tons of changes. You will need a program for this<br />game. The Bombers are a complete over haul. The Bombers need<br />the win more than the Eskimos as they start the season playing<br />6 out of 9 on the road. They fall back early and they could be done.<br /><br />Bombers by 7<br /><br />Lions Vs Riders<br /><br />The Lions have lost quite a number of key cogs and the Riders<br />have been dealing with the Eric Tillman PR disaster and a non<br />proven starting QB. Another mystery for this one.<br /><br />Riders by 8<br /><br />This year 0-0 Last year 51-21<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-1450971199242123778?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-38739152751651227592009-05-11T23:48:00.001-05:002009-05-11T23:49:13.855-05:00<span class="vitstorybody"><span class="vitstorybody"><p> DALLAS — A former Dallas Cowboys player is being accused of defrauding investors. </p> <p> In court papers filed Monday, the Securities and Exchange Commission claims Michael Kiselak convinced friends and family members to invest $24 million through him. </p> <p> Investigators say Kiselak claimed the money was being invested in Treasury bills, but instead, they say much of it went to venture capital investments, such as vineyards and a private jet. </p> <p> The SEC says $7 million in investor funds is currently unaccounted for. </p> <p> Kiselak, who now lives in Westlake, had seven starts at center for the Cowboys in 1998. He was on the team roster in 1999, but made no starts. </p> <p> According to his online biography, he had previously played with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League and was named the CFL's "lineman of the year" in two consecutive seasons. </p> <p> Kiselak's biography said he founded the Sports Business Network "to help move athletes from game plans to business plans." </p></span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-3873915275165122759?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-13599132513855199862009-04-30T18:11:00.000-05:002009-04-30T18:13:54.262-05:00Former CFL and NFL running back Lawrence Phillips will go to trial on charges that he attacked his girlfriend in 2005.<p>A San Diego judge ruled Wednesday that the 33-year-old Phillips must stand trial on eight felony charges for two alleged assaults.</p><p>He could face up to 25 years in prison if convicted.</p><p>A call to his public defender on Thursday was not immediately returned.</p><p>Phillips already is serving a 10-year sentence for hitting three teenagers with his car in Los Angeles.</p><p>Phillips was once one of the top U.S. college football players at Nebraska. The St. Louis Rams released him in 1997 and he went on to play for a number of teams, including the Montreal Alouettes and Calgary Stampeders.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-1359913251385519986?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-40336343462903592942009-04-23T18:29:00.001-05:002009-04-23T18:29:59.544-05:00Former Tennessee offensive tackle Leslie Ratliffe, who lettered three seasons for the Vols in the early 1990s and later played professionally in the European and Canadian football leagues, died April 8 in a Little Rock hospital. He was 35.<br /> <br />Ratliffe played under UT head coaches Johnny Majors and Phillip Fulmer, starting at right tackle during Fulmer's first two seasons (1993-94) at the helm. He wore the No. 75 jersey and started 27 games in 32 appearances for the Vols.<br /> <br />Ratliffe went on to become a seventh-round selection of the Denver Broncos in the 1996 NFL Draft, and later had his rights traded to the Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals. His playing days as a pro came first with the Scottish Claymores and Rhein Fire of the European league, and then with the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL.<br /> <div style="clear: both; float: left; margin-top: 4px; margin-right: 8px; width: 300px;"> <script type="text/javascript"> var ACE_AR = {Site: '747556', Size: '300250'}; </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://uac.advertising.com/wrapper/aceUAC.js"></script><script type="text/javascript" src="http://servedby.advertising.com/site=747556/size=300250/u=1/bnum=82010135/hr=18/hl=1/c=3/scres=4/swh=1024x768/tile=1/f=0/r=1/optn=1/fv=0/dref=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.chattanoogan.com%252Farticles%252Farticle_149600.asp"></script><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=5,0,0,0" width="300" height="250"><param name="movie" value="http://bannerfarm.ace.advertising.com/bannerfarm/133438/300x250_4-15.swf?clickTag=http://servedby.advertising.com/click/site=0000747556/mnum=0000697666/cstr=82010135=_49f0f978,4461552124,747556^697666^3^0,1_/xsxdata=$xsxdata/bnum=82010135&amp;siteValue=0000747556"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="wmode" value="opaque"><embed src="http://bannerfarm.ace.advertising.com/bannerfarm/133438/300x250_4-15.swf?clickTag=http://servedby.advertising.com/click/site=0000747556/mnum=0000697666/cstr=82010135=_49f0f978,4461552124,747556%5E697666%5E3%5E0,1_/xsxdata=$xsxdata/bnum=82010135&amp;siteValue=0000747556" quality="high" wmode="opaque" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash" width="300" height="250"></embed></object><img src="http://rcws.eyereturn.com/phantom.aspx?tokenID=120068" width="1" border="0" height="1" /></div> <br />Born May 22, 1973, in his hometown of Newport, Ark., Ratliffe was the son of Jerry Wayne Ratliffe and the late Velma J. Ratliffe. A member of the St. Paul A.M.E. Church, Ratliffe graduated from Newport High in 1991 as one of the most outstanding players in school history. He was named USA Today and SuperPrep All-America, and was Arkansas' high school defensive player of the year after helping the Greyhounds to a career 36-6 record that included two state championship game appearances.<br /> <br />In addition to his father and other family members, Ratliffe is survived by his daughter, Raven Lee, of Knoxville; and his sister, Pamela (Brian) Warner of Fayetteville, Ark.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-4033634346290359294?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-24658236499421216992009-03-31T14:57:00.000-05:002009-03-31T14:58:00.416-05:00The Saskatchewan Roughriders have violated the CFL's salary cap for the second straight season.<p>The CFL released results of its annual audit of its eight member teams Tuesday, and the Roughriders were the only team to exceed the $4.2-million cap.</p><p>The audit revealed that Saskatchewan exceeded the cap by $87,147 and as a result will have to pay a fine of that amount to the league.</p><p>Last year, the Riders exceeded the cap by $76,552 and had to pay a fine of that amount as well. Since Saskatchewan was less than 100,000 over the cap in both instances, the club was able to keep its first-round draft picks.</p><p>Teams are fined $1 for every dollar up to $100,000 that they're over the cap. The penalty goes up to $2 for every dollar from $101,000 to $300,000 over, plus a team's first-round draft choice.</p><p>Teams that exceed the cap by more than $300,000 are fined $3 for every dollar over and also lose their first-and second-round draft choices.</p><p>Last season, the Montreal Alouettes were over the cap by $108,285. Not only did they have to pay $116,570 in fines, they were also forced to give up the fourth overall pick in the '08 draft.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-2465823649942121699?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-24803981513088276982009-03-03T13:37:00.000-06:002009-03-03T13:38:11.605-06:00John Hufnagel has been named the 2008 Canadian Football League coach of the year. <p>Under Hufnagel, the Calgary Stampeders had a CFL-best 13-5 record in the regular season and then won the Grey Cup in Montreal. It was Hufnagel's first year as head coach in Calgary. Hufnagel beat out Ken Miller of the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Marc Trestman of the Montreal Alouettes for the award. </p><p>"What a season it was," Hufnagel said. "It was a tremendous race in the West Division. It's the entire organization that has earned this. I am blessed." </p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-2480398151308827698?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-36372036663572855912009-02-18T13:12:00.000-06:002009-02-18T13:13:30.691-06:00<p>The Canadian Football League called him the Most Outstanding Player. </p> <p>He called himself Turtle Man.</p> <p>After an illustrious 14-year career donning the blue and gold, Winnipeg Blue Bombers slotback Milt Stegall has called it a career.</p> <p>Stegall formally announced his retirement today at a press conference.</p> <p>Considered by many to be the greatest receiver in CFL history, Stegall leaves the game as the league's career leader in touchdown grabs (144), receiving yards (15,153) as well as career TDs (147). He holds the CFL record for most touchdowns in a season (23 in 2002) and yards per catch in a season (26.5-yard average in '97). </p> <p>Stegall also holds the Bombers club mark for most 1,000-yard receiving seasons with 10 and was named the CFL's outstanding player in 2002 when he established career highs with 105 catches for 1,862 yards and 23 touchdowns.</p> <p>He also combined with former quarterback Khari Jones as the top passing tandem in CFL history and was voted at No. 15 in TSN's Top-50 CFL players poll.</p> The only accomplishment to elude Stegall was winning the Grey Cup. He played in the season-ending game twice - 2001 against Calgary and 2007 versus Saskatchewan - but was unable to secure a title.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-3637203666357285591?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-24871319024044511132009-02-03T13:21:00.000-06:002009-02-03T13:22:58.013-06:00<p>REGINA -- Roughriders General Manager Eric Tillman has been charged with sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl, the Regina Leader-Post has learned.</p><p>Regina Police Service spokeswoman Elizabeth Popowich confirmed Tuesday that Tillman, 51, has been charged in an incident alleged to have happened in Regina on Aug. 6.</p><p>Popowich said Tillman is not in custody. He has a court date scheduled for Feb.24 at Regina Provincial Court.</p><p>“He was arrested, charged and then released on an undertaking to appear in court,” she said.</p><p>Popowich said the complainant came forward within three days of the alleged incident in August, and the investigation led to Tillman being charged last week. No further details of the allegation are being released by police.</p><p>Tillman, a veteran CFL executive, arrived in Regina in 2006 after the Riders fired general manager Roy Shivers. </p><p>Tillman became a fan favourite after hiring Kent Austin as the team’s head coach for 2007, a year in which the Riders captured the CFL’s Grey Cup.</p><p>Popowich said Tillman’s high-profile position in the community didn’t have any impact on how police handled the allegation or the subsequent investigation.</p><p>“People aren’t treated any differently,” she said. “The investigations that occur in any alleged incident are thorough and complete. In many cases, there will be several levels of review or consultation, but that’s not uncommon. (A person’s profile in the community) really isn’t pertinent to the investigation, or the subsequent charge or the court proceedings that follow.”</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-2487131902404451113?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-10795721455791769602009-01-29T15:01:00.000-06:002009-01-29T15:02:11.297-06:00<div class="entry-body"> <p>Weber State's football program made staffing moves Wednesday involving two former Oregon State football players. </p> <p>Jake Cookus, who started at Roseburg High before walking on with the Beavers and intercepting Oregon's Joey Harrington three times in the 2000 Civil War, had been coaching cornerbacks for the Wildcats the past four seasons. He will now be co-defensive coordinator and oversee safeties.</p> <a name="more"></a> <p>Inoke Breckterfield, a native Honolulu who in 1998 was a first-team all-Pacific-10 Conference and third-team All-American selection as a Beavers' defensive lineman, has been hired to coach the same position in Ogden. He worked the past two years on Mike Riley's staff as a graduate assistant for defense. </p> <p>"Inoke was an outstanding linemen at Oregon State and in the Canadian Football League, so he knows what it takes to be success," Wildcats coach Ron McBride said. "He's been helping at Oregon State for the past couple of years and prepared himself to become a full-time coach. He's got a great personality and positive attitude. He will be a real key for us for our recruiting efforts especially in Hawaii."</p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-1079572145579176960?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-91737077241851826572009-01-23T14:44:00.000-06:002009-01-23T14:46:30.558-06:00MOBILE, Ala. - Like many of this year's top draft prospects, Robert Edwards once attended the Senior Bowl preparing for an NFL career. "I remember seeing all the coaches, scouts and everything in the stands," said Edwards, a 1998 participant. "I assumed everyone there had a job on a team or something."<p>Hardly.</p><p>Edwards discovered that first-hand when returning to Mobile earlier this week in hopes of breaking into the coaching profession. There were seemingly more people seeking jobs than those actually employed.</p><p><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" id="Gallery1_IE" style="margin: 8px 0px 8px 8px;" width="220" align="right" height="320"> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"> <param name="allowFullscreen" value="true"> <param name="base" value="."> <param name="wmode" value="transparent"> <param name="movie" value="http://images.video.msn.com/flash/gallerywidget/1_0/gallerywidget.swf"> <param name="quality" value="high"> <param name="bgcolor" value="#ffffff"> <param name="flashvars" value="gallery.allowedViews=Detail&amp;gallery.brand=foxsports&amp;gallery.categoryMenuLocation=hidden&amp;gallery.categoryRequests=videoByTag.aspx%3Ftag%3Dnflonfox%26ns%3DFox%2520Sports_Gallery%26mk%3Dus%26vs%3D1&amp;gallery.containerTitle=NFL%20Videos&amp;gallery.dispContainer=true&amp;gallery.dispDateDetail=false&amp;gallery.dispRss=hidden&amp;gallery.dispSourceDetail=false&amp;gallery.fg=Widget_NFL_Gallery&amp;gallery.from=FOXSPORTS&amp;gallery.linkbackText=View%20more%20FOX%20Sports%20videos&amp;gallery.logoImage=&amp;gallery.numColsDetail=1&amp;gallery.numRowsDetail=3&amp;gallery.playType=direct_link&amp;gallery.tab=s192&amp;internalPlayer.pg=T4VID3&amp;internalPlayer.bsbpg=T4VID4&amp;internalPlayer.radUrl=http%3A%2F%2Frad.msn-int.com%2FADSAdClient31.dll%3FGetAd%3FPG%3D&amp;internalUploader.csspath=..%2F..%2F..%2Fflash%2Fgallerywidget%2F1_0%2Fstyles%2Fuploaderwidget.css&amp;internalUploader.dummy=true&amp;internalUploader.slateImageUrl=..%2F..%2F..%2Fflash%2Fuploaderwidget%2F1_1%2Fimages%2Fblank.gif&amp;internalUploader.bgImageUrl=..%2F..%2F..%2Fflash%2Fuploaderwidget%2F1_1%2Fimages%2Fblank.gif&amp;internalUploader.footerColor=%23707070&amp;"> <!--[if !IE]>--> <object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" id="Gallery1_FF" data="http://images.video.msn.com/flash/gallerywidget/1_0/gallerywidget.swf" width="220" height="320"> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"> <param name="allowFullscreen" value="true"> <param name="base" value="."> <param name="wmode" value="transparent"> <param name="movie" value="http://images.video.msn.com/flash/gallerywidget/1_0/gallerywidget.swf"> <param name="quality" value="high"> <param name="bgcolor" value="#ffffff"> <param name="flashvars" value="gallery.allowedViews=Detail&amp;gallery.brand=foxsports&amp;gallery.categoryMenuLocation=hidden&amp;gallery.categoryRequests=videoByTag.aspx%3Ftag%3Dnflonfox%26ns%3DFox%2520Sports_Gallery%26mk%3Dus%26vs%3D1&amp;gallery.containerTitle=NFL%20Videos&amp;gallery.dispContainer=true&amp;gallery.dispDateDetail=false&amp;gallery.dispRss=hidden&amp;gallery.dispSourceDetail=false&amp;gallery.fg=Widget_NFL_Gallery&amp;gallery.from=FOXSPORTS&amp;gallery.linkbackText=View%20more%20FOX%20Sports%20videos&amp;gallery.logoImage=&amp;gallery.numColsDetail=1&amp;gallery.numRowsDetail=3&amp;gallery.playType=direct_link&amp;gallery.tab=s192&amp;internalPlayer.pg=T4VID3&amp;internalPlayer.bsbpg=T4VID4&amp;internalPlayer.radUrl=http%3A%2F%2Frad.msn-int.com%2FADSAdClient31.dll%3FGetAd%3FPG%3D&amp;internalUploader.csspath=..%2F..%2F..%2Fflash%2Fgallerywidget%2F1_0%2Fstyles%2Fuploaderwidget.css&amp;internalUploader.dummy=true&amp;internalUploader.slateImageUrl=..%2F..%2F..%2Fflash%2Fuploaderwidget%2F1_1%2Fimages%2Fblank.gif&amp;internalUploader.bgImageUrl=..%2F..%2F..%2Fflash%2Fuploaderwidget%2F1_1%2Fimages%2Fblank.gif&amp;internalUploader.footerColor=%23707070&amp;"> </object> <!--<![endif]--> </object></p><p>Just one month ago, Jim Haslett was the St. Louis Rams' interim head coach. He was now sniffing around for work. So were recently deposed defensive coordinators like Bob Sanders (Green Bay), Ron Meeks (Indianapolis) and Brian Stewart (Dallas). Fired assistants were in abundance, as were those in limbo while new head coaches finalize their staffs. Swarms of college coaches came hoping to better their lot, not to mention idle scouts and front-office types trying to maneuver their way back into the NFL.</p><p>Edwards admittedly got lost in the crush.</p><p>There's no question he has the drive and dedication needed to become a successful coach. Following his 1,100-yard rookie rushing campaign with New England in 1998, Edwards suffered such a severe leg injury during a Pro Bowl-week pickup game that his leg was almost amputated. After three years of rehabilitation, Edwards returned to play one more NFL season and another three in the Canadian Football League.</p><p>Edwards might actually have found it easier recovering from three torn knee ligaments and a sliced artery than getting his foot in the door in Mobile. He scored some leads and phone numbers, but Edwards allows that he needs to hire an agent to land an interview with "the big-time guys."</p><p>"I didn't expect it to be this crazy," he said.</p><p>The meat-market aspect of the Senior Bowl became more pronounced this year because the cattle call of players was so middling. A source told FOXSports.com that 11 prospects who had originally accepted invitations withdrew at the urging of their agents because of injury concerns.</p><p>A weakened talent roster may have convinced some head coaches not to attend. But many skip the event or keep a low profile to avoid being besieged by hopeful — and often desperate — job applicants. After traveling to Mobile, newly hired Detroit coach Jim Schwartz didn't attend early Senior Bowl practices. He was instead conducting interviews at a nearby hotel.</p><p>"It is the sobering effect of the second phase of the Senior Bowl," said Cincinnati's Marvin Lewis, who is head coach of the Senior Bowl's South squad. "It's guys bumping around right now asking, 'Can you help me get to this guy? Do you know that guy?'"</p><p>Ricky Porter knows plenty of folks. He spent 25 years as an NFL player, coach (college and pro), scout, and, most recently, director of player development in New Orleans until being released in 2007.</p><div class="in_info_box"><br /><!-- <h4 class="gray_dots">Worth a thousand words:</h4> <ul> <li><a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/pgStory?contentId=8997926">NFL Week 17 snapshots</a></li> <li><a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/pgStory?contentId=8923620" name="&lid=whatshot">Best quotes of 2008</a></li> <li><a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/pgStory?contentId=8944898">Weirdest stories of 2008</a></li> </ul> <div class="more"><a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/pgStory?workingCategoryId=0">View more photos >></a></div> </div> --> </div><p>As he milled in the Senior Bowl flagship hotel lobby, Porter was greeted by a constant stream of friends and acquaintances like new San Francisco coach Mike Singletary. Yet not even Porter's massive list of contacts or his sterling reputation has helped him get re-hired.</p><p>Maybe it's because so few NFL jobs are currently available, especially with some teams laying off employees and shrinking staff sizes amidst the nation's tough economic times. Maybe he doesn't have the right contact in the league's "Good Ol' Boy" network that tends to recycle sycophants. Porter doesn't have a family member who can hire him like new Denver coach Josh McDaniels did with his 28-year-old brother Ben. The Broncos' new offensive assistant has a whopping one year of coaching experience — in high school.</p><p>Porter knew beforehand that procuring employment at the Senior Bowl was a long shot but swallowed his pride and came anyway. The reason: "Out of sight, out of mind."</p><p>"It's tough because you've got to have résumé in hand even though a résumé doesn't really get you a job," said Porter, who is seeking an NFL front-office position. "If you don't know a coach and another guy does, you ask, 'Can you introduce me or put in a good word?' You then go try and sell yourself. A lot of times, it's a lot more than your ability to coach, negotiate a contract or whatever it may be.</p><p>"I don't need someone to <em>give</em> me a job. I need someone to give me an interview."</p><p>Even uninvited players with little chance of securing an NFL workout, let alone roster spot, are getting into the act.</p><p>After Wednesday afternoon's practice, Brandon Culpepper distributed a résumé chronicling his small-college career as a University of Minnesota-Duluth outside linebacker. Culpepper said he drove three hours from New Orleans after visiting Saints headquarters and being told the staff was at the Senior Bowl.</p><p>"I originally came down to Baton Rouge for an interview with a reality show about guys who want to play in the NFL," said Culpepper, who is currently working full-time for Budweiser in Atlanta. "I'm chasing a dream. If it's meant to be, it's meant to be."</p><p>For those who journey here hat-in-hand, it almost never is.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-9173707724185182657?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-16614528174541380982009-01-16T22:05:00.001-06:002009-01-16T22:06:04.770-06:00<p>FootballScoop.com is reporting that UNM football coach Mike Locksley has hired former Tennessee quarterback Tee Martin as an assistant coach.</p> Martin helped lead the Volunteers to the national championship during the 1998 season. Martin played three years in the NFL from 2000-02 and last played professionally in the Canadian Football League from 2004-05.<p> </p><p>Martin was the passing game coordinator at Morehouse College in 2006, coached quarterbacks at North Cobb High School in Kennesaw, Ga., in 2007, and has worked for the last two years at the nationally regarded Elite 11 Quarterback Camp for top prep prospects.</p><p>Locksley said earlier this week he hopes to announce his staff sometime this weekend. </p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-1661452817454138098?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-68015242329834506892009-01-15T18:04:00.001-06:002009-01-15T18:05:19.215-06:00<p>Bart Andrus is the new head coach of the Toronto Argonauts.</p><p>The Canadian Football League team will announce tomorrow morning that it has hired the Tennessee Titans assistant coach to replace Don Matthews, who resigned at the end of the Argos' dismal 4-14 season.</p><p>Andrus is a stranger to the CFL, but comes with a reputation as an offensive-minded coach who likes to see a lot of passing. </p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-6801524232983450689?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9310365.post-77214141350215765692009-01-13T12:01:00.001-06:002009-01-13T12:03:13.110-06:00<div style="font-size: 100%;" id="article"> <p> Brendan Taman's 10-year run with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers has ended.</p> <p> The CFL team's former general manager resigned today, several weeks after being told he was being re-positioned as vice-president of player personnel to make room for Mike Kelly.</p> <p> Kelly was hired as the Blue Bombers' head coach replacing Doug Berry, who was fired after Winnipeg's playoff loss to the Edmonton Eskimos last November. Kelly was expected to share the GM's duties with Taman, who first joined the Blue Bombers in 1999 as assistant GM.</p> <p> “We truly are sorry to see Brendan leave after all that he has given to this organization over the years” Blue Bombers president and CEO Lyle Bauer said in a statement. “Brendan's contributions are immense however we need to respect his decision and wish him nothing but the best in the future.”</p> <p> “After speaking with Brendan at length it is his desire to step away from the game at this time however that does not preclude future involvement such as Special Projects Consultant in the future if the circumstances are right”.</p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9310365-7721414135021576569?l=cfl-football.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06373214150981244475noreply@blogger.com0