Here is a shot of some of what I've been doing.
Saturday, 17 December 2011
Been a while
I'm baaaaack ! Been busy with this and that. Riders have a new coach. One year too late, but maybe Corey Chamblin will have a better chance this year with the new personel that Riders have recruited. Everyone is now wondering who his staff will be.
Here is a shot of some of what I've been doing.
Here is a shot of some of what I've been doing.
Sunday, 20 November 2011
99th Grey Cup
BC vs Wpg in Vancouver. Who is going to win ? The smart money is on BC. No one called me smart !
Thursday, 17 November 2011
CFL Division Finals
“Epic” and “classic” are two of the most overused terms on the planet, but last week’s 52-44 Hamilton win at Montreal was truly one of the most epic and classic games in Canadian Football League history.
The most notable performance came from Alouette quarterback Anthony Calvillo, who put up 513 yards and three touchdowns in a losing cause.
His Hamilton counterpart, Kevin Glenn, had a good game of his own – going 23-of-32 for 275 yards and one touchdown, with backup pivot Quinton Porter contributing 34 yards and one TD pass while Glenn sat out a couple of plays after getting his bell rung.
Hamilton running back Avon Cobourne contributed 97 yards and a touchdown, while Montreal’s Brandon Whitaker had 79 yards and a rushing TD of his own.
In terms of offence vs offence, it was a battle for the ages.
It’s on defence, however, that the Tiger-Cats will have to shore up if they expect to make it through Winnipeg and all the way to Vancouver for the 2011 Grey Cup.
As evidenced by Calvillo and Whitaker, the Montreal offence shredded the Hamilton defence. And while Hamilton was able to do the same to Montreal’s defence en route to a win, the Ticats can’t expect to run over Winnipeg’s Swaggerville D this Sunday.
The Blue Bombers were dominant on the defensive side of the ball for nearly all of the 2011 regular season, with the league’s third-best points-allowed total, which was a big reason they finished first in their division.
Winnipeg allowed just 432 points against, while BC had the league’s top defence at 385 points allowed and Edmonton finished second with 401.
The Bombers allowed an average of 25.4 points per home game, but that includes a surprising mid-season 45-23 thrashing at the hands of the Roughriders. Take out that one sub-par game, and the Bombers averaged 23 points allowed at home.
Considering that Tiger-Cats had allowed the most points of any playoff team, 478, this season, and Montreal put up 44 last week, the matchup is clear: The Eastern Division Final will come down to Buck Pierce and the Winnipeg offence against the Hamilton defence.
But hope should not be lost in Tiger Town.
While Hamilton’s defence hasn’t exactly been the best in the CFL, neither has been the Bomber offence.
Winnipeg finished with the lowest-scoring offence of any playoff team at 432 points for, and has relied heavily on its defence to carry it.
It’s also worth noting that Sunday’s game will officially mark the close Canad Inns Stadium (nee Winnipeg Stadium) forever, as the Bombers move to new digs next year.
***
While Winnipeg was the surprise of the East, winning their division after a 4-14 2010 season, the Eskimos might have been the surprise of the whole CFL this year.
Winnipeg was a different story than Edmonton. After losing over half their games last year by five points or less, it was clear the Blue Bombers had all the pieces in place to make a run – which they made good on this year.
The Eskimos, on the other hand, just seemed like a mess.
They ended the year 7-11, with the second-worse offence in the league and the worst defence by very, very far.
To put it into perspective, the 2010 Eskimos allowed 545 points; no team allowed 500 points in 2011, and while four teams allowed over 500 in 2009, not one was over 506. In fact, you’d have to go back to 2008 to find any comparable to how bad Edmonton’s defence was last year.
That’s what makes this year’s Eskimos so special – they turned their defence around by 144 points and finished second in the CFL.
Then, there’s the story of the Lions.
BC entered the season as favourites, went 1-6 to start the year, then reeled off eight-straight wins and ended up 11-7 and atop the Western Division.
Quarterback Travis Lulay proved the Lions right in deciding to ride his arm into the future, as he finished behind only Anthony Calvillo in most quarterback categories.
In his first full season as BC’s full-time starter, Lulay put up 4,815 yards and 32 touchdowns against just 11 interceptions and completed nearly 60 per cent of his passes. He is the Western nominee for league MOP and will be playing in front of a packed-to-the-rafters BC Place full of rabid Lion fans on Sunday.
As impressive as Lulay has been, however, it was the team’s defence that really turned the Lions’ season around.
After stumbling out of the gates and allowing over 30 points against in each of their first four games, it seemed like no matter how many points Lulay et al would put up, the defence couldn’t make the stops it needed to win.
Four months later, the Lions finished with the CFL’s No. 1 defence, finishing in the top two of 16 of the league’s 25 defence stat categories, while allowing just 21.4 points against per game.
Chalk that up against Edmonton’s second-best 22.3 allowed per game and you have the league’s top two defences lining up against two of the league’s most aggressive offences.
Let’s hope the new roof is open at BC Place on Sunday, because there are going to be some fireworks going on.
(Courtesy CFL.ca Field Pass)
The most notable performance came from Alouette quarterback Anthony Calvillo, who put up 513 yards and three touchdowns in a losing cause.
His Hamilton counterpart, Kevin Glenn, had a good game of his own – going 23-of-32 for 275 yards and one touchdown, with backup pivot Quinton Porter contributing 34 yards and one TD pass while Glenn sat out a couple of plays after getting his bell rung.
Hamilton running back Avon Cobourne contributed 97 yards and a touchdown, while Montreal’s Brandon Whitaker had 79 yards and a rushing TD of his own.
In terms of offence vs offence, it was a battle for the ages.
It’s on defence, however, that the Tiger-Cats will have to shore up if they expect to make it through Winnipeg and all the way to Vancouver for the 2011 Grey Cup.
As evidenced by Calvillo and Whitaker, the Montreal offence shredded the Hamilton defence. And while Hamilton was able to do the same to Montreal’s defence en route to a win, the Ticats can’t expect to run over Winnipeg’s Swaggerville D this Sunday.
The Blue Bombers were dominant on the defensive side of the ball for nearly all of the 2011 regular season, with the league’s third-best points-allowed total, which was a big reason they finished first in their division.
Winnipeg allowed just 432 points against, while BC had the league’s top defence at 385 points allowed and Edmonton finished second with 401.
The Bombers allowed an average of 25.4 points per home game, but that includes a surprising mid-season 45-23 thrashing at the hands of the Roughriders. Take out that one sub-par game, and the Bombers averaged 23 points allowed at home.
Considering that Tiger-Cats had allowed the most points of any playoff team, 478, this season, and Montreal put up 44 last week, the matchup is clear: The Eastern Division Final will come down to Buck Pierce and the Winnipeg offence against the Hamilton defence.
But hope should not be lost in Tiger Town.
While Hamilton’s defence hasn’t exactly been the best in the CFL, neither has been the Bomber offence.
Winnipeg finished with the lowest-scoring offence of any playoff team at 432 points for, and has relied heavily on its defence to carry it.
It’s also worth noting that Sunday’s game will officially mark the close Canad Inns Stadium (nee Winnipeg Stadium) forever, as the Bombers move to new digs next year.
***
Winnipeg was a different story than Edmonton. After losing over half their games last year by five points or less, it was clear the Blue Bombers had all the pieces in place to make a run – which they made good on this year.
The Eskimos, on the other hand, just seemed like a mess.
They ended the year 7-11, with the second-worse offence in the league and the worst defence by very, very far.
To put it into perspective, the 2010 Eskimos allowed 545 points; no team allowed 500 points in 2011, and while four teams allowed over 500 in 2009, not one was over 506. In fact, you’d have to go back to 2008 to find any comparable to how bad Edmonton’s defence was last year.
That’s what makes this year’s Eskimos so special – they turned their defence around by 144 points and finished second in the CFL.
Then, there’s the story of the Lions.
BC entered the season as favourites, went 1-6 to start the year, then reeled off eight-straight wins and ended up 11-7 and atop the Western Division.
Quarterback Travis Lulay proved the Lions right in deciding to ride his arm into the future, as he finished behind only Anthony Calvillo in most quarterback categories.
In his first full season as BC’s full-time starter, Lulay put up 4,815 yards and 32 touchdowns against just 11 interceptions and completed nearly 60 per cent of his passes. He is the Western nominee for league MOP and will be playing in front of a packed-to-the-rafters BC Place full of rabid Lion fans on Sunday.
As impressive as Lulay has been, however, it was the team’s defence that really turned the Lions’ season around.
After stumbling out of the gates and allowing over 30 points against in each of their first four games, it seemed like no matter how many points Lulay et al would put up, the defence couldn’t make the stops it needed to win.
Four months later, the Lions finished with the CFL’s No. 1 defence, finishing in the top two of 16 of the league’s 25 defence stat categories, while allowing just 21.4 points against per game.
Chalk that up against Edmonton’s second-best 22.3 allowed per game and you have the league’s top two defences lining up against two of the league’s most aggressive offences.
Let’s hope the new roof is open at BC Place on Sunday, because there are going to be some fireworks going on.
(Courtesy CFL.ca Field Pass)
Sunday, 13 November 2011
CFL Semis
Thx to Rod Pederson for these stories.
ESKIMOS 33 STAMPEDERS 19
Quarterback Ricky Ray piloted the Eskimos to the victory but the quarterback story belonged to Calgary. Drew Tate made his first playoff start for the Stamps but turned the ball over twice in the first half and was replaced by veteran Henry Burris for the second half. Burris, the 2010 CFL MVP, was unable to rally his troops to a comeback and their season ultimately ended in the Alberta capital. The Eskimos now visit BC in the 2011 WDF with a berth in the Grey Cup on the line.
TICATS 52 ALOUETTES 44
Hamilton upset the two-time defending Grey Cup champion Montreal Alouettes 52-44 in overtime Sunday at Olympic Stadium to earn a trip to the CFL East Final at Winnipeg. Ticats kicker Justin Medlock missed a 53-yard field goal with no time left, forcing overtime. It would have been a 43-yard field goal but the Ticats got called for a time count violation. In overtime, Quinton Porter scored on a touchdown run for the Ticats while Kevin Glenn tossed the two point convert to Chris Williams. On defense, Hamilton forced Anthony Calvillo and the Als to turn it over on downs in OT, and that ended the game. It was the highest-scoring game in CFL playoff history and it means there WILL be a new Grey Cup champion in 2011.
Semi-Final Sunday
TiCats at Als , while Stamps at Esks. Since the Riders aren't involved at all, I'm really not that interested in the outcomes. I would like to see a Wpg.- BC Grey cup though.
Saturday, 5 November 2011
Another Rams season done
DINOS 16 RAMS 4
A major by Calgary running back Matt Walter late in the first half would prove to be the only other touchdown of the game.
Calgary will now host the winner of the UBC/Saskatchewan semifinal, which goes Saturday afternoon at Thunderbird Stadium in Vancouver.
Steven Lumbala ended up with a game-high 113 rushing yards for Calgary, while Dzwilewski completed eight of his 16 passes for 199 yards and a touchdown. Snyder caught four passes for 143 yards, most of which came on the long game-opening major. Sam Hurl led Calgary defensively with seven solo tackles, six assisted tackles, and a pair of sacks.
Regina quarterback Zach Oleynik was 18-for-35 and threw for 193 yards. Mark McConkey led all players with five receptions, while Jay Smith had a team-high 44 receiving yards. Adrian Charles rushed 14 times for 63 yards.
Jamir Walker had a pair of interceptions for the U of R, becoming the first Rams player to record multiple picks in a postseason game. Akiem Hicks led the Rams with 10 ½ tackles, pacing a U of R defence that held the top-ranked offence in the conference to its lowest offensive output of the season.
Chris Bodnar's field goal midway through the first quarter cut the lead to 7-3 after Snyder's opening play score, but the 39-yarder would be the visitors' lone points of the first half.
Stuck deep in their own territory late in the second quarter, the Rams bought themselves some breathing room by conceding a safety. Calgary, though, put together a quick seven-play, 75-yard drive that was finished off by a 21-yard Walter run to send the Dinos into halftime with a 16-3 advantage.
A 55-yard Bodnar rouge stood up as the only point of the second half. Both teams had chances in the red zone but were unable to convert, as Dzwilewski had a pass picked off by Walker on the goal line and a bad snap forced the Rams well back after driving to the Calgary 15-yard line in the waning moments of the contest.
Calgary will host the Hardy Cup next Friday night at Mosaic.
(Courtesy U of R Athletics)
This was sadder than the Riders loss.
The Riders lost 23-20 to the Eskimos to finish the 2011 season with a record of 5-13. Its the worst record the team has had since 2000 when they were 5-12-1. As you know, it was the end of Ken Miller's coaching days as he is resigning his position. Jason Clermont also ended any speculation of his CFL career continuing when he put this on his Twitter account shortly after the game.
Thanks #RiderNation and the @BCLions for a @CFL career that has fulfilled my childhood dreams. Taking @RenaeClermont to #GreyCup as a fan.
Jason finishes his CFL career having caught over 500 passes. He spent three years in Regina with his biggest catch being the double overtime winner against B.C in the 2010 West semi. He was named the Most Outstanding Canadian at the Grey Cup, he was named the CFL rookie of the year and he was the league's outstanding Canadian twice. I think its safe to say there will be a bust of his sitting at the CFL Hall of Fame in the not too distant future.
Thursday, 3 November 2011
Bieber
Thanks to Jimmy Fallon.
Today news broke that a woman is claiming Justin Bieber is the father of her child from when they allegedly slept together last year. Tonight Justin set the record straight with an all new single:
Well that settles it.
Today news broke that a woman is claiming Justin Bieber is the father of her child from when they allegedly slept together last year. Tonight Justin set the record straight with an all new single:
Well that settles it.
Monday, 31 October 2011
news
MILLER TO RESIGN
Following Monday's Rider practice at Mosaic Stadium, Ken Miller announced he is stepping down as Riders head coach and VP of Football. His last game will be Friday at Edmonton.
“Upon the completion of my duties after the end of the season, I am going to enter retirement,” stated Miller. “I thank my wife Maureen for her understanding, friendship and support in my coaching endeavors. I’m thankful to Roger Brandvold and our Board of Directors. I especially thank Jim Hopson for his supportive work environment, his cooperation and friendship we have shared.”
“Thank you to our coaching staff who have been unwavering in their support of me and our common cause. I am also extremely thankful for the opportunity I have had to work with the men who wear the Roughrider uniform and occupy our locker room. Finally, Maureen and I thank our personal friends across the province and the fans of Rider Nation wherever you are.”
Miller joined the Roughriders in 2007 as the offensive coordinator and helped lead the team to their first Grey Cup championship in 18 years. He was named head coach in 2008 and over the next three years led the team to three straight home playoff games and two Grey Cup appearances.
A three time Coach of the Year finalist, Miller’s 36 regular season coaching victories rank fifth on Saskatchewan’s all-time list.
“It’s difficult to put into words how much Ken Miller has meant to the Rider organization,” stated Riders President/CEO Jim Hopson. “I can’t begin to thank Ken for his passion, commitment and contributions to this team and to our province over his time here. Ken and Maureen have embraced this community and will definitely be missed.”
Hopson said he will answer all questions about the future of GM Brendan Taman and the organizational structure next week, once the season is completed.
Miller also announced Ryan Dinwiddie will be the Riders' starting quarterback this Friday at Edmonton.
“Upon the completion of my duties after the end of the season, I am going to enter retirement,” stated Miller. “I thank my wife Maureen for her understanding, friendship and support in my coaching endeavors. I’m thankful to Roger Brandvold and our Board of Directors. I especially thank Jim Hopson for his supportive work environment, his cooperation and friendship we have shared.”
“Thank you to our coaching staff who have been unwavering in their support of me and our common cause. I am also extremely thankful for the opportunity I have had to work with the men who wear the Roughrider uniform and occupy our locker room. Finally, Maureen and I thank our personal friends across the province and the fans of Rider Nation wherever you are.”
Miller joined the Roughriders in 2007 as the offensive coordinator and helped lead the team to their first Grey Cup championship in 18 years. He was named head coach in 2008 and over the next three years led the team to three straight home playoff games and two Grey Cup appearances.
A three time Coach of the Year finalist, Miller’s 36 regular season coaching victories rank fifth on Saskatchewan’s all-time list.
“It’s difficult to put into words how much Ken Miller has meant to the Rider organization,” stated Riders President/CEO Jim Hopson. “I can’t begin to thank Ken for his passion, commitment and contributions to this team and to our province over his time here. Ken and Maureen have embraced this community and will definitely be missed.”
Hopson said he will answer all questions about the future of GM Brendan Taman and the organizational structure next week, once the season is completed.
Miller also announced Ryan Dinwiddie will be the Riders' starting quarterback this Friday at Edmonton.
Sunday, 30 October 2011
Welcome to an Up week
RAMS PLAYOFF BOUND
The Rams (3-5) finish in fourth place in the conference standings with the victory and will now prepare for a Canada West semifinal game at top-ranked Calgary next Friday at McMahon Stadium. Manitoba finishes with an identical 3-5 record, but end up in fifth place and out of the postseason.
The Rams will face Calgary on the road in the Canada West semifinals for the second consecutive season and the third time in the last four years. The Dinos won all three of those postseason contests and have an eight-game winning streak overall against Regina. The two teams will kick off on Friday, Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. in Calgary.
Riders 19 TiCats 3
REGINA -- The Saskatchewan Roughriders won their final home game of the 2011 season, 19-3 over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats Saturday afternoon at Mosaic Stadium. The Riders led 7-0 after the first quarter, 17-0 at halftime and 17-3 going into the fourth quarter. The game was not announced as a sellout and the club's sellout string likely ended at 19 games. As you can tell by the photo, there was nowhere 30,000 on hand although close to that many tickets were sold for the contest.
Quinton Porter played the first half at quarterback for Hamilton while Kevin Glenn played the second half and threw four interceptions. The Riders won the turnover battle 5-0. Ryan Dinwiddie saw most of the action at QB for Saskatchewan with Cole Bergquist rotating in at times. Tailback Brandon West had 96 yards rushing for Saskatchewan.
The Riders improve to 5-12 with the win and will finish their season Friday at Edmonton while the Ticats fall to 8-9.
Phone your postgame comments into the Sports Cage After Hours Hotline at 546-CAGE and we'll replay the best calls on Monday's show.
Quinton Porter played the first half at quarterback for Hamilton while Kevin Glenn played the second half and threw four interceptions. The Riders won the turnover battle 5-0. Ryan Dinwiddie saw most of the action at QB for Saskatchewan with Cole Bergquist rotating in at times. Tailback Brandon West had 96 yards rushing for Saskatchewan.
The Riders improve to 5-12 with the win and will finish their season Friday at Edmonton while the Ticats fall to 8-9.
Phone your postgame comments into the Sports Cage After Hours Hotline at 546-CAGE and we'll replay the best calls on Monday's show.
Friday, 28 October 2011
Baseball is over
I used to play and coach baseball, but with all the problems that major league baseball has had with drugs and out of control spending, I lost interest. I did watch the last 2 innings of game 6 to see the Rangers win, but was disappointed. I didn't bother watching game 7. St. Louis won . Congratulations, but I watched CFL instead. Come on Winnipeg , quit playing like the Riders !
Wednesday, 26 October 2011
Reggie Hunt
The Reaper Retires As A Rider
The Saskatchewan Roughriders announced today that import linebacker Reggie Hunt has signed a one-day contract with the team and will subsequently retire as a Roughrider.
Hunt played six seasons with the Roughriders (2002-2007) before leaving the team to sign as a free agent with the Montreal Alouettes and Edmonton Eskimos.
“Reggie was very athletic, made big plays and was always all over the field,” said Defensive Coordinator Richie Hall. “He was very quiet and caring off the field and had a great sense of humour.”
In his time with the Green and White, Hunt tallied 452 defensive tackles, 45 special team tackles, 27 quarterback sacks, 26 tackles for a loss, eight fumble returns, seven forced fumbles and five interceptions in 106 regular season games.
The Texas Christian product was named a West Division All-Star in 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, a CFL All-Star in 2007 and was a member of the 2007 Grey Cup Championship team.
Nicknamed “The Reaper”, Hunt has recently moved back to his hometown in Texas after spending the last few years working for SaskTel in Regina.
Saturday, 22 October 2011
4-12
CALGARY -- The Riders' worst fears were imagined at McMahon Stadium Friday night. Not only did they lose 25-13 to the Stampeders (their fifth straight loss), but quarterback Darian Durant left the game in the fourth quarter with injury.
Making his first pro start at quarterback for the Stamps, Drew Tate engineered three touchdown drives and was in control all game long as the Stamps led 17-10 at halftime and 24-13 after three quarters. Starting behind centre for the Riders, Durant ended his team's 18-quarter touchdown drought with a 5-yard endzone run in the second quarter. However he was knocked out of the game in the fourth quarter and backup Ryan Dinwiddie was unable to put any points on the board.
The win upped the Stamps' record to 9-7 while the Riders dropped to 4-12 as they return home to host Hamilton on Saturday.
Thanks to Rod Pederson for these articles.
Just a few notes from the Riders' 1:30 pm arrival at Regina Airport on Saturday following a 25-13 loss in Calgary the night before:
• We may have seen the last of QB Darian Durant for the season. He was knocked out of last night's game in the fourth quarter and sees no sense in continuing to play in the remaining two games.
"I'm a football player so of course I want to play," Durant told us. "You only get 18 cracks at this and that's why I trained all off-season; to be in that position. But given what happened last night, I know Coach Miller and I agree the best thing for me is to shut it down."
• Although Durant took a heckuva shot from Stamps safety Demtrice Morley which left him on the turf for quite some time, there are no lingering effects. He is suffering no concussion symptoms although TSN reported that he had suffered one.
• Durant is unbelievably tough and durable.
• Coach Ken Miller said right now they don't know what their roster will look like for Saturday's home game against Hamilton (1:00 pm on TSN and CKRM), nor who will start at quarterback. Miller said he'll discuss the next two games with Rider GM Brendan Taman and President Jim Hopson this weekend.
Making his first pro start at quarterback for the Stamps, Drew Tate engineered three touchdown drives and was in control all game long as the Stamps led 17-10 at halftime and 24-13 after three quarters. Starting behind centre for the Riders, Durant ended his team's 18-quarter touchdown drought with a 5-yard endzone run in the second quarter. However he was knocked out of the game in the fourth quarter and backup Ryan Dinwiddie was unable to put any points on the board.
The win upped the Stamps' record to 9-7 while the Riders dropped to 4-12 as they return home to host Hamilton on Saturday.
Thanks to Rod Pederson for these articles.
Just a few notes from the Riders' 1:30 pm arrival at Regina Airport on Saturday following a 25-13 loss in Calgary the night before:
• We may have seen the last of QB Darian Durant for the season. He was knocked out of last night's game in the fourth quarter and sees no sense in continuing to play in the remaining two games.
"I'm a football player so of course I want to play," Durant told us. "You only get 18 cracks at this and that's why I trained all off-season; to be in that position. But given what happened last night, I know Coach Miller and I agree the best thing for me is to shut it down."
• Although Durant took a heckuva shot from Stamps safety Demtrice Morley which left him on the turf for quite some time, there are no lingering effects. He is suffering no concussion symptoms although TSN reported that he had suffered one.
• Durant is unbelievably tough and durable.
• Coach Ken Miller said right now they don't know what their roster will look like for Saturday's home game against Hamilton (1:00 pm on TSN and CKRM), nor who will start at quarterback. Miller said he'll discuss the next two games with Rider GM Brendan Taman and President Jim Hopson this weekend.
Friday, 21 October 2011
Game Day , episode 16
Riders are in Calgary to play the Stamps tonite. Tate starts instead of Burris. However the hobbling DD starts still for the Green.
Failure is not fatal, but failure to change might be. -John Wooden
Failure is not fatal, but failure to change might be. -John Wooden
Monday, 17 October 2011
Next Year Country
Riders couldn't score a td for the 4th straight game and lost a 4th quarter lead to BC ,losing 27-18. The loss eliminates the team from being in the playoffs. Here is the postgame press conference with Coach Miller.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjXQU1-K8RQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjXQU1-K8RQ
Sunday, 16 October 2011
Game day
As most of you know, the Riders playoff hopes are really thin. With 4 games remaining, any Hamilton win or Riders loss eliminates the Green. Ham plays at Mtl this morning, so it could be all over before we step on the field vs BC.
Rams lose to UBC
VANCOUVER, B.C. – The University of Regina Rams had a chance to tie it up on the last play, but UBC's defence prevailed to secure a 23-16 win for the Thunderbirds on Saturday afternoon in Canada West football action at Thunderbird Stadium.
Trailing by seven points, the Rams forced a late two-and-out and got the ball back on their own 24-yard line with 1:33 left. Lifted by four receptions by Jared Janotta, the Rams marched all the way down to UBC's seven-yard line. They had time to run two plays from the seven, but both Zach Oleynik passes fell incomplete to give the win to UBC.
The win clinches a postseason berth for UBC (4-2) for the first time since the 2006 season, while the Rams fall to fifth place in the Canada West standings with a 2-4 conference record.
Billy Greene completed 19 of his 37 passes for UBC and threw for 273 yards and two touchdowns. Both of Greene's touchdown passes were to running back Dave Boyd, while Billy Pavlopoulos accounted for UBC's other points with three field goals. Jordan Grieve led the Thunderbirds with 87 receiving yards, while David Scott had five catches for 70 yards.
Vivie Bojilov had two interceptions for UBC.
Oleynik ended up with 53 pass attempts for the Rams, one short of the school's single-game record of 54 shared by Mark Anderson and Teale Orban. Oleynik completed 29 of those passes for 388 yards and two touchdowns. Brenden Owens had seven catches for 120 yards, while Janotta had seven receptions for 87 yards and Mark McConkey caught six passes for 63 yards and a touchdown. Running back Adrian Charles rushed 18 times for 67 yards.
Jamir Walker and Mike Kerr both had interceptions for Regina, with Kerr also registering six solo and three assisted tackles.
The Rams held a 7-3 lead at halftime after Owens caught a touchdown pass with 15 seconds left in the second quarter, but UBC scored 20 of the first 22 points of the second half to take a 23-9 lead. McConkey caught a five-yard touchdown pass with just under two minutes left in the fourth quarter, setting up the UBC two-and-out and the final drive of the game.
The Rams will be back in action at home next Saturday against Saskatchewan (3-3). Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Mosaic Stadium.
Trailing by seven points, the Rams forced a late two-and-out and got the ball back on their own 24-yard line with 1:33 left. Lifted by four receptions by Jared Janotta, the Rams marched all the way down to UBC's seven-yard line. They had time to run two plays from the seven, but both Zach Oleynik passes fell incomplete to give the win to UBC.
The win clinches a postseason berth for UBC (4-2) for the first time since the 2006 season, while the Rams fall to fifth place in the Canada West standings with a 2-4 conference record.
Billy Greene completed 19 of his 37 passes for UBC and threw for 273 yards and two touchdowns. Both of Greene's touchdown passes were to running back Dave Boyd, while Billy Pavlopoulos accounted for UBC's other points with three field goals. Jordan Grieve led the Thunderbirds with 87 receiving yards, while David Scott had five catches for 70 yards.
Vivie Bojilov had two interceptions for UBC.
Oleynik ended up with 53 pass attempts for the Rams, one short of the school's single-game record of 54 shared by Mark Anderson and Teale Orban. Oleynik completed 29 of those passes for 388 yards and two touchdowns. Brenden Owens had seven catches for 120 yards, while Janotta had seven receptions for 87 yards and Mark McConkey caught six passes for 63 yards and a touchdown. Running back Adrian Charles rushed 18 times for 67 yards.
Jamir Walker and Mike Kerr both had interceptions for Regina, with Kerr also registering six solo and three assisted tackles.
The Rams held a 7-3 lead at halftime after Owens caught a touchdown pass with 15 seconds left in the second quarter, but UBC scored 20 of the first 22 points of the second half to take a 23-9 lead. McConkey caught a five-yard touchdown pass with just under two minutes left in the fourth quarter, setting up the UBC two-and-out and the final drive of the game.
The Rams will be back in action at home next Saturday against Saskatchewan (3-3). Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Mosaic Stadium.
Saturday, 8 October 2011
BC in First
VANCOUVER -- Paul McCallum capped of a record-breaking night by kicking a 53-yard field goal on the last play of the game to give the B.C. Lions a 33-31 victory over the Calgary Stampeders in a thrilling CFL game Saturday night.
McCallum fell on the ground and was mobbed by his teammates on the winning kick, which improved the Lions' record to 8-6 and moved them into first place in the CFL West. B.C. has now won seven games in a row and eight of their last nine.
The Lions were given a chance to win when quarterback Travis Lulay hit Arland Bruce with a 17-yard pass on a third-and-10 play with time running out on the clock.
McCallum was also good on kicks of 47, 46 and 20 yards to give him 30 consecutive field goals.
That broke the record of 28 set by Dave Ridgway of the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 1993. The record-breaking kick of 46 yards earned a standing ovation from the crowd of 30,622 at B.C. Place Stadium
The Stampeders looked to have taken control of the game when Larry Taylor returned a missed field goal 122 yards for a touchdown at 10:33 of the fourth quarter.
McCallum was attempting his 31st field goal in a row when his kick sailed wide.
Taylor took the ball deep in the end zone, then sliced his way untouched through the Lions defence to give Calgary a one-point lead. The Stampeders failed on an attempt to score a two-point convert.
It was a wild game with both teams taking advantage of turnovers and big plays.
The Stampeders trailed 14-0 early in the first quarter but battled back. Their record fell to 8-6. The Lions and Stampeders both have 16 points but B.C. has won the season series between the teams.
Calgary quarterback Henry Burris threw an 81-yard touchdown to Landon Tally early in the third quarter to tie the score 24-24. Taylor also had some long kickoff returns to give Calgary good field position to start drives.
Calgary running back Jon Cornish scored on a five-yard run while backup quarterback Drew Tate scored on a one-yard plunge.
Rene Paredes kicked a 36-yard field goal for Calgary, while punter Burke Dales boomed a 67-yard single.
Lulay threw two touchdown passes for the Lions.
Bruce caught a 20-yard touchdown pass and Geroy Simon a 14-yard strike. Andrew Harris scored on a six-yard run.
B.C. linebacker Solomon Elimimian, the CFL's leading tackler, left the game in the third quarter with an injury and did not return.
The Lions led 24-17 at half time.
Both teams scored touchdowns off turnovers in the opening 30 minutes.
On the first play from scrimmage Burris was sacked by B.C.'s Keron Williams, forcing a fumble. Khreem Smith recovered the ball on the Calgary 31.
That resulted in Lulay finding Bruce alone in the end zone.
The Stampeders repaid the favour in the second quarter.
Paredes missed on a 41-yard field-goal attempt. Instead of giving up the point, the Lions' Tim Brown tried to run the ball out of the end zone.
Calgary's Jon Gott hit Brown, forcing a fumble that was recovered by Devone Claybrooks on the B.C. nine. The Lions sacked Burris on the next play, but B.C. was called for illegal contact, giving the Stampeders first down on the five-yard line.
When Cornish scored, it was the first points the Lions had allowed on a turnover in six games.
McCallum fell on the ground and was mobbed by his teammates on the winning kick, which improved the Lions' record to 8-6 and moved them into first place in the CFL West. B.C. has now won seven games in a row and eight of their last nine.
The Lions were given a chance to win when quarterback Travis Lulay hit Arland Bruce with a 17-yard pass on a third-and-10 play with time running out on the clock.
McCallum was also good on kicks of 47, 46 and 20 yards to give him 30 consecutive field goals.
That broke the record of 28 set by Dave Ridgway of the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 1993. The record-breaking kick of 46 yards earned a standing ovation from the crowd of 30,622 at B.C. Place Stadium
The Stampeders looked to have taken control of the game when Larry Taylor returned a missed field goal 122 yards for a touchdown at 10:33 of the fourth quarter.
McCallum was attempting his 31st field goal in a row when his kick sailed wide.
Taylor took the ball deep in the end zone, then sliced his way untouched through the Lions defence to give Calgary a one-point lead. The Stampeders failed on an attempt to score a two-point convert.
It was a wild game with both teams taking advantage of turnovers and big plays.
The Stampeders trailed 14-0 early in the first quarter but battled back. Their record fell to 8-6. The Lions and Stampeders both have 16 points but B.C. has won the season series between the teams.
Calgary quarterback Henry Burris threw an 81-yard touchdown to Landon Tally early in the third quarter to tie the score 24-24. Taylor also had some long kickoff returns to give Calgary good field position to start drives.
Calgary running back Jon Cornish scored on a five-yard run while backup quarterback Drew Tate scored on a one-yard plunge.
Rene Paredes kicked a 36-yard field goal for Calgary, while punter Burke Dales boomed a 67-yard single.
Lulay threw two touchdown passes for the Lions.
Bruce caught a 20-yard touchdown pass and Geroy Simon a 14-yard strike. Andrew Harris scored on a six-yard run.
B.C. linebacker Solomon Elimimian, the CFL's leading tackler, left the game in the third quarter with an injury and did not return.
The Lions led 24-17 at half time.
Both teams scored touchdowns off turnovers in the opening 30 minutes.
On the first play from scrimmage Burris was sacked by B.C.'s Keron Williams, forcing a fumble. Khreem Smith recovered the ball on the Calgary 31.
That resulted in Lulay finding Bruce alone in the end zone.
The Stampeders repaid the favour in the second quarter.
Paredes missed on a 41-yard field-goal attempt. Instead of giving up the point, the Lions' Tim Brown tried to run the ball out of the end zone.
Calgary's Jon Gott hit Brown, forcing a fumble that was recovered by Devone Claybrooks on the B.C. nine. The Lions sacked Burris on the next play, but B.C. was called for illegal contact, giving the Stampeders first down on the five-yard line.
When Cornish scored, it was the first points the Lions had allowed on a turnover in six games.
Raider Nation Mourns
Al Davis Is Dead
Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis, whose rebellious NFL legend began 60 years ago as an assistant with the Baltimore Colts and was punctuated with a 1992 Pro Football Hall of Fame induction in Canton, has died at 82.
The team's website released the news Saturday morning, posting a simple tribute with his name in large silver letters above "July 4, 1929-October 8, 2011."
The Raiders said the team will issue a statement later Saturday. No cause of death was released, and it was not immediately clear when and where he died.
"Based on personal achievement, team achievement and contributions to the game, no one has had a more profound and lasting impact on professional football," Davis' biography says on the team's website.
It was Davis' willingness to buck the establishment that helped turn the NFL into THE establishment in sports -- the most successful sports league in American history.
Davis was charming, cantankerous and compassionate -- a man who when his wife suffered a serious heart attack in the 1970s moved into her hospital room. But he was best known as a rebel, a man who established a team whose silver-and-black colors and pirate logo symbolized his attitude toward authority, both on the field and off.
Davis was one of the most important figures in NFL history. That was most evident during the 1980s when he fought in court -- and won -- for the right to move his team from Oakland to Los Angeles. Even after he moved them back to the Bay Area in 1995, he went to court, suing for $1.2 billion to establish that he still owned the rights to the L.A. market.
Reports surfaced in April that Davis had been hospitalized, but the team dismisssed them then as rumors, saying Davis was in good health and was preparing for the NFL draft.
Thursday, 29 September 2011
Rams vs Manitoba
THE GAME:
After a tumultuous 0-3 start, the University of Regina Rams are now right back in the Canada West playoff picture thanks to a big 38-14 road win over Alberta last Saturday. A win for the Rams over Manitoba on Friday night puts Regina into a tie for fourth place in the conference standings with just three games remaining on the Canada West slate. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Mosaic Stadium and will be broadcast live on Access7, on the web at 620ckrm.com, and via webcast at www.canadawest.tv.
THE HEADLINES:
• The Rams have won four consecutive games over the Bisons dating back to Oct. 24, 2008
• Converted slotback Zach Oleynik got the call for the Rams at quarterback last Saturday, becoming the fourth player in as many games to start at QB for Regina this season — Oleynik is expected to get the start at pivot for the Rams on Friday
• Regina's Chris Bodnar remains the CIS leader with an average of 45.2 yards per punt
• After rushing for 165 yards against the Golden Bears, Rams running back Adrian Charles ranks second in both Canada West and the CIS with 503 rushing yards this season and is on pace to become the first player in Rams history to hit the 1000-yard barrier in a single season
• Manitoba quarterback Khaleal Williams ranks second in Canada West with 1160 passing yards this season (just 13 behind UBC's Billy Greene), while receiver Tyson Takasaki is third in the conference in both receptions (18) and receiving yards (299)
UNIVERSITY OF REGINA RAMS (1-3):
After a painful 0-3 start, the mood around the Rams' clubhouse has dramatically improved this week following a big 38-14 road win over the Alberta Golden Bears last Saturday.
The win was crucial for so many reasons — not only did a Rams offence that had sputtered through the first three weeks of the season finally get going in a big way, but the victory put the Rams just one win back of Saskatchewan and Manitoba in the Canada West standings.
Zach Oleynik will get the start at quarterback for the Rams again after a sparkling debut against Alberta. Running back Adrian Charles is ranked second in both Canada West and the CIS (behind Calgary's Steven Lumbala) in rushing yards, while slotback Jared Janotta is tied for third in the conference in receptions (18) and touchdown catches (3).
Defensively, Jamir Walker is tied for the Canada West lead with two interceptions (both of which came last week at Alberta) and leads the conference outright with five passes defended. Logan Brooks is tied for the Canada West lead with four sacks and is just two short of tying Sean Brimacombe's Rams single-season record of six (2005).
The Rams will have a week off before returning to action with a critical matchup at UBC on Oct. 15.
(Courtesy Cougar Athletics)
After a tumultuous 0-3 start, the University of Regina Rams are now right back in the Canada West playoff picture thanks to a big 38-14 road win over Alberta last Saturday. A win for the Rams over Manitoba on Friday night puts Regina into a tie for fourth place in the conference standings with just three games remaining on the Canada West slate. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Mosaic Stadium and will be broadcast live on Access7, on the web at 620ckrm.com, and via webcast at www.canadawest.tv.
THE HEADLINES:
• The Rams have won four consecutive games over the Bisons dating back to Oct. 24, 2008
• Converted slotback Zach Oleynik got the call for the Rams at quarterback last Saturday, becoming the fourth player in as many games to start at QB for Regina this season — Oleynik is expected to get the start at pivot for the Rams on Friday
• Regina's Chris Bodnar remains the CIS leader with an average of 45.2 yards per punt
• After rushing for 165 yards against the Golden Bears, Rams running back Adrian Charles ranks second in both Canada West and the CIS with 503 rushing yards this season and is on pace to become the first player in Rams history to hit the 1000-yard barrier in a single season
• Manitoba quarterback Khaleal Williams ranks second in Canada West with 1160 passing yards this season (just 13 behind UBC's Billy Greene), while receiver Tyson Takasaki is third in the conference in both receptions (18) and receiving yards (299)
UNIVERSITY OF REGINA RAMS (1-3):
After a painful 0-3 start, the mood around the Rams' clubhouse has dramatically improved this week following a big 38-14 road win over the Alberta Golden Bears last Saturday.
The win was crucial for so many reasons — not only did a Rams offence that had sputtered through the first three weeks of the season finally get going in a big way, but the victory put the Rams just one win back of Saskatchewan and Manitoba in the Canada West standings.
Zach Oleynik will get the start at quarterback for the Rams again after a sparkling debut against Alberta. Running back Adrian Charles is ranked second in both Canada West and the CIS (behind Calgary's Steven Lumbala) in rushing yards, while slotback Jared Janotta is tied for third in the conference in receptions (18) and touchdown catches (3).
Defensively, Jamir Walker is tied for the Canada West lead with two interceptions (both of which came last week at Alberta) and leads the conference outright with five passes defended. Logan Brooks is tied for the Canada West lead with four sacks and is just two short of tying Sean Brimacombe's Rams single-season record of six (2005).
The Rams will have a week off before returning to action with a critical matchup at UBC on Oct. 15.
(Courtesy Cougar Athletics)
Wednesday, 28 September 2011
Heading Home !!
Looking forward to getting home. I had a great time in Sask except for being at the Rider massacre. BC put the boots to the Green team !
Mom has sold her house and Nancy and I helped her move into the Manor. Mom is very happy with how things have gone, she's surrounded by good people.
Can't wait to see my sweetheart !
Mom has sold her house and Nancy and I helped her move into the Manor. Mom is very happy with how things have gone, she's surrounded by good people.
Can't wait to see my sweetheart !
Monday, 19 September 2011
Off to the 306
I'll try to add a few comments over the next few days, but I'm going to be away from internet for most of my trip.
Sunday, 18 September 2011
Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose !!!
Kyle Chandler, who played Coach Taylor in "Friday Night Lights", just won the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a dramatic series . FNL is a series that I really got into. Great writing, great cast, great story. The series was so close to what many have experienced as coaches, especially high school coaches. It was a must-watch every week . Too bad the series is over. The finale , "Always", which also won an Emmy, was incredible.
Saturday, 17 September 2011
Bring on the Leos !!!
REGINA -- Dario Romero recovered a Steven Jyles fumble late in the fourth quarter and Chris Milo kicked the deciding field goal as the Saskatchewan Roughriders extended their winning streak to three games on Saturday with a 30-20 victory over the Toronto Argonauts.
Milo's third field goal of the game made it 23-20 with less than three minutes left to play and gave the Roughriders (4-7) a lead they didn't relinquish. The game-winning kick was from 23 yards out.
His second - from 30 yards - was the product of a James Patrick interception early in the fourth.
Patrick's pick of Toronto (2-9) quarterback Jyles was the first of two for Saskatchewan, which scored 16 points in the fourth quarter. Milo opened the quarter with an 11-yard field goal.
Chris McKenzie returned Jyles' second interception 33 yards for a touchdown with less than a minute left in the game.
Despite having ball possession for 20 minutes 24 seconds of the first half, Toronto's struggles to find the end zone continued. The Argos managed just 12 points as Noel Prefontaine kicked field goals from 18, 41, 35, and 32 yards.
It was 9-0 for the Argos before the Riders got on the scoreboard. Darian Durant connected with Chris Getzlaf on passes of 28 and 27 yards, the latter being for Getzlaf's fifth touchdown in his last three games.
Trailing 12-7 at halftime, the Riders took their first lead of the game early in the third when Weston Dressler scored on a six-yard touchdown run that was set up with a 64-yard reception by Getzlaf.
Andre Durie replied with Toronto's first offensive touchdown in three games, catching a 32-yard pass from Jyles in the end zone.
Entering the game, Toronto hadn't scored a touchdown on offence since the first half of their Aug. 18 win over Saskatchewan. That contest was the final one for Greg Marshall as Riders head coach and Doug Berry as offensive coordinator. Both were fired the next day.
Durant finished 21-of-34 passing for 279 yards. Jyles was 19-for-33 for 254 yards. Getzlaf led all receivers with seven catches for 170 yards.
Milo's third field goal of the game made it 23-20 with less than three minutes left to play and gave the Roughriders (4-7) a lead they didn't relinquish. The game-winning kick was from 23 yards out.
His second - from 30 yards - was the product of a James Patrick interception early in the fourth.
Patrick's pick of Toronto (2-9) quarterback Jyles was the first of two for Saskatchewan, which scored 16 points in the fourth quarter. Milo opened the quarter with an 11-yard field goal.
Chris McKenzie returned Jyles' second interception 33 yards for a touchdown with less than a minute left in the game.
Despite having ball possession for 20 minutes 24 seconds of the first half, Toronto's struggles to find the end zone continued. The Argos managed just 12 points as Noel Prefontaine kicked field goals from 18, 41, 35, and 32 yards.
It was 9-0 for the Argos before the Riders got on the scoreboard. Darian Durant connected with Chris Getzlaf on passes of 28 and 27 yards, the latter being for Getzlaf's fifth touchdown in his last three games.
Trailing 12-7 at halftime, the Riders took their first lead of the game early in the third when Weston Dressler scored on a six-yard touchdown run that was set up with a 64-yard reception by Getzlaf.
Andre Durie replied with Toronto's first offensive touchdown in three games, catching a 32-yard pass from Jyles in the end zone.
Entering the game, Toronto hadn't scored a touchdown on offence since the first half of their Aug. 18 win over Saskatchewan. That contest was the final one for Greg Marshall as Riders head coach and Doug Berry as offensive coordinator. Both were fired the next day.
Durant finished 21-of-34 passing for 279 yards. Jyles was 19-for-33 for 254 yards. Getzlaf led all receivers with seven catches for 170 yards.
Game Day !!!!
Riders host Toronto today. The teams have gone in different directions since the Argos outlasted sask in their last meeting. Riders have won their last 2 while Argos lost twice to BC, while failing to score a TD in each game. The starting qbs for each team were former teammates with the Riders, Durrant vs. Jyles.
Lets keep it rollin'
Now we're on our way,
Our Pride is showin'
Its growing every day,
We got that Rider Pride !
REGINA, Sask. – The No. 3-ranked University of Calgary Dinos remained unbeaten on the season after thumping the Regina Rams by a 51-1 score on Friday night in a Canada West game at Mosaic Stadium.
Calgary improves its conference record to 3-0 on the season, as the Dinos and Saskatchewan (2-0) remain the only two undefeated teams in Canada West. The Rams fall to 0-3 with the loss.
The Dinos scored the game's first touchdown with just 16 seconds left in the second quarter to take a 13-point lead into halftime, then exploded in the third. Chris Dobko, Steven Lumbala, and Jake Harty all scored majors for Calgary as the visitors put up 24 points in the third stanza.
Calgary added to the score early in the fourth on Dobko's third touchdown reception of the game, and Denzel Morrison capped off the scoring with a 16-yard run late in the contest.
Dobko ended up with five catches for a game-high 79 yards and now leads the conference in receptions (16), receiving yards (229), and touchdown catches (4). He becomes the first Dino to register three touchdown receptions in one game since Jamie Elliott had three against the Rams on Sept. 20, 2002.
Harty had six catches for 72 yards and a touchdown, while starting quarterback Eric Dzwilewski was 10-for-17 for 90 yards and three touchdowns. Steven Lumbala had 16 rushes for 110 yards, while Anthony Woodson had 53 rushing yards and Morrison ended up with 52.
Sam Hurl, Michael Lau, and Cory Roboch led the Calgary defence with five total tackles apiece. Lau and Wyatt Getty had interceptions for the Dinos, while Jordan Verdone had four total tackles and registered Calgary's lone sack.
Drew Redekopp blocked two punts for the Dinos, getting in front of a Chris Bodnar boot in the first quarter and again in the third quarter.
Adrian Charles led the Rams with 57 rushing yards, while first-year quarterback Frankie Gray scrambled eight times for 55 yards. Gray also ended up with 55 passing yards in the loss, completing nine of his 20 passes. Stefan Charles and Logan Brooks both had sacks for Regina.
The team statistics were predictably swayed heavily in Calgary's favour, with the Dinos' 27-8 advantage in first downs perhaps the most telling of them all. Calgary also enjoyed a 332-177 yard advantage in total offence while having possession for over 36 minutes.
Calgary will meet Saskatchewan at home in what should be a pivotal contest next weekend, while the Rams will be back in action on the road next Saturday against Alberta (0-2).
Lets keep it rollin'
Now we're on our way,
Our Pride is showin'
Its growing every day,
We got that Rider Pride !
DINOS 51 RAMS 1
Calgary improves its conference record to 3-0 on the season, as the Dinos and Saskatchewan (2-0) remain the only two undefeated teams in Canada West. The Rams fall to 0-3 with the loss.
The Dinos scored the game's first touchdown with just 16 seconds left in the second quarter to take a 13-point lead into halftime, then exploded in the third. Chris Dobko, Steven Lumbala, and Jake Harty all scored majors for Calgary as the visitors put up 24 points in the third stanza.
Calgary added to the score early in the fourth on Dobko's third touchdown reception of the game, and Denzel Morrison capped off the scoring with a 16-yard run late in the contest.
Dobko ended up with five catches for a game-high 79 yards and now leads the conference in receptions (16), receiving yards (229), and touchdown catches (4). He becomes the first Dino to register three touchdown receptions in one game since Jamie Elliott had three against the Rams on Sept. 20, 2002.
Harty had six catches for 72 yards and a touchdown, while starting quarterback Eric Dzwilewski was 10-for-17 for 90 yards and three touchdowns. Steven Lumbala had 16 rushes for 110 yards, while Anthony Woodson had 53 rushing yards and Morrison ended up with 52.
Sam Hurl, Michael Lau, and Cory Roboch led the Calgary defence with five total tackles apiece. Lau and Wyatt Getty had interceptions for the Dinos, while Jordan Verdone had four total tackles and registered Calgary's lone sack.
Drew Redekopp blocked two punts for the Dinos, getting in front of a Chris Bodnar boot in the first quarter and again in the third quarter.
Adrian Charles led the Rams with 57 rushing yards, while first-year quarterback Frankie Gray scrambled eight times for 55 yards. Gray also ended up with 55 passing yards in the loss, completing nine of his 20 passes. Stefan Charles and Logan Brooks both had sacks for Regina.
The team statistics were predictably swayed heavily in Calgary's favour, with the Dinos' 27-8 advantage in first downs perhaps the most telling of them all. Calgary also enjoyed a 332-177 yard advantage in total offence while having possession for over 36 minutes.
Calgary will meet Saskatchewan at home in what should be a pivotal contest next weekend, while the Rams will be back in action on the road next Saturday against Alberta (0-2).
Thursday, 15 September 2011
Change of Season
Its a little chillier in the morning now, and the weeks of +30 seem to be over. One thing for sure, the days are getting shorter! Must be Fall around the corner.
We'll be starting the woodturners meetings on the 26th again. I'll miss that one as I'm heading back to the 306 to help my mother move. It will be a busy week so I don't think I'll get a lot of visiting in. Next trip for sure .
Monday, 12 September 2011
SWAG- Saskatchewan wins another game
This picture tells the story. Craig Butler's sack of Buck Pierce changed the momentum of the game as Riders beat Wpg 45-23 .
Sunday, 11 September 2011
9-11
Ten years ago, the images from New York changed the world forever. I was teaching at Campbell Collegiate and got to the school about 10 to 8. My colleague Ken said a plane had just hit the tower. We both thought it was some small cessna or something like that. He said to watch it on CNN. I went up to my room, switched on the tv and saw a second plane hit the other tower. The reports coming in confirmed the worst. A report that the pentagon had been hit too.
My first fear was that my son in Ottawa might be vulnerable, because it looked like war. An email to him at work was returned that he was safe, but his wife (who worked for the govt in communications) was not allowed to leave work as the communications depts from all the govt agencies were being kept together in one building away from parliament.
The task at hand was to inform and reassure my students. No formal classes were taught that day, but a lot of dialogue took place. Some students felt uncomfortable because of their background, but all were reassured that the deeds were done by fanatics, not true believers.
Yes the world has changed.
My first fear was that my son in Ottawa might be vulnerable, because it looked like war. An email to him at work was returned that he was safe, but his wife (who worked for the govt in communications) was not allowed to leave work as the communications depts from all the govt agencies were being kept together in one building away from parliament.
The task at hand was to inform and reassure my students. No formal classes were taught that day, but a lot of dialogue took place. Some students felt uncomfortable because of their background, but all were reassured that the deeds were done by fanatics, not true believers.
Yes the world has changed.
Friday, 9 September 2011
Busy day today
HUSKIES 33 RAMS 10
Making matters worse for the visitors, the Rams (0-2) lost a quarterback for the second consecutive game. Making his first CIS start, Dylan Hart was injured in the third quarter and was replaced by third-stringer Frankie Gray.
Saskatchewan, which improves to 2-0 with the win, was led offensively by Dexter Janke's two-touchdown performance. Janke had a 101-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter — the sixth-longest reception in Canada West history — and added a two-yard touchdown run early in the fourth.
Jahlani Gilbert-Knorren completed 16 of his 32 passes for 358 yards and two touchdowns and added 40 rushing yards for the Huskies. Janke ended up with 62 rushing yards and a game-high 141 receiving yards.
Four different Huskies registered interceptions, including Tony Michalchuk, Bryce McCall, Mitch Friesen, and Luke Thiel. Levi Steinhauer had two sacks, while Michalchuk led all players with 12 total tackles.
For the Rams, Hart was 11-for-20 and had 79 passing yards before leaving the game with a suspected back injury. Gray — who at this time last year was quarterbacking at Campbell Collegiate in Regina — completed five of his seven passes for 63 yards.
Rams running back Adrian Charles had a game-high 89 rushing yards. Brenden Owens led all players with six receptions.
Regina's lone touchdown of the game came early in the contest. A 50-yard punt by Chris Bodnar pinned Saskatchewan deep in its own end zone, and on the ensuing play Janke lost the ball and Rams linebacker Austin Bates came up with the fumble recovery in the end zone to give the Rams an early lead.
The Rams had a chance to make it a one-possession game late in the third quarter. Down 23-10, Steve Famulak's fumble recovery gave Regina the ball on Saskatchewan's 42-yard line. Two big rushes by Charles and a pass to Connor Haas by Gray brought the Rams down to the four, but the drive was snuffed out after Saskatchewan recovered a fumble by Gray on second-and-goal. The Huskies followed that up with a seven-play, 77-yard drive to go ahead by 20 with 12 minutes to play.
The Rams will be back in action at home next Friday against Calgary (2-0). Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Mosaic Stadium.
Thursday, 8 September 2011
Sad Passing
BY: Gary Lawless
KELLY MCCRIMMON has made a living as a hockey executive, carving out a reputation as a shrewd businessman and demanding coach but on Wednesday he was just a little brother.
The owner and GM of the Western Hockey League's Brandon Wheat Kings, along with the rest of the McCrimmon family, were mourning the death of longtime NHLer Brad McCrimmon on Wednesday.
"Brad was my hero," answered an emotional McCrimmon when asked what he would remember about his brother. "We were a year apart. We grew up together and did everything together. We were a close family and I was his biggest fan. I mean that."
The McCrimmon boys grew up in Plenty, Sask., before hockey took them off the farm. Brandon was a touchstone for the brothers as Brad made a name there as one of the best junior players in the country and Kelly followed in his footsteps, joining the Wheaties where they were teammates for the 1978-79 season under the tutelage of legendary junior coach Dunc McCallum.
"Brad was a man's man and a true pro. He never judged and he found the good in people," said McCrimmon. "He was confident and humble and he had a good heart."
Kelly McCrimmon moved into management, eventually purchasing the Wheat Kings and has an eye for talent.
"Brad was a very successful pro but before that he was a tremendous junior with excellent Wheat Kings teams in Brandon," said McCrimmon. "He was a top player at his position in the NHL and then became an excellent and respected coach."
McCrimmon says he'll remember his brother for his family contributions more than those he made on the ice.
"Brad was a meat and potatoes guy," he said. "He didn't seek praise or notoriety. His work and his family were his life. He was a solid man and not prone to emotional outbursts. His daughter Carlyn, 21, and his son Liam, 14, were so important to him. He was an excellent father and husband to Maureen. He loved them so much."
Wednesday, 7 September 2011
Hockey Off-Season
Another hockey tragedy this morning. A Russian plane carrying a KHL team crashed killing 43 and leaving 1 critically injured. More details are coming out. So sad !
This was on the cbc.ca website:
A passenger jet carrying a KHL hockey team has crashed while taking off in western Russia, killing at least 43 people, according to officials. Russian media reports that several foreign players were on board.
The emergency situations ministry said the 120-seat Yak-42 plane carrying the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl team crashed Wednesday after leaving an airport near the city of Yaroslavl, on the Volga River northeast of Moscow. It said two people survived and are critically injured.
Russia Today reported on its website that several of the victims were foreign players for the club, but the news agency did not list any names.
The team's website lists Canadian Brad McCrimmon, a former NHL player, as head coach, and says the team includes Canadian player Ramzi Abid, who played 68 NHL games for the Phoenix Coyotes, Pittsburgh Penguins, Atlanta Thrashers and Nashville Predators between 2002 and 2007.
The 2010 official photograph of the KHL's Locomotiv Yaroslavl. It is unclear how many of those pictured were on board a passenger jet that crashed Wednesday northeast of Moscow. Locomotiv Yaroslavl
The team's 2011 roster also includes former Vancouver Canuck Pavol Demitra and former Ottawa Senator Karel Rachunek, as well as former NHLers Josef Vasicek and Karlis Skrastins. Former NHLers Igor Korolev and Alexander Karpovtsev are listed as the team's assistant coaches.
But it is unclear whether any of those players were on board the plane that crashed Wednesday. Russian officials said Locomotiv player Alexander Galimov survived the crash along with a crewmember.
Shortly after news of the crash emerged, Riley Armstrong, who was also listed on the team's roster, posted a Twitter message saying he was not on board the flight because he is attending a team training camp in St. John's.
"I'm safe but thanks for the kind words," he said on Twitter. "Pray and think of the players and their families on that flight."
CBC Hockey Night in Canada's Elliotte Friedman reported that some of the names being speculated about are from an old KHL roster.
"Let's just wait a little. What an awful tragedy," he said on Twitter.
Russia's emergency situations ministry says a Yak-42 jet similar to the one shown crashed immediately after takeoff on Wednesday as it was carrying the Lokomotiv KHL hockey team from Yaroslavl, Russia en route to Minsk, Belarus.(Courtesy Pawel Kierzkowski)
The team was heading to Minsk, the capital of Belarus, where it was to play Thursday against Dinamo Minsk in the opening game of the season of the Kontinental Hockey League.
The KHL is a league of several ex-Soviet nations rivalling the NHL in terms of salary and attracting high-calibre talent to Russia in recent years.
McCrimmon, originally from Dodsland, Saskatchewan, is a former assistant coach for the New York Islanders, Calgary Flames, Atlanta Thrashers and Detroit Red Wings. His NHL career spanned 18 seasons and 1,222 games with five teams, including the Flames, the Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers and Detroit.
Also Sidney Crosby will be addressing his future today. He's been battling post-concussion syndrome and his immediate hockey future could be in doubt.
On the wood front, I've been getting used to my new Ellsworth grind gouge. I really like its weight and length. I'm trying to see what the best way is to sharpen it. It works very good as a rougher and scraper.
This was on the cbc.ca website:
A passenger jet carrying a KHL hockey team has crashed while taking off in western Russia, killing at least 43 people, according to officials. Russian media reports that several foreign players were on board.
The emergency situations ministry said the 120-seat Yak-42 plane carrying the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl team crashed Wednesday after leaving an airport near the city of Yaroslavl, on the Volga River northeast of Moscow. It said two people survived and are critically injured.
Russia Today reported on its website that several of the victims were foreign players for the club, but the news agency did not list any names.
The team's website lists Canadian Brad McCrimmon, a former NHL player, as head coach, and says the team includes Canadian player Ramzi Abid, who played 68 NHL games for the Phoenix Coyotes, Pittsburgh Penguins, Atlanta Thrashers and Nashville Predators between 2002 and 2007.
The 2010 official photograph of the KHL's Locomotiv Yaroslavl. It is unclear how many of those pictured were on board a passenger jet that crashed Wednesday northeast of Moscow. Locomotiv YaroslavlThe team's 2011 roster also includes former Vancouver Canuck Pavol Demitra and former Ottawa Senator Karel Rachunek, as well as former NHLers Josef Vasicek and Karlis Skrastins. Former NHLers Igor Korolev and Alexander Karpovtsev are listed as the team's assistant coaches.
But it is unclear whether any of those players were on board the plane that crashed Wednesday. Russian officials said Locomotiv player Alexander Galimov survived the crash along with a crewmember.
Shortly after news of the crash emerged, Riley Armstrong, who was also listed on the team's roster, posted a Twitter message saying he was not on board the flight because he is attending a team training camp in St. John's.
"I'm safe but thanks for the kind words," he said on Twitter. "Pray and think of the players and their families on that flight."
CBC Hockey Night in Canada's Elliotte Friedman reported that some of the names being speculated about are from an old KHL roster.
"Let's just wait a little. What an awful tragedy," he said on Twitter.
Russia's emergency situations ministry says a Yak-42 jet similar to the one shown crashed immediately after takeoff on Wednesday as it was carrying the Lokomotiv KHL hockey team from Yaroslavl, Russia en route to Minsk, Belarus.(Courtesy Pawel Kierzkowski)The team was heading to Minsk, the capital of Belarus, where it was to play Thursday against Dinamo Minsk in the opening game of the season of the Kontinental Hockey League.
The KHL is a league of several ex-Soviet nations rivalling the NHL in terms of salary and attracting high-calibre talent to Russia in recent years.
McCrimmon, originally from Dodsland, Saskatchewan, is a former assistant coach for the New York Islanders, Calgary Flames, Atlanta Thrashers and Detroit Red Wings. His NHL career spanned 18 seasons and 1,222 games with five teams, including the Flames, the Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers and Detroit.
Also Sidney Crosby will be addressing his future today. He's been battling post-concussion syndrome and his immediate hockey future could be in doubt.
On the wood front, I've been getting used to my new Ellsworth grind gouge. I really like its weight and length. I'm trying to see what the best way is to sharpen it. It works very good as a rougher and scraper.
Tuesday, 6 September 2011
CFL news
Argos say " goodbye Cleo ". Sometimes you just can't make lemonade out of Lemons !
MISSISSAUGA, Ont. -- The Cleo Lemon era with the Toronto Argonauts is over.
The Argos have released the veteran quarterback less than two seasons after signing him to be their starter.
The former NFL pivot appeared in 25 regular-season and two playoff games with Toronto, compiling a 11-14 record overall.
Toronto was just 2-6 with him under centre this season.
The Argos released Lemon after he was benched in the second half of their 29-16 home loss to the B.C. Lions on Friday night.
Lemon was 11-of-15 passing versus the Lions for just 57 yards.
The move comes with veteran quarterback Steven Jyles scheduled to come off the nine-game injury list this week. Argos head coach/GM Jim Backer has said Jyles will immediately be added to the Argos' 46-man roster.
Lemon completed 430-of-680 passes with Toronto (63.2 per cent) for 5,069 yards but had more interceptions (23) than touchdowns (22).
Toronto also added rookie quarterback Zack Eskridge on the practice roster
MISSISSAUGA, Ont. -- The Cleo Lemon era with the Toronto Argonauts is over.
The Argos have released the veteran quarterback less than two seasons after signing him to be their starter.
The former NFL pivot appeared in 25 regular-season and two playoff games with Toronto, compiling a 11-14 record overall.
Toronto was just 2-6 with him under centre this season.
The Argos released Lemon after he was benched in the second half of their 29-16 home loss to the B.C. Lions on Friday night.
Lemon was 11-of-15 passing versus the Lions for just 57 yards.
The move comes with veteran quarterback Steven Jyles scheduled to come off the nine-game injury list this week. Argos head coach/GM Jim Backer has said Jyles will immediately be added to the Argos' 46-man roster.
Lemon completed 430-of-680 passes with Toronto (63.2 per cent) for 5,069 yards but had more interceptions (23) than touchdowns (22).
Toronto also added rookie quarterback Zack Eskridge on the practice roster
Sunday, 4 September 2011
Go Figure !
Riders bounced the Blue Bombers 27-7 to win the annual Labor Day Classic . A great win !!!!!
Rod Pederson posted this report.
REGINA -- The Saskatchewan Roughriders thoroughly outclassed the Winnipeg Blue Bombers Sunday afternoon in Labour Day Classic XLV, beating the Manitobans 27-7, and netting Ken Miller a victory in his first game back on the Rider sidelines.
From the opening kickoff, the Roughriders were a completely different team from the one which lost seven of its first eight games before the coaching change. Quarterback Darian Durant threw a pair of touchdown passes to Chris Getzlaf and one more to Weston Dressler while kicker Chris Milo chipped in with a pair of field goals.
The Riders led 7-0, 10-4 and 20-7 by quarter as they snapped a four game losing streak and improved to 2-7 while the Bombers fell to 7-2. The Bombers had two players disqualified late in the game, and refused interviews with Rider Radio immediately following the game.
The two teams meet again next Sunday in the Banjo Bowl at Canad Inns Stadium. Phone your postgame comments into the Sports Cage After Hours hotline at 546-CAGE and we'll air the best calls on tomorrow's Sports Cage on 620 CKRM from 5-7pm.
RP
@sportscage
Rod Pederson posted this report.
REGINA -- The Saskatchewan Roughriders thoroughly outclassed the Winnipeg Blue Bombers Sunday afternoon in Labour Day Classic XLV, beating the Manitobans 27-7, and netting Ken Miller a victory in his first game back on the Rider sidelines.
From the opening kickoff, the Roughriders were a completely different team from the one which lost seven of its first eight games before the coaching change. Quarterback Darian Durant threw a pair of touchdown passes to Chris Getzlaf and one more to Weston Dressler while kicker Chris Milo chipped in with a pair of field goals.
The Riders led 7-0, 10-4 and 20-7 by quarter as they snapped a four game losing streak and improved to 2-7 while the Bombers fell to 7-2. The Bombers had two players disqualified late in the game, and refused interviews with Rider Radio immediately following the game.
The two teams meet again next Sunday in the Banjo Bowl at Canad Inns Stadium. Phone your postgame comments into the Sports Cage After Hours hotline at 546-CAGE and we'll air the best calls on tomorrow's Sports Cage on 620 CKRM from 5-7pm.
RP
@sportscage
Game Day !!
Today is the annual Labor Day classic between the Riders and Blue Bombers. 1-7 vs 7-1. Staggerville vs. Swaggerville.
Lets hope that Riderville prevails !!
Lets hope that Riderville prevails !!
Saturday, 3 September 2011
Rams drop 1st.
REGINA, Sask. – The UBC Thunderbirds opened up the 2011 Canada West season with a 21-10 win over the No. 6 ranked Regina Rams on Friday night at Mosaic Stadium.
The first five minutes of the game couldn’t have possibly gone any better for UBC. Quarterback Billy Greene fired a 63-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Grieve on the Thunderbirds’ opening drive to give the visitors the early lead. On the ensuing Rams possession, fifth-year quarterback Marc Mueller suffered a shoulder injury at the end of an eight-yard rush and didn’t return. The report is he'll be out two weeks with a stretched tendon in his shoulder. Mueller reportedly said to medical personnel "I'm okay, how are the Rams taking it?"
UBC (1-0) added to the lead three minutes into the second quarter, as Brandon Deschamps finished off a short drive that started deep in Rams territory following a Chris Mark interception. Regina (0-1) finally got on the board just before halftime with a 42-yard Chris Bodnar field goal.
Joey Gabrick extended the lead to 21-3 with an eight-yard touchdown reception in the opening stages of the third quarter. With first-year quarterback Dylan Hart controlling the Rams offence after Mueller’s injury, the home side answered back with a 10-play, 70-yard drive that was finished off with an 11-yard touchdown catch by Jared Janotta.
The Janotta major cut the lead to 11, but turned out to be the final points of the contest.
Billy Greene completed 15 of his 25 passes for 262 yards and two touchdowns and also led UBC with 38 rushing yards. Grieve had three catches for a game-high 109 yards, while Micha Theil led UBC with four receptions. Canada West all-star Serge Kaminsky had a fantastic game on the defensive side of the ball for the Thunderbirds, getting through the line for three sacks and adding a game-high seven total tackles.
Adrian Charles had a huge game on the ground in the loss for the Rams, ending up with 192 yards on 26 rushes. Hart completed 14 of 28 passes for 134 yards, while Janotta ended up with eight catches for 99 yards.
The Rams will travel to Saskatoon next Friday to square off against Saskatchewan (1-0) at Griffiths Stadium. UBC hits the road again next weekend for a Friday clash against Calgary.
NOTES: UBC’s win snaps a four-game losing streak to the Rams that dated back to 2007 ... the two teams will also meet on Saturday, Oct. 15 in Vancouver.
(Courtesy U of R Athletics)
The first five minutes of the game couldn’t have possibly gone any better for UBC. Quarterback Billy Greene fired a 63-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Grieve on the Thunderbirds’ opening drive to give the visitors the early lead. On the ensuing Rams possession, fifth-year quarterback Marc Mueller suffered a shoulder injury at the end of an eight-yard rush and didn’t return. The report is he'll be out two weeks with a stretched tendon in his shoulder. Mueller reportedly said to medical personnel "I'm okay, how are the Rams taking it?"
UBC (1-0) added to the lead three minutes into the second quarter, as Brandon Deschamps finished off a short drive that started deep in Rams territory following a Chris Mark interception. Regina (0-1) finally got on the board just before halftime with a 42-yard Chris Bodnar field goal.
Joey Gabrick extended the lead to 21-3 with an eight-yard touchdown reception in the opening stages of the third quarter. With first-year quarterback Dylan Hart controlling the Rams offence after Mueller’s injury, the home side answered back with a 10-play, 70-yard drive that was finished off with an 11-yard touchdown catch by Jared Janotta.
The Janotta major cut the lead to 11, but turned out to be the final points of the contest.
Billy Greene completed 15 of his 25 passes for 262 yards and two touchdowns and also led UBC with 38 rushing yards. Grieve had three catches for a game-high 109 yards, while Micha Theil led UBC with four receptions. Canada West all-star Serge Kaminsky had a fantastic game on the defensive side of the ball for the Thunderbirds, getting through the line for three sacks and adding a game-high seven total tackles.
Adrian Charles had a huge game on the ground in the loss for the Rams, ending up with 192 yards on 26 rushes. Hart completed 14 of 28 passes for 134 yards, while Janotta ended up with eight catches for 99 yards.
The Rams will travel to Saskatoon next Friday to square off against Saskatchewan (1-0) at Griffiths Stadium. UBC hits the road again next weekend for a Friday clash against Calgary.
NOTES: UBC’s win snaps a four-game losing streak to the Rams that dated back to 2007 ... the two teams will also meet on Saturday, Oct. 15 in Vancouver.
(Courtesy U of R Athletics)
Thursday, 1 September 2011
If its raining , it must be Vancouver
The title says it all. But at least its not snow, right Calgary ?
We're getting supplies for Helene 's studio and visiting family. And just maybe a side trip to Lee Valley !
We're getting supplies for Helene 's studio and visiting family. And just maybe a side trip to Lee Valley !
Wednesday, 31 August 2011
IPE
I went to Armstrong today to Interior Provincial Exhibition. Its the 112th annual ! Very impressive, Small midway but lots of commercial and agricultural exhibits. I had a great visit with my cousin Diana and her husband Ron who have a booth there. If you're in the neighborhood, take in the fair. Its easy to see why its so popular.
Later this week , I'll probably be attending the PNE in Vancouver. I guess its either feast or famine as far as fairs go !
Later this week , I'll probably be attending the PNE in Vancouver. I guess its either feast or famine as far as fairs go !
Tuesday, 30 August 2011
Salmon Arm
Just spent an afternoon in Salmon Arm. The drive from Vernon is very pleasnt, 60 km thru a scenic valley and forest. Salmon Arm is a very beautiful little city. The downtown area is old, but well preserved. There is a great boardwalk out into Shuswap Lake that we enjoyed. Lots of little cofee shops and restaurants downtown too.
Tomorrow the Interior Provincial Exhibition is starting in Armstrong. I'm hoping to meet my cousin Diana Miller and her husband Ron there. I haven't seen those two in probably 20 years.
I've been pretty productive in my shop the last few days. I've been concentrating on a few birch vessels as well as rough turning some of the Tree of heaven that I picked up last week.
Tomorrow the Interior Provincial Exhibition is starting in Armstrong. I'm hoping to meet my cousin Diana Miller and her husband Ron there. I haven't seen those two in probably 20 years.
I've been pretty productive in my shop the last few days. I've been concentrating on a few birch vessels as well as rough turning some of the Tree of heaven that I picked up last week.
CFL Power Ratings
Compiled by Malcolm Kelly
1. WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS
Overall record: 7-1
Streak: Five wins
When you are suddenly running with the big boys, the paradigm changes. Minnows are all about winning regular season games, no matter how badly they might have played. The big boys are about winning Grey Cups, and this Bomber team can do that. So let’s get to work on why the Cats were able to hold the defence to just one sack and throw for 350 yards. Bombers should have lost this one, and they know it. Coach Paul LaPolice was grumpy this weekend after beating Hamilton. That’s good. Winning coaches are grumpy coaches.
2. CALGARY STAMPEDERS
Overall record: 6-2
Streak: Four wins
Great game between two excellent teams as the Stamps beat the Als. When you are old enough to remember Tom Forzani as a rookie (1973), it’s a little chagrining to see his son Johnny grab his first two touchdown passes in the CFL. How about defensive end Robert McCune, formerly employed by the United States Army, giving a half time speech that sent the White Stallions galloping out to dominate the second 30 minutes? The last three of those were spine tingling as the Stamps eventually forced Anthony Calvillo into a rare interception to wrap things up.
3. MONTREAL ALOUETTES
Overall record: 5-3
Streak: One loss
For the first time in a while it’s possible the East final may not be in the Olympic Stadium at Montreal. The Als are now four points back of upstart Winnipeg in the race to the regular-season wire and home field advantage. Calvillo’s late interception is what happens sometimes when a Hall of Fame QB meets a hard-charging defence, so no long-term worries there. Injuries, however, continue to be a concern. Cornerback Mark Estelle looks to be out for quite a while with an injury, and that makes a vulnerable pass defence even more so. Corners are darn hard to replace and the Als have lost two of them.
4. HAMILTON TIGER-CATS
Overall record: 4-4
Streak: One loss
Well, well, didn’t those kitties show up with their claws sharpened and ready for a back alley brawl with the Blue Bombers? Didn’t win, but they sure showed they can compete. Next goal is a little consistency, especially on defence where the secondary just has to be strengthened. Fortunately, NFL cuts begin in earnest this week, so bodies can be found. Cats lost to the Bombers due to a couple of really dumb errors, but that can be fixed. Hamilton goes back-to-back with Montreal now and needs a split.
5. EDMONTON ESKIMOS
Overall record: 5-3
Streak: Three losses
Here’s the recipe moving forward. Get healthy, especially in the receiving corps and the offensive line. Don’t get your shorts in a knot about the three losses that should really have been four. Keep rebuilding properly. Shoot for a surprise playoff appearance. No team in the CFL is in a better spot than the Esks, who shocked everyone with five straight wins to start the season and bought a lot of good will. Worry about taking care of longer term business, especially increasing the depth and Canadian content. Back-to-back with red-hot Calgary is daunting, yes, but don’t forget the goal is to be a contender every year for seasons to come.
6. B.C. LIONS
Overall record: 2-6
Streak: One win
Last season at this very moment the Lions took off on a hot run that turned a 1-7 start into an eight-win season, plus playoff spot. Doing it again means the Leos must continue the outstanding defensive effort shown against Edmonton. Coach and GM Wally Buono has to straighten this thing out because he may be gone, his hand-picked successor Mike Benevides will be gone as defensive boss, offensive coordinator Jacques Chapdelaine will be gone (that would make a lot of Lions’ fans happy) and so would a bunch of the players. Now or never.
7. TORONTO ARGONAUTS
Overall record: 2-6
Streak: One win
While everyone else disappeared for the bye week, Orlondo Steinauer came back early to begin working on new schemes for the defence. The just-promoted coordinator can become an instant local hero if he can get the defence back to where it was last season (excellent) and give Toronto a chance at a playoff spot. Argos actually are just a point behind the final post-season berth in the West, if you can believe it, and play two-win B.C. back-to-back followed by a game in Saskatchewan against a club they’ve just beaten.
8. SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS
Overall record: 1-7
Streak: Four losses
Can you just see the first chat between new/old coach Ken Miller and his team? “OK folks, there’s no need to panic now …” Of course not, management’s already panicked for you by firing Greg Marshall after just eight games in his first year. There were 11 guys who caught passes for the Chicago Bears in a Saturday NFL exhibition game, and none of them were Andy Fantuz, so there might be some good news on the horizon. Back-to-back with the red-hot Winnipeg Blue Bombers will show right away if the Riders’ problem is the coaching, or the roster.
Monday, 29 August 2011
Swaggerville at Staggerville !!
Yes but its Miller Time ! Winnipeg is bragging about sweeping the Riders in the next two games. Talk is cheap, lets see how the 1-7 Riders respond under Coach Miller against the 7-1 Bombers.
Sunday, 28 August 2011
Rams win 1st one.
This gives them 1 more home win than the Riders ! Actually , the Riders won their exhibition game , but that was so long ago, who even remembers?
REGINA, Sask. – It took 55 minutes for them to find the end zone, but the University of Regina Rams were still able to lift the lid on the 2011 season with a 15-7 win over the Manitoba Bisons on Saturday afternoon in a non-conference game at Mosaic Stadium.
First-year running back Michael Kiapway scored on a nice 13-yard run just past the 10-minute mark of the fourth quarter, giving the Rams their first major of the game and extending their lead to eight.
Manitoba's Anthony Coombs scored the lone major of the first half, hauling in a 10-yard pass from Khaleal Williams five minutes into the second quarter. The Bisons took a 7-5 lead into halftime, as the Rams got an 18-yard chip shot field goal from Chris Bodnar in the first quarter and added a pair of points on a conceded Bisons safety in the second.
Bodnar's second field goal of the contest – a 39-yard effort – gave the Rams an 8-7 advantage early in the third quarter. Neither team scored again until Kiapway's major late in the contest.
Kiapway ended up with a game-high 77 yards on 10 rushes for Regina, while newcomer Jay Smith led all players with 44 receiving yards. Quarterback Marc Mueller played the first half for the Rams and was 9-for-18 with 79 yards. Adam Grilj, Jamir Walker, and Joey Dwyer all registered interceptions for the Rams, while Justin Edralin and Zach Gorski tied for the team lead with 3.5 tackles.
Coombs led the Bisons with 64 rushing yards, while Williams completed seven of his 13 pass attempts for 112 yards and a touchdown. Stu Schollaardt had three catches for 39 yards for Manitoba, which was led defensively by Evan Gill's 5.5 tackles and a sack. The Bisons also had three interceptions, as David Berg, David Ferrier, and Riley Coates all had picks.
The Rams open up the Canada West schedule at home next Friday at 7 p.m. against UBC. Manitoba will entertain the Calgary Dinos on Saturday in Winnipeg.
(Courtesy Cougar Athletics)
REGINA, Sask. – It took 55 minutes for them to find the end zone, but the University of Regina Rams were still able to lift the lid on the 2011 season with a 15-7 win over the Manitoba Bisons on Saturday afternoon in a non-conference game at Mosaic Stadium.
First-year running back Michael Kiapway scored on a nice 13-yard run just past the 10-minute mark of the fourth quarter, giving the Rams their first major of the game and extending their lead to eight.
Manitoba's Anthony Coombs scored the lone major of the first half, hauling in a 10-yard pass from Khaleal Williams five minutes into the second quarter. The Bisons took a 7-5 lead into halftime, as the Rams got an 18-yard chip shot field goal from Chris Bodnar in the first quarter and added a pair of points on a conceded Bisons safety in the second.
Bodnar's second field goal of the contest – a 39-yard effort – gave the Rams an 8-7 advantage early in the third quarter. Neither team scored again until Kiapway's major late in the contest.
Kiapway ended up with a game-high 77 yards on 10 rushes for Regina, while newcomer Jay Smith led all players with 44 receiving yards. Quarterback Marc Mueller played the first half for the Rams and was 9-for-18 with 79 yards. Adam Grilj, Jamir Walker, and Joey Dwyer all registered interceptions for the Rams, while Justin Edralin and Zach Gorski tied for the team lead with 3.5 tackles.
Coombs led the Bisons with 64 rushing yards, while Williams completed seven of his 13 pass attempts for 112 yards and a touchdown. Stu Schollaardt had three catches for 39 yards for Manitoba, which was led defensively by Evan Gill's 5.5 tackles and a sack. The Bisons also had three interceptions, as David Berg, David Ferrier, and Riley Coates all had picks.
The Rams open up the Canada West schedule at home next Friday at 7 p.m. against UBC. Manitoba will entertain the Calgary Dinos on Saturday in Winnipeg.
(Courtesy Cougar Athletics)
Saturday, 27 August 2011
Rams open season today
The Rams lose just four starters from last year's squad that finished in third place in Canada West with a 5-3 conference record. Headlining the returners are first-team All-Canadians Adrian Charles and Jamir Walker, second-team All-Canadian Brenden Owens, and conference all-stars Chris Bodnar and Akiem Hicks. Also back is fifth-year quarterback Marc Mueller, who has led the conference in passing yards in each of the past two seasons.
Manitoba, a team which finished in fifth place in the Canada West standings in 2010 with a 2-6 mark, will be led by fifth-year defensive halfback Pete Adams. Adams, a conference all-star in both 2009 and 2010, broke up eight passes last season and was third on the Bisons with 37½ tackles. Also back for Manitoba is fourth-year quarterback Khaleal Williams and his three leading receivers from last year, including Stu Schollaardt, Quincy Hurst, and former Ram Jared Ralko.
Regina and Manitoba met twice in 2010 with the Rams emerging victorious in both contests. Regina took a 45-11 win over the Bisons in Regina on Sept. 3 and also took a 41-19 road win on Oct. 16 in a game that saw Charles scamper for 222 rushing yards, the third highest single-game rushing total in University of Regina history. The teams will also play each other two times during this year's conference schedule, meeting on Sept. 30 at Mosaic Stadium and again on Oct. 29 in Winnipeg.
The Rams kick off the Canada West schedule at home next Friday against UBC, while Manitoba opens up at home against Calgary on Sept. 3.
Tickets for Saturday's contest against Manitoba will be available on game day at Mosaic Stadium ($10 for adults and free for students and children). Live statistics for the game will be available at the brand-new http://www.canadawest.tv/.
(Courtesy Braeden Konschuh)
Friday, 26 August 2011
Bye bye Christy !!!
We got the word that the HST will be no more in BC today . The referendum favoured a return to the PST and GST , so the Liberal faux pas is going to cost our porvince in the neighborhood of 3 billion dollars to revert back.
My feeling is that the HST should not have been thrown down on us in the first place the way it was. No mention of it in the last election, then we find out that the Campbell gov't was already discussing plans with the feds! This was a government out of touch with the electorate. Are we doomed to suffer because of this fiasco? My fears are yes.
First, we have to pay back the 1.6 billion that the feds gave BC for the transition to HST. Taxes will go up, and for someone like me on a fixed income, that can be a hardship.
Secondly, businesses have to reconfigure their equipment for the change back for the 2nd time in 2 years. Who do you think will pay for that?
Third, items and services that were not taxed with the previous system, that became taxed under HST, will probably stay taxed by this government so that the revenue may continue. The Liberals won't be saying anything about that, but just wait and see. They have a "Plan B" in the works. I'm scared that we won't be any better off because of the bungling by our Liberal gov't. So Christy, you got some 'splainin' to do. Smiles aren't going to get you through this one.
My feeling is that the HST should not have been thrown down on us in the first place the way it was. No mention of it in the last election, then we find out that the Campbell gov't was already discussing plans with the feds! This was a government out of touch with the electorate. Are we doomed to suffer because of this fiasco? My fears are yes.
First, we have to pay back the 1.6 billion that the feds gave BC for the transition to HST. Taxes will go up, and for someone like me on a fixed income, that can be a hardship.
Secondly, businesses have to reconfigure their equipment for the change back for the 2nd time in 2 years. Who do you think will pay for that?
Third, items and services that were not taxed with the previous system, that became taxed under HST, will probably stay taxed by this government so that the revenue may continue. The Liberals won't be saying anything about that, but just wait and see. They have a "Plan B" in the works. I'm scared that we won't be any better off because of the bungling by our Liberal gov't. So Christy, you got some 'splainin' to do. Smiles aren't going to get you through this one.
Thursday, 25 August 2011
Great day !
What started out as a trip to pick up some salmon, turned into a busy day. We were fortunate enough to get a lead on some fresh sockeye salmon on a tip from our good friends Betty Ann and Merv. We got 3 wonderful sockeye for grilling and a pink salmon that will be great for chowder. On our way home we came across an arborist who had just cut down a beautiful Tree of Heaven. Not only did I get 4 huge pieces, but also 4 other pieces of dry birch. I turned a small birch bowl and rough turned a bowl of the green wood too. Here is a picture of the tree after it had been trimmed. The arborist has also told me that he will call when there is some interesting wood available.
Its a shame that this beautiful tree had to be cut down, but it was interferring with the power lines. The owner of the property also has a maple that he has to cut down to, but that won't be till next year.
Wednesday, 24 August 2011
Whew !
Now thats what we call a summer day ! It was 32 downtown today and almost as hot at home. No complaints here ! Since we live on the side of a mountain (we think of it as a mountain), we have the cooler mountain breezes in the evening and it isn't quite as uncomfortable as in the valley.
Its incredible how tasty the fresh fruit is here! After living on the prairies for 57 years and getting fruit that has been stored and transported east, we never get tired of the abundance that we have here in the Okanagan. We truely feel blessed.
Tomorrow we're getting some fresh (frozen) sockeye that was just caught by a local person who has a commercial license. That should be a treat this weekend.
Here is a picture of one of the flowers we have growing out front.
Its incredible how tasty the fresh fruit is here! After living on the prairies for 57 years and getting fruit that has been stored and transported east, we never get tired of the abundance that we have here in the Okanagan. We truely feel blessed.
Tomorrow we're getting some fresh (frozen) sockeye that was just caught by a local person who has a commercial license. That should be a treat this weekend.
Here is a picture of one of the flowers we have growing out front.
Its called a dinner-plate hybiscus.
Good night !
Tuesday, 23 August 2011
As the Rider world turns
So Coach Miller is back and getting all kinds of flack because people are saying that he was behind the firings of Marshall and Berry. So what ! 1-7 doesn't cut it. The offense was last in every category so the defense was on the field too long and wore out. The players are happy that those two are gone.
Now there are no more excuses for the players. Put up or move over ! The team has 10 more league games and hopefully 3 more playoff games left this year. They're 2 games out of a playoff game, but BC is improving . I think Riders will have to go 7-3 to have a shot at the playoffs, 8-2 realistically. Every game vs BC and Edmonton have to be wins.
The team starts off with back to back games against Winterpeg, the best team in the league. The Labour Day Classic is in Regina next. Can they turn it around in time? Is Miller a miracle worker? Can Fantuz save the day? Is Richie next on the chopping block? Will Scott Schultz grow hair? These and other questions will be answered on " As the Rider world turns " !
Now there are no more excuses for the players. Put up or move over ! The team has 10 more league games and hopefully 3 more playoff games left this year. They're 2 games out of a playoff game, but BC is improving . I think Riders will have to go 7-3 to have a shot at the playoffs, 8-2 realistically. Every game vs BC and Edmonton have to be wins.
The team starts off with back to back games against Winterpeg, the best team in the league. The Labour Day Classic is in Regina next. Can they turn it around in time? Is Miller a miracle worker? Can Fantuz save the day? Is Richie next on the chopping block? Will Scott Schultz grow hair? These and other questions will be answered on " As the Rider world turns " !
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