Winnipeg Stuff

Here's an article about who might fill Winnipeg's three open positions, president, general manager and head coach. Compared to Hamilton's record prior to 2009, the Bombers 7 and 11 record under Mike Kelly wasn't that bad, especially considering they tried using Stefan LeFors as their starting quarterback. Marshall seems to have the inside track on becoming the head coach, but stranger things have happened (i.e. Mike Kelly).

Speaking of Kelly, here's a transcript of his infamous, "handled internally," media scrum after a scout was caught spying on a Ticat practice. I will miss Kelly. Marc Trestman is an excellent coach, but he doesn't say much.

Finally, an article on Moncton's CFL game next year. At least they seem enthusiastic.

Floyd and Adams Resign

Drew Edwards had an article in the Spectator about the resigning of Otis Floyd and Darrell Adams. Obviously Floyd coming back is helpful (especially if Marshall moves on as defensive coordinator). Adams is probably more important, considering his age and how important it is to have a force in the middle. Statwise Floyd declined from the previous year (only two sacks), but that was mainly due to injury. If he can stay healthy next year, plus the ends we now have should lead to a solid defensive line.

I found this line the most interesting: "By signing contracts at the tail end of 2009, any bonuses paid to the players will count against this year's salary cap - giving the team more dollars to spend next season." That suggests that the Cats were under the salary cap this year, although that doesn't seem to much of a surprise. Hopefully that leaves room for the Cats to sign a difference maker free agent, although I am not sure who, or what position we are looking for. Some money might just go to Kevin Glenn to bump him up to a starter's salary.

Normally during the free agent period one would look at the offensive line, however after last year's signings, the fact that we could only lose Marcoux who was a backup this year anyways, plus the draft picks Rottier, Carlson and Morencie (who's playing in this year's East-West Shrine game) means that nothing is going to happen there. Maybe a receiver, although with acquiring Bruce mid-season and the emergence of Marquay McDaniel, we're good for imports.

If there were a good cornerback available that's something the Cats should consider. I wouldn't bother with Barrin Simpson.

Kelly Fired; Wife Beaten?

News that the Bombers won't have Mike Kelly to give bizarre quotes and generally make the team worse. Plus the alleged domestic disturbance, which I am sure Kelly would have preferred to handle internally.

For the Cats, with both the Argos and Bombers looking for a new head coach, that pretty much guarantees that defensive co-ordinator Greg Marshall will be gone next year. Bad news for the Cats defence, which was really the strongest part of the improved 9 and 9 team. Between the Argos and Bombers potentially having better coaching next year, the Cats will have a harder time in 2010. Of course the Argos could hire some fool and suck again.

Argos Doc Arrested

There is a New York Times article about the creepily young looking Toronto sports doctor Anthony Galea being arrested for some possible sports doping related charges. In the article, in addition to some US athletes, Galea is revealed as the team doctor, with some quotes from Argo owner David Cynamon. Considering the Argos past two seasons, Galea did not do much for the Boatmen.

Argos Fire Bart Andrus

It has been a while since my last post, but I was in Kenya and Tanzania for three weeks, plus the Cats lost to BC so that added up to no blogging.

Anyways, I was surprised to hear the Argos fired Andrus. I figured that they would keep him, mainly because they likely still have to pay his salary next year. Plus, while admittedly terrible this year as a CFL coach, I thought that he probably learned enough this year through 18 games to be much more effective next year. Sometimes I can be absurdly optimistic though, even about the Argos apparently. I suppose an argument for his firing was the fact he did not really figure out who should be the starter at quarterback next year.

So long Bart! Your Count Floyd hairstyle will be missed.

Who will be the Argos coach next year? Wally? Some co-ordinator from Montreal? Another retread from that European league Andrus came from?

Yesterday's Game

While the final result was certainly disappointing, at the very least the Cats did not get blown out and kept it interesting right until the end. Casey Printers played a better game than I thought he was capable of right now and pretty much won the game for BC with his scrambling ability.

There were several things I was disappointed with, in regards to the Cats play yesterday. First was not being able to take advantage of the seven (or somewhere around there) illegal procedure calls the Lion offense received. Missing their starting center, plus a loud crowd was likely the cause, however if you hear a team gets seven illegal procedure calls one would think in all probability they would lose. However the Lions were able to convert on second and long repeatedly, almost as if the procedure calls did not matter. Second was the special teams play. Hamilton seemed to get nothing on their run backs, while the Lions had a few decent run backs. Disappointing. Third was the little use of Cobb throughout the game. Admittedly Hamilton got behind, but still strange to go away from what had worked the previous three games.

Good to see a big crowd, although we were all hoping for a sellout. A better opponent (draw wise) like Toronto or Saskatchewan probably would have filled the joint. Hopefully the Cats sold a lot of merchandise and made some money off concessions and parking.

CFL Previews, Playoffs Week 1

BC at Toronto,
Hamilton is favoured by a mere three points at home, which seems a bit charitable to BC considering their rather tenuous quarterbacking situation. Former Cat Casey Printers starts with an apparently quickly healed thumb, injured in BC's loss to Edmonton last week.

The Ticats are on a three game win streak, while the Lions are on a three game losing streak. Hamilton is six and three at home, versus the Lions four and five record on the road.

Provided the Cats can keep Casey Printers somewhat contained and not hooking up with Geroy Simon for the big play, the Cats have to be favoured. Having a balanced attack to exploit BC's weak run defence should ensure the win.
Hamilton 29, BC 24

Edmonton at Calgary,
Edmonton is coming off a two game win streak, while Calgary is coming off a one game losing streak. The Eskimos are four and five away, while Calgary is considerably better at home at six wins, two losses and one tie. Ricky Ray is playing better football over the past couple of weeks, whereas Calgary has been reasonable down the stretch, but lost an important game last week to Saskatchewan. Calgary is favoured by a mere 3.5 points, but the lure of getting a Grey Cup berth at home should be enough to motivate the Stamps.
Calgary 35, Edmonton 32