Monthly Archives: October 2009

Another Week of Craziness. The Business Just Gets Nuttier

Posted on October 30, 2009 by Scott Taylor| 1 Comment

It would be insane to suggest that anything at all is surprising anymore.

You have the owners of the Toronto Argonauts (a franchise that looked pretty good when they bought it) telling people they might be interested in acquiring the Phoenix Coyotes. Man, how many teams can you kill at once?

You have Kansas City Chiefs runningback Larry Johnson using “a gay slur” to describe newspaper reporters. No wonder gay people are upset.

And you have newspaper people wetting themselves over Mark McGwire’s return to baseball when every, single poll suggests that 65-80 per cent of baseball fans (depending on the poll) don’t care what he may or may not have done in 1997.

Of course, it doesn’t end there. This was another crazy week

1) The Ottawa Sun is at it again. The newspaper that creates more trade rumours than a handful of drunks at a sports bar now has the following on its plate: Brian Burke is actively pursuing a goaltender (who knew?), the Florida Panthers are trying to trade Nathan Horton (the GM has denied it), the Philadelphia Flyers are interested in signing Brendan Shanahan (should be easy, he’s an unemployed free agent) and the Carolina Hurricanes are ready to trade anyone and everyone (really?).

As I’ve always said, “If it’s in a newspaper, believe whatever it is you want to believe.”

2) The officiating in last Sunday’s Minnesota-Pittsburgh game was a complete embarrassment to the NFL. So embarrassing in fact, that it looked like a fix. I wonder which NFL officials had money on that game?

Sadly, all officiating everywhere at every level is awful. We’ve watched the horrible baseball umpiring this fall (how about that non-catch-turned-doubleplay by Ryan Howard on Thursday night?) and we’ve watched CFL, NFL, NBA and NHL officials look either lost or phony.

The biggest problem with sport these days isn’t steroids, it’s lousy officiating.

3) I love how even some Bomber players were sheepish about last Saturday afternoon’s 41-24 win over the Montreal Alouettes. Anthony Calvillo didn’t play and therefore, it wasn’t really a big win.

Baloney. If Calvillo had played last Saturday, the Bombers would have won by 30, not 17. Calvillo can’t run out of trouble like Adrian McPherson did.

Calvillo would have been killed last Saturday. Frankly, I think the Bombers are very, very pleased that Calvillo is playing this Sunday. I’m sure Phillip Hunt and Odell Willis are salivating at the thought of taking that rush to Montreal’s old man.

4) The publishing company that was going to back a book by former NBA referee Tim Donaghy has pulled the plug on the book, stating:  “After a close legal review of the final manuscript of ‘Blowing the Whistle’ by Tim Donaghy, and our independent evaluation of some of the author’s sources and statements, Triumph Books and Random House have decided not to go forward with the book’s publication. Our decision is wholly our own and was made without consultation with any outside parties or individuals.”

Yeah, right. That just smells like bullshit.

Donaghy was about to tell the truth and a lot of influential people in the United States want no part of the truth. Excerpts I’ve seen include a number of different accusations regarding wagering between officials that are actually handling the NBA games they’re gambling on (not in the least bit surprised), favoritism toward star players (that’s freakin’ obvious), and a desire on the league’s part to make sure playoff series went as long as possible (and that surprises people?).

Donaghy is painted as a rogue and a bad guy by the NBA. He is. But he’s also trying to get the truth off his back. And the truth is ugly. There is no game on the planet that looks as phony as the NBA. Like, whatever happened to travelling? Since when could stars take nine steps to the hoop? The NBA looks more like European team handball than basketball.

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It’s Week 8 and All Eyes Are On Lambeau Field.

Posted on October 29, 2009 by Scott Taylor| Leave a comment

There is absolutely no question as to where the big game is in Week 8 of the 2009 NFL schedule. This Sunday at 3 p.m. CST, live from Lambeau Field in Green Bay, it’s the Green Bay Packers playing host to the Minnesota Vikings.

The Vikings are 6-1, the Packers are 4-2 and the anti-Favre forces will be out in full force. We’ll see how resilient ol’ Brett is this week when he plays in front of what will likely be the most hostile crowd he’s seen in his career. Ol’ Brett is public enemy No. 1 in Green Bay and this week’s prime matchup will be a dandy. I mean, the Favre family has rented an entire motor lodge in order to watch Brett return to Lambeau.

There are also big games in Baltimore where the unbeaten Denver Broncos invade; Philadelphia, where the arch-rival Giants take a ride down the Jersey Turnpike; and back up the road at the Meadowlands, where the Dolphins face the Jets.

This week, the Bengals, Chiefs, Patriots, Steelers, Beccaneers and Redskins have the byes, which means the sad-sack Bucs will remain winless for another week.

Let’s take a closer look at Week 8:

SUNDAY AFTERNOON

Denver Broncos 6-0 at Baltimore Ravens 3-3 (-3.5)

We like the Ravens for two reasons: Baltimore needs to win much more than Denver does and Baltimore is at home. The Broncos have a huge matchup next week with the defending Super Bowl champion Steelers, so with a three-game lead in the AFC West, we don’t see why they’d play with any sort of desperation here.

Dr. Sports: Ravens to win and cover.

The Coach: Ravens to win and cover.

Houston Texans 4-3 at Buffalo Bills 3-4 (+3.5)

Dr. Sports can’t see the Texans being a road favourite here. The Coach likes a team that has allowed only 158 points in seven games against a team that has scored only 113 points in seven games.

Dr. Sports: Bills to win.

The Coach: Texans to win and cover.

Cleveland Browns 1-6 at Chicago Bears 3-3 (-13.5)

We both like the underachieving Bears in a relatively easy blowout. Coming off two consecutive losses, Chicago really needs a win to keep up with the Vikings and Packers. And after surrendering 45 points last week, the Bears will be playing for pride.

Dr. Sports: Bears to win and cover.

The Coach: Bears to win and cover.

Seattle Seahawks 2-4 at Dallas Cowboys 4-2 (-9.5)

This is almost a bye week for the Cowboys; after this easy contest, they have two road battles against the Eagles and Packers. Dr. Sports can’t see the ‘Boys being that focused on Seattle, but The Coach thinks they’ll use this week to pad Tony Romo’s stats.

Dr. Sports: Cowboys to win but not cover.

The Coach: Cowboys to win and cover.

St. Louis Rams 0-7 at Detroit Lions 1-5 (-3.5)

Could it be true? Could the Lions actually be a 3 1/2-point favourite? After Steven Jackson, the Rams are simply awful.

Dr. Sports: Lions to win and cover.

The Coach: Lions to win and cover

Minnesota Vikings 6-1 at Green Bay Packers 4-2 (-2.5)

The Packers offensive line needs to prove that they’re healthy and good enough to protect Aaron Rodgers in order to have any confidence in the Packers when they go up against a tough defence like Minnesota’s.

Dr. Sports: Vikings to win and cover.

The Coach: Vikings to win and cover

San Francisco 49ers 3-3 at Indianapolis 6-0 (-11.5)

We see absolutely no reason to bet against Peyton Manning right now. He’s on fire.

Dr. Sports: Colts to win and cover.

The Coach: Colts to win and cover.

Miami Dolphins 2-4 at N.Y. Jets 4-3 (-3.5)

We both (wrongly) picked Miami over the Jets on MNF a few weeks ago, but this is a ghastly spot for the Fish. They put everything into the game against the Saints and had it won when they were up 24-3. However, the Saints came back to win and ripped their hearts out. There’s no way they’ll be able to recover from that. Their season is over.

Dr. Sports: Jets to win and cover.

The Coach: Jets to win and cover.

Oakland Raiders 2-5 at San Diego Chargers 3-3 (-16.5)

JaMarcus Russell is either on drugs or just a complete idiot. Chargers to win, but the ol’ Doc doesn’t believe they’ll cover because, like the rest of us, he no longer believes the Chargers will take the Raiders seriously.

Dr. Sports: Chargers to win but not cover.

The Coach: Chargers to win but not cover.

Jacksonville Jaguars 3-3 at Tennessee Titans 0-6 (-2.5)

The first time these teams met, the Jaguars ripped the Titans to shreds, jumping out to a 30-3 lead. Despite the Titans being the favourite, Dr. Sports doesn`t think this one will be any different. The Coach, on the other hand, doesn’t think the Titans will go 0-16 and this is their best chance to win.

Dr. Sports: Jaguars to win.

The Coach: Tennessee to win and cover. 

Carolina Panthers 2-4 at Arizona Cardinals 4-2 (-8.5)

Dr. Sports doesn’t think Arizona will have a ton of success moving the chains, but they should be able to score enough to beat the Panthers. The Coach is convinced that the Cardinals will light it up at home.

Dr. Sports: Cardinals to win but not cover.

The Coach: Cardinals to win and cover.

SUNDAY NIGHT

N.Y. Giants 5-2 at Philadelphia Eagles 4-2 (-2.5)

With the Giants losing two in a row and the Eagles coming off a Monday night victory, expectations are high in Philly again. The Eagles are the favourites and that’s exactly why Dr. Sports love the Giants. The ‘Jints’ have a good team (especially on the road) and they’ll find a way to snap their losing streak. More importantly, Philadelphia always chokes under pressure. Always. Really? The Coach thinks the Philladelphias are simply in the mood to open a can of whoop-ass on the New Yorks these days.

Dr. Sports: Giants to win.

The Coach: Eagles to win and cover.

MONDAY NIGHT

Atlanta Falcons 4-2 at New Orleans Saints 6-0 (-9.5)

The Falcons and Saints are arch rivals who know each other better than anyone. They’re both solid teams, so Dr. Sports can’t see one blowing the other out. Sorry, The Coach knows the Saints are w-a-a-a-y better than Atlanta.

Dr. Sports: Saints will win but not cover.

The Coach: Saints to win and cover.

The Doc is 65-38 on the season and 55-48 against the spread. The Coach is 62-41 on the season and 52-51 against the spread.

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Bombers Win. Kelly Looks Like A Genius. TSN Doesn’t Understand the Playoff Structure. There Are, Officially, 21,000 Bomber fans.

Posted on October 25, 2009 by Scott Taylor| 1 Comment

Saturday afternoon at Canad Inns Stadium, in front of one of the smallest crowds since Lyle Bauer took over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, the Bombers drilled the first-place Montreal Alouettes 41-24.

With the win, the Blue Bombers put themselves in a position to finish second in the Eastern Division. In fact, with a victory in the final game of the season, against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Canad Inns Stadium, the Bombers will finish second and play host to the Eastern semifinal on Nov. 15.

Incredibly, TSN had no idea that next week’s games didn’t matter one iota in terms of second-place in the East. Not one clue. They nattered on and on about the importance of next week’s games. Those games might be important in the world of the crossover, but they mean nothing in terms of second place in the East. 9-9 or 8-10, it doesn’t matter. The team that wins on Nov. 8, in the game between Hamilton and Winnipeg, makes the playoffs — guaranteed.

Meanwhile, Bomber fans are an odd lot, aren’t they? They have now clearly stated that they prefer a coach riding a Harley who loses for fun, than a hard-ass, take-no-crap football coach who has re-built a team right before their eyes. They clearly prefer a lovable loser to a guy who refuses to genuflect at the altar of the daily newspaper and even more assertively, refuses to suck up to people who know absolutely nothing about football.

Having said that, the 21,000 who attended Saturday’s game were young, smart, generally un-drunk fans who wanted to watch an improving football team win. They were into the game and didn’t care that the coach doesn’t like telephone calls from faceless, nameless, gutless whiners. They didn’t care that the coach tells the media how it’s going to be rather than vice-versa.

I love this.

The local bird-cage liners, dead trees that devote three-to-six pages almost daily to Blue Bomber coverage, have told their readers that the coach is a jerk and the team is lousy and some of their favourite players have been run-off and therefore people will (read: should) stop going to the games. Our local media is its own self-fullfilling prophecy. It has no sense of humour and believes it should run the local sports teams and when those teams don’t do as they’re told, they should be punished. All the while, they’ll continue to run three-to-six pages of coverage a day for reasons nobody quite understands.

However, to lay blame fairly, the real problem appears to be the growing feeling that the Bombers marketing department doesn’t have a Plan B. If all the free media coverage doesn’t sell tickets for them, they have no plan to sell tickets. If the media isn’t doing the job, the Bombers appear to have nowhere to turn.

Which creates an amazing dynamic for a football team that has won four of its last five, beaten a team that came in 13-2 (albeit without its starting quarterback), almost completely rebuilt itself on the fly and has become a force in the CFL’s Eastern Division.

The Bombers have a good football team. On Saturday, that team probably played well-enough to beat an Alouettes team WITH Anthony Calvillo. And yet crowds keep dwindling because the Bombers themselves don’t know how to sell the positive side of a football team that has had a major falling out with the local media.

Sadly, the world is changing. As the Free Press dumps its Sunday broadsheet and Sunday home delivery and the Sun’s circulation continues to fall, free “advertising” is going the way of the doh-doh. “Publicity” as we know it is changing and sports teams, no matter how popular they are with the media, will eventually have to learn how to actually sell their products.

Granted, the Bombers aren’t there yet and neither is Winnipeg, but the inevitable is coming. Saturday’s tiny, but nonetheless, intelligent crowd, was an example of that.

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My Head is Spinning Again. People Say and Do Weird Things.

Posted on October 24, 2009 by Scott Taylor| Leave a comment

It’s been an interesting week. Lots of people doing lots of odd things.

In some cases it’s because business is bad and desperate people try desperate things to make businesses work — even if their business model is dead. Sometimes it’s because media people are like puppies. They get something in their heads and even if they’re wrong they just keep doing what they’re doing.

In other cases, it’s just people trying their best, but by being a tad misguided, they tend to do head off in the wrong direction. Rather consistently, sometimes.

Let’s take a look at the goofiness that surrounds us. A week in the life of the sporting world.

1) Sitting in the lat machine, between sets, at my gym this morning, I picked up the free Winnipeg Sun that our gym manager provides. Yeah, I know, I should know better.

Sports columnist Paul Friesen, the man with the world’s thinnest skin, is going off on Bomber head coach Mike Kelly again. But this time, it just seems silly. Friesen wrote: “Even Bomber staffers were left shaking their heads when the coach changed practice time without informing anybody, causing TV and newspaper photographers to forego an opportunity for pictures, others to miss chances for interviews.

“This, at a time when the 6-9 Bombers, struggling to sell tickets, need all the publicity they can get for today’s game against the visiting Montreal Alouettes.

“I can only imagine how the marketing department felt about this one.

“After fielding complaints, including one from a miffed female reporter, the Professor offered this tasteful ‘apology’ at his media briefing.

“‘I hate when the media’s so angry,’ Kelly began. ‘I want to apologize to everyone who had their panties in a ball.’”

I love Mike Kelly. Friesen? I don’t get.

While Friesen rips Kelly, suggesting that he’s the cause of a lack of publicity, he’s writing in a newspaper that has six — count ‘em, SIX! — full pages of Bomber and CFL coverage. The city’s broadsheet had three full pages of Bomber-Alouettes coverage.

Lack of publicity? Read your own paper. No wonder circulation is dropping at both local fishwraps. Other that the craziest of crazies, who would bother to read pages and pages of the same stories on the same football game? A game that hasn’t even been played yet.

2) The Blue Bombers lost a 24-21 heartbreaker to the B.C. Lions last Sunday, but it was a heartbreaker of the Bombers own making. Once again, turnovers killed Winnipeg.

Michael Bishop went 13 for 32, just awful, with one touchdown and three interceptions. He also lost a fumble. Four turnovers means one big loss.  Bishop must learn to protect the football.

3) We’ve talked about this about 100 times since last year’s playoffs, but it’s becoming more apparent that the Montreal Canadiens do have a goaltending problem.

Despite a terrific opening night, Carey Price is at best inconsistent and last Saturday night against Ottawa, he allowed three goals on only 21 shots. That’s not good enough. Perhaps, Montreal needs to look around for a Price replacement. Perhaps that replacement is their No. 2 netminder, Jaroslav Halak.

4) I just love how Winnipeg’s mainstream media has now decided that Mike Kelly has had nothing to do with the resurgence of the suddenly 6-9 Winnipeg Blue Bombers and it’s now all Manny Matsakis.

Kelly has re-built the Blue Bombers and the fact the he hired Matsakis to work with Michael Bishop and make Bishop better, is just another example of Kelly’s coaching prowess. The Bombers lost a heartbreaker last Sunday, but Kelly is still proving just how great a coach he is.

5) Oh, oh, it’s Saturday afternoon. I have the Bomber game on TSN HD and I have to hit the mute button.

Why do colour commentators think they have to say something after EVERY play even if they have absolutely nothing to offer? And why do they consistently say things they know are not true. The constant chatter is annoying not informative.

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Week 7 in the NFL: Pittsburgh-Minnesota the Game of the Week.

Posted on October 22, 2009 by Scott Taylor| Leave a comment

TAMPA — There are some football games you watch and you just have to sit there and shake your head in wonder.

Last Sunday afternoon in the press box at Raymond James Stadium here in Tampa, a number of local media types were forced to focus on the field and watch Carolina beat Tampa Bay 28-21. Granted there were two lousy football teams playing, but I will say this, despite the fact there were 25,000 empty seats in the building, real football fans missed one important thing: Carolina runningback DeAngelo Williams.

Williams rushed for 152 yards and scored two touchdowns on 30 carries. This guy is a horse and no matter how bad the 2-3 Panthers might be, Williams is still a big-time running back.

Now, having said that, I didn’t ay all that much attention to Williams after he scored his first touchdown of the game. Like many in the press box in Tampa, I couldn’t pull myself away from the press lounge TV where the Minnesota Vikings held on to beat the Baltimore Ravens 33-31.

There have been some great performances this year – and we’ll get to the Saints and Pats later – but undefeated Minnesota’s win over Baltimore was so spectacular it transcended words. It was just one of those games you have to sit back and enjoy.

It didn’t hurt that the Vikings either, considering both Dr. Sports and I picked them to knock off the Ravens. And, really? In the end? Isn’t that what all this is about?

We’re here to pick winners and we’ll keep at it no matter the outcome. Let’s take a close look at Week 7 while we leave our good memories of Week 6 behind.

SUNDAY AFTERNOON

Chicago Bears 3-2 at Cincinnati Bengals 4-2 (-1.5)

This is a big game for both teams — teams that are both coming off ugly losses. For TV purposes, it’s Carson Palmer vs. Jay Cutler, but the running games and the defences will decide this one.

Dr. Sports: Bengals to win and cover.

The Coach: Bengals to win and cover.

Green Bay Packers 3-2 at Cleveland Browns 1-5 (+6.5)

There are a load of people who figure this one will be close, but because 12 Browns missed practice with the flu this week, it’s unlikely that team will have much left in the tank. I mean, it’s bad enough being a Brown these days, but a sick one? Good luck.

Dr. Sports: Packers to win and cover.

The Coach: Packers to win but Browns will cover

San Francisco 49ers 3-2 at Houston Texans 3-3 (-2.5)

This will be a close one that should go right own to the wire.For whatever reason, the Texans can’t put two solid games together. They’ve gone L-W-L-W-L-W this year both straight up and against the spread.

Dr. Sports: 49ers to win.

The Coach: 49ers to win.

San Diego Chargers 2-3 at Kansas City Chiefs 1-5 (+4.5)

Call us both crazy but this is a week that the Chiefs can win. The Chargers are on a short week, coming off an emotionally-draining Monday night loss to the Broncos. In fact, it wasn’t just a loss, it was a shellacking.

Dr. Sports: Chiefs to win.

The Coach: Chiefs to win.

Minnesota Vikings 6-0 at Pittsburgh Steelers 4-2 (-3.5)

This would appear to be a much bigger game for the Steelers. The Vikings are well ahead of everyone in the NFC North, so a non-conference tilt means a lot less to them. Plus, they go to Lambeau next week. The Steelers, meanwhile, are tied for first in the division and are going into their bye week. Oh yeah, and there’s this little fact; including the postseason, the Steelers have won nine straight at home.

Dr. Sports: Steelers to win, but the Vikings will cover.

The Coach: Vikings to win.

Indianapolis Colts 5-0 at St. Louis Rams 0-6 (+12.5)

OMG!

Dr. Sports: Colts to win and cover.

The Coach: Colts to win and cover.

New England Patriots 4-2 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0-6 at Wembley Stadium, London (+14.5)

Coming off last week’s 59-0 rout of Tennessee, the Patriots are playing splendid football. Watching Tampa Bay is like watching a bad mystery on TV. No suspense. looking as fully loaded as ever. Hard to believe they’re going all the way to England to play this dog. Even Dr. Sports would rather watch the Premiership than the Bucs.

Dr. Sports: Patriots to win and cover.

The Coach: Patriots to win and cover.

Buffalo Bills 2-4 at Carolina Panthers 2-4 (-7.5)

After two straight wins, the Panthers are quietly sneaking back into the NFC playoff conversation. The Panthers have won nine of their past 10 home games and have scored 20-plus points in all nine of those wins. The runjning game with Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams has never looked better.

Dr. Sports: Panthers to win and cover.

The Coach: Panthers to win and cover.

N.Y. Jets 3-3 at Oakland Raiders 2-4 (+6.5)

Hard to believe JaMarcus Russell isn’t the quarterback in this one who is playing the worst football. It’s Mark Sanchez, folks. Oakland just might have things figured out.

Dr. Sports: Raiders to win.

The Coach: Raiders to win.

Atlanta Falcons 4-1 at Dallas Cowboys 3-2 (-3.5)

Aside from the television-created public perception that the Cowboys somehow have a wonderful organization, there really is no intelligent reason why the Cowboys should be favoured.

Dr. Sports: Falcons to win.

The Coach: Falcons to win.

New Orleans Saints 6-0 at Miami Dolphins 2-3 (+6.5)

Miami is the top rushing team in the league at 177 yards per game. But that doesn’t mean that the Fish will beat the Saints.

Dr. Sports: Saints to win and cover.

The Coach: Saints to win and cover.

SUNDAY NIGHT

Arizona Cardinals 3-2 at N.Y. Giants 5-1 (-6.5)

Although Arizona has won two straight, we just can’t see them going into Giants Stadium and beating the ‘Jints’ on a cold Jersey October night. Eli Manning against Kurt Warner should be fun.

Dr. Sports: Giants to win but the Cardinals will cover.

The Coach: Giants to win and cover.

MONDAY NIGHT

Philadelphia Eagles 3-2 at Washington Redskins 2-4 (+6.5)

For whatever reason, the Redskins just have the Eagles’ number; they swept them last year by scores of 23-17 and 10-3. And remember that like last season, Washington was the inferior squad. The Redskins will also be playing for Jim Zorn’s job. Zorn might be completely inept, but the players do like him. If the Raiders can beat the Eagles, so can the Redskins.

Dr. Sports: Redskins to win.

The Coach: Eagles to win and cover.

Doc is 59-31 on the season and 49-41 against the spread while the Coach is also 59-31, buts just 47-43 against the spread.

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Bombers Lose Heartbreaker, Add Westwood to Roster

Posted on October 19, 2009 by Scott Taylor| Leave a comment

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers lost a 24-21 heartbreaker to the B.C. Lions on Sunday, but sadly, it was a heartbreaker of the Bombers own making. Once again, turnovers killed Winnipeg.

Michael Bishop went 13 for 32 – just awful – with one touchdown and three interceptions. He also lost a fumble. Four turnovers means one big loss. Bishop must learn to protect the football.

With two games coming up against Montreal, turnovers will end the playoff dream. The Bombers have a very good football team, but as soon as they start turning over the football, everything unravels.

Meanwhile, I just love how the largest local newspaper has now decided that Mike Kelly has had nothing to do with the resurgence of the suddenly solid 6-9 Winnipeg Blue Bombers and all the credit should go to Kelly’s pal, Manny Matsakis.

Cut the crap. Kelly has re-built the Blue Bombers and the fact the he hired Matsakis to work with Michael Bishop, and hopefully make Bishop better, is just another example of Kelly’s coaching prowess. The Bombers lost a heartbreaker on Sunday, but Kelly is still proving just how great a coach he is.

The Bombers will win one of two games against Montreal and finish up the season with a win over Hamilton. They will make the playoffs. And in the playoffs, as we all know, anything can happen.

I mean, what the hell, the Bombers have brought back Troy Westwood. Anything can happen.

Dumped by Doug Berry because Berry didn’t like Westwood’s haircut, or something like that, Kelly called Westwood on Monday, hoping to get a little help with the punting game. With a season-ending injury to Mike Renaud, Kelly needed a legitimate punter and who better than a full-time radio announcer who sings aboriginal country music in his spare time.

“This is not a condemnation at all of anything that Alexis Serna did (Sunday),” Kelly said on Monday. “I thought he did a fine job for us. But we also played a Canadian down and this gives us an opportunity to bring Troy in on the practice roster and take a look to see how he can do. If in fact, we feel he can help us, then we will activate him.”

Westwood, now 42, will punt on Saturday against Montreal.

“Someone asked me early in the day on Sunday about coming back to punt and I said there is absolutely no hope whatsoever of that,” he said. “So, I just about fell over when I checked my phone at the movie theatre. I was very surprised and I have more or less been trying to contain and control my emotions since that time.”

Westwood will wear No. 74 on Saturday. He spent 17 seasons with the Bombers before being released, in a nasty, personal move by Berry during training camp last June. In his first stint with the club, he played 278 games. He holds more than 35 club records and is the team’s all-time leading scorer with 2,741 points.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers took a bold step into the past simply by calling Westwood. Frankly, it was a terrific decision by head coach Mike Kelly. This allows Alexis Serna to concentrate on his kicking duties and leaves Westwood, one of the best punters into the Canad Inns Stadium wind, to handle the important punting duties. It also shows that the Doug Berry Era is long gone and the Bombers are looking to rebuild their future by embracing their past.

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Bettman Working On His Revisionist View of Hockey History As Canada Becomes His Final Frontier.

Posted on October 18, 2009 by Scott Taylor| Leave a comment

TAMPA — This week, Gary Bettman started his “Dick Cheney Tour.” It’s a simple format. You find people in the media who won’t challenge your assertions and then you go out and change history.

This past week, Bettman sat down with Toronto-based Sun Media and got all warm and fuzzy about his relationship with Canadian hockey markets. In a piece entitled: Bettman Asks Canada to Be Patient, the commissioner of the National Hockey League suggested he had a great track record “in respect to the Canadian franchises.”

“For anyone that knows my record in respect to the Canadian franchises, that’s simply not true (that he tried to keep Jim Balsillie out of Hamilton simply because he disliked teams in Canada),” Bettman told the Sun. “I can’t satisfy those who believe our intentions were other than straightforward of ensuring NHL rules and procedure. That’s what this was about.”

Really? What rules? And at what cost?

When Bettman forced the Jets out of Winnipeg in 1996, he convinced the two hockey-ignorant rich guys who bought the franchise that if they couldn’t cut a deal with the Target Center in Minneapolis, they should take the team to a basketball gym in downtown Phoenix, Ariz.

Dr. Richard Burke and his partner Steven Gluckstern lost a fortune on the Coyotes (mostly because of the restricted view arena they were forced to play in) and soon sold the team to Steve Ellman and Jerry Moyes who lost millions more. Since 2004, the Coyotes have lost $389 million and that doesn’t count this year. Currently, the Coyotes are on pace to lose approximately $140 million on operations. Especially after virtually giving away tickets to the season home opener, then drawing announced crowds of 6,899 and 9,162 to their next two games.

So in order to “uphold the rules” of the NHL, Bettman is going to ask the other 29 franchises to find another $140 million (at least) to cover the losses of a team owned by the league (as long as Judge Redfield T. Baum allows the NHL to ultimately purchase the Coyotes for about $140 million out of bankruptcy). Nice rules.

Trouble is, Bettman has always found ways to bend his own rules. For those who remember the loss of the Jets, owner Barry Shenkarow proposed a “group ownership” position, in which a number of Winnipeg business people would own an equal share of the team. Bettman said, “No,” that the NHL’s governors wanted to deal with only one prominent person in each market, a person who could make financial decisions at the drop of a hat.

Bettman put a halt to the group ownership plan in Winnipeg, adding more fuel to the team’s demise, but a few years later he went ahead and allowed it in Edmonton, since it was the only way to save the Oilers. In essence Bettman made up the rules as he went along: First, to take a team out of Winnipeg and put it in Phoenix and then, to save a team in Edmonton. Some Canadian markets he likes, others he doesn’t. Rules be damned.

So if Gary Bettman simply asks Canada to be patient, I wouldn’t believe him. However, if he told the truth (remember, this is the guy who said the league was NOT funding the Coyotes last year and then, in court, was forced to tell the truth) and admitted that he had to come back to Canada because he had no other alternative in the recession-crippled United States, I’d probably listen to that.

Remember, the six Canadian franchises make up 33 per cent of the league’s revenues. Despite what Bettman says or thinks, he’s going to have to come back to Canada eventually.

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Ravens-Vikings, Giants-Saints: The Big Games of Week 6 in the NFL.

Posted on October 16, 2009 by Scott Taylor| Leave a comment

TAMPA, Fla. — It’s Week 6 in the National Football League and this season, that means five potentially great football games.

If you have Sunday Ticket, lock on to Baltimore at Minnesota – there will be about 5,000 Winnipeggers in Minnie for this one – the Giants at the New Orleans Saints, Chicago at Atlanta, Arizona at Seattle and Monday night’s 5-0 Denver at 2-2 San Diego. Oh, it’s going to be a great week.

This week, the Coach will be live in Tampa for a matchup of titans — and yes, these teams are as bad as the Titans — as the 1-3 Carolina Panthers take on the 0-5 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Sorry, it didn’t look all that when I was planning a trip through the NFL.

This has been a season in which the good teams have separated themselves from the bad ones and the concept of parity is a thing of the past. There are currently five undefeated teams — the Giants, Vikings, Saints, Broncos and Colts — and four winless teams — the Titans, Chiefs, Buccaneers and Rams. By the way, Congratulations to the Cleveland Browns who left the Winless Club with that stirring 6-3 win over Buffalo (which plays like a winless team).

So, as we said last week, with all this undefeated good news comes all that winless bad news as well, as the good teams separate themselves from the really, really awful ones. (Remember, the Cowboys, Colts, Dolphins and 49ers have the byes).

How many zeroes in the standings at the end of this week? Let’s take a closer look at Week 6…

Houston Texans 2-3 at Cincinnati Bengals 4-1 (-4.5)

The Bengals are obviously the better team, but Dr. Sports really loves Houston this week (I know, I don’t get it either). Cincinnati is coming off an emotional victory in Baltimore and according to the Good Doctor “will probably be flat as a favourite over an inferior Texans squad.”

Dr. Sports: Bengals to win but not to cover.

The Coach: Bengals to win and cover.

Detroit Lions 1-4 at Green Bay Packers 2-2 (-13.5)

Detroit really has been more competitive lately. The team lost by eight to the Steelers and had a legitimate shot at tying the game late in the fourth quarter. A week earlier, the Lions and Bears were tied at halftime. And a week before that, Detroit knocked off the Redskins.

Dr. Sports: Packers to win but not to cover.

The Coach: Packers to win but not to cover.

St. Louis Rams 0-5 at Jacksonville Jaguars 2-3 (-9.5)

The Rams will start Marc Bulger at quarterback, which should help a very inconsistent offense. However, they are on the road against a team that was embarrassed last week. That’s never good. Look for the Jaguars to bounce back.

Dr. Sports: Jags to win and cover.

The Coach: Jags to win and cover.

Baltimore Ravens 3-2 at Minnesota Vikings 5-0 (-2.5)

Despite their records, these teams are pretty much even. The difference is the strength of schedule (Baltimore’s has been much tougher) and that’s why Minnesota is only a 2 ½ point favourite.

Dr. Sports: Vikings to win and cover.

The Coach: Vikings to win and cover.

N.Y. Giants 5-0 at New Orleans Saints 4-0 (-2.5)

Wow, this is the game of the week! It’s evenly matched game and it should go right down to the wire. The Giants are a solid team that plays well on the road, but right now, nobody is better than Drew Brees. That’s right, not even Brett Favre.

Dr. Sports: Giants to win.

The Coach: Saints to win and cover.

Cleveland Browns 1-4 at Pittsburgh Steelers 3-2 (-13.5)

The Browns won a game 6-3 over Buffalo last week by completing only two passes. What do they get this week? Three?

Dr. Sports: Steelers to win and cover.

The Coach: Steelers to win and cover.

Carolina Panthers 1-3 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0-5 (+3.5)

Carolina won for the first time last week. Tampa Bay hasn’t won yet and with all the controversy down here this week, it’s hard to imagine they’ll get the job done. Still, this is a matchup of two bad teams and the Buccaneers are at home.

Dr. Sports: Tampa Bay to win

The Coach: Carolina to win and cover.

Kansas City Chiefs 0-5  at Washington Redskins 2-3 (-6.5)

It’s tough to lay 6.5 points with the Redskins because they have trouble scoring but while Kansas City put everything it had into beating an inconsistent Cowboys outfit last week, they couldn’t close the deal.

Dr. Sports: Redskins to win and cover.

The Coach: Redskins win and cover.

Philadelphia Eagles at Oakland Raiders (+13.5)

The Raiders have lost their last three games by a combined score of 96-16. This isn’t because they’re just that bad (which they are), it also has a lot to do with the fact that head coach Tom Cable will be in jail soon. Sure, the spread is large, but the Raiders are one giant disconnect right now. Worse yet, Andy Reid has a history of winning on the West Coast; he’s 9-3 against the spread when flying the across the country.

Dr. Sports: Eagles to win and cover.

The Coach: Eagles to win and cover.

Arizona Cardinals 2-2 at Seattle Seaawks 2-3 (-2.5)

Hard not to like the Seahawks at home this week. With Matt Hasselbeck back, they’re playing with fire and out to prove that they’re a contender again.

Dr. Sports: Seattle to win and cover.

The Coach: Seattle to win and cover.

Tennessee 0-5 at New England 3-2 (-9.5)

Please do not allow children under the age of 12 to watch this massacre. Sure, this was a great matchup before the season started, but it ain’t much now. Tennessee is already done. and they have to go to New England and play a team that is still angry after last week’s overtime loss. Tom Brady will carve up that Tennessee secondary.

Dr. Sports: Patriots to win and cover.

The Coach: Patriots to win and cover.

Buffalo Bills 1-4 at N.Y. Jets 3-2 (-9.5)

Call 9-1-1! Call 9-1-1! The Bills lost 6-3 at home to Cleveland last week. Surprised Dick Jauron is still working.

Dr. Sports: Jets to win and cover.

The Coach: Jets to win and cover.

SUNDAY NIGHT

Chicago Bears 3-1 at Atlanta Falcons 3-1 (-2.5)

If the Giants-Saints or Ravens-Vikings are the two best games this week, this is No. 3. Interestingly, Lovie Smith is just 1-4 against the spread coming off a bye. The Falcons are really dominant at home; Matt Ryan has only lost one game at the Georgia Dome, which was a last-second defeat against the undefeated Denver Broncos.

Dr. Sports: Falcons to win and cover.

The Coach: Falcons to win and cover.

MONDAY NIGHT

Denver Broncos 5-0 at San Diego 2-2 (-3.5)

On paper, the Broncos should win this game, but football is a game of emotion and talent — and homefield advantage. San Diego has all of the upside and none of the down.

Dr. Sports: Chargers to win and cover.

The Coach: Chargers to win and cover

Doctor Sports is 53-23 on the season and 44-32 against the spread while The Coach is 54-22 straight up and 42-34 against the spread.

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Bombers Win Again (Just As We Called). It’s going to Be Fun in the Playoffs.

Posted on October 12, 2009 by Scott Taylor| Leave a comment

Wonder what all those misguided fans (it’s not their fault, they just read daily newspapers) and the thin-skinned Winnipeg mainstream media think of Mike Kelly today?

Didn’t that Bomber ream look terrific on Monday in their 38-28 road shellacking of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats? Pretty much as we called it, by the way.

I will reiterate, Mike Kelly is the best coach the Bomber organization has seen since Mike Riley. And there IS a Grey Cup in his future. Probably sooner than later, too.

Monday, Michael Bishop threw three touchdown passes as the Bombers won their third straight game, improved to 6-8 and pulled into a second-place tie with the Ticats in the Eastern Division.  The Bombers have four games remaining, three of them in Winnipeg and with a victory this week against B.C. at Canad Inns Stadium, they might just eliminate the crossover playoff format.

Can anyone say, “10-8?” Granted that would take two wins over Montreal, but right now, I wouldn’t call that impossible.

Monday, Bishop went 21-for-38 (not great) for 356 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions (not at all good). Bishop also lost one of two fumbles as the Bombers once again turned it over too many times.

However, since Bishop took ownership of this football team and Kelly weeded out the wideouts who didn’t want to play (Armstrong and Bryant), this football team has come together. Unlike the Labour Day Classic and Banjo Bowl, the Bombers can now score enough to overcome three turnovers.

Monday, Adarius Bowman had 10 catches for 213 yards and two TDs while Brock Ralph had five catches for 98 yards and one touchdown and even Lenny Walls got into the act with a fumble return for a TD. Until the Bombers went into a strange prevent-defence type of thing in the fourth quarter, they completely dominated that football game.

Still, based on the e-mails I receive from many fans — and the argument I had with my old friend Joe Daley last week — a lot of Winnipeggers simply hate Mike Kelly. Still.

It’s an odd thing, but when I mentioned earlier that Winnipeggers would rather have an outgoing, humble coach they liked, even if he couldn’t win, as opposed to a guy who was blunt and honest even when blunt and honest hurt, but knew exactly what he was doing and won football games, it appears they would indeed rather have the lovable loser.

It’s weird, but it’s Winnipeg.

And no need to worry. Those fans will still have fun in the playoffs.

(Don’t forget to listen to Coach Kelly with Tom & Joe this week on 92-CITI-FM.)

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A Big Night For Our Local Jocks Out in the Wide World of Pro Sports.

Posted on October 9, 2009 by Scott Taylor| Leave a comment

I’m off to Tampa tomorrow. Hockey, football, Disney, my daughter, all the things that make Florida great. When you live and work in Winnipeg, MB., it’s October and the snow is on its way, heading off to sporting events where it’s 40 degrees C. is better than a morning on the Tom & Joe Show on 92-CITI-FM — and that’s about as much fun as a human being should be allowed to have.

Speaking of Tom & Joe, we had Chicago Bears defensive tackle Israel Idonije on this morning talking about his fund raising raffle for both the Bisons and Sister McNamara School. What Izzy still does to raise money for the right causes in Winnipeg is way past commendable, but he does it and we love him for it.

This past week, Idonije was tremendous in a 48-24 Bears win over Detroit. He had a tackle and a forced fumble and then, on Monday, went out and had arthroscopic surgery on a minor knee injury. Interestingly, one of our local bird-cage liners carried the headline “Idonije Could Be Out For The Season.” The story came from AP, so you can’t blame the fishwrap, but come on, it was minor arthro. Think before just blindly running an AP story on a local guy who isn’t as injured as the Associated Press (which doesn’t know him and didn’t know the injury) tried to make him out to be.

“I’m doing great, heading off to work, I’ll be ready to go in the Atlanta game,” Idonije said. “It wasn’t a big deal. Just a little clean up. I’m fine.”

Look, the Bears might hold him out an extra week, but he says he’ll be ready to go Sunday night, Oct. 18 against the Falcons. The reason he had the procedure this past week was because the Bears are on their bye-week. Have people suddenly become stupid?

But hey, Izzy is just another extremely talented Manitoba kid caught up in the nasty and high-paying world of big-time pro sports — which might not be as nasty or as messed up as the media types who follow it.

In fact, Thursday was a great day for Manitobans and folks with close ties to the province. Let’s review:

1) In Los Angeles, former Winnipeg Goldeyes reliever, George Sherrill, pitched another scoreless inning against the Cards and earned the win in a 3-2 Dodgers victory. The Dodgers lead the series 2-0 and Sherrill has been almost flawless in two appearances.

2) The Calgary Flames beat the Edmonton Oilers 4-3 in a shootout. Winnipeg’s Nigel Dawes scored his first goal of the year for the Flames and also added a goal in the shootout. Finally, Dawes is getting a chance to play on a scoring line in the NHL. The Flames might have the best $750,000-a-year player in the game. By the way, former Jets goaltender, Nikolai Khabibulin, was the best player on the ice for the Oilers

3) The New Jersey Devils beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-3 in a shootout in Tampa. Winnipeg’s Travis Zajac scored his second goal of the season and added an assist. His goal came at the 19:59 mark of the third period and sent the game into overtime.

4) Pittsburgh beat Philadelphia 5-4, but Portage LaPrairie’s Arron Asham finally got a chance to play and gave the Flyers 11 solid minutes.

5) The Anaheim Ducks massacred the Boston Bruins 6-1 as former Winnipeg Jet Teemu Selanne scored twice, 82 seconds apart, in the second period. Head coach Randy Carlyle’s Ducks (Carlyle is a former Jets defenceman and Manitoba Moose head coach) blasted the Bruins right in downtown Boston.

6) Detroit beat Chicago 3-2, but Winnipeg’s Jonathan Toews, the Blackhawks captain, played 26 minutes. There is pretty serious talk now that with three of their biggest stars in the final years of their respective contracts, the Blackhawks might be forced to make a trade to free up some salary cap space for next season. Toews, Patrick Kane and Winnipeg-born Duncan Keith can become restricted free agents next summer, however the Blackhawks intend to keep all three. If a deal is done, it won’t be done until next year’s draft and yes, defenceman Cam Barker from Winnipeg (he has a $3,25 million per year salary) appears to be the most likely player who would be involved in a deal.

7) Atlanta beat St. Louis 4-2 but once again former Winnipeg Jets leftwinger-centre, Keith Tkachuk, had a terrific game. Tkachuk had a goal and an assist ad now, at 37, has three goals and three assists in the Blues’ first three games.
icon cool A Big Night For Our Local Jocks Out in the Wide World of Pro Sports. And the Nashville Predators beat the Colorado Avalanche 3-2. Jordin Tootoo from Chruchill and Colin Wilson, the son of Winnipeg’s Carey Wilson, were scratched with injuries Thursday night, but Neepawa’s Triston Grant got a chance to play and did a good job in 11 minutes of action.

In a week in which Todd McCullough, the former NBA star from Winnipeg’s Shaftesbury High School, was inducted, with the first class, into the Manitoba High School Athleltic Association Hall of Fame, it was a pretty great for Manitoba’s athletes.

Keep coming back here for regular updates. Unlike AP, we’ll make an effort to get it right.

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