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Wildcats"},{"term":"Laurentian Voyageurs"},{"term":"Michael Faulds"},{"term":"Michael Lysko"},{"term":"Mike Sirant"},{"term":"NBL"},{"term":"Navel-gazing"},{"term":"Old Crows"},{"term":"Olympics"},{"term":"Pacific Nations Cup"},{"term":"Pan Game"},{"term":"Paul Hamilton"},{"term":"Paul James"},{"term":"Promotion"},{"term":"Rob Saunders"},{"term":"Ross Bekkering"},{"term":"Rémi Aboussouan"},{"term":"SIC"},{"term":"Seattle Seahawks"},{"term":"Sebastien Levesque"},{"term":"Sidney Halter Award"},{"term":"Swimming Canada"},{"term":"TV"},{"term":"TV issues"},{"term":"Terry Danyluk"},{"term":"The Nuge"},{"term":"Timberwolves"},{"term":"Tonner Jackson"},{"term":"UBC Golden Hawks"},{"term":"Universiade"},{"term":"University of Toronto"},{"term":"Vancouver Whitecaps"},{"term":"What we learned this week"},{"term":"Wilfrid Laurier University"},{"term":"William Houston"},{"term":"Wrestling"},{"term":"alcohol"},{"term":"beer"},{"term":"betting"},{"term":"broadcasts"},{"term":"dave johnson"},{"term":"do not adjust your set"},{"term":"funding"},{"term":"host berths"},{"term":"international basketball"},{"term":"interviews"},{"term":"journalism"},{"term":"mud fights"},{"term":"schedules"},{"term":"technical difficulties"},{"term":"ted goveia"},{"term":"tiering"},{"term":"tragedy"},{"term":"trinity western"},{"term":"trivia"},{"term":"university sport"},{"term":"Étienne Légaré"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"The CIS Blog"},"subtitle":{"type":"html","$t":"News and notes on U SPORTS - even if we refuse to change our name"},"link":[{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/posts\/default"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/-\/CFL?alt=json-in-script"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/search\/label\/CFL"},{"rel":"hub","href":"http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/"},{"rel":"next","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/-\/CFL\/-\/CFL?alt=json-in-script\u0026start-index=26\u0026max-results=25"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Scott Hastie"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08081415078301065374"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"generator":{"version":"7.00","uri":"http://www.blogger.com","$t":"Blogger"},"openSearch$totalResults":{"$t":"183"},"openSearch$startIndex":{"$t":"1"},"openSearch$itemsPerPage":{"$t":"25"},"entry":[{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-7035768548388959779"},"published":{"$t":"2017-10-12T20:27:00.001-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-10-12T21:50:09.796-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CFL"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Football"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"In For A Dozen"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Mustangs"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"In For A Dozen: CFL's competitive balance, nit-picking Western's passing stats \u0026 not sticking to sports"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Ci\u003EUntil Twitter gives us 280 characters and focus more on curbing the white nationalists instead of \u003Cb\u003ERose McGowan\u003C\/b\u003E, thoughts go in this space; #notstickingtosports.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ECompetitive balance starts with collective bargaining.\u003C\/b\u003E We begin with the CFL, where the East is now 7-27-1 against the West — hey, a winning percentage above .200 — this season. In all the why-ing about the disparity, it seems like the difference in cost of living is seldom raised. A dollar stretches farther in four of five western markets (Vancouver being the exception) than in any four of the eastern cities (Hamilton is beginning to get pricey. .\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThat must be a factor in signing players to a rookie contract, and retaining and attracting veteran free agents. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe CFL's negotiation of its next collective agreement has the obvious hook that commissioner \u003Cb\u003ERandy Ambrosie\u003C\/b\u003E was once on labour's side of the table. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EPlayer safety is expected to be one of the main issues, but one that ought to come up is exploring whether it's actually the best policy to have a hard salary cap. Every city and tax jurisdiction is unique. This has been a protracted phenomenon that seems to supersede quality of teams coaching.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESo how would you change the CFL playoff format?\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003EPicture yours truly sitting here with a convoluted idea about how to reward the best regular-season performances and keep an East-vs.-West motif for the Grey Cup. Then Venerable \u003Cb\u003EWally Buono\u003C\/b\u003E piped up last weekend (before his team lost at home against an East team, natch): \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\"We want national sponsors, we want national appeal. If that’s the case, then, the formula, in my mind, would be the first-place teams get a bye. The next four teams make the playoffs. So you could have the second- and third-place team in either division host a playoff game. We’re still in a society where we reward excellence, right?\" (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/ottawacitizen.com\/sports\/local-sports\/does-cfl-playoff-system-need-reboot-b-c-coach-thinks-so\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EPostmedia\u003C\/a\u003E, Oct. 7)\u003C\/blockquote\u003ESo in that scenario, the East's first-place team with a losing record still has the more direct route to the Grey Cup. Still not fair, but \u003Ci\u003Efairer\u003C\/i\u003E. The division semifinals, semantically, become cross-over quarter-finals. Winnipeg (second-best overall record) would host a game against the sixth overall team, which is currently the B.C. Lions. The fourth seed would host the fifth seed. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIf the playoffs were beginning today, these would be the matchups:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ECross-over playoffs:\u003Cbr \/\u003E(6) B.C. at (3) Winnipeg\u003Cbr \/\u003E(5) Edmonton at (4) Saskatchewan\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EEast final:\u003Cbr \/\u003EHighest remaining seed at (2) Toronto\u003Cbr \/\u003ELowest remaining seed at (1) Calgary\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe league has market placement at either end of the country on the penultimate Sunday of the season — everyone happy, or at least, less upset.\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EBridge to the CFL's lost generation. \u003C\/b\u003EShould it be a bigger deal that Brandon Bridge of Mississauga, Ontario, is playing quarterback, and playing quarterback well, for the playoff-bound Saskatchewan Roughriders? \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIt is still early in game for the 25-year-old quarterback's career, and Bridge he has tried only 139 passes in the CFL over nearly three seasons. Those are not disclaimers, though, since that is still farther than any Canadian QB has advanced in the last quarter-century, since\u003Cb\u003E Guilio Caravatta \u003C\/b\u003Eand\u003Cb\u003E Larry Jusdanis \u003C\/b\u003Eonly made token late-season starts in the mid-1990s. So, absolutely, the story was under-reported last weekend after Bridge led Saskatchewan to a win against Toronto. \u003Cbr \/\u003E|\u003Cbr \/\u003EThen again, the sport media consumer really needed that 101st take on\u003Cb\u003E Auston Matthews\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EWow is Brandon Bridge ever impressive today. Looks like the 2nd coming if Warren Moon.\u003C\/div\u003E— Bob Irving (@BobIrvingCJOB) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BobIrvingCJOB\/status\/916788810301661184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 7, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EBrandon Bridge is talented, Canadian and speaks french. He was perfect for the Montreal market.\u003C\/div\u003E— Didier Orméjuste (@DidierRDS) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/DidierRDS\/status\/916790832535138305?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 7, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EI think Brandon Bridge should be starting - \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TSNDaveNaylor?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@TSNDaveNaylor\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThey should stay w\/ Glenn but have him on short leash - \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanLaljiTSN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@FarhanLaljiTSN\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/CFL?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#CFL\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— CFL News (@CFL_News) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/CFL_News\/status\/918552799134265346?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 12, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe problem with marketing Bridge, apart from the obvious fact it will not happen until he is an anointed No. 1 starter (Because Football), might not lie with the CFL. It's us; while a healthy Canadian skepticism is good, this is where it becomes pound-foolish. One can mentally picture the knees jerking: \u003Ci\u003Eif he's so good, then why isn't he in the NFL, huh?\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp;Canadians are still generally suspect of anyone trying to achieve success on their terms \u003Ci\u003Ein\u003C\/i\u003E Canada. Never mind that a Canadian has to be demonstrably better than, literally and rhetorically, 100 available Americans to be a ratio-breaker at quarterback or running back.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EHowever, the influence any league needs to cultivate is not that subset of the population. It's with children getting into sports who are looking for athletes they can identify with. The problem is, with cord-cutting and market fragmentation and a cratering traditional media, the means to connect a uniquely Canadian sports hero with the seven-year-old kids of 2017 is broken.|\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ci\u003EFinally, some university sports talk ...\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EHas the \"Western has thrown a lot of interceptions\" well run dry? \u003C\/b\u003EHell to the nah! Like the lightbulb being screwed in by any number of psychiatrists, the Mustangs have to want to change their ways in the passing phase. Coach \u003Cb\u003EGreg Marshall \u003C\/b\u003Eis working on that after three seasons in a row of failing to advance past the Yates Cup. The Ontario teams which have broken through the Laval force-field in this century — 2005 Laurier (who didn't have to play Laval), 2009 Queen's and 2011 McMaster — all had aerial-circus capability.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAs for the progress of those initiatives, Western has thrown an OUA-most nine interceptions. That is glaring for a team that makes opponents honour the run so much. At this point, it just doesn't matter since Western also leads OUA in points, yards and rushing (46, 595 and 289 per game, rounded off), as well as yards per rush at 7.4 a tote.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe Mustangs are ninth in red-zone conversions at 51 per cent and eighth in touchdown\/interception ratio (10-9). Against Laval or Montréal in November, a team probably has to be at 75 per cent or greater at finishing off drives with touchdowns instead of field goals. Short fields for the opponent created by interceptions are also killers.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThat being said, the Mustangs are the class of Ontario and probably have the highest odds of anyone at playing in Vanier Cup, due to the semifinal rotation. (Prove me wrong, rest of OUA and AUS, prove me wrong.) Whom is fooling whom?\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWaterloo is all but buried, but ones comes to praise them. \u003C\/b\u003EWhile Waterloo has\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/oua.ca\/sports\/fball\/2017-18\/teams?sort=thdpct\u0026amp;r=0\u0026amp;pos=con\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eregressed, it has converted more third-down gambles (19 on 41 tries) than all but three other OUA teams have attempted\u003C\/a\u003E. Some of that is dictated by game circumstances, but the Warriors' taking the nothing-to-lose approach is a huge contrast to another longtime straggler, York, being 1-for-10 all season. Who cares enough about York football to second-guess a coach for giving his offence more opportunities?\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EYou could see why this had to end, clearly. \u003C\/b\u003ENever mind sharing memories of one's own school-days. This is what the atmosphere was like at a Queen's Homecoming football game, at the second iteration of Richardson Stadium, as recently as three years ago.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ciframe allowfullscreen=\"\" class=\"YOUTUBE-iframe-video\" data-thumbnail-src=\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/KPWhfgKBUAM\/0.jpg\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"266\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/KPWhfgKBUAM?feature=player_embedded\" width=\"320\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe stadium will be full, but with only 2,000 free student tickets distributed, the atmosphere and energy cannot be what it was at the old Richardson Stadium, where admission was first-come, first-served. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EHaving that dedicated student side opposite the main grandstand created a tremendous back-and-forth between the contemporary students and the rest of the Queen's and Kingston community. The former had to live up to the image, even if it didn't match the reality of most football Saturdays, and the latter got to have a chuckle and remember that they were young once, too. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThat grandstand at a homecoming game, or when Queen's went on a playoff run — did I just date myself — also represented a notion that's fallen out of fashion in the contemporary university, the idea that you got to circulate among people who were fundamentally different from you. I'm idealizing it, of course, but people who had nothing in common beyond attending Queen's (and yes, I'm aware of the university's reputation for not exactly reflecting the polyglot of Canada) were brought together, for the cost of nothing more than a 10-minute walk to the a stadium and a flash of their student card. A lot of the first world's problems stem from excessive self-sorting, but here the upper-middle-class city kid in commerce and the rural kid majoring in history could understand each other a little more.\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EQueen's Homecoming is over 85% sold out. Don't delay get your tickets now! \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/GBNITNtf83\"\u003Ehttps:\/\/t.co\/GBNITNtf83\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Queenshomecoming?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#Queenshomecoming\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/queensu?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#queensu\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/1M0mBJ4qtW\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/1M0mBJ4qtW\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— Queen's Gaels (@queensgaels) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/queensgaels\/status\/918272594054402051?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 12, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003EI didn't always feel welcome or accepted at Queen's, but that was one place that was the exception.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EI got your \"force majeure\" right here!\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;Please keep a Spockian eyebrow cocked for \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.journaldequebec.com\/2017\/10\/10\/football-universitaire-un-comite-dappel-se-penchera-sur-le-match-annule-entre-les-carabins-et-les-stingers\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehow the RSEQ rules next week on appeals of the recent Montréal-Concordia cancellation. Each school has appealed the decision to call off the game due to a gastroenteritis outbreak among U de M supporters, with Sherbrooke\u003C\/a\u003E. (The best finish the Vert et Or can achieve is 3-5, but if Concordia finishes 3-4 it will be considered the higher-placed team.)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWhat remedy could be applied at this stage of the game is unclear. Montréal, if it is to be taken at its word, did not have enough players to field a credible team. But the junior hockey meme \"because it's the Q\" could come into play.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMystery meet-up. \u003C\/b\u003EUnless you're plugged into both teams or don't have social anxiety that makes it impossible to pick up a phone and ask, you don't know who will quarterback Guelph on Saturday or line up on \"\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.therecord.com\/sports-story\/7611051-golden-hawks-play-for-position\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ELaurier's banged-up defence\u003C\/a\u003E.\" That is great for the element of surprise, but a potential fan would love to know whether Guelph QB\u003Cb\u003E James Roberts \u003C\/b\u003Eis game-ready for the Golden Hawks.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe CFL posts PDFs of team depth charts on the day before a game. It would not be that hard for a university league to do the same.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EImagine the ratings if everyone who tweeted about Dart Guy getting a gig listened to TSN Radio.\u003C\/b\u003E Yours truly touched a nerve on Wednesday.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EWhat a slap across the face to everyone putting in reps in sports media who, y'know, actually put in reps in sports media. Shame on \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/TSN?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#TSN\u003C\/a\u003E. \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/b1US3Xlc6t\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/b1US3Xlc6t\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— Neate Sager (@n8sager) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/n8sager\/status\/918236261562966017?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 11, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003EIt was confrontational and sensational, and of course we are just talking about empty-calories entertainment, but I stand by it. That was for all the hard-working, creative people\u0026nbsp; shut out of a field that is hemorrhaging jobs and has a corporate-mandated monotone sameness to it all. Did the format really need another\u0026nbsp; Hockey Bro from southern Ontario's near hinterlands?\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EI write about hockey for a living and have been on radio. I'm fine. Way too many smart hockey women and PoC who won't get Dart Guy chances. \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/l6bBFTSmw1\"\u003Ehttps:\/\/t.co\/l6bBFTSmw1\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— Ian McLaren (@iancmclaren) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/iancmclaren\/status\/918547357364576256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 12, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EDoes U Sports hockey need a pre-season showcase weekend? \u003C\/b\u003EIt does seem like the university hockey season has a soft opening. It would do a lot for university puck's profile, both on the men's and women's side, to have a weekend where league games are played on a single site, similar to events held by the USHL and some Junior A leagues.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIt's all about taking the little-known league to the people, for lack of a less cliché way to put it. The fringe benefit would be that it would be a heat check to see whether a city and university can drum up enough spectator support, in order to host a future nationals. Just a thought.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMost important sports writing of the week.\u003C\/b\u003E Definitely \u003Cb\u003EDave Lozo \u003C\/b\u003Eon the inherent limitations of symbolic gestures at sports events after terrible events.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EI wrote pissed off in Las Vegas \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/P9HXFU5uBI\"\u003Ehttps:\/\/t.co\/P9HXFU5uBI\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— Dave Lozo (@davelozo) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/davelozo\/status\/918179660587941888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 11, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe mic drop:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003EIt's dangerously unhealthy that nearly 60 people were murdered by a man with an automatic assault rifle and what we're talking about a little more than a week later is how it helped create momentum in a stupid, meaningless sports game. For instance: \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\"That was unbelievable for us,\" said Golden Knights coach Gerard Gallant. \"Tonight was about honoring and remembering the victims. So we came out real strong. To get those four goals was unbelievable.\"\u003C\/blockquote\u003EThe most apt cherry-picked contrast is likely the response in England after the Hillsborough stadium disaster in 1989, which killed 96 people. That led to the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Taylor_Report\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ecommission of the Taylor Report and a huge upgrade in safety standards in soccer stadiums\u003C\/a\u003E. It took time and thoroughness, but the Now Is Not The Time crowd was rightly shouted down.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ENot sticking to sports; or, how I am learning to take wins where I can get them.\u003C\/b\u003E My subway read over the last week was Franklin Foer's 2004 book \u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.ca\/How-Soccer-Explains-World-Globalization\/dp\/0061978051\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHow Soccer Explains The World\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E, which turned out to be topical. One of the final chapters explored how soccer has been dragged into the blue\/red culture wars in the United States.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBut one observation of Foer's that has stuck is that it's hard to be a liberal and find a soccer team aligned with one's political sensibilities. That is probably true for all sports. After all, what sports give us — clear, unambiguous win-or-lose outcomes; emotions and feelings overriding common sense; vicariously projecting social Darwinism on to genetically superior people (let's be honest), appeal to conservatives and rightists.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBut it might actual be the mark of a Big Boy Sport that athletes expressing themselves is respected:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cp lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003EI wrote a thing that will definitely eliminate political strife once and for all:\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/VQ3kX7MG24\"\u003Ehttps:\/\/t.co\/VQ3kX7MG24\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u0026mdash; Varada (a mummy) (@thisthreetime) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/thisthreetime\/status\/918475865486368768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 12, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI do get challenged by friends, questions along the lines of, \"How can you be progressive and like football?\" The easy answer is that human beings are complex and self-contradicting, period, full stop. The larger perspective is that despite all the times I get a \"stick to sports!\" Twitter response, sports-liking lends itself to a healthy form of code-switching and getting to meet \"\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/film\/2016\/apr\/06\/everybody-wants-some-richard-linklater-partisan-politics\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Esomeone who differs from us in (a) fundamental way\u003C\/a\u003E.\"\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E(Some of this perspective is informed \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/film\/2016\/apr\/06\/everybody-wants-some-richard-linklater-partisan-politics\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eby an April 2016 essay by Noah Gittell in \u003Ci\u003EThe Guardian\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E about the largely unseen but brilliant bro-comedy \u003Ci\u003EEverybody Wants Some!!\u003C\/i\u003E, the filmmaker \u003Cb\u003ERichard Linklater\u003C\/b\u003E's\u0026nbsp; 1980-set self-described spiritual sequel to \u003Ci\u003EDazed and Confused\u003C\/i\u003E. The gist of it:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003ELinklater’s script drops life lessons into the proceedings, bits of bro-Zen wisdom like “Embrace your inner weird, man!” and “We all take turns being chumps. You just have to accept your chumpification and pass it on.” It’s easy to breeze over these aphorisms, but they dovetail effectively with the film’s political resonance. They ask us to let down our defenses and experience life with an open mind and heart.\u003C\/blockquote\u003ECall it naive to expect that openness in strangers on the internet, but it beats putting up walls.)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EFarther along the same tangent, though, is a reality that what the media calls \"left\" and \"right\" really involves a subset who have made \u003Ci\u003Emoronity\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp;a life choice. They get roiled when their political masters say \"jump.\" Opposing an updated sexual education curriculum that includes, gasp, consent education. Getting angry over tax law changes that will never affect anyone in their income bracket. Insisting that constitutionally enshrined rights for the usual suspects (women, racialized people, LGBTQ+) should be re-negotiated, when the majority has moved on. Getting news from Facebook. And so on.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003ENew from me: Trolls, Scammers, and Verified Facebook Pages Made This Combat-Wounded Vet an Anti-Kneeling Meme\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/Ox1NvQ4Jhw\"\u003Ehttps:\/\/t.co\/Ox1NvQ4Jhw\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— Ben Collins (@oneunderscore__) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/oneunderscore__\/status\/918461999490719745?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 12, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ECircling back, though, while there really isn't a big-league sports team for the centre-left humanist, there is no harm in taking glee when karma throws a wicked curve.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EExhibit A: One has to laugh like hell at the chain of events with the Dallas Cowboys. Owner \u003Cb\u003EJerry Jones \u003C\/b\u003Ethreatens to bench players for participating in inequality protests during the U.S. national anthem ...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EUnion hits Jerry Jones with charge over threat to bench protesters: ‘He needs to get back in his lane’ \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/8A3H9YjsfI\"\u003Ehttps:\/\/t.co\/8A3H9YjsfI\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— Raw Story (@RawStory) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/RawStory\/status\/918493583598071809?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 12, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E... and then his team loses its starting running back to a suspension. (There's a union issue involved, but still, it hurts Jerry Jones.)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003ENFL: Ezekiel Elliott's suspension begins immediately \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/s06nXwkdVN\"\u003Ehttps:\/\/t.co\/s06nXwkdVN\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ProFootballTalk\/status\/918600168576110594?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 12, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003ENFLPA says it is considering all options in Ezekiel Elliott case \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/QBtqpRJzZe\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/QBtqpRJzZe\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— Liz Mullen (@SBJLizMullen) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SBJLizMullen\/status\/918630751913967616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 13, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIt looks good on an owner who goes to the wall to for players who commit intimate partner violence, but rolls over when a demonstration might affect his bottom line. Similarly, one can empathize with fans of the Cleveland baseball team after their season ended so abruptly, but it looks good on one player who was getting into arguments on Twitter \u003Cem\u003Eduring a game\u003C\/em\u003E.\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EDid Trevor Bauer’s support for Trump cost Indians the ALDS? \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/pqWmt6CTzL\"\u003Ehttps:\/\/t.co\/pqWmt6CTzL\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/zyhKSUXELo\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/zyhKSUXELo\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— Newsweek (@Newsweek) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Newsweek\/status\/918607245901991936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 12, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ol\u003EHave a great rest of the week. \u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/7035768548388959779\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2017\/10\/in-for-dozen-cfls-competitive-balance.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/7035768548388959779"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/7035768548388959779"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2017\/10\/in-for-dozen-cfls-competitive-balance.html","title":"In For A Dozen: CFL's competitive balance, nit-picking Western's passing stats \u0026 not sticking to sports"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"sager"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08757652892056684490"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-HoppI3_eGQc\/VrWGl9xFY2I\/AAAAAAAADEA\/ucwvqUnIa7M\/s220\/Neate1379-4x4M.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/img.youtube.com\/vi\/KPWhfgKBUAM\/default.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-2594153499323845585"},"published":{"$t":"2016-06-27T16:26:00.000-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-06-27T16:26:08.833-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CFL"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CIS football"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Golden Gaels"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Regina Rams"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Saskatchewan Roughriders"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"U of S Huskies"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"CIS-Con: Saskatchewan Roughriders retain Rob Bagg, add Justin Capicciotti for rebuild"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Ci\u003E(Over the next few days, this blog will do its best to give a rundown on how CIS alumni figure into the grand scheme for each CFL team. Friendly reminder: the ratio in the CFL requires each team to have seven 'nationals' among the 24 defensive and offensive starters. It should be 10, five on each side of the ball, but one battle at a time ... one battle at a time.)\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBefore we get to the low-hanging fruit on the obvious joke tree, actual news pertaining to university football. The Regina Rams and Saskatchewan Huskies, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/leaderpost.com\/news\/local-news\/university-football-provincial-rivals-to-face-off-at-new-mosaic-stadium\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eaccording to confirmed reports\u003C\/a\u003E, are slated to play their Oct. 1 game at new Mosaic Stadium. It will be a test event before the CFL's Roughriders move in for next season.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThat fits in with a \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/leaderpost.com\/sports\/football\/cfl\/saskatchewan-roughriders\/saskatchewan-roughriders-close-the-books-on-a-very-disappointing-year\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Etheme of transition \u003C\/a\u003Ein Riderville, since this is the first season with a new football ops staff and the last season at (I still call it) Taylor Field. Philosopher-king\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003EChris Jones\u003C\/b\u003E has been out with the old and in with the nucleus. It probably mans extra media responsibilities for \u003Cb\u003ERob Bagg \u003C\/b\u003Eduring road trips, since he 31-year-old wide receiver will be the only 'Rider the writers and TV reporters will be able to identify. \u003Ci\u003EBa dum tish.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/i\u003EMinor beef: like a\u0026nbsp;lot of teams, Saskatchewan no longer distinguishes between wideouts (WR) and slotbacks (SB) on the website roster. The franchise of\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003ERay Elgaard\u003C\/b\u003E,\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003EJeff Fairholm \u003C\/b\u003Eand\u003Cb\u003E Joey Walters\u003C\/b\u003E should feel great shame. So should you, if you do not know why. \u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cb\u003EReceivers \/ backs \u003C\/b\u003E— The 'Riders must be trying to adapt the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.fantasypros.com\/2015\/05\/2015-fantasy-football-the-zero-running-back-strategy\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EZero RB Strategy from fantasy football\u003C\/a\u003E to the real thing.\u003Cb\u003E Matt Walter\u003C\/b\u003E (Calgary; he is the Dinos' all-time leading rusher) is the Canadian among three active running backs with a combined seven CFL starts. It's not necessarily a bad approach for a rebuilding team to try to address its other needs before worrying about whether it needs a premier feature back.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EGood Kingston boy Bagg (Queen's) survived the purge to remain as fixture in the passing game, as he has been since the second half of 2008, with occasional inactive periods while rehabbing after knee surgeries.\u0026nbsp;Versatile speedster \u003Cb\u003ENic Demski\u003C\/b\u003E (Manitoba) has a bright future as an all-purpose receiver\/returner, and no doubt many X-and-Os junkies are eager to see how he'll be incorporated into the attack. \u003Cb\u003EShamawd Chambers\u003C\/b\u003E (Laurier) was part of the Edmonton-to-Regina migration that included Jones and his entire coaching staff.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESpencer Moore\u003C\/b\u003E (McMaster) and\u003Cb\u003E Levi Steinhauer\u003C\/b\u003E (Saskatchewan Huskies) are each active as fullbacks.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EOffensive line\u003C\/b\u003E — \u003Cb\u003EBrendon LaBatte\u003C\/b\u003E (U of R Cougars) is one of the best guards in the biz, with\u003Cb\u003E Chris Best\u003C\/b\u003E (Waterloo) also providing a pillar of strength on the other side of national centre\u003Cb\u003E Dan Clark\u003C\/b\u003E. With \u003Cb\u003EXavier Fulton\u003C\/b\u003E being stable at leff tackle, the O-line is Saskatchewan's last bastion of continuity.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EDefensive front seven\u003C\/b\u003E — Rush end \u003Cb\u003EJustin Capicciotti \u003C\/b\u003E(Simon Fraser) was up on Burnaby Mountain when SFU jilted transitioned from Canada West for NCAA Division 2. Capicciotti's last season with the Clan was their first in D-2.\u0026nbsp;Capicciotti, who had a 12-sack season for East champion Ottawa, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/leaderpost.com\/sports\/football\/cfl\/saskatchewan-roughriders\/no-7-has-special-significance-for-saskatchewan-roughriders-defensive-end-justin-capicciotti\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eis wearing No. 7 for the 'Riders in memory of the late Simon Fraser quarterback\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Cb\u003EBernd Dittrich\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EFormer B.C. Lions first-rounder \u003Cb\u003EEse Mrabure\u003C\/b\u003E (Laurier) draws in as Capicciotti's understudy. The 'Riders have the CFL rights to \u003Cb\u003EDavid Onyemata\u003C\/b\u003E (Manitoba), who will likely make the New Orleans Saints.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EAlex Ogbongbemiga \u003C\/b\u003E(Calgary) is the lone national linebacker on the roster, and he's on the practice squad.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EDefensive secondary \u003C\/b\u003E— The rules say Saskatchewan must have one Canadian starting in the back eight to go with ratio buster Capicciotti, the two receivers and interior trio. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESaskatchewan has seven national D-backs, including 23-year-old speedster \u003Cb\u003ETevaughn Campbell\u003C\/b\u003E (Regina), \u003Cb\u003EMatt Webster\u003C\/b\u003E (Queen's), \u003Cb\u003ERaye Hartmann\u003C\/b\u003E (St. FX) and\u003Cb\u003E Shane Herbert\u003C\/b\u003E (Laurier). However, converted receiver \u003Cb\u003EKevin Francis\u003C\/b\u003E has the most upside of any of the Canadians.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESpecialists \u003C\/b\u003E— Hey, who likes kickers who have kicked a last-play field goal to decide the Vanier Cup? \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/globalnews.ca\/news\/2767936\/i-was-just-swinging-a-spaghetti-noodle-roughriders-kicker\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe 'Riders have two of 'em\u003C\/a\u003E! \u003Cb\u003ETyler Crapigna\u003C\/b\u003E (McMaster, 2011 national champion) has come through 'have foot, will travel' phase peculiar to young placekickers to win a job. Third-round choice \u003Cb\u003EQuinn van Gylswyk\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;(UBC, 2015 national champion) has potential to be a dual-role national and probably just needs \u0026nbsp;to develop the durability to do it for 20 weeks, instead of 10-12.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ELong snapper\u003Cb\u003E Jorgen Hus\u003C\/b\u003E (Regina) is one of four 'Riders who did his training in the Queen City.\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/2594153499323845585\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/06\/cis-con-saskatchewan-roughriders-retain.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/2594153499323845585"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/2594153499323845585"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/06\/cis-con-saskatchewan-roughriders-retain.html","title":"CIS-Con: Saskatchewan Roughriders retain Rob Bagg, add Justin Capicciotti for rebuild"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"sager"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08757652892056684490"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-HoppI3_eGQc\/VrWGl9xFY2I\/AAAAAAAADEA\/ucwvqUnIa7M\/s220\/Neate1379-4x4M.JPG"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-6415059802859092259"},"published":{"$t":"2016-06-27T15:07:00.004-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-06-27T15:07:43.314-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CFL"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CIS football"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Edmonton CFL Team"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"CIS-Con: Edmonton is being a buzzkill, but has strong Canadian talent"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Ci\u003E(Over the next few days, this blog will do its best to give a rundown on how CIS alumni figure into the grand scheme for each CFL team. Friendly reminder: the ratio in the CFL requires each team to have seven 'nationals' among the 24 defensive and offensive starters. It should be 10, five on each side of the ball, but one battle at a time ... one battle at a time.)\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EChanging the team name to the Edmonton Exceptionalism would be a great and self-referential ironic way to address the #NotYourMascot issue.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESure, everyone looks for a chance to throw shade at the current league champions, but Edmonton seems to think it is above a lot of the requirements of a sports team, like marketing or media access.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003ELo and behold, it had an announced crowd of only 27,000 for the Grey Cup rematch last Saturday against the Ottawa Redblacks.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EAsks announce 27,000 with massive number of no shows in season ticket territory for classic OT thriller in Grey Cup rematch. Then this...\u003C\/div\u003E— Terry Jones (@sunterryjones) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/sunterryjones\/status\/747155380250120196\"\u003EJune 26, 2016\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003ENo media availability today, Monday or for about 10 days with new (0-1) head coach. EE fans used to be best serviced in CFL. Now worst.\u003C\/div\u003E— Terry Jones (@sunterryjones) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/sunterryjones\/status\/747156367660572672\"\u003EJune 26, 2016\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003ELen Rhodes can sell sponsorships but can't sell tickets. His GM Ed Hervey doesn't recognize the disconnect, or care. So hockey, hockey, hock\u003C\/div\u003E— Terry Jones (@sunterryjones) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/sunterryjones\/status\/747157187500269568\"\u003EJune 26, 2016\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EMentioning this is still within this site's lane, since this forum is about advocating for the CIS athlete and uniquely Canadian sporting fare (i.e., not the contemporary National Hockey League). It seems like Edmonton's management did not do right by their fans, or their players, who produced a riveting 45-37 overtime that had 75 points over the last 2½ quarters and the mini-game. The tying and winning points were each scored by CIS grads, with Christopher Milo (Laval) making a 55-yard field goal at the end of the fourth quarter while Brad Sinopoli (Ottawa) caught the go-ahead touchdown in the mini-game.\u003Cbr \/\u003EThere was a little schadenfreude with Ottawa winning. Remember, Edmonton pulled rank before the Grey Cup game with a killjoy move to bar Ottawa's Lumberjoes from the field. Because you can't have anything that's colourful or atmosphere-enhanging.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003E2015 Grey Cup: Esks won't led RedBlacks carve wood cookies; 2016 opener: RedBlacks carve Esks D into wood chips \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/TwtRwr46hD\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/TwtRwr46hD\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— Ralph the Dog (@Ralph_Dog) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Ralph_Dog\/status\/747265377030201344\"\u003EJune 27, 2016\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EDo we even have to mention the sore winner who distributed participation ribbons with Ottawa's logo? Nothing says City of Champions like mocking a franchise that had the biggest single-season improvement in CFL history, and took a lead into the fourth quarter of a Grey Cup where they were supposed to lose by two or three touchdowns.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EReceivers \/ backs \u003C\/b\u003E— Awkward segue time! Excelsior to Edmonton for having three CIS-trained alumni complementing (and complimenting, presumably) slotback \u003Cb\u003EAdarius Bowman\u003C\/b\u003E and boundary wideout\u003Cb\u003E Derel Walker\u003C\/b\u003E, who are arguably the CFL's best 1-2 pass-receiving punch. Wide-side wideout \u003Cb\u003ENathan Coehoorn\u003C\/b\u003E (Calgary), slotback\u003Cb\u003E Chris Getzlaf\u003C\/b\u003E (Regina) and slotback\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003ECory Watson \u003C\/b\u003E(Concordia) all contributed counting stats on Saturday. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOf course, Ottawa had four CIS grads make receptions on Saturday, which must be why it won.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cb\u003EOffensive line\u003C\/b\u003E — It still says here that right guard \u003Cb\u003EMatt O'Donnell\u003C\/b\u003E (Queen's) got hosed on the Top Canadian award during the Grey Cup game. Edmonton slowed down a pass rush that had tied for the CFL lead in sacks. Instead, \u003Cb\u003EShamawd Chambers\u003C\/b\u003E got the award after making two pass receptions.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EO'Donnell and\u003Cb\u003E Simeon Rottier\u003C\/b\u003E (Alberta) are each fixtures as guards on a line whose interior starters are 6-foot-11, 6-8 and 6-6. \u003Cb\u003EChris Greaves\u003C\/b\u003E (Western) is a seasoned backup.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EDefensive front seven\u003C\/b\u003E — Next Manitoban up!\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003EEddie Steele\u003C\/b\u003E (Manitoba) is the national D-tackle since starter\u003Cb\u003E Don Oramasionwu \u003C\/b\u003E(Manitoba) \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/edmontonjournal.com\/sports\/football\/cfl\/edmonton-eskimos\/triceps-surgery-puts-edmonton-eskimos-dt-out-10-12-weeks\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eis out for at least two months after needing triceps surgery\u003C\/a\u003E. Edmonton evidently needs to find a way to add pressure, based on how Ottawa lit it up for 543 passing yards in Week 1.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EElie Ngoyi\u003C\/b\u003E (Bishop's) has worked out at end and tackle over his first three seasons, which helps his suitability for the league.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EDefensive secondary \u003C\/b\u003E— \u003Cb\u003ENeil King\u003C\/b\u003E (Saint Mary's) starts at safety, with\u003Cb\u003E Mike Dubuisson \u003C\/b\u003E(Windsor) and\u003Cb\u003E Josh Woodman \u003C\/b\u003E(Western) waiting in the wings as backups.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESpecialists \u003C\/b\u003E— Veteran \u003Cb\u003EGrant Shaw\u003C\/b\u003E (Saskatchewan) has experience with a dual role, but is handling punting. Long snapper \u003Cb\u003ERyan King\u003C\/b\u003E (Saint Mary's) has a good niche.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAm I the only one who notices the Kings' shared alma mater is \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.esks.com\/roster\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Espelled differently on the roster\u003C\/a\u003E?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/6415059802859092259\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/06\/cis-con-edmonton-is-being-buzzkill-but.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/6415059802859092259"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/6415059802859092259"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/06\/cis-con-edmonton-is-being-buzzkill-but.html","title":"CIS-Con: Edmonton is being a buzzkill, but has strong Canadian talent"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"sager"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08757652892056684490"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-HoppI3_eGQc\/VrWGl9xFY2I\/AAAAAAAADEA\/ucwvqUnIa7M\/s220\/Neate1379-4x4M.JPG"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-4103066921003676417"},"published":{"$t":"2016-06-27T14:04:00.005-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-06-27T17:33:36.337-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"B.C. Lions"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CFL"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CIS football"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"CIS-Con: B.C. Lions adhere to the 3-2-1-1 model of Canadian starters"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Ci\u003E(Over the next few days, this blog will do its best to give a rundown on how CIS alumni figure into the grand scheme for each CFL team. Friendly reminder: the ratio in the CFL requires each team to have seven 'nationals' among the 24 defensive and offensive starters. It should be 10, five on each side of the ball, but one battle at a time ... one battle at a time.)\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBasically, B.C. is playing a 3-2-1-1 alignment with their national starters — the three interior O-linemen, two receivers, a D-tackle and\u003Cb\u003E Mike Edem \u003C\/b\u003Eof Calgary Dinos fame as the safety.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThat is sub-optimal, as the kids say, and more than a bit of an indictment of how the Lions' depth has ebbed since the dizzying high of that Grey Cup victory way back in 2011. They started the season with a 20-18 home victory against Calgary by the margin of \u003Cb\u003EChris Rainey\u003C\/b\u003E housing a 72-yard punt return, but there is a reason they are not expected to contend for any big prizes.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOne positive note for the Lions is that \u003Cb\u003ECharles Vaillancourt \u003C\/b\u003E(Laval) has locked down the starting right guard job on merit. The left unsaid is that B.C. has already moved on from several of their '14 and '15 choices.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003EGroup by group, here is how CIS alumni factor in for the Lions. Also, kudos to the CFL for \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/d3ham790trbkqy.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2016\/06\/BC-Lions-Roster-June-25.pdf\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Euploading the weekly depth charts\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EReceivers \/ backs \u003C\/b\u003E— Veteran Shawn Gore (Bishop's) is one of the starting outside receivers, with third-year \u003Cb\u003EStephen Adekolu\u003C\/b\u003E (also Bishop's) backing up. Gore, now in his seventh season, can work from the slot, or from the line of scrimmage, and can even carry the ball on designed misdirections. Fullback \u003Cb\u003ENathan O'Hallaran\u003C\/b\u003E (Windsor) is one of two 2016 draft picks who made his debut last weekend.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EShaquille Johnson\u003C\/b\u003E (McGill and Western) is also on the practice roster. Keep an eye peeled to see whether the 23-year-old wideout, who was the Peter Gorman Trophy winner in 2012, gets on the field.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cb\u003EOffensive line\u003C\/b\u003E — Vaillancourt and centre \u003Cb\u003ECody Husband \u003C\/b\u003E(UBC) are side-by-side in the interior. \u003Cb\u003EKirby Fabien\u003C\/b\u003E (Calgary) and \u003Cb\u003ETim O'Neill\u003C\/b\u003E (also Calgary) are the interior reserves.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EDefensive front seven\u003C\/b\u003E — Thanks to commentators who believe repetitiveness is Job One,\u003Cb\u003E Jason Arakgi\u003C\/b\u003E (McMaster) is synonymous with special-teams banditry.\u003Cb\u003E Adrian Clarke\u003C\/b\u003E (Bishop's) is the other Canadian linebacker, while \u003Cb\u003EDavid Ménard\u003C\/b\u003E (Montréal) is the depth guy at D-end. Boyd Richardson (UBC) is the next Canadian up after Ménard.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cp lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003ETransaction: We have added DL Boyd Richardson, ex of \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ubctbirds\"\u003E@ubctbirds\u003C\/a\u003E, to the practice squad.\u003C\/p\u003E\u0026mdash; BC Lions (@BCLions) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BCLions\/status\/747461471429242880\"\u003EJune 27, 2016\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EDefensive secondary \u003C\/b\u003E— Edem, who was in Hamilton last season, is patrolling the deep middle for what is expected to be one of the CFL's best secondaries.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESpecialists \u003C\/b\u003E— Hey, there is \u003Cb\u003EMike Benson\u003C\/b\u003E (Acadia) holding down the long snapping. That sort of makes up for the franchise of \u003Cb\u003ELui Passaglia \u003C\/b\u003Ehaving an international as the kicker.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/4103066921003676417\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/06\/cis-con-bc-lions-adhere-to-3-2-1-1.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/4103066921003676417"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/4103066921003676417"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/06\/cis-con-bc-lions-adhere-to-3-2-1-1.html","title":"CIS-Con: B.C. Lions adhere to the 3-2-1-1 model of Canadian starters"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"sager"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08757652892056684490"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-HoppI3_eGQc\/VrWGl9xFY2I\/AAAAAAAADEA\/ucwvqUnIa7M\/s220\/Neate1379-4x4M.JPG"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-1140500941345151780"},"published":{"$t":"2016-06-22T13:17:00.000-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-06-22T13:17:10.567-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CFL"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CIS football"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Winnipeg Blue Bombers"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"CIS-Con: Winnipeg Blue Bombers' hiring of Craig Smith seen as step in right direction"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Ci\u003E(Over the next few days, this blog will do its best to give a rundown on how CIS alumni figure into the grand scheme for each CFL team. Friendly reminder: the ratio in the CFL requires each team to have seven 'nationals' among the 24 defensive and offensive starters. It should be 10, five on each side of the ball, but one battle at a time ... one battle at a time.)\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWhen a franchise has been out of the playoffs four seasons in a row, there are\u0026nbsp;are systemic problems. Well, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers have at least addressed one by adding \u003Cb\u003ECraig Smith\u003C\/b\u003E to their scouting department. Smith's tenure in Saskatchewan coincided with the Roughriders' time on top of the league, but he was swept aside when \u003Cb\u003EChris Jones\u003C\/b\u003E' staff took over in December.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EThe Blue Bombers got better today, hiring Craig Smith as their national scout. Smith is as dialed in as anyone with the CIS scene. \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/CFL?src=hash\"\u003E#CFL\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— Arash Madani (@ArashMadani) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ArashMadani\/status\/742503659951427584\"\u003EJune 13, 2016\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESo there is that. Winnipeg shares a stadium with a strong Canada West team, the Manitoba Bisons, who have 12 alumni in the league. Coach Michael O'Shea and GM Kyle Walters are each Guelph football alumni. One would have thought that would create a homing instinct to get an inside track on acquiring Canadian-trained players. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAs far the season goes,\u003Cb\u003E Johnny Adams \u003C\/b\u003Eand\u003Cb\u003E Andrew Harris\u003C\/b\u003E are already banged-up. The only big game Investors Group Field will likely host after the autumn solistice will come when the Winnipeg Jets host a Heritage Classic in mid-October. Winnipeg is going to get better, though.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnd if \u003Ci\u003EThe Simpsons\u003C\/i\u003E dialogue that just popped into your head was Lisa saying, \"What are you basing that on?\" and Marge diverting attention with, \"Who wants ginger snaps?\", reward yourself for being so meta. Preferably with a healthy snack, not ginger snaps.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EReceivers \/ backs \u003C\/b\u003E— Having Winnipeg-raised Harris, he of the 1,527 receiving-rushing yards last season, creates a need for a Canadian backup.\u003Cb\u003E Pascal Lochard\u003C\/b\u003E (Laval) fills the role of running back by trade who work into two-back sets and play special teams.\u003Cb\u003E Christophe Normand\u003C\/b\u003E (Laval) is the lone active Bomber listed at fullback.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOut wide, perhaps I did not watch enough Winnipeg games last season, but it feels like \u003Cb\u003EKris Bastien\u003C\/b\u003E (Concordia),\u003Cb\u003E Julian Feoli-Gudino \u003C\/b\u003E(Laval) and\u003Cb\u003E Rory Kohlert\u003C\/b\u003E (Saskatchewan) are three types of the same wide receiver. All three are between 6-foot and 6-3, 206 and 213 pounds, and in the second half of their twenties.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EAddison Richards\u003C\/b\u003E (Regina) is bigger (6-4, 221) and has greater upside than the three older national wideouts. Richards is on the injured list.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EVenerable Winnipeg play-by-player\u003Cb\u003E Bob (Knuckles) Irving\u003C\/b\u003E will not have any issue distinguishing Nos. 81, 83 and 87. Mere mortals might struggle with that, and distinguishing between\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003EWeston Dressler\u003C\/b\u003E and\u003Cb\u003E Ryan Smith\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;when both waggle out as slotbacks.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cb\u003EOffensive line\u003C\/b\u003E — Any dedicated fan of O-line play gets an little endorphin high when \u003Cb\u003EPatrick Neufeld\u003C\/b\u003E (Saskatchewan) gets singled out for doing good work, since he is among the few, the proud starting Canadian tackles in the league. Neufeld and guard\u003Cb\u003E Sukh Chungh\u003C\/b\u003E (Calgary) form an all-Canadian right side.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOne hates to keep playing the 'woebegone Winnipeg' card, but 11-year veteran centre \u003Cb\u003EJeff Keeping \u003C\/b\u003E(Western) is out eight weeks with a knee injury after being a big free-agent add. Third-year\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003EMatthias Goossen\u003C\/b\u003E (Simon Fraser, NCAA D-2) has drawn in at centre after making 10 starts in '15.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EDefensive front seven\u003C\/b\u003E — \u003Cb\u003EKeith Shologan\u003C\/b\u003E in the interior and Jamaal Westerman with his 17-sack season at rush end addresses a lot of national-starter needs. It goes without saying that it is better to draft and develop that than pay for past performance come free-agency time in Februrary, but hey, I would have also preferred to have not been born a redhead.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EJake Thomas\u003C\/b\u003E (Acadia) is the next national up at D-tackle. \u003Cb\u003EJesse Briggs\u003C\/b\u003E (McGill) and \u003Cb\u003EShayne Gauthier\u003C\/b\u003E (Laval) are the depth 'backers. That is apparently not the same as being a DB.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EDefensive secondary \u003C\/b\u003E— \u003Cb\u003ETeague Sherman\u003C\/b\u003E (Manitoba) has a prized skill-set that allows him to cover several spots in the back eight. \u003Cb\u003ETaylor Loffler\u003C\/b\u003E (UBC) cracked the roster as a big-bodied safety (6-4, 220) who can contribute on special teams. Stay observation: Loffler is a 24-year-old rookie, but fellow CIS grad \u003Cb\u003EBrendan Morgan\u003C\/b\u003E (Queen's) is in his second season and is still only 22. \u003Cb\u003EDerek Jones\u003C\/b\u003E (Simon Fraser, CIS\/NCAA D-2), a second-generation CFL D-back, likely is the odd one out if Winnipeg is able to have an all-internationals secondary.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESpecialists \u003C\/b\u003E— Long snapper\u003Cb\u003E Chad Rempel\u003C\/b\u003E (Saskatchewan) is hiking the ball to\u003Cb\u003E Justin Medlock \u003C\/b\u003E(well, actually his holder) and punter\u003Cb\u003E Sergio Castillo\u003C\/b\u003E. Two international spots used on foot-to-ballers? That just seems odd.\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/1140500941345151780\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/06\/cis-con-winnipeg-blue-bombers-hiring-of.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/1140500941345151780"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/1140500941345151780"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/06\/cis-con-winnipeg-blue-bombers-hiring-of.html","title":"CIS-Con: Winnipeg Blue Bombers' hiring of Craig Smith seen as step in right direction"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"sager"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08757652892056684490"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-HoppI3_eGQc\/VrWGl9xFY2I\/AAAAAAAADEA\/ucwvqUnIa7M\/s220\/Neate1379-4x4M.JPG"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-5615114866505697220"},"published":{"$t":"2016-06-22T11:35:00.002-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-06-22T11:35:30.188-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Calgary Stampeders"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CFL"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CIS football"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Dinos"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"CIS-Con: Calgary Stampeders list Andrew Buckley, CIS QB, No. 3 on depth chart"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Ci\u003E(Over the next few days, this blog will do its best to give a rundown on how CIS alumni figure into the grand scheme for each CFL team. Friendly reminder: the ratio in the CFL requires each team to have seven 'nationals' among the 24 defensive and offensive starters. It should be 10, five on each side of the ball, but one battle at a time ... one battle at a time.)\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ELike any good fan, I oscillate 180 degrees on the\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;Canadian quarterback debate.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOf course, this is in the Stampeders post since Andrew Buckley \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/calgaryherald.com\/sports\/football\/dickenson-explains-final-roster-moves\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eearned the No. 3 quarterback job fully on his merits\u003C\/a\u003E, beating out Bryant Moniz. The 22-year-old Calgary Dinos grad took on the 27-year-old from a FBS passing factory, Hawai'i, and proved he had the best combination of skills and unscratched potential. It is even more encouraging to see that since this is happening with the strongest organization in the CFL, which hasn't been wrong about quarterbacks too often over the past decade.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe realist argument is that there should be an open market to play the most important position in the game. That means any Canadian passer with CFL ambitions has to accept that it is one vs. 100 in comparison to competing against Americans who have likely played D-1 or D-2, run a spread offence since junior high and played in 7-in-7 leagues. Professional teams have only finite patience with incoming athletes and Americans in the Nopuck team sports develop more quickly than Canadians, probably due to more intense youth leagues and the parental prerogative for early one-sport specialization.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003EAt the same time, it feels like the\u003Ci\u003E Canadian \u003C\/i\u003EFootball League is missing something when a QB from north of the border starts about once every decade or two. Montreal's\u003Cb\u003E Brandon Bridge\u003C\/b\u003E, when he briefly started early in 2015, was the first Canadian to do so. Brad Sinopoli's reinvention as an inside receiver has been wonderful, but he was still shy of 25 years old when he stopped being a quarterback.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThere needs to be more effort in R\u0026amp;D — \u0026nbsp;research and development, crazy notions, \u003Ci\u003EI know\u003C\/i\u003E — that will help give a good Canadian athlete a chance to play quarterback, in either league. Those non-roster invites to training camp a good sop but ultimately standing behind the \"ones\" during drills might not do a whole lot.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EEither way, Buckley's breakthrough is much more than a feel-good story. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EReceivers \/ backs \u003C\/b\u003E— Aforementioned Andrew Buckley, only player in CIS history to win a Hec Crighton and a Russ Jackson Award, is the third-string quarterback.\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003EAnthony Parker\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;(Calgary), though, has exactly 85 receptions for 1,000 yards across the last three seasons, which is eminently playable wide-side production.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESince feature back \u003Cb\u003EJerome Messam \u003C\/b\u003Eand blocking back\u003Cb\u003E Rob Cote \u003C\/b\u003Eare also nationals, that makes it incumbent upon Calgary to develop two similar body types, William Langlais (Sherbrooke) and Charlie Power (Saskatchewan), as utility backs. One is 6-foot-3, 238 pounds from the U de S and the other is 6-3, 231 from the U of S. Got it.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EHaving the Messam\/Cote combo gives Calgary ratio flexibility in the receiving corps and defence. \u003Cb\u003ESimon Charbonneau-Campeau\u003C\/b\u003E (Sherbrooke) is the replacement-level utility receiver.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EOffensive line\u003C\/b\u003E — \u003Cb\u003EPierre Lavertu\u003C\/b\u003E (Laval) is the reigning West Division all-star centre, with Roman Grozman (Concordia) and \u003Cb\u003ECam Thorn\u003C\/b\u003E (Guelph) both getting on-the-job training as developing interior linemen. Even though all five starters had significant injury absences, Calgary gave up the fewest sacks while going 14-4 and reaching the West final for the seventh time in eight seasons. Big \u003Cb\u003EShane Bergman\u003C\/b\u003E (Western) is now a fixture at left guard, while\u003Cb\u003E Dan Federkeil\u003C\/b\u003E (Calgary) is a star at right tackle.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EDefensive front seven\u003C\/b\u003E — Those who would love to see phased-in increase in Canadian starters might cite Calgary's imbalance, with 11 Americans starting (going by the final preseason depth chart). Defensive tackle\u003Cb\u003E Quinn Smith\u003C\/b\u003E (Concordia), whose backup is\u003Cb\u003E Derek Wiggan\u003C\/b\u003E (Queen's), is the only first-stringer who brings his 'eh' game. Veteran\u003Cb\u003E Junior Turner\u003C\/b\u003E (Bishop's) has been a productive rotational D-lineman for several seasons.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EBen D'Aguilar \u003C\/b\u003Eand\u003Cb\u003E Mike Kashak \u003C\/b\u003E(both McMaster) are reserves at defensive end. Max Caron (Concordia) is on the practice squad.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EDefensive secondary \u003C\/b\u003E— The luxury of that well-cultivated depth means Calgary can count on\u003Cb\u003E Jeff Hecht\u003C\/b\u003E (Saint Mary's),\u003Cb\u003E Adam Berger\u003C\/b\u003E (Simon Fraser) and\u003Cb\u003E Adam Thibault\u003C\/b\u003E (Laval) to play mostly special teams.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESpecialists \u003C\/b\u003E— The way it should be! Kicker \u003Cb\u003ERene Paredes\u003C\/b\u003E (Concordia) and \u003Cb\u003ERob Maver\u003C\/b\u003E (pre-\u003Cb\u003EStu Lang\u003C\/b\u003E Guelph) each have only one job. Expect the TSN commentators to make way too much out of long snapper \u003Cb\u003EPierre-Luc Caron\u003C\/b\u003E (Laval) being a rookie.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/5615114866505697220\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/06\/cis-con-calgary-stampeders-list-andrew.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/5615114866505697220"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/5615114866505697220"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/06\/cis-con-calgary-stampeders-list-andrew.html","title":"CIS-Con: Calgary Stampeders list Andrew Buckley, CIS QB, No. 3 on depth chart"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"sager"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08757652892056684490"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-HoppI3_eGQc\/VrWGl9xFY2I\/AAAAAAAADEA\/ucwvqUnIa7M\/s220\/Neate1379-4x4M.JPG"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-4172099564093671059"},"published":{"$t":"2016-06-22T10:28:00.000-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-06-22T10:28:05.679-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CFL"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CIS football"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Montreal Alouettes"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"CIS-Con: Montréal Alouettes put Philippe Gagnon right into the fire"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Ci\u003E(Over the next few days, this blog will do its best to give a rundown on how CIS alumni figure into the grand scheme for each CFL team. Friendly reminder: the ratio in the CFL requires each team to have seven 'nationals' among the 24 defensive and offensive starters. It should be 10, five on each side of the ball, but one battle at a time ... one battle at a time.)\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBoris Bede, apart from international tournaments, has played all of his football in Quebec with Laval and the Als. Yet by rule, the Alouettes kicker and punter counts as an international. Figure that out.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EPardon the soap-boxing, but yes, there should be some reworking of the definition of a national player to include those who received their amateur football training in Canada. Who knows, it might help the profile of CIS if players in Europe know there is a country and a league they could adapt to better than the US of A.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOf course, accommodating an anomaly such as Bede is the least of Montreal's issues, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/montrealgazette.com\/sports\/football\/cfl\/montreal-alouettes\/alouettes-have-disconnect-on-defence-cornerback-mitchell-white-says-after-leaving-team\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ewhich appear to be many\u003C\/a\u003E. Revolving door at quarterback! Callow offensive line tasked with keeping the 37-year-old QB1 upright for 18 games!\u0026nbsp;A good general manager whose hiring searches for a coach begin, and end, by looking in the mirror! \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.forgetthebox.net\/montreal-alouettes-excitement-frustration-201606211\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EGame presentation that puts off female fans\u003C\/a\u003E! Those are all agenda items for other blogs.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAs far as the CIS guys are concerned, the big take-home is the Alouettes have \u003Cb\u003EPhilippe Gagnon\u003C\/b\u003E starting at guard fresh out of Laval. Thank you for not making parallels between that personnel move and how Ottawa had 2015 No. 1 overall pick \u003Cb\u003EAlex Mateas\u003C\/b\u003E work in as a backup after being drafted out from the D-1 Connecticut Huskies.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EFun fact: the Alouettes' roster includes players from five RSEQ schools. The one not represented also plays home games at Molson Stadium.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cb\u003EReceivers \/ backs \u003C\/b\u003E— Veteran wide-side \u003Cb\u003ESamuel Giguère \u003C\/b\u003E(Sherbrooke) and\u003Cb\u003E Kyle Graves\u003C\/b\u003E (Acadia, where he was a quarterback) are the lone homegrown receivers. Both fullbacks,\u003Cb\u003E Jean-Christophe Beaulieu\u003C\/b\u003E (Sherbrooke) and\u003Cb\u003E James Tuck\u003C\/b\u003E (York), are out of CIS.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EFormer McMaster tailback \u003Cb\u003EWayne Moore\u003C\/b\u003E is below prolific\u003Cb\u003E Tyrell Sutton \u003C\/b\u003Eon the depth chart. Moore, of course, had a 50-yard touchdown run in the 2014 Vanier Cup at Molson Stadium.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cb\u003EOffensive line\u003C\/b\u003E — Veteran \u003Cb\u003EKristian Matte\u003C\/b\u003E (Concordia) has moved to centre, next to 23-year-old yearling Gagnon\u0026nbsp;(Laval). Teams tend not to rush a rookie Canadian lineman into the lineup, and yet here we are.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EJake Piotrowski \u003C\/b\u003E(Guelph) is listed as a backup at guard. \u003Cb\u003ERyan White\u003C\/b\u003E (Bishop's) has had his issues remaining healthy, but has a skill-set to play tackle and be potential ratio-helper.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003ELuc Brodeur-Jourdain\u003C\/b\u003E, one of countless familiar faces on the Als who is on the other side of age 30, is on the injured list.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EDefensive front seven\u003C\/b\u003E — Following a serviceable NFL career, \u003Cb\u003EVaughn Martin\u003C\/b\u003E (Western) has come home and should be the national on the D-line, tying up blockers to create favourable situations for sack-meister John Bowman (19 last season).\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMichael Klassen\u003C\/b\u003E (Calgary) and \u003Cb\u003EJeffrey Finley\u003C\/b\u003E (Guelph) are the young national backup DLs.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAt the \u003Ci\u003Esecondeur\u003C\/i\u003E level, Montreal has four internationals who are 29 or older. \u003Cb\u003ENicolas Boulay\u003C\/b\u003E (Sherbrooke), \u003Cb\u003EJean-Samuel Blanc\u003C\/b\u003E (Montréal), \u003Cb\u003EChris Ackie\u003C\/b\u003E (Laurier) and\u003Cb\u003E Nick Shortill\u003C\/b\u003E (McMaster) range in age from 26 to 23. Essentially, it looks like the Als like to add one Canadian linebacker each season, but don't necessarily expect him to start.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EDefensive secondary \u003C\/b\u003E— \u003Cb\u003EMarc-Olivier Brouillette\u003C\/b\u003E (Montréal) has put out his shingle at safety. Fellow Les Bleus alum\u003Cb\u003E Anthony Coady \u003C\/b\u003Eand \u003Cb\u003EDaryl Townsend\u003C\/b\u003E (Windsor) are listed beneath him at a spot usually given to Canadians.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EAndrew Lue\u003C\/b\u003E (Queen's), an oversized D-halfback who is valuable on special teams, is on the six-game injured list.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESpecialists \u003C\/b\u003E— Bede is going it alone. Party like it's October 1995. At 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, he has a big leg and rates a chance to show he can handle a dual role.\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/4172099564093671059\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/06\/cis-con-montreal-alouettes-put-philippe.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/4172099564093671059"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/4172099564093671059"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/06\/cis-con-montreal-alouettes-put-philippe.html","title":"CIS-Con: Montréal Alouettes put Philippe Gagnon right into the fire"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"sager"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08757652892056684490"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-HoppI3_eGQc\/VrWGl9xFY2I\/AAAAAAAADEA\/ucwvqUnIa7M\/s220\/Neate1379-4x4M.JPG"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-6823851554403771910"},"published":{"$t":"2016-06-21T22:07:00.003-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-06-21T22:07:48.576-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CFL"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CIS"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Dinos"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Hamilton Tiger-Cats"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Marauders"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"CIS-Con: Hamilton Tiger-Cats shuffle Courtney Stephen (Laurier) to safety"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Ci\u003E(Over the next few days, this blog will do its best to give a rundown on how CIS alumni figure into the grand scheme for each CFL team. Friendly reminder: the ratio in the CFL requires each team to have seven 'nationals' among the 24 defensive and offensive starters. It should be 10, five on each side of the ball, but one battle at a time ... one battle at a time.)\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ETo dissemble in Costanza-esque fashion, the Tiger-Cats are right in the meaty part of the curve with how they use their Canadian talent — not showing off, not falling behind.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe five Canadians on the offence are the centre, both guards, an inside receiver and a wideout, and all five played in CIS. The two Canadians on the D both played Division 1. Defensive tackle\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003ETed Laurent\u003C\/b\u003E played for Mississippi (where Ticats HC\u003Cb\u003E Kent Austin \u003C\/b\u003Eonce coached) and\u0026nbsp;safety \u003Cb\u003ECourtney Stephen\u003C\/b\u003E played at Northern Illinois after transferring from Laurier.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ETo be fair, Stephen is the safety spot normally occupied by erstwhile all-star\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003ECraig Butler \u003C\/b\u003E(Western), \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3downnation.com\/2016\/03\/23\/15687\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ewho has a knee injury that will likely need extensive rest in order to heal\u003C\/a\u003E. Otherwise Hamilton would have a surplus of nationals who are established starters.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EReceivers \/ backs \u003C\/b\u003E— Slotback \u003Cb\u003EAndy Fantuz\u003C\/b\u003E (Western) is now an elder statesman, entering his 11th season.\u003Cb\u003E Spencer Watt\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003E(Simon Fraser, before it \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=mqIcjt5JNr0\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ebecame the team who must not be named\u003C\/a\u003E) is making a comeback after losing all of last season with an Achilles injury. Before that misfortune, Watt had a skein of solid 350- to 400-yard receiving seasons with Toronto.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EGood news for Calgary Dinos supporters: alumni\u003Cb\u003E Anthony Woodson \u003C\/b\u003Eand \u003Cb\u003EMercer Timmis \u003C\/b\u003Eare reunited on the running back depth chart. Bad news for them: \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.thespec.com\/sports-story\/6734386-here-s-how-the-ticats-will-line-up\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eboth are nursing injuries\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cb\u003EOffensive line\u003C\/b\u003E — Guard \u003Cb\u003ERyan Bomben\u003C\/b\u003E (Guelph) and centre \u003Cb\u003EMike Filer \u003C\/b\u003E(Mount Allison) are part of a an all-national interior-line trio.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EDefensive front seven\u003C\/b\u003E — With \u003Cb\u003ETed Laurent\u003C\/b\u003E starting in the interior, \u003Cb\u003ELinden Gaydosh \u003C\/b\u003E(Calgary) is waiting in the wings as the backup.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAmong the Canadian linebackers, 28-year-old \u003Cb\u003EFrédéric Plesius\u003C\/b\u003E (Baylor \/ Laval) is first man up ahead of\u003Cb\u003E Byron Archambault \u003C\/b\u003E(Montréal), \u003Cb\u003ETerrell Davis \u003C\/b\u003E(UBC),\u003Cb\u003E Beau Landry\u003C\/b\u003E (Western) and\u003Cb\u003E Ron Omara\u003C\/b\u003E (St. FX).\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EDefensive secondary \u003C\/b\u003E— As noted, Stephen (Laurier \/ No. Illinois) is in a new position in a vastly altered Tiger-Cats secondary. \u003Cb\u003EMike Daly\u003C\/b\u003E (McMaster), of 2011 Marauders fame, and \u003Cb\u003EJay Langa\u003C\/b\u003E (Saint Mary's) are depth players at safety.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESeventh-rounder \u003Cb\u003EMitch Barnett\u003C\/b\u003E from Vanier Cup champion UBC is following the common progression from university linebacker to CFL special-teamer who is listed at D-back. Barnett, of course, was Canada West's second-leading tackler and recorded 4½ sacks in the eight reg-season games.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESpecialists \u003C\/b\u003E— \u003Cb\u003EAaron Crawford\u003C\/b\u003E (Saint Mary's) and\u003Cb\u003E Mathieu Girard\u003C\/b\u003E (Montréal) are each on the roster. That means the Ticats have two long snappers to work with triple-duty kicker \u003Cb\u003EBrett Maher\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/6823851554403771910\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/06\/cis-con-hamilton-tiger-cats-shuffle.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/6823851554403771910"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/6823851554403771910"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/06\/cis-con-hamilton-tiger-cats-shuffle.html","title":"CIS-Con: Hamilton Tiger-Cats shuffle Courtney Stephen (Laurier) to safety"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"sager"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08757652892056684490"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-HoppI3_eGQc\/VrWGl9xFY2I\/AAAAAAAADEA\/ucwvqUnIa7M\/s220\/Neate1379-4x4M.JPG"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-6692927866256597956"},"published":{"$t":"2016-06-21T21:01:00.003-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-06-21T21:17:38.077-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Bisons"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CFL"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CIS football"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Toronto Argonauts"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"CIS-Con: Toronto Argonauts have 2 bright young Bisons alumni"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Ci\u003E(Over the next few days, this blog will do its best to give a rundown on how CIS alumni figure into the grand scheme for each CFL team. Friendly reminder: the ratio in the CFL requires each team to have seven 'nationals' among the 24 defensive and offensive starters. It should be 10, five on each side of the ball, but one battle at a time ... one battle at a time.)\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe Argonauts' directors of scouting on each side of the border,\u003Cb\u003E Vince Magri\u003C\/b\u003E and\u003Cb\u003E Spencer Zimmerman\u003C\/b\u003E, are each former OUA O-linemen. Thus it is not surprising that their \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.argonauts.ca\/roster\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eroster has a strong southern Ontario flavour\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;with 14 OUA alumni\u0026nbsp;— three \u0026nbsp;apiece from McMaster, Guelph, U of T and York, and two from Western. Unofficially, Toronto has 22 nationals who got some of their training in CIS.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe brightest young nationals might be the two former Manitoba Bisons, though, SB \u003Cb\u003EAnthony Coombs\u003C\/b\u003E and LB \u003Cb\u003EThomas Miles\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ECoombs is listed as a running back but in use and deed, he's a 'slash back,' to borrow a\u003Cb\u003E Chip Kelly\u003C\/b\u003E-ism. Broadly, that is a receiver with a running back build and skill set, and Coombs contributed 486 of his 525 receiving-rushing yards through the passing phase. Miles was also a nice second-half revelation last season, starting seven games from Sept. 26 onward.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWhether the Argonauts' plethora of CIS alumni is pertinent to the 'turf war' between the football fans and Toronto FC fans is debatable. That said, it is a taxpayer-funded stadium and the football team really is focused on developing Canadian and Ontario players. That should count for something, no?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThat said, what has been left out of that Argos-to-BMO media furor is that the soccer fans have also been under-served. The Argonauts being a lame duck at Rogers Centre is easier to evoke, due to recency bias. Soccer fans went a long time without a proper venue in their city. If someone ever writes a book about the tectonic shifts in Toronto sports during the 1990s, there better be a chapter about Canada's men's soccer team playing home games at a crumbling Varsity Stadium.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EReceivers \/ backs \u003C\/b\u003E— Taking the long view, whether No. 4 overall choice \u003Cb\u003EBrian Jones\u003C\/b\u003E (Acadia) gets much run this season will be a big story. Jones has a wrist injury. Between \u003Cb\u003ELlevi Noel \u003C\/b\u003E(Windsor AKO Fratmen juniors\/U of T) and \u003Cb\u003EKevin Bradfield\u003C\/b\u003E, the Argos have two other young national wideouts.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ECoombs brings a unique something to Toronto's Air Raid-esque passing game, just as Durie has done for several seasons. McMaster grad \u003Cb\u003EDeclan Cross\u003C\/b\u003E has stuck as a fullback.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cb\u003EOffensive line\u003C\/b\u003E — \u003Cb\u003EChris Van Zeyl\u003C\/b\u003E (McMaster) has been the frontside-protecting tackle for years on end, regardless of the quarterback or home field (sorry). Third-year tackle \u003Cb\u003EMatt Sewell\u003C\/b\u003E (McMaster) is working toward a starting job. \u003Cb\u003ESean McEwen \u003C\/b\u003E(Calgary) is also a former first-rounder who has working toward gaining a foothold.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EDefensive front seven\u003C\/b\u003E — With \u003Cb\u003ERicky Foley\u003C\/b\u003E (York) and his 56 career sacks, veteran linebacker\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003ECory Greenwood\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;(Concordia) and the aforementioned Miles (Manitoba) as a utility player, Toronto has some solid nationals in the force unit.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EVeteran special teams ace \u003Cb\u003EJames Yurichuk\u003C\/b\u003E (Bishop's) also came in as a free agent. Speaking of ex-Gaiters!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EDefensive secondary \u003C\/b\u003E— How was \u003Cb\u003EJermaine Gabriel\u003C\/b\u003E (Bishop's) available at No. 17 overall in 2013? The mind reels. Well, that and he had a breakout at the regional combine. Gabriel and \u003Cb\u003EMatt Black\u003C\/b\u003E are the only nationals in the secondary.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESpecialists \u003C\/b\u003E— \u003Cb\u003ELirim Hajrullahu\u003C\/b\u003E (Western), for now, is doing double duty as the \u003Ci\u003Ebotteur\u003C\/i\u003E. The jury might be out on that until well into the season.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ci\u003EAddendum\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EThe argument for Andre Durie\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003E— Thanks to Jim Mullin's indefatigable advocacy journalism, the Canadian Football Hall of Fame now has a process to induct someone as a university player. Knowing that, and knowing Durie is 34 years old, sparks one to wondering whether he has a case to go in through that avenue.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EDurie was \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=aMPMSqOKomo\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethat awesometacular with the York Lions\u003C\/a\u003E. The rub is that the inductees as university players have been legends, multiple-time Hec Crighton winners such as Chris Flynn and Éric Lapointe. Playing at York at the same time that Tom Denison, Andy Fantuz and Jesse Lumsden were playing on Top 10 teams, Durie was not in the right place to win the Hec Crighton. Yet that makes his achievements at York seem even greater. Throw in what he did to make the CFL after missing two seasons with nerve damage in a knee, and then become a 10-year pro ... that just seems like the kind of career that deserves some Hall of Fame recognition.\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/6692927866256597956\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/06\/cis-con-toronto-argonauts-have-2-bright.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/6692927866256597956"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/6692927866256597956"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/06\/cis-con-toronto-argonauts-have-2-bright.html","title":"CIS-Con: Toronto Argonauts have 2 bright young Bisons alumni"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"sager"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08757652892056684490"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-HoppI3_eGQc\/VrWGl9xFY2I\/AAAAAAAADEA\/ucwvqUnIa7M\/s220\/Neate1379-4x4M.JPG"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-6634706482274551519"},"published":{"$t":"2016-06-14T11:41:00.003-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-06-21T15:24:35.265-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Carabins"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CFL"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CIS football"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Dinos"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Golden Gaels"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Golden Hawks"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Ottawa Gee-Gees"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Rouge et Or"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Stingers"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"CIS-Con: Ottawa Redblacks trying Jake Harty, Dinos alum, at wide-side wideout"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Ci\u003E(Over the next nine days, this blog will do its best to give a rundown on how CIS alumni figure into the grand scheme for each CFL team. Friendly reminder: the ratio in the CFL requires each team to have seven 'nationals' among the 24 defensive and offensive starters.)\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWith the right side of the Ottawa Redblacks offensive line in flux, \u003Cb\u003EJake Harty\u003C\/b\u003E is showing that he can foster some flexibility with the ratio.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe Redblacks, needless to say, did not take Harty from the Calgary Dinos with the No. 10 overall choice in 2015 just to have him tear downfield like a banshee on punt and kickoff coverage. The 25-year-old is showing more polish as a wide-side wide receiver while working with the Henry Burris-helmed first-string offence. Burris and Harty renewed their Calgary connection early in Monday's excruciation game against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, with the second-year wideout getting two catches for 36 yards from his three targets. Harty made a nice cut on a post route for a 22-yard catch on Ottawa's opening series. In the second quarter, Harty laid out for a 14-yard catch to help Ottawa pick up on second-and-8. In his time, he ran tight, precise routes on almost every down, which is a good indicator for someone at the receiver spot that typically sees the fewest targets.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\"For me, the mental game, coming back and understanding the playbook, is huge,\" Harty said after the 18-14 Redblacks win. \"Understanding the mental game builds your confidence. You're able to go out there and play and not think. You know what to expect.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\"This off-season, I've been working on my routes, everything. It is the little things when you get to the next level.\"\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003EHarty, at 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, is bigger than most receivers who line up on the field side. Ottawa also had third-year international \u003Cb\u003EKhalil Paden\u003C\/b\u003E as an option at the spot.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\"Jake's made a lot of plays for us in training camp and we know his playmaking ability, coming off of last year,\" Burris said. \"He looked like he'd been doing it for years.\"\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOttawa managed the rare feat of keeping their O-line intact for all 20 games in 2015, which was a big part of becoming the Eastern rep at the Grey Cup. \u003Cb\u003ENolan MacMillan\u003C\/b\u003E, whom ideally would have slid over from right guard to the vacated right tackle, has been nursing a wrist ailment. Harty showing he can handle the spot would create an option to play three Americans on the line.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBurris and Harty have a kinship. Burris and Harty regularly trained together when both were based in Calgary, and in 2010 the receiver practised with the Stampeders.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\"It was awesome, and once I got drafted here it was a thrill to play with Henry again,\" Harty said. \"When you're catching passes from one of the best quarterbacks to play in the CFL — the best quarterback in the CFL, it's great.\"\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ECoach \u003Cb\u003ERick Campbell \u003C\/b\u003Eindicated that he would be comfortable going with Harty.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWith the CFL season kicking off on June 23, here is the best synopsis on where the CIS grads fit in with Ottawa.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EReceivers \/ backs \u003C\/b\u003E— Of course, in addition to Harty, \u003Cb\u003EBrad Sinopoli\u003C\/b\u003E (uOttawa) returns at No. 3 receiver after a breakout 1,000-yard season. Ottawa has another Canadian catching passes with fullback\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003EPatrick Lavoie\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EKienan Lafrance\u003C\/b\u003E (Manitoba) was listed third at running back on Monday. Ottawa GM Marcel Desjardins might be burning up a lot of his data searching for RB candidates after starter William Powell suffered a knee injury on Monday.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESinopoli and Lavoie's respective backups, \u003Cb\u003EBrendan Gillanders\u003C\/b\u003E (uOttawa) and \u003Cb\u003EScott MacDonnell\u003C\/b\u003E (Queen's), should shore up what were some dodgy special teams units for much of 2015.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cb\u003EOffensive line\u003C\/b\u003E — Ottawa's top four Canadian linemen are all Football Bowl Subdivision grads. \u003Cb\u003EMatthew Albright\u003C\/b\u003E (Saint Mary's) got a lot of work at guard on Monday, though.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EDefensive front seven\u003C\/b\u003E — \u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003EAntoine Pruneau\u003C\/b\u003E (Montréal) is ensconced as a rangy\u003Ci\u003E secondeur \u003C\/i\u003Ewho can cover the pass. The Redblacks seem intent on having a two-Canadian front four, and\u003Cb\u003E Arnaud Gascon-Nadon\u003C\/b\u003E (Laval) is penciled in at defensive end. Gascon-Nadon had a strip sack on Monday.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EFormer OUA sack leader \u003Cb\u003EEttore Lattanzio \u003C\/b\u003E(uOttawa) was listed as a backup to national starting D-tackle \u003Cb\u003EZack Evans \u003C\/b\u003Eon Monday. On a pass rush in the second quarter, the undersized Lattanzio made a nice inside move that led to a Winnipeg holding penalty. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ENot surprisingly for a team in the bilingual National Capital Region, Ottawa knows it does not hurt to have a few Quebecers on the roster. Linebacker \u003Cb\u003EJonathan Beaulieu-Richard\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;(Montréal)\u0026nbsp;seems locked in as a\u0026nbsp;trustyworthy special teamer.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EDefensive secondary \u003C\/b\u003E— Ottawa's cover corps are all American. Second-rounder \u003Cb\u003EMikaël Charland \u003C\/b\u003E(Concordia, eligibility remaining) is being eyed as a special teams contributor.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESpecialists \u003C\/b\u003E— The ideal in the CFL, with the 18-game schedule and so many kicking plays, is having two Canadians who can perform in all three capacities. \u003Cb\u003EChristopher Milo \u003C\/b\u003E(Laval) stabilized Ottawa's placekicking. \u003Cb\u003ERonnie Pfeffer\u003C\/b\u003E (Laurier), last season's punter, didn't complete Monday's game due to injury.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EMilo can be kicker and punter, but is probably better handling only the former.\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/6634706482274551519\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/06\/cis-con-ottawa-redblacks-trying-jake.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/6634706482274551519"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/6634706482274551519"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/06\/cis-con-ottawa-redblacks-trying-jake.html","title":"CIS-Con: Ottawa Redblacks trying Jake Harty, Dinos alum, at wide-side wideout"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"sager"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08757652892056684490"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-HoppI3_eGQc\/VrWGl9xFY2I\/AAAAAAAADEA\/ucwvqUnIa7M\/s220\/Neate1379-4x4M.JPG"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-3379227393230471914"},"published":{"$t":"2016-05-06T10:42:00.003-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-05-06T10:42:53.593-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CFL"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"coaches"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Football"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Marauders"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"OUA"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Football: Stefan Ptaszek, after 10 seasons at McMaster, becomes Hamilton Tiger-Cats offensive coordinator"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"It has been a few days and it is still tough to picture Stefan Ptaszek being in the Hamilton Tiger-Cats' coaches box instead of the McMaster Marauders sideline.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;For not just his 10 seasons at Mac, Ptaszek has been an staple on the thinking man's side of the ball in Ontario University Athletics - star receiver at Laurier who transitioned into coaching, then took over the Marauders in 2006 after they had a couple of so-so post-Greg Marshall seasons. The move up is richly deserved.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;Meantime, TSN 1150's Marshall Ferguson \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.marshallferguson.com\/#!Choosing-Ptaszeks-successor-a-difficult-choice-for-all-the-right-reasons\/xyec8\/572b51de0cf26d4f7c1de4c0\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehas a survey\u003C\/a\u003E of potential interim head coaches for the 2016 Marauders. Early May is a little late in the game to make a permanent hire due to the hiring procedures at most CIS schools. Greg Knox, the former Mac D coordinator, is \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cfl.ca\/2016\/04\/06\/checking-mini-camp-season-set-kick-off\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Enow with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers as defensive backs coach\u003C\/a\u003E. It would seem unorthodox for a coach to leave a pro program that's already started its season to take a university job. Most coaches are wired to finish what one has started.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOffensive coordinator Jon Behie has been a coach-in-waiting for several seasons. He's as Hamilton as the Bedrock Bistro, and has certainly put in the time that merits a move up to the big job.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;Anyway, good on Ptaszek for getting the call up to the CFL. Greg Marshall and Thérèse Quigley, now coach and AD at Western, laid all the groundwork in the 1990s and aughties for McMaster to go from underachiever to a bona fide football program.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWhen McMaster finally won the Vanier Cup in 2011, there was a narrative about how much this owed to Marshall. That did sort of take away from how Ptaszek, Behie and Knox instilled both a systemic shift and an attitude adjustment that enabled the Marauders to get by Laval in the 2011 Vanier Cup. The Marauders 1.0 that won four Yates Cups in a row dominated their conference mostly through ground-and-pound physical prowess, but that only got them so far. Of course, the narrative would be much, much different if McMaster had not had a potential game-winning touchdown pass sail just inches beyond a receiver's grasp against Laval in the 2003 Mitchell Bowl, which was Marshall's last game leading the Marauders.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EUpon arrival in 2006, Ptaszek tweaked the offence to make it more about motion and misdirection. Knox also cultivated an attacking defence. That made for some memorable teams, and wins.\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/3379227393230471914\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/05\/football-stefan-ptaszek-after-10.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/3379227393230471914"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/3379227393230471914"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/05\/football-stefan-ptaszek-after-10.html","title":"Football: Stefan Ptaszek, after 10 seasons at McMaster, becomes Hamilton Tiger-Cats offensive coordinator"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"sager"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08757652892056684490"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-HoppI3_eGQc\/VrWGl9xFY2I\/AAAAAAAADEA\/ucwvqUnIa7M\/s220\/Neate1379-4x4M.JPG"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-8209015638057124431"},"published":{"$t":"2016-02-26T23:36:00.000-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-02-27T07:29:41.194-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Basketball"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CFL"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CIS basketball"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Editorializing"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Football"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Ottawa Gee-Gees"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Ravens"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Editorial: Ten years, 10 Ottawa athletes"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-KPEJXk4gE7Y\/VtDvbbGma0I\/AAAAAAAADFg\/puSId8lPAe0\/s1600\/08202329%2B%25282%2529.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"425\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-KPEJXk4gE7Y\/VtDvbbGma0I\/AAAAAAAADFg\/puSId8lPAe0\/s640\/08202329%2B%25282%2529.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ETen years ago this week, your agent travelled up through a blizzard – what other kind of weather would await someone daft enough to move to Ottawa in February?\u0026nbsp;–\u0026nbsp;to begin digging a happy little rut\u0026nbsp;in the national capital region.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWhether a 'placeversary' is a thing is specious, at best, and at most. Wedding anniversaries are a thing; work anniversaries are a thing. That kind of leaves out a WFHLA on the outside looking in. That is more unfair than the broadcast industry's tendency to give colour commentator jobs to ex-players or people that are, you know, \u003Ci\u003Ein\u003C\/i\u003E broadcasting.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe form normally calls for some profundity or summary of What Has Changed in 10 years. The world has no need of another second-rate mansplaination about the communications and technological revolution that has made the job I moved to Ottawa for obsolete. How are you going to explain to American hedge fund managers that control the Canadian media that a media outlet needs a last line of defence that is actually vaguely familiar with the market they are trying to serve and sell to, or that making their content whiter, slighter, tighter and politically righter is a recipe for failure in a liberal-left country such as Canada? Rather than dwell on the dystopian nightmare that's good for \u003Cb\u003EPaul Godfrey\u003C\/b\u003E and about nobody else, it might be better to focus on the positive. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003ESo as the title implies for both of you reading this, here are 10 Ottawa sportspeople who have made an indelible impression across my decade of being paid (ha!) to watch people perspire in public. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIt isn't a best-of list. It is a TL;DR waiting to happen and it is the triple-layer red velvet Suzy Q cupcake of pure egotism. (Pro tip: it is better to make the self-referential self-burn.) It is confined to athletes whom I had contact with, or at least Facebook-know. It is light on soccer, most individual sports and anything to do with what passes for contemporary major professional hockey.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EJohnny Berhanemeskel (Ottawa Gee-Gees basketball guard, 2010-15) – \u003C\/b\u003EThe exemplar of how someone who is determined enough can utilize his five seasons in CIS to become a baller. A lithe six-foot-nothin', soft-spoken, but he was the bellwether of Gee-Gees teams that were back-to-back CIS Final 8 runners-up to Carleton in '14 and '15.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EJohnny Basketball went from being lightly recruited from an AA high school team, Lester B. Pearson – his coach there was \u003Cb\u003ESarah Morris\u003C\/b\u003E, sister of the Olympic gold-medal curler \u003Cb\u003EJohn Morris\u003C\/b\u003E – to become a Moser Trophy winner in his fifth season. Hitting a last-second game-winner to defeat Carleton would make most CIS players' career, but Johnny had two over his tenure in garnet and grey.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EHenry Burris (Redblacks QB, 2014-present) –\u003C\/b\u003E To spend any time around Smilin' Hank over these past two seasons was to come away with a renewed belief in your own vitality. Football is a young man's game; careers are short. Burris has embraced being on the other side of the generational divide, committed to the bit about being practically old enough to be the father of some of his teammates. He has pulled out every stop to keep his athlete age from being less than his chronological age; the smash therapy, the jock yoga. Watching Burris do his thing makes you want to get off the couch, makes you appreciate your limits. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EPlus he is the QB on the all-time, all-quotable team.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EBrander Craighead (Nepean Minor Football alumnus; UTEP Miners, 2009-13; Calgary Stampeders offensive lineman, 2014-present) –\u003C\/b\u003E Ottawa is a football town, and what is unique about that is that many players develop exclusively in the National Capital Amateur Football Association. An unintended mild consequence of that is talented players sometimes don't get noticed, since Old Media still tweaks to covering high school sports.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ECraighead, who started for the 2014 Grey Cup-winning Stamps, became a feature story by accident during the \u003Cem\u003ESun\u003C\/em\u003E days. I was writing a feature on the high school lacrosse league when a coach casually mentioned he had a 6-foot-6, 260-pound player who was going down to Fork Union Miltary Academy to play prep school football. Brander was a joy to interview, and he was overjoyed to be interviewed, since offensive linemen who only play NCAFA don't tend to get many clippings.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EHis mother,\u003Cb\u003E Pamela Craighead\u003C\/b\u003E, kept contact when Brander earned a scholarship to Texas-El Paso. The lax background actually helped his cause with UTEP; they liked that they were getting a player who was from a running-intensive sport, since “most players who become O-linemen immediately cease all running activity.”\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMargarita Gorbounova (Para-skier, Vancouver 2010 and Sochi 2014) – \u003C\/b\u003EThe psychologist rule about not practising on family seems to apply to sports writing. Writers are always selling out someone. Plus there is a fear of not doing their story justice. Ms. Gorbounova is the spouse of my childhood next-door neighbour and close friend \u003Cb\u003ECliff Martin\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIn mid-2013, during the months before the Sochi Paralympics, Cliff's sister and Margarita's and my mother's very close friend, \u003Cb\u003ETanya Martin\u003C\/b\u003E, contracted esophagus cancer. The last six months of Tanya's life affirmed her impact on other people. I don't want to overshare too much of what is private to private people, but you can guess how hard it was for Cliff's close-knit family to say goodbye to their only daughter, who died exactly three weeks before Christmas 2013.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EFor Tanya, for Margarita, for Cliff, for everyone in Bath and Napanee whom Tanya touched in her 35 years, I broke that rule. It came out pretty well. And Margarita nearly earned a medal in Sochi. Thanks in large part to being in Cliff and Margarita's circle, I have got to know a few blind sportspeople. For that, I am grateful.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESean Monahan (Ottawa 67's centre, 2010-13; currently with Calgary Flames) –\u003C\/b\u003E Monahan's first OHL season was my first full season covering the league, so we were rookies at the same time. Championships have been elusive for the 67's since I got here – feel free to point the middle finger in my direction – but they have had a succession of future pros who had it as 16-year-olds. \u003Cb\u003ELogan Couture\u003C\/b\u003E. \u003Cb\u003ECody Ceci\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003Cb\u003E Travis Konecny\u003C\/b\u003E, mark our words.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EMonahan looked like a pro from the get-go, an absolute steal as a No. 16 overall choice in the OHL priority selection. By the second half of his first season, coach \u003Cb\u003EChris Byrne\u003C\/b\u003E had him on a top line. Monahan was advanced at initiating an offensive rush with a lead pass and then practically teleporting to the front of the play for the return pass before sniping a goal or making another feed for the primary assist.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EMonahan was given to shyness and short answers; the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/boringmonahan\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E@BoringMonahan Twitter\u003C\/a\u003E was pretty much spot-on. That's often the case with top prospects; part of is being agent-coached to say little, and part of it is making sure they know their place. Sean, if not so much in words, did show his character with the way he held eye contact with older writers, and talked about his teammates. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;For instance, at the NHL Scouting Combine in the spring of 2013, I was there to interview as many players as possible, mostly those who hadn't come through Gatineau or Ottawa during the season. I didn't need to talk to Sean, but when he came out for his media availability, he spotted me and former 67's radio commentator \u003Cb\u003EJon Abbott\u003C\/b\u003E, and walked over to shake hands. Not many 18-year-olds do that.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIt was hardly a shock that he went directly from being drafted No. 6 overall in 2013 to making the Flames. He might have done it a season sooner if he had made the age cutoff to play in the NHL in '12-13.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPetr Mrazek (Ottawa 67's goalie, 2009-12; currently with Detroit Red Wings)\u0026nbsp;– \u003C\/b\u003EThe moniker Mrazician never caught on, alas, but he was a fun watch for three seasons in Ottawa. This was in the innocent days before the Canadian Hockey League wrongheadedly decided to ban goalies from the import draft, letting you, the career house league ankle-burner, know in no uncertain teams that believing European goalies enriched the CHL was a treasonous notion.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EImport players typically need a full season to get comfortable with the league, and the language. Mrazek wrested the No. 1 job in Ottawa by the end of Year 1. By the start of his age-19 season in '11'12, he was \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/ca.sports.yahoo.com\/juniorhockey\/blog\/buzzing_the_net\/post\/ohl-mrazek-spreads-his-wings-entering-final-junior-season?urn=juniorhockey,wp1439\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ea self-possessed goalie\u003C\/a\u003E, almost fully North Americanized. \u003Cb\u003ETom Dempsey\u003C\/b\u003E, who is now Carleton's goalie coach, predicted he would be in the NHL, which he would be within 18 months. Then came the world junior in Edmonton. Czech hockey federation politics kept Mrazek out of the 2010 and '11 tourneys.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EFinally given a chance, he adopted an almost \u003Cb\u003ECam Newton\u003C\/b\u003E in pads persona. It was as if he was challenging the Czech team to realize they belonged. There was the fist pumping after he robbed future Senators forward \u003Cb\u003EMark Stone\u003C\/b\u003E during a 5-0 defeat against Team Canada, which might have been 11-0 if not for him. As the one writer who saw him play regularly in the OHL, I was asked, \"Is he like that in Ottawa?\" I replied no, this was different; he was trying to rally his troops.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe Canadian players were aggrieved by the celly-ing; I recall\u003Cb\u003E Brendan Gallagher \u003C\/b\u003Emaking some thinly veiled snide comments. The Team Canada players, in the thrall of the jingoism that is the WJC, couldn't contemplate the notion that hockey politics had reduced Mrazek to only one opportunity to play in the tournament. Or that there is a slight discrepancy in how many resources Canada, as opposed to an Eastern European country, can put into an under-20 hockey tournament.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe reception toward Mrazek, of course, changed after he made 50 saves in a 5-2 Czech win against Team USA. He gave the Yanks a severe case of gripthestickitis and had fans eating out of his hand. On top of all the 10-bell saves, there was the emoting, the delirious dog-pile on to his teammates in front of his bench after a third-period dagger goal, and he almost scored an empty-net goal.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe Czechs lost in the quarter-final to eventual silver medalist Russia, but Mrazek made that tournament, picking up the Top Goaltender Award. And he even saw some humour in it the morning after the gold-medal game when he strolled into the boarding lounge before a Calgary-Ottawa flight and spotted a journalist rocking a Sweden jersey.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003ECourtnay Pilypaitis (Vermont Catamounts basketball guard, 2006-10; Canadian Olympic women's basketball team, 2012)\u0026nbsp;–\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003EIt is always flattering to a sports scribe's ego to believe you got to something early. One point of emphasis while writing a once-a-week feature for the \u003Ci\u003ESun \u003C\/i\u003Ewas to give more coverage to female athletes, because it was 2007. That meant writing a feature on Pilypaitis in her sophomore year when she was the Catamounts' leader in scoring, rebounding and assists simultaneously. A year later, the Ottawa media started paying attention when she led the mid-major to successive NCAA Tournament berths in her junior and senior seasons.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBeing big-time interested in basketball below the NBA meant taking an avid interest in how Canada's national teams fared each summer during the FIBA season. It would probably be embarrassing to confess to how many hours were spent watching streams or refreshing a live scoring page.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIn the summer of 2012, before\u0026nbsp;it was cool for media people care about the senior women's national team, and before a place where I used to write started giving all the Canada Basketball coverage to millennials who wouldn't know \u003Cb\u003EChris Critelli \u003C\/b\u003Efrom \u003Cb\u003EChris Campoli\u003C\/b\u003E, I committed to covering their run at the last-chance London 2012 qualifier.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ECanada didn't have a singular talent like \u003Cb\u003EKia Nurse \u003C\/b\u003Eyet. They scraped through\u0026nbsp;– \"Canadians always have to do it the hard way,\" was \u003Cb\u003EKim Smith Gaucher\u003C\/b\u003E's summation after one loss – and Pilypaitis came through hugely in the win on Canada Day that sealed the Olympic berth. One would have thought that the first Canadian team, female or male, to qualify for the Olympics in three quadrennials would have been a big story. It was, though, a holiday, and some NHL team had probably just overpaid for a middling free agent. Four reporters\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003E– Mike Koreen\u003C\/b\u003E,\u003Cb\u003E Gary Kingston\u003C\/b\u003E,\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003EDoug Smith \u003C\/b\u003Eand one other guy – made the effort to call in to talk to coach \u003Cb\u003EAlison McNeill\u003C\/b\u003E and Pilypaitis, who had been the woman of the hour.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThat Olympic qualification might not have rated top billing that day. Without it, though, the SWNT would not have had the profile that led to them hosting and winning the FIBA Americas championship in 2015. Pilypaitis helped make that possible.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EBrad Sinopoli (Gee-Gees football, 2007-10; Ottawa Redblacks 2015-present)\u0026nbsp;– \u003C\/b\u003EWhether as No. 12 throwing passes, and breaking tackles, for the Gee-Gees, or as No. 88 catching passes, and breaking tackles for the Redblacks, Sinopoli is a price-of-admission playmaker. He's also down to earth. On Friday, as part of a promotion at a 67's game, Sinopoli, Burris and guard \u003Cb\u003EAlex Mateas \u003C\/b\u003Ewere still signing autographs and posing for photos 30 minutes after the final buzzer.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIt has been cool to have had a good perspective for both incarnations of Big Brad. He had more highlight plays in his two seasons as the Gee-Gees quarterback than some other all-Canadian QBs amass across five. There was the time he turned a fouled-up field-goal attempt into a rushing touchdown on third-and-28 against Laurier. In '09, he averaged more than 10 yards per carry, as a quarterback.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIn 2010, his Hec Crighton season, there were fourth-quarter comebacks to defeat Western, Queen's on the road, McMaster, and Laurier in the playoffs. So in other words, he pulled out wins against all three OUA programs that went to the Vanier Cup within two seasons on either side of that fall. If not for \u003Cb\u003ELirim Hajrullahu\u003C\/b\u003E's field goal that gave Western the Yates Cup, those Gee-Gees would have played Calgary for the Vanier. Who knows what the over\/under on quarterback rushing totals would have been in an\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003EErik Glavic\u003C\/b\u003E vs. Brad Sinopoli showdown.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ENow Brad has reinvented himself as a 1,000-yard receiver for the Redblacks, who have this city in thrall with a new team that's fast become a winner. Sinopoli provided plenty of entertainment during the years when there was just the one OUA team to represent the city in Canadian football.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EStu Turnbull (Carleton Ravens basketball guard, 2004-09)\u0026nbsp;–\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003EThe historical bridge between the five-in-a-row Ravens of\u003Cb\u003E Osvaldo Jeanty \u003C\/b\u003Eand the \u003Ci\u003Eother \u003C\/i\u003Efive-in-a-row Ravens of \u003Cb\u003EPhil Scrubb\u003C\/b\u003E and \u003Cb\u003EThomas Scrubb\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EPersonally, since \u003Cb\u003EDave Smart \u003C\/b\u003Eis a fellow Kingstonian\/Napaneean and many of his early Carleton teams had a lot of Kingston content, the Ravens were an entry point for my becoming as alt.nerd.obsessive about Canadian university basketball as football. Being on the periphery of the fringe of Kingston basketball circles in the mid-1990s meant being early to knowing about the Smart genius for developing and organizing basketball programs, which was very much 1 per cent inspiration and 99 per cent perspiration. To rip off some of \u003Cb\u003EGord Downie\u003C\/b\u003E's lyricism, he was a dynasty \"looking for a place to happen.\"\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOne day in spring 1999, an associate at \u003Ci\u003EThe Queen's Journal \u003C\/i\u003Ecalled Smart \"the \u003Cb\u003EMike Keenan \u003C\/b\u003Eof the CIAU.\" I replied that Carleton would win a national title in the next five years. I was wrong. Within a half-decade, they already had two.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThere should be a statue of Smart. Not outside the Ravens' Nest, the facility Carleton built once the CIS banners started to roll in, but outside the ARC at Queen's, where he played. The inscription should read,\u003Ci\u003E \"Don't ask why we didn't hire him,\" \u003C\/i\u003Ethen list all the championships. Sorry, not sorry Queen's.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI came to town toward the tail end of the Jeanty era. In 2007-08, the Ravens won their first 31 CIS games going into the Final 8 in Kanata. The underlying question, with Oz gone, was who would be their closer with the game on the line.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBefore the nationals, I was interviewing\u003Cb\u003E Aaron Doornekamp\u003C\/b\u003E, and looking back, I was a little too infatuated with the ex-Ernestown Eagle angle on the story, of how someone went from being a 6-4 wing out of a small high school to a thickly built 6-8 combo forward and CIS player of the year. At one point, Doornekamp mentioned, matter-of-factly, \"none of us could replace Oz.\" That didn't get into the story, since it didn't serve a preconceived narrative.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThat turned out to be prescient after Carleton fell 82-80 in double overtime to Acadia in the national semifinal. Acadia shot about 55 per cent (probably 65%-plus in effective FG%) in the second half and overtimes. Carleton shot in the 30s, and yet had the last shot at the end of regulation and the first OT When time ran out, Turnbull went right over to do a post-game interview with CKCU-FM, the Carleton campus station. It was a very professional move from an amateur athlete. In 2008-09, the best team in CIS was the Western Mustangs, bar none. Weeks before the nationals, \u003Cb\u003EGreg Layson\u003C\/b\u003E, now of CBC Windsor, said Western would be the best team at the Final 8 and the Ravens would outmaneuver them.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThen Stu made that \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=NvXTVgrrh1g\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ebuzzer-beating pull-up over Mustangs guard \u003Cb\u003EMatt Curtis\u003C\/b\u003E for a 66-65 victory\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;on Semifinal Saturday.\u003Cb\u003E Mark Masters\u003C\/b\u003E and I, doing commentary for the webcast, had a perfect view of a Shot 'Heard Round Canada that was so dead-on that the netting barely ruffled as the ball tumbled down the cylinder, which meant you heard Stu scream out in triumph before 8,000-plus people went from mute to 11. Meantime, I almost bit through my tongue to make sure I didn't say anything to interrupt Mark's call, which was just as impeccable.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIt was just an ultimate gamer moment. Turnbull played the full 40 minutes that night. I recall him slumping on the media table whilst doing a courtside interview, accepting a hug from his mother. \u003Cbr \/\u003EIt was as good as anything you would see in the other March Madness, and more knowable, since CIS athletes are of the student population, not apart from it in classes of dubious academic virtue.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EDon't ask me anything about what happened about 16 hours later when Carleton beat UBC 87-75 for W.P. McGee Trophy. The Ravens spotted the Thunderbirds a 12-2 lead before the first-quarter media timeout, and they kept making UBC lead guard \u003Cb\u003EChris Dyck \u003C\/b\u003Ego to his left hand on the drive. The rest is blocked out.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EKrista van Slingerland (Ravens basketball, 2009-12; Gee-Gees basketball, 2014-present)\u0026nbsp;– \u003C\/b\u003EMs. van Slingerland's work with \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.samhi.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EStudent-Athlete Mental Health Initiative (SAMHI)\u003C\/a\u003E is going to leave a major legacy. It takes true strength to be open about mental illness. People are more aware about how the struggle is real. There is always the chance that someone\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003E– \u003C\/b\u003Ea potential employer, an Internet troll, even a well-meaning person\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003E– \u003C\/b\u003Ewill not get it, or see it as a negative.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIt is inspiring, from this vantage point, to follow how van Slingerland has made a comeback across the past two seasons with the women's basketball Gee-Gees after her low times. Her advocacy is going to help improve the student-athlete experience for many, many people in CIS, and that matters as much as any athletic feat.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThat all circles back to what this post was about: games are about the people within them, not the game itself.\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/8209015638057124431\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/02\/editorial-ten-years-10-ottawa-athletes.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/8209015638057124431"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/8209015638057124431"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/02\/editorial-ten-years-10-ottawa-athletes.html","title":"Editorial: Ten years, 10 Ottawa athletes"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"sager"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08757652892056684490"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-HoppI3_eGQc\/VrWGl9xFY2I\/AAAAAAAADEA\/ucwvqUnIa7M\/s220\/Neate1379-4x4M.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-KPEJXk4gE7Y\/VtDvbbGma0I\/AAAAAAAADFg\/puSId8lPAe0\/s72-c\/08202329%2B%25282%2529.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-2118470235638410114"},"published":{"$t":"2013-05-21T09:00:00.000-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2013-05-22T15:09:22.198-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CFL"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CFL draft"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Dinos"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Football"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gaiters"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Golden Hawks"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Stingers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Warriors"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Football: Looking back at CFL mock drafts"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"A few weeks ago, we ran \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2013\/04\/football-2013-cfl-mock-draft.html\"\u003Ea CFL mock draft\u003C\/a\u003E by \u003Cb\u003ETyler Honeywood\u003C\/b\u003E. There were several other mock drafts published out there (see full list at bottom), and today we'll look at some of the more interesting and unexpected picks. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"fullpost\"\u003E**\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EHIGHER THAN EXPECTED\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESteven Lumbala (RB, Calgary)\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ci\u003EDrafted 1-5 by Montreal\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ciframe allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"315\" src=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/_El9a1jXsEY\" width=\"560\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/ca.sports.yahoo.com\/blogs\/cfl-55-yard-line\/three-steals-three-reaches-cfl-draft-201330934.html\"\u003EIdentified as one of three reaches\u003C\/a\u003E by our \u003Cb\u003EAndrew Bucholtz\u003C\/b\u003E, Lumbala wasn't predicted to go in anyone's first round, and only showed up in the mocks of those who did three or more rounds. As Andrew says, the Als may be looking for a Canadian backup running back, and Lumbala could be the best one out there.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ELumbala was an excellent CIS player, although a lot of his success came against some lesser Canada West teams; \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2012\/11\/football-marauders-dismantle-dinos-in.html\"\u003Eagainst McMaster in last year's Mitchell Bowl\u003C\/a\u003E, he ran for just 39 yards on 14 carries in \"a 45-6 demolition. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.calgaryherald.com\/sports\/football\/calgary-stampeders\/Johnson+Lumbala+selection+fifth\/8345985\/story.html\"\u003EApparently\u003C\/a\u003E, CFL teams were concerned with his size, injury history, and \"lack of lickety-split.\" If you know what that last phrase could possibly mean, you are the only person in the world who can claim that.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EKris Robertson (DB, Concordia)\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ci\u003EDrafted 2-11 by Winnipeg\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"fullpost\"\u003E\"Regardless of how you approach it, Robertson sure seems like a compelling CFL prospect. A defensive back with that kind of speed, that kind of vertical and proven ball-hawking ability? Oh, and he can also return kicks? It's hard to see how he was passed over for a combine invite initially, unless everyone just decided to ignore the Stingers this year.\"\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"fullpost\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThat's Andrew again, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/ca.sports.yahoo.com\/blogs\/cfl-55-yard-line\/kristopher-robertson-shines-again-sunday-40-yard-dash-191227385.html\"\u003Ewriting about Robertson following the combine\u003C\/a\u003E. Ten years after \u003Ci\u003EMoneyball\u003C\/i\u003E, and we're still seeing players ranked lower by scouts because of their height (or reading \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.durhamregion.com\/sports\/article\/1617694--size-of-kris-robertson-s-heart-is-what-mattered-most\"\u003Enonsense like this\u003C\/a\u003E).\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOur \u003Cb\u003EJared Book\u003C\/b\u003E saw Robertson play while at Concordia, though Robertson's role increased after he graduated, and he remembers \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2010\/09\/football-quebec-sweeps-interlock-and.html\"\u003Ea September 2010 game against McGill\u003C\/a\u003E as his coming-out party. Says Jared, \"I'm not sure he can start defensively but a Canadian return specialist makes him a very interesting prospect. That's usually a spot that goes to Americans.\"\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ERobertson's speed was notable as far back as \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2009\/08\/cis-countdown-2009-concordia-stingers.html\"\u003Efour years ago\u003C\/a\u003E, when he ran the fastest 40 time on the Concordia team as a rookie. But it wasn't just speed: this year he won the 40, the broad jump, the vertical jump, and in my view should win the Least Quotable award too. This paragraph contains more words than he answered to six questions in \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cfl.ca\/video\/index\/id\/83409\"\u003Ethis CFL.ca video\u003C\/a\u003E. But maybe I'm wordy.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EHe was mocked at 26th, 28th, and 30th by those who included him in their drafts. 11th is quite the difference.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E**\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003ELOWER THAN EXPECTED\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMatt Vonk (OL, Waterloo\/Laurier)\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ci\u003EDrafted 5-38 by Saskatchewan\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EVonk's a casualty of the Waterloo PED hysteria, transferring to Laurier and playing his first year there in 2010. Then, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.therecord.com\/sports\/university\/article\/499010--warrior-turned-hawk-left-out-in-the-cold-again\"\u003Ehe had to sit out 2011\u003C\/a\u003E when CIS ruled that \"I forgot to check if my Laurier courses would count at Waterloo\" was not a valid compassionate appeal. (Vonk's listed major on the Waterloo site is kinesiology, which probably isn't the best program to take at Laurier if you want to use those credits for a Waterloo degree.) So he has just two years under his belt, and will likely come back to Waterloo for another year.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESome mock drafts had him going in the first round (or early second), perhaps relying too much on prospect lists. Vonk represents a lower-risk player, with no real NFL interest in him, but also lower-reward. \"\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2013\/04\/football-2013-cfl-mock-draft.html\"\u003ESwinging for a double\u003C\/a\u003E\" is a good phrase here.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EElie Ngoyi (DE, Bishop's)\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ci\u003EDrafted 6-51 by Edmonton\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnother of Andrew's identified steals, except this time the player went at the end of the sixth round, not the beginning of the second. Ngoyi was mocked anywhere from 8th to 21st and fell to 51st in part because of the strong DL class this year. Most teams had already picked one, and B.C. (who had multiple shots at him) had more pressing needs at other positions. Teams presumably thought they could wait on him since basically everyone else needed him less as the draft went on.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ENgoyi also may have NFL interest. There isn't a report saying such, as far as I can tell, but NFL teams love their combine stars and if CFL teams were aware of any interest, it could further explain his slide down to the 50s. (He was predicted to go no later than 21st.)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E**\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EMock drafts used:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"fullpost\"\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cflhorsemen.ca\/goal-digger-barry-britto.html\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EBarry Britto\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/ca.sports.yahoo.com\/blogs\/cfl-55-yard-line\/mock-first-round-2013-cfl-draft-where-team-185547432.html\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EAndrew Bucholtz\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E (first round)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cfl.ca\/page\/justin-dunks-2013-cfl-mock-draft-v20\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EJustin Dunk\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2013\/04\/football-2013-cfl-mock-draft.html\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003ETyler Honeywood\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.calgarysun.com\/2013\/05\/05\/mitchells-2013-mock-cfl-draft\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EScott Mitchell\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.newstalk980.com\/blog\/cfl-draft-mock-draft-round-1\/108411\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EJamie Nye\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/ridleyscouting.com\/BrandonR1U.pdf\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EBrandon Patterson\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"fullpost\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/2118470235638410114\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2013\/05\/football-looking-back-at-cfl-mock-drafts.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/2118470235638410114"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/2118470235638410114"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2013\/05\/football-looking-back-at-cfl-mock-drafts.html","title":"Football: Looking back at CFL mock drafts"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Rob Pettapiece"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/img.youtube.com\/vi\/_El9a1jXsEY\/default.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-5216310349656930708"},"published":{"$t":"2013-04-22T22:45:00.000-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2013-04-26T15:19:57.481-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CFL"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CFL draft"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Football"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Football: 2013 CFL mock draft"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Ci\u003EToday we welcome a CFL mock draft piece from \u003Cb\u003ETyler Honeywood\u003C\/b\u003E (@T_Honeywood), a former Acadia Axemen offensive lineman and a 2012 CFL E-Camp attendee. His look at the draft, with some contributions from myself, begins after the introduction.\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EMock draft season \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cfl.ca\/page\/justin-dunks-2013-cfl-mock-draft-v10\"\u003Eseems to be upon us\u003C\/a\u003E with only two weeks remaining until the CFL draft on May 6. The NFL draft, coming up this week, gets more publicity, but it also factors into the CFL draft stock for a few players eligible for this year's import draft. With the level of football talent in Canada on the rise, many players are succeeding in the NCAA and garnering professional interest down south and that is reflected in this mock draft. Some players who should go higher may have fallen due to the risk of them potentially not coming north. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAlso it must be noted that unlike the NFL draft, the CFL draft is not really a draft for today. Often, players are not expected to make an immediate impact like they are in the States. More stock in the Canadian draft is put into tangibles like speed, athleticism and other measurables of that nature. That is why you will see athletic players who had low stats in the CIS go sooner than more heralded athletes. An example of this is \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/ca.sports.yahoo.com\/cfl\/blog\/cfl_experts\/post\/Skateboarding-hockey-and-the-CFL-Hodgson-defie?urn=cfl-352951\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E2011 sixth-round pick Chris Hodgson\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E who barely registered a stat and only had one season of CIS football under his belt, yet tested well and the Lions took him in the last round.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnother CFL draft wrinkle is that players who could potentially be a ratio buster (players who can play positions that are typically American, such as offensive tackle, corner, defensive end three technique, running back and short side recievers) usually are where the reaches happen. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"fullpost\"\u003E**\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EROUND 1\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E1. Hamilton – Linden Gaydosh – DL – Calgary\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWith the addition of Brian Bulcke from Calgary, and after drafting Boise State nose tackle Michael Atkinson last season, the Tabbies look poised to start one of their seven Canadians on the defensive line. Adding Gaydosh would provide the Ti-Cats with the advantage of having a All-Canadian depth chart at nose tackle. This pick could also be McMaster offensive tackle Matt Sewell if Hamilton evaluates him as a potential ratio-busting OT. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E2. Winnipeg – Mike Edem – LB\/S – Calgary \u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAll recent moves by the Winnipeg front office suggest that they will maintain their ratio down the middle of the defence: Cauchy Muamba was added in the off-season, and they look positioned to maintain that in this area. Edem poses some interesting options for the Blue Bombers, as he is such a versatile athlete. He is physical enough to play at the line of scrimmage and set the edge, but also on the next play be able to run stride for stride with a slotback in the seam. Edem has been projected many ways; however, if the Bombers were able to add him in the draft, they could model one of the best athletes in the draft into the player they want him to be. He could ultimately have an impact next season as a backup at a starting non-import (NIM) position, and contribute on specials with his athleticism. Edem is equally athletic as former No. 1 pick Henoc Muamba. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E3. Montreal (via Edmonton) – Stefan Charles – DL – Regina\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThis pick may change significantly come April 25th, the first day of the NFL draft. Charles is an NCAA-type athlete playing in CIS. Montreal is in a position of power to dictate their draft however they seem fit since they already have a strong NIM nucleus, so the Als are able to wait on the uber-talented Charles for when he is ready to play in the CFL. Stefan Charles possesses CFL starting ability, which is something that cannot be taken lightly. With Montreal already having a solid base of non-import DEs, I see them selecting Charles here. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E4. Saskatchewan – Ben D’Aguilar – DE\/OLB – McMaster\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe Roughriders signed the Argos' Ricky Foley in the offseason, suggesting that they will likely start a non-import defensive end. D’Aguilar would fit well in Saskatchewan where he can offer future starting potential as a backup to Foley, and he also possesses special teams potential as one of the most athletic players in the draft. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E5. Montreal – Seydou Junior Haïdara – WR – Laval\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIf you could pick one weakness out on the Alouettes roster, it would be their lack of NIM depth. Haidara is a physically gifted receiver who possesses a diverse range of tools. He is athletic enough to see some starting potential in his near future, and can also contribute as a special team player, an area of his game where he takes pride. Haïdara does not possess the same risk to the Alouettes as other CFL clubs, as he would likely be more enticed to report to Alouettes training camp than go back to Laval for his last year.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E6. British Columbia – Corey Watman – OL – Eastern Michigan\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe Lions are consistently one of the strongest organizations, and some of their success can be attributed to their non-import nucleus. Watman is a battle-tested player, having started multiple years in the NCAA, eliminating some of the risk in drafting him. Watman would possess great value for the Lions next season as a backup interior o-lineman who could eventually take over at centre from Angus Reid.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E7. Calgary – Matt Sewell – OL – McMaster \u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIf someone evaluates Sewell as a potential ratio-buster at offensive tackle, he will be long gone by this point. He may not be as effective in the CFL if he has to move to guard, as he will have to battle leverage issues. Sewell is one of the best CIS offensive lineman produced in the last few years and should have a great career regardless of where he ultimately ends up on the offensive line. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E8. Toronto – Matt Vonk – OL – Waterloo \u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EVonk, whom Duane Forde \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.tsn.ca\/blogs\/duane_forde\/?id=418908\"\u003Ecalled one of the most athletic offensive lineman in CIS\u003C\/a\u003E, and one of the best at the combine, combines positional versatility (I think he ends up playing center at the next level), with years of starting experience. Vonk does not present the same risk to the Argos as drafting redshirt junior NCAA guys, since they know he is limited to the CFL, however he does possess a very similar ceiling as the NCAA guys. He is a natural knee bender and a phenomenal athlete on the offensive line. The perfect example of swinging for a double: you know exactly what you're getting with Vonk, and, once he adds the necessary strength and mass, could be the best offensive lineman when we look at this year's class five years down the road. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E9. Ottawa – Connor Williams – DL – Utah State \u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI believe this selection will be between Williams and Craighead (see #10, below), both NCAA guys with solid track records and both natives of the Ottawa area. I fully expect the Ottawa franchise to select the Ottawa native they believe has the best chance of playing in the CFL. Craighead is a multiple year starter at UTEP with prototypical NFL size, so I see them going the safer way with this selection. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EROUND 2\u003C\/b\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E10. Edmonton (via Hamilton) – Brander Craighead – OT – UTEP\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EEdmonton has made several moves to suggest they would love to go with a non-import at offensive tackle: the addition of Carson Rockhill, and a depth chart that already contains Matt O’Donnell and Dylan Steenbergen. They look poised to go with four non-imports on the O line this year. Craighead possesses the physical capabilities to play on the edge in the CFL and if the Eskimos' Canadian tackle trio develops, he will give them some interesting options in 2014. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E11. Winnipeg – Elie Ngoyi – DL – Bishop's\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOne of the most physically gifted individuals in the draft, Ngoyi is still extremely raw as a defensive lineman. However the skills are there for a defensive-line coach to work with. Immediately Ngoyi offers unique ability as a 260-plus-pound special team player. Ngoyi has a great motor, and even if he never fully develops as a defensive end, he will still be worth this selection based on what he contributes to special teams. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E12. British Columbia – Hunter Steward – OL – Liberty\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EA big future offensive lineman to add to the Lions' collection of non-import depth. While Steward is not the player that McMillan (see #18) is, he possesses a much higher probability of playing in the CFL. McMillan at the very worst will kick around NFL camps next season even if he is not drafted, as Iowa offensive linemen (especially those who are 6-6 and athletic) are extremely appealing to NFL teams. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E13. Calgary (via Saskatchewan) – Alex Anthony – WR – Laurier\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ECalgary is in need of non-import receiver depth and Anthony is an interesting player who possesses all the physical tools needed to succeed as a NIM receiver at the next level. He has experience as both an inside and outside receiver, but he earns this pick at 13 over some of the small receivers as a result of his speed and size and future special team potential. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E14. Montreal – Carl-Olivier (C.O.) Prime – LB – Wagner College\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EPrime is a big physical body that offers great special team value. He could initially offer some depth behind Shea Emry while also adding an upgrade to some of the larger positions on the return units. Has also played fullback in the past and could pose some interesting options for teams at that position. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E15. Hamilton (via Edmonton through BC) – Natey Adjei – WR – Buffalo\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe Ti-Cats have done a good job of adding talent the last couple of years through the draft, having Mike Atkinson, Fredi Plesius and Arnaud Gascon-Nadon all waiting in the wings. This gives them the luxury of not having to select a player for this year and instead gamble on an NCAA future. Adjei has bounced around the States the last handful of years, but one thing remains constant: he is a great athlete. Adjei, who has yet to make an impact in the NCAA, would be a safe bet to play in the CFL at some point. He has starting non-import potential, which is always worth it with this selection in the 2nd round.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E16. Calgary – Jesse Joseph – DL – UConn\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EJoseph has had some trouble with injuries, but he remains supremely talented. Eligible for the 2013 NFL draft, he will likely get overlooked for medical reasons. He would be an immediate upgrade for Calgary once he returns to health. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E17. Toronto – Hosam Shahin – DL – Rice\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EA potential CFL game-changer, Shahin has NFL potential so obviously there is some risk in this selection. The Argos are not desperate to add non-import talent, having just come off a Grey Cup victory with a strong non-import base. Shahin gives the Argos a nice lottery ticket in case the NFL does not work out for him next season. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E18. Ottawa – Nolan McMillan – OL – Iowa\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI would be surprised if McMillan didn’t kick around the NFL for a year or two after leaving Iowa. He possesses size for the league and comes from a great program pedigree. Of all the red shirt juniors in this years draft McMillan has the best NFL chance outside of outside of Boseko Lokombo. Ottawa is in the position to take this gamble with their second-round selection, with McMillan a potential ratio-buster at offensive tackle. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EROUND 3\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E19. Hamilton – Yannick Morin-Plante – WR – Laval\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EHamilton needs to address some of their non-import depth issues, especially since they routinely went with three NIM receivers last season. Morin-Plante offers CFL size\/speed and has special teams experience at Laval. And for what it's worth, le Noir et Or have not shied away from Laval talent in the past. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E20. Winnipeg – Mike DiCroce – WR – McMaster\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EDiCroce is an interesting prospect that could go much higher than this, as he offers the ability to backup both the slot and REC position and is a slightly more polished Canadian WR then the others I have taken before him. While DiCroce hasn’t shown much value on return units as a blocker, his ability to catch the football has drawn comparisons to Andre Talbot. He could be a real wild-card come draft day. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E21. BC (via Edmonton) – Patrick Chenard – DB – Sherbrooke\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWith the Lions losing Muamba in the offseason, they need to address some of the depth issues associated. They do not necessarily need to add a starting-calibre player at free safety, as they look poised to go non-import at defensive tackle with Jabar Westerman, but Chenard fits the bill required of CFL FSs. He will offer an immediate value as he brings his speed and open-field tackling ability to the coverage units for BC. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E22. Saskatchewan – Isaac Dell – FB – Laurier\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EDell is one of the most interesting players in the draft, really the definition of what the Canadian full-back position has developed into. He is a capable receiver, athletic enough to contribute on special teams and has the physical capability to develop into a good blocker in time. Has the frame and athleticism to be able to add even more lean mass, which will help aid his transition as a blocker. Really reminds me of a poor man’s Patrick Lavoie who was drafted by Montreal 11th overall in 2012 and had a fantastic rookie campaign. With Saskatchewan rostering two of the oldest fullbacks in the league, the selection of Dell would make sense on so many levels. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E23. Montreal – Stephen Alli – WR – Florida\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnother physically gifted player, Alli looks like a NFL WR coming off the bus, however for one reason or another he has yet to put it all together down south. Montreal, who possess many draft picks, can take the calculated gamble with this selection in hopes that Alli develops (but not too much!) next year for the Gators. He looks like a good bet to play in the CFL at some point. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E24. Edmonton (via Hamilton via BC) – Kalonji Kashama – DL – Eastern Michigan\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EKashama comes from strong CFL history (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/ca.sports.yahoo.com\/blogs\/cfl-55-yard-line\/draft-prospect-kalonji-kashama-could-become-family-fourth-184143412.html\"\u003Ethree brothers in the league\u003C\/a\u003E) and looks extremely likely to play in the CFL at some point. While he could go much higher than this, the threat that he realizes his potential next season and ends up in NFL camp is a real possibility, thus the fall in the draft. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E25. Calgary – Andy Mulumba – DL – Eastern Michigan\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe Stamps diversify their investment in NCAA players here by pairing Joseph at 16 with Mulumba at 25. It is likely at least one of them plays in the CFL next season. The NFL risk for Mulumba is; if he does not end up in NFL camp, he will likely get selected much higher. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E26. Edmonton (via Toronto) – Brent Urban – DL – Virginia\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWhile Urban will likely get NFL looks next season as a 3-4 defensive end, he could eventually see himself playing in the CFL. He has the potential to be a Doug Brown clone on the inside, and if the Eskimos want to maintain their ratio at defensive tackle in the future he would be a fantastic stash pick here. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E27. Ottawa – Tolu Akinwumi – DB – Rice\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ETolu gives the Ottawa franchise a nice free safety option for next season; he gets the nod over Oregon’s Boseko Lokomko who will likely never play a snap in the CFL. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EROUND 4\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E28. Calgary – Cam Redl – OL – Saskatchewan\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWould have likely been a much higher pick than this if not for health concerns. Redl has size that, as the saying goes, cannot be taught and offers the Stamps a great risk\/reward with this selection. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E29. Winnipeg – Brett Jones – OL – Regina\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAn accomplished CIS offensive lineman, Jones is the Canadian version of Corey Watman. He may fall in the draft as teams pigeonhole him as a centre-only prospect. The potential is there for a long CFL career. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E30. Montreal (via Edmonton) – Kris Robertson – DB – Concordia\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ERobertson offers rare physical ability, and once he learns the nuances of playing DB in the CFL, he could add some unique depth possibilities to his game. With many backup defensive backs being Canadian, Robertson would offer the team the luxury of getting out of a game if an import gets injured. Robertson is one of the rare CIS athletes that is athletic enough to play corner in the CFL. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E31. Edmonton (via Saskatchewan) – Simon Le Marquand – WR – Ottawa\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EEdmonton added a big-time player in receiver Shamawd Chambers last season, however they still need some non-import depth behind Chambers and Nate Coehoorn. Le Marquand meets the athletic standards for the position and at this juncture of the draft would be a great addition, with potential to make the roster in 2013. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E32. Montreal – Chris Mercer – OL – Regina\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EA big athletic body that has only scratched the surface of his potential and could eventually develop into a starting quality offensive lineman. Montreal adds Mercer to a deep stable of Canadian offensive linemen. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E33. BC – Kyle Norris – LB – SMU\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ENorris passes the eyeball test when it comes to Canadian linebackers, a good athlete that could come in immediately and fight for playing time on special teams. Norris’s physical tools will be attractive around this juncture of the draft. The Lions lost James Yurichuk to Toronto in the off-season and need to restock their non-import linebacking cupboard.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E34. Calgary – Nicolas Boulay – LB – Sherbrooke\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EA big-hitting linebacker that isn’t a stranger to playing in space, Boulay would offer some depth to a relatively thin Stamps non-import linebacking crew. He also could battle immediately for special teams playing time after Calgary traded Akwasi Antwi to Toronto in the off-season. There is a glaring need on the Stamps depth chart for a couple more physical Canadians, and I fully expect them to address this in the draft. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E35. Hamilton – Matt Albright – OL – SMU\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EReally a very similar prospect to Regina’s Chris Mercer: big guy, potential. Well put together, athletic linemen always seem to be in high demand in the CFL. Hamilton welcomes that added depth to their roster with Albright at 35.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E36. Ottawa – Boseko Lokombo – LB – Oregon\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAt this point Ottawa throws up a Hail Mary with their final selection in the 2013 draft. Lokombo will likely never play in the CFL, but if he does he could be among the best players in the league. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E**\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnd some other interesting names, in no particular order:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESteven Lumbala – RB – Calgary\u003C\/b\u003E: Offers an interesting skill set for teams that are structured to start a non-import RB. Using Canadian RBs can be kind of linked to the “moneyball” philosophy, of taking advantage of a situation when it is too good to ignore. Possible landing place in BC or Calgary.\u003C\/li\u003E \u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EStephen Adekolu – WR – Bishop's\u003C\/b\u003E: Another WR that looks great coming off the bus but has yet to realize his potential. Some teams will likely see Akeem Foster when they evaluate him; size\/strength\/speed guys usually go much higher than you anticipate when it comes to CFL draft day. Intriguing prospect. \u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EShane Bergman – OL – Western\u003C\/b\u003E: Another big body, though he is still raw, and needs to continue to work on becoming a better athlete. However the potential is there and he should intrigue more than just a few teams. \u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EGuillaume Rioux – WR – Laval\u003C\/b\u003E: A short, shifty, athletic slot receiver. He made a lot of hay in the return game at the CIS level, routinely being one of the most dangerous return men in the country. There is a market for WRs like him in the CFL, however the big question is how valuable is he once you take away the return ability? It is pretty rare for non-import returners in CFL. Would be a nice selection for the Argos to battle with 2012 draft pick Quincy Hurst. \u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ECayman Shutter – QB – Hawaii\u003C\/b\u003E: Is he the Canadian to finally get back under center? American-trained, Shutter has deep CFL roots that may appeal to some CFL teams in the mid-rounds. Only problem is, there is no incentive ratio-wise. He may be limited if he cannot play QB as he isn’t a special athletic specimen that could easily transition to another position. \u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMike Spence – DB – Western\u003C\/b\u003E: A DB that isn’t afraid to mix it up on special teams and isn’t afraid to lay the lumber on WRs. Spence is athletic enough to make a serious contribution on special teams immediately, and possesses the skills that could appeal to non-import free safety teams as a potential starter down the road. Has potential to get drafted much higher. \u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EBrent Wheeler – DL – Western\u003C\/b\u003E: Western has done a great job of producing rotational\/special team type d-lineman the past couple years in the CFL. It seems like they are all cut from the same cloth. Wheeler offers a skill set that is very attractive to teams looking for NIM depth and special team potential. Add in the strong program pedigree and it would be easy to see Wheeler making an impact. \u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ECameron Wade – DB – Acadia\u003C\/b\u003E: A rangy, smart defender who is also a proven CIS special teams player. Wade offers interesting value for CFL clubs as he is larger than most of the other defensive backs in this year's class. Could go off the board much sooner depending on how teams evaluate the other free-safety candidates.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EJakob Piotrowksi – OL – Guelph\u003C\/b\u003E: Was one of the toughest offensive linemen to play against in the OUA prior to missing the 2012 season with a shoulder injury. Had started for multiple seasons on the Gryphons' offensive line and would have likely been one of the first CIS offensive lineman taken in this year’s draft had he played in 2012. Played left tackle for the Gryphons but projects easily as a CFL guard. Possesses the size\/speed\/strength\/nastiness and natural knee bend that you desire in Canadian offensive linemen. He is positioned to be one of the steals of the 2013 draft. \u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMatt Burke – FB – Bishop's\u003C\/b\u003E: One of the more interesting players in the draft and could really go anywhere depending on what you see when you evaluate him. Burke gets projected as a CFL fullback, however he has limited college tape of doing so. If he commits himself to being a CFL fullback he could be valuable. An intriguing athlete that looks like a potential CFL special team contributor. \u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EBrett Lauther – K – SMU\u003C\/b\u003E: A dual-threat kicker, equally talented as former Huskie Justin Palardy and should entice CFL clubs. Is used to kicking in the elements, as Maritime winds are known to be less than friendly to kickers. The leg talent is there. \u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMichael Klassen – DL – Calgary\u003C\/b\u003E: An athletic defensive lineman, Klassen comes from a program that is known to put players in the CFL. He has had plenty of exposure to CFL scouts and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him drafted in the mid-rounds. Again, another guy with the size\/speed\/special teams potential to be drafted higher than you might expect. \u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EKareem Ba – DL\/LB – UBC\u003C\/b\u003E: An enigma who made a great impression at last year's East\/West Bowl, making several tackles in the game. However he failed to build on that momentum during his CIS 2012 season. The lack of 2012 production will surely be a red flag. Will be a true wildcard in the draft. \u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMatt McGarva – S – Windsor\u003C\/b\u003E: A missile on defense that isn’t afraid to throw his head in the blender to make a play. Tested well enough at the combine to back up what he has shown on film, and should appeal to teams looking for a gritty special team player. Good fit as a \"hot to the ball\" guy on coverage units. Similar build to Mike Miller. \u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ECameron Thorn – OL – Guelph\u003C\/b\u003E: Thorn, a former defensive tackle, offers some intriguing athletic value. He has never played the position but possesses great physical tools that could be projectable to playing tackle in the CFL. I could see the Alouettes drafting Thorn, teaching him some of the finer points of playing OL as a non-counter in training camp, and sending him back to Guelph to hone his skills on the offensive line. Thorn would eventually add to the Alouettes considerable stable of non-import lineman in 2014. \u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/5216310349656930708\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2013\/04\/football-2013-cfl-mock-draft.html#comment-form","title":"1 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/5216310349656930708"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/5216310349656930708"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2013\/04\/football-2013-cfl-mock-draft.html","title":"Football: 2013 CFL mock draft"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Kevin Garbuio"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/17514223307445520141"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"1"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-593971007681338710"},"published":{"$t":"2013-02-12T00:11:00.001-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2013-02-12T00:11:43.533-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"AUS football recap"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CFL"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"coaches"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Football"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"SMU Huskies"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"AUS football: Huskies tab Marcello Simmons as DC"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Exciting news out of Halifax: \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/thechronicleherald.ca\/sports\/682335-smu-names-simmons-defensive-co-ordinator\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMonty Mosher\u003C\/b\u003E of the Chronicle-Herald reports\u003C\/a\u003E that the Saint Mary's Huskies filled their vacant defensive coordinator position on Monday with the hiring of former CFLer \u003Cb\u003EMarcello Simmons\u003C\/b\u003E. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESimmons is replacing \u003Cb\u003EDevin Murphy\u003C\/b\u003E, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/thechronicleherald.ca\/sports\/186315-smu-in-market-for-defensive-coordinator\"\u003Ewho left the same role at the end of the 2012 season\u003C\/a\u003E. It was rumoured that Murphy and head coach \u003Cb\u003EPerry Marchese\u003C\/b\u003E were not on good terms throughout the season. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThis new hire should continue the SMU tradition of strong defence based around match coverage principles. While Murphy and Simmons run different concepts, the Huskies should be able to hit the ground running and build on what should be considered a disappointing season, largely so because of their troubles on offence.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"fullpost\"\u003EOne of the issues that SMU had last year in the secondary was how Murphy's system forced the defence to tattle on itself by moving \u003Cb\u003ENeil King\u003C\/b\u003E out of the free safety position when running the match. Simmons' defence relies more on the strong side linebacker being the adjuster. (Of course this all comes down to personnel: Murphy could have been forced to use King due to the lack of depth they had after \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2012\/08\/cis-countdown-2012-aus-preview-part-one.html\"\u003Etheir tumultuous offseason\u003C\/a\u003E. Previously \u003Cb\u003EJeff Hecht\u003C\/b\u003E was used in this role.)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESimmons, a former defensive back himself in the CFL for seven seasons, mostly in the late-90s, also played for the Southern Methodist Mustangs which puts him on a very short list of people involved with both SMU football programs. He has spent the last decade coaching in the CIS and CFL with the most notable stop in Toronto, where he was special teams coordinator with the Argonauts from 2003 to 2008, including their 2004 Grey Cup win. After a brief hiatus he joined the Acadia Axemen in 2010* and then the Guelph Gryphons in 2011, both times coaching the defensive backs. He went back to the CFL last year as the DB coach for Edmonton, and now moves on to a new challenge in Halifax.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ci\u003E* In the interests of full disclosure: I played under Marcello Simmons during my 2010 season at Acadia.\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/593971007681338710\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2013\/02\/aus-football-huskies-tab-marcello.html#comment-form","title":"1 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/593971007681338710"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/593971007681338710"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2013\/02\/aus-football-huskies-tab-marcello.html","title":"AUS football: Huskies tab Marcello Simmons as DC"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Kevin Garbuio"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/17514223307445520141"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"1"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-7483432772921349794"},"published":{"$t":"2010-11-21T21:40:00.001-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2010-11-21T21:41:04.694-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CFL"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Football"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"TSN"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Vanier Cup"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Football: Vanier and Grey, together in Vancouver in '11"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"TSN's \u003Cb\u003EDave Naylor\u003C\/b\u003E \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.tsn.ca\/cfl\/story\/?id=342308\"\u003Ehas the scoop\u003C\/a\u003E: \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003ENext season's Vanier Cup will be played at Vancouver's renovated B.C. Place Stadium, one day before the Grey Cup game is played on the same site.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAn announcement is expected Monday about the Canadian university championship game being promoted as part of the overall Grey Cup festival.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAlthough a firm date for the Vanier Cup has not been established next year, it is likely to be played on the Friday night and not the Saturday.\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"fullpost\"\u003EAfter the 2008 Vanier Cup--held in Hamilton the day before the Grey Cup in Montreal--had disappointing attendance, \u003Cb\u003ENeate Sager\u003C\/b\u003E \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2008\/11\/football-vanier-fallout-status-quo-is.html\"\u003Esaid it was time to \"stop dancing around the Obvious Pole\"\u003C\/a\u003E and put the two events together. \u003Cb\u003EJames Mirtle\u003C\/b\u003E subsequently agreed, so it only took two years for the higher-ups to listen to this site's founders. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E(That last part was tongue-in-cheek.)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThis is pretty obviously a good decision, for the reasons mentioned in Neate's linked post and the comments following it. If we spend some time in the wayback machine, we see that the 2007 Vanier Cup (same city and weekend as the Grey Cup) had a \"pretty packed house\" in terms of media coverage, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2007\/11\/2007-vanier-cup.html\"\u003Eper James' game-day observations\u003C\/a\u003E. Which is exactly what you'd expect.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWould putting the games together increase fan attendance at the Vanier, though? That depends on how many football fans would go to both games, I suppose, and others can speak more to Vancouver's appetite for Canadian football. (Like the Vanier Cup game itself, I've rarely been seen outside of Ontario and Quebec.)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/7483432772921349794\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2010\/11\/football-vanier-and-grey-together-in.html#comment-form","title":"2 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/7483432772921349794"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/7483432772921349794"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2010\/11\/football-vanier-and-grey-together-in.html","title":"Football: Vanier and Grey, together in Vancouver in '11"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Rob Pettapiece"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"2"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-556487067402668585"},"published":{"$t":"2010-11-09T23:00:00.001-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2010-11-25T02:03:55.716-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Carabins"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CFL"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Football"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gee-Gees"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Golden Gaels"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"statistics"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Vert et Or"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Football: Top offensive performances of the 2010 season"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2010\/09\/football-early-season-standouts.html\"\u003EBack in September\u003C\/a\u003E, we looked at who the early-season leaders were in various yardage categories, above and beyond what was expected. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe example I gave was \u003Cb\u003EBrad Sinopoli\u003C\/b\u003E, who threw for 345 yards in 38 attempts against Windsor. But, since Windsor's pass defence against everyone but Sinpoli gave up 7.2 yards per attempt, or about 274 per 38 attempts, Sinopoli is awarded only 71 surplus yards for that game. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ENow that the season's over, we can take a look at the full 2010 statistics. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"fullpost\"\u003ELet's start with the \u003Cb\u003Epassing leaders\u003C\/b\u003E. Here are the total surplus yardage results for everyone from the 2010 regular season with at least 112 pass attempts, or 14 per game:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable border=\"1\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cb\u003ERk\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPlayer\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cb\u003ETeam\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cb\u003EAtt\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESurplus\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E1\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EShoiry\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ESHE\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E254\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003E574\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E2\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EQuinlan\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EMAC\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E209\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003E471\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E3\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ESinopoli\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOTT\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E280\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003E467\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E4\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ENixon\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ESSK\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E225\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003E333\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E5\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EPrud'homme\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ELAV\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E145\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003E298\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E6\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EBrown\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ESMU\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E165\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003E207\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E7\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EHotchkiss\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EMTA\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E207\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003E194\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E8\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EChapdelaine\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EQUE\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E219\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003E178\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E9\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EMueller\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EREG\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E245\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003E168\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E10\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EMarshall\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EUWO\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E149\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003E157\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E11\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ERossetti\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EGUE\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E170\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003E103\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E12\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EAndrews\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EBIS\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E218\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003E94\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E13\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EDzwilewski\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ECGY\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E103\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003E42\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E14\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EKennedy\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EWSR\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E153\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003E8\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E--\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ECIS AVERAGE\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E---\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E---\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003E0\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E15\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ENadeau-Piuze\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EMTL\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E228\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003E-13\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E16\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EWilliams\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EMAN\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E216\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003E-14\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E17\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EKelly\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EWLU\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E149\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003E-71\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E18\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EWensley\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ESFX\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E164\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003E-129\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E19\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EMorsink\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ECON\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E272\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003E-132\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E20\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EMarchand\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EALB\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E215\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003E-206\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E21\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EGraves\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EACA\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E203\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003E-222\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E22\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EGreene\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EUBC\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E298\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003E-229\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E23\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EGillis\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ETOR\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E298\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003E-283\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E24\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EBondy\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EMCG\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E290\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003E-314\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E25\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ECoutu\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EYOR\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E129\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003E-353\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EJean-Philippe Shoiry\u003C\/b\u003E not only tops the list by total yardage (correction: tops it by 100 yards), but also by surplus yards per attempt, with just a tiny bit more than \u003Cb\u003EKyle Quinlan\u003C\/b\u003E. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBeyond those two, we have the rest of the big five, so to speak, then we get into a second tier from \u003Cb\u003EMicah Brown\u003C\/b\u003E all the way to \u003Cb\u003EDonnie Marshall\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ENot a lot of surprises here. With quarterbacks, though, we're usually looking at the whole team's passing performance. The #2 QB gets far less playing time than, say, the #2 RB or receiver. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E**\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EReceiving leaders\u003C\/b\u003E (at least 20 receptions; top and bottom 10 only)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable border=\"1\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cb\u003ERk\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPlayer\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cb\u003ETeam\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cb\u003ERec\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESurplus\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E1\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ECharbonneau\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ESHE\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E55\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003E418\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E2\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EBolduc\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOTT\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E39\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003E262\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E3\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EEtienne\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ESSK\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E24\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003E258\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E4\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ETrevail\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EUWO\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E21\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003E158\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E5\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EGardner\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EGUE\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E30\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003E156\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E6\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EDimitroff\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EGUE\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E23\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003E149\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E7\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EKouame\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EMTL\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E20\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003E126\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E8\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EDiCroce\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EMAC\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E23\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003E119\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E9\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EAdjeitey\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOTT\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E36\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003E115\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E10\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ERoss\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EMTA\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E34\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003E109\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E..\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E...\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E..\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003E...\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E50\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EHughes\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOTT\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E55\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003E-57\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E51\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EBastien\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ECON\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E23\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003E-58\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E52\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EKohlert\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ESSK\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E36\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003E-63\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E53\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EGeorge\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ESSK\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E22\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003E-64\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E54\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOsei\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ESFX\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E23\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003E-67\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E55\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ESheahan\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EQUE\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E49\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003E-70\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E56\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EMcConkey\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EREG\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E32\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003E-89\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E57\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EBrown\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EALB\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E25\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003E-96\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E58\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EShuster\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EUBC\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E24\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003E-98\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E59\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ESinotte\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EMCG\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E52\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003E-168\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWith Shoiry on the first list, and \u003Cb\u003ESimon Charbonneau\u003C\/b\u003E on this one, it's not surprising that \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/ruefrontenac.com\/sports\/sport-universitaire\/29946-sage-shoiry-poirier-charbonneau-argonauts\"\u003Ethe Argos are all over them\u003C\/a\u003E. (\u003Cb\u003ESerge Vleminckx\u003C\/b\u003E says Toronto are not allergic to Canadian quarterbacks...I guess four pass attempts in a blowout game means you're not allergic, but you may still have mild sinus problems, to mangle the metaphor.)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E**\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThis next list bothers me a bit, because the running back everyone considers the best in CIS is not in the top 10, and is just fourth in his own conference. So it will make some wonder what the value of this \"surplus yards\" system is, and I'm honestly one of them, but let's take a look anyway.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003ERushing leaders\u003C\/b\u003E (at least 40 attempts, top and bottom 10 only):\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable border=\"1\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cb\u003ERk\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPlayer\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cb\u003ETeam\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cb\u003EAtt\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESurplus\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E1\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ESinopoli*\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOTT\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E39\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"\"text-align: right,\"\"\u003E296\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E2\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EGranberg\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EQUE\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E57\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"\"text-align: right,\"\"\u003E202\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E3\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EQuinlan\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EMAC\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E60\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"\"text-align: right,\"\"\u003E165\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E4\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EMarshall\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EUWO\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E65\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"\"text-align: right,\"\"\u003E157\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E5\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EDumas-Goulet\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ESHE\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E75\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"\"text-align: right,\"\"\u003E146\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E6\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EHipperson\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EUWO\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E108\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"\"text-align: right,\"\"\u003E143\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E7\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EDzwilewski\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ECGY\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E52\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"\"text-align: right,\"\"\u003E128\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E8\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ELochard\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ELAV\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E66\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"\"text-align: right,\"\"\u003E127\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E9\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EWalter\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ECGY\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E117\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"\"text-align: right,\"\"\u003E113\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E10\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ELevesque\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ELAV\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E74\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"\"text-align: right,\"\"\u003E112\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E11\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ESene\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EMON\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E176\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"\"text-align: right,\"\"\u003E107\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E..\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E..\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E..\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"\"text-align: right,\"\"\u003E...\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E38\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EMurphy\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EMCG\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E40\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"\"text-align: right,\"\"\u003E-48\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E39\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EJean-Baptiste\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EBIS\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E70\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"\"text-align: right,\"\"\u003E-63\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E40\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EHowell\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EMTA\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E76\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"\"text-align: right,\"\"\u003E-72\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E41\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ELa Touche\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EWLU\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E47\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"\"text-align: right,\"\"\u003E-72\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E42\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EPickett\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EMTA\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E98\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"\"text-align: right,\"\"\u003E-73\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E43\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EDonnelly\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ECON\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E51\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"\"text-align: right,\"\"\u003E-79\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E44\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ELefaive\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EWSR\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E52\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"\"text-align: right,\"\"\u003E-84\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E45\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EBennett\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EWLU\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E99\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"\"text-align: right,\"\"\u003E-104\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E46\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EAtkins\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ESFX\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E77\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"\"text-align: right,\"\"\u003E-111\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E \u003Ctd\u003E47\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EHenry\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EMAN\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E133\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"\"text-align: right,\"\"\u003E-161\u003C\/td\u003E \u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ci\u003E* Sinopoli is No. 1 with less than the required number because, barring disaster, he wouldn't drop below 202 after one more rushing attempt.\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EHere's the thing about \u003Cb\u003ERotrand Sene\u003C\/b\u003E. He has rushed for more yards than anyone, both in raw totals and on a per-game basis. But he averages less than 6 yards per rushing attempt. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThis is not necessarily a bad thing -- gain five yards every play and you never turn the ball over, after all. However, under our framework here, his value is diminished. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EFor example, against St. F-X, he had 220 yards. But that was in 33 attempts. Every other running back averaged 5.4 per attempt, or 178 yards per 33. Meaning he only gets credit for 41 of those yards. It's the same logic I used to explain the Sinopoli example above, but I thought I would repeat it here just because the Sene case is somewhat special.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003ERyan Granberg\u003C\/b\u003E is second on this list almost entirely because of his performance against Toronto, during which he picked up 167 yards mostly in garbage time. So adjust that downwards however you wish.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/556487067402668585\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2010\/11\/football-top-offensive-performances-of.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/556487067402668585"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/556487067402668585"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2010\/11\/football-top-offensive-performances-of.html","title":"Football: Top offensive performances of the 2010 season"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Rob Pettapiece"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-8289480114711844669"},"published":{"$t":"2010-10-01T10:56:00.004-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2010-10-04T02:34:22.530-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Aigles Bleues"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Basketball"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Basketball regionals"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CFL"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Football"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Golden Gaels"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Golden Hawks"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Hockey"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Lakers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Linking the country"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Lions"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Marauders"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Mustangs"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Varsity Blues"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Linking the country: but how can York win if it rains?"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Ci\u003EWhile you admire our new glossy redesign ... \u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EFootball\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EI'll grant the rivalry stuff, the \"they beat Western twice last year\" motivation, the \"avenging the Yates Cup loss\" angle, and the homecoming excitement, all of which make this an important game for the Mustangs. But I can't get that excited about a game involving a 1-3 team who are likely to finish .500 (or even below) in the country's weakest division among those with more than four teams. In other words, I agree with \u003Cb\u003EJohn Surla\u003C\/b\u003E. Also note that this game is so big and so important, yet the article calls \u003Cb\u003EBilly McPhee\u003C\/b\u003E \"Justin.\" (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.lfpress.com\/sports\/columnists\/morris_dalla_costa\/2010\/09\/30\/15541236.html\"\u003ELondon Free Press\u003C\/a\u003E; as well, see University Rush: \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/blogs.thescore.com\/cis\/2010\/09\/30\/splitting-the-uprights-western-mustangs-2\/\"\u003EWestern\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/blogs.thescore.com\/cis\/2010\/09\/30\/splitting-the-uprights-queens-golden-gaels\/\"\u003EQueen's\u003C\/a\u003E preview)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EEx-Golden Hawk \u003Cb\u003EChima Ihekwoaba\u003C\/b\u003E has had an instructive experience, training with the Detroit Lions and playing preseason games. (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cfl.ca\/article\/ihekwoaba-making-the-jump\"\u003ECFL.ca\u003C\/a\u003E)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ENot to jump over \u003Cb\u003EJake Sazio\u003C\/b\u003E's football dreams, because he's bigger than me, but if he wasn't the grandson of Ralph Sazio, would he even get his name into the paper? \"19 year old too small and slow to make CIS football team\" is not quite dog-bites-man, but it does possibly indicate that Canadian football has evolved in the past 50 years or something. (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.thestar.com\/sports\/highschool\/article\/867550--u-of-t-blues-rookie-jake-sazio-treasures-his-football-legacy\"\u003EToronto Star\u003C\/a\u003E)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EBecause we don't have enough OUA football links, here's a Spec article that tries, adorably, to make the McMaster-York game appear somewhat interesting. Mac has to play on grass! People will be cheering for York! (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.thespec.com\/sports\/football\/article\/263431--mcmaster-marauders-prepare-for-toothless-york-in-lions-den\"\u003EHamilton Spectator\u003C\/a\u003E)\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EHockey\u003C\/b\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EYou can read \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2010\/09\/hockey-canada-west-set-for-puck-drop.html\"\u003EEvan's Canada West men's hockey preview\u003C\/a\u003E, then read \u003Cb\u003EDarren Zary\u003C\/b\u003E's. (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.thestarphoenix.com\/sports\/Canada+West+close+call\/3601719\/story.html\"\u003EThe Star-Phoenix\u003C\/a\u003E) \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EConor O'Donnell\u003C\/b\u003E is adjusting to the CIS game after four years in junior. This article hits on all three common points with any ex-CHLer story: you can't fight in the university game, you actually have to go to school, and the calibre of play is pretty good. (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.nugget.ca\/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2779578\"\u003ENorth Bay Nugget\u003C\/a\u003E) Also note that \u003Cb\u003ECabbie \"Cabral\" Richards\u003C\/b\u003E \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.baytoday.ca\/content\/sports\/details.asp?c=38904\"\u003Ewill provide \"glitz\" and \"glamour\"\u003C\/a\u003E at the Lakers' home opener.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EThe Université de Moncton Aigles Bleues are making RPI enthusiasts everywhere happy by hosting a tournament this weekend featuring eight teams from Quebec and the Maritimes. (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/timestranscript.canadaeast.com\/sports\/article\/1241744\"\u003ERewritten press release in the Times \u0026 Transcript\u003C\/a\u003E)\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EBasketball\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EZary asks \u003Cb\u003EJon Kreiner\u003C\/b\u003E and \u003Cb\u003ELisa Thomaidis\u003C\/b\u003E what they think about the new regionals format in women's basketball, while Kreiner's Thunderwolves are in Saskatoon to play the Huskies in a preseason game (Sask. won, by the way). (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.thestarphoenix.com\/Regionals+will+twist+Bronze+Baby+pursuit\/3607767\/story.html\"\u003EThe Star-Phoenix\u003C\/a\u003E)\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/8289480114711844669\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2010\/10\/linking-country-but-how-can-york-win-if.html#comment-form","title":"2 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/8289480114711844669"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/8289480114711844669"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2010\/10\/linking-country-but-how-can-york-win-if.html","title":"Linking the country: but how can York win if it rains?"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Rob Pettapiece"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"2"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-8160771673954585225"},"published":{"$t":"2010-09-23T17:13:00.005-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2012-08-12T23:30:12.536-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Aigles Bleus"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Basketball"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Carabins"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CFL"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CIS expansion"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"cishoops.ca"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Dinos"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Football"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Golden Bears"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gryphons"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Hockey"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Lakers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Linking the country"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Mustangs"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"NCAA"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"UBC Thunderbirds"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Varsity Reds"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Warriors"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Linking the country: Forde focuses on CFL prospects, and exhibition basketball is close to tipoff"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Ci\u003EAs you make plans for a carpool to Moncton for a 2014 CIS-CFL doubleheader ...\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EFootball\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EDuane Forde\u003C\/b\u003E, CFL analyst for TSN, has posted his two-part series on the top draft prospects for 2011 and beyond, many of whom are from CIS. Forde, when talking about \u003Cb\u003ERotrand Sené\u003C\/b\u003E (#9 for 2012), also credits les Carabins with running the wildcat offence better than any CFL team. (TSN: \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/tsn.ca\/cfl\/story\/?id=334531\"\u003EPart 1\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.tsn.ca\/columnists\/duane_forde\/?id=334775\"\u003EPart 2\u003C\/a\u003E)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EJustin Dunk\u003C\/b\u003E has posted the Guelph half of the preview for Saturday's Mustangs-Gryphons game. (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/blogs.thescore.com\/cis\/2010\/09\/23\/splitting-the-uprights-guelph-gryphons\/\"\u003EUniversity Rush\u003C\/a\u003E)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EL'Université de Moncton has ordered up a feasibility study (\"a close, honest look\") for the possibility of adding varsity football, something university president \u003Cb\u003EYvon Fontaine\u003C\/b\u003E thinks would cost in the neighbourhood of $500,000 per year. (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/timestranscript.canadaeast.com\/sports\/article\/1231220\"\u003ETimes \u0026 Transcript\u003C\/a\u003E)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EWestern grad and Riders star \u003Cb\u003EAndy Fantuz\u003C\/b\u003E has a new product out in Regina, and \u003Cb\u003EKate McKenna\u003C\/b\u003E takes a break from raw-meat helmets to tell us about it. (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.ticats.ca\/video\/index\/id\/14285\"\u003ETicatsTV\u003C\/a\u003E)\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EHockey\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EV-Red defensemen \u003Cb\u003EBen Shutron\u003C\/b\u003E and \u003Cb\u003EBen Wright\u003C\/b\u003E both suffered injuries on UNB's Alberta trip. \u003Cb\u003EEric Frere\u003C\/b\u003E was the Dino who delivered the hit that resulted in Shutron's broken femur; Shutron says a hit like that is part of the game, whereas coach \u003Cb\u003EGardiner MacDougall\u003C\/b\u003E thinks it was an avoidable situation. (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/dailygleaner.canadaeast.com\/sports\/article\/1231041\"\u003EThe Daily Gleaner\u003C\/a\u003E)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EThe U of A men's team hosts a pretty decent tournament this weekend: Regina, Saskatchewan, and Calgary are all in town, though the Dinos and Bears don't appear to be playing each other. Then again, the Canada West season starts in eight days, when they do play each other. (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/thegatewayonline.ca\/articles\/sports\/2010\/09\/23\/ice-bears-looking-rebound-weekend\"\u003EThe Gateway\u003C\/a\u003E)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EThree goaltenders are vying for the #1 spot for the Lakers: \u003Cb\u003EMatt Hache\u003C\/b\u003E, \u003Cb\u003EKyle Cantlon\u003C\/b\u003E, and \u003Cb\u003EBilly Stone\u003C\/b\u003E. (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.nugget.ca\/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2769587\"\u003ENorth Bay Nugget\u003C\/a\u003E)\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EBasketball\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMitch Jacobsen\u003C\/b\u003E is an early recruit for the 2011 T-Birds. Coach \u003Cb\u003EKevin Hanson\u003C\/b\u003E says Jacobsen can play any position regardless of whether they're in CIS or not. I wonder what Jacobsen, who has a nationalistic view and thinks Canadian ballers should stay in Canada, thinks about UBC moving to the NCAA. (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/communities.canada.com\/theprovince\/blogs\/high_school_hamper\/archive\/2010\/09\/22\/jacobsen-s-ladder-has-him-standing-tall-with-ubc-on-the-horizon.aspx\"\u003EHowie's High School Hamper\u003C\/a\u003E, not to be confused with \u003Cb\u003EHoward Tsumura\u003C\/b\u003E's other blog, Little Man on Campus; click through for the HHSH banner alone)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMark Wacyk\u003C\/b\u003E has a full preseason schedule posted to add to your bookmarks. (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/wasssports.blogspot.com\/2010\/09\/cis-non-conference-schedule.html\"\u003ECISHoops.ca\u003C\/a\u003E, also seen at \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/bigmanoncampus.typepad.com\/big-man-on-campus\/2010\/09\/a-couple-hoops-notes.html\"\u003EBig Man on Campus\u003C\/a\u003E)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EThe \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.warriormensbasketball.uwaterloo.ca\/history\/showseason.html?Season=1974-75\"\u003E1974-75 national champion Waterloo Warriors\u003C\/a\u003E will be back at Waterloo in October as part of the annual Naismith Tournament. 1975, of course, was the year \u003Cb\u003EMike Moser\u003C\/b\u003E died in Florida in the middle of Waterloo's championship season. Moser is mentioned in the video, which also includes some awesome shots of a packed Waterloo PAC back in the day. (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.warriormensbasketball.uwaterloo.ca\/2010\/news.html\"\u003EWarriors Men's Basketball\u003C\/a\u003E)\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/8160771673954585225\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2010\/09\/linking-country-forde-focuses-on-cfl.html#comment-form","title":"2 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/8160771673954585225"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/8160771673954585225"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2010\/09\/linking-country-forde-focuses-on-cfl.html","title":"Linking the country: Forde focuses on CFL prospects, and exhibition basketball is close to tipoff"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Rob Pettapiece"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"2"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-443583710184399336"},"published":{"$t":"2010-09-06T09:55:00.006-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2010-09-06T18:54:54.248-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CFL"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Football"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"NFL"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Stingers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Whig-Standard"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Football: Stingers' Greenwood makes Kansas City Chiefs"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Ca onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/_NNKD3IjazNs\/TIT3Tdk8IAI\/AAAAAAAAA6A\/H7ep5xZD8d0\/s1600\/greenwood.jpg\"\u003E\u003Cimg style=\"float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/_NNKD3IjazNs\/TIT3Tdk8IAI\/AAAAAAAAA6A\/H7ep5xZD8d0\/s320\/greenwood.jpg\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513803757537468418\" border=\"0\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003ECory Greenwood\u003C\/span\u003E has gone from west-end Montréal to the AFC West in less than a year. Last season's President's Trophy winner out of Concordia is, for the time being, on the Kansas City Chiefs' 53-man roster as a special teams terror, no mean feat when established \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.theglobeandmail.com\/sports\/football\/nfl-cuts-cruel-to-canadians\/article1697041\/\"\u003ECFL players were having a tough time cracking NFL rosters\u003C\/a\u003E. \u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003EMike Koreen\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.thewhig.com\/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2744397\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ecaptured it for posterity\u003C\/a\u003E:\u003Cblockquote\u003E\"Greenwood overcame long odds to make the team. He was signed by the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent, almost a month after the NFL draft. Most top prospects who go undrafted are signed within days of the conclusion of the NFL draft.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\"Of the six Canadian university players to sign with NFL teams this off-season, Greenwood was the only one to make a final roster.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\"While he has made the team, nothing is certain in professional football, where contracts are not guaranteed. If Kansas City sees a player available on the waiver wire that it wants, the Chiefs could dump any player to make room for the newcomer.\"\u003Cbr \/\u003E— \u003Ca style=\"font-style: italic;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.thewhig.com\/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2744397\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EKingston Whig-Standard\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003EA truth here is Greenwood got farther, in less time, than most undrafted free agents. What a testimonial to Greenwood's ability. It also speaks well for coaches who helped bring it out during his stops with the Stingers, the Ottawa Sooners juniors and in his hometown of Kingston, where Greenwood played his high school ball with the Regiopolis-Notre Dame (\"Regi\") Panthers.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EGreenwood is believed to be the first Kingstonian to make a NFL team — and he's wearing No. 93, the digits another good Kingston boy, \u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003EDoug Gilmour\u003C\/span\u003E, made famous with the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1990s.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ERookie free agents probably don't get their pick of jersey number, but you have to love that coincidence.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOddly enough, Greenwood's replacement at inside linebacker for Con U, fellow Kingstonian\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003E Max Caron\u003C\/span\u003E, was QUFL defensive player of the week. Caron had a interception-return touchdown in the Stingers' win over Bishop's (although there was no return involved since he caught the ball while already in the Gaiters' end zone).\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAs a side note, there is probably great blog fodder to be had since Greenwood is just the latest Toronto Argonauts draft pick to end up in the NFL, although this one was tougher to predict.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThat is more for a CFL blog, and what's that you say? Another Kingston product has hit the big-time this weekend with the debut of a CFL blog called \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/ca.sports.yahoo.com\/cfl\/blog\/cfl_experts\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-style: italic;\"\u003EThe 55-Yard Line\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E for Yahoo! Sports?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThat is right. Perhaps this should be left for later, but our own \u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003EAndrew Bucholtz\u003C\/span\u003E (from Surrey, B.C., attended Queen's) is part of the Y! family. Please visit his new professional blog as often as possible.\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/443583710184399336\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2010\/09\/football-stingers-greenwood-makes.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/443583710184399336"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/443583710184399336"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2010\/09\/football-stingers-greenwood-makes.html","title":"Football: Stingers' Greenwood makes Kansas City Chiefs"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"sager"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08757652892056684490"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-HoppI3_eGQc\/VrWGl9xFY2I\/AAAAAAAADEA\/ucwvqUnIa7M\/s220\/Neate1379-4x4M.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/_NNKD3IjazNs\/TIT3Tdk8IAI\/AAAAAAAAA6A\/H7ep5xZD8d0\/s72-c\/greenwood.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-432886047699199490"},"published":{"$t":"2010-07-27T11:28:00.005-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2010-07-27T12:02:01.786-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Canadian QB Controversy"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CFL"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Football"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Early talent identification key for the Canadian QB — Forde"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"It was \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2010\/06\/football-argos-keep-brannagan-little.html\"\u003Ementioned a while back\u003C\/a\u003E that Vanier Cup MVP \u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003EDanny Brannagan\u003C\/span\u003E staying on the Toronto Argonauts practice roster was another crack in the CFL's glass ceiling for Canadian quarterbacks.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIt just so happens the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.edmontonjournal.com\/sports\/Canuck+will+come\/3326562\/story.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003EEdmonton Journal\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E is running a 3-part series on the future for Canuck passers (the first installment \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.edmontonjournal.com\/sports\/Canadian\/3298239\/story.html\"\u003Ewas a look back\u003C\/a\u003E). \u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003EDuane Forde\u003C\/span\u003E, the TSN analyst, had a couple salient points:\u003Cblockquote\u003E\"Suddenly the level of competition (in CIS football) has gone up and I think people around the CFL are starting to take notice, realizing there is some potential there.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\"From here I think it's a matter of figuring out a system to give those kids a chance to make it in the CFL.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\"Look at the situation in Toronto, where Danny Brannagan got to training camp and has ended up on the practice roster. But Danny Brannagan was an undrafted guy that went there after his fifth year of university. If he didn't make it, he has no other place to go.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\"What I would love to see is for the CFL to start identifying the top quarterbacks in the country after their second or third years and give these kids an opportunity, even though they are not draft-eligible yet, to get into CFL training camps and not make up for all that learning in a two-week or three-week camp.\"\u003C\/blockquote\u003EThat is similar to the chance Ottawa Gee-Gees QB \u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003EBrad Sinopoli \u003C\/span\u003Ehad with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats this spring. Forde alluded to the fact U.S. quarterbacks are always going to be more desirous to the CFL, since they have certain inborn advantages:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\"You see more kids who are playing football in Canada taking advantage of the resources south of the border. Meaning going to camps, some even going to schools in situations where it means playing in warmer climates, a situation where you can throw the ball year-round, which means you're getting more reps — one of the reasons I think that have held Canadian quarterbacks back.\"\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003EThat does not mean the CFL shouldn't at least consider some means to try and close the gap.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe lack of a Canadian QB hasn't hurt the CFL's bottom line — has it caused anyone to not buy tickets or watch on TV? It's just that the current conditions, as Forde elucidated, mean a CIS quarterback has a better chance of throwing a pass through the eye of a needle than getting on a CFL dress roster.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIt would be nice, for lack of a more profound way to say it, if the league did more to help encourage the next great Canadian hope. Evaluating CIS passers earlier in their careers seems like part of the solution.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ERelated:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.edmontonjournal.com\/sports\/Canuck+will+come\/3326562\/story.html\"\u003ECanuck QBs' day will come; TSN's Forde thinks the key is for prospects to cast a glance to the south\u003C\/a\u003E (Mario Annicchiarico, \u003Ci\u003EEdmonton Journal\u003C\/i\u003E)\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/432886047699199490\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2010\/07\/early-talent-identification-key-for.html#comment-form","title":"6 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/432886047699199490"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/432886047699199490"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2010\/07\/early-talent-identification-key-for.html","title":"Early talent identification key for the Canadian QB — Forde"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"sager"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08757652892056684490"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-HoppI3_eGQc\/VrWGl9xFY2I\/AAAAAAAADEA\/ucwvqUnIa7M\/s220\/Neate1379-4x4M.JPG"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"6"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-5367979226842135817"},"published":{"$t":"2010-07-18T16:08:00.014-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2010-09-08T13:51:46.586-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Axemen"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CFL"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CIS Issues"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"drug testing"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Football"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Golden Gaels"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Golden Hawks"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gryphons"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Media Coverage"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Mounties"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Mustangs"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Varsity Blues"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Warriors"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Waterloo doping scandal"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"X-Men"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Your Waterloo fallout update ... transfer news and thoughts on fauxtrage"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"A couple bullet points from the three-day story the University of Waterloo, et al., misplayed into a three-year story:\u003Cspan class=\"fullpost\"\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003EThe long tail (or, thanks for spoilin' it for everybody else).\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThis is like a baseball game where an outfielder misses a shoestring catch on a sinking long drive and a single becomes an inside-the-park home run.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIt's still topical enough for\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003E Steve Simmons \u003C\/span\u003Eto crack a \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.torontosun.com\/sports\/columnists\/steve_simmons\/2010\/07\/17\/14747431.html\"\u003Epretty good one-liner\u003C\/a\u003E:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\"This didn’t get a lot of play, but the new Governor General of Canada, \u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003EDavid Johnston\u003C\/span\u003E, is the former president of the University of Waterloo. Which means, any day now, college football will be banned from coast to coast.\"\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003EOne doubt that happens if Waterloo had fully thought out the unintended consequences of its draconian action. Simmons could not make that joke if UW had put each full-time coach under suspension, suspended the players who had adverse tests, played the season and held a thorough review.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EInstead, the fake punishment will be the main preseason story surrounding the OUA, rather than a league coming off its most exciting post-season in years.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWaterloo sitting out will get mentioned each week since one team will have the bye. It will be mentioned for years on end as coaches start from scratch.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003EWhere do we go from here?\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EA friend recently asked, \"Do you honestly think Waterloo is not coming back?\" A month ago the answer would have been yes. It becomes no \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2010\/07\/football-another-picture-of-why.html\"\u003Ewhen framed in by Johnston taking the viceregal post\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe questions become (a) in what state do the grid Warriors return and (b) what is the long-term effect on OUA football?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003EA.\u003C\/span\u003E Recruiting will likely be exceedingly difficult for the first little while. What kind of coaches will want to take the job?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003EB.\u003C\/span\u003E Blog buddy \u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003ESarah Millar\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/sarahmillar.com\/2010\/06\/15\/implications-of-waterloos-steroids-scandal\/\"\u003Enoted last month\u003C\/a\u003E that what \"could be most damaging from this report is how it looks on CIS football to the general public who doesn’t really care about university football — sorry, \u003Cem\u003ECanadian\u003C\/em\u003E university football.\"\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThere have been instances where one uncompetitive program slowly causes another program to become uncompetitive and it drags down a football conference. It happened in AUS with Mount Allison. It happened to the OUA in the 1990s with U of T.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EVery few in traditional media have addressed that question since they are either unaware or don't care about the league.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EVery few have even bothered to point this out this came during an upswing for OUA football. It is fresh off having three different schools reach the Vanier Cup in a five-season stretch (Queen's in 2009, Western in '08 and Laurier in '05), only the third time that's happened since the current version of the league took form in the 1970s.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWaterloo made it all about them and everyone who cares about this league and wishes more people felt the same has to eat it. That sucks.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIt's a stretch to call out the sportocrats on King Edward Ave., \u003Cspan style=\"font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;\"\u003E\"This is what can happen when you treat your product as a media nonentity.\"\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EStill, if stadiums were full(er) and there were big TV contacts, that would have helped avoid such fallout.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe quality of play might not be the issue. But this won't help with expanding the sport beyond its normal reach.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E(For anyone wondering, the other two instances were 1989-93 and 1991-95. Western had three appearances, including two wins, sandwiched around the '91 Laurier and '93 U of T national championship teams.)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003EAnother OMD misses her connection.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EMaybe it's too much to ask someone to write, \"New Governor-General David Johnston is the former president of the University of Waterloo. Anyone think that school cancelling football had something to do with saving him and Harperites from bad publicity?\"\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EFar be it to suggest that says more in fewer words. Writing tight is not really a priority for tabloid-format newspapers.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-style: italic;\"\u003EWaterloo Region Record \u003C\/span\u003Eeditor \u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003ELynn Haddrall \u003C\/span\u003Ementioned each story in a \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/news.therecord.com\/printArticle\/746618\"\u003Erecent column\u003C\/a\u003E. She was too busy handing out gold stars to her staff to wonder about tying the threads together. Granted, that's not even the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/humanfacebook.com\/2010\/07\/16\/life-after-journalism-part-92-i-chose-love-over-career-and-got-screwed-up-the-wazoo\/#comment-109\"\u003Emost glaring lack of perspective shown in the past week\u003C\/a\u003E by a woman who used to work at the\u003Cspan style=\"font-style: italic;\"\u003E Kingston Whig-Standard\u003C\/span\u003E, but come on.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EHow can people not at least wonder about a PR move made by a university at a time when its head was joining Prime Minister \u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003EStephen Harper\u003C\/span\u003E's bunch, which is more obsessed with optics than any other government in recent Canadian history?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003EOUA football's rich are getting richer.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/imprint.uwaterloo.ca\/2010\/jul\/16\/sports-and-living\/transfer-time-football\/\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-style: italic;\"\u003EThe Imprint\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, UW's student paper, has an updated list of 16 transfers (hat tip: Always OUA).\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIt's kind of illuminating sort the new arrivals by the type of football schools they ended up at:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003E10 to OUA playoff teams, so far.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003EFour players have shifted to Laurier, McMaster and Guelph have each added three.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe Marauders have gained Toronto Argonauts O-line prospect \u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003EMichael Warner\u003C\/span\u003E, running back\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003E Tanner Forsyth\u003C\/span\u003E and WR \u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003EChris Korol\u003C\/span\u003E, with the Gryphs getting all-purpose back \u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003ESteve Lagace\u003C\/span\u003E, slotback \u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003ENick Anapolsky\u003C\/span\u003E and d-back \u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003EBrett MacDonald\u003C\/span\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003EThree to AUS schools.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThree Maritimes have moved closer to home. Quarterback \u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003EAndrew Hickey\u003C\/span\u003E and O-lineman \u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003EColin Wicks\u003C\/span\u003E have joined St. FX, with slotback \u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003EMike Squires \u003C\/span\u003Ejoining Acadia.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003ETwo to the left coast (and out of CIS).\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EQuarterback \u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003EJon Roney \u003C\/span\u003Eis headed to NCAA Division II Simon Fraser.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOffensive tackle \u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003EJoel Reinders\u003C\/span\u003E, who is headed to a NFL training camp with the Cleveland Browns, is listed by \u003Cspan style=\"font-style: italic;\"\u003EThe Imprint \u003C\/span\u003Eas a UBC transfer. He's a \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cleveland.com\/browns\/index.ssf\/2010\/07\/hey_tony_tackles_your_about_th.html\"\u003Elong shot to make the Browns\u003C\/a\u003E (\"think practice squad\"), but logically, if the Browns see enough to keep him around, they'll put him on that taxi squad and give him a chance to learn the U.S. game.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003EOne to a team which could use the help.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ED-back\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003E Hugo Lopez\u003C\/span\u003E has transferred to U of T. Perhaps a few more will surface with the Varsity Blues or York Lions and neither school has announced it yet.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003EPoint being, the redistribution of talent is a little disquieting, considering the two-tier nature of OUA football. None of the other three non-playoff teams (the same six schools have made the playoffs each season since 2007) have reaped as much.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EPlease keep in mind that list of 16 might not give the full picture. The Western Mustangs typically do not announce additions until some time in August.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIt also does not include 2010 recruits, such as \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2010\/06\/football-would-be-warriors-qb-mcphee.html\"\u003Eincoming Queen's quarterback\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003EBilly McPhee\u003C\/span\u003E. It also doesn't include any 17- or 18-year-old who was leaning toward UW for 2011.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003EA possible MIA, likely courtesy of Pierre Karl Péladeau.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EPeople have wondered where Waterloo's best defensive player, linebacker\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003E Jordan Verdone\u003C\/span\u003E, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/alwaysoua.blogspot.com\/2010\/07\/report-16-uw-players-transfer.html\"\u003Emight land\u003C\/a\u003E, but there's nothing about perhaps their best offensive player.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ELast season's leading rusher, running back \u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003EMatt Socholotiuk\u003C\/span\u003E (nine TDs as a 21-year-old rookie), \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/news.google.ca\/nwshp?hl=en\u0026amp;tab=wn\u0026amp;q=%22matt%20socholotiuk%22\"\u003Egets Googlewhacked in news searches\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe player's hometown, Waterford, Ont., is in the coverage area of two dailies, the \u003Cspan style=\"font-style: italic;\"\u003EBrantford Expositor\u003C\/span\u003E and \u003Cspan style=\"font-style: italic;\"\u003ESimcoe Reformer\u003C\/span\u003E, a former employer of yours truly.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EYou can certainly question a daily newspaper for falling short on the \u003Cspan style=\"font-style: italic;\"\u003Eanalysis\u003C\/span\u003E side, like in the above instance. Two major stories at a university, involving its chief cook and bottle-washer, have nothing to do with each other?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESince everyone has the same info, it's more important than ever to be able to put events into context.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe shrinking staff levels at small-city Ontario dailies owned by Quebecor Media means the notion of gumshoeing and enterprise reporting is almost a ghost.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EEssentially, either someone returns your call or you quickly have to move on, since guess what, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.torontosun.com\/news\/columnists\/mike_strobel\/2010\/07\/13\/14700906.html\"\u003Econtent providers are being awarded points based on quantity of work\u003C\/a\u003E. Quality, news value, digging, what's that?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003EA mea culpa\u003C\/span\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EYours truly worked at the \u003Cspan style=\"font-style: italic;\"\u003EReformer \u003C\/span\u003Ein 2004-05, the height of PED hysteria. Socholotiuk was the standout offensive player in the local high school league.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThere were e-mails during the '05 high school football season to the two-person sports department asking,\u003Cspan style=\"font-style: italic;\"\u003E \u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003E\"We heard high school football players are doing steroids, why isn't there a story on this?\" \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOn another occasion, while chatting on the phone with a coach at another high school (not the one Socholotiuk attended) to set up a time to come by for a preseason story and a photo, he said of his player, \u003Cspan style=\"font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;\"\u003E\"He added a lot of muscle this summer, and he did it clean, which I was glad to see.\"\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIt was the old, \"He's saying he's innocent but we never asked if anyone was guilty.\"\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EFive years later, that all takes on a different light. These are all presented as reasons, some would call 'em excuses.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EA reality was the two sports staffers had so much on the go there was no time for the digging a story about local athletes' use of steroids, or whether they would use steroids, would have required.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESuch a story meant getting people to go on the record in a small community of less than 15,000 people, where the 'you have to live here' phenomenon was very present. There was reason to wonder, but hands were tied.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EManagement likely would not have offered backing. They preferred quote, unquote positive stories. High school football was a big rallying point in a county that was already hard-hit economically, due to the death of the tobacco industry and other issues in agriculture. At Socholotiuk's school, Waterford District, which was in OFSAA's single-A division, the football and boys rugby teams were rare exceptions in being able to compete successfully in a high school association dominated by two large AAA schools based in Simcoe.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThere was \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/neatesager.blogspot.com\/2010\/03\/basketball-just-desserts.html\"\u003Ealso a sensitivity about the two bigger schools getting too much attention for their sports feats\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThere was also a personal opinion various gatekeepers in football and hockey in Canada were not taking steroids seriously. That possibly made it down to parents quite possibly condoning it as well.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EPerhaps it was analogous to how Junior B and Junior C amateur hockey teams in rural areas pay players under the table. Everyone does it, if they want to win, and no one ever calls out a rival, so it is never reported.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIf the people in charge don't enforce it, then is it really against the rules?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWe also know the shades of gray with muscle-builders. \"Clean\" is relative.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ELastly, a drug story should be looked at in terms of actual harm addiction and substance abuse inflicts on society. In a rural area, that would give crack cocaine and crystal meth much more news value than a couple high school 'roiders. Impaired driving would be another.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EHeck, in a context of football in 2010, concussions that results from legal contact might be the bigger societal problem. No one has cancelled football out of concussion concerns, or about players dropping dead from heatstroke (which hasn't happened in Canada, thankfully).\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003EIn other words, journalists don't have the time and the governing bodies don't have the money. So this what happens.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EUltimately, the CFL and CIS football are in a better situation with clamping down on steroid use, since the big league will test top prospects. That could have happened without sacrificing Waterloo's season.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnd let's lose the fake concern.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EPlease remember how it played out in early 2008 when our own \u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003EAndrew Bucholtz \u003C\/span\u003Edid a follow-up for \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.queensjournal.ca\/story\/2008-02-05\/news\/are-student-athletes-using-drugs\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-style: italic;\"\u003EThe Queen's Journal\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E after a fringe player at Western named \u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003EMatt Baxter \u003C\/span\u003Ehad a positive test. Baxter played early in the season but not in the playoffs.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe point Andrew raised, as others have was that there was potential for steroid abuse due to the low frequency of testing.\u003Cblockquote\u003E\"Queen’s football coach \u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003EPat Sheahan\u003C\/span\u003E said he would like to see the testing program expanded to include all CIS athletes.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\" 'There's ample opportunity for an abuser to slip under the nose of the establishment because the testing is random,' he said. 'Ideally, over the course of the year, all athletes should be tested.' \" (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.queensjournal.ca\/story\/2008-02-05\/news\/are-student-athletes-using-drugs\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFeb. 5, 2008\u003C\/a\u003E)\u003C\/blockquote\u003EThat is not what anyone remembered, though. No reporter looked at that and wrote about a larger problem.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe focus became a Sheahan quote about the possibility Western had other users beyond Baxter. That sparked a follow-up to that by the \u003Cspan style=\"font-style: italic;\"\u003ELondon Free Press\u003C\/span\u003E, which seized on it since Western had defeated Queen's in the 2007 playoffs. (The story is no longer available online.) The contentious quote was removed from \u003Cspan style=\"font-style: italic;\"\u003EThe Journal\u003C\/span\u003E's website.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnd that's where it ended, which is the point. No one can really do a lot of investigation. The overwhelming majority of CIS football players are more private citizens than the public heroes.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIt takes a bust by the police, a holier-than-thou university president's association with a Teflon PM and lastly, a corporate media with an addiction to fauxtrage.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThoughts about band-aid solutions, scapegoating and unintended consequences go by the wayside. That's wrong.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003EThanks for listening again.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/5367979226842135817\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2010\/07\/your-waterloo-fallout-update-transfers.html#comment-form","title":"2 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/5367979226842135817"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/5367979226842135817"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2010\/07\/your-waterloo-fallout-update-transfers.html","title":"Your Waterloo fallout update ... transfer news and thoughts on fauxtrage"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"sager"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08757652892056684490"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-HoppI3_eGQc\/VrWGl9xFY2I\/AAAAAAAADEA\/ucwvqUnIa7M\/s220\/Neate1379-4x4M.JPG"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"2"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-2286821635776100984"},"published":{"$t":"2010-07-08T12:23:00.018-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2011-01-11T01:55:20.981-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CFL"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Editorializing"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Football"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Golden Hawks"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Media Coverage"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Warriors"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Waterloo doping scandal"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Editorializing: Rapanaro's position battle just another untold post-Warroids story"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003EGiancarlo Rapanaro\u003C\/span\u003E might not be so free to roam.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe \u003Cspan style=\"font-style: italic;\"\u003EWaterloo Region Record\u003C\/span\u003E's story on Wednesday \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/news.therecord.com\/printArticle\/741987\"\u003Eabout five players moving from Waterloo to Laurier\u003C\/a\u003E mentioned that Rapanaro's \"anticipated transition from linebacker to free safety encounters a hurdle with the arrival of Warriors mainstay\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003E Mitch Nicholson\u003C\/span\u003E.\"\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EA second-team all-Canadian such as Rapanaro being kept from making a position switch that would help his chances of playing in the CFL seems like the meat of a story. \u003Cspan style=\"font-style: italic;\"\u003EHow does it make you feel knowing a rival might to stop you from moving to safety, which would help your chances of making it in the CFL?\u003C\/span\u003E (Rapanaro was \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.laurierathletics.com\/peopleprofile.php?PeopleID=4611\"\u003Elisted last season\u003C\/a\u003E at 5-foot-11, 195 pounds, not exactly up to spec for a CFL linebacker.)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThere are two ways to take such a story. The first is, \"Yay! Players found a home, Laurier benefits, former archrivals to perform big Bollywood-style dance number on the 55-yard line.\" The other is, \"Players from two rival schools try to make the best of a bad situation that is still very much open-ended.\"\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIt is completely understandable to stick with the less complicated, tight-and-bright Option A.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAny question about one of the Warriors-turned-Hawks -- Nicholson, fellow d-backs \u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003EReid Nicholson\u003C\/span\u003E and \u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003EPatrick McGarry\u003C\/span\u003E, D-lineman \u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003EAndrew Heeley\u003C\/span\u003E and wideout \u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003EDustin Zender\u003C\/span\u003E thus far, with inside linebacker\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003E Jordan Verdone \u003C\/span\u003Eas a possibility -- taking a starting spot goes to the spirit of competition. A new player coming in and trying to take your spot is a fact of life in team sports.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe left unsaid is it's not like a transfer coming instantly earns the trust of coaches and teammates. This is a special situation, but in most cases with new guys, they're there because it was not working out \"over there,\" which makes them more suspect than prospect.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnother problem with that Option A is it betrays the traditional media's shallowness and inexactitude. Here comes the predictable segue into editorializing ...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"fullpost\"\u003ECalling what happened at Waterloo a \"scandal\" without at least wondering how far its tentacles reach smacks of trying to have it both ways, and preferring vanilla to vitriol. We know which one sells better in the media, so perhaps it's in a journalist's best interest to get a little brassy\u003Cspan id=\"AssetWebPart1_ctl00___BodyLineup__\"\u003E.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe same goes for not bothering to put the War-roids and performance abuse into a broader social context.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOn the first count, the questions \u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003EJohn Bower\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2010\/06\/bower-laurier-also-put-under-cloud-of.html\"\u003Eraised in June about why the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sports failed to test Laurier players immediately\u003C\/a\u003E seems to have come to a dead end. Perhaps nothing untoward happened, honest mistake, but that hasn't been aired.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOn the second, \u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003ERob Pettapiece\u003C\/span\u003E's \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2010\/06\/football-assorted-notes-on-waterloo-and.html\"\u003Emodest proposal\u003C\/a\u003E reporters should go to a nutritional-supplement retailer with a location close to a campus and start reading labels, as a way of showing the grey area between illegally obtained steroids and legal over-the-counter products, has come to naught.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EHas discourse fallen that far that everyone just throws up a fourth wall? It is possible to be more open about it.\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003E James S. Hirsch\u003C\/span\u003E's \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.ca\/Willie-Mays-Legend-James-Hirsch\/dp\/1416547908\/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8\u0026amp;s=books\u0026amp;qid=1278610613\u0026amp;sr=8-1\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-style: italic;\"\u003EWillie Mays: The Life, The Legend\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, an authorized biography I just finished reading, notes \"it would be naive to think Mays never took amphetamines\" during his playing career. (Hirsch notes there isn't a\"moral equivalence\" between pep pills and steroids.)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EPersonally, hearing that doesn't diminish \u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003EWillie Mays\u003C\/span\u003E' legend one bit. Come to think of it, the only other two men in the Greatest Living Ballplayer debate are \u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003EMike Schmidt\u003C\/span\u003E, who says he would have been tempted to use steroids, and \u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003EBarry Bonds\u003C\/span\u003E, who definitely took something.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ENow, it is understandable for all the CIS stakeholders to have no-comment stance on the subject.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ERisking collateral damage by saying anything that would stoke the embers of PED hysteria, especially among anti-football academics, would not be prudent. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"fullpost\"\u003E (By the way, killer Tweet from \u003Ca style=\"font-weight: bold;\" href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/simmonssteve\"\u003ESteve Simmons\u003C\/a\u003E: \"\u003Cspan class=\"status-body\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"entry-content\"\u003EThe president of the U of Waterloo is about to become governor general. Will his first act be to ban college football all across Canada?\") \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"fullpost\"\u003EThat does not mean the media has to play along. It can still try to convey what happened with Waterloo was likely not in isolation. It can also point out that that Waterloo's action was high-handed, hamfisted, and had little to do with stamping out performance abuse and zero to do with education. \u003Cspan class=\"status-body\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"entry-content\"\u003EIt can touch oin the reality UW's\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E high-horse routine might do more harm than good to Canadian university football, at least in the short run.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EUltimately, best of luck to the coaches and players for soldiering on through a tough situation. The people who try to make a dollar in competitive Canadian football are nothing if not resilient. It is not a cheery story.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/2286821635776100984\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2010\/07\/editorializing-rapanaros-position.html#comment-form","title":"6 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/2286821635776100984"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/2286821635776100984"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2010\/07\/editorializing-rapanaros-position.html","title":"Editorializing: Rapanaro's position battle just another untold post-Warroids story"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"sager"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08757652892056684490"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-HoppI3_eGQc\/VrWGl9xFY2I\/AAAAAAAADEA\/ucwvqUnIa7M\/s220\/Neate1379-4x4M.JPG"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"6"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-3620376094911452982"},"published":{"$t":"2010-06-30T20:35:00.002-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2010-06-30T20:36:58.052-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CFL"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CIS Issues"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Football"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Waterloo doping scandal"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Football: Assorted notes on Waterloo and the CFL's new drug-testing policy"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"There are a couple of related items in the news lately, so we're just going to combine them all into one post and offer commentary here.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"fullpost\"\u003EFirst, as part of the new CFL collective bargaining agreement, the league and the players have agreed to introduce a year-round drug-testing policy. Just one look at the document makes it clear that it's not a response to the recent troubles in CIS.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EHowever, CFL chief operating officer \u003Cb\u003EMichael Copeland\u003C\/b\u003E (brother to Waterloo athletic director \u003Cb\u003EBob Copeland\u003C\/b\u003E) \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/news.therecord.com\/printArticle\/737739\"\u003Etold\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ci\u003EThe Record\u003C\/i\u003E that while the policy was \"largely complete\" when the news broke at UW, \"we did not yet have our agreement to fund testing of (Canadian university) players.\"\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cfl.ca\/article\/cfl-cflpa-announce-new-4-year-cba\"\u003EThat agreement\u003C\/a\u003E (which is actually independent of the policy itself, and make of that what you will) stipulates that the CFL will \"help fund the testing of the top 80 Canadian Interuniversity Sport prospects for that year’s CFL Evaluation Camp and CFL Canadian Draft.\" PR-wise, this might work: \"CFL To Test CIS Players; CIS Now Clean.\" Or something to that effect. But three thoughts about that:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003EIt's not always the top prospects who are using. So the testing of these top players, on its own, is not a complete solution for CIS. It's a big step forward, and its focus on enhanced performance is welcome, but more is needed, if CIS wishes to be serious about making the league clean.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EWhat about top NCAA prospects coming to the CFL?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ENow that we have a list of banned substances, and the use of any of them in CIS counts as a first strike with respect to the CFL's policy, an enterprising reporter could take Appendix D \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/cfl.ca\/uploads\/assets\/CFL\/PDF_Docs\/CFL_CFLPA_Drug_Policy.pdf\"\u003Efrom this PDF\u003C\/a\u003E, then go to the well-known supplement franchise with several locations in the country (some close to university campuses) and whose website lists product categories like \"anabolic agents\" and \"pure creatine powders,\" then find something with lots of levels of one of the banned substances in it, \u003Ci\u003Ethen\u003C\/i\u003E ask how many of those products have been sold recently to young men. But I guess that's too esoteric a task.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ol\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E**\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOur next topic is transfers. Someone will have to start a count of former Waterloo football players who have officially transferred, or are very much expected to transfer, to another school. One's gone to Queen's, and \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.record.ca\/Sports\/article\/737136\"\u003Ethis article\u003C\/a\u003E alone has up to six: two or three going to Laurier (although more have apparently contacted the school), one to McMaster, one to NCAA-bound SFU, and one to Calgary.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIt's the WLU ones that are interesting. Not necessarily from a football standpoint, but because of the following:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003ELaurier is an attractive option for the nine or so Warriors who’ve made inquiries about the Golden Hawks because those players could be admitted as visiting students, WLU’s athletic director Peter Baxter said.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EProvided the players can find appropriate courses and get a letter of permission from UW, those players will be allowed to study and play at Laurier, while earning credits toward their UW degrees.\u003C\/blockquote\u003EIt's interesting because it's a clean solution to a messy problem. Some in the drive-by media may pick up on this and act outraged that someone can play football for Laurier while earning a Waterloo degree. Few of these will understand the arrangement these two schools have. Fewer still will have studied at either institution. It's simply not a big deal. Waterloo students take courses at Laurier all the time, and once they're enrolled at WLU, it makes perfect sense to allow them to participate in a varsity sport which UW no longer offers.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E**\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnd while we're on the topic of a sport Waterloo no longer offers, let's take a quick look at what friend of the blog \u003Cb\u003EMark Masters\u003C\/b\u003E \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.nationalpost.com\/sports\/Tiger+Cats+want+lend+hand+Waterloo\/3193876\/story.html\"\u003Ewrote in the \u003Ci\u003ENational Post\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\"The Hamilton Tiger-Cats may figure in a plan to help the University of Waterloo football program survive a one-year suspension. But the president of the Canadian Football League club, \u003Cb\u003EScott Mitchell\u003C\/b\u003E, wants assurances from the school that it is serious about football:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\"The Ticats would be willing to do a great deal if we knew that the commitment from the administration was there to make sure that any commitment on our behalf was worth doing,\" Mitchell said. \"We have a million different ways to spend our time and resources and we're not going to spend it on somebody who is not serious about building a credible and good football program.\"\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E[...]\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\"I'm not sure anyone else outside the athletic department has an understanding of the impact that the decision to suspend the team is going to have not just on the football program, but the athletic department as a whole,\" Mitchell said.\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EDid you feel that? That was Scott Mitchell smacking Waterloo's senior management in the face. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E(Mitchell, a member of Toronto's 1993 Vanier Cup team, might know a thing or two about how a football program can be bled dry by administration.)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E**\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnd now that we've arrived at Waterloo's upper management, there's another topic that's worth bringing up, mostly for kicks. Some sources have quoted \u003Cb\u003EBud Walker\u003C\/b\u003E, who is Waterloo's associate provost of student services, in relation to the football troubles. Earlier, \u003Cb\u003EFeridun Hamdullahpur\u003C\/b\u003E (\"Vice-President Academic \u0026amp; Provost\") was quoted in media coverage, and he was apparently the one who made the decision to suspend the team. And of course Bob Copeland, the athletic director, was involved, media-wise, at all stages.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAre you, like me \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2010\/06\/football-some-inconvenient-truths-in.html\"\u003Eand Neate\u003C\/a\u003E, wondering why university president \u003Cb\u003EDavid Johnston\u003C\/b\u003E didn't say a thing? Especially when he \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/news.therecord.com\/News\/Local\/article\/729383\"\u003Eactually favoured the decision\u003C\/a\u003E?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWell, no wonder he couldn't be found at Waterloo: \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.theglobeandmail.com\/news\/politics\/john-ibbitson\/university-of-waterloo-president-may-have-the-viceregal-touch\/article1623663\"\u003EHe was at Rideau Hall\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EFiguratively, that is.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOne could assume that Johnston didn't put himself into the football story, because doing so might have taken him out of the governor-general story. It wouldn't do for Canada's Next Viceregal Representative to be associated in any way with what is incessantly called the biggest doping scandal in CIS history (by people who can't name another one). Actually, the fact that Waterloo's football team is not mentioned in that \u003Ci\u003EGlobe and Mail\u003C\/i\u003E article kind of proves my point.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E(To clarify: Johnston's a perfectly cromulent choice for the gig, had precious little to do with the football team, and we can't blame him for avoiding this mess, if that's what he did. Just thought we should bring it up.)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E**\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESo, to recap:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EThere's a CFL drug testing policy that \u003Ci\u003Emight\u003C\/i\u003E catch \u003Ci\u003Esome\u003C\/i\u003E of the CIS users;\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EMany Waterloo players are getting away from UW faster than they've ever gotten away from the pass rush; and\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EAt least one CFL franchise isn't optimistic that there will ever be Warrior football again. \u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E(Not to mention the extant police investigation, which has already included charges against two former players, and UW's own internal investigation.)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAs \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.regrettheerror.com\/\"\u003ECraig Silverman\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E would say: \"Rest is fine.\"\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/3620376094911452982\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2010\/06\/football-assorted-notes-on-waterloo-and.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/3620376094911452982"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/3620376094911452982"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2010\/06\/football-assorted-notes-on-waterloo-and.html","title":"Football: Assorted notes on Waterloo and the CFL's new drug-testing policy"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Rob Pettapiece"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-8123877533176263032"},"published":{"$t":"2010-06-22T15:24:00.004-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2010-06-22T15:43:36.722-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Canadian QB Controversy"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CFL"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Football"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gee-Gees"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Golden Gaels"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Toronto Argonauts"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Football: Argos keep Brannagan a little longer"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Ca onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/_NNKD3IjazNs\/TCEONd5gu3I\/AAAAAAAAA5g\/CFNXXz6zjdg\/s1600\/8858111.jpg\"\u003E\u003Cimg style=\"float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 224px;\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/_NNKD3IjazNs\/TCEONd5gu3I\/AAAAAAAAA5g\/CFNXXz6zjdg\/s320\/8858111.jpg\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485681445640911730\" border=\"0\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003EYou cannot spell Danny Brannagan without \u003Cspan style=\"font-style: italic;\"\u003EB-r-a-d\u003C\/span\u003E. That is not for nothing.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBrannagan \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/markhmasters\/status\/16784183989\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ebeing placed\u003C\/a\u003E on the Toronto Argonauts practice roster on Tuesday is another small step for Canadian quarterbacks. He's still standing, for however long, and has at least for now \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/simmonssteve\/status\/16090114067\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Edisproved those who said he would\u003C\/a\u003E \"get cut real soon\" after a shaky opening in the first preseason game.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ENo one expected it to happen all at once. It is a \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/search\/label\/Canadian%20QB%20Controversy\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eslow road to glory\u003C\/a\u003E for a quarterback for Canadian Interuniversity Sport, but the door keeps getting propped open just a bit more each time. Brannagan's modicum of success with the Argonauts, who hopefully give him until the nine-week mark to show he can be on their dress roster, might help the next CIS QB who tries to buck the odds.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOttawa Gee-Gees quarterback \u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003EBrad Sinopoli\u003C\/span\u003E, of course, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.canadafootballchat.com\/entry.php?b=47\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Egot to train with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats as a non-roster player\u003C\/a\u003E, which should help his familiarity with the pro game. Sinopoli has only started 10 CIS games, but has the athleticism to go with an understanding of three-down football. Some suggest that as a dual-threat QB, he compares favourably with Calgary's two-time Hec Crighton Trophy winner, \u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003EErik Glavic\u003C\/span\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIn other words, Brannagan lasting in Toronto cannot hurt Sinopoli's cause.\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/8123877533176263032\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2010\/06\/football-argos-keep-brannagan-little.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/8123877533176263032"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/8123877533176263032"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2010\/06\/football-argos-keep-brannagan-little.html","title":"Football: Argos keep Brannagan a little longer"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"sager"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08757652892056684490"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-HoppI3_eGQc\/VrWGl9xFY2I\/AAAAAAAADEA\/ucwvqUnIa7M\/s220\/Neate1379-4x4M.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/_NNKD3IjazNs\/TCEONd5gu3I\/AAAAAAAAA5g\/CFNXXz6zjdg\/s72-c\/8858111.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}}]}});