October, 2008
OK so I write this about 45 minutes after what was perhaps one of the most bizarre football games I have ever seen. If you heard me this morning chatting with Alex Docking and Tampa Bay Wray Morrison, I told you I just had this feeling that Toronto would not be the cakewalk that many thought and that it wouldn't surprise me if they lost. They just about did and really---they should have!!! When one quarterback throws 5 TD's and the other quarterback throws 4 INT's, I would lean towards the QB that threw the 5 TD's to win but NO!!!
OK so the first round of balloting is over and we now know what players are eligible for CFL player awards. No real surprise when it comes to the Rider picks as Mo Lloyd, Luca Congi, Wes Cates, Weston Dressler and Gene Makowsky were selected by those who had ballots(including me). Now its time to pick what players go on to league awards to be determined Grey Cup week. Here's what I'm thinkin'
Being a Seahawks fan, I'm not big on the San Francisco 49ers because they are a division rival. The Niners are nowhere close to the glory days they experienced when Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Ronnie Lott and company were the best team going but they might be getting out of the doldrums they've been in. Former Bears linebacker Mike Singletary---Mr. Intensity---is their new head coach and he wasn't happy after seeing his team get blasted by the Seahawks Sunday at home. Here's one of the best rants by a coach ever----and this was after his FIRST game.
I went to the stadium last night thinking the Riders could beat the Eskimos but I didn't think I would walk out having seen the Riders win 55-9 and I think a lot of you that read this thought the same thing. The 2008 Riders have won 11 games but they haven't been one-sided dominating victories.....they have been nailbiters, games that come down to the last 5 minutes with a big play being made.
--With all apologies to Montreal's Marc Trestman and Calgary's John Hufnagel, the 2008 coach of the year must be Ken Miller. For everything he has gone through to have the chance at getting a 12 win season and perhaps a home playoff game can't be ignored.
--Weston Dressler must be named CFL rookie of the year
--All of those pegging Henry Burris to be the Most Outstanding Player in the West are obviously forgetting about Cam Wake. He's my choice. However, Anthony Calvillo gets the league nod as far as I'm concerned
Can someone please explain to me just what is going through this referees mind???? On another matter, I think CFL director of officiating Tom Higgins has found a perfect candidate if he is looking for guys to fill out the striped shirts.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqfOCB21qwA
I don't envy Rider coach Ken Miller. He is in a no-win situation when it comes to what he is going to do with his quarterback situation over the final two games of the regular season and playoffs and no matter who he goes with he will be second-guessed. Darian Durant had his chance to take a firm grip on the starters position with a fine showing against Hamilton and while he ran the offence rather crisply including some quarterback keepers, he did underthrow several receivers and had three interceptions---two in the endzone.
If you read a previous blog posting by "The King" Gary Nickle, you might be saying two things 1)I have no life when I have to resort to reading a blog by Gary Nickle and 2) How is it Gary Nickle gets a blog when Cory Kolt(the more than capable host of the aptly named Cory Kolt Show 3-6 Monday to Friday) does not have one?? Those are the two questions I at least ask. Well OK, there's 3 and it involves Gary informing the lovely ladies of Saskatoon if they would like to see his blog which probably gets him a slap or two but I digress!