CFL 2024

brentashton

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Jan 21, 2018
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The CFL is expert at recycling. You don't have to put the bins out either. Just store it in the garage for a few days and its ready to use again.
It’s always had that element for coaches and execs but since the 1990s it seems to have gotten real bad. And now with players and one years contracts, they’re all recycled mercenaries. Tough to build allegiances and follow player’s careers with a fans fave team. Nowadays, Warren Moon and Ron Lancaster would plays for 6 teams in 7 years, 2 being named the Rough Riders/Roughriders. CFL would be wise to figure out how to retain personalities in same locations for extended durations to help build fan interest.

:)
 
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Kyle McMahon

Registered User
May 10, 2006
13,458
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The CFL is expert at recycling. You don't have to put the bins out either. Just store it in the garage for a few days and its ready to use again.

I don't think Jones has ever worked for BC, Winnipeg, or Ottawa. So there's still three fresh landing spots left for him on the CFL carousel!

Jones would probably still be fine as a DC if that was his only role. I think he has too much pride to accept that though (unless he's hard up for money and the phone isn't ringing type of thing). I suspect he sees himself as a Don Matthews...but he's more of a Rich Stubler.

I would like to see him back on the sideline somewhere (out East) if he accepts his own limitations. His defenses are extremely effective and entertaining when he has them firing on all cyclinders. Jones-era Riders were great to watch; the current Argos actually remind me of those defenses.
 

K1984

Registered User
Feb 7, 2008
15,628
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It’s always had that element for coaches and execs but since the 1990s it seems to have gotten real bad. And now with players and one years contracts, they’re all recycled mercenaries. Tough to build allegiances and follow player’s careers with a fans fave team. Nowadays, Warren Moon and Ron Lancaster would plays for 6 teams in 7 years, 2 being names Rough Riders/Roughriders. CFL would be wise to figure out how to retain personalities in same locations for extended durations to build fan interest.

:)

I feel like in the past almost every team had "a guy" in the sense that it was someone that had been with the team for a while and anyone's Grandmother could recognize. Lots of teams had more than 1. Here's a few off the top of my head from around the 1995-2005 era. Probably even missing a few.

BC - Geroy Simon, Pasaglia
Edmonton - Ricky Ray, Gizmo, Pless, Hervey, etc, etc.
Calgary - Pitts
Saskatchewan - I'm actually struggling here haha. Probably an obvious one I'm not thinking of
Winnipeg - Stegall, Westwood
Toronto - Pinball
Hamilton - Montford, Flutie
Montreal - Calvillo

Now? Other than Winnipeg I don't know if a single other team has that "guy" that even people that don't watch or care know about.
 

brentashton

Registered User
Jan 21, 2018
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I feel like in the past almost every team had "a guy" in the sense that it was someone that had been with the team for a while and anyone's Grandmother could recognize. Lots of teams had more than 1. Here's a few off the top of my head from around the 1995-2005 era. Probably even missing a few.

BC - Geroy Simon, Pasaglia
Edmonton - Ricky Ray, Gizmo, Pless, Hervey, etc, etc.
Calgary - Pitts
Saskatchewan - I'm actually struggling here haha. Probably an obvious one I'm not thinking of
Winnipeg - Stegall, Westwood
Toronto - Pinball
Hamilton - Montford, Flutie
Montreal - Calvillo

Now? Other than Winnipeg I don't know if a single other team has that "guy" that even people that don't watch or care know about.
Bang on. Great post.

Sask? I’ll help you out (but we pretty much sucked 1995-2005) some of these names are outside of that era. I mean, Nealon Greene? FFS.

Bobby Jurasin
Kent Austin
Dave ridgeway
Suitor (good player, baaaaaaad broadcaster)
Don narcisse
Omar Morgan
Eddie Davis
 

bone

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I don't think Jones has ever worked for BC, Winnipeg, or Ottawa. So there's still three fresh landing spots left for him on the CFL carousel!

Jones would probably still be fine as a DC if that was his only role. I think he has too much pride to accept that though (unless he's hard up for money and the phone isn't ringing type of thing). I suspect he sees himself as a Don Matthews...but he's more of a Rich Stubler.

I would like to see him back on the sideline somewhere (out East) if he accepts his own limitations. His defenses are extremely effective and entertaining when he has them firing on all cyclinders. Jones-era Riders were great to watch; the current Argos actually remind me of those defenses.

I'm not so sure about the bolded. He's shown that he's willing to work wherever when he's loses a job. After being let go from Cleveland, he worked in a high school for a bit, then moved on to the Argos as a defensive consultant but really he was the DC, then within weeks of being let go in Edmonton, did the same in Hamilton.

Assuming he doesn't get an interview for any HC and/or GM role anywhere, I'd be pretty shocked if he wasn't full blown DC next year in Hamilton.
 
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Kyle McMahon

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May 10, 2006
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I'm not so sure about the bolded. He's shown that he's willing to work wherever when he's loses a job. After being let go from Cleveland, he worked in a high school for a bit, then moved on to the Argos as a defensive consultant but really he was the DC, then within weeks of being let go in Edmonton, did the same in Hamilton.

Assuming he doesn't get an interview for any HC and/or GM role anywhere, I'd be pretty shocked if he wasn't full blown DC next year in Hamilton.

I was more meaning that he wouldn't be permanently satisfied with being just DC. He'd be looking to move back up the ranks quickly or jump to the US based on past history. Of course I can't blame him for that, but he'd probably find the most success and stability settling in as the long-term DC somewhere without grand aspirations of being HC/GM again.

I do find it a little amusing how much credit he was getting for Hamilton's turnaround (from TSN panel mainly). The Ti-Cats went from losing games 30-20 to winning them 40-30 when he showed up...doesn't exactly speak to a defensive turnaround. BLM catching lighting in a bottle for two months after sucking for three years was the main catalyst in my eyes. I'd like to see what he can do in a full year if they make him DC in the off-season though.
 

Heavy Dee

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May 29, 2005
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I was more meaning that he wouldn't be permanently satisfied with being just DC. He'd be looking to move back up the ranks quickly or jump to the US based on past history. Of course I can't blame him for that, but he'd probably find the most success and stability settling in as the long-term DC somewhere without grand aspirations of being HC/GM again.

I do find it a little amusing how much credit he was getting for Hamilton's turnaround (from TSN panel mainly). The Ti-Cats went from losing games 30-20 to winning them 40-30 when he showed up...doesn't exactly speak to a defensive turnaround. BLM catching lighting in a bottle for two months after sucking for three years was the main catalyst in my eyes. I'd like to see what he can do in a full year if they make him DC in the off-season though.
Chris Jones has fooled a lot of people. I suspect this will continue.
 

bone

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I was more meaning that he wouldn't be permanently satisfied with being just DC. He'd be looking to move back up the ranks quickly or jump to the US based on past history. Of course I can't blame him for that, but he'd probably find the most success and stability settling in as the long-term DC somewhere without grand aspirations of being HC/GM again.

I do find it a little amusing how much credit he was getting for Hamilton's turnaround (from TSN panel mainly). The Ti-Cats went from losing games 30-20 to winning them 40-30 when he showed up...doesn't exactly speak to a defensive turnaround. BLM catching lighting in a bottle for two months after sucking for three years was the main catalyst in my eyes. I'd like to see what he can do in a full year if they make him DC in the off-season though.

33.4 points against per game in the 10 games before Jones and 27.9 points against per game in the 8 games after Jones. Still not great, but certainly an improvement. I do agree though it was as much if not more BLM catching fire and finishing very well scoring 30.9 points per game on average in the final 7 games instead of the 25.4 before in the first 11.
 
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rboomercat90

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Mar 24, 2013
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Edmonton
I feel like in the past almost every team had "a guy" in the sense that it was someone that had been with the team for a while and anyone's Grandmother could recognize. Lots of teams had more than 1. Here's a few off the top of my head from around the 1995-2005 era. Probably even missing a few.

BC - Geroy Simon, Pasaglia
Edmonton - Ricky Ray, Gizmo, Pless, Hervey, etc, etc.
Calgary - Pitts
Saskatchewan - I'm actually struggling here haha. Probably an obvious one I'm not thinking of
Winnipeg - Stegall, Westwood
Toronto - Pinball
Hamilton - Montford, Flutie
Montreal - Calvillo

Now? Other than Winnipeg I don't know if a single other team has that "guy" that even people that don't watch or care know about.
For Saskatchewan you could have said Roger Aldag. I know when I hear Roger Aldag, Saskatchewan Roughriders is the first thing that pops into my head.
 

PositiveCashFlow

the construction could be better
Jul 10, 2007
6,304
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I feel like in the past almost every team had "a guy" in the sense that it was someone that had been with the team for a while and anyone's Grandmother could recognize. Lots of teams had more than 1. Here's a few off the top of my head from around the 1995-2005 era. Probably even missing a few.

BC - Geroy Simon, Pasaglia
Edmonton - Ricky Ray, Gizmo, Pless, Hervey, etc, etc.
Calgary - Pitts
Saskatchewan - I'm actually struggling here haha. Probably an obvious one I'm not thinking of
Winnipeg - Stegall, Westwood
Toronto - Pinball
Hamilton - Montford, Flutie
Montreal - Calvillo

Now? Other than Winnipeg I don't know if a single other team has that "guy" that even people that don't watch or care know about.
Lancaster, Ridgeway, Reed, Suitor *puke*, Mcallum
 
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brentashton

Registered User
Jan 21, 2018
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For Saskatchewan you could have said Roger Aldag. I know when I hear Roger Aldag, Saskatchewan Roughriders is the first thing that pops into my head.
And Polecat, Bob Poley too. Those two always go hand in hand for me.

I also could include Gene Makowsky (I still wear a #60 jersey because he was my fave). Nothing fancy in his approach. Just work hard. Youngest daughter was a Keith Shologan fan for the same reasons (and because of his personal family story).

I mentioned my Bob Wylie/and my son story earlier but my favourite Rider encounter was with my oldest daughter. She is 26 yo today. She had a George Reed 34 jersey (and no clue who he was, but she sure had great taste in Rider jerseys!). We are walking around the outside area by the entrances to Taylor Field one gameday and on cue, is Mr Reed, sitting by himself on the edge of a concrete planter. Only in the CFL could he sit there and have people just respect his space. After watching a few people respectfully interact with him, I asked my daughter is she wanted to quickly meet the man who made her jersey and number famous. She said yes, probably not understanding what that really meant.

To this day the interaction and time that a CFL legend gave a star struck fan and his daughter, is something I will always cherish. I may have well been meeting an old neighbour from my childhood days. He was approachable, wanting to reminisce, learn about the things she was doing for sports and hobbies and her schooling. He was a gentleman, an icon and a humble human being, all in one. I dont get maudlin when sports figures pass, it’s life and it happens, but I cried when Mr Reed passed a few years ago. He was a unique, brave man who made this country his home.
 

Gordy Elbows

Keep off my lawn
Oct 31, 2019
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2,566
I feel like in the past almost every team had "a guy" in the sense that it was someone that had been with the team for a while and anyone's Grandmother could recognize. Lots of teams had more than 1. Here's a few off the top of my head from around the 1995-2005 era. Probably even missing a few.

BC - Geroy Simon, Pasaglia
Edmonton - Ricky Ray, Gizmo, Pless, Hervey, etc, etc.
Calgary - Pitts
Saskatchewan - I'm actually struggling here haha. Probably an obvious one I'm not thinking of
Winnipeg - Stegall, Westwood
Toronto - Pinball
Hamilton - Montford, Flutie
Montreal - Calvillo

Now? Other than Winnipeg I don't know if a single other team has that "guy" that even people that don't watch or care know about.
Nice. Brent passed on some Riders’ names but I wanted to add one. As an EE fan, we learned a lot about the disappointment of losing a game in the dying seconds to Jack Abanschan (sp?). Every time we played the Riders they found some way to win with a last second field goal.
The hurt is only beginning to heal now.
 

brentashton

Registered User
Jan 21, 2018
15,720
22,751
Nice. Brent passed on some Riders’ names but I wanted to add one. As an EE fan, we learned a lot about the disappointment of losing a game in the dying seconds to Jack Abanschan (sp?). Every time we played the Riders they found some way to win with a last second field goal.
The hurt is only beginning to heal now.
Gordy

Hard to believe a man who played offensive guard and tackle was also a highly regarded and competent placekicker. The two stereotypical physiques just don’t seem to mesh.

The attached is a few years old now but I remembered reading it years ago and thought I’d repost since you brought up his name. A quick google search suggests he’s still with us, but sadly the effects of his football career appear to have taken their toll.

Brining this back to happy thoughts, man, I am not an EE fan but I am so happy for you guys. What’s happening to you know reminds me of the early years of Jim Hopson’s reign as team president in Sask. Past player who just exudes positivity (with awareness of reality) and moves the organization forward exponentially. Good luck EE (but not too much!!).

 

Gordy Elbows

Keep off my lawn
Oct 31, 2019
1,811
2,566
Gordy

Hard to believe a man who played offensive guard and tackle was also a highly regarded and competent placekicker. The two stereotypical physiques just don’t seem to mesh.

The attached is a few years old now but I remembered reading it years ago and thought I’d repost since you brought up his name. A quick google search suggests he’s still with us, but sadly the effects of his football career appear to have taken their toll.

Brining this back to happy thoughts, man, I am not an EE fan but I am so happy for you guys. What’s happening to you know reminds me of the early years of Jim Hopson’s reign as team president in Sask. Past player who just exudes positivity (with awareness of reality) and moves the organization forward exponentially. Good luck EE (but not too much!!).

Thanks for posting the article, Brent….very sad to hear about the health issues that Jack is facing. I’m sure there are many more players that we don’t hear about in a similar situation.
As you noted, JA didn’t even look like a linesman…I’m sure he could button his jacket. While I’m not able to recall how good a lineman he was, his kicking was incredible…wing, rain, snow, blizzard, hurricane…not a problem. Especially against the EE!
Great memories…wishing him the best in the days ahead.
 

Stoneman89

Registered User
Feb 8, 2008
28,517
24,077
Bang on. Great post.

Sask? I’ll help you out (but we pretty much sucked 1995-2005) some of these names are outside of that era. I mean, Nealon Greene? FFS.

Bobby Jurasin
Kent Austin
Dave ridgeway
Suitor (good player, baaaaaaad broadcaster)
Don narcisse
Omar Morgan
Eddie Davis
And last but not least......Gainer the Gopher.
 

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