Tracker

I am normally pretty sympathetic to CFL players and even coaches and GMs, but I'm afraid I will take delight in watching Chris Jones implode and get pilloried by the Roughies' fans. His arrogance and abrasiveness ought to alienate the team supporters in no time- even faster than Mike Kelly.

It really doesn't matter to me what the specific problems were last year that got Willy beaten up. It matters that the coaches and our GM have identified the guilty party or parties and have done what it takes to fix it. We ought to know when the curtain falls on game three if we have hope or resignation for the season.

So far Willy has been given the benefit of the doubt due to his own injuries, a porous O-line and very questionable coaching by our departed offensive coordinator. However, its been two years, a lot of the moving parts have been replaced with better ones and we have LaPolice back. That means more of the onus to perform has to fall on Willy's shoulders, and we have been wandering in the wilderness for a long time. Even the diehard fans need a reason to keep believing and empty optimism isn't going to do it for very long this year. If we have another repeat of the two-and-out steady diet for more than two or three weeks, the pent-up wrath and frustration of the past 20+ years is going to be directed first at Willy, then O'Shea and maybe even Walters.

We can attribute that to a lovers' spat.

On 1290 radio this morning, there was a bit of surprise about Collins- he had the size, experience and right attitude but apparently he has lost a step.

Let the blood bath begin.

Touche'

Goossen was on roller skates a lot and that caused the whole O-line to shift. I think we need to give the team, and the offense in particular three games to show both competence and consistency- defences typically gel faster than offenses and we have some significant upgrades there (Cummings, Shologan, Wild, Butcher, Corney and Knox if he ever gets healthy).

Its way too soon to pass judgment on Willy but last night was not encouraging. I expected some rustiness but that ought to have gotten noticeably better as time went on, but he looked about the same from beginning to end of his performance. Willy looked about as good as Dominc Davis and Nichols was a bit better than Bennett. Lets face it: Willy is going to start every game he is physically able for at least the next couple of months. That's who has the most favour in the coaches' eyes, and O'Shea has shown himself repeatedly to be resistant to change.

Barring a small miracle, thats probably what we are looking at. But Willy did not look sharp at all-very tentative.

Plus, I think Vitt has potential and Richards showed well in his brief time on the field. The Roughies are paper-thin on NI receivers.

Castillo has shown "promise" but you don't know if a cheque is good until you take it to the bank- in this case, full-contact games. Castillo might just develop a sudden mysterious injury which will keep him sidelined indefinitely but could heal spontaneously and abruptly.

Bad news for the buffets in town.

But wouldn't your granny get overtired?

But...but...but...his brittleness was evident last year as well.

Plus: better living through chemistry.

If Richards wants to play this game, he will have to do so covered in bubble-wrap. Pity- he looked like a decent receiver for his few plays.

But Carter is good enough that he can get away with all that mouthing off. Besides, he's really just a rookie still and has some growing up to do.

Willy is # one by default unless the unforeseeable happens, so any drama at the pivot position is about who will be number two and who will languish on the PR. I don't think Nichols is a lock, but based on how O'Shea has operated in the past, it wouldn't surprise me.

No argument that the NFL has the best football players, the biggest stadia and the most fans. However, that does not make for a more exciting game and no NFL team gives the average Canuck a sense of identifying with their home team along with all the history attached to it.

At least they're (mostly) primates.

Now, now. Don't go hankerin' after their wimin.

If you watch the NFL, you have a taste for spectacle and tolerate boredom well.

The Bomber quarterbacking will be spotty at best with all the ins and outs. I will be looking for the Oline to be waaay better, for Harris to crack off a couple of good runs and our linebackers and Dline to make life miserable for whoever the Als put behind their center.

Fixed that for you.