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Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Mike Kelly Strikes Again

The last line in this story might be the best one. Courtesy Paul Friesen of the Winnipeg Sun.


Talk about adding insult to injury.

Winnipeg Blue Bomber quarterback Stefan LeFors not only lost his starting job after just four games this season, he was also forced to take a hefty pay cut.

The Sun has learned the Bombers took the unusual step of clawing back $60,000 of LeFors' salary -- cutting it from $150,000 to $90,000 -- when he became the backup to Michael Bishop.

Two sources said LeFors was basically given an ultimatum: take the pay cut, or be released, outright.

Asked about the move yesterday, the 28-year-old didn't hide his disappointment.

"They didn't put me in the best position," LeFors told the Sun. "But when I feel like I have a gun to my head, what am I going to do?"

Now, Bomber fans may argue LeFors deserved a pay cut, after the way he played.

But while off-season pay cuts aren't unusual, it's rare for players to give back pay for their performance during a season.

It's a startling development for a player anointed by head coach Mike Kelly as his guy going into the year. How can you back someone so staunchly for months, then hack his paycheque after four games?

The news won't go over well in the Bomber locker-room -- not that anybody will say anything publicly.

But I'll say it for them: this move lacks class, plain and simple, and won't put the Bombers in a good light around the CFL.

LeFors, though, wasn't about to criticize his head coach. He simply called it "frustrating" that the organization would put him in that position.

"When you're approached to do something like that, I wouldn't wish that on anybody," LeFors said. "I was put in a position where it was tough for me and for my family."

There's more.

The timing of the whole incident, around LeFors' shoulder injury, raises some serious questions.

To force a pay cut on a player, a team has to cut him first, then re-sign him to a new deal.

But teams aren't allowed to cut players who are hurt.

LeFors hurt his right, non-throwing shoulder in Hamilton, July 18. He played with the injury a week later, at home, against Toronto, a 19-5 loss that cost him his starting job.

He was then given his pay cut ultimatum -- before he was to have an MRI exam, a procedure that would show a second-degree sprain to his AC joint and some bleeding in the trapezius muscle.

Doctors now suspect he may have a slight tear in the labrum, as well.

Seems to me LeFors was, in effect, cut when he was hurt. He probably has a case for a grievance with the players association.

But he's taking the high road, saying he's simply going to keep working at doing his job better.

"I know I can do better than what's shown on the field," LeFors said. "This is not the way I want to go out. It comes down to this team. I'll do whatever it takes to help this team out. All that other stuff just goes out the window."

It's amazing LeFors can keep so levelheaded through this whole thing.

He didn't hide from the questions I asked, but not once did he question his head coach.

A head coach who's already thrown him under the bus, and put a serious dent in his livelihood.

The thing is, four quarterbacks have taken the controls of Kelly's offence, and all four have failed. Thousand-yard receivers from a year ago look like rookies.

And there's no inkling things are getting better.

What's next: pay cuts for the receivers? How about the O-line? Don't scoff -- word is this team has some salary cap issues, too.

Which leads me to one, final question.

Has anybody asked the head coach to take a pay cut?

7 comments:

Portuguese Sensation said...

It's painfully obvious that the Winnipeg Blue Bombers made a grave mistake in hiring this guy as their Head Coach. He brings nothing to the table and has only created a major stain on this organization.

For the sake of preserving the tradition, respectability, and image of the Bombers - they need to axe this guy sooner rather than later.

Anonymous said...

People are bashing Ken Miller because he shows no emotion on the sidelines and that they think the games are past his bedtime. I would rather have 10 Ken Millers than one Mike Kelly running my football team. Bomber fans must be hiding their heads in shame.

Randy

Anonymous said...

I'm sticking to my original prediction that he is fired by Labour Day. It would not surprise me to see Lyle Bauer out the door too. Bauer is a good CEO, but made a grave error in hitching his wagon to that horse.

Check Kelly's resume. He is a non descript journeyman coach who has had descending roles since his time in Winnipeg. An NFL Quality Controls Coach is essentially a "secretary". He was on Coach Riley's staff in Winnipeg which seems to be what they are using as his shining credential. Watch how Riley's career has progressed in the NFL, and now big time College Football. I have to thing Mike Kelly really didn't have the impact they thought he did in Winnipeg. Matt Dunnigan was the QB of that team, and he was a defacto Offensive Coordinator. Well at least Hamilton isn't the joke of the CFL anymore, but there is always one team that assumes that mantel.

Obama

Anonymous said...

I agree with Randy. I like Miller, but even more compared to Mike Kelly.

Mike

Anonymous said...

The coach should take a pay cut. Then again, he might need the services of the Winnipeg Food Bank. Bauer and Asper must be so embarassed over what this guy is doing to the organization.
If I were Lefors, I would be taking this to the CFLPA immediately. What a frickin joke!!

Ted

Anonymous said...

The Player's Association is a "toothless tiger". They'll get pissed if a whole team has to go over the mandated 4 hour work day. They do bring the hammer down if they know the coach will not be sticking around as happened to Matt Dunigan a few years back. They won't do a thing if it's a Buono, Hufnagel, and when he was around Mathews situation. LeFors has basically been ripped off, and if he wants to collect on that revised amount he has to sit there and take it. He's also partly to blame. If he gets released he knows he isn't good enough to get picked up anywhere. Basically he's now just riding out the season. I'd be shocked if they won another game this year because they look horrible.

Obama

McLELLAN HOME said...

I thought from the time that they called Bishop, that the Bombers were in desperation mode.

I have always liked Ken Miller and while there are those that seem to know it all....I think he is doing a very good job handling our players and ensuring this is a class organization.