A Whole Lotta This, A Whole Lotta That

Andy Fantuz was the most popular Rider on Monday when the team got back to practice after a week off and I'm guessing #83 might be a popular man again on Thursday. You have seen what the Globe's Dave Naylor has on his blog. If not, either go to it or just page down a little bit to see the story Dave posted on Wednesday. The LP's Murray McCormick got a hold of Fantuz who denied any wishes of wanting to play in the NFL and said neither he or his agent had spoken to Naylor.
I have no clue who Naylor's source is, but Dave is perhaps the most plugged in guy in this country when it comes to the CFL. If he smells smoke, there is usually fire.
If Fantuz wants to try his luck in the NFL, I say go for it. He definitely has the hands for an NFL tight end, but I think he'll have to gain a significant amount of weight if he is to have a solid chance. Andy is listed at 225, I think he needs to be at least 245 if not more. Once again, this is no slight towards Andy, but if Jason Clermont couldn't do it, why does Fantuz think he could? I think J-C was the more prototypical tight end in his prime than what Fantuz is. However, if he believes he has the skills to play in the NFL, who is to tell him he can't try. If it means he returns to Saskatchewan for the stretch drive in 2010, so be it. He has said he wants to play in Regina so lets just see how this all plays out.
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Lions coach Wally Buono is peeved over the "Degeneration X" crotch chop that some of his players gave before a game against Winnipeg. Maybe its just the WWE in me, but I don't find that move to be derogatory on the football fields. Its no worse than some of the other antics and gestures that players have on the football field. I'm guessing some of the comments made to one another out there are a tad more rude than the DX crotch chop.
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Did the Bombers actually tell Pacman Jones they weren't interested or did the long arm of the law prevent Jones from getting into Canada? Methinks its the latter. Now I read Winnipeg also tried to get Charles Rogers. Seriously, what the h-e-double hockeysticks is going on in Winnipeg. Are they trying to become the 70's era Raiders of the CFL. Brendan Taman must be so happy that he is no longer a part of that circus.
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A big pat on the back to CTV's Morgan Reed. This young lady has definitely done a great job since being promoted to Regina from Yorkton and she had quite an assignment Wednesday. That assignment----interview Colin Thatcher. Thatcher, who one friend of mine says is the Canadian equivalent of OJ Simpson, spoke to Morgan about his book. The interview was excellent and Morgan should be commended for coming through big-time. I'm sure she was as nervous as you know what. I know I would be. I don't know how she got the task of performing the interview, but she came through and came through big-time as far as I'm concerned.
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So lemme get this straight. A Winnipeg man ventures outside to see a smoke and sees someone smashing what he first thinks is a cat onto a sidewalk. He goes over to intervene and finds out its not a cat, but a baby. He manages to get the baby away from the woman---and I use that term loosely. I ask you what type of bottomfeeder is this lady. She has been arrested. As far as I'm concerned, put her somewhere where she never has any contact with anyone again. Monster doesn;t even start to describe this lady. She should be put in jail for a long, long time. No questions asked. What is going through this woman's mind. What possible reasons can she have for doing this? As you can tell, this irks me just a little.
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Back to CTV for a second. A story came out today talking about their fall lineup. What caught my eye is that if you go to their website, they are going to rerun episodes of "The Littlest Hobo". You know you can sing the title song of that show.....you can deny it all you want, but you know you can. My question is can't CTV just bring the show back with new episodes. It would beat the you know what out of "So You Think You Can Dance Canada"! That show just makes me reach for the remote. Why must we have shows like this, Idol, Do You Have Talent, etc, etc, etc. Once again it just proves to me that Mark Burnett is evil. Creating Survivor and reality TV is whats causing the crap we see today.
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TSN is 25 years old. One wonders where some sports in this country would be if it weren't for TSN. A network like that was going to come to Canada sooner or later, especially when you see what ESPN has done in the States, but just think of how TSN has made Canadian sports and Canadian sports watching better.
If it weren't for TSN, I don't think the CFL would have the tremendous popularity it enjoys today. The World Junior Hockey Tournament has become a must see event in this country because of TSN. Amateur sports has benefitted. Many sports have benefitted. TSN gets a lot of flak for some of the things they do---and its deserving at times. However, imagine what things might be like if it weren't for TSN. That being said, I would love to have ESPN on my dial somewhere. Yes, I am standing right behind Rob Vanstone in his never ending crusade for the four letter to be brought into Canadian homes.
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There's talk of a federal election. Really? I'm not the biggest Stephen Harper fan, but I will certainly take him over Michael Ignatieff and Jack Layton.
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Summer has finally come and its September. Does this mean it will stay relatively mild into January. God I hope so. They're calling for a high of 32 on Sunday. Break out the sunscreen for the LDC.
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I thought there was a WHL Hall of Fame already, but there isn't. Why? That needs to change!
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The ADT Canada-Russia challenge is no more. That's the good news. The bad news is Subway has jumped on board to take over as title sponsore of the event. This series is just a joke as the Russian competition is sub-par and get mowed over most nights by the WHL, Ontario or Quebec League all-stars. The WHL games this year will go in Kelowna and Victoria. Victoria?? There's no WHL team there..................yet! Can you say trial balloon boys and girls...I knew you could! I'm thinking that is where the Warriors were headed had it not been for common sense prevailing in Moose Jaw and the Multiplex getting built.
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First there was talk of Phil Kessel going to Edmonton, now there is talk of Mike Comrie returning. NO, NO and I repeat NO!! Speaking of Oilers, one of the toughest players to ever wear an Oilers uniform is hanging up the skates. I speak of Jason Smith. I have heard many war stories about this guy who has a tremendous tolerance when it comes to pain. Oh how I would have loved to see him meet Gary Bettman at center ice in Raleigh, North Carolina a few years back. I didn't see him play when he suited up for the Pats because I wasn't living in Regina at that time. Was he as tough here as he was in the NHL?
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Life is back to normal after a couple of stressful days going back and forth between the world headquarters and the Pasqua Hospital. We had to hospitalize my youngest daughter on Monday night, but we discharged her on Wednesday---one day before her 6th birthday. How rotten would it be to spend your birthday in the pediatric ward of a hospital. She's not 100 percent, but she is back at home and Daddy is understandably quite happy for that. Again, I thank a lot of you for the comments that I received and didn't post. I hope you understand and the words were appreciated. With that, its time to get comfortable with my bed again after sleeping at the hospital for the past two nights. Later!
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