There's no doubting that the Toronto Argonauts have been the CFL's weak sister for the past few seasons. While they did get to the East final in 2010, this team has gone 22-50 over the last four years in a market which is arguably the biggest key to the overall success of the league.
One has to wonder though if this team is ready to once again make some noise and perhaps challenge for and win a Grey Cup in 2012. They have certainly strengthened their quarterback position by acquiring Ricky Ray from Edmonton. The key now is to give Ray some weapons. In Cory Boyd, he has perhaps the best all-purpose back in the CFL. Chad Owens is probably the most dangerous kick returner in the league and they have a defence that on paper is very formidable led by players like Ricky Foley and E-J Kuale. Where this team is weak though is at receiver as Ray needs some bodies to throw the football too. I'm guessing the Argos had to be salivating last week seeing Jason Barnes get cut by the Eskimos knowing he might be a nice target to throw to if dreams of the NFL go up in smoke. One also has to think that Argo brass are preparing a nice deal for Andy Fantuz to return home to Southern Ontario. Toronto fans would be excited at seeing Ray loft passes over the middle that land in the hands of the lanky soon to be free-agent Fantuz.
While one thinks the Argos might break the bank for Fantuz, one also has to look at Toronto's free agent situation and just who they have that they might to re-sign. Looking at the CFL site, there are five starters from that defensive unit who become FA's February 15. They are linebackers Kevin Eiben and Jason Pottinger--both very capable players who could start just about anywhere in this league. Defensive backs Byron Parker, Jordan Younger and Willie Pile are also on the list. Pile is a fierce hitter as Darian Durant will attest to and Parker and Younger are nothing to sneeze at either. I don't know if Toronto can keep all of these guys, but I would think they have to make some kind of attempt to keep a defence that wasn't bad last year intact.
It will be interesting to see what way HC Scott Milanovich and GM Jim Barker decide to do when it comes to free agency. While the option of Fantuz is there, the dollars he will command may be too rich for their blood. If Milanovich and Barker think guys like Spencer Watt and Mike Bradwell can elevate their games, they may be fine at receiver. If they can't, I don't know if Ray will produce the numbers the Argos expect of him.
Decisions, decisions. decisions.
Monday, January 16, 2012
So Much For That Idea
Many thought the New Orleans Saints and Green Bay Packers would meet in a rematch of their thrilling game to open up the NFL season in the NFC championship with the winner going to and probably winning the Super Bowl. I was one of those many who will now watch the Giants and 49ers play for the right to go to the Vince as the old time machine goes back a few years. Did anyone out there pick the Saints and Packers to both go down this weekend. If so, good for you. Here are just some random thoughts on the four games this weekend.
SAN FRANCISCO VS NEW ORLEANS
--What is about playing NFC West teams on the road that kills the Saints in the playoffs. They couldn't get it done in Seattle last year when they had a better team and I think they have a better team than the Niners, but they couldn't get it done in San Fran either.
--Like everyone in the park knew the ball was going to Tony Gabriel in 1976, everyone had to know the only player Alex Smith would throw the ball to in the final moments was Niners tight end Vernon Davis. What a colossal brain cramp by the Saints D and their co-ordinator (who is now apparently off to St. Louis) Gregg Williams
--If Trent Dilfer and Brad Johnson can be Super Bowl quarterbacks, I guess Alex Smith could be too.
--That 49ers defence will hurt you
DENVER VS NEW ENGLAND
--Tom Brady reminded everyone that there is another quarterback out there who deserves the other publicity that one Mr. Tebow received.
--The Patriots defence looked nothing like the porous shell that they trotted out week after week this year.
--Why weren't the Patriots using Aaron Hernandez as a running back all year long?
--Can anyone in the NFL cover Rob Gronkowski?
--What becomes of Tim Tebow now? Is the experiment over or is he the number one guy in Denver going into training camp.
--Can Denver find some suitable receivers besides Demyarius Thomas to throw to?
--How did Pittsburgh lose to Denver again last weekend?
HOUSTON VS BALTIMORE
--Jacoby Jones wins the award for weekend's biggest idiot after handing the Ravens a touchdown by botching a 1st quarter punt return deep in his own end.
--Joe Flacco continues to be a mystery to me. He looks so good one week and so bad the next
--Ed Reed is one of the top safeties to ever play in the NFL
--Where would the Texans have been had Matt Schaub stayed healthy?
--Arian Foster needs to go to Cleveland so he can shave the Browns logo in his head. Think about that for a second.
--Ray Lewis has many good years in front of him
GIANTS VS GREEN BAY
--Was that the 2007 NFC championship I watched again----no, because this time the Packers got their lunch handed to them.
--Did the pre-game ritual for the cheeseheads involve dipping their hands in liquid cheese. HANG ON TO THE BALL!!!
--Eli Manning wins more and more people over every time out. I'm starting to think he is an elite quarterback in this league. He's certainly better than guys like Romo.
--I'm still not sold on Victor Cruz. I think the guy is a flash in the pan
--How can the Packers defence allow Hakeem Nicks to score on the last play of the half. KNOCK IT DOWN
--The Packers pass rush reminded me of the Riders pass rush--or lack of it.
--The weakness of the Packers got exposed and that was they have no defence nor have they had it all year long. The great numbers that Rodgers and company threw up hid that very well.
So now we have the Giants and the Niners in one conference final with the Patriots and the Ravens in the other. I don't want an all-Harbaugh final because that will simply sicken me, but I would like to see the Giants and Patriots tango on the big stage once again. That being said, I will say the winners next weekend are Baltimore (I took them to lose to the Saints at the start of the year) and the Giants. Who do you like?
-----
Question asked of me this weekend---how many players are left on the 2012 Riders that were on the 2007 team. The answer is 10 as it stands right now. The 10 are....Chris Best, Wes Cates, Darian Durant, Andy Fantuz, Lance Frazier, Neal Hughes, Maurice Lloyd, Gene Makowsky, Mike McCullough and Marc Parenteau. That's not a lot in my mind. Is it in yours?
-----
To steal a line from Toronto Sun sportswriter Steve Simmons in his weekly columns---whatever happened to Nealon Greene?
----
I wish TSN would take a page out of FOX's book and have a former official in studio with them to explain controversial calls. FOX"s hiring of former NFL officiating head Mike Pereira is outstanding. Pereira tells you what is being looked at and whether or not the call will be overturned. He also isn't afraid to say he thinks a wrong call was made as was the case in the Giants-Packers game.
-----
Bill Leavy officiated yesterday's Giants-Packers game. This is the same clown who reffed Super Bowl 40 when the NFL handed a Super Bowl to Pittsburgh (the scars on this Seahawks fan will always remain visible). How is this guy still a ref? He is the NFL's Andre Proulx.
-----
With all the outstanding tight end play in the NFL this year, will a CFL offensive co-ordinator try to re-invent the tight end position in the CFL?
-----
I was thinking about checking out the Pats game, but had I gone, I would gotten there late. I turned on the radio to hear it was 4-0 Saskatoon and said I'll go another night. The final was 7-4 for the Blades. Kootenay is here on Wednesday. I'll probably check that one out.
----
Is it just me or does it seem colder than it actually is because we've been spoiled. That being said, is it really supposed to bounce back to minus 1 on Thursday?
----
Graham DeLaet takes home 32-thousand dollars after finishing eight strokes off the lead at the Sony Open. I'm sure Graham would have been thinking top 10 after his great round on Thursday in which he led after 18 holes, but 32 grand is 32-grand. The winner of the event was a guy named Johnson Wagner. Did you see the "stache" on this guy. It's a beaut!
-----
I hate it when I hear a team has blanked the opposition in the NHL knowing I have that team's goalie in the pool and will get a shutout win only to find out the backup got the shutout. That was the case Saturday when the Rangers beat the Leafs behind Marty Biron's performance. GRRRRRR!!!!
----
Team World captured the Continental Cup of Curling on the weekend. Is it time for a curling summit?
-----
From what I understand, either Chris Jericho or Randy Orton wins the Royal Rumble in two weeks time.
----
Is Netflix worth it?
-----
Is there any word out there grosser than "moist".
----
Have a good Monday. Stay warm!!
SAN FRANCISCO VS NEW ORLEANS
--What is about playing NFC West teams on the road that kills the Saints in the playoffs. They couldn't get it done in Seattle last year when they had a better team and I think they have a better team than the Niners, but they couldn't get it done in San Fran either.
--Like everyone in the park knew the ball was going to Tony Gabriel in 1976, everyone had to know the only player Alex Smith would throw the ball to in the final moments was Niners tight end Vernon Davis. What a colossal brain cramp by the Saints D and their co-ordinator (who is now apparently off to St. Louis) Gregg Williams
--If Trent Dilfer and Brad Johnson can be Super Bowl quarterbacks, I guess Alex Smith could be too.
--That 49ers defence will hurt you
DENVER VS NEW ENGLAND
--Tom Brady reminded everyone that there is another quarterback out there who deserves the other publicity that one Mr. Tebow received.
--The Patriots defence looked nothing like the porous shell that they trotted out week after week this year.
--Why weren't the Patriots using Aaron Hernandez as a running back all year long?
--Can anyone in the NFL cover Rob Gronkowski?
--What becomes of Tim Tebow now? Is the experiment over or is he the number one guy in Denver going into training camp.
--Can Denver find some suitable receivers besides Demyarius Thomas to throw to?
--How did Pittsburgh lose to Denver again last weekend?
HOUSTON VS BALTIMORE
--Jacoby Jones wins the award for weekend's biggest idiot after handing the Ravens a touchdown by botching a 1st quarter punt return deep in his own end.
--Joe Flacco continues to be a mystery to me. He looks so good one week and so bad the next
--Ed Reed is one of the top safeties to ever play in the NFL
--Where would the Texans have been had Matt Schaub stayed healthy?
--Arian Foster needs to go to Cleveland so he can shave the Browns logo in his head. Think about that for a second.
--Ray Lewis has many good years in front of him
GIANTS VS GREEN BAY
--Was that the 2007 NFC championship I watched again----no, because this time the Packers got their lunch handed to them.
--Did the pre-game ritual for the cheeseheads involve dipping their hands in liquid cheese. HANG ON TO THE BALL!!!
--Eli Manning wins more and more people over every time out. I'm starting to think he is an elite quarterback in this league. He's certainly better than guys like Romo.
--I'm still not sold on Victor Cruz. I think the guy is a flash in the pan
--How can the Packers defence allow Hakeem Nicks to score on the last play of the half. KNOCK IT DOWN
--The Packers pass rush reminded me of the Riders pass rush--or lack of it.
--The weakness of the Packers got exposed and that was they have no defence nor have they had it all year long. The great numbers that Rodgers and company threw up hid that very well.
So now we have the Giants and the Niners in one conference final with the Patriots and the Ravens in the other. I don't want an all-Harbaugh final because that will simply sicken me, but I would like to see the Giants and Patriots tango on the big stage once again. That being said, I will say the winners next weekend are Baltimore (I took them to lose to the Saints at the start of the year) and the Giants. Who do you like?
-----
Question asked of me this weekend---how many players are left on the 2012 Riders that were on the 2007 team. The answer is 10 as it stands right now. The 10 are....Chris Best, Wes Cates, Darian Durant, Andy Fantuz, Lance Frazier, Neal Hughes, Maurice Lloyd, Gene Makowsky, Mike McCullough and Marc Parenteau. That's not a lot in my mind. Is it in yours?
-----
To steal a line from Toronto Sun sportswriter Steve Simmons in his weekly columns---whatever happened to Nealon Greene?
----
I wish TSN would take a page out of FOX's book and have a former official in studio with them to explain controversial calls. FOX"s hiring of former NFL officiating head Mike Pereira is outstanding. Pereira tells you what is being looked at and whether or not the call will be overturned. He also isn't afraid to say he thinks a wrong call was made as was the case in the Giants-Packers game.
-----
Bill Leavy officiated yesterday's Giants-Packers game. This is the same clown who reffed Super Bowl 40 when the NFL handed a Super Bowl to Pittsburgh (the scars on this Seahawks fan will always remain visible). How is this guy still a ref? He is the NFL's Andre Proulx.
-----
With all the outstanding tight end play in the NFL this year, will a CFL offensive co-ordinator try to re-invent the tight end position in the CFL?
-----
I was thinking about checking out the Pats game, but had I gone, I would gotten there late. I turned on the radio to hear it was 4-0 Saskatoon and said I'll go another night. The final was 7-4 for the Blades. Kootenay is here on Wednesday. I'll probably check that one out.
----
Is it just me or does it seem colder than it actually is because we've been spoiled. That being said, is it really supposed to bounce back to minus 1 on Thursday?
----
Graham DeLaet takes home 32-thousand dollars after finishing eight strokes off the lead at the Sony Open. I'm sure Graham would have been thinking top 10 after his great round on Thursday in which he led after 18 holes, but 32 grand is 32-grand. The winner of the event was a guy named Johnson Wagner. Did you see the "stache" on this guy. It's a beaut!
-----
I hate it when I hear a team has blanked the opposition in the NHL knowing I have that team's goalie in the pool and will get a shutout win only to find out the backup got the shutout. That was the case Saturday when the Rangers beat the Leafs behind Marty Biron's performance. GRRRRRR!!!!
----
Team World captured the Continental Cup of Curling on the weekend. Is it time for a curling summit?
-----
From what I understand, either Chris Jericho or Randy Orton wins the Royal Rumble in two weeks time.
----
Is Netflix worth it?
-----
Is there any word out there grosser than "moist".
----
Have a good Monday. Stay warm!!
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Round 2 Of NFL Playoffs This Weekend
And then there were eight. And, for the second time (2006) since realignment in 2002, all eight remaining teams in the Divisional round are division winners.
On Saturday, January 14, the NFC West champion San Francisco 49ers (13-3) will host the NFC South champion New Orleans Saints (14-3) at Candlestick Park (FOX, 4:30 PM ET). That night in primetime (CBS, 8:00 PM ET), the New England Patriots (13-3), the AFC’s No. 1 seed, will welcome the AFC West champion Denver Broncos (9-8) to Gillette Stadium. On Sunday, January 15, the AFC North champion Baltimore Ravens (12-4) will play the AFC South champion Houston Texans (11-6) at M&T Bank Stadium (CBS, 1:00 PM ET) and the NFC’s top seed, the Green Bay Packers (15-1), will face the NFC East champion New York Giants (10-7) at Lambeau Field (FOX, 4:30 PM ET).
“Now it’s time to play real football,” says Packers head coach MIKE MC CARTHY, who is 5-2 (.714) in the postseason, the second-best mark in franchise history (Pro Football Hall of Famer VINCE LOMBARDI, 9-1, .900). “That’s what playoff football is all about. It’s exciting and it’s fun. Players and coaches live for these types of games.”
For the first time in NFL history, the Divisional round will feature four Super Bowl MVP quarterbacks: New England’s TOM BRADY (XXXVI, XXXVIII), New Orleans’ DREW BREES (XLIV), the New York Giants’ ELI MANNING (XLII) and Green Bay’s AARON RODGERS (XLV).
Three of the four Divisional games are rematches of regular-season meetings: The Patriots defeated the Broncos 41-23 in Week 15, the Ravens beat the Texans 29-14 in Week 6 and the Packers knocked off the Giants 38-35 in Week 13. A look at this weekend’s Divisional Playoffs:
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (14-3) at SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (13-3) (Saturday, FOX, 4:30 PM ET)
The NFL’s top offense (New Orleans, 467.1 yards per game) will face the NFC’s best defense (San Francisco, 308.2 yards per game) on Saturday at Candlestick Park.
New Orleans has won nine consecutive games, including last week’s 45-28 Wild Card victory over Detroit. The Saints, who achieved numerous offensive milestones during the regular season, continued to rewrite the record books, gaining an NFL postseason record 626 yards and tying a league playoff record with 34 first downs. Quarterback DREW BREES passed for 466 yards and is the first player in NFL history with back-to-back 400-yard passing games in the playoffs. He also joined Pro Football Hall of Famer DAN MARINO and PEYTON MANNING as the only players in NFL history to pass for at least 400 yards in two postseason games in a career.
In his first season, head coach JIM HARBAUGH guided the 49ers to 13 wins, tied for the third-most victories by a rookie head coach in NFL history. San Francisco claimed its 15th division title since 1980, the most in the NFL during that span.
“We’ve had a great season up to this point,” says 49ers quarterback ALEX SMITH. “We’ve put ourselves in a good situation but it doesn’t guarantee you anything. So much of the playoffs is the hot team and the team that’s peaking and continuing to get better at the end of the season. That’s really our focus.”
The 49ers, who tied for the NFL lead with eight players selected to the Pro Bowl, led the league with a +28 turnover differential and boasted the league’s best run defense (77.3 yards per game). San Francisco allowed only three rushing touchdowns, the fewest in a 16-game season and the 49ers became the first team to not allow a rushing touchdown in each of its first 14 games to start a season.
DENVER BRONCOS (9-8) at NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (13-3) (Saturday, CBS, 8:00 PM ET)
Denver enters the Divisional round riding high after a 29-23 overtime win over Pittsburgh. Quarterback TIM TEBOW, who averaged an NFL postseason record 31.6 yards per completion (316 yards, 10 completions), threw a game-winning touchdown pass to wide receiver DEMARYIUS THOMAS just 11 seconds into OT, the fastest end to an overtime in NFL history. Thomas had four receptions for 204 yards and averaged an NFL postseason record 51 yards per catch. He is the seventh player with 200+ receiving yards in a playoff game and, combined with fellow Georgia Tech alum CALVIN JOHNSON (211 yards), this is the first postseason in NFL history with two 200-yard receiving games.
The Broncos will face a New England team that won the head-to-head meeting in Week 15. Patriots quarterback TOM BRADY is 14-5 (.737) in the playoffs, tied with Pro Football Hall of Famer TERRY BRADSHAW for the best postseason record by a starting quarterback in NFL history (minimum 15 starts). Brady, who is one of only four players to win multiple Super Bowl MVP awards (XXXVI, XXXVIII), ranks among the all-time leaders in the postseason in completions (424; fourth), attempts (682; fifth), passing yards (4,407; sixth) and touchdown passes (30; tied for fifth).
“The opportunity is here, so you have to take advantage of it,” says New England linebacker JEROD MAYO. “We’re all working hard and making sacrifices to hopefully get a victory.”
Patriots head coach BILL BELICHICK is 15-6 (.714) in the playoffs and ranks fifth all-time with 15 postseason wins. With a win on Saturday, he would move into a tie with Pro Football Hall of Famer CHUCK NOLL (16) for fourth place.
HOUSTON TEXANS (11-6) at BALTIMORE RAVENS (12-4) (Sunday, CBS, 1:00 PM ET)
Two of the league’s best defenses will meet when the Ravens host the Texans. Baltimore and Houston were the only two teams in the NFL to rank in the top five in total defense, rushing defense and passing defense.
Last week, the Texans won their first playoff game in franchise history, defeating Cincinnati 31-10 at Reliant Stadium. The last team to win its franchise’s playoff debut was the 2000 Baltimore Ravens, who went on to win Super Bowl XXXV.
“I’m just elated, excited and happy to bring this city a playoff win,” says Texans running back ARIAN FOSTER, who became the third undrafted player in NFL history to rush for at least 100 yards (153) in his first playoff game. “To be a part of that, it just feels so good. You can feel the energy and the buzz throughout the city.”
One of the key plays in Houston’s Wild Card victory was J.J. WATT’s 29-yard interception-return touchdown. Watt is the first rookie to record both an INT-TD and a sack in a postseason game since sacks became an official statistic in 1982.
Houston will now travel to Baltimore to face the Ravens, who defeated the Texans in Week 6. Since taking over the team in 2008, head coach JOHN HARBAUGH has guided the Ravens to four consecutive playoff berths. On Sunday, Baltimore will host its first playoff game under Harbaugh. The Ravens are 8-0 at home in 2011.
“It will be crazy here,” says Baltimore linebacker RAY LEWIS about the home playoff game. “Baltimore is one of those cities that makes it crazy. You feel love and you feel strength. That’s why it’s so hard to win on the road. Home teams have a certain type of aura. We have that special thing in downtown Baltimore.”
NEW YORK GIANTS (10-7) at GREEN BAY PACKERS (15-1) (Sunday, FOX, 4:30 PM ET)
The Giants and Packers meet in the postseason for the seventh time. The first five meetings were in NFL Championship Games and the last playoff contest between the two teams was the 2007 NFC Championship Game. The Giants won that contest, 23-20 in overtime, and eventually won Super Bowl XLII.
On Wild Card Weekend, the Giants defeated Atlanta 24-2 at MetLife Stadium. Quarterback ELI MANNING threw for three touchdowns and his 11 career postseason TD passes are the most ever by a Giant. Manning, who passed for 347 yards and three touchdowns in the teams’ Week 13 meeting, knows the challenge ahead for the Giants.
“We know the Packers are a great team,” says Manning. “We’ve played them and we played them tough. We’ve got to have a good game plan, go in there and give it our all.”
The Green Bay Packers, who own the league’s best postseason winning percentage (.644, 29-16), open the playoffs at home – where they went 8-0 during the regular season – aiming to become the ninth defending champion to win the Super Bowl the following season. Green Bay won a franchise-record 15 games and scored a team-best 560 points, the second-most in a season in NFL history.
The Packers are led by Pro Bowl quarterback AARON RODGERS, who set an NFL single-season record with a 122.5 passer rating, throwing for a franchise-record 4,643 yards and 45 touchdowns. Rodgers, who was the MVP of Super Bowl XLV, is one of the top postseason quarterbacks in NFL history, ranking first all-time in passer rating (112.6), completion percentage (67.8 percent) and yards per pass attempt (8.72).
“Last year’s run is really going to help all of us,” says Rodgers. “It’s the playoffs now so the focus has to go up, the urgency goes up and the preparation is more refined.”
SCRUFFY PICKS ARE SAINTS, PACKERS, PATRIOTS AND RAVENS
Friday, January 13, 2012
DeLaet Update/Pats Win
Weyburn's Graham DeLaet had a tough start to his 2nd round at the Sony Open, but he is still in sight of the leaders after 36 holes. DeLaet, the first round leader, suffered double bogeys on his 2nd and 3rd hole of the day and ended up shooting a two over 72 leaving him at five under 135. That's five strokes behind leader Matt Every.
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The Regina Pats have moved to within a point of first place Moose Jaw in the WHL Eastern Division. The Warriors lost in Calgary while the Pats stormed back to beat Victoria 7-3. The Royals took an early 2-0 lead, but Regina stormed back thanks to a five point night from Jordan Weal and a hat-trick from Andrew Rieder. The Blades are in town Sunday in a 6 o'clock start.
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The Regina Pats have moved to within a point of first place Moose Jaw in the WHL Eastern Division. The Warriors lost in Calgary while the Pats stormed back to beat Victoria 7-3. The Royals took an early 2-0 lead, but Regina stormed back thanks to a five point night from Jordan Weal and a hat-trick from Andrew Rieder. The Blades are in town Sunday in a 6 o'clock start.
Chamblin Holds Court
Riders head coach Corey Chamblin got-together with the Regina media this afternoon in what I think was his first address to the media as a whole since taking over the position. I didn't go, but 620 CKRM's Phil "The Thrill" Andrews checked it out. Thanks to Phil, here's what Chamblin had to say....
Chamblin by PhilTheThrill18
Chamblin by PhilTheThrill18
Thursday, January 12, 2012
DeLaet Sizzles In Hawaii
Graham DeLaet has never been happier to be on the PGA Tour, and it showed Thursday in the Sony Open.
One year after back surgery that made him wonder if he could ever play golf again, DeLaet chipped in for eagle and twice holed 35-foot birdie putts for a 7-under 63 that gave the Weyburn, Saskatchewan native a two-shot lead.
Carl Pettersson and former Sony Open champion K.J. Choi were among those at 65, while Kapalua winner Steve Stricker, Webb Simpson and Bud Cauley were among those at 66.
"I'm just so excited to be back out," DeLaet said. "I had a good season my rookie campaign, and then it was all basically just taken away. And I realize now how fortunate we are to be playing golf for a living. My whole attitude is definitely better."
For Stricker, a minor adjustment was in order.
He is trying to become the first player since Ernie Els in 2003 to sweep the Hawaii events, and Stricker was noticeably tired during his pro-am Wednesday, and parts of the opening round.
Part of that was a Monday finish on Maui. He took the day off Tuesday, and he couldn't take three steps Wednesday without dozens of players congratulating him.
"A nice problem to have," Stricker said.
He picked up four birdies on the back nine, though, and was right in the hunt.
"I was a little sluggish at times. I'm still excited from last week," he said. "You turn around and you're right back in the competition. You've got to be focused. And I was, for the most part."
Cauley, who last year became the sixth player to go from college to the PGA Tour without Q-school, didn't show any signs of rust from having not played in nearly two months. He ran off four straight birdies around the turn until he stalled, then dropped a shot on the 17th and missed a birdie opportunity on the 18th when he tried to hit fairway metal out of a bunker and topped his shot.
"I did a lot of things right," he said. "I did a lot of things I was doing last summer."
Thursday was a gentle start of the season in the first full-field tournament of the year on the PGA Tour, with the ocean breeze barely strong enough to move fronds on the palm trees that line the fairways. Sixty-three players in the 144-man field broke par, including Oahu native Tadd Fujikawa, given a late sponsor exemption.
DeLaet surged to the top of the leaderboard when he chipped in from just short of the green on the par-5 ninth, then holed a 35-foot birdie putt on the 10th and hit his approach to 6 feet on the 12th for another birdie. He took the outright lead with birdies on the last two holes, getting up-and-down from just short of the green on the par-5 18th.
At this time a year ago, he was a week removed from surgery on his lower back, which included shaving part of his disk to keep it from pressing against a nerve. The Sony Open offers pleasant scenery on TV, but he couldn't stand to watch.
"It took me a couple of months before I could even watch golf," he said.
Sony Open in Hawaii Leaderboard
1. DeLaet (-7)
T-2. Choi (-5)
T-2. Pettersson (-5)
T-2. Reifers (-5)
12 tied at 4-under
13 tied at 3-under
• More scores
The injury was nothing new, first suffered when DeLaet was playing hockey as a junior. His lower back would give him fits, and then the pain would subside. Toward the end of his rookie season in 2010 -- he finished 100th on the money list to easily keep his card -- it got so bad that he couldn't sit for more than a few seconds.
Surgery took care of the pain, and DeLaet tried to return in the summer in the two tournaments sandwiched around the U.S. Open. His next start was supposed to be the AT&T National at Aronimink, but after playing a few holes before the Wednesday pro-am, he realized he was trying to get back too soon.
"I think I wanted to be there so bad that I felt that I was better physically than I actually was," DeLaet said. "I just knew that it's hard enough to compete out here when you're healthy, and I just knew that I wasn't in good enough shape to compete."
For the moment, he feels great.
(Courtesy Associated Press)
NOTE: The Golf Channel is showing the Sony Open. DeLaet was in an early grouping yesterday and his round was not televised. Chances are his 2nd round will be televised seeing he should be in the late pairings.
One year after back surgery that made him wonder if he could ever play golf again, DeLaet chipped in for eagle and twice holed 35-foot birdie putts for a 7-under 63 that gave the Weyburn, Saskatchewan native a two-shot lead.
Carl Pettersson and former Sony Open champion K.J. Choi were among those at 65, while Kapalua winner Steve Stricker, Webb Simpson and Bud Cauley were among those at 66.
"I'm just so excited to be back out," DeLaet said. "I had a good season my rookie campaign, and then it was all basically just taken away. And I realize now how fortunate we are to be playing golf for a living. My whole attitude is definitely better."
For Stricker, a minor adjustment was in order.
He is trying to become the first player since Ernie Els in 2003 to sweep the Hawaii events, and Stricker was noticeably tired during his pro-am Wednesday, and parts of the opening round.
Part of that was a Monday finish on Maui. He took the day off Tuesday, and he couldn't take three steps Wednesday without dozens of players congratulating him.
"A nice problem to have," Stricker said.
He picked up four birdies on the back nine, though, and was right in the hunt.
"I was a little sluggish at times. I'm still excited from last week," he said. "You turn around and you're right back in the competition. You've got to be focused. And I was, for the most part."
Cauley, who last year became the sixth player to go from college to the PGA Tour without Q-school, didn't show any signs of rust from having not played in nearly two months. He ran off four straight birdies around the turn until he stalled, then dropped a shot on the 17th and missed a birdie opportunity on the 18th when he tried to hit fairway metal out of a bunker and topped his shot.
"I did a lot of things right," he said. "I did a lot of things I was doing last summer."
Thursday was a gentle start of the season in the first full-field tournament of the year on the PGA Tour, with the ocean breeze barely strong enough to move fronds on the palm trees that line the fairways. Sixty-three players in the 144-man field broke par, including Oahu native Tadd Fujikawa, given a late sponsor exemption.
DeLaet surged to the top of the leaderboard when he chipped in from just short of the green on the par-5 ninth, then holed a 35-foot birdie putt on the 10th and hit his approach to 6 feet on the 12th for another birdie. He took the outright lead with birdies on the last two holes, getting up-and-down from just short of the green on the par-5 18th.
At this time a year ago, he was a week removed from surgery on his lower back, which included shaving part of his disk to keep it from pressing against a nerve. The Sony Open offers pleasant scenery on TV, but he couldn't stand to watch.
"It took me a couple of months before I could even watch golf," he said.
Sony Open in Hawaii Leaderboard
1. DeLaet (-7)
T-2. Choi (-5)
T-2. Pettersson (-5)
T-2. Reifers (-5)
12 tied at 4-under
13 tied at 3-under
• More scores
The injury was nothing new, first suffered when DeLaet was playing hockey as a junior. His lower back would give him fits, and then the pain would subside. Toward the end of his rookie season in 2010 -- he finished 100th on the money list to easily keep his card -- it got so bad that he couldn't sit for more than a few seconds.
Surgery took care of the pain, and DeLaet tried to return in the summer in the two tournaments sandwiched around the U.S. Open. His next start was supposed to be the AT&T National at Aronimink, but after playing a few holes before the Wednesday pro-am, he realized he was trying to get back too soon.
"I think I wanted to be there so bad that I felt that I was better physically than I actually was," DeLaet said. "I just knew that it's hard enough to compete out here when you're healthy, and I just knew that I wasn't in good enough shape to compete."
For the moment, he feels great.
(Courtesy Associated Press)
NOTE: The Golf Channel is showing the Sony Open. DeLaet was in an early grouping yesterday and his round was not televised. Chances are his 2nd round will be televised seeing he should be in the late pairings.
Cougar Action This Weekend
Home Events
Women's Volleyball – vs. Manitoba, Friday (6:15 p.m.) at CKHS
Women's Hockey – vs. UBC, Friday (7:00 p.m.) at The Co-operators Centre
Men's Volleyball – vs. Manitoba, Friday (8:00 p.m.) at CKHS
Men's and Women's Wrestling – at Cougar Open, Saturday at CKHS
Men's Volleyball – vs. Manitoba, Saturday (6:15 p.m.) at CKHS
Women's Hockey – vs. UBC, Saturday (7:00 p.m.) at The Co-operators Centre
Women's Volleyball – vs. Manitoba, Saturday (8:00 p.m.) at CKHS
Away Events
Women's Basketball – at Manitoba, Friday (6:00 p.m.) in Winnipeg, Man.
Men's Basketball – at Manitoba, Friday (8:00 p.m.) in Winnipeg, Man.
Men's Hockey – at UBC, Friday (7:00 p.m. PST) in Vancouver, B.C.
Women's Basketball – at Manitoba, Saturday (6:00 p.m.) in Winnipeg, Man.
Men's Basketball – at Manitoba, Saturday (8:00 p.m.) in Winnipeg, Man.
Men's Hockey – at UBC, Saturday (7:00 p.m. PST) in Vancouver, B.C.
Men's Wrestling (CIS Ranking: No. 1) – Led by Kirk Ackerman's first-place finish at 68 kilograms, the Cougars finished in first place in the team standings at Saturday's Golden Bear Open in Edmonton. John Lendvoy (90 kg) also had a strong showing with a second-place performance for the Cougars, who will be in action at home this weekend at the Cougar Open. Matches start at 9 a.m. in the main gym at the Centre for Kinesiology, Health & Sport.
Women's Wrestling (CIS Ranking: No. 10) – Two Cougars finished in first place in their weight classes at the Golden Bear Open on Saturday, as Danielle Anderson went 4-0 at 55 kilograms and Kristine Longeau won her only match at 67 kilograms. The U of R, which finished in third place in the team standings on the women's side, hosts the Cougar Open this Saturday beginning at 9 a.m. at the CKHS.
Men's Volleyball – The Cougars (4-8) return to the Canada West schedule this weekend against No. 2 Manitoba. Tied for seventh place in the Canada West standings, the Cougars will host the Bisons on Friday (8:00 p.m.) and Saturday (6:15 p.m.) at the CKHS. After this weekend, the team only has one home weekend – Feb. 10 and Feb. 11 against Calgary – remaining on the conference slate.
Women's Volleyball – After posting a 1-2 record at the non-conference New Year's Classic in Edmonton last weekend, the Cougars (2-10) hosted and trained with the University of Tsukuba's team for a few days in Regina. The Cougars return to the Canada West schedule this weekend, as they'll host No. 6-ranked Manitoba on Friday and Saturday night at the CKHS.
Women's Hockey – The Cougars (4-11-1) were edged twice by Manitoba last weekend, losing 2-0 to the Bisons on Friday night and 2-1 on Saturday night despite Carleen Meszaros's first CIS goal. The Cougars are back in action at home this weekend, as they'll host UBC on Friday and Saturday night at The Co-operators Centre. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m. on both nights.
Women's Basketball (CIS Ranking: No. 1) – The top-ranked Cougars improved their Canada West record to 9-0 after a pair of road wins at Brandon over the weekend, as they defeated the Bobcats 96-38 on Friday night and 92-46 on Saturday night. The Cougars will head east again this weekend, as they'll match up against Manitoba (3-7) on Friday and Saturday beginning at 6 p.m. on both nights. Catch the action live at www.canadawest.tv.
Men's Basketball – The Cougars (3-6) are coming off a road split at Brandon, as the U of R lost 96-73 to the Bobcats on Friday night before recovering for an 83-74 win on Saturday. Sitting just 1½ games out of a playoff spot, the Cougars will have a pair of pivotal matches this Friday and Saturday against Manitoba (6-4) in Winnipeg. Both games will tip off at 8 p.m. and will be webcast live at www.canadawest.tv.
Men's Hockey – The Cougars (4-12-2) lost twice to Manitoba over the weekend, being edged 3-2 by the Bisons on Friday and losing 4-1 on Saturday. The team hits the road for the first time in the second half of the conference schedule this weekend, as the Cougars travel to the West Coast for a pair of games against the UBC Thunderbirds.
Men's Track & Field (CIS Ranking: No. 5) – The Cougars had their first competition of the second semester last Saturday, as the team travelled up to Saskatoon for a dual against the U of S. Chris Pickering had the highlight for the team, as he became the first athlete to hit a CIS standard this season thanks to his throw of 16.25 metres in the shot put. The Cougars have a weekend off before travelling to Edmonton for the Golden Bear Open on Jan. 20.
Women's Track & Field (CIS Ranking: No. 10) – Merissa Margetts had first-place finishes in both the 60-metre dash (7.96 s) and the 60-metre hurdles (9.06 s) as the Cougars squared off against the U of S in a dual at Saskatoon last Saturday. Shalane Haselhan also placed first in the long jump (5.46 m) for the Cougars, who will have a week off to prepare for the Golden Bear Open in Edmonton (Jan. 20).
Women's Volleyball – vs. Manitoba, Friday (6:15 p.m.) at CKHS
Women's Hockey – vs. UBC, Friday (7:00 p.m.) at The Co-operators Centre
Men's Volleyball – vs. Manitoba, Friday (8:00 p.m.) at CKHS
Men's and Women's Wrestling – at Cougar Open, Saturday at CKHS
Men's Volleyball – vs. Manitoba, Saturday (6:15 p.m.) at CKHS
Women's Hockey – vs. UBC, Saturday (7:00 p.m.) at The Co-operators Centre
Women's Volleyball – vs. Manitoba, Saturday (8:00 p.m.) at CKHS
Away Events
Women's Basketball – at Manitoba, Friday (6:00 p.m.) in Winnipeg, Man.
Men's Basketball – at Manitoba, Friday (8:00 p.m.) in Winnipeg, Man.
Men's Hockey – at UBC, Friday (7:00 p.m. PST) in Vancouver, B.C.
Women's Basketball – at Manitoba, Saturday (6:00 p.m.) in Winnipeg, Man.
Men's Basketball – at Manitoba, Saturday (8:00 p.m.) in Winnipeg, Man.
Men's Hockey – at UBC, Saturday (7:00 p.m. PST) in Vancouver, B.C.
Men's Wrestling (CIS Ranking: No. 1) – Led by Kirk Ackerman's first-place finish at 68 kilograms, the Cougars finished in first place in the team standings at Saturday's Golden Bear Open in Edmonton. John Lendvoy (90 kg) also had a strong showing with a second-place performance for the Cougars, who will be in action at home this weekend at the Cougar Open. Matches start at 9 a.m. in the main gym at the Centre for Kinesiology, Health & Sport.
Women's Wrestling (CIS Ranking: No. 10) – Two Cougars finished in first place in their weight classes at the Golden Bear Open on Saturday, as Danielle Anderson went 4-0 at 55 kilograms and Kristine Longeau won her only match at 67 kilograms. The U of R, which finished in third place in the team standings on the women's side, hosts the Cougar Open this Saturday beginning at 9 a.m. at the CKHS.
Men's Volleyball – The Cougars (4-8) return to the Canada West schedule this weekend against No. 2 Manitoba. Tied for seventh place in the Canada West standings, the Cougars will host the Bisons on Friday (8:00 p.m.) and Saturday (6:15 p.m.) at the CKHS. After this weekend, the team only has one home weekend – Feb. 10 and Feb. 11 against Calgary – remaining on the conference slate.
Women's Volleyball – After posting a 1-2 record at the non-conference New Year's Classic in Edmonton last weekend, the Cougars (2-10) hosted and trained with the University of Tsukuba's team for a few days in Regina. The Cougars return to the Canada West schedule this weekend, as they'll host No. 6-ranked Manitoba on Friday and Saturday night at the CKHS.
Women's Hockey – The Cougars (4-11-1) were edged twice by Manitoba last weekend, losing 2-0 to the Bisons on Friday night and 2-1 on Saturday night despite Carleen Meszaros's first CIS goal. The Cougars are back in action at home this weekend, as they'll host UBC on Friday and Saturday night at The Co-operators Centre. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m. on both nights.
Women's Basketball (CIS Ranking: No. 1) – The top-ranked Cougars improved their Canada West record to 9-0 after a pair of road wins at Brandon over the weekend, as they defeated the Bobcats 96-38 on Friday night and 92-46 on Saturday night. The Cougars will head east again this weekend, as they'll match up against Manitoba (3-7) on Friday and Saturday beginning at 6 p.m. on both nights. Catch the action live at www.canadawest.tv.
Men's Basketball – The Cougars (3-6) are coming off a road split at Brandon, as the U of R lost 96-73 to the Bobcats on Friday night before recovering for an 83-74 win on Saturday. Sitting just 1½ games out of a playoff spot, the Cougars will have a pair of pivotal matches this Friday and Saturday against Manitoba (6-4) in Winnipeg. Both games will tip off at 8 p.m. and will be webcast live at www.canadawest.tv.
Men's Hockey – The Cougars (4-12-2) lost twice to Manitoba over the weekend, being edged 3-2 by the Bisons on Friday and losing 4-1 on Saturday. The team hits the road for the first time in the second half of the conference schedule this weekend, as the Cougars travel to the West Coast for a pair of games against the UBC Thunderbirds.
Men's Track & Field (CIS Ranking: No. 5) – The Cougars had their first competition of the second semester last Saturday, as the team travelled up to Saskatoon for a dual against the U of S. Chris Pickering had the highlight for the team, as he became the first athlete to hit a CIS standard this season thanks to his throw of 16.25 metres in the shot put. The Cougars have a weekend off before travelling to Edmonton for the Golden Bear Open on Jan. 20.
Women's Track & Field (CIS Ranking: No. 10) – Merissa Margetts had first-place finishes in both the 60-metre dash (7.96 s) and the 60-metre hurdles (9.06 s) as the Cougars squared off against the U of S in a dual at Saskatoon last Saturday. Shalane Haselhan also placed first in the long jump (5.46 m) for the Cougars, who will have a week off to prepare for the Golden Bear Open in Edmonton (Jan. 20).
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