The Alouettes announced a trio of contract extensions on Wednesday with veterans Chip Cox, S.J. Green and Éric Deslauriers each agreeing to new two-year deals with the club.
Since signing with the Alouettes in 2006, Cox (5'9", 185 lbs.) has been the team's defensive tackles leader and a CFL All-Star each season from 2009 to 2011. In 2012, the 29-year-old led the Alouettes with four interceptions, while his 82 defensive tackles, a personal best, were good for second on the team, behind only fellow linebacker Shea Emry.
Green (6'2", 216 lbs.) is coming off his second-straight 1,000-plus yards season, despite missing four games with a knee injury. His 61 catches in 2012 were good for 1,111 yards, four touchdowns, and a second-consecutive East Division All-Star nomination. He also ranked first among Alouettes in receiving yards - seventh across the CFL - registering four 100-plus yards games in 2012, and recording a season-high 168 yards on 10 catches August 23 opposite Hamilton.
Deslauriers (6'4'', 206 lbs.) caught 13 passes for 299 yards last season, maintaining an impressive average of 23 yards per catch. Selected in the first round (7th overall) of the 2007 CFL Canadian Draft, Deslauriers set a career-high in 2012 when he made in a 71-yard catch against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on August 3. The 31-year-old Canadian receiver from Gatineau, QC also played a role on special teams, recording four special teams tackles.
In addition to the day's extensions, the Alouettes also announced on Wednesday that import linebacker Rod Davis and non-import kicker Derek Schiavone have been released.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Riders Coaching Staff Finalized
The Saskatchewan Roughriders announced today that Bob Dyce has been named Special Teams Coordinator and the team has added Doug Malone as Offensive Line Coach and have agreed to terms with Todd Howard to become Defensive Line Coach.
BOB DYCE – SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR
Dyce originally joined the Riders in 2010 and served two seasons as the Riders pass game coordinator. Last season Dyce was moved to Offensive Coordinator where he guided receiver Weston Dressler and running back Kory Sheets to 1,000 yard seasons.
Before joining the Green and White, the Winnipeg native spent seven seasons with the Blue Bombers where he mainly served as the team’s receivers coach and was in charge of the team’s Canadian player personnel. In 2003, his first season with the Bombers, Dyce worked as a Runningbacks and Special Teams Coach.
DOUG MALONE – OFFENSIVE LINE COACH
Malone joins the Riders after spending the previous two seasons as Offensive Line Coach with the Hamilton Tiger Cats. He also spent time with the Calgary Stampeders, serving as a guest coach during 2010 training camp.
The Greenville, Tennessee native spent almost thirty years coaching collegiate football before entering the CFL. His stops included time at Presbyterian College, Western Carolina, Tennessee Tech and an impressive 13 year stint at Wingate University where he was Head Coach for five seasons.
TODD HOWARD – DEFENSIVE LINE COACH
Howard joins the team after spending the 2012 season as Defensive Line Coach at the University of California-Berkley. The 47-year-old brings over 20 years of collegiate and professional coaching experience to the Green and White including a three year stint as an assistant with the Jacksonville Jaguars and another two seasons as an assistant in St. Louis. The Rams won Super Bowl XXXIV in 2000 in Howards second season.
A third round draft choice of the Kansas City Chiefs, Howard played two seasons in the National Football League as a linebacker.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Bryant Signs With Argos/Stamps Stays In Edmonton
The Toronto Argonauts Football Club is pleased to announce that import WR Romby Bryant has signed with the club through the 2014 season.
Commented Argonauts General Manager, Jim Barker, “It is rare to find a veteran receiver that is as gifted and versatile as Romby Bryant. He does all of the little things that don't necessarily show up on the stats sheet. His willingness to contribute in all phases of the game rubs off on the rest of the locker room which makes your whole team better. Romby is a consummate professional and we are happy he is here to compete for a position on our roster.”
Bryant spent the last three seasons as a stalwart on the Calgary Stampeders receiving corps, accumulating 183 catches for 2,477 yards and 22 touchdowns. Prior to that, Bryant spent nearly two seasons in a Winnipeg Blue Bombers uniform before being traded to the Stamps in the middle of the 2009 season. In his six-year CFL career, the Oklahoma City native has amassed 295 catches for 4,428 yards and 31 touchdowns. Bryant has been named a CFL Western Division All-Star once (2010), and CFL Offensive Player of the Week twice (2009 - Week 17; 2010 - Week 4).
Remarked Bryant, "I am very excited to have a chance to be part of a team preparing to defend a championship. I think Toronto is an elite team, and every receiver who has ever played in the CFL would be lying if they said they never thought about playing with Ricky Ray. I have been in the league for some time now, and I look forward to working with my new coaches and teammates to try and win another Grey Cup for the city."
A big play receiver, Bryant gained recognition at the league level for his timely touchdown during the 2012 Western Semi-Final, a score that clinched a berth in the Western Final for the Stampeders. CFL.ca named it the top play of the 2012 CFL season - click here to view the play.
Bryant’s college career was split between Northeastern Oklahoma A&M Community College (2000-2001) and the University of Tulsa (2002-2003). In his two seasons at Tulsa, Bryant finished with 96 receptions for 1,341 yards and 15 touchdowns, and
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The Edmonton Eskimos have signed all-star slotback Fred Stamps to a contract extension, the club announced today. The deal will keep Stamps in green & gold through the 2014 season.
The Louisiana native has spent his entire six-year CFL career with the Eskimos and has led the team in receiving yards for the past four seasons. A four-time West Division and CFL All-Star (2009-2012), Fred has had four consecutive 1,000+ receiving yards seasons from 2009-2012.
In 2012, Stamps started all 18 games and was 2nd in the league with 70 receptions for 1,310 yards and a personal season career-high nine touchdowns. He also had four carries for 23 yards on the ground. Last season, Fred reached two club milestones – 6th on the all-time receptions list and 8th on the all-time receiving yards list. Stamps also started the East Semi-Final where he led the team with three catches for 51 yards.
The Idiocy That Is The IOC Strikes Again
IOC leaders dropped wrestling from the Olympic program on Tuesday, a surprise
decision that removes one of the oldest Olympic sports from the 2020 Games.
The IOC executive board decided to retain modern pentathlon -- the event considered most at risk -- and remove wrestling instead from its list of 25 "core sports."
The IOC board acted after reviewing the 26 sports on the current Olympic program. Eliminating one sport allows the International Olympic Committee to add a new sport to the program later this year.
Wrestling, which combines freestyle and Greco-Roman events, goes back to the inaugural modern Olympics in Athens in 1896.
"This is a process of renewing and renovating the program for the Olympics," IOC spokesman Mark Adams said. "In the view of the executive board, this was the best program for the Olympic Games in 2020. It's not a case of what's wrong with wrestling, it is what's right with the 25 core sports."
Adams said the decision was made by secret ballot over several rounds, with members voting each time on which sport should not be included in the core group. IOC President Jacques Rogge did not vote.
Wrestling was voted out from a final group that also included modern pentathlon, taekwondo and field hockey, officials familiar with the vote told The Associated Press. They spoke on condition of anonymity because the voting details were not made public.
The board voted after reviewing a report by the IOC program commission report that analyzed 39 criteria, including television ratings, ticket sales, anti-doping policy and global participation and popularity. With no official rankings or recommendations contained in the report, the final decision by the 15-member board was also subject to political, emotional and sentimental factors.
The IOC executive board decided to retain modern pentathlon -- the event considered most at risk -- and remove wrestling instead from its list of 25 "core sports."
The IOC board acted after reviewing the 26 sports on the current Olympic program. Eliminating one sport allows the International Olympic Committee to add a new sport to the program later this year.
Wrestling, which combines freestyle and Greco-Roman events, goes back to the inaugural modern Olympics in Athens in 1896.
"This is a process of renewing and renovating the program for the Olympics," IOC spokesman Mark Adams said. "In the view of the executive board, this was the best program for the Olympic Games in 2020. It's not a case of what's wrong with wrestling, it is what's right with the 25 core sports."
Adams said the decision was made by secret ballot over several rounds, with members voting each time on which sport should not be included in the core group. IOC President Jacques Rogge did not vote.
Wrestling was voted out from a final group that also included modern pentathlon, taekwondo and field hockey, officials familiar with the vote told The Associated Press. They spoke on condition of anonymity because the voting details were not made public.
The board voted after reviewing a report by the IOC program commission report that analyzed 39 criteria, including television ratings, ticket sales, anti-doping policy and global participation and popularity. With no official rankings or recommendations contained in the report, the final decision by the 15-member board was also subject to political, emotional and sentimental factors.
Monday, February 11, 2013
Pats Come Through For Former Captain
The Pats and their Alumni came together recently to support former Pats Captain, Kyle Deck. Through the Knight Archer Bobblehead night and the Prairie Mobile Skills Competition/Alumni Game, the Regina Pats, Shooting Stars Foundation and Pats Alumni raised $24,500 dollars to help Kyle in his battle against kidney disease.
Through donations from the Clark Gillies Bobblehead Night, the Pats and their fans raised $4,500. Half of those funds went towards supporting Kyle while the other half was donated to the Regina Kidney Foundation.
Pats fans gave generously at the Skills Competition and Alumni Game, making donations at the doors and participating in a silent auction of the Alumni’s game worn jerseys. Founding members of the Shooting Stars Foundation, Mike Sillinger, Jamie Heward and Jordan Eberle, matched the donations from the jersey auction and the night raised $21,000.
“The Alumni game was a great night,” says Sillinger. “It’s awesome to see the Pats, fans and alumni all stepping up to help a member of the Pats family in need. The Shooting Stars Foundation is honoured to have been able to contribute to supporting Kyle.”
The Regina Pats would like to thank all of the fans, volunteers, alumni and sponsors who helped make this fundraising initiative a resounding success.
SCA Finds Home for 2014 Tankard
The Saskatchewan Curling Association (SCA) and the Shaunavon Curling Club are pleased to announce that the 2014 SaskTel Tankard Provincial Men’s Championship will be held in Shaunavon, January 29 - February 2, to be held in the hockey arena at the Crescent Point Wickenheiser Center.
"Shaunavon has always been a great site for SCA events and has always graciously accepted competitions when asked to host", said Barry Whitehouse, SCA President. "This time was no different when approached and we are very excited to be bringing the SaskTel Tankard to Shaunavon."
The SCA tries to find arena settings for the Provincial Men’s and Women’s as it provides an excellent venue for the fans and curlers. The recently built Wickenheiser Center definitely fits the definition as the multi-use recreation complex includes a community centre, four sheets of curling ice, an NHL-sized surface for hockey and seating for 1,000 people.
Barry Sonen, President and Patsy Bailey, Secretary/Treasurer of the Shaunavon Curling Club stated, "It was a great honor to be asked and considered by the SCA for such a prestigious event. We are humbled that they have recognized our hard work and success over the years in other events that we have hosted. With the support of our members, the town of Shaunavon and the southwest, this will surely be a tremendous event. We cannot wait to showcase our wonderful facility!"
The SaskTel Tankard Provincial Men’s Championship is a 16-Team Triple Knockout event with the winner earning the right to represent Saskatchewan at the Brier (Canadian Men’s Curling Championship).
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Something To "Mitch" About
I had the privilege of calling the provincial mixed doubles curling semi-final and final for Access on Sunday at the Callie. All I have to say is thank god for Amber Holland. The SCA’s executive director served as my analyst on the broadcast and she basically saved the day. I know curling, but I don’t know mixed doubles curling. I read up on some rules on the weekend, but until you see it, you just don’t know what to expect. There are only five rocks an end, you can’t hit any rocks until 5 have been thrown, each end starts with two rocks placed on the ice—one a centerline guard and the other on the back end of the button. Its not like the curling I am used to and I felt like a fish out of water trying to describe it. As I said, Amber saved the day because she knew what was going on and was still able to strategize the situation. I just tried to save myself from looking like a complete buffoon. That’s hard to do. Trust me!
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At this time next year, we will all be heavily invested in the Sochi Winter Olympics and how the Canadian hockey team is faring. Everyone is making their lists as to who would be on the team. There is no doubt that the biggest challenge for the Canadian brain-trust will be who plays forward and who is left off the team. The list of players is so talented---Crosby, Toews, Eberle, Stamkos, Perry, etc. etc. Will Steve Yzerman and company go with a younger Logan Couture than perhaps a more experienced Joe Thornton or a younger Jeff Skinner than a more experienced Jarome Iginla. Those meetings are ones where I would love to see a camera inside for some kind of documentary. It won’t be easy! One person told me Eberle may not get the call this time because of all the talent, but that he would be a shoo-in for 2018. I can’t see that.
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How did you last on the first Sunday without football? I hate waking up Sundays and not having any pre-game shows to watch or Pro-Line tickets to fill out or making sure my fantasy teams are up to date and ready to go.
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I love the fact the Riders got Xavier Fulton’s contract extended and that he approached the Riders about doing so. Fulton’s statements show that he wants to be here and he wants to make Regina his home when his days are done. More and more Riders are sticking around in the off-season and more and more Riders who are American and are now done have stuck around too and don’t seem to be complaining. (ie: Matt Dominguez, Wes Cates, Lance Frazier)It didn’t used to be like that and says a lot about this team under its current structure.
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Why doesn’t Brendan Taman get any credit for basically getting Fulton from Edmonton for nothing. The Taman-haters are sure silent on that move. I’d like to see them be silenced altogether.
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I thought Jerome Messam would be worth more than a 5th round pick, but that is all the Eskimos could get from the Alouettes. A 5th round pick for a Canadian running back that had over 1000 yards before trying his luck in the NFL? I wonder if Messam is damaged goods.
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I love the NCAA mens college basketball tournament. “March Madness” provides excitement across the board. If this season of college basketball is any indication, this year’s tournament could be one of the most wide-open and one of the most exciting tournaments we’ve ever seen. Teams like Michigan, Duke, Kansas and Indiana have all been ranked number 1 and have then gotten defeated shortly after getting that number one ranking. Saturday night, Notre Dame and Louisville played a five overtime game. I wish that one would have been on Canadian TV. If it was, I couldn’t find it. It just makes me jump on Vanstone’s quest to get ESPN in Canada.
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I continue to be astounded at some of the things I see on TV these days and how some people are actually allowed in front of a camera. I’ll just leave it at that.
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There was a lot of excitement for "Walking Dead" being back on TV. Excuse my ignorance, but wasn't "Walking Dead" the name of the 2011 Rider highlight film.
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There was a lot of excitement for "Walking Dead" being back on TV. Excuse my ignorance, but wasn't "Walking Dead" the name of the 2011 Rider highlight film.
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One person who can be allowed to be in front of a camera is Kate Upton. She will be the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition cover girl. Here's the cover.....
One person who can be allowed to be in front of a camera is Kate Upton. She will be the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition cover girl. Here's the cover.....
No need to thank me fellas. Its just a service for you!
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As I thought it would be, it was another great weekend at the CKHS watching Cougar basketball. The women beat Lethbridge handily both nights as expected while the mens team were beaten by the Pronghorns both nights, but once again James Hillis’ team put on a very entertaining performance for the crowd on Friday night as they were beaten in overtime on a buzzer-beater. There were a lot of great games with the Cougars upsetting top ten teams Alberta and the U of S as the year went along, Losing only two starters should bode well for the team next year. As for the womens team, they still have a long ways to go since they are hosting Nationals. When that team is going, there is no better in Canada. I really hope this is the year that Dave Taylor and company can bring home a national title and a conference championship. Of course, if both should happen, I would be more than happy to announce it to those in the CKHS seeing I have had a front-row seat as the Cougs p-a announcer this year. Having a front-row seat this year to all the action has been a treat.
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Is there any more picturesque sight than a golfer on a clear day standing on the 18th tee box at Pebble Beach. I just love watching events from that layout. I may like it more than Augusta.
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The Pats may not be playoff bound, but they won a game in Brandon! Wins in Brandon should be celebrated at any time because they don't come around very often. Speaking of the Pats, they might be done, but the marketing staff is doing what they can to keep people coming to the Brandt Centre. You don't have to go to the rest of the games and I understand the frustration, but go check out at least one more if not two just to say thanks for the hard works Cliff Mapes is doing in trying to get some butts in the building. Cliffy's job wouldn't be as tough as it is if the team were winning, but they are not. He deserves some recognition for his efforts.
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Did anyone catch the NFL films presentation of the Super Bowl in which Joe Flacco at the end of the game tells teammates that if they have to, they should run on the field to tackle Ted Ginn Junior and prevent him from scoring a touchdown. Flacco obviously had no idea that if a player did that, it would likely result in a touchdown and a win for the 49ers. Can you imagine that scenario painting itself out and what it would do to Flacco’s legacy.
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There were numerous cars in the ditches on highways leading in and out of Regina and on the Ring Road this past Friday. I really would like to know what is going through the minds of some of these knuckleheads that think they are invincible on the highway and can travel on it at the same level of speed as they would in the summer when they obviously can’t. You look real manly when your car is flipped over on its roof! Here’s an idea…..SLOW DOWN!!! Are you really in that big of a hurry to where you are going?
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Locker-Talk co-host Pete Paczko informs me HIW wrestler Rex Roberts will be in studio Tuesday to promote February’s card. MEMO TO SELF: Bring the air freshener!!! Would it be impolite to walk off the set?
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That’s all I got for now. Have a good week! Once again, thank you Amber Holland.
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