Week 3 NFL Primer

Week 3 of the NFL season will get going on Thursday night with an NFC East battle between the Washington Redskins and the New York Giants. Click here to get a preview of all the contests.

Week 13 CFL Stars of the Week

With the CFL abandoning its "stars of the week" this year, I present to you as I have all year, the Week 13 CFL stars of the week.

OFFENSE - HENRY BURRIS - OTTAWA

The 40 year old can still sling the football as he showed at Mosaic Stadium Saturday night.  Burris was 35 of 45 for 477 yards and two touchdowns while also scoring one on the ground in Ottawa's last second win over the Riders. What a difference a year makes for the ageless Burris who has some throws left in that right arm yet.

DEFENSE - WINSTON VENABLE - MONTREAL 

The Alouettes got the job done over Winnipeg in front of a home crowd Sunday thanks to a tenacious effort on defence. Leading the way was Winston Venable as the linebacker had seven tackles in a sack in the victory.

CANADIAN - BLAIR SMITH - EDMONTON 

I'll admit I am going a little out of the box on this one, but the backup Edmonton linebacker was a demon on special teams recording 5 special teams tackles. The Mississauga born Smith was getting the job done in Edmonton's upset win at Hamilton.

SPECIAL TEAMS - CHRIS RAINEY - BC

This might be the easiest pick of the year. Rainey returned a kickoff 103 yards for a touchdown and also took a punt back 103 yards to keep the Lions in a game they eventually lost 35-22 to Calgary.

WHL Announces Top 125 Players

The Western Hockey League unveiled today its list of the top 125 players in WHL history as selected by a committee of League historians.

The list includes WHL greats from the League’s inception in 1966 through to players that suited up as recently as last season. In total, 88 forwards, 27 defencemen, and 10 goaltenders made the list. Players were selected based on a combination of the impact they had while playing in the WHL and their careers upon graduating from the League.

The committee was comprised of members of the media and individuals who have demonstrated long-standing contributions to the WHL, along with members the WHL Office staff. The WHL would like to thank Gregg Drinnan, Norm Dueck, Peter Loubardias, Bob Ridley, Dan Russell, Rob Vanstone, Dean Vrooman and Bill Willms for their assistance with this project.

As a part of the WHL’s 50th Season celebrations, fans will be able to have their say in October alongside the committee by way of an online vote available at www.WHL.ca. Beginning in January, the WHL will count down and release the Top 50 WHL Players of All-Time.

Top 125 WHL Players (alphabetical order, last name first)

Last Name	First Name	P	Years Played	Hometown	Last WHL Team	Previous Team (if applicable)
Allison	Ray	F	1974-79	Cranbrook, BC	Brandon Wheat Kings
Alzner	Karl	D	2003-08	Burnaby, BC	Calgary Hitmen
Babych	Wayne	F	1973-78	Edmonton, AB	Portland Winter Hawks	Edmonton Oil Kings
Barnes	Stu	F	1987-90	Spruce Grove, AB	Tri-City Americans	New Westminster Bruins
Barrie	Tyson	D	2006-11	Victoria, BC	Kelowna Rockets
Baumgartner	Nolan	D	1992-96	Calgary, AB	Kamloops Blazers
Beck	Barry	D	1973-77	Vancouver, BC	New Westminster Bruins	Kamloops Chiefs
Benn	Jamie	F	2007-09	Victoria, BC	Kelowna Rockets
Benning	Jim	D	1978-81	Edmonton, AB	Portland Winter Hawks
Bjorkstrand	Oliver	F	2012-15	Herning, Denmark	Portland Winterhawks
Boschman	Laurie	F	1976-79	Major, SK	Brandon Wheat Kings
Bouwmeester	Jay	D	1998-02	Edmonton, AB	Medicine Hat Tigers
Brendl	Pavel	F	1998-01	Opocno, Czech Rep.	Calgary Hitmen
Bridgman	Mel	F	1971-75	Trenton, ON	Victoria Cougars
Brouwer	Troy	F	2001-06	Vancouver, BC	Moose Jaw Warriors
Brown	Rob	F	1983-87	St. Albert, AB	Kamloops Blazers
Callander	Jock	F	1978-82	Regina, SK	Regina Pats
Chapman	Blair	F	1973-76	Lloydminster, SK	Saskatoon Blades
Chipperfield	Ron	F	1970-74	Brandon, MB	Brandon Wheat Kings
Clark	Wendel	D	1983-85	Kelvington, SK	Saskatoon Blades
Clarke	Bob	F	1967-69	Flin Flon, MB	Flin Flon Bombers
Davidson	John	G	1969-73	Calgary, AB	Calgary Centennials
Dawes	Nigel	F	2001-05	Winnipeg, MB	Kootenay ICE
Derkatch	Dale	F	1981-85	Winnipeg, MB	Regina Pats
Derlago	Bill	F	1974-78	Birtle, MB	Brandon Wheat Kings
Doan	Shane	F	1992-95	Halkirk, AB	Kamloops Blazers
Draisaitl	Leon	F	2012-15	Cologne, Germany	Kelowna Rockets	Prince Albert Raiders
Eakin	Cody	F	2006-11	Winnipeg, MB	Kootenay ICE	Swift Current Broncos
Eberle	Jordan	F	2006-10	Regina, SK	Regina Pats
Ennis	Tyler	F	2005-09	Edmonton, AB	Medicine Hat Tigers
Etem	Emerson	F	2009-12	Long Beach, CA	Medicine Hat Tigers
Evason	Dean	F	1980-84	Winnipeg, MB	Kamloops Jr. Oilers	Spokane Chiefs
Falloon	Pat	F	1988-91	Foxwarren, MB	Spokane Chiefs
Federko	Bernie	F	1973-76	Foam Lake, SK	Saskatoon Blades
Fehr	Eric	F	2000-05	Winkler, MB	Brandon Wheat Kings
Ferraro	Ray	F	1982-84	Trail, BC	Brandon Wheat Kings	Portland Winter Hawks
Fleury	Theoren	F	1984-88	Oxbow, SK	Moose Jaw Warriors
Fuhr	Grant	G	1979-81	Spruce Grove, AB	Victoria Cougars
Gallagher	Brendan	F	2008-12	Delta, BC	Vancouver Giants
Gare	Danny	F	1971-74	Nelson, BC	Calgary Centennials
Getzlaf	Ryan	F	2001-05	Regina, SK	Calgary Hitmen
Gillies	Clark	F	1971-74	Moose Jaw, SK	Regina Pats
Goodall	Glen	F	1986-90	Fort Nelson, BC	Seattle Thunderbirds
Hamhuis	Dan	D	1998-02	Smithers, BC	Prince George Cougars
Hanlon	Glen	G	1974-77	Brandon, MB	Brandon Wheat Kings
Hawgood	Greg	D	1983-88	Edmonton, AB	Kamloops Blazers
Henning	Lorne	F	1968-72	Melfort, SK	New Westminster Bruins	Estevan Bruins
Hodgson	Dan	F	1980-85	Fort McMurray, AB	Prince Albert Raiders	Spokane Flyers
Holland	Dennis	F	1985-89	Vernon, BC	Portland Winter Hawks
Hossa	Marian	F	1997-98	Stara Lubovna, Slovakia	Portland Winter Hawks
Hrudey	Kelly	G	1978-81	Edmonton, AB	Medicine Hat Tigers
Iginla	Jarome	F	1993-96	Edmonton, AB	Kamloops Blazers
Johansen	Ryan	F	2009-11	Vancouver, BC	Portland Winterhawks
Johnson	Tyler	F	2007-11	Spokane, WA	Spokane Chiefs
Joly	Greg	D	1971-74	Rocky Mountain House, AB	Regina Pats
Keith	Duncan	D	2002-03	Winnipeg, MB	Kelowna Rockets
Kidd	Trevor	G	1988-91	Dugald, MB	Spokane Chiefs	Brandon Wheat Kings
Kozun	Brandon	F	2006-10	Los Angeles, CA	Calgary Hitmen
Ladd	Andrew	F	2001-05	Maple Ridge, BC	Calgary Hitmen	Vancouver Giants
Lambert	Dan	D	1986-90	St. Boniface, MB	Swift Current Broncos
Langkow	Daymond	F	1991-96	Edmonton, AB	Tri-City Americans
Lazar	Curtis	F	2010-14	Salmon Arm, BC	Edmonton Oil Kings
Leach	Reggie	F	1967-70	Riverton, MB	Flin Flon Bombers
Linden	Trevor	F	1985-88	Medicine Hat, AB	Medicine Hat Tigers
Lowry	Adam	F	2009-13	Calgary, AB	Swift Current Broncos
Lucic	Milan	F	2004-07	Vancouver, BC	Vancouver Giants
Lysiak	Tom	F	1970-73	High Prairie, AB	Medicine Hat Tigers
Marleau	Patrick	F	1995-97	Swift Current, SK	Seattle Thunderbirds
Martyniuk	Ray	G	1967-70	Flin Flon, MB	Flin Flon Bombers
McCarthy	Kevin	D	1973-77	Winnipeg, MB	Winnipeg Monarchs
McCrimmon	Brad	D	1976-79	Plenty, SK	Brandon Wheat Kings
McDonald	Lanny	F	1970-73	Hanna, AB	Medicine Hat Tigers	Calgary Centennials
Modano	Mike	F	1986-89	Livonia, MI	Prince Albert Raiders
Moran	Brad	F	1995-00	Abbotsford, BC	Calgary Hitmen
Mueller	Peter	F	2005-07	Bloomington, MN	Everett Silvertips
Murdoch	Don	F	1973-76	Cranbrook, BC	Medicine Hat Tigers	Kamloops Chiefs
Murray	Marty	F	1991-95	Lyleton, MB	Brandon Wheat Kings
Myers	Tyler	D	2005-09	Calgary, AB	Kelowna Rockets
Neely	Cam	F	1982-84	Comox, BC	Portland Winter Hawks
Niedermayer	Scott	D	1989-92	Cranbrook, BC	Kamloops Blazers
Nugent-Hopkins	Ryan	F	2008-11	Burnaby, BC	Red Deer Rebels
Pederson	Barry	F	1977-81	Big River, SK	Victoria Cougars
Petan	Nic	F	2010-15	Delta, BC	Portland Winterhawks
Phaneuf	Dion	D	2001-05	Edmonton, AB	Red Deer Rebels
Phillips	Chris	D	1995-97	Calgary, AB	Lethbridge Hurricanes	Prince Albert Raiders
Pinder	Gerry	F	1966-67	Saskatoon, SK	Saskatoon Blades
Pouliot	Derrick	D	2009-14	Estevan, SK	Portland Winterhawks
Price	Carey	G	2002-07	Anahim Lake, BC	Tri-City Americans
Propp	Brian	F	1976-79	Neudorf, SK	Brandon Wheat Kings
Rattie	Ty	F	2008-13	Airdrie, AB	Portland Winterhawks
Recchi	Mark	F	1984-88	Kamloops, BC	Kamloops Blazers	New Westminster Bruins
Redden	Wade	D	1993-96	Lloydminster, SK	Brandon Wheat Kings
Rielly	Morgan	D	2010-13	Vancouver, BC	Moose Jaw Warriors
Reinhart	Sam	F	2010-15	North Vancouver, BC	Kootenay ICE
Robinson	Todd	F	1994-99	Trail, BC	Portland Winter Hawks
Rogers	Mike	F	1971-74	Calgary, AB	Calgary Centennials
Ronning	Cliff	F	1983-85	Burnaby, BC	New Westminster Bruins
Rota	Darcy	F	1970-73	Vancouver, BC	Edmonton Oil Kings
Russell	Kris	D	2003-07	Caroline, AB	Medicine Hat Tigers
Sakic	Brian	F	1987-92	Burnaby, BC	Tri-City Americans	Swift Current Broncos
Sakic	Joe	F	1985-88	Burnaby, BC	Swift Current Broncos	Lethbridge Broncos
Schenn	Brayden	F	2007-11	Saskatoon, SK	Saskatoon Blades	Brandon Wheat Kings
Seabrook	Brent	D	2000-05	Richmond, BC	Lethbridge Hurricanes
Shinnimin	Brendan	F	2007-12	Winnipeg, MB	Tri-City Americans
Sillinger	Mike	F	1987-91	Regina, SK	Regina Pats
Smyth	Ryan	F	1991-95	Banff, AB	Moose Jaw Warriors
Sobchuk	Dennis	F	1970-74	Lang, SK	Regina Pats	Estevan Bruins
Staniowski	Ed	G	1971-75	Moose Jaw, SK	Regina Pats
Stoll	Jarret	F	1997-02	Melville, SK	Kootenay ICE
Stuart	Brad	D	1995-99	Rocky Mountain House, AB	Calgary Hitmen	Regina Pats
Sutter	Brent	F	1979-82	Viking, AB	Lethbridge Broncos
Sutter	Brian	F	1974-76	Viking, AB	Lethbridge Broncos
Sydor	Darryl	D	1988-92	Edmonton, AB	Kamloops Blazers
Trottier	Bryan	F	1972-75	Val Marie, SK	Lethbridge Broncos	Swift Current Broncos
Tsujiura	Steve	F	1977-82	Coaldale, AB	Calgary Wranglers	Medicine Hat Tigers
Tucker	Darcy	F	1991-95	Castor, AB	Kamloops Blazers
Vernon	Mike	G	1980-83	Calgary, AB	Calgary Wranglers
Walter	Ryan	F	1973-78	New Westminster, BC	Seattle Breakers	Kamloops Chiefs
Ward	Cam	G	2000-04	Saskatoon, SK	Red Deer Rebels
Weber	Shea	D	2001-05	Sicamous, BC	Kelowna Rockets
Wesley	Glen	D	1983-87	Red Deer, AB	Portland Winter Hawks
Whitney	Ray	F	1988-91	Fort Saskatchewan, AB	Spokane Chiefs
Wickenheiser	Doug	F	1977-80	Regina, SK	Regina Pats
Williams	Dave "Tiger"	F	1971-74	Weyburn, SK	Swift Current Broncos
Yaremchuk	Ken	F	1979-83	Edmonton, AB	Portland Winter Hawks

(Corey St. Laurent--WHL)

Riders Sign Dan Clark to Extension

The Saskatchewan Roughriders announced today national offensive lineman Dan Clark has signed a two-year extension with the team to remain under contract through the 2017 season. As per club policy, financial details of the contract were not released.   

Clark (6’2 – 310) is currently in his fourth official CFL season with the Green and White after originally signing with the team in 2009 out of the Regina Thunder junior football program.

The 27-year-old Regina product has started all eleven regular season games at centre this season. To this point, Clark has played 52 career regular season games, starting 21, seeing action at both guard and centre.    

He won his first career Grey Cup with the Riders in 2013.

Warriors To Wear Special Jerseys to Mark Opener of WHL's 50th Season

The Moose Jaw Warriors Hockey Club announced on Monday that on Thursday, September 24th they will be wearing special edition jerseys in honour of the 1966-1967 Moose Jaw Canucks in the “stand-alone” feature game against the Regina Pats at Mosaic Place to kick off the WHL’s 50th Season.  The jerseys will also be worn Saturday, September 26th when the Warriors play the Pats in Regina.

“This s a very special night for the WHL, the City of Moose Jaw, our organization, and our great fans.  We are very honoured to host this historic game to launch the WHL’s 50th Season,” commented Warriors General Manager Alan Millar.  “This commemorative jersey recognizes Moose Jaw’s rich hockey tradition.  We are pleased to bring the Warriors and the history of the Moose Jaw Canucks together for this special night.”

The Moose Jaw Canucks were one of the founding members of the Western Canada Junior Hockey League, which is now known today as the Western Hockey League.  The Canucks franchise began in 1934 and ended in 1984. 

In 1966 the Canucks were one of five Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League clubs that left to join the WCJHL for their inaugural season.  Moose Jaw defeated the Regina Pats in the 1966-1967 final to become the first league champions.

2015-2016 Moose Jaw Warriors season tickets and flex packs are available at the Warriors Office located in Mosaic Place, or by calling 306.694.5711.

Zach Collaros Is Done For the Season

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats announced Monday that quarterback Zach Collaros will miss the remainder of the 2015 season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, suffered early in the second quarter of Saturday s 25-18 loss to Edmonton at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton. No date for surgery has been determined.

Collaros is leading the Canadian Football League in passing yards with 3,376, in touchdown passes with 25, and in quarterback rating at 113.7. His 70.2 completion percentage ranks second. The 27-year-old graduate of the University of Cincinnati is in his second season with Hamilton following two seasons with the Toronto Argonauts. He has thrown for 9,054 career yards, with a completion percentage of 67.3 percent, and a rating of 101.2. He is signed through the 2016 season with the Ticats.


Hamilton leads the CFL s East Division with an 8-4 record and is now on a Bye week. The Ticats next home game is scheduled for Friday, October 2 versus Calgary.

Something to "Mitch" About

Watching the Riders this year is like watching the movie "Groundhog Day". It is the same old story and all you can do is shake your head.

The Riders have lost seven games this year---SEVEN---by five or less points. They shouldn't be, but they are and they have no one to blame but themselves.  Once again, the green and white snatched victory from the jaws of defeat as Ottawa outscored the Riders in the 4th quarter to drop the green-and-white to 1-11 with a 30-27 win in what was a very entertaining football game.  As entertaining as it was, the stark reality is the Riders enter the final third of the season with no shot at making the playoffs which will make the last six games a challenge in many ways.

Just some thoughts on what I saw.

 --The defense looked great in the first half and for the first little bit of the 3rd quarter, but once Henry Burris got on a roll, it was over. There is no doubt Burris is the comeback player of the year after having a nightmarish 2014. There is some talk Hank should be part of the conversation when it comes to the league's most outstanding player and with Zach Collaros going down, that talk might increase. What a difference a year makes!

--There was miscommunication on the sidelines as to the late timeout called by Tyron Brackenridge. Head coach Bob Dyce fell on the sword for that one and perhaps blame that on his inexperience. It doesn't mean he gets a pass on it, but it is a mistake he won't make again.

--Nic Demski made a dumb play in running the ball out of the endzone and then just about giving up a safety by going back in. Demski knows he made a major mistake and while one might be able to blame it on youthful exuberance and wanting to make a play, things like that simply can't happen! As mentioned, Demski knows he made a mistake and the key is making sure it doesn't happen again.

--Ryan Smith is becoming a bigger and bigger part of this Riders offence and is fun to watch.

--Should Rider fans really be surprised to see Chris Milo hit the upright? He has a tremendous knack of doing that and I think most of them are the left upright.

--If you missed the Rider junior reporter interview with Andre Monroe, it was a beaut. Monroe threw a shout out to the dead goldfish he had a kid saying "I miss you Goldie". What a character that guy is!

--When the ball is fumbled, can you still call illegal contact? That was a very weird play and it was a play that sustained a drive where I believe Ottawa got points. That isn't the reason the Riders lost and neither was the sure pick six Tyree Hollins had, but it is a question that needs to be answered. I don't have a rule book handy so I can't answer the question. I'm sure someone does have one though so flip through the pages and let me know.

The big story of the weekend in the CFL could somewhat revolve around the Riders. With Zach Collaros being the latest quarterback to go down to injury, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats need an experienced QB if they are going to have a shot at the Grey Cup. Kevin Glenn is likely the best option Hamilton has. You would have to think Kent Austin will give Jeremy O'Day a call, but is Glenn available. While the Riders seemingly aren't going anywhere this year, I would think the football team would have to make sure Darian Durant is the starter going into 2016 and that he is 100 percent healed from his Achilles injury. If he isn't, I think you have to keep Glenn unless you believe Brett Smith or Keith Price is ready. We have seen what Smith can do, and we have no idea what Price can do. If Glenn is dealt, I can't see Hamilton giving up more than a draft pick and a neg list player. They certainly won't be giving up any starters.

--

Other odds and ends:

 --I don't know what Mike Gibson's thoughts are three games into his first season as the head coach of the University of Regina Rams, but I am guessing one of those thoughts is trying to find a way to get instant replay into the CIS game. In the season opening loss to Alberta, the Rams had recovered a fumble on what was clearly a lateral, but it was ruled an incompletion. It was a big play in that game. On Friday in Saskatoon, the Huskies, who were the better team on Friday night in a convincing win over Regina, benefitted on a fumble that wasn't and a ruling that a play wasn't a fumble when it was. There has been a long standing thought process in Regina that when playing Saskatoon you should take the approach you are down 14 right from the start of the game and what was shown by the officiating on Friday night makes that thought process stronger. Gibson was beside himself which he should have been, but in the end as mentioned the Huskies were the better team. The Rams now get set to face a Calgary team that hung 80 on Alberta while racking up almost 1000 total yards  Paul Dawson and the Rams defence had better be studying a lot of film this week.....a lot of it!

--If Jason Day had not suffered from vertigo at the U-S Open, we might be seeing one of the best years a golfer has ever had on the PGA Tour and that includes Tiger. Since winning the Canadian Open, Day has been in a league all by himself.

--I think I can truly start to plan for a Chicago Cubs playoff game. It may only be one, but I think I can start planning for it. I didn't see that happening at the start of the year. While the National League playoff picture is basically set, it is still anyone's game in the American League. I think the only teams you can say are in for sure are Kansas City and Toronto. After that, who knows! It will be an exciting final few games.

--Since acquiring Troy Tulowitzki, the Blue Jays are 34-12 with three of those losses coming without Tulowitzki in the lineup this week. As it was noted by Sportsnet's Jamie Campbell on the weekend, even if Toronto does not win this year, they will still have Encarnacion, Travis, Tulowitzki, Donaldson, Martin, Bautista, Revere and Pillar back next season meaning they need to add some starting pitching as Mark Buehrle will likely go as could R-A Dickey with David Price and Marco Estrada potentially leaving as free agents. If Alex Anthopoulos can somehow find a way to keep Price and Estrada, there is no doubt who the favourite would be to win it all in 2016.

--John Chick certainly got some feathers ruffled Sunday night with this tweet.

It sent my phone going crazy with some believing he had been traded to Toronto. The hashtag #SunLife obviously meant nothing to those who read it,  and I think the extremely classy 97 would have announced this by saying more than just leaving for Toronto. For what its worth, John is heading there for a kick diabetes campaign sponsored by Sun Life.

It was bad enough for Dallas Cowboys fans that Dez Bryant was gone for a good portion of the season and it got worse when Tony Romo left Sunday's win over the Eagles with a broken clavicle.

One person texted me saying the Cowboys were like the Riders as they had lost their marquee player.....I quickly corrected that person saying the Cowboys have won twice this year.  SIGHHHHH That being said, I wouldn't be very confident with Brandon Weeden at the controls and please for the love of god, do not sign Tim Tebow. That circus would be nightmarish.

Speaking of nightmarish, how about the Eagles offense. I had to check a couple of times to see if Tino Sunseri had replaced Sam Bradford. That was an absolutely embarassing performance by the Eagles.

I had the Seahawks finishing 12-4 this year meaning they have to go 12-2 in their last 14 after their loss to the Packers. That's doable and if it means another NFC Championship date against the Packers this time at Lambeau, I'm down with that. Hopefully by that time, Michael Bennett will have stopped jumping offside as he did three times Sunday night at crucial points in the game.

It certainly wasn't surprising, but one can only shake their head when Minnesota Vikings fans give Adrian Peterson a standing ovation in his first home game after his suspension. You may beat your kid Adrian, but you can run for 100 yards and two touchdowns and we love you! Not the first example of this and not the last one either. It does make you shake your head though. 

If Toronto had bid for the 2024 Olympics and won it, one can only imagine how sick of it we would be with that being rammed down our throats for eight and a half years.

If any of the three main political leaders can somehow find a way to legislate a 45-75 minute nap into the work day, they have my vote!! I am thinking they would have a lot of supporters for that.

That's all I got. Have a great week everyone!