bluto

Mouthing off? Easy there, Johnny Sunshine... And yeah, I stand by the assertion that he was, objectively speaking, by whatever metric you'd care to use, easily the best last season. When Trestman finally switched from Whittaker to JWjr, we were a different team. As to the contract issue, I can't say I blame him and I take his side much as I took Williams' side a couple of years ago when the same thing happened in Hamilton. $45k USD is nowhere even close to the amount that I) his play merits and, II) is near enough to justify the risk of injury which could cost him a roster spot down south for his (potentially) big payday. I think that doubling his pay, adding bonuses and a gentleman's agreement to let him go next year if he finds a gig in the NFL is called for. And if we won't do it, then we deserve whatever comes from going from having the best guy at a position to having nobody there. As for setting a bad precedent, well I don't think that it does because it's difficult to envision an apples to apples comparison (other than Williams), and also the Argos under Barker would let players explore their options early and it seemed to make players more likely to sign with us since we wouldn't hold them captive if they had a chance to secure their future with a big deal. TL;DR, Pretty sure it's a negotiating ploy. Pretty sure he's sincere about it though. Pretty sure he deserves it and risking potentially many hundreds of thousands for 45k makes no sense. The Argos likely work this out. And what about Posey...?

When did you trade for James Wilder Jr?

I know what you're saying, but I think it is (and was last year) still an open question whether Durant has another run of form left in him. Given better surroundings this season, there'll be no excuse if he's lost it. I also thought that last season when he shouldered the blame for the Al's crappy play that it showed maturity and leadership. There certainly was enough players and coaches that could've shared the blame. Perhaps a sign that he's grown some character. Thanks for the reply. Regardless of what some might think, I don't doubt that if Durant has to line up under centre that you'll be supporting him and hoping he leads you to a win.

Why not? It was a polite inquiry with the sole motive of exploring the truth of the topic at hand.

You may have missed my prior post when I was asking, but I wondered to what extent you could attribute the sh__show that was in Montreal last year with Durant's play level? Any? And if so, what sort of boost it could be to his confidence and form in coming to a team that plays better football and actually seems to have a good clubhouse atmosphere?

Attempts to engage TBurg's inner Devil's Advocate: How much of looking like he's "done" would or could you ascribe to having been in the dumpster fire that is the Alouette Football Club?

Yes. A brutal leg break, and a nasty knee injury when he tackled a guy. There were worries that he was going to be one of those guys with potential but never made it due to being snakebit with bad luck and injury-proneness.

I wouldn't want Glenn. Never had. Not because he can't manage a game an run an offence, but because he can't do anything else or over and above that. But, Bluto, isn't that the lion's share of his job description? Yes. Which is why such a bang average QB has enjoyed such a long and lucrative career in our league. I also feel that in fairness to Glenn, I should mention that he's also a team-guy and doesn't seem to have any significant character flaws (and you likely would have to stretch to say the same about Durant). My issue with KG has ever been that he simply doesn't have it in him to rise above the game and take it over. His skills, mental-game, leadership and physicality just don't get to a level where he'll ever strap the team on his back and carry it over the goal line. When a guy like Ray comes on the field in the dying minutes and needs a score to win, the only worry you have is whether he'll leave enough time on the clock for the other team for them to try to pull the lead back. With Glenn, not only do you doubt he'll win it, but you're pretty sure that he'll sense a blitz comig, get happy-feet and toss up an INT or a fumble. This is why he is not, and never will be, a big game QB. In big games, the true playmakers step forward and impose their will on the game. Glenn doesn't have that gear. He'll win you 8-12 games in the regular season and put up borderline all-star numbers... but once the heat is on, he'll make his meek exit. But, Bluto, do we really need a bona fide match-winner as our #2? Need? No. But Nichols has a history of injuries. Sorry to bring this up, but it seems germane to my point, but does anyone else remember 2007 when you needed a backup to win a big game? Ask yourself, in one game for all the marbles, who would you rather have leading the Bombers. And I guess that's the entirety of my point here.

Well, if we lost Trestman after he delivers 2 GCs, we could hardly complain.

He may, but I doubt that he leaves unless he wins a GC.

Oh I know... But it just makes me feel better to say it.

For the record: He never wore an Argo shirt.

https://www.cfl.ca/2018/01/05/franklin-i-came-here-because-they-believe-in-me/ Poor guy really sounds distraught over having to settle with the Argos.

The sheer number of posters who are willing to believe that Ricky freaking Ray, if he decides to play another season (and after an East MOP with 5000+ and 19/20 starts, there's no reason why he can't/shouldn't) won't automatically be the starter in Toronto is mind-blowing. Likewise, the number of posters who think that he'd leave Toronto because he doesn't want to share the QB position only to go be a backup in Edmonton need to have a word with themselves.

He's been a declining asset since he left whereas he ought to have been ascendant. I stand by the point: he never had the same QB friendly setup afterward and he regressed.

When Collaros looked like the next real deal, he was competing with Trevor Harris and veteran Jarious Jackson, playing behind Ricky Ray, QB coached by Jason Maas, Coordinated by Marcus Brady and Head Coached by Scott Milanovich. He left that particular QB greenhouse and promptly lost his mojo. Remind me how many excellent QBs work on the Rider's staff again?

True Story: teams have been one play away from beating Ricky Ray over 40 times as they watched his 4th quarter comebacks send them home crying. So don't feel special or anything... he does it to everybody. Don't think so. Sitting under the Trestman/Ray learning tree and starting 1-9 games that Ray is unavailable for (as is his track record since getting here in 2012) and being ready to take over from a Hall of Famer at the end of his career rather than being stuck behind Reilly with no path to being a starter is a pretty good career upgrade. And of course it should go without saying that it's way better than ending up in Sask. And of course, believing that Franklin only signs with the Argos if Ray retires presupposes that Popp made the deal with absolutely no understanding with Franklin and his agent whatsoever. Do you really think that sounds like Jim Popp's modus operandi?

Actually, I think it gets used as a carrot/stick to ensure good trade and relations with Taiwan/South China Sea nations.

https://www.change.org/p/the-walt-disney-company-have-disney-strike-star-wars-episode-viii-from-the-official-canon

What a terrible freaking movie. It's as if the directors of the last two films hated each other and set out to make stories that didn't even link to each other. I'm damn near ready to beg Lucas to come back... it's that bad. And if they in fact had an editor, he/she/they ought to be shot. It was slowwww and borrrrring. If you had never heard of Star Wars and the in-story universe meant nothing to you, you'd hate the film because nothing happens. And I won't even open the can of worms that is my biggest beef with it.

I am familiar with the issue. Two of my close friends each own/operate microbrews. One of them is currently jumping through many local legalities and repressive red-tape to get opened up (was supposed to be by New Years, but looking now like it won't be until early Spring... we hope... small-town councils, even in towns made famous in Hip songs, do lovvve red tape). Anyway, back to my point... The only way to make a go of it in the months where foot traffic is nil and car traffic is greatly reduced is to have a total stud of a sales rep get your taps into all of the establishments within a one day delivery run in each direction. And you make beer 3 days a week, deliver it 3 days a week and if you're very luck and have no fires to put out, you drink beer 1 day a week.

Drawwwerrrrrr contraaaaaaaaact...

The league just won some excellent sponsorships though.

Well... if you didn't hate us before...