Mr Dee

Hats off to Larry! er, Wade. Each time they come up with another good idea reinforces the fact that the right decision was made in hiring that 'family guy' Miller. One of the best promotions they've come up with yet!

I don't know about that. It's a Gray area..

I don't know who is behind this latest unretirment recruit, but I do know it's getting stupider and stupider. What the hel does this guy have after not playing for 10 years? Memories? Arthritis? C'mon, this is embarrassing for the CFL, unless they're thinking of a Masters Division...

News Gatherings... CFL Headlines - Ex-Ticat Sinkfield trying out on defence to stay in NFL CFL News - "We've got some issues around coach's challenge process. I think you'll see some changes around that." - @g_d_johnson #CFL via @rodpedersen - #CFL reduced the number of flags thrown by its officials by 13% last year - @g_d_johnson via @Ted_Wyman Farhan Llaji Durant says he doesn't think he was ever Chris Jones' guy, going back to when he coached against DD. Says he never had good things to say. CFL News -Strong rumblings within #CFL circles that retired #Redblacks QB @HenryBurris will join the @CFLonTSN panel - @TimCBaines -Rumour - "I'd also heard that former Argonauts GM Jim Barker may be offered a spot on the panel as well" - Rod pedersen - In 2012, were 33 former #CFL players working in football ops in #CFL (coaching, mgmt and scouting). In 2017, there are 60. - @rodpedersen ?‍?The best results resulting from the recent CFL week is definitely the exposure that all the partisans received beyond what has transpired in the past. ?‍?And the idea to fly in bonafide CFL players to take part in the activities ramped up the excitement and media attention. Well done to all involved, even the city of Regina. ?‍?And I have to agree with Vicky Hall of the Toronto Sun when she said..."The CFL hit a home run by officially announcing the names of this year’s inductees at a celebration event held at the new Mosaic Stadium. So much better than burying the news in an out-of-the-blue press release." ?‍? - Mr Dee And Wally Buono..."The CFL cannot exist just in the months from June to November,” Buono said while on stage with the other West Division coaches in a media conference. “We’ve got to keep the focus on the CFL all year round and things like this will go a long, long way to help that. Hopefully this will help us engage the younger generation which we definitely need again…“Obviously, you want the fans involved and the media here, but the fact that the players see this as tribute to who they are and what they do was very, very, very positive.” http://www.torontosun.com/2017/03/26/five-takeaways-from-cfl-week?token=7cdcf5448f88c63e70ac13ffbf8c42f3 “With what we witnessed here I can assure you TSN would be interested in becoming an even bigger presence going frward. I can see us bringing the panel here and setting up for additional involvements,” said Graham. (TSN vice-president and executive producer Paul Graham.) -#CFL Week was creation of @Commish13 & the league’s senior vice-president of content and marketing, @Litz72 - @murraylp #MarksCFLWeek (CFL VP of content and marketing Christine Litz who designed, developed and delivered the project.) "It wasn’t just the Regina and Saskatchewan community, it was the Canadian community. People came from all over the country to experience this sight unseen. And after they experienced it, I believe they left here thinking they experienced something special, something that’s never been done before." said CFL Commissioner Jeffrey Orridge. http://www.torontosun.com/2017/03/26/inaugural-cfl-week-proves-to-be-huge-hit?token=f6ab3660778a5601882a3d9ae385e05a "Perhaps the best testament of its success is that no one seems to have any type of complaint." "One thing is certain: there's a lineup forming to host the 2018 Marks CFL Week." Rod Pedersen Justin Dunk's top 5 performers... Danny Vandervoort, McMaster, REC Johnny Augustine, Guelph, RB Junior Luke, Montreal, DL Braden Schram, Calgary, OL Nate Hamlin, Carleton, DL http://3downnation.com/2017/03/26/top-5-performances-at-the-cfl-combine/ Also - Who the top prospects interviewed with at the CFL combine http://3downnation.com/2017/03/27/top-prospects-interviewed-cfl-combine/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+JustinDunk3downnation+(3DownNation-Justin+Dunk+AAA) Bombers... “You’re watching the same player so generally when we all saw him similarly we’d moved onto the next one but there was a bunch where we were different in our opinions and you would hash it out and ask ‘Why did you see it like this, why did you see it like this; this is why I saw it like that.’ And you’d watch the film and have discussions and then come to a general consensus. - Kyle Walters on hashing out choices on the upcoming CFL draft. What Walters and O’Shea do see the same is an effort level. Walters has said previously he and the head coach do have soft spots for ‘effort’ guys. http://www.bluebombers.com/2017/03/26/cfl-week-recap/

Combine Info from Ed Tait I came here to play football, not run a race. - Evan Foster The University of Manitoba Bisons defensive lineman was arguably the busiest prospect at Evraz Place on Saturday, taking reps in the trenches and impressing with his speed off the edge, and then being switched to linebacker for another look-see from CFL teams intrigued by his athleticism. Listed at 6-1, 245, Foster flashed his skills at end. But his quickness seems to be intriguing CFL scouts and he had a hint he would get some work at linebacker after doing interviews with all teams except Edmonton on Thursday. Also meeting with all CFL teams was Nate Behar. “It was kinda fun,” he said. “Some of them try to goad you and get under your skin a little bit. But I’m an easygoing guy and so I don’t think I took the bait on any of that. None of them were really negative… they just tried to show some bad plays. You’ve just got to admit your flaws and tell them you’ll be ready to go by May 25th. Here are a handful of guys that jumped out for Ed Tait of bluebombers.com (in no particular order): Danny Vandervoort, WR, McMaster: Really popped off the page; no drops, great hands. Junior Luke, DT, Montreal: Had his moments in the one-on-ones, flashing an ability to overpower O-linemen. Kwabena Asare, LB, Carleton: Very raw, but he’s got size at 6-8, 296. A project type OL. Nathaniel Behar, WR, Carleton: There’s speed there and a great base of athleticism. Mark Mackie, DL, McMaster: It’s tough to project him as anything but a special teams guy, but his performance in one-on-ones might have moved him at least onto the radar as a later-round pick. Braden Schram, OL, Calgary: Very steady in the trenches. Johnny Augustine, RB, Guelph: Walters noted that his pass protection looked like it needed work on his game film. Not an issue at the combine. Ed Tait also supplies the Top 3 finishers in each category for: 40 Yard Dash Bench Press Vertical Leap Broad Jump Shuttle 3 Cone Drill http://www.bluebombers.com/2017/03/25/cfl-combine-wrap/ Jan 25, 2017 - ... Montreal - Joe Mack has been hired as Assistant General Manager of Player Personnel.

Humble? Oh yes. I'm reminded of the time Jones humbly asked/told Dave Dickenson to "win with class". Sure showed that unhumble guy Dickenson a thing or two...

Good article by Ted Wyman, Wpg. Sun The Blue Bombers talked all season long in 2016 about how closely knit they were as a team. Receiver Weston Dressler took it a step further, suggesting it was one of the tightest groups he’s ever been associated with in 15 years of college and pro football. “I’ve had that on teams before, but there’s plenty of teams where you don’t have that,” Dressler said. “It just makes it a little more special. “I feel like when you have that connection and you build those friendships, there’s something about really liking the guy you are playing with and the guy next to you and the guys across from you that makes it special. You want to win for them. “I get just as excited about watching Darvin (Adams) or (Ryan Smith) or (Clarence) Denmark making a touchdown catch as making one myself.” On Matt Nichols: Blue Bombers quarterback Matt Nichols has been watching three or four hours of film before he goes to bed each night, meticulously studying his own game and those of his peers. “I looked at the three teams that were the best at second and long, which is a very difficult down in our league,” Nichols said. “I’ve been watching Bo Levi Mitchell, Mike Reilly, Henry Burris and Trevor Harris in Ottawa. Seeing what concepts those teams are running and also just how those quarterbacks play. We do a lot of similar things when I watch them but there’s a few things here and there where I feel I can get better and try and evolve my game a little. You’ve always got to try and do something better than you did before.” One thing Nichols wants to do more of in 2017 is use his legs to get first downs. “Running a little bit more has been part of my game in the past and I’ve kind of gotten away from that,” he said. “It’s something I think I can evolve into my game a little bit and get a couple of first downs with my feet.” Dressler says Nichols has always impressed his teammates with his work ethic. http://www.winnipegsun.com/2017/03/22/willy-clear-no-2-blue-a-special-group-dressler?token=1d7d0e7ec2b9e6ef74f6b643aafc85ed

What a fine letter written by Wade Miller on the HOF induction of Mike O'Shea. Some sample lines... "I’m honoured to have attended the official inductee announcement of Mike O’Shea into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame, even though it was in Saskatchewan." "His career stats – 16 seasons, 1,154 tackles, 30 sacks, three Grey Cup rings, two as a player and one as a coach" "a team-first attitude, a willingness to do whatever it took for teammates, and always having their backs while being focused on winning. He had a relentless work ethic, was forever holding his teammates accountable, and was never worried about hurting someone’s feelings if they weren’t playing for the team. He led by example, first by being a student of the game and then becoming another defensive coach on the field, with the only difference being that this coach would rip your head off if given the chance." "What makes him stand out the most is his passion for the CFL and being a Canadian. He played each game like it was his last and always had fun along the way on and off the field." http://www.bluebombers.com/2017/03/23/wade-miller-coach-oshea/

Congratulations to MOS on the induction. That guy was everywhere on the field and made many a man pay for carrying the ball. He had a true middle linebacker's sense to where the play was going and he was usually the first man on the scene. Well deserved...

Hey, the Commissioner managed to get on the wrong side of the Rider faithful, so that's something. You know, the old saying, an enemy of my enemy is my friend...

CFL updated their cover photo....

I think Jordan Reeves' problems started many years ago, back when he first found out that his parents, for whatever reason, named his sister.....Regina. Instant trauma.

Stuff - Young and old... Drew Edwards - For the second straight year, the Ticats are halfway through their off-season and do not have a single kicker on the roster. Derek Taylor - So @brett_maher had the 7th-best FG season since 2008 and the Ticats are going to open tryouts instead of bringing him back? #Details #CFLCFL CFL Wpg. Blue Bombers A few number changes taking effect this season: Darvin Adams will wear #1 @FoggWith2Gz #3 @TFlanders405 #20 @TjHeath34 #23 3Down Nation Suspended three times by #NFL for weed, Frank Alexander signs with #BCLions #CFL wp.me/p65Ld4-5lQ ......?‍?At least he thinks he did. Darryl Davis - Don't understand #Riders signing QB Vince Young. Couldn't they just find a #CFL QB at free-agent tryouts in Montreal, Toronto or Vancouver? ?‍?Gotta love it! Missing everything about football #IsItJuneYet - Jermarcus Hardrick. Riders - Quarterbacks... Recruits - Jacob Huesman, BJ Coleman, Vad Lee, and Phillip Sims, QBs that came from other teams - Bryant Moniz and GJ Kinne. Mitch Gale came from a trade with Toronto. Brandon Bridge, salvaged after Montreal cut him Waters came in a trade from Hamilton. former Bomber QB Bryan Bennett. Kevin Glenn Free Agent Vince Young, very Free Agent - the Rider Prophet Jordan Herdman, the Simon Fraser University linebacker said Monday he didn’t have his best workout at his pro day Friday. He originally didn’t plan on participating in the CFL combine March 23-25 in Regina but told The Canadian team Press later Monday night he”d changed his mind. “I am not satisfied with the numbers at my pro day,” said Herdman. “I want an opportunity to show that I can test well and improve my testing numbers.” Herdman, his twin brother Justin, also a linebacker, and running back Ante Milanovic-Litre worked out for scouts from the Atlanta Falcons and Arizona Cardinals as well as four CFL clubs Friday in North Vancouver, B.C. - 3 downnation staff ?‍?So, the question is..... who were the 4 CFL clubs? CFL News .@kerryjoseph4 is confident that @VinceYoung10 can make the adjustment to three-down football. - @robvanstone #CFL #Riders Ted Goveia - We have announced a return to California---we have always found talent in this state#Get of the couch--#Bombers Tryouts CFL News - Top LB prospect Christophe Mulumba won’t attend CFL combine....due to a scheduling conflict with his NFL pro day. Justin Dunk http://3downnation.com/2017/03/14/top-lb-prospect-christophe-mulumba-wont-attend-cfl-combine/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+JustinDunk3downnation+(3DownNation-Justin+Dunk+) - CFL...More News...RT .@danralphcp Am told now 8 NFL teams want to interview Laval TE Antony Auclair. That figure was at 5 after his pro day Monday. #CFL

I would think he ought to be pro-rated for the GM portion...

Absolutely! Gone are the days when you rely solely on a few games watched, word of mouth, combines alone, and 'gut feelings'. When they make a selection nowadays, it's based on research and interactive discussion. I think that's about all they can do to make an informed decision. Nothing is guaranteed, but, at least this way, fans (all but a couple) can feel they didn't miss because of too brief a look...

Master Grades for the upcoming draft 4.9-5: FIRST-ROUND TALENT, POTENTIAL FIRST-YEAR STARTER 4.7-4.8: FIRST OR SECOND-ROUND TALENT WHO IS GOING TO MAKE TEAM 4.4-4.6: THIRD OR FOURTH-ROUND TALENT – STRONG POSSIBILITY TO MAKE TEAM 4.0-4.3: FIFTH ROUND OR LOWER – OUTSIDE SHOT TO MAKE TEAM, POTENTIALLY BACK TO SCHOOL BELOW 4: NOT GOOD ENOUGH TO MAKE TEAM ?‍?^^^This is the grading system our staff uses when they assess the draft. Ed Tait knocks it out of the park with his explanation of how Kyle Walters, Mike O'Shea, Ted Glovia, and Craig Smith approach the draft. ?‍?Preparation - Finalizing the top 23 players in the upcoming draft is not an easy task... “Our No. 1 priority right now is to find our Top 23 and be real sure we’ve got 1-through-23 ranked the way we’ll draft them,” said Walters.“It’s going to be great,” began Walters in a conversation with bluebombers.com. “Both (National Scout) Craig (Smith) and (Assistant GM/Director of Player Personnel) Ted (Goveia) are flying in and then on Tuesday those two plus Mike (O’Shea) and I will close the door and start going through all the draft prospects. Then we’ll be on the road at the different combines. He and O’Shea, Goveia and Smith will have watched at least four games of all those prospects and pieced together a collection of 15-20 plays that represent their skillset. Each evaluator will have also graded each prospect.This week’s get together is all about review, hashing out their differences in those grades, and then assigning a master grade before they head out to the regional combines. http://www.bluebombers.com/2016/05/05/188500/

Fun fact Ed Tait - Vince Young tidbit: 1st player in NCAA history to pass for 3K yards/rush for 1K yds in same season. Only other player to do so? Dan LeFevour

And the worst part? Rider fans seem to think there's nothing wrong with the way Jones conducts his business. They've wholly swallowed the concoction that Jones has brewed. They ask why the commissionaire has it in for them...again. Then they find out: Oops!!

Keep 'em coming Jonesie! Honestly. What a dip...unbelievable.

Inch by inch, foot by foot, this team is Miles ahead of where we used to be, both in special teamers and NI depth... Half way there to the signings I wanted...

Saturday stuff... Kyle Walters, #Bombers GM, on Mike Miller: “He’s our kind of guy; hard-nosed, tough kid." CFL Headlines Riders add former top rookie NFL receiver Mike Williams to neg list. .Just what they need, right? http://3downnation.com/2017/03/03/riders-add-former-top-rookie-nfl-receiver-mike-williams-neg-list/? http://yegboneyard.blogspot.ca/2017/03/edmonton-eskimos-mining-for-diamonds.html Of note - Paul Jones, executive director of player personnel, is in his 18th year with the Edmonton Eskimos. He has a strong track-record of finding high quality players south of the border. His methods have led to the Esks signing players such as Elfrid Payton, Shannon Garrett, Aaron Grymes, John Ojo, Jason Tucker, Dexter McCoil, Ed Hervey, Derel Walker and Fred Stamps to name a few. Jones has continued with his success by rebuilding a scouting network in 2014 that includes former Eskies Torey Hunter and Malvin Hunter along with Jeff Hoffman and Mitch Matuska. Hunter had recommended J.C. Sherritt, Aaron Grymes and Matt Nichols to the Esks, during his coaching career in the pacific northwest, prior becoming an official Esks scout. It was also Hunter who recommended the Esks attempt to acquire Mike Reilly making him a trusted eye for secondary talent and quarterbacks a like. Matuska was responsible for scouting the likes Brandon Zylstra and James Franklin. The latter coming recommended by Mizzou teammate Kendail Lawerence before being placed on the Eskies negotiation list based on Matuska’s recommendation. And the Bombers once employed him... CFL News He's accomplished pretty much everything at the University level, now WR Danny Vandervoort is ready for the #CFL➡ on.cfl.ca/3i11309z4aW TJ Heath - Man I'm so ready to get back to Winnipeg and get around my crew! 3 more months. And I'm really counting down CFL Headlines - Mike Beamish: Concussion litigant Arland Bruce ‘loves football’ — but won’t let son play -Source: Veteran Canadian linebacker Greenwood re-signs with Toronto Argonauts ?‍?Another colourful presentation by Marshall Ferguson. He looks at the regional geography of where our best CFL prospect talent comes from. It's an interesting look at the various colleges and their win percentages in the CIS football ? program, and how it relates to the number of players drafted... For the full article: http://www.marshallferguson.com/single-post/2017/03/04/Which-Canadian-University-has-CFL-draft-bragging-rights CFL.ca Staff The CFL will host regional combines for the fifth consecutive year with the trio beginning in Montreal for the Eastern Regional, Toronto for the Ontario Regional and Regina for the Western Regional. Last year, 17 players from regional combines were extended an invitation to the National CFL Combine in Regina, March 23-25. -Rosters Set: CFL reveals list of 2017 Combine participants - CFL.ca @CFL cfl.ca/2017/02/09/ros… #CFL http://www.cfl.ca/2017/02/09/rosters-set-cfl-reveals-list-2017-combine-participants/ He ?‍?The Montreal Alouettes replaced a Reed with a....Read. Bruce Read replaces Kavis Reed (new GM) as Special Team's Co-ordinator. Bob Irving - Bombers should sign Thomas Miles, U of M product, good Cdn LB, recently released by Toronto ......?‍?In the"we can dream category", signing Miles and Eddy Steele, would be humongous....Oh well.

This very much sounds like you had him labelled right from the start. And no, you didn't have patience because otherwise you would understand the hip issues he had, not to mention a broken hand last year to start the campaign. You should really change your name to Pat because that's about how far you get into patience.

Lawless - hearing @sskroughriders has interest in DT Eddie Steele and cap space. @BCLions, @Wpg_BlueBombers like him too but cap an issue #cfl @cfl. ?‍?Well, if they have that much cap space, why are they asking 2 veteran O-Linemen (LaBatte and Clark) to take a pay cut? ?‍?AND, how come Steele hasn't signed with the Riders yet? Or Miles? Per #CFL sources: Sask tried to force the hand of two starting Canadian OL - Dan Clark and Brendon LaBatte - to take paycuts this off-season TSN - .@MTLAlouettes' WR Green confident returning from injury. MORE: tsn.ca/1.683832 Darrin Bauming - @Darren_Cameron I think fans would love Glen Young. (Linebackers Coach) Lawless - U of M product LB Thomas Miles released by @TorontoArgos. Was due a roster bonus @cfl #cfl https://twitter.com/garylawless/status/836935982620504065. Steele Drew Edwards - Interesting tidbit in this story: #Argos season tickets at around 3,500, half of what it was last year. BMO move, Grey Cup did nothing. #CFL CFL News Marc Trestman: "I happen to love the (#CFL) game. It was brilliantly created." #Argos via @hustlerlawless via @TSN1290Radio Rod Pedersen - Just spitballing here ... but what about a Drew Willy-to-Saskatchewan trade scenario? In perhaps record time, Drew Willy was relegated to the bench on February 28 by new Argos Head Coach Marc Trestman. Does Drew still have starting QB qualities? The Roughriders, Blue Bombers and former Argo GM Jim Barker all thought so at one time. Do you? Would Chris Jones? Perhaps it's a road to examine. -4 - Meanwhile ... in Austin, TX ... Vince Young is telling people he will be quarterbacking the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2017. That's what my football sources in Texas - close to Vince Young - told me this week. This story is real.... CFL's @paulosenra says Combine events are already sold out for #CFLWeek. FanFest events all week at @evrazplacelive are free & lotsa room CFL News I know what Marc Trestman did to help Calvillo. We just have to build a system to keep Ray from getting hit so much - Jim Popp #CFL #Argos Blue Bomber Talk - The #CFL has had seven different champions over the past seven seasons. If that's not parity, I don't know what is. ?‍?Solid special teams signing for the Big Blue. Know what and who to look for, then swoop in and grab him....- #Bombers add the CFL's top special teams tackler in fullback @MillerWm17. A six-year CFL veteran (104 GP), he has 116 career ST tackles ?‍?This year's winner for taking undeserved flak.....Addison Richards. ?‍?Almost Bomber-related...the best curling in the world starts this weekend (the Brier) for all you curling fans. (OK, it may be just me and Noeller)...

These twitter comments have touched off a firestorm of defence on the Rider forum. They ask why does Arash always pick on the Riders? AND, no, we have plenty of cap space. AND, the sources must be invalid. FAKE NEWS. Everything to say this isn't true. But where did this come from? And how accurate is it? Do the Riders have all the cap space in the world..or not? Perhaps we ask the new Ace reporter if any of this is valid? His daughter might know. And while we're at it, from their own boy - Rod Pedersen: RUMOUR ALERT: And finally, a source told me Tuesday evening that the Roughriders have shipped CFL footballs to Vince Young in Texas in order to get him further acclimated to the CFL game. I asked the source - who is in no way affiliated with the Roughriders - how confident he is in his information and he said "Very".

Perhaps, there is no need to call him anything...