bearpants

I don't quite understand this stat... so if a kicker lines up for a 50-yarder, would that be considered "not expected to make" so if he makes it he would be 3 point above expected?.... then does it consider weather and wind too?... wouldn't someone technically have to review almost every kick all season and make a judgement on if it is expected or not?...

I agree with you completely... but I guess my assumption is hey let's write an article to get people pumped about the draft and throw in some player comps... If you're trying to generate readers and interest you compare the draft picks to their ceiling... It's not like GMs are reading this article to make their draft board... it's for the fans, so no one will care or remember this article if Boateng and Vandervoort actually end up being busts... if Hamilton drafts Vandervoort will the fans be more excited to see the next Fantuz or the next Bauman... Even if his comps are perfect....basically, I think the article doesn't make any sense from a marketing perspective...

Sure we get that... but usually when you compare future draft picks to current/past players it's generally done with all-stars or very good players... to give an idea of their potential... if you want to get fans psyched up about the draft you say Vandervoort is Fantuz, Mason Woods is Matt O'Donnell, Boateng is Brent Johnson, Eli Ankou is Doug Brown, etc... PS - I'm not saying any of these comps are accurate... just making a point...

exactly... also he compares Vandervoort to Bauman and Boateng to Mrabure... so he's predicting Vandervoort and Boateng will both be busts??

I don't think you'll ever see much criticism from the broadcasting crew... their job isn't to analyse the team... it's just to call the game as it's happening... on local broadcast, homerism is basically expected....

I agree with you on that one.... I think we're all talking about the 8th end with MB up 5-3... if McEwen draws for 1 there he's up 6-3 with 2 to go.... even if they give up 2 in 9 they're still safe coming home... disappointing finish for MB, especially in a very winnable game...

I find it odd that he compared all those players to generally underwhelming Canadian draft picks... You would think he would throw out an all-star comp just to give an idea of these players' potential...

Or he comes into camp, provides competition, and makes the team if deemed worthy... or whatever spin you like to put on it

That's a fair point...

It always makes me nervous when we sign a guy that played on the Riders defense in the last 2 years... that defense was absolutely putrid and then we're signing guys they determined were no worth bringing back..... anyone know anything about this guy other than what the stats say??

LMNOP??? I was chatting with a Rider fan friend of mine (a very reasonable guy btw, they actually do exist) over the weekend... I was joking with him saying if you put a head shot of VY next to Derek Dennis, which one will look in better shape?... he just laughed and said, probably Dennis... He's probably in that frustrated, but patient group... he doesn't love the direction of the team but he'll wait til game play before passing judgement...

I feel like you may have got this answer in the lost posts... but that's a pretty good comp... except Auclair has about 6-7 inches on Lewis... and the right passport...

I've said this about Kyle Walters since day one... he might not always make all the right moves... but he sure as hell won't fail due to lack of effort...

I was actually thinking he looks younger... but anyways, I agree, he's not exactly a top-end replacement...

Murray has more games played... he's basically the starter... this is probably the biggest point here... Pens "lose" a guy they were going to send down anyways... and Jets lose Toby for at least a couple weeks...

If Mitch McConnell is defending Obama... there's problems in the GOP! "word for word" is a bit of a stretch.... but in all honesty... I don't really have a problem with what Ben Carson said (I only heard the quote out of context so I can't really comment on his intentions but it sounded like he was defending immigration)... you are correct that the media overreacted on this one...

LOL... I'm pretty sure Scott Pfifer is in his 30s...

Yeah that's a good point... I'm not so sure Marc Kennedy is cut out to be a third... when he was second on Martin's team... he was second to none... man it seemed like Kennedy and Hebert could drag a hogged rock to the button... those guys changed the way sweeping is done...

That's a good point too... if he really stinks the bed that kills his trade value... but at least they know Reilly is the man going forward...

Does anyone else think Ed Steele would be a more badass name to go by... I think he's outgrown Eddie...

It appears I overestimated the Old Dog (Glenn Howard)... I actually really had no idea what to think of that team but I assumed that since he won Ontario he must've had something left in the tank... I have to disagree with you guys on Koe... I think he's a great shot maker and has gotten a lot smarter over the years... definitely a top 5 squad in the world... really loving the way the McEwen rink is playing this week... should be a good one against Koe... but otherwise, as long as they don't take the pedal off they should handle the Frenchmen and Howard with ease...

I'll take "completely missing the point" for $1000 please @Jimmy Pop was clearly saying that just because you don't hear about it, does not mean the problem doesn't exist... no where does he state that the CFL has a major problem with the PR player system... and now, I will be the one to digress?....

Rarely does a 3rd string QB retiring make news... but Lynch played an important role on that team including short yardage and special teams... Honestly, the best thing that can happen to the Esks this year is Reilly getting hurt and missing a few games... if Franklin can get a true 3 or 4 game audition, the team will have a much better idea of what they have going forward...

Ultimately, like in all sports, it'll all about wins and losses... fans are willing to overlook these transgressions in the off-season, when it's all about retooling and optimism for the upcoming season.... but if they start piling up ticks in the L column early on, many will start to change their tune...

Opening thoughts on the Brier: - My rankings coming in: 1) Koe - Canada 2) Jacobs - Northern Ont 3) Gushue - Newf/Lab 4) McEwen - MB 5) Morris - BC 6) Howard - Ont 7-12) a bunch of teams that don't have a chance - McEwen means business this year... they're not just "happy to be there" - I'm continually amazed at how good of a shot maker Brad Gushue is... this year is not a good example b/c he has a pretty good team... but the rest of his team could be shooting 3% and he'd still be in one point games - a lot of up and down from Morris' BC rink... still not sure what to think of them... should be interesting to see which of the top 5 misses playoffs - I haven't had a chance to watch Jacobs yet... I'll have to keep an eye on the upcoming Schedule... they are usually a fun team to watch...