Nasty Nate

Isn't Sting well over 50? Ric Flair is 65+ but he made a nifty appearance on WWE Raw last nite with the idea of getting The SHIELD over. Hogan is 60 or 61 Bautista is 44/45 Taker turns 50 soon and he's just a shell of his former self. Even Kane is nearing 50 but the guy looks monsterous and can still work some high spots! Other than Bray Wyatt WWE is having trouble getting young guys over....

Yours is an honest response. I have no idea whether Rabb will be a good or bad member of the board. I also know the CIty of Winnipeg doesn't have many managers or top staff that have extra time on their hands to be anything more than a rubber-stamp for bomber board outcomes. Having a COO like Mike Ruta or this Joshi guy on the board cuz they hold high civic positions doesn't make it automatically right either. I wonder what the real objection to Mr. Rabb is. Other than the fact he's not on the city payroll. One would think a guy like Rabb with his incredible history of support for Wpg's pro sports teams would be a decent appointment. Or at least one that should be given one term on the board. So far Bob Irving has been successful in holding Adler back on this issue. I don't think Paul Friesen or Kirk Penton want to shadow Lawless's footsteps on this issue either.

I suspect Charles Adler (CJOB radio) just got handed a gift bone to dog on. Although I also suspect Bob Irving (under board instructions) will be trying hard to keep Adler from exploring this issue on air.

Here's a copy of Gary "Shooter" Lawless's article on the bombers pre-rejecting the appointment of local businessman Jeffrey Rabb to their board of directors. Rabb is a 59 or 60 yr old lawyer and property manager. He was the mayor's choice to replace disgraced city employee Phil Sheegl who was fired from his city position (ok, asked to resign) in 2013. Brock Bolbuck and Asper told Katz they wanted a house-boy (ie. a shill or civic loafer like Mr Joshi or Mr Ruta) who doesn't have much time to invest in bomber goings on.. . . . ie. a type who'd just rubber stamp everything and serve no useful purpose. Rabb has been a bomber fan since his childhood days. He's a season ticket holder for years with Jets and for decades with Bombers. He's also a bit outspoken and I think thats the reason the current board executive is trying to black-ball him. Imagine a wealthier junior version of Nasty Nate. I hope Katz doesn't back down on this one like he does on most issues. I could understand him withdrawing Rabb's name if he is running for Mayor again (bomber board members could really seal his defeat if they wanted to but if Sammy isn't running why not put in a guy who'll be a bit more circumspect about bomber ops?) This looks like a freakin' mexican standoff - although the bombers have the trump card - they can actually have a board vote to declne on Rabb's appointment. And I think thats what they'll do. God forbid they accept a guy who's not a knife 'n forker or jock-sniffer! http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/columnists/battle-over-board-257104111.html

Lulay better have a fresh jet pack and new flubber on his sneakers!

I'd really love to see Kane trade but like iso says it probably ain't gonna happen cuz Chevy is way too careful in protecting his perceived value. Chevy might see Kane as a 25 to 30 goal scorer who could even get to 35 if he played all 82 games. Teams that want him prolly see him as a 15 to 20 goal scorer who takes undisciplined penalties at inopportune times, misses large batches of games. In both scenarios he's pulling down 6 million. The difference between achieved results and potential is the main reason Evander won't be traded. If he is I'd be happy with a couple draft picks (Late first rounder, mid second rounder and a shutdown 3rd line winger who can still score 10 to 15 goals)

If you can call 18 goals in an 82 game season a GOAL SCORER!!! But Evander has a pile of excuses - self-inflicted injuries, infections, bad coach, new bad coach, linemates with stubby hands, linemates with no hands. Trouble is - at this point he's untradeable as a 30 goal scorer - cuz he's NOT a 30 goal scorer. He's a 15 to 20 goal scorer and for 6 million a year, thats not only a money blow - its a formula for golf in April.

There are worse slugs than Jokinen but most of them infest NHL bottom feeder 3rd and 4th lines or AHL 2nd lines. The pre-scouting that the Jets do now to find 'character guys' would have filtered Kane from the pool during his draft year. I suspect Atlanta took him cuz they didn't have much of a scouting staff - they relied on Central Scouting's stats. Kane has some nice assets. He's fairly big, he's fairly strong, he has a wacko slap shot, he has a big wrist shot and he can skate like the wind. His negatives. Doesn't utilize his size and strength when it counts, his slapshot is most often errant, he waits too long to let go his wristers - allowing defenders to put a stick on him or goalies to move into position - he also lets rip errant shots which ring off the back boards and allow opponents an immediate 3 on 2. I've rapped on this a lot but Kane would make a great rat if any team could make him go defensively nuts - he'd be a big Brad Marchand type. But I think Kane wants to be a goal-scorer. Thats the problem.

I'm sure Dana White would have preferred Brock go over on Overeem but even White must have sensed Lesnar was gonna get beaten within an inch of his life by that Dutch monster. I think White actually screwed Brock Lesnar more than Brock screwed Brock - ie. he didn't protect him properly from monsters and didn't realize Brock had a massive kryptonite in his game

Wheeler suffers from playing on an inferior team. When you have slugs with no hands on your line or reckless careless types like Kane you'll have trouble amassing 80 pts. Schiefele and Wheeler together I like big-time - but having a problem guy like Kane can go several ways - most of them wrong!

I think if Brock goes back Dana will have to protect him a tad site better than he did the first couple times. The sight of Brock getting his brains beat in by Overeem are a bad image for most inside marks to WWE or UFC.... And if he's protected (by taking on inferior opponents or making sure better opponents don't hit Brock in the head (his weak spot) then the cry goes out that UFC is faking up. Dana has one money fight left for GSP so he better use it well. He's probably got a couple left for Ronda Rousey (his biggest star besides Jon Jones) but what happens when Rousey and Jones go to Hollywood or get mega-money offers from WWE....???

I think the Bombers and the Stamps will have virtually the same attendance this year. Both should average around 28,000 to 29,000 - bombers buoyed by their 33,500 sell out for Troy Westwood Day (Banjo Bowl) but prolly a solid 22,000 season ticket base with walk-ups ranging from 4,500 to 7,000. Bombers could exceed 29,000 if they're still in the playoff hunt with 2 home games left. If they're dogs down the stretch then its gonna be a push to make 28,000 average. As per usual the Bombers are very reluctant to release season ticket figures as they strongly believe such information will negatively impact sales.

UFC is makin' hay while the sun shines. Can't see them reaping the same financial killshots from a hungry and gullible public for more than a couple years. Jon Jones is their big draw and he won't fight more than once a year - prolly only has two fights left in him before he goes Hollywood or TV. GSP was their big ticket but his last few fights have been George fighting in a shell/bubble and he wants to make sure he never gets hurt again. Ronda Rousey is another big ticket but she's reluctant to get into the ring with that Cyborg character who's bigger, taller and much stronger than Ronda - fuelled by roids of course! Even Ronda's fights are sadly predictable. An early exchange of ground and pound positions then Rousey finds the other girls arm and its tap out city! She could probably make more money in film or even working rigged stuff with WWE - could be the scariest monster they've had, probably ever and she's telegenic with almost model looks. Vince would bend over financially for her.

The word is out on Cauchy so I don't see anyone really lining up to offer us stale donuts for him. However, I do like the suggestion of trading our #1 pick next year (most CFL'rs would say its a virtual #1 or #2 pick again) for Ottawa's #1 this year. However, there's a ton of heat on Marcel Dee to try and raise interest and develop crowds for their new product. It would be very enticing to get both Lavertu & Focault or one of them plus Q Smith. I wonder what we'd need to give (to anybody) to get a 2nd round pick?

I guess we're at the mercy of Ottawa's pick.....they need o-line help just as much as we do! Especially when Marwan retired after being selected in the dispersal.

I think Bray is more than OK as a worker UP, especially for a guy with a body type somewhere between Bullinski & Samoa Joe. But he's a heel with a faction so he ends up doing less physical work than he probably could. - plus the Hawaii shirts and sitting on a throne are his least becoming elements. HHH and WWE didn't have the heart to end Cena w/ Wyatt at WM - maybe they were just test-driving Bray in a huge venue. They're prolly hoping Luke Harper can progress to the upper mid card on his own but I don't think he'll even get that far. Love the fact almost everyone at WWE is getting Gene Kiniski haircuts - HHH, Kane, Lesnar (more Wilbur Snyder), Bautista, Orton, etc. Wonder when they'll sheer Daniel Bryan? Can't see them doing it before Wrestlemania. Wyatt's writing brilliance can't be over-looked. Some of his stuff is classic. If I was handling him I'd just tell him to apply his southern "accent" on a more consistent basis as he tends to lose it during some of his promos. Its much more ominous when its got that "Dueling Banjos" tone.

What? In the NFL....I think the bombers have learned their lesson about selecting NFL bound guys with their first picks. Of course, we've also drafted a few dogs with first round picks, too - going off the board to avoid NFL-destined guys. What does that have to do with Lavertu though ... he's one of the top guys who has had no NFL interest as of yet. Probably meant Foucault - Tardif is pretty much off everyone's charts - might have a team burn a 4th to 6th rounder on him.

What? In the NFL....I think the bombers have learned their lesson about selecting NFL bound guys with their first picks. Of course, we've also drafted a few dogs with first round picks, too - going off the board to avoid NFL-destined guys.

Our d-line promises to be mediocre to above average. Our o-line promises to be horrid to mediocre. Thus, Lavertu is a no-brainer if he`s available. Remember, Smith rolled guys at the drills but CFL d-line work isn`t a drill. Often you`re inserted into a system and can`t bull-rush every play. Often, you can defeat your primary blocking opponent but a second guy picks you up and nullifies your rush. Neufeld better be a C+ to B starter cuz we don`t have a 2nd round pick and if we did we`d be picking 2nd and 12th overall. Could take a risk Lavertu doesn`t catch on and do a Joe-pick on him at 12....

Schiefele might be able to get to 75-80 if he plays 78 to 82 games and doesn't break down or get injured. The problem is the Jets will be so reliant on him for 5 on 5 play plus power-plays 1st unit he can't possibly go a full year without extended slumps or injury. Our 2nd and 3rd lines have to be exemplary - some offense, yes but more shut-down lines and thats near impossible given the guys on our current roster. They are neither high scorers nor to they seem capable of shut-down play.

Wheeler might have a chance for 8o pts if he had Crosby or McKinnon feeding him? Jets won't have an 80 pt player with the current level of the roster. Within a couple years and with the right team chemistry - Schiefele might be our first 80+ guy.

No Heyman won't go back at this point unless they poured a bag of cash at him - I'm talking millions. That won't happen. Heyman had a huge brave streak back in the 90s when he formed ECW and it was the leading edge wrestling promotion in the world - until he started running out of money. I'm sure Vince has him locked up for a couple years at least.

I agree. Schiefele and Trouba are on the way up. Kane is really in limbo with his tepid play last couple seasons. Wheeler appears ready to step up and be an active captain so possibly Ladd is being shopped. After the nice young and small core (small in numbers) there's Ladd, Little & Buff, all guys who are very good but all have major weaknesses in their games. The mid portion of the Jets lineup is not even NHL average - I'd say its well below average. The final third of the roster is extremely transient. Crappy is the operative word. Guys like Tangredi, Wright, Thorburn, Palooka, Jokinen, Slater, Setogucci, plus all their d-man after Trouba & Stuart are iffy propositions at best. Jet braintrust is hopin' and prayin' a guy like Clitsome comes back from surgery and contributes to team.

UP - isn't Bryan/Lesnar the natural headliner at next year's Wrestlemania? Wonder if they'll trot out Undertaker for one last paycheque in a soft trot match? If they did trot out Taker I'd like to see Bray Wyatt go over on him - nobody deserves that award more than Wyatt! Obviously HHH and his acolytes might be still viable next year so Shield vs. HHH group could go again! WWE are super lucky JBL decided to do commentary - the guy is superb! Came along at the right time as Cole & Lawler were really starting to get stale!

January is a B- guy for an import, B if he was Canuck. Greaves is still learning - should be a B+ canuck but in current dismal system he's only a B, Morley is reallly bad (too slow), a C- canadian at best, Pencer & Swiston remain un-graded due to lack of action - if only one of them could be a solid B to B+ starter. Neufeld was seen as a B to B+ guy in waiting in Sask'n but injuries have riddled him. If he's all healed up and top shape lets hope he's better than C+, perhaps B to B+ starter. Biggest problem for O'Shea - we ain't got no A o-linemen; not even an A- guy.