CFL.ca "the playmaker" column
I found it an interesting read...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Written by the Play Maker
Let the CFL free agency period begin. Here are my predictions or hunches on some of the big name players and where they might be playing in 2005 if they should chose to change addresses.
Henry Burris - Calgary
Ed Hervey - Ottawa this happened
Jeremaine Copeland - Calgary
Davis Sanchez - Ottawa or Winnipeg
Barron Miles - Winnipeg
Sherko Haji-Rasouli - Toronto
Kelly Whiltshire - Hamilton
Clifford Ivory - Winnipeg
Eric England - Hamilton or Ottawa
Chris Brazzell - Winnipeg or Hamilton
Anthony Malborough - Calgary
Wane McGarity - Winnipeg
notice no Edmonton acquisitions
Taking Charge
Tom Higgins didn't take long to put his stamp on his new football team. Higgins did not offer new contracts to productive receivers Albert Connell and Wane McGarity. There were rumours that these two highly skilled players were a distraction in the locker room. Look for McGarity to resurface with another team while Connell's days in the CFL might be over.
Smilin' Hank
If Henry Burris changes teams and signs with the Calgary Stampeders, the fans of Saskatchewan have every right to be livid. Smilin' Hank should have been re-signed by now. Roy Shivers, who does a great job with a relatively small budget, should cave in on this one. The loss of Burris would halt all of the positive momentum that the Riders have built up since narrowly missing out on the 2004 Grey Cup. Season ticket holders would be upset, potential new ticket holders would be reluctant to purchase and corporate sponsors would be distraught. Shivers has done an outstanding job in Regina since coming over from the Calgary Stampeders, but all of the hard work that he has endured with that organization would take a huge hit if Burris chooses to leave. Nealon Greene is no slouch should Burris leave but he doesn't possess all of the intangibles that Smilin' Hank brings to the game.
For the Love of the Game
Former All-Star tackle Bruce Beaton has come out of retirement and is rejoining the Edmonton Eskimos for the 2005 season. Beaton retired in 2004 and that really hurt the club's offensive line. The team tried to play rookie Joe McGrath at his position and while McGrath played well at times, he was hugely inconsistent. McGrath has huge upside and this will do him a world of good. He can learn from one of the best in game (Beaton).
Former Great
A movie about former CFL great Terry Evanshen begins shooting this Spring. Evanshen, one of the greatest homebrew receivers this country has ever produced, has a story that needs to be told. He was involved in a horrific car accident in 1988 that nearly cost him his life and robbed him of his memory. After years of painful therapy, Evanshen has become a great motivational speaker.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Written by the Play Maker
Let the CFL free agency period begin. Here are my predictions or hunches on some of the big name players and where they might be playing in 2005 if they should chose to change addresses.
Henry Burris - Calgary
Ed Hervey - Ottawa this happened
Jeremaine Copeland - Calgary
Davis Sanchez - Ottawa or Winnipeg
Barron Miles - Winnipeg
Sherko Haji-Rasouli - Toronto
Kelly Whiltshire - Hamilton
Clifford Ivory - Winnipeg
Eric England - Hamilton or Ottawa
Chris Brazzell - Winnipeg or Hamilton
Anthony Malborough - Calgary
Wane McGarity - Winnipeg
notice no Edmonton acquisitions
Taking Charge
Tom Higgins didn't take long to put his stamp on his new football team. Higgins did not offer new contracts to productive receivers Albert Connell and Wane McGarity. There were rumours that these two highly skilled players were a distraction in the locker room. Look for McGarity to resurface with another team while Connell's days in the CFL might be over.
Smilin' Hank
If Henry Burris changes teams and signs with the Calgary Stampeders, the fans of Saskatchewan have every right to be livid. Smilin' Hank should have been re-signed by now. Roy Shivers, who does a great job with a relatively small budget, should cave in on this one. The loss of Burris would halt all of the positive momentum that the Riders have built up since narrowly missing out on the 2004 Grey Cup. Season ticket holders would be upset, potential new ticket holders would be reluctant to purchase and corporate sponsors would be distraught. Shivers has done an outstanding job in Regina since coming over from the Calgary Stampeders, but all of the hard work that he has endured with that organization would take a huge hit if Burris chooses to leave. Nealon Greene is no slouch should Burris leave but he doesn't possess all of the intangibles that Smilin' Hank brings to the game.
For the Love of the Game
Former All-Star tackle Bruce Beaton has come out of retirement and is rejoining the Edmonton Eskimos for the 2005 season. Beaton retired in 2004 and that really hurt the club's offensive line. The team tried to play rookie Joe McGrath at his position and while McGrath played well at times, he was hugely inconsistent. McGrath has huge upside and this will do him a world of good. He can learn from one of the best in game (Beaton).
Former Great
A movie about former CFL great Terry Evanshen begins shooting this Spring. Evanshen, one of the greatest homebrew receivers this country has ever produced, has a story that needs to be told. He was involved in a horrific car accident in 1988 that nearly cost him his life and robbed him of his memory. After years of painful therapy, Evanshen has become a great motivational speaker.
Comment