Arland Bruce Heads Down The QEW

((HT: GlobeSports/Naylor))

Arland Bruce ((pictured, thanks GlobeSports file)) is a Hamilton Tiger-Cat after the Toronto Argonauts completed a deal to move the disgruntled receiver on Wednesday morning, ending a week of drama that began when Argos head coach Bart Andrus decided to leave the veteran receiver home from last week’s road trip to Winnipeg.

Bruce’s critical comments about that decision provoked the Argonauts to begin exploring trade options which have resulted in them acquiring the rights to Canadian defensive end Cory Mace, who has spent the past two seasons with the Buffalo Bills, and a conditional third-round draft pick in 2011 if Bruce is on the Hamilton roster in 2011.

“We believe we received the best value we could get for Arland given the circumstances,'' said Argos general manager Adam Rita in a statement. "We believe strongly in the direction in which our organization is headed.”

While Andrus dismissed Tuesday the notion that Bruce is a vital cog in the Argos offence, he certainly should make the Tiger-Cats better. Hamilton has a young group of receivers who struggle with consistency, meaning Bruce’s veteran presence should instantly give them a new dynamic.

The departing six-year Argo insisted his comments were never meant to provoke a trade and as of Tuesday he was disappointed when learning that he was likely to be traded.

Bruce, 31, was expected on the field at Tiger-Cat practice Wednesday in Hamilton and will be in uniform when Hamilton hosts the B.C. Lions on Friday night.

It is believed there was some debate with the Argonauts owners, management and coaching staff over whether Bruce should have been allowed to return to the team. Sources say Andrus insisted Bruce’s days as an Argonaut be over, and the first-year Toronto coach got his way.

"We we were trying to have things fall in line and his response was very negative and it was time for him to go,'' Andrus said Wednesday at the team's practice facility in Mississauga, Ont., "I wish him well and better luck with his new team.''

The Argos had no other trade partners besides Hamilton, largely because of the difficulty moving Bruce’s $190,000 contract. Had they released him, however, both the Calgary Stampeders and Winnipeg Blue Bombers may have had an interest in him.

Though the deal was agreed to between the parties late Tuesday, it wasn't completed until Hamilton head coach Marcel Bellefeuille and general manager Bob O'Billovich had a chance to meet with Bruce on Tuesday night.

"We are certain that in the environment Marcel Bellefeuille has created around our team this season, Arland will be a respected teammate in our locker room and a valuable member of our community," O"Billovich said in a statement released by the Tiger-Cats announcing the deal.

Mace is a native of Port Moody, B.C., who has spent most of the past two seasons on the Bills practice roster and been unable to come to terms on a contract with Hamilton so far this season.

As a Canadian defensive lineman with NFL experience, the 23-year-old University of Wyoming product would give the Argos some depth behind Adriano Belli, another player Andrus has criticized for performing in ways detrimental to the team this season.

"I don't know if you want to say I'm putting my own stamp on something,'' Andrus said, concerning his decision to suspend Bruce last week. "I'm trying to do what I'm used to doing at this level, doing the things I've seen work in the past. There needs to be a certain degree of responsibility on the part of the players.''

SunTV in Ontario interviewed Argos wideout Andre Talbot about everything double-blue including the whole Bruce distraction...
((HT: GrillRoomTV/SunTV Ontario))

Bruce Fined For "Bad" Celebration

((HT: TSN))

Arland Bruce ((pictured, thanks CP)) might have thought it would be a thriller but the CFL decided it was simply bad.

The league fined the Toronto slotback an undisclosed amount Thursday for his touchdown celebration in the Argos' season-opening win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Wednesday.

Bruce said he was paying tribute to Michael Jackson. The CFL called it "excessive."

After scoring on a 21-yard pass from Kerry Joseph to put Toronto ahead 6-0, Bruce removed his helmet, shoulder pads and uniform top, then laid down in the end zone.

Bruce said he was simply honouring Jackson's memory by pretending to be buried. The game's referee saw it differently and gave Bruce two objectionable conduct penalties.

"The commissioner has always said he wants the players to have fun, but you can't go over the line," said a CFL spokesman. "It's not always easy to draw that line, but when you remove your equipment to lay down and delay the game, like he did, that's where we draw the line."

The Argonauts said Thursday they support the league's ruling.

"The issue has been addressed internally by head coach Bart Andrus and his coaching staff and the club is confident that any future touchdown celebrations by Argonauts players will be conducted within the rules of the CFL game," the team said in a release.

"It should be noted that Arland apologized of his own volition to his teammates in today's team meeting."

In an interview after the game, Andrus said he had spoken with Bruce.

"I made the mistake of telling him in camp that once he got to the end zone I didn't care what he did," Andrus said. "But he's straight with it now and I think next time around he will celebrate in an appropriate manner."

Tom Higgins, the CFL's Director of Officiating, was on "Prime Time Sports" on the Fan590 in Toronto, to discuss the whole thing...

Not a Thriller

Everyone by now knows that Wide Receivers in Professional Football are a different breed. We aren't sure exactly what it is that makes them so peculiar, but anyone who has read about Mr. Ochocinco or the Player, Mr. T.O knows that these guys consider themselves...well...unique.

Last night in Canada, we got a Touchdown celebration of a different sort. It seems Toronto Argonauts Wide Receiver Arland Bruce decided he would pay his respects to the recently deceased Michael Jackson...by lying down in the end zone like he was dead after scoring a Touchdown. Needless to say... everyone from the referees to the CFL Brass were not amused.

Check out the video from the You Tube/NFL Fanhouse.com:




You do have to admit, it was kind of funny and it certainly will draw some added attention to a player, team and game not exactly...well other than for Brother Jon, well known here in the States. Bruce's team was penalized 20 yards...15 for the action and another 5 for procedure or something like that, but they won the game against arch-rival Hamilton. I suppose when it all gets boiled down, that really is the thing that matters.

And for those of you who enjoy such things...We give you the original "Thriller"....Courtesy: You Tube (You'll have to follow the link here , they disabled the embed code