Is It Too Early For A Late Hit...???

((HT: CFL on TSN/youtube))

The Toronto Argonauts EJ Kuale brings both the noise and the funk with this gawd-awful late hit on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers Buck Pierce...


Two things the HQ knows, Kuale will be heading to the league office downtown to discuss and we're glad that FOSG Terrence Edwards can still catch like nobody's bid-ness...

Canuck Truck Wrecked, Another CNFL Moment

The HQ is up for a good hit as much as the next guy...

So, when the Winnipeg Blue Bombers Marcellus Bowman saw the Green Riders Chris Szarka waiting forever to catch a Darian Durant pass, this is what happens...

Ray Lewis, eat your heart out...

Chris Cuthbert sees the action unfold in front of him...
((HT: TSN/CFL))

Kelly Bombs Out Of Winnipeg Gig

Those of us at OSG HQ have enjoyed, for the self-serving reason of moving the bacon here on the wires, now-former Winnipeg Blue Bomber head coach Mike Kelly...

He never took any crap from the local media. And if he didn't want to answer a question, Kelly would remind you that he was moving on to the next question...

Now...

BUT... hours after being arrested and charged with assault following a domestic dispute in the morning at his home near Philadelphia, Kelly is looking for work.

The firing, which is now being looked at for a just-cause dismissal, came hours after Bombers CEO Lyle Bauer announced he was checking out...

Most CFL coaches have code-of-conduct clauses in their deals. If Kelly's arrest is deemed a violation of his deal, then the Bombers will look to tell their ex to perch-and-rotate on the remainder of his US$500,000 on the table.

Bank on that idea...

The Free Press's Gary Lawless and Aldo Santin found out what went down on Kelly's arrest back in Pennsylvania.

Bridgeport Police Sgt. John Cane said when officers arrived at Kelly’s home, they found a woman they later learned to be his former girlfriend outside on the front steps.

"When the officers got there, she (the victim) said that Mike Kelly had hit her," Cane said. "She showed us her neck, which was red, she had a small cut on her knuckle, and she had a small abrasion or some type of cut on her lip."

Cane said that Kelly told police that the woman had come to his house to pick up her personal belongings.

"She confronted him in an upstairs bedroom and an argument broke out and it turned physical," Cane said of the explanation offered by Kelly. "He grabbed her, she ended up hitting him in the face, according to him, and he had some evidence of being hit there too, and he grabbed her and pushed her to get her out of the house."

Kelly is due in court next week to answer the charges. Apparently, Kelly's relationship had ended a few weeks ago...

The HQ thinks it really never ended after all...

Here's the rather interesting day the Blue Bomber brass had...
((HT: WInnipeg Free Press))

Coach Calls Hosts Comments Media "BullS***"

The head coach of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Mike Kelly, has been a real treat as a rookie head coach in the CFL this year.

He doesn't take any crap when it comes to questions...
If the question is stupid, he'l tell you... it's somewhat refreshing in an age where everyone is ready for the challenge...

The Blue Bombers are 7-10 and, as Coach Kelly was getting ready for his talk to the play-by-play man Bob Irving, he heard a bunch of "garbage."

He then called out the play-by-play guy on air during Q and A on a postgame show...
Priceless stuff...
((HT: CJOB-AM 68 Winnipeg))

Kelly was somewhat defensive considering the Bombers lost to Montreal 48-13...

Randy Turner of the Free Press newswpaper was less than pleased, but not surprised...

Kelly proceeded to apologize in print, thanks again to the Free Press...

"To all Bomber fans and anyone who may have taken offence to my reaction and comments to interviewers during the post game show following our game against the Alouettes, I extend my sincere apologies."

All the above story does is give us the chance to show another one of Kelly's Greatest Hits from July and alleged cheating by his scouting staff...
((HT: Winnipeg Free Press))


Non-issue, handled internally, not talking about it...
Got it...???

Pac Man's Not A Blue Bomber...

((HT: TSN))

In a surprising about face, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers have announced that Adam 'Pacman' Jones will not be joining the team.

"It is unfortunate that this situation became public however our position has remained consistent. We will pursue athletes that we believe will contribute to our organization on and off the field" said Blue Bombers' Head Coach Mike Kelly in a statement.

“We have completed our assessment and due diligence and at this time we will not be pursuing the services of Adam Jones".

It had been widely reported that Jones had signed a one-year deal to play with the Bombers. Jones himself discussed the signing on the Web TV channel U-Stream earlier in the day.

A former first round pick of the Tennessee Titans, the 26-year old Jones was twice suspended by the NFL for several off-field incidents including his role in a shooting in a Las Vegas strip club. Jones was released by the Dallas Cowboys this past February.

Now the Winnipeg media really doesn't need to ask questions of Kelly about Pac Man...
Do they...???

"Don't Ask Questions About Pac-Man Jones!"

((HT: Winnipeg Free Press))

And the local press went ahead and asked Blue Bombers Head Coach Mike Kelly about it anyway... forget the salvo that was started by Director of Football Operations Ross Hodgkinson...

Funny stuff...



"Hold your horses right there and use your eraser..."

This coming on the heels of Coach Kelly deciding he wasn't going to take phone calls anymore during his coach's show...

Kelly says the calls have deteriorated and have no posi­tive effect on the team or fans. The coach will entertain emails and live questions at his show on location at the Upperdeck Sports Bar at McPhillips Street Casino...

The level of awesomeness is only exceeded by the level of hubris...

Pac-Man A Blue Bomber...? Not Yet...

((HT: Winnipeg Free-Press/Lawless))

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are in talks with cornerback Adam (Pacman) Jones ((pictured, thanks KLAS-TV/Las Vegas)).

Stories in several U.S. publications are reporting this morning that a deal has been signed but club management told the Free Press early Tuesday morning that is pre-mature. A contract has not been signed nor has one been sent to the former Dallas Cowboys speedster.

Blue Bombers personnel man John Murphy, however, is quoted in a number of places discussing the impact Jones would have on the Bombers and the team's marketing department.

An early report had Jones arriving in Winnipeg on Wednesday but the team has yet to investigate his status with Canada Border Services

Jones has never been questioned as a player but as been suspended several times by the NFL for his off-field activity. Most notably, Jones was involved in a strip club shooting that left a man paralyzed.

"It'll be a good experience for me to get back in game shape and compete and play football, which I like to do," Jones told SI.com. "I'm real happy for the opportunity that's been given to me. Of course it's disappointing to me to not be playing in the NFL. But things happen and you have to adjust. "

Blue Bombers personnel man John Murphy told SI.com that Jones will be a difference maker in the CFL.

"But for me it's a win-win. I'm smart enough to know that if I'm looking for somebody who can be a playmaker for the second half of our season, there isn't a better football player who's not in the NFL, at 25 years old, who's ready to play football, is going to play with a chip on his shoulder, and is going to bring some fun and excitement to our team, our locker room, our city, and our league.

"And at the same time it's a business decision as well as football decision. From a marketing standpoint, a business standpoint and a football standpoint, I could go to 100 NFL training camps and every preseason game and more people will hear and know about the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the next two weeks -- from the coverage we'll receive -- than in the last 10 years."

Jim Trotter on SI.com says it's a done deal...

Winnipeg Coach Doesn't Answer The Question, Wants The Next Question...

((HT: Winnipeg Free-Press/Ed Tait))

Canadian Football League commissioner Mark Cohon has issued the following statement on the Winnipeg Blue Bomber-affiliated scout who was kicked out of Hamilton Tiger-Cats practice on Tuesday:

"The Commissioner has fully reviewed the incident that was brought to his attention yesterday. The Commissioner has informed the Winnipeg Football Club, and all Member Clubs, that this type of practice is unacceptable and similar incidents in the future may result in disciplinary action.

"Yesterday’s incident involving Winnipeg is being managed internally."

The Bombers will issue their own statement once practice is completed later this afternoon.

Robert Trentini, a Hamilton-based scout, was ejected on Tuesday after being spotted taking dozens of pages of notes during the Ticat workout. He was previously accredited by the Bombers for the Toronto Argonaut-Saskatchewan Roughrider game last Saturday and for a Ticat preseason contest.

This was "That Statement" from Head Coach Mike Kelly...
He channeled Drew Rosenhaus like nobody's business...
Here's Kelly answering the question about a "non-issue..."


Non-Issue...Handled Internally...Not Talking About It...
Next Question...
Got it, thanks...

Scout Booted From Rival Practice

((HT: TSN))

According to several sources, a Winnipeg Blue Bombers scout was caught spying on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats practice on Tuesday.

Ron Trentini had his notes confiscated and was escorted from Ivor Wynne Stadium. The Ticats also revoked his credentials for Saturday's game between the two teams. Trentini was reportedly recognized by Ticat scout Danny McManus.

"It's totally unethical," said Ticats general manager Bob O'Billovich, according to the Scratching Post with Drew Edwards. "It blows my mind that the guy would be dumb enough to walk into our stadium and take notes and think he wouldn't be recognized."

According to the Winnipeg Free Press, Trentini had worked with the Bombers in Toronto this spring to help them prepare for the Canadian Draft.

"Maybe this used to go on a long time ago when a guy might try and watch practice with binoculars from a building across or something," said O'Billovich. "But to just walk in and just start taking notes? That's pretty dumb."

The league has been informed.

Back in September of 2007, the New England Patriots were disciplined by the NFL for videotaping the signals of the New York Jets' defensive coaches during a game.

An investigation was launched and the league fined Patriots coach Bill Belichick $500,000, docked the Patriots $250,000, and took away the team's scheduled first-round selection in the 2008 NFL Draft.

Blue Bombers Coach Explains "Crotch" Comment

((HT: CP))

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have apologized to Saskatchewan for a derogatory remark made at the CFL team's fan forum Tuesday night.

During the annual event attended by some 300 Bomber fans, one fan referred to Regina as "the crotch of Canada." And later when new Bombers head coach Mike Kelly ((pictured, thanks Phil Hossack/Winnipeg Free Press)) was talking about the trades made with the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Edmonton Eskimos, he picked up on the reference.

"We kind of raided the toothless, green, watermelon-helmet-wearing people from the crotch of Canada," Kelly said, according to the Winnipeg Free Press.

While the fans apparently laughed at Kelly's remarks, it wasn't a laughing matter for long.

Bombers president and CEO Lyle Bauer issued an apology after receiving some e-mails from upset Saskatchewan residents.

"The Winnipeg Football Club apologizes to the residents of Saskatchewan and Roughrider fans for comments which emanated at the Blue Bomber fan forum," Bauer said.

"The Winnipeg Football Club holds our partners to the west in a very high regard, as we share similar corporate cultures and values in our respective status as community-sponsored teams. The comments by a fan and our head coach were truly meant in the playful spirit of our great rivalry. We do recognize that some might not have received it in the context in which it was made."

Bauer also pointed to his own roots.

"As someone who was born and raised in Saskatchewan, I share the pride of the residents," he said. "However, I know there is no disrespect meant by those who made the comments."

Mike Kelly got the opportunity to 'splain himself on NewsTalk 980 CJME in Regina on Wednesday on the "Dave Arnold Show." The audio is from the "Drew Remenda Show" and it's really wild stuff.

Those of us at OSG HQ listened to the interview closely. The one thing that's still missing is an actual apology for making the comment- even if Kelly explained the "context" of the whole usage of the deal. We also wonder why the CFL hasn't taken any stance and fined or discplined Kelly at all...

It's "not a matter we ((the league)) are investigating..." is their official response...

Nice...

Coverage from the Free Press is in black...
Rob Vanstone's commentary in the Regina Leader Post is in black...

Coach Not Named Kiffin Starting War Of Words Up North

((HT: Regina Leader-Post/Ian Hamilton))

Before he has even coached a game in the CFL, Winnipeg Blue Bombers head coach Mike Kelly ((pictured, thanks Winnipeg Free-Press)) has started the war of words with his team’s main rival.

At the Bombers’ annual fan forum Tuesday night, Kelly took a run at Saskatchewan, the Roughriders and that team’s fans.

During the course of the evening, one of the Bombers supporters on hand referred to Regina as “the crotch of Canada.” Later on, Kelly talked about the offseason influx of players into Winnipeg from the Roughriders and Edmonton Eskimos by saying: “We kind of raided the toothless, green, watermelon-helmet-wearing people from the crotch of Canada.”

(As an aside, if Saskatchewan is the crotch, what does that make Manitoba?)

Labour Day oughta be fun.

Ed Tait from the Winnipeg Free Press has other parts of the Q and A...

Milt Stegall To Retire

One of the GOAT's is about to hang up his cleats...
Get your head out of the gutter...

Milt Stegall is a ridiculously talented human being. He got to be the go-to guy for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers for the last, oh, 137 years or so...

Here's his numbers...
He has 855 career catches for 15,165 yards and 144 touchdowns. He leaves as the league's career leader in touchdown grabs, receiving yards as well as career TDs (147).
He also holds the CFL record for most touchdowns in a season (23 in 2002) and yards per catch in a season (26.5-yard average in `97).
Stegall also holds the Bombers club mark for most 1,000-yard receiving seasons with 10 and was named the CFL's outstanding player in 2002 when he established career highs with 105 catches for 1,862 yards and 23 touchdowns.

Like Dan Marino, the only goal Stegall never accomplished was a championship in his league.

Here's the quote most attributed to Milt:
This being Milt...
"There's only six guarantees in this world. Death, taxes, trouble, Milt Stegall being on time, Milt Stegall being pretty and Milt Stegall being in tip-top shape.''

Here's a seventh- Milt Stegall was a stud...
A sample of the handiwork below...
((HT: TSN/CFL))

Your CFL Conference Finals Preview

We're just going to do it through highlights...
And leave it to FOOSG Sportsnet's Clubber Lang for the actual words on the whole thing...

Western Semi-Final: ((HT: CFL/TSN/the youtube))
BC blows out Saskatchewan to set up a Final with Calgary Saturday afternoon at 5:30 eastern...


Eastern Semi-Final: ((HT: the same as above))
Edmonton takes out home-standing Winnipeg and get to travel to Montreal at 1:00 eastern...


Guaran-damn-tee you that CFL Poobah Mark Cohon is rooting for the Als since Montreal hosts the Grey Cup Final next weekend. The last thing he wants is a Edmonton-Calgary/BC gig...