Musings from the Den August 11, 2010

I haven’t felt compelled to write much so far this year for what reasons - I’m both not sure, and quite sure at the same time. But anyway, I felt the urge this evening while watching a special on Jerry Rice before he was inducted into the hall of fame - not sure why but I figured I’d see what comes out. This has been a very strange year thus far for us, and me personally. It already feels like the season has several layers and underlying stories that should last at least 18 weeks, yet we haven’t even concluded the first third of the season yet. The fact that I will miss the first 2/3 of the season and only be eligible to play in the final 6 games and the playoff run, is really a maddening thought. I can’t quite express the disappointment, the anger, and the frustration that I’ve been feeling regarding this injury and our team’s situation. To see us coming up short so many times in the past few weeks and not be able to help directly is literally killing me. 

ESPECIALLY because my team isn’t firing in my absence. That’s not to say that I’m the reason we’re struggling of course, but I like to feel like I can make an impact on the game and perhaps provide a spark when needed. As frustrating as it is, I also realize that I can’t make a positive impact unless I allow this injury to heal up so I’m focused on that solely these days, and its simply been too long since I’ve been able to get loose on my own two feet for almost 2 years now. On the plus side if there is one, It’s given me time to peer around the league and see some things, so I may as well talk some about them here, and write individually about some later.

Hamilton Leaving Town?

While I would love to see Quebec City get a team, I really hope that it’s not at the expense of one of the oldest and most storied franchises in our league. More on this as details are released...I pray it’s just posturing.

So good, or Soooo bad?

As many of noticed, teams in this league are either rolling, or choking to death. There seems to be no in between in the first 1/3 of the season. I don’t recall a time in the last decade where this was so lopsided. The second half of the season will be quite telling, I’m hoping against hope that my team can rally together to put some wins together prior to my return because that last third I believe will be crucial to a bunch of teams getting ready for a playoff run.

Bruce Almighty?  

Arland Bruce III and I came into the league at similar times, he in Winnipeg and I in Calgary, both showed some good things early and even met in the Grey Cup in 2001 with my team winning that instance. Arland has made his name as one of the most explosive and dynamic receivers in this league and is only getting better  as the years go by. Say what you will about his TD celebrations, at times tumultuous relationship with coaches, and fan or media perception of him, but his teammates love him everywhere he goes, and he’s gotten so many defensive backs cut in this league, he may be single handedly fueling the secondary rosters of the fledgling UFL league. He’s on a tear, and I’m enjoying watching. Good form.

Slow Running Start

Perhaps I’m the only one to see names like Cobourne, Cobb and Robertson with so few yards in the first third of the season. All three likely products of system and flow look for these three talented backs to find their stride sooner than later.

Rambo’s Return

It was tremendous to see the triumphant return of Ken-Yon Rambo in Calgary a couple of weeks ago after shredding his knee early last season. Our position is extremely demanding on lower body joints and the reconstruction of one can often spell the end of a career. Rambo is truly one of the bright stars in our league, and the league is better with him playing in it, so it’s good to see him back. I still find it unreal that he scored on his first play back though! Good form.

Camp Cuts Coming

2001 fresh out of school I saw what felt like another entire roster’s worth of NFL camp cuts come in and out of my team from august through to the playoffs. Coach Buono clarified his stance on this new occurrence by stating, “You’re not paid to play men, I can get anyone to play...you’re paid to win. So we’ll keep looking until we find some winners.” That stuck out in my mind then, as a wide-eyed 21 yr old - and does still as the bye week approaches.  

Regroup? or reload...

As the first 6 games close out, struggling teams become faced with the prospect of whether they are actually a rebuilding team, or if they have the intangibles to stay the course with the personnel that they have currently and change up a few things to make sure they have a shot. Not easy decisions to make in the middle of the fire that comes with early season struggling.

Kp8