September 16, 2009

I often hear my job spoken of as one of the greatest available. I must say that I agree, as there are tremendous perks. 6 months of work, at least one day off per week, 4.5 hour work days, work outdoors, time in the spotlight, and the pay is much better than most would think. Really, the list of pros goes on and on but as I often tell people - as different as this occupation is from almost any other, it’s not without it’s similarities to the everyday working world. As is evident in most job’s, we players realize fairly early on that no matter what our ideas are for ourselves, our careers hang in the balance of how others see us. While we are all blessed with a considerable measure of talent enabling us to be in these positions, we are all prisoners to opportunity. Without capitalizing on the right opportunities and circumstances regularly, our careers will be snuffed out prematurely - regardless of talent level. Along the way much like with any career in the real world, it’s highly likely that the longer that we play, the more likely it is that we will encounter a couple of tough choices that can steer our career one way or another.

The Pay Cut:
All veterans who obtain a certain level in this league will grow to fear this one day, whether due to a drop in performance, a perceived drop in performance, a vote of confidence in your back up, a new coaching philosophy, age, or just plain old salary cap issues at literally any time - management can approach a player and ask him to take a pay cut to help the team. As a player, there are really a couple of options here. One is to refuse the cut in wages and take your chances on the open market should the team release you. Although this sounds like the power play and when ego is talking, it is the one that most players say that they would do - in actuality it’s not quite that simple...especially when you have a family at home. The other option is to agree to the pay cut and try to either settle into your new role on the team, or begin to re-examine your future with your current team. Usually, this choice is thrust upon you to be made in the offseason but there are times when management pulls the card during the season itself. To ask a player during the working year to take a pay cut while he’s giving his all on the field, and hasn’t done anything to harm the club is about the most insulting thing that I can think of, which is probably why it isn’t done very often. For this reason, in cases like this the likelihood of the two parties remaining in business together going forward is slim, as it would be difficult for team brass to justify reneging on their previous deal with the player, and actually reconciling. I mean think about it, what if you went to work after a year or two of doing everything that was asked of you and more - and were suddenly pulled into your manager’s office and told to take a 30% pay cut or to find a new job...Oh, and you have one day to decide. What would you do? With two kids at home, and in the middle of a recession - how would you tell your wife?

The Reduced Role - AKA phase out:
Veterans also must keep an eye on change in role throughout the season’s comings and goings, as there are many times in which a major decision must be made by the player during a time when he may least expect it. It is very much our make-up as players to downplay our own shortcomings, while at the same time expounding on high points that we may have had. We tend to develop a tunnel vision at times, and while it seems to benefit us by allowing us to look past things like poor performance, injury, or scheme change - it hurts us in that we tend to see a light at the end of the tunnel in spite of these things due to our tremendous faith in our own ability. We tend to feel like regardless of what may have happened last week, it only takes you making one big play this week to make everyone forget about it. The problem being of course, that often times while we look to our future opportunity to make right the anomaly of last game - management has already envisioned life with you in the background. As always, you have a choice here as a player. Once it becomes evident that the intent is for the team to have great success, but somehow all of the sudden your role must lessen considerably for that to happen - that can be a very difficult pill to swallow for any player, but especially for the types of players that this seems to happen to most often (all-stars, long time veteran starters.) And when that decision is made and brought to your attention, your options become somewhat limited as to how you can react.

The initial reaction is usually one of two things. You’ll grudgingly accept this new role and quietly go about your business out of respect for your team, and not wanting to be a cancer or distraction during the season. Or, you could flip out and possibly burn a bridge in a very small league by making a scene. The former is what most fans would expect that a player would do, while the latter is in actuality what most players would feel like doing with every fiber of their being. In spite of the negative connotations attached, the latter can still work out if you have great value at your position above other starters in the league, because as you burn the bridge with your team - another team bringing you in must view you as a significant upgrade on the man currently playing your spot for them. Another option is to make your way in to speak with management and express your thoughts about why they don’t see things the same way that you do all of the sudden. The problem with this, is that you’re almost always not going to like the answer that you’re given. Whether the move is being made for cap reasons, age, performance, or anything really...it’s going to be very difficult for you as a player to not to take it personally. After getting this explanation, you can decide to stay the course and accept the role while beginning to consider your future with the team perhaps more immediately than you had intended - or you can ask for a trade. Mid-season trades of veteran starters however, are difficult in an SMS era simply because with the cap being at just over 4.2 million dollars, most teams are hovering at that mark pretty much all year. I’ve seen it happen though...so it is an option.

New Team/New Coach (Mis-cast):
Occasionally, that team that courts you in the offseason with talk of utilizing you to your full potential is either off about how they see your skill set, or off about the dynamic of their current roster and how you may fit into that. Either way, it’s unfortunate when a great player on another team somehow can’t be worked into a system the following year. This can also occur when a new coach comes in with a system in his pocket that he refuses to adjust to the players skill set that he has currently, to run it (ie. pocket passer being forced to throw on the move constantly, or vice versa.) To me this may be the most frustrating for the player, in that your hands are virtually tied for at least a season. The only window out that I could see is through a trade, but as I mentioned earlier...they are quite rare during the season.

I find that it’s extremely easy as a fan of the game to play armchair GM and cut, sign, bench, rotate, and move players on a whim. To do so, really doesn’t require much in the way of investing in the player’s themselves, their livelihoods, former contributions to the team, family situations, etc. Playing in this league however, i’ve grown to understand how invaluable quality veteran players are to a team dynamic. It is a team’s treatment of these veteran players that can either aid, or cripple them during the offseason recruiting of free agents, as well as enhance or deflate the team’s reputation with up and coming young players in the league. In such a small league, players take a keen notice as to the goings on of other players and the situations that they are put into. Much like a player’s reputation is difficult to repair once damaged, the same could be said for an organization that develops a reputation for wronging their players.
While this is no doubt one of the best jobs that anyone could have, it’s not without it’s rocky roads both on and off the field. Players must be aware and manage these situations when they arise, or better yet...have the foresight to see such moves in the making when possible.

Kp8

Judgement Week
September 10, 2009

Throughout my tenure in this league, I’ve always noticed a shift in consciousness league wide just after Labour Day. It seems as if all events leading up to it are inconsequential to some degree in comparison to the level that things get ramped up to from Labour Day forward. The longer I play, the more I realize what most in the know already say anyway...the season really doesn’t start until Labour Day. Players, coaches and management alike spend a great many months in order to get themselves to this place that we’re embarking on now, and it seems that once week 9 roles in...the game itself tends to lose a great deal of levity.

The fact that the veteran guarantee date of 6 yrs or more, usually coincides with week 9 of the season, (which is often Labour Day week) perhaps adds to the magnitude of the week itself. There is always a few surprise veterans cut from various teams on this week, especially in todays SMS in which teams are constantly re-evaluating players value vs their worth on the cap. For us Jonte Buhl and Kitwana Jones served as examples of Judgement Week at work. Kitwana has already re-signed with the Riders and will be back in a week or so to show us just how he feels about the move, and Jonte is still shopping around for a new team.

Players aren’t the only ones who need to be leery of Judgement week however, but not for the same reasons. Coaches contracts are usually guaranteed, unlike players. So to release a coach during the season at any time promotes a certain amount of damage control. Rick Worman was released this week following our Labour Day debacle at McMahon Stadium, and could make a legitimate argument that he did his job well enough to keep it. Statistically speaking, we were among the league leaders in most statistical categories that matter. Ricky is leading the league in passing, and we have three receivers in the top 15 statistically. From the outside looking in, I doubt that many would be able to say that this move wasn’t somewhat of a surprise. I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t see this move in particular coming, and not because of anything that Coach Worman did wrong - but because of what standard I know that a play-caller is held to with this type of stable of athletes at his disposal. We are expected to dominate defences, and drive fear into them. In my estimation, anything less than that from an offensive standpoint must be questioned as to what’s holding us back.

For as much as we players like to separate our experiences from that of the coaches because in essence they are two very different birds, albeit of similar flock - in some situations our circumstances are more alike than we know.

I would argue that Jonte, Kitwana and Rick Worman were all released for very similar, if not the same reason. All three no doubt had the first half of their seasons evaluated on several levels, by several different people who weighed both the upside of keeping them within the organization Vs sending them on their way. In each case, it wouldn’t surprise me if the upside and emergence of the next person in at their role played a large factor in the willingness to part with them. Each of these three men have played a large part in any success that we’ve had as a team this year - as much a part as any of us. To part with them now, is to say that the next man in will not miss a beat...or will be an upgrade to the future of this team.
In Jonte’s absence, I look to Bobby Keyes and Bradley Robinson up their game acumen so that they don’t appear as such young players amongst that veteran secondary. In place of Kitwana Jones, I look to Rod Davis, Greg Whelan, Mark Restelli, and Greg Peach to all have a say in making sure that Kitwana’s infectious intensity, enthusiasm and physicality don’t go missed by this team throughout the remainder of this season. I obviously look to coach Strasser to see how his philosophically different approach to the game will help this offence attain the levels that I see it capable of reaching. I look forward to seeing the choke chains removed from some of these dogs we’ve got harnessed in this offensive backfield, not only from a selfish standpoint as a player who wants to win a Grey Cup more than anything, but as a fan of the game as well - interested in fielding the best product possible for Eskimo Fans.
This particular aspect of the business has never been easy for me to swallow, but the only thing that I take solace in at times like that is that good players, and good coaches simply do not stay out of work long. Coach Hall put it best in stating, that while this really is a great game...it’s a shitty business. ©

Kp8

Thursday, September 3, 2009
Who Said Beggars Can’t be Choosers?

Well, that was an entertaining couple of days to say the least. It’s rare to see that type of media hype in the middle of the season, in the first place - but to have it all end without anything to show for it...well, at least it was entertaining. Winnipeg’s pursuit of Adam “Pacman” Jones, and Charles Rogers sparked a 2 or 3 day event which no doubt had football fans on both sides of the border chattering about what the future held for those involved. Bomber fans no doubt were weighing the pros of having two former first round draft picks on their team by the time their Labour Day tilt kicked off. While the rest of us casual football fans were trying to weigh the intrigue of the impact that these two players may make on the league itself, and the distressing message that the league would be sending by welcoming them in to the CFL after so many past struggles.

Rogers situation was made more clear by the league’s upholding of a rule that was put in during the Ricky Williams stint in Toronto, in which the CFL will uphold NFL suspensions so that the league doesn’t turn into a safe haven for the leagues various violators. I commend the league for this move, and feel that it has been long overdue. I’ve always felt that it only served to further perpetuate one of the current stereotypes that is held against this league by those who are unfamiliar with it - that we chase any and every NFL castoff regardless of rap sheet. Jones on the other hand while not suspended currently, is looked at as somewhat leperous by the NFL after serious legal troubles stemming from several arrests at various night clubs and strip clubs since 2005, resulted in his suspension from the league. After serving his suspension, a second chance was given and blown in Dallas when Jones reportedly got into an altercation with the body guard that the team appointed to him. Seemingly his last chance, Jones seemed to be on his way north to Winnipeg this week, and it stands to reason that he may have had more luck avoiding both night clubs and strip clubs there more easily perhaps. Alas, it was not meant to be however, as Jones seemed to have his opportunity snuffed out by his own 45 minute videography linked to his twitter account. Whether or not he would have been permitted into the country to work remains to be seen, but after jumping through that videography - part of me was hoping to see him down here and suited up for no other reason than to see the multiple touchdowns per game that he was promising. I think Pacman would have probably found more ghosts up north than he may have bargained for. In hindsight, not coming up to this league could actually give him a glimmer of hope of getting back to the NFL. If he could find a way to reconcile with the UFL that he pushed aside to commit to Winnipeg, and manage to keep his nose clean for a year or two the NFL may look the other way on some of his previous discretions. Whereas, if he were to come up here and get exposed on this wide field, coming in the middle of the season with no training camp or familiarity with the nuances of this game...game over Pacman.

One of the things that makes the CFL game so unique to me is the accessibility of the players to the fans themselves. We players live in all sorts of neighborhoods when we’re here playing, and fans can and do run into us at Tim Hortons, grocery stores, and malls on a daily basis. Keeping that in mind, I think that it’s extremely important to be cognizant of the character of our teams themselves - and of course the players and coaches on them. Believe me, I’m not trying to come off as the moral majority and I doubt that you’ll find any bigger advocate of a second chance than I am. And I’m fully aware that every player and team staff member in the league aren’t saints. By the same token, I believe that it is truly a privilege to be able to play this game. And when I say ‘to play this game’ I mean it both in the sense of being physically gifted enough to suit up and play or be a part of this game at such a high and entertaining level, as well as be fortunate enough to be seen as a role model to people watching all over the world. While some may argue that to be in this position is not to assume any responsibility to the viewing public, and that our private lives as athletes should stay just that - I would challenge that vehemently. In life you never know who is watching you, and in what capacity you are being viewed. All of us, in all walks of life should stride carefully knowing that our actions are constantly shaping and molding the lives of those that we come into contact with, but we who are thrust into the public eye must be that much more aware.

We’ve all made mistakes in life, some bigger than others - and some REPEATEDLY seemingly without learning anything from the previous blunder. It’s the latter of that lot that I’d just as soon see phased out of this league. I grow tired of looking at so many different realms of society and seeing people with so much money and influence, but so little common sense and decency. To be fair it’s not just in sports that we allow this sort of behavior to pass, but sports does offer an enormous platform and opportunity both for fans of every game to say that these types of behaviors are unacceptable, and pro sports brass to step up and say regardless of talent level - a blind eye won’t be turned anyone’s character.

This time of year wins are important to all teams. Jobs hang in the balance of each game it seems, and many people in each organization place their livelihoods into the hands of 42 players and a host of coaches and team staff each weekend trusting that they’ll hold up for them. There are only 8 teams in this league, with only 6 making the playoffs so naturally the pressure to perform is felt at a high level throughout the league by all who hold positions of authority and decision making. I understand fully that pressure masks many things, and clouds judgment and I believe that this last couple of days reveals a hint of that dynamic.

This instance has perhaps shed some light as to why players that are listed on teams negotiations lists are kept confidentially. Perhaps that measure of confidentiality gives teams a chance to go through some due process, and explore thoroughly just what kind of player is coming in to make a difference in your favor for that next game...and what that players impact on the community that he’ll be thrust into will be. It’s no secret that our league is viewed by many south of us as a minor league of sorts, a somehow lesser brand of football. So the comments of Adam Jones regarding how the league would be a pit stop for him, and how dominant he’d be in it didn’t surprise me a bit. But I learned a long time ago that perception is vital to self image, both as an individual - and as a league on the whole. Essentially one can only be seen as what they are willing to convey to others. If I am to carry myself as a lesser man, what else can I be viewed as? My mother used to say that beggars can’t be choosers. As long as the CFL carries the mentality that everything NFL stamped is going to be an upgrade on what we have regardless of what shape, condition, and baggage that stamped product carries with it - we’ll continue to climb uphill.

Kp8