Give me an F... Give me a U... Give me a break

“Cheerleading isn’t a sport!”

I have heard that a million times before. Hell, until 2001, a much younger, thinner me with more hair, better jawline, fewer cares, no bills, the weight of the world not quite on my shoulders, the world was my oyst…. Sorry kind of snowballed there...

Anyway, until 2001 I probably would have said the same thing based on my experience with cheerleading. Then a combination of balls, ego, and happenstance got me on the inaugural University of Regina cheer team. Before then I saw the dance squads, the pep teams, the girls with their pompoms throwing kicks as players ran by them, the holding up cards leading the crowd in chants, but I never truly understood what power cheerleading was.

I got a hard lesson in what it took to be a cheerleader: power, flexibility, balance, timing. Sure, I learned some of those traits playing hockey, volleyball, basketball, baseball, track, badminton, curling, and karate, but this was a whole different animal. It was difficult but I picked it up as fast as I could and began to enjoy it.

Cheerleading became a big part of my life. Not only was I the first male on the first U of R team, I was asked to help start the first All-Star team in Regina, the Capital Cheer Rebels, and despite changing gyms a few times and new ownership that program is still going strong today. I was at the first Saskatchewan Cheerleading Association meetings when it was trying to get itself off the ground. These things needed to be put in place to be officially recognised as a sport provincially and nationally, and I was happy to play a minuscule part.

So, this week when the International Olympic Committee announced that Cheerleading was getting provisional recognition for 3 years and then after that could apply to be in the Olympics, I was thrilled. Then I went on Twitter. I should have known better, I really should have. One day I will go to social media to get good news and see that people can accept change… that day still hasn’t happened.

From “If cheerleading is a sport they need to get rid of medals and just use participation ribbons” to complaining that there were several “real sports” not recognised. When questioned, the keyboard warriors softened their stance and admitted that cheerleaders are athletes but “Cheerleading isn’t a sport.”

Well ya it kind of is, logically that is why it received provisional recognition from the IOC. And if you still have trouble believing that is a reason enough to call it a sport lets check with our good friends at dictionary.com.

"An athletic activity requiring skill or physical prowess and often competitive in nature..." Nothing about defence, nothing about judges, nothing about it not being "manly" enough. So to those in “Cheerleading isn’t a sport” crowd… Yes, yes, it most certainly is and soon enough it could be golden. 

Yelling at Clouds: CFL Awards, Grey Cup thoughts, and the Vegas Golden Knights unveiled

CFL Awards: 6 out of 7 ain’t bad.

My first reaction to the CFL Award Nominees...

MOP: Mitchell

DP: Elimimian

MOC: Messam

OL:Gott

ST: Medlock

MOR: Daniels

COY:Dickenson

— Greg McCulloch (@GregOnSports) November 10, 2016

That guy right there is a frigging genius.

Frankly, the only reason I got the Gott pick wrong is because I thought there would be a pity award sent to the East. The rest of these picks were glaringly obvious, it was hard to deny the Stampeders and the West division dominance this year.

Hopefully, next year the East gets a resurgence and raises the suspense up a smidge.

Grey Cup Thoughts and Prediction

To my Toronto readers… I know this might be a shock for you but the Grey Cup is this weekend. Go buy a Tim’s coffee and you might be able to get a free ticket or 12 with a box of doughnuts.

The CFL probably should have let the new ownership get a foothold in the market before handing them the biggest game of the season. But that is a piece for another day and time. But beyond pricing gaffes, SLOW ticket sales, and naming Andre Proulx the head referee (Be sure to load up on snacks and drinks, it is going to be a LOOOOOOONG one) the game between the Calgary Stampeders and Ottawa Redblacks should be a good one.

Why pick Ottawa?

Even though it was very early in the season, the tie between these two teams is one of three blemishes on the Stamps record breaking season. They were first in the East for a reason, well besides the rest of the teams weren't that good...

The Redblacks also showed they were a team ready for the big game with how they ruined the Edmonton Eskimos bid to be first crossover team to make the Grey Cup. Campbell and company had the team ready for the conditions and the pressure. 

Also, don’t sleep on Henry Burris either, whether he is retiring or coming back next year you can believe he knows he needs to have the game of his life to cement the legacy he believes he deserves.

Why Pick Calgary?

The year they had was incredible, the only 2 losses they had was the first game of the year in BC by 2 points and the last game in Montreal when they rested all their starters. They went 16 games straight without a loss, 15 wins and 1 tie. That is nuts no matter how you look at it.

They have a plus/minus of 217. The only team close to 200 was the Riders with 180, the only problem is that was -180. BC had the second best plus/minus with 91, there literally was no one in their league.

To put it in perspective, think about it this way 217 points over 18 games is about 12. Essentially the Stamps started every game up 12-0 before the coin was even flipped.

So... Who am I picking... 

I can say without any doubt that a team wearing some combination of red and black will win it all this year.

The true winner this year is the schmuck who has to load the confetti cannons.

"So you are telling me I just need to load up red and black before the game starts then I can put it on autopilot??? AWESOME!"

As much as I hate to say it, it's Calgary's game to lose. However, I think the Redblacks will hang in till the 4th before the Stamps get tired of playing with their food and just end it. 

Stamps 33 – Redblacks 21

Oh, what a (K)night...

The Vegas Golden Nights were unleashed to the world the other day. I, for one, think the team is going to do well in the Vegas market. They have a state of the art arena right on the strip, they have a passionate majority owner, they have a great hockey ops team set up, the expansion rules are conducive for having a competitive team in the first few seasons, and the team has attracted celebrity minority owners like Jose Bautista, Rob Gronkowski, and Carol Alt.

That primary logo though… me likely. I am what they call a “logo snob” and it pushes all the right buttons. Great colours, simple yet bold, immediately recognisable, and that subtle “V” for Vegas was a great touch. 

Besides, I know of someone else who would really appreciate it....

Hey Magneto what do you think of the Vegas Golden Knights' logo? pic.twitter.com/3LP7UhK7o0

— Greg McCulloch (@GregOnSports) November 23, 2016

3 Things: Regina gets CFL Week, CFL Review and Officiating needs a tweak, and my guarantee might be weak.

Regina gets the Inaugural CFL Week

I was fortunate to get the opportunity to get to be at the CFL’s major announcement at The Great Canadian Brewhouse this week (Many thanks to Paulo and Lucas at the CFL for hooking me up). The commissioner himself was in the house to announce the first ever CFL Week, March 20 to 26, and I must admit I am excited to see it in action.

The fact that Regina was getting the combine was a poorly kept secret that Justin Dunk broke a few months ago so it was a matter of what was coming with it. CFL has taken the combine and instead of just making it a traveling even they have decided to amp it up to make it a destination event like Grey Cup week. In addition to the combine, there will be the Hall of Fame gala, which used to be Grey Cup weekend, a fan expo where fans can meet players and coaches from around the league, coaching clinics for grassroots, and the TSN Top 50 players will be in town for the yearly photo shoot.

This has the potential to be a great experience for fans of the league, and of course, launching it in Regina just makes sense. I look forward to witnessing it myself and hopefully it can stoke the fan enthusiasm after a long winter before June. 

Get ready for those #IsItMarchYet? tweets.

BRB... I’m off to Hallmark to get CFL Review and Officiating a “Get Better Card”

They make a card for everything these days... 

OK, I am back… Seriously CFL, get better. I do not understand how consistency in calls can get worse as the season progresses instead of getting, I don’t know...more consistent.

This week the CFL came out and apologized (again) for blowing two late calls in the Eskimos/Ticats game, even though there was a video review of the play. They got the call wrong twice, hell they got two calls wrong twice on that review.

Why have the technology in place if you are still going to get calls either wrong or not call the same thing on two different occasions? It is frustrating as a fan that we no longer know if or when we can cheer because that big play is probably coming back. When you see tweet after tweet by long-time CFL beat reporters every week that can’t explain what is now pass interference and what isn’t you might have taken a step too far.

I understand the appeal of making everything reviewable. Keeps everyone honest, the official makes a mistake and review can cover for them, but when you must apologize multiple times in a season maybe it is time to look at an overhaul.

Take a step back so you can move forward, don’t try to jump the chasm… it just goes down.

So… About my Durant guarantee…

In an earlier blog post, I stated that it made the most sense for Darian Durant to sign with the Riders. I still stand by that statement for all the reasons I mentioned in that post. However, it seems like the relationship between Durant and the team has gotten colder than sitting in a playoff game in Regina.

After my post came out Jones called Durant “moderately successful” and yes by the win totals completely right. 58 wins, 54 losses and 1 tie, those are not numbers that jump off the page. Obviously, rumours are Durant is less than impressed of what was said but once again where is he going to go. 

Could he go somewhere as a backup, get called into service, and show everyone what he still has in the tank despite everyone saying he’s done? He could, but that job is already taken by Kevin Glenn in perpetuity until he finally retires.

As it stands right now, I see it as 70-30 to him signing, and the 70 is not on the happy spectrum.

The Riders need Durant as much as he needs them, not just on the field but to placate the fan base. There are only 4 Grey Cups in Rider history, you can literally count them on one nervous shop teacher’s hand.

Fortunately for everyone February is a long way away. 

Darian Durant is going to be a Rider in 2017... Guaranteed... Maybe...

Yesterday on Roughrider “clean out” day, QB Darian Durant reluctantly held court in the locker room and confirmed that contract talks between him and the team have hit a stand still. Today was Chris Jones’ turn to reiterate to the local media that the team wants Darian to return to open the new stadium.

While there is much hand-wringing going on in Rider Nation over the future of the franchise quarterback, the more you look at it the more it seems a no brainer that Durant will be back in Rider green next year.

1)Who’s got a spot for Durant to start?

Look at the league, where is there room for Durant to start?

BC – Jon Jennings

Edmonton –  Mike Reilly

Calgary – Bo Levi Mitchell

Winnipeg – Matt Nichols

Hamilton – Zach Collaros

Toronto – Drew Willy or Ricky Ray

Ottawa – Trevor Harris or Henry Burris

Montreal – Vernon Adams

Every team is essentially set at their starter, except for possibly the Als, Argos and Bombers.

However, both the Als and the Argos traded their 2017 first-round picks for their quarterbacks of the future, in Vernon Adams and Drew Willy respectively. Will the regime change in Montreal and a rumoured shuffling in the Toronto front office change the plans and make room for Durant?

Als probably want to see what Adams can do with a full season considering how well he has looked with his handful of starts. With both Willy and Ray under contract until the end of next season, they are in no need to force a decision this offseason.

Nichols is set to be a free agent this offseason but the Bombers chose to trade Willy after making Nichols the starter. Would the Bombers shaft the guy that lead them to a winning season and into the playoffs for the first time since 2011 for Durant? Logic says no, but football is anything but logical.

2) Why would Durant leave Saskatchewan to be a backup elsewhere?

There are several quarterbacks hitting the market this offseason, but they are the more established backup variety. Drew Tate, Rakeem Cato, Jonathon Crompton, and Kevin Glenn are all due to hit the market leaving their backup role open. But why would Durant leave just to hold a clipboard and take a steep pay cut for another franchise?

One could argue that Nichols might not have the season he had this season and a stumble there could cause opportunities in Winnipeg and reunite Durant with his favourite receiver and friend in Weston Dressler. Montreal doesn’t know what they have in Adams, and who knows how much leash the new regime may give him.

3) Who the hell is going to play QB for the Riders?

The Riders used the last two games to take a peek at the four young QBs they have on the roster: Brandon Bridge, Mitchell Gale, GJ Kinne, and Jake Waters.

Kinne and Waters never seemed to get out of first gear when they got the ball in their hands and didn’t impress in the few drives they got.

Out of the four, Gale has seen the most on-field time this season getting a couple of starts early in the season. However, like Durant, he is scheduled to be a free agent this offseason unless he and the Riders can come to a deal.

While Bridge hasn’t had as much time to impress as Gale, he sparked the offence in the few shots he’s had over the course of the season. However, without a bigger sample size, it's hard to anoint "Air Canada" as the next starting QB for Canada’s team.

So, if Durant doesn’t sign chances are the next franchise QB isn’t on the roster yet, but as mentioned already the possible free agents available aren’t the future.

Then where do you get your next franchise QB? Well if you believe the rumours Jones has his eye on a former player of his in Edmonton, James Franklin. However, Franklin is under contract to Edmonton until the end of next season. I could see a scenario where the Riders trade their second overall in a package to the Eskimos for Franklin. The Argos and the Alouettes set the price at a first-round pick for a young QB and unless the Riders see a game changer sitting at second overall, the deal makes sense.

4) So what the hell is going to happen?

Honestly, no idea. However, if you look at it the best-case scenario for Durant if he walks is a team offers him a chance to come into camp and compete for the number one spot and oust the starter. Maybe Winnipeg, maybe Montreal, or maybe Toronto if Ray or Willy gets jettisoned in the offseason.

Jones also doesn’t need the backlash of another offseason with another bitter departure of a fan favourite. Plus, Rider brass can’t afford to go into 2017 into a new stadium with higher ticket prices and treat it like an 18-game training camp like they did in 2016. They need to have an established roster, an established QB and veteran leadership.

Sure, there seems to be hurt feelings now, but at the end of the day, the Riders and Durant need each other. He is second on most of the Rider QB records. He is one of four Rider Starting QBs to hoist the Grey Cup. He has been a professional from the minute he signed his first contract with the Riders. Frankly, he is the best shot Jones has right now of turning this team around next year.

Make it happen.

Good Night Old Girl: A Farewell to Taylor Field

Saturday marks the end of an era to the people of Saskatchewan, the final Rider game at Mosaic Stadium at Taylor Field (Yes that is indeed the official title).  While the Riders will not be the ones shutting off the lights, it will be most people’s final goodbye to the old girl before New Mosaic officially opens next year. Countless people have visited Taylor Field for various events: it has held concerts, stage shows, football games from high school to Junior to Collegiate, movies, and even hosted the Toronto Blue Jays.

My relationship with Taylor Field has been an interesting one...

My first trip to Taylor Field was a game versus the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the early 90s, can’t remember the exact year but I do know 2 things. 1) Don Narcisse was THE MAN, after that game I was his biggest fan. 2) My dad was either given the tickets or won them because there is no way he as a Bomber fan would have paid to drive to Regina to watch the Riders and Ti-Cats.

After that, Taylor Field wasn't really in my life until my second year at the University of Regina. That year I was elected Sports Editor of “the Carillon”, the U of R’s campus weekly. While it was easy to get someone to cover the Rams in their second season of CIS football, it was near impossible to get anyone take pictures at the games. So, I spent most of that season doing my best photographer impression every other weekend. That assignment landed me my first real press pass and I still have it to this day as a reminder.

My third year I was on the sidelines again but in a much different role. I was the first male cheerleader in U of R history. Long story short, I tried out for the team as a feature for the Carillon, supposedly they were scared I was going to rip them in the piece if they cut me… so they didn’t cut me. Then my buddies started taking bets on how long it would take me to quit. So, at first I was just being stubborn because I was challenged, then I was having fun, then I got to know my future wife and I stayed on the team. (And when I say future wife I mean way down the line… it took 13 years of friendship and several relationships in between before I could con her into walking down the aisle).

While it is easy to point to all the amazing games I have been to like the Blackout Game, the 2007 Labour Day Classic, all the Rams-Huskies rivalry games, the 2003 Grey Cup which landed on my birthday, and obviously, the 2013 Grey Cup Victory. To me, the allure of Taylor Field was never about the building itself, or even the event, but the people I went there with.

It was about the memories, like the “Lee Cherkas fan club” chanting “Throw the guy! Throw the guy!” towards me and my cheer teammates. The Rider game where the mother sitting in front of me and my buddies asked us before the game if we wouldn’t mind watching our language because of her young children, so we spent the entire game yelling things like “Balderdash” and “Poppycock” much to her amusement.  Taking both of my kids to their first football games and meeting Gainer. Getting our wedding pictures at Taylor Field so we could get the one at the tunnel where we used to run out onto the field or getting "sacked" by my wife. Watching my son run (well more like waddle) up and down the sidelines having the time of his life while I was playing a touch football game. The game this year where my daughter got to perform halftime on the field “Like mommy and daddy used to do”.

Taylor Field will always have a place in my heart and Saturday will be both a day of celebration and sadness.  

Good Night Old Girl. Let’s send you out the right way on Saturday.

Even though I got sacked in the best way at Taylor Field... I still needed a better O-line

3 Things: Als release Duron Carter and Kenny Stafford… Or… "Oh Duron, You've Killed Kenny!"

Today the CFL world was shocked to discover that the Montreal Alouettes released “problem” receivers/prized off season signings, Duron Carter and Kenny Stafford. Both players announced on twitter that they were released which then was confirmed by the team. It was no secret that both players were butting heads with on again/off again starting Quarterback Rakeem Cato which made for a less than peaceful locker room.

So what 3 things can we learn from this fussin' and a feudin'.

1) Chapdelaine probably isn’t going anywhere, but Noel Thorpe most certainly is.

The Alouettes might as well removed the interim tag off Jacques Chapdelaine’s “Interim Head Coach” title, as it was widely reported that he spearheaded the move to remove the players. If Chapdelaine isn’t going to be with the Alouettes next year, why are Popp and Wettenhall allowing him to call the shots on roster moves?

Also both players were on deals that ended at the end of the season. So it wouldn’t be hard for Popp and Wettenhall to tell everyone to suck it up for the remaining three games and decide everyone’s fate then. But if they are looking at keep Chapdelaine in some fashion then the receivers, talented or not, had to go.

This situation is probably going to speed up another divorce between the Alouettes and Noel Thorpe. Poor Thorpe, he just wants to be Head Coach and can’t buy a break in Montreal. Thorpe already tried having his contract nulled last off season so he could get a fresh start elsewhere and it was blocked by the league. Can’t imagine he would want to stay after being passed over again.

2) Contracts after the trade deadline should be guaranteed.

It was also reported that despite Stafford having four years in the CFL, he doesn’t have enough games in to be considered a four-year veteran so his contract wasn’t guaranteed. Combine that with the fact that they were released after the trade deadline, while they can sign with a team, they are not allowed to play for that team till the 2017 season. So no team can pick up either player for a playoff run, essentially ending their seasons today. 

Make no mistake these two were probably released mainly on their attitudes and actions, but money was probably also a factor.  Alouettes beat reporter Herb Zurkowsky was reporting this week that he was hearing rumblings that the Als were on pace to be 300,000 over the salary cap. Which is entering the “losing multiple draft picks and big money fine” territory.

According to Looniecap.com, Carter’s 2016 contract was for $260,000, while Stafford’s was a much more affordable $52,000. If you average that out over the three remaining games, the Alouettes end up saving $52,000. It’s like Popp got Stafford’s 218 yards and 2 touchdowns for free.

While neither player was a great teammate it isn't a good look that a team can wait to drop a player after the trade deadline to keep him from earning an income despite not being on their roster. The CFLPA should probably look at closing this loop hole at the next CBA, even if can get a short signing window after the release happens. 

3) Talent doesn’t mean anything unless you are a pro.

Vince Lombardi said “Football is like life - it requires perseverance, self-denial, hard work, sacrifice, dedication and respect for authority.” Unfortunately, for Carter and Stafford they missed this lesson and are now paying the hard price for it.

Carter’s antics were nothing new to the Alouettes, they had similar issues with him in 2014 when a team meeting almost came to blows because Carter supposedly disrespected a teammate. According to then Head Coach, Tom Higgins, there was actually a vote to decide whether or not they could go on with Carter on the roster. Then follow that up with his and Stafford’s run in’s with Cato at practise and the constant stories of locker room turmoil coming from Montreal it is painfully obvious that Carter is a “me” guy (or is it “moi” guy in Montreal) and not a real teammate.

I’m sure both Carter and Stafford will sit out the rest of the season and they will probably both check to see if there is any NFL interest.  If there isn’t any NFL interest I am sure there will be a CFL team or two kicking the tires on either one because they are definitely great athletes. 

But great athletes don't make great teammates... Just ask Duron Carter's old community college Quarterback.