http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_v0HSV6yIYQ
So check out the video and come to your own conclusion. Brad May thought he had scored his 128th career goal last night against Dallas (no, 128 has no significant relevance, but I figured I would include it anyhow).
I don't think anyone could possibly think that the call made by the referee in this game was right. It is clearly a goal, and it makes no sense why the goal was called off. Was the audio in the video faulty? Were the guys working the cameras busy grazing the free donuts in the media room?
Not sure what went wrong here, but this was clearly a goal. Tough break for the Wings too. They have had a bad start to the season, and that goal could have tied the game at 2 with Dallas. Instead, it was disallowed and the Stars ended up with a 3-1 victory.
The only call that was worse than this one....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmEtDX41qSM&feature=related
I remember this was on a Don Cherry Rock 'Em Sock 'Em video, and Grapes was killing himself laughing that they called this a goal. At 2:10 and 6:20, you get probably the best camera angles of the goal.
Darryl Sutter was the coach of the Blackhawks, and it looks like Darryl was ready to kill that referee, haha.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Subway Super Series
So this stupid Canada-Russia Super Series has really turned into a joke over the past couple of years. For those who aren't familiar, Russia brings over a team of junior-aged players for a 6-game tour of Canada. In those 6 games, they play two games against each of the three CHL's All-Star teams (QMJHL, OHL and WHL). What has made this stupid series ridiculous is the fact that Russia no longer brings over any legitimate players, instead choosing to ice the equivalent of a junior A squad for the series. On the other hand, the CHL takes the competition very seriously, and ices their best of the best in each of the three leagues. The result..... well obviously the Canadian teams dominate the series, and it usually ends up 6-0 in favour of the Canucks (the odd time Russia will muster a victory along the road). So Russia obviously finds this series a joke, and have decided to no longer send their best players to compete. Also playing into it is probably the fact that KHL teams (where probably most star Russian junior-aged players play) are unwilling to allow their good young players to go over to Canada for a 10-day jaunt. The trip can be quite the road trip. Given the flight over and initial time zone change is tough. Then add the fact that in about a week, they travel across Canada (another handful of time zone changes) and compete against the best players in Canada... doesn't sound like a win-win situation for Russia.
So why do we continue to have this showcase? Instead, could we not just have the three Canadian leagues compete against each other for league bragging rights? Have a round-robin style tournament. Each league still would host two games, one against each other league. Two cities in that area, along with the leagues, would still receive the revenues from the games. And we could finally put to rest the never-ending questions about which league is truly the best. Yeah, I know the Memorial Cup is supposed to determine that, but that just shows which team is the best. Through this all-star format, we could see which league possesses the best players. Just a thought.
Also, why are we tipping our hand to the Russians anyways. Obviously, we put forth our best players for this stupid thing, likely showcasing all our players who will be competing with Team Canada at the World Juniors. Russia on the other hand, send guys who are capable of playing for Team Russia in the World Jr. B Challenge. They don't bring anything to the table for this thing anymore, why do we? It doesn't make any sense.
Oh, by the way, the QMJHL All-Stars have won both games thus far (Monday night 3-1 and Wednesday night 8-3). Game #3 is slated for tonight in Barrie against the OHL All-Stars.
So why do we continue to have this showcase? Instead, could we not just have the three Canadian leagues compete against each other for league bragging rights? Have a round-robin style tournament. Each league still would host two games, one against each other league. Two cities in that area, along with the leagues, would still receive the revenues from the games. And we could finally put to rest the never-ending questions about which league is truly the best. Yeah, I know the Memorial Cup is supposed to determine that, but that just shows which team is the best. Through this all-star format, we could see which league possesses the best players. Just a thought.
Also, why are we tipping our hand to the Russians anyways. Obviously, we put forth our best players for this stupid thing, likely showcasing all our players who will be competing with Team Canada at the World Juniors. Russia on the other hand, send guys who are capable of playing for Team Russia in the World Jr. B Challenge. They don't bring anything to the table for this thing anymore, why do we? It doesn't make any sense.
Oh, by the way, the QMJHL All-Stars have won both games thus far (Monday night 3-1 and Wednesday night 8-3). Game #3 is slated for tonight in Barrie against the OHL All-Stars.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
WHL'er in the Olympics?
So Alan Caldwell brought up an interesting point in his junior hockey blog yesterday. He noted that Lethbridge Hurricanes 19-year old defenseman Luca Sbisa (property of the Philadelphia Flyers) is slated to play in the World Junior Hockey Championships with his home country of Switzerland. The Hurricanes will lose Sbisa for the majority of December and the start of January, but that is to be expected in the CHL, as many teams go without star players due to the junior tournament. However, what makes this case different is the fact that Sbisa could realistically make the Switzerland Men's team, which would compete in the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, which are slated to be February 12-28. So potentially, Sbisa could be out of the Hurricanes line-up from mid-December until early January, and then again at the start of February until early March. That is a LARGE chunk of the season for Sbisa to miss, and is likely the first case in which a junior hockey player could miss time with his club team for both tournaments. Now the Hurricanes are in last place in their division, and were likely looking to deal Sbisa at the trade deadline for some future prospects/draft picks. But what sort of return are they going to receive for a guy likely to miss the good part of 2 months (10-12 games maybe)??? Tough spot for the Hurricanes.
Hump Day Thoughts
http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Video-When-Swedish-goal-celebrations-go-wrong?urn=nhl,203239
You have got to check out that video... its a goal celebration from a Tier 2 Swedish Elite League. The guy tries the Ovechkin jump into the boards celebration.... and it fails miserably. Its funny, a tier 2 hockey player does it and this is the result... imagine if this happened to Ovechkin in an NHL rink.... haha.
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Alright, so I had this thought last night as I sat and watched the Leafs play the Senators... the Leafs might be the least skilled team in the NHL. And honestly, I am not just saying that because I don't like the Leafs, but if you stand back, take away all your personal feelings towards them, they really do lack any sort of talent. The only two players on the entire roster with legitimate NHL talent is Phil Kessel and Tomas Kaberle. Honestly, look at the rest of their roster. Matt Stajan (checking line centre at best), Jason Blake (one good season in New York, coupled with numerous below average seasons), Alex Ponikarovsky (top-6 forward on below average teams like Atlanta or NYI), Niklas Hagman (checking line winger), etc. If you really examine their roster, you will see that they have no real talent throughout their line-up. Who can they count on to score goals...?
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How are the Blackhawks going to sign Toews, Kane and Keith to long-term deals?!?!?!?!?! Does Blackhawks management not remember what happened to the TB Lightning a couple years ago when they tried to have Richards, St. Louis and Lecavalier on their roster at the same time? With three guys eating up such a large chunk of your team's salary, it's tough to find room to sign any secondary star players to compliment those guys. Instead, the team is forced to sign fringe NHL players to fill out the line-up, which doesn't work. If the Hawks do indeed sign those 3 guys to long-term deals, they will be forced to give away the likes of David Bolland, Brent Seabrook, Patrick Sharp, Kris Versteeg, Brian Campbell, etc. There is just no way that they can fit these guys under the cap, because each of them will be worth between 2-3 million per season in the coming years.
You have got to check out that video... its a goal celebration from a Tier 2 Swedish Elite League. The guy tries the Ovechkin jump into the boards celebration.... and it fails miserably. Its funny, a tier 2 hockey player does it and this is the result... imagine if this happened to Ovechkin in an NHL rink.... haha.
---
Alright, so I had this thought last night as I sat and watched the Leafs play the Senators... the Leafs might be the least skilled team in the NHL. And honestly, I am not just saying that because I don't like the Leafs, but if you stand back, take away all your personal feelings towards them, they really do lack any sort of talent. The only two players on the entire roster with legitimate NHL talent is Phil Kessel and Tomas Kaberle. Honestly, look at the rest of their roster. Matt Stajan (checking line centre at best), Jason Blake (one good season in New York, coupled with numerous below average seasons), Alex Ponikarovsky (top-6 forward on below average teams like Atlanta or NYI), Niklas Hagman (checking line winger), etc. If you really examine their roster, you will see that they have no real talent throughout their line-up. Who can they count on to score goals...?
---
How are the Blackhawks going to sign Toews, Kane and Keith to long-term deals?!?!?!?!?! Does Blackhawks management not remember what happened to the TB Lightning a couple years ago when they tried to have Richards, St. Louis and Lecavalier on their roster at the same time? With three guys eating up such a large chunk of your team's salary, it's tough to find room to sign any secondary star players to compliment those guys. Instead, the team is forced to sign fringe NHL players to fill out the line-up, which doesn't work. If the Hawks do indeed sign those 3 guys to long-term deals, they will be forced to give away the likes of David Bolland, Brent Seabrook, Patrick Sharp, Kris Versteeg, Brian Campbell, etc. There is just no way that they can fit these guys under the cap, because each of them will be worth between 2-3 million per season in the coming years.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Pats Front Office Change
Sales Extraordinaire Chris Hutchinson has resigned from the Regina Pats front office, accepting a sales position with Evraz Place. Hutchy had been with the Pats for 10 years. Congrats to Chris on the new job and good luck in the future buddy.
I'm Back
Alright, so I have taken a fair bit of grief from guys about quitting the blog business. So I have decided to give it another shot. We shall see how it goes this time around. To be honest, I was just running out of ideas to write about, and I didn't want to just write fluff to hopefully keep your interest.
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Mike Danton for NHL Comeback Player of the Year 2010.
I watched the sportsnet special "Mike Danton: The Untold Story" last night. Danton seems to be a normal guy, which is good to see. I am hoping he can make a return to the NHL, which is what he is hoping for now that he has been released from jail after spending 5 1/2 years behind bars. The tough part for Danton is that he was a marginal NHL player back in the day, amassing a total of 9 goals in 87 career games prior to his incarceration. So, combine his mediocre skill level with the amount of baggage the dude carries, and Danton will be lucky to receive an AHL try-out invitation next season. But only time will tell forsure.
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If John Tavares makes the Olympic team, I will be upset. Just stating my opinion, but there are plenty of better choices for that 2010 hockey team than JT. At this point in his career, he is strictly a one-dimensional player.... strictly offense. He brings nothing to the table in his own end, nor does he possess a physically gifted game. I have no doubt Tavares will become a good NHL player, and will represent his country in upcoming Olympics, but its not his time right now. Take the good NHL players right now and win this year.... worry about the future afterwards.
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What are the chances that the guy in 2nd place right behind me in our hockey draft had Richard Park on his team!?!?!?! Last night as I watched the NHL ticker, I saw that Park managed 3 assists in a NYI victory, and I chuckled to myself thinking there was no way someone would have him on their team, so it was like a wasted 3 points. Then I log on this morning and see the guy chasing me down has him as a sleeper..... BRUTAL!!!
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You know what really grinds my gears..................... Nick Kypreos. You're weren't a good hockey player, nor are you a good hockey commentator. Quit having that smug look on your face like you are god's gift to hockey broadcasts.
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You cannot blame Brady Quinn for the 2 INT's he threw in the MNF game last night. Both of the picks that were credited to Quinn on the evening were passes his receivers should have caught. Both times, the ball bounced right off of the receiver's hands and into the opponent's hands. Tough break for a guy who has had no luck to start his NFL career.
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Honestly, I don't care about Belichick's coaching mistake. Ultimately, this guy will go down as one of the greatest coaches in the history of the game, and that doesn't chance based on one stupid play call in week 9 of the NFL regular season. I'm not even a Patriots fan, but its the truth.
I do love though that he is being portrayed as an idiot now for the 4th down gamble fail, however, if they do make the gamble, he looks like a genius. Guess that's the life of a professional sports head coach.
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Interesting stat of the day: Although the Sedin brothers were drafted together to the Vancouver Canucks in the 1999 Entry Draft, Daniel was registered as the #2 overall selection, while Henrik was #3. To this point in their careers, Henrik has amassed 483 points in 667 games..... Daniel has managed 466 points in 646 games. A difference of only 17 points and 21 games over the course of a 9-year career.
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Mike Danton for NHL Comeback Player of the Year 2010.
I watched the sportsnet special "Mike Danton: The Untold Story" last night. Danton seems to be a normal guy, which is good to see. I am hoping he can make a return to the NHL, which is what he is hoping for now that he has been released from jail after spending 5 1/2 years behind bars. The tough part for Danton is that he was a marginal NHL player back in the day, amassing a total of 9 goals in 87 career games prior to his incarceration. So, combine his mediocre skill level with the amount of baggage the dude carries, and Danton will be lucky to receive an AHL try-out invitation next season. But only time will tell forsure.
---
If John Tavares makes the Olympic team, I will be upset. Just stating my opinion, but there are plenty of better choices for that 2010 hockey team than JT. At this point in his career, he is strictly a one-dimensional player.... strictly offense. He brings nothing to the table in his own end, nor does he possess a physically gifted game. I have no doubt Tavares will become a good NHL player, and will represent his country in upcoming Olympics, but its not his time right now. Take the good NHL players right now and win this year.... worry about the future afterwards.
---
What are the chances that the guy in 2nd place right behind me in our hockey draft had Richard Park on his team!?!?!?! Last night as I watched the NHL ticker, I saw that Park managed 3 assists in a NYI victory, and I chuckled to myself thinking there was no way someone would have him on their team, so it was like a wasted 3 points. Then I log on this morning and see the guy chasing me down has him as a sleeper..... BRUTAL!!!
---
You know what really grinds my gears..................... Nick Kypreos. You're weren't a good hockey player, nor are you a good hockey commentator. Quit having that smug look on your face like you are god's gift to hockey broadcasts.
---
You cannot blame Brady Quinn for the 2 INT's he threw in the MNF game last night. Both of the picks that were credited to Quinn on the evening were passes his receivers should have caught. Both times, the ball bounced right off of the receiver's hands and into the opponent's hands. Tough break for a guy who has had no luck to start his NFL career.
---
Honestly, I don't care about Belichick's coaching mistake. Ultimately, this guy will go down as one of the greatest coaches in the history of the game, and that doesn't chance based on one stupid play call in week 9 of the NFL regular season. I'm not even a Patriots fan, but its the truth.
I do love though that he is being portrayed as an idiot now for the 4th down gamble fail, however, if they do make the gamble, he looks like a genius. Guess that's the life of a professional sports head coach.
---
Interesting stat of the day: Although the Sedin brothers were drafted together to the Vancouver Canucks in the 1999 Entry Draft, Daniel was registered as the #2 overall selection, while Henrik was #3. To this point in their careers, Henrik has amassed 483 points in 667 games..... Daniel has managed 466 points in 646 games. A difference of only 17 points and 21 games over the course of a 9-year career.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Monday Morning Blog
Where to begin with this Monday blog, recapping the weekend. First I guess, would be the ongoing injury situations to star NHL players this season. It was released yesterday that Alex Ovechkin will be out for 4-5 weeks, which is an obvious big blow to the Washington Capital's offense. Ovechkin is such a dynamic player that not only does he create so much offense for himself, but he draws so much attention from the opponents that it opens up opportunities for his teammates. With Ovechkin in the press box eating nachos during the upcoming month's games, look for the Caps to struggle to a .500 record in November.
Another key injury in the NHL over the weekend was the laceration to the leg of Carolina goalie Cam Ward's leg. A Blue Jacket's player skated by Ward on Saturday night, and his skate ended up cutting Ward across the leg, leaving loads of blood on the ice as Ward was rushed off the ice and to a Ohio hospital. Ward is expected to be out at least one month with the laceration, which no doubt puts his 2010 Olympic dreams in doubt. I think that if Ward is unable to return to the ice before mid-December, that Steve Yzerman and Team Canada will have to go with an alternate goalie as the 3rd stringer for the Men's Hockey team. I would think that MA Fleury, based on the injury, as well as how well he has played to start the season, has become the favourite to take the 3rd stringer job now.
Announced this morning, veteran goalie Manny Legace has signed a contract with the Hurricanes to be an emergency fill-in for Ward. Great opportunity for Legace to get back into the NHL, even if it is only for a month or so.
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NHLPA Ombudsman Buzz Hargrave has resigned from his post with the player's association. Yet another guy jumping ship from the PA, bringing the total number of guys to resign to around 10 (to my knowledge). Obviously the PA is in big trouble, and there must be an underlying issue that is causing the multiple staff changes. To make matters worse, the Collective Bargaining Agreement has a player's option at the end of this season to go into next year with the same deal. Well, I don't think there is anyway that the PA can come together, fill their vacant positions, and possibly come to any understanding to avoid just agreeing to move into next year with the same deal. So that is good news for the fans, as that eliminates the possibility of another NHL work stoppage. Let's hope we never have to go through that again. I'm not sure what I would do without our NHL drafts each year.
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So in the battle of the 'Bays' in the NFL, the unlikely Bay won out, as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers took down the Green Bay Packers to collect their first win of the season. The Bucs, now 1-7, become the last NFL team to win a game.
On the flip side, the Colts and Saints both snuck out with victories yesterday, as both teams continue to sport an undefeated record at 8-0.
The Saints have two cream-puffs coming up in the next two weeks, as they are on the road in St. Louis (1-7) and Tampa Bay (1-7). Let's hope that the Saints can still motivate themselves enough to win both of these games, before heading home to face the New England Patriots (6-2) in week 12.
The Colts on the other hand have New England coming to town next Sunday, before going on the road to Baltimore (4-4) and Houston (5-4).
The Colts definitely have the harder schedule of the two remaining 8-0 teams, but we have seen good teams not show up to play and lose to an inferior opponent many times in the past (even look at the Packers yesterday against the Bucs). So don't think the Saints are guaranteed a 10-0 record heading into week 12.
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Speaking of the Colts, they have now won 17 straight regular season games dating back to last season. That is the highest total in NFL history by a team not named the New England Patriots (18 game streak and 22 game streak in the 2000's). Quite the feat for Manning and Co. there.
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What has happened to the New York Giants?!?!?!?! After starting the season 5-0 and looking like one of the best teams in the league, they have now lost 4 straight games. I originally had thought that Elli Manning was slightly injured and that's what was causing the decline of the Giants, but now I'm just not sure. It looks like the wheels are falling off quick for the G-men, which came to a head last night as Phillip Rivers (an ex-Giants draft pick) marched down the field for a game-winning touchdown in the dying seconds as the Chargers won 21-20.
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The Kansas City Chiefs have released running back Larry Johnson. WOW!!! In 2006 LJ scored 17 touchdowns and rushed for 1700+ yards. Heading into most fantasy drafts in 2007, LJ would have been one of the top 3 picks in most pools, and only two years later LJ is released. What a fall from grace this guy has had.
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I don't really want to talk about the Winnipeg-Hamilton CFL game yesterday... all I will say is this. I had to endure a season with Michael Bishop last season here in Regina, as I heard all about him with the Riders. Then this season, I had to go through another season with him as the QB of the Bombers. I will publicly state that I hope he doesn't come back, I have had enough of this guy. He went 8 for 26 yesterday for 126 yards......... HE COMPLETED ONLY 8 PASSES!!!!!!!!!!!! That's embarassing. To make that even worse, 60 of those yards came on one touchdown pass in the 1st quarter.
Another key injury in the NHL over the weekend was the laceration to the leg of Carolina goalie Cam Ward's leg. A Blue Jacket's player skated by Ward on Saturday night, and his skate ended up cutting Ward across the leg, leaving loads of blood on the ice as Ward was rushed off the ice and to a Ohio hospital. Ward is expected to be out at least one month with the laceration, which no doubt puts his 2010 Olympic dreams in doubt. I think that if Ward is unable to return to the ice before mid-December, that Steve Yzerman and Team Canada will have to go with an alternate goalie as the 3rd stringer for the Men's Hockey team. I would think that MA Fleury, based on the injury, as well as how well he has played to start the season, has become the favourite to take the 3rd stringer job now.
Announced this morning, veteran goalie Manny Legace has signed a contract with the Hurricanes to be an emergency fill-in for Ward. Great opportunity for Legace to get back into the NHL, even if it is only for a month or so.
---
NHLPA Ombudsman Buzz Hargrave has resigned from his post with the player's association. Yet another guy jumping ship from the PA, bringing the total number of guys to resign to around 10 (to my knowledge). Obviously the PA is in big trouble, and there must be an underlying issue that is causing the multiple staff changes. To make matters worse, the Collective Bargaining Agreement has a player's option at the end of this season to go into next year with the same deal. Well, I don't think there is anyway that the PA can come together, fill their vacant positions, and possibly come to any understanding to avoid just agreeing to move into next year with the same deal. So that is good news for the fans, as that eliminates the possibility of another NHL work stoppage. Let's hope we never have to go through that again. I'm not sure what I would do without our NHL drafts each year.
---
So in the battle of the 'Bays' in the NFL, the unlikely Bay won out, as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers took down the Green Bay Packers to collect their first win of the season. The Bucs, now 1-7, become the last NFL team to win a game.
On the flip side, the Colts and Saints both snuck out with victories yesterday, as both teams continue to sport an undefeated record at 8-0.
The Saints have two cream-puffs coming up in the next two weeks, as they are on the road in St. Louis (1-7) and Tampa Bay (1-7). Let's hope that the Saints can still motivate themselves enough to win both of these games, before heading home to face the New England Patriots (6-2) in week 12.
The Colts on the other hand have New England coming to town next Sunday, before going on the road to Baltimore (4-4) and Houston (5-4).
The Colts definitely have the harder schedule of the two remaining 8-0 teams, but we have seen good teams not show up to play and lose to an inferior opponent many times in the past (even look at the Packers yesterday against the Bucs). So don't think the Saints are guaranteed a 10-0 record heading into week 12.
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Speaking of the Colts, they have now won 17 straight regular season games dating back to last season. That is the highest total in NFL history by a team not named the New England Patriots (18 game streak and 22 game streak in the 2000's). Quite the feat for Manning and Co. there.
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What has happened to the New York Giants?!?!?!?! After starting the season 5-0 and looking like one of the best teams in the league, they have now lost 4 straight games. I originally had thought that Elli Manning was slightly injured and that's what was causing the decline of the Giants, but now I'm just not sure. It looks like the wheels are falling off quick for the G-men, which came to a head last night as Phillip Rivers (an ex-Giants draft pick) marched down the field for a game-winning touchdown in the dying seconds as the Chargers won 21-20.
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The Kansas City Chiefs have released running back Larry Johnson. WOW!!! In 2006 LJ scored 17 touchdowns and rushed for 1700+ yards. Heading into most fantasy drafts in 2007, LJ would have been one of the top 3 picks in most pools, and only two years later LJ is released. What a fall from grace this guy has had.
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I don't really want to talk about the Winnipeg-Hamilton CFL game yesterday... all I will say is this. I had to endure a season with Michael Bishop last season here in Regina, as I heard all about him with the Riders. Then this season, I had to go through another season with him as the QB of the Bombers. I will publicly state that I hope he doesn't come back, I have had enough of this guy. He went 8 for 26 yesterday for 126 yards......... HE COMPLETED ONLY 8 PASSES!!!!!!!!!!!! That's embarassing. To make that even worse, 60 of those yards came on one touchdown pass in the 1st quarter.
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