Winnipeg's Sports Media Sad and Pathetic

Before I write the blog that I'm about to, let me first say I respect media of all shapes. My favorite channel is CNN, I watch local TV news as much or more than anybody. I have my particular favorites, and I have the ones that I really can't stand. My best friend is Olympic Broadcaster David Bastl, who once worked at Global Winnipeg, and is probably one of the best in his field in this country. I myself, granted only a starter station, was a television sports anchor and reporter. So, despite my respect for local media, now it's time to point out some embarrassing facts about the current coverage of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Mike Kelly is a complete bust as Head Coach. One year ago, you could read this very blog and hear me call for Doug Berry's job, because he was an asshole who didn't care about the fan base of the Bombers, or the treatment of veteran players. One thing I had to concede, Berry was a winner. 3 seasons, three playoff appearances, 1 Grey Cup loss, and a competitive team. Granted, Berry had the best Personnel guy in the CFL in Brendan Taman to ensure the team was successful. Winnipeg Sun Bomber beat reporter Kirk Penton said it best when he pointed out 8-10 (Berry's finish last season) would be welcomed by every Bomber fan right now.

Back to my point. And allow me to recognize the motivation behind this lack of accountability, if the local media speaks the average Bomber fan's position, then they run the risk of not getting cooperation from the Winnipeg Football Club in doing their job. Because if the media reports that Mike Kelly is a failure, with limited eye for talent, and as an offensive guru, has guided a bomber offensive to grossly offensive results, Mike Kelly would no longer be available for interviews, and neither will a majority of Bomber players. Despite the fact The Winnipeg Football club remains today a publicly owned team, the organization would immediately impose Media Censorship. True story. The most critical of the Bombers, has been the dean of Winnipeg TV sports, Joe Pascucci who on a number of occasions rolled his eyes, slipped in a moment of editorialism, or sarcastically questioned Mike Kelly's motives. The latest was after Kelly ridiculously pointed out that he was all for Stefan LeFors getting back into game action... especially if it was in a road game situation. Well coach, why would you prefer your star quarterback off season acquisition wait until a road situation to attempt to redeem himself in the eyes of the fans? Isn't that an insult to the fans? If he is as talented as you sold Winnipeg fans, with the help of local media, wouldn't the fans be willing to embrace your second chance offering to him? By the way coach, if he's half as good as you sold the Winnipeg sports media, and half as good as you believe, why have you asked him to take a $60,000 pay cut, 6 games into his season? It was your mistake coach, shouldn't you also take a $60,000 pay cut? It was Lyle Bauer's mistake in hiring you, shouldn't he also take a $60,000 pay cut? Oh wait, look at the money I just saved the organization!

What I would really love to see would be a hard ass sports reporter ask these questions. And I would even more love to see the Bomber faithful, who are becoming disenchanted with the organization to step up and support the media for doing their job, and boycott a Bomber game, if these questions were asked and the reporter faced any residual backlash from The Winnipeg Football Club.

Let me pose some more questions that would be refreshing to hear honest answers to. To Lyle Bauer- You fired the coach who had the most success in this organization during your tenure, Dave Ritchie. You then fired the next successful coach, Doug Berry. However, Jim Daley, and Mike Kelly, their respective replacements, and reportedly your choices for the job, were gigantic busts. Do you not think as President of the team you need to address the season ticket holders and account for your management choices? Mr. Bauer, why would you ask Brendan Taman, arguably one of the best eye's for talent, who ran a scouting department on no budget, and rebuilt the Bombers 3 times to competitive standards in his term, to accept a reduced role last off season? Something that lead to his eventual resignation. Mr. Bauer are you fearful for your position as President, when the new private ownership of David Asper takes over the Club?

Sad, but the reporter that asks these questions will be so blackballed from the Bombers, he may not even be allowed entry into the Stadium with a ticket.

I dislike Mike Kelly to a huge degree. I didn't even give him a chance to coach a game before I had concluded he had an incredible lack of people skills. His criticism of Brendan Taman after Taman's resignation, made me ill. I will acknowledge that Siddeeq Shabazz has made our defence stronger. Definitely. Did Stefan LeFors or Michael Bishop make our offence better? Or has Adarius Bowman replaced Derrick Armstrong? With a game against BC, then a home and home against Saskatchewan, we could very well find the Blue and Gold 2 and 8, and one of those victories was the ugliest in team history.

I encourage bomber fans to flood local media outlets with e-mails encouraging the Shawn Churchill's, Mitch Peacock's, Bob Irving's and Ed Tait to grow a set and take this organization to task. And as fans, we need to grow a set and be prepared to stand up for the media for airing our discontent with the current direction of the team.

Final question... Who's with me?