Well, wasn't the Banjo Bowl something? I personally consider it a vindication of my opinion on Mike Kelly, and yes, that makes me a "fair weathered" fan. There is only one thing I'd love more than seeing Doug Brown hoist the Grey Cup this year. And that would be Mike Kelly getting fired. And Lyle Bauer for that matter too.
Way back in 2004, Lyle Bauer made the decision to fire Dave Ritchie as Head Coach. It was Dave Ritchie who began the process in 1999 to turn the Winnipeg Blue Bombers around, and Bauer was brought in in 2000, and is widely credited with turning the Blue Bombers Financial books around. This would never have happened if Ritchie, and Brendan Taman had not come to town and did the difficult task of rebuilding a team to respectability that had just completed the tumultuous Reinbold era (to Reinbold's credit, lose or lose, because there was very very few wins, the fans wanted to like this guy, unlike the current coach). In his questionable wisdom, Bauer seemed to push Taman into hiring Jim Daley who was a dismal failure (although it's been speculated that his first choice Jim Barker got cold feet and stayed in Calgary to the shock of Bauer). After Daley, the belief was the team needed an Offensive guy to put an exciting product on the field, and Doug Berry nudged out the more qualified and far more likable Greg Marshall, who agreed to serve as Defensive Coordinator. And despite being Winnipeg's biggest asshole (though Mike Kelly has dwarfed him in that department), Berry had 3 successful seasons all in the playoffs, as Head Coach. So naturally we fire him, and to review last season's brain cramp, hired the 9-9 Edmonton Eskimos' RECEIVERS Coach Mike Kelly.
Mike Kelly has been an even bigger failure than Jeff Reinbold. Remember he inherited a team that won 6 of 8 games last season to not only qualify for the CFL playoffs, but to host a Playoff game (a major accomplishment for the bottom line of the publicly owned franchise). He didn't need to rebuild. What he needed to do was to correct some of the public relations disasters of the Berry tenure. Work with Taman to tweak the roster (something Brendan did very well late last season to turn the ship around and get us to the post season). More than anything, he just had to smile, and passionately promise that the Blue Bombers are his passion, and he's excited to bring the Grey Cup back to Winnipeg.
Instead, what did he do? He puffed out his chest, and shamelessly tooted his own horn at all costs. I'm sure we all remember his bold and critical statement "Nobody touches the quarterbacks but me!". Ironic that the position that is more problematic for the Bombers than anything is QB. But I sympathize for Michael Bishop who has been a capable QB in the CFL, if you've got a gawd awful playbook, even Doug Flutie might look average. Another thing that the bald prick did, was openly tell the media that Kevin Glenn was less than impressive in his impression of the QB depth chart that existed last off-season. Not sure if you've ever played poker, but I don't see the bluff in telling the league that you don't like your starting QB, leaves you with very limited options to trade the guy. So naturally, the team was forced to cut a guy who probably could have brought something back in return if Kelly had sang his praises. I used to sell cars, if I told people that this particular SUV isn't up to the standards of the lot, but I will still sell it to you, most customers would think I had shit for brains (funny, that's what most "fair weathered" fans think of Mike Kelly). So there goes Kevin Glenn to Hamilton, where he started as backup, came off the bench and played exceptionally well, and now is showing some dynamic chemistry with Arland Bruce (apparently Adam Rita called Mike Kelly to inquire if Kelly was interested in Bruce, and Kelly didn't want the attitude that came with the most athletically gifted receiver in the CFL, after all Winnipeg only has room for one outrageous ego, and he's gotta be bald and have a goofy mustache). I could go on and on with the failures of Mike Kelly, Derrick Armstrong, Barrin Simpson, etc, I don't need to rub salt on the wounds of the true Bomber fans who aren't into fair weather. Those fans sit there and live in complete and utter denial. The Dave Petrishen's and Julie Kozak's and Kim Babij's (all of which I love and respect dearly) who sit by the TV or in the stands and believe a miracle will happen and Mike Kelly will wake up tomorrow with a game plan that exceeds those of Wally Buono and John Huffnagel, or Mark Trestman.
Wake up people, Mike Kelly is a FAILURE PERIOD.
Now when you have a very strong opinion, people will say, "Ok wise ass, what would you do, if the Bombers asked you for advice?". And as a fair weathered fan, let me weigh in, on what I would do with the power to run The Winnipeg Football Club. If only in that position one day here's what I would attempt to accomplish.
-Fire Mike Kelly. Not even politely. The press release would read, "The Winnipeg Football Club is pleased to announced the termination of Mike Kelly effective immediately".
-Sever all ties with Lyle Bauer. For every economic step forward the Club has made, he's personally guided the on-field product backwards.
-Hire Brendan Taman as President and General Manager. For 10 years this man did his job in a way that inspired the fan base to believe. He had exceptional media skills (I believe Mike Kelly negatively referred to him as "media darling", funny what happens when you have professional and people skills).
-Encourage Brendan Taman to hire Dave Ritchie as Head Coach with a one to two year term, depending on Ritchie's desire, and assuming he'd come out of retirement. Even if Ritchie is out of touch with aspects of the game, he's like everybody's Grandpa, forgivable, and through a rebuilding phase, would be the perfect guy to sit on the sidelines and groom a successor. He's also very shrewd with the media, and can accomplish wonderful things.
-Hire Khari Jones as Assistant Head Coach, and Offensive Coordinator, and name him as Dave Ritchie's eventual successor. Jones is an icon in Winnipeg, who was appreciated for his two record setting seasons, and his gigantic smile and appreciation for the City. Jones is currently the Ti-Cats QB coach, and they have vastly improved at that position, and Jones deserves the credit. Mike "Pinball" Clemons admitted he wasn't a great football coach, despite a Grey Cup ring, but he was an institution in Toronto, and history will remember his era as Argos head coach favorably.
-Sign Doug Brown to a contract that makes him a Bomber for life. End this ridiculous crap, where fan favorites are being disrespected by under qualified Football coaches.
If I accomplished anyone of those jobs, I'd go to bed that day, feeling like I just slayed a lion, and put the organization on the right track.
This year should not have been a "rebuilding" year for the Blue and Gold, it should have been a year where we aggressively battled Montreal for supremacy in the East. We're currently battling Toronto for the laughing stock of the CFL. Next year and the year following will undoubtedly now be rebuilding years, tough years, years impossible to bring the best free agents to town. Years where you lose an aging vet who wants to hoist a grey cup before they have no years of pro football left. Taman and Ritchie were successful 1o years ago, so I'm sending the SOS back to them.
That's my two cents as a FAIR WEATHERED Blue Bomber fan. And I hate to tell you Mike Kelly loyalists, I just showed you that a good fan, thinks with reason, and not with blind faith.
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43 comments:
Hey Mike...
Quick question...Who's stupider? Mike Kelly handling a football team, or Andrew Shallcross in life?
thanks,
Nate Hardy
Hahahahaha I spit my energy drink out all over the screen when I read that comment. Those of you who aren't familiar with "Andrew Shallcross", he is a local wrestling promoter, who is about as capable or likable as Mike Kelly.
Ok, after reading that, I have lots to say, not sure how much of it I'll get to say though. But let's start.
I realize that this blog is mainly... a shot at 1. Mike Kelly 2. everyone who still believes in Mike Kelly.
Well I'm sorry that I fit into the "still believes in Mike Kelly" category. Does that make me a bad person, that I wish to see someone succeed in life? Especially with our Blue Bombers? No, yea sure everyone just says FIRE KELLY cause they believe that's the easier route... but is it? If we fire Kelly, we're still going to be paying for him. Can we afford that? Nope.
Is Kelly a good coach? Well, not right now. Does he have potential to be a good coach, great coach, wonderful grey cup team coach? I think yes. But what do I know, I'm just one of those hardcore fans who roots for the team to succeed in every which way, my bad.
Comparing now to ten years ago is such a waste of time, seriously. We had different players back then, so it doesn't really matter anymore. The past is the past, done with that.
AND ENOUGH WITH MENTIONING ARMSTRONG. Seriously, that was more Derrick's fault than anyone else. He refused to play, just because he wasn't going to be playing all the time. Oh and if Armstrong is so great, please tell me why he hasn't been signed by another team yet? Oh, cause no one wants a guy with shit attitude, that's right.
Now on to Simpson, not Kelly's fault. He's done this before, not the first time he's pulled an act like this. And well most teams have a solid defense, so good luck to Simpson finding a team that wants a 31 year old LB with a bad toe injury. And anywhere he signs, he probably wouldn't be started, most probably backup. Well, should've stayed with the Bombers there Barrin.
You call Kelly a failure, well that's nice of you, especially since he's not even done yet. WHO KNOWS, THIS SEASON COULD TURN AROUND. "Blind faith" you say about fans like me. Hmm, well I guess it's easier for you to come up with negative things rather than positive things about our team. That's rather fair weather ish if you ask me, Kelly's not far off. And why write the season off now? Last year we were shittier, yet we made playoffs. Good thing you have faith that things could turn out.
Kelly knows this team needs help, he's trying. He knows his offensive skills aren't doing much, he's trying to change that. Go watch a practice once, you might have a different understanding of Kelly. Talk with Kelly after a practice, wonderful guy. But all you know about him is what you get from the media, typical.
So Kelly got rid of Glenn. It was clear last year that Glenn lost all spark for playing here in Winnipeg, with Hamilton he's found a new light. He's a different QB now, and all the best to him.
And I have more to say, but I currently have better things to do than complain about what you're writing about.
Oh, and Mike, you can't be negative if you're positive.
Einstein once said “You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else.” Well, Kelly's still learning. Give him time. Would you like it if everyone wrote off your Wrestling management or whatever you want to call it skills right away? Probably not, but I could be wrong.
The Bombers need positive support, and if you don't want to give that to them, then all the power to you. I'll still put my jersey on come game day, and cheer at home games or cheer at home during away games, hoping for the best.
Here's to hoping, something you should learn to do.
And I get that you're entitled to your own opinion on this subject, therefore so am I.
Oh and all of this Kelly talk, honestly, it's a non issue, so I think it's best if we just handle it internally.
So your idea of running a football team would be to basically bring back all of the coaches and players that we have used in the past
Im not sure if you have watched most of the Bombers games (As it sounds like you are not much of a Bomber fan yourself) But just to let you know, those players/coaches didn't do very well, including NO championships
Constantly firing coaches after each year because your stupid ass boss thinks shipping in new people every offseason will magically bring success, Is NOT a good idea, as it never works
The only way we are getting out of this mess is if we stick with people for a while, let them develop, dont pull the plug on every project just because 3/4 of the "Fans" of this team (I use quotes because they are indeed NOT fans) go online and call for everyones head (Which they are all too chicken shit to say to the man in person) and come to games booing (Mainly because their incapable of thinking of anything intelligent to say)
Janice and Coltan, love the responses. A good debate is great. But you are both wrong. Stand by Mike Kelly, and believe in this team to turn around. It won't.
Barrin Simpson is not wrong. The initial breaking of the story that he was on the trade block came from Dave Naylor out of Toronto, who heard from a CFL GM in a different City that Simpson was being shopped. That's not Simpson's fault. The reason he is being shopped has little to do with turf toe. And Lyle Bauer's attempt to expose that last season Simpson asked for a trade was throwing a stone at Simpson's credibility. Simpon for his part spoke fairly about the Bombers, and didn't deserve the shots taken at him.
He's been the best middle line-backer in the league this season, and will be an incredible addition to any team should he be traded. When guys like Doug Brown come out and speak about Simpson favorably, it's an understated endorsement that he is right.
Derek Armstrong has an injury that is making other teams shy away from him. But he was ready to suit up and play hard for the Bombers in the season opener. And he is over 1000 times better than Romby Bryant. Armstrong was a fighter out there, and there was no ball that Armstrong didn't fight to catch. Our receivers have suffered from not having Armstrong on the field.
And our quarterbacks have suffered from having Romby Bryant on the field.
"But he was ready to suit up and play hard for the Bombers in the season opener."
Bullshit!
Do you not know anything about the Blue and Gold?
The reason Armstrong is no longer a part of this organization is that he REFUSED to play
Coltan, Derek Armstrong said "fine don't dress me" after he was told 90 minutes before game time by Bob Dyce that he was being dressed as designated import. He was ready to play and play hard, but don't you think he deserved the respect and explaination from the Head Coach as to why he would be excluded from half of the plays during the game do to a roster designation?
He's a veteran and all-star receiver. A simple explaination as to why the coach wants you in that spot doesn't seem out of line by any stretch.
Sorry for the spelling error in Colton's name
He was put into the spot because of his injury (His injury that made this such important receiver so worthless that a Toronto offense in which Mcneil (SP?) Was their leading receiver, would not pick him up)
Just because he is a DI doesnt mean he is going to miss half the game, He could play just as much as he usually does, and the reason that he was not told about the decision, is because the decision was made after Doug Brown was taken to hospital, hours before the game
Hard to tell him beforehand, if it was planned he would start :/
Why would you start Derek Armstrong at designated import, and keep Romby Bryant as a regular roster import?
Do you really think Romby is in Armstrong's league?
This game was the first game this season, and unless you were a psychic (Which they were not) the stats you had to go on were 2008's (The previous season)
BRYANT: 64 Catches 1168 Yards 18.3 AVG 9TD
ARMSTRONG: 81 Catches 1010 Yards 13.3 AVG 7TD
Add in the factor that Armstrong's serious injury was known about at that time, Unless you had no knowledge of the game of football, Armstrong would be placed as DI by any coach with half a football mind
Colton, how about you demonstrate your "half of football mind" and share your constructive viewpoint, on the positives of this Blue Bomber football season. Allow me to share mine:
Fred Reid- has shown dynamic offensive upside. Can explode for 200 yards in a game. One of his two best games this season, came against Calgary, when the team trailed 20 at the half and he got a majority of his yards in the second half, when Calgary was defending solely against the pass. Because what team in their right mind, or "half a football mind" spends the whole second half on the ground when down 20. He's been a brightspot on the Bombers offense.
Siddeeq Shabazz- a linebacker that Mike Kelly deserves 100% of the credit for. He's been our best arguably our best defensive player.
Alexis Serna- The Most Improved player in the CFL. Granted he's not been called on in clutch situations because we're either blown out of the game, or up sufficiently that his kick is not make or break.
Mike Renuad- Our best at punting since Jon Ryan. Very capable in that position, another spot that Mike Kelly deserves 100% credit for.
But I just read something that is a huge potential for egg on the face of Lyle Bauer and Mike Kelly, clearly two people that you Colton are dearly attached to.
http://tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=291348
After reading that story, if it comes to conclusion that Kelly and Bauer are wrong, wouldn't be another glaring example of utter stupidity on two guys making a boat load of money to understand? This is even worse than when Kelly had an off season quarterback camp, that violated league rules. Stuff like this should be second nature and demonstrates utter incompetence.
Wow you sure are quick to change the subject, you act like Armstrong is the next Milt Stegall, pretty much insult my intelligence acting like Bryant is in no way up to Armstrong's skill level, and then when i show you that stats showing that Bryant had better stats with almost 20 less completions, then uh oh, its time to talk about something else *sigh*
Im not sure why you are asking me for Positivity..
Im one of the most positive fans at the Stadium each week, and the ONLY reason I am posting here is because i am SICK of Negativity, and considering the fact you have already listed are best bright spots of the team, what point is it for me to pretty much copy and paste what you just wrote?
i will add to it though, JoJo, Hefney, Walls, Oramaisonwu, and countless others on Defense, have been outstanding this year
Romby Bryant's stats last year are as artificial as it gets. Terrence Edwards, Milt Stegall, and a guy named DEREK ARMSTRONG drew-up the defensive gameplans of every team they played against, leaving a rookie named Romby, who dropped an awful lot of passes last year (a trend that continues this year, when he runs the right route), open as the undefended man. So we can talk directly about your points. You can ignore the negativity and watch the losses pile up, and let this trend continue for 3 years, and watch the stadium empty in the process. That most definitely sounds like the healthy choice of a fan of The Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
And I'm glad you brought up stats, because here's a stat for you that perhaps you can do an effective job in countering.
3 wins 7 losses. And last week was a humiliating loss.
Mike you're a fucking idiot. Who's a bigger failure? Mike Kelly at football or Mike Davidson at wrestling?
Do you really think that if you go to an investor and say "ok I can run a show for you BUT chances of breaking even are not good" that they would really do that?
You're a fucking joke! If this is really true then Jeff DICK is a fucking retard to!
The fact that you are not running shows anymore proves that Jeff really doesn't say ok to your fucking "we won't make any money" excuses!
What qualifies you to be an armchair football club owner if you can't even succeed in the wrestling business?
You think Kelly is a failure? Maybe you need to look into a mirror!
Fuck you failure!
Thanks you have just been J-Rammed
Jesus Ramerez
I appreciate the credit given to me by Colton for pointing out the positives. It demonstrates that I at least attempt to be balanced in my assessments.
do you ever go to home games mike?
JC Derksen aka Jesus Ramerez has come out of hiding.
Say what you will about Davidson, he's made more of a living in the wrestling business than anyone in Winnipeg except for Dan Callis. That's a tremendous accomplishment.
And I don't know how you can call a guy a failure who delivered multiple Pay Per Views to Canadian wide audiences, I don't think anybody has ever done that before, and probably will never do it again unless Davidson and Dick reunite.
And nobody has had a better record at delivering world class wrestling talent to Winnipeg to perform ever. Not even Condello.
So failing is subjective. I do think Mike is way too hard on Lyle Bauer though. The guy survived cancer and didn't leave his job as Club President. He's been a success.
Yes of course go to home games.
Funny that Davidsons getting compared to Mike Kelly, considering he made a comparison that Mike Kelly was as qualified to coach The Winnipeg Blue Bombers as Andrew Shallcross was to be booker of World Wrestling Entertainment on his facebook last night.
Mike is right on this. The Bombers suck ass. Its their own fault.
Mike Davidson is a GOD! Nobody hits the hot button issues with such a "son of a bitch" attitude like this guy. Most hate him for it, but I love it!
yeah Don has made the most money compaired to anyone in the wrestling business that has ever come out of winnipeg... Jerico?
Obviously Mike hasnt made any money as he clearly stated on that small time internet radio show in which he admits that he tell his investors that they will not break even on the show!
Mike once again you are a fucking loser you and Andrew should go drink some more kool-aid
Jesus Ramerez
I think its funny how Mike wants to shift the heat and tell everyone that Rameriz is Derksen when everyone knows its him! Way to many similarites when it comes to what Mike says in his facebook and what Rameriz says in his blogs!
I think the Anonymous poster who compared money made out of guys who started in Winnipeg, suggesting Don and I are one and two, probably considers Chris Jericho from Calgary because he actually got his start in the wrestling business there, training with the Harts.
Hahahaha BULLSHIT. How hard would it be for Jesus, or in this case Derksen to look at my facebook, cherry pick quotes, work them into a blog and say "see it's Mike Davidson" in Garry's pathetic voice?
As I've shown today, I have no problem saying what's on my mind, and take pride in having my own opinion. I'm not shy about it in the least.
Whoever wants to call Mike Davidson a failure in the wrestling business is a Grade A Fucking Idiot.
Salary Position in wrestling is an impossibility to come by unless you are WWE or TNA. I think 2 or 3 different people have paid Mike a salary and a healthy one at that.
The people who call Mike Davidson a failure generally amount to fuck all, and have no life.
I know I'm heavily involved in local wrestling, but you can't even have a conversation about football without some idiots wanting to focus on local wrestling like it's their entire existance.
Man, that's sad.
Now back to the Bombers?
Kudos Davidson, you sure know how to get them talking.
fuck you michelle! why the fuck do you think i am jesus? because you are mad at me?
Derksen
What is the average local wrestling wage $50?
try $5. Unless you are scott raver then it is $1.25 and a free $1 DVD from Stardom
Local wrestling is a huge joke. You got these guys wrestling for peanuts, and they act like its the WWE. And they take it so personally, it's a mental disorder.
I believe the subject was the Bombers coach. I vote for him to be fired. But are you out of your fucking tree Davidson, Khari Jones and Dave Ritchie?
I guess you haven't heard of George Cortez. He's kind of a big deal.
Oh and those wrestlers who take themselves so personally, where spandex and look gay.
Davidson when is your big comback?
Rookie Shawn Reid and I are have a bet going of which one of us will be ranked in the PWI 500 next year. I haven't been ranked since being recognized #430 in 1997. So I'm in the gym training hard and ready.
Please contact Bill Behrens at showbis@aol.com my agent, to inquire about booking me.
you wish. what color is the sky in your world davidson?
That's right, I said "FUCK YOU"
Whoa, what a read.
I agree with Mike on the points he made about Kelly. He's got to go, he is failing mostly due to roster decisions and what seems to be a very unprepared game plan. That coin flip fiasco was deflating to say the least on Labour Day.
I would also agree Bauer should move on to new things.
Dave Ritchie, no chance. He's a senior citizen, and can't be at the helm of a team that will need to rebuild probably over the course of a couple of years.
Brendan Taman? I think there is a saying in sports that says you can't come home. Taman didn't deliver any championships in Winnipeg either. And from 03-06 the team wasn't very good, and Taman was the General Manager. So let him be whatever he is in Saskatchewan.
My personal idea would be to start quietly searching for the right fit for next season, I actually think it was this time last year that Bauer had decided to lure Kelly to Winnipeg. Try to get a great football man with a dynamic personality to be GM. And get an untapped coach, maybe a coordinator to come in and slowly build a winner on the field. A guy the fanbase can really get behind. And give him the time he needs to turn this program into a winner. But make the search a legitimate one this year. I'm not going to offer up names, because that is exactly what Bauer did last season, narrowly minded decided on his fit, and it has not worked out.
As for the comment section. The blog was on football, and the discussions, or debates should have stayed football themed in nature.
But I've known Mike for a great number of years, and his passion for growing the wrestling business, perhaps beyond the means of what Winnipeg is ready for, his ambition to do something special that will amaze people, is second to none. When you understand that is what inspires this guy, maybe then you can learn to respect him a little. He can be a little rough around the edges, with a sometimes way too dark sense of humour, but if I was starting a business, be it wrestling or a service to sharpen pencils, I would trust Mike's dedication and passion to do some really special things.
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