This may well be one of the last times I get to blog about local wrestling for a little while, so I think I better make it good. Speaking of good, nothing has been better for me than life. In the last 2.5 months, I've had maybe a combined total of 2 bad days. It's been amazing. But enough about that. Rapid fire, I wanted to make some observations I've noticed about local wrestling.
Granted, I don't listen to 92.9 EVER, but Bushleaguer Martin sure has been quiet since last weeks initial attack on my blog. You know, the attack where the only thing he could do to deflect very good points and questions about his version of a tribute/benefit show, was to bring up a lawsuit against me that was pretty much unrelated to his failed efforts in life. While it's now one week after the show, and still no type of announcement as to what the event generated. I do know that Marty GoldBoroFleckSteinditsky has been calling an actual wrestling promoter (something he will never be mistaken for being) and canvasing for a late donation for the event. I guess the initial numbers are so reflective of failure that now he will guilt whoever he can to try and bump up his and Condello's dismal results. He was even seen on the corner of Logan and McPhillips with a tin can and a sign that said "donate to Kerry Brown (and in very very small print that you could barely read) and Marty Gold".
A quick observation about PCW's website. It seems to be way more about webmaster a notorious tough guy, Jay Walker and much less about the brand itself. I mean he blogs about Scotty Justice and Antonio Scorpio Jr. Then he writes an editorial about the Industry as a whole. In it he criticizes Hulk Hogan and Kurt Angle, two men he'd swallow a load from if they ever gave him the time of day to ask. Young Mr. Walker needs to get his priorities straight, if the concept of the PCW website is to promote the brand, perhaps, and maybe I'm stretching here, he should make it a lot less about himself. Nobody finds you to be an entertaining figure anyway... well unless you're running away from an angry drunk Sanchez brother with your pants full of dump.
Congratulations to my good friend Danny Duggan. He runs CWE, and he was able to secure Desmond Wolf for his next show. Who is that you ask? I said Desmond Wolf... That's right, for the first time ever, a guy leaves an "Indy" for a "Big League" and people actually care less about him, and fewer people know who he is. Apparently his debut in TNA has been so effective, CWE isn't even advertising him as Des Wolf, but instead will be billing him as Nigel McGuinness. I've heard that CWE is launching a brand new website that should be live any day now. Does that really matter? They are already drawing double to triple what any other local outfit can draw.
Shawn "Northstar" Reid is one of my favorite people in the wrestling business ever. He's the 2009 version of Darren Metselaar, aka Steve Stryker. If you want anything kept secret, don't tell this large gentleman. A couple of weeks back he let the cat out of the bag that his home promotion Ringmasters Entertainment was forced to cancel a show because believe it or not, not one single fan showed up to buy a ticket. I say that show should have been forced to go on anyway, to teach the promoters a lesson. This past Saturday, Reid was nice enough to stooge off the company once again, saying that there is a mis-management within the company, and if they want to get things straight, he thinks they should make him (a rookie wrestler with less than 4 matches experience) the booker. I agree totally.
Did I mention the name Condello? I wonder if Ultimate Cage Wars will return anytime soon? Maybe he can again hire his boy Bushleaguer Martin to really do a stellar job in producing such an event? Ya, there's a recipe for success, Marty GoldBoroFleckSteinditsky going around telling trained tough guys "well do you want a typical MMA bullshit production, or do you want a Hollywood production?" Or "Kid, when we were running the Junkyard, for Rough House Rasslin and we were producing a television pilot, we knew what we were doing, not like you guys (condescending emphasis added) who don't know how to create a story in that cage." That's an ass kicking I'd pay oh about $2025.00 in Court judgment fees to see. Poor Martin, just a scummy stoogy unsuccessful jackass.
Question about the Kerry Brown tribute show... Why in the hell did Andrew not raise a stink about Royce and Ozz losing to Chi Chi Cruz in a best two out of three falls handicap match? I'd like to think if I had a two on one advantage and three chances to do it, I'd be on the winning end of a physical conflict. That's one of the stiffest job outs in recent memory.
So to summarize "When's it going to end you piece of shit? I'm tired of this burn the oil field mentality that's killing our business."
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Goldstein and Shallcross- A New Coalition of Idiots
BEFORE I START THIS BLOG. THIS BLOG IS MOST DEFINITELY NOT INTENDED TO OFFEND ANYONE WITH EXCEPTION OF THE PARTIES I'M CRITICAL TO IN THIS BLOG. I DO ANTICIPATE SOME LEVEL OF BACKLASH FOR MY OPINION, AND AM PREPARED FOR THAT BACKLASH, BUT I FEEL STRONGLY ABOUT MY OPINION ON THIS MATTER AND WILL STATE IT DIRECTLY WITH NO PUNCHES PULLED. SO HERE GOES...
What is it about the month of November? Last year Andrew Shallcross entered into a failed Promoters Marriage with Ernie Todd, and the results were laughable by many, and stressful for those who had too much vested to laugh. For those of us on the outside looking in, it was a great time to point and ridicule at the chicanery of those two trying to do what their version of "better for the business" was as an alliance. At that time, I coined the term, "Coalition of Idiots" to accurately describe the duo working together.
In the 1990's there was an entertaining tag-team in WWF called Luke & Butch-- The Bushwackers. They were beloved by children and outright mocked by adults. Well in 2009, we have a brand new version of The Bushwackers. They're right here from Winnipeg Wrestling, and their names are Marty and Andrew-- THE BUSHLEAGUERS. Nothing more evidenced this theory than last night's effort by Marty "Gold" Goldstein Boroditsky Fleck and whatever name he used today, to produce the tribute and fundraiser to the late Kerry "Pitbull" Brown. An event promoted by Tony Condello. Now, in the 90s The Bushwackers were lead to the ring by a geek named Jamison... Well this new age version can be lead around by Condello for being the only guy in town that would hire Marty to produce an event in this day in age.
I realize poking fun at Marty using a tribute and fundraiser is an extremely sensitive matter. And I apologize to those in advance for anything that may be taken as offensive. My goal here is to express an opinion, and the mark that Kerry left on the business is definitely respected by me. I hope the show was successful in raising the funds for the family to alleviate any financial burden the much too early death of Kerry caused.
The issue that has arisen to me, was Marty's outright manipulation to get the role of Producer from Condello in the first place. Marty used the logic that Winnipeg is a political hot-bed and if he was not named Producer to this event, some wrestlers would boycott the event, and some guys wouldn't want to do a job, and an "outsider" needed to be brought in to be a "Leader" of an event like this. With his tag-team partner Bushleaguer Andrew closely in tow, Marty demonstrated his incredible leadership by sending out blanket emails enlisting the help of whoever would assist in the event. I've booked talent and produced events for many years, and I don't think I've ever depended on blanket e-mails to unite such a supposed political landscape. Martin, if there was a gap to bridge, why did you not demonstrate your leadership with more than blanket emails? Because you are an idiot that's why.
But lets digress and back on topic. The event, which in his earliest e-mails needed to draw numbers that far exceeded 300 people that any community club could hold was attended by a mere 100-150 supporters. These fans were very quiet, which I guess is understandable given the fact that it was a solemn occasion. Martin the producer, instructed the tape crew to set one hard cam on the ring, and one on the crowd to pick up their anticipated reaction to all the excitement the night of old school bad booked wrestling would bring. One major problem, there was no excitement. As one girl who was there to support a local non-political wrestler who actually helped in the organization of the event told me by text message, "This show is much quieter than the other I've been too." Well that can be sort of attributed to what happens when you put 125 people in a room that's built for 1000. AND you let a guy who would NOT have the foggiest clue of entertainment, oh I don't know lets called him Bushleaguer Martin, produce the event.
Normally, and I anticipate this at any moment, Marty will jump up, puff out his chest and brag about the level of production that this has been, and even go as far as to say it's never been seen before. He will say that critics everywhere are raving, though you won't be able to hear a single peep. I guess everyone just calls Marty personally to tell him of his level of success, but they all choose to keep the compliments secret. I once made the mistake of hiring Marty to co-produce an event I was having at Coyotes Bar and Billiards (now known as Vivid). The pompous jackoff, with absolutely no people skills decided he'd get on a ladder and start rigging their lights to better suit his vision of production. When venue manager Jamie walked up to Marty and asked what he was doing, Marty not so politely told him "Do you want a Hollywood production, or a typical Coyotes production?" in his uniquely and generally revered condescending tone. Yup that Marty GoldBoroditskysteinfleck is one hell of a producer... in his own mind. What was Condello thinking by hiring this loser?
And not to be outdone in the people skill lacking department, there's tag-team partner Bushleaguer Andrew. Before I get too deep into Andrew, who runs not promotes Premier Championship Wrestling, a local outfit that has been run into the ground the same way his ring has been maintained over the last 7 years (it hasn't been maintained at all, just to be clear). When the benefit and tribute show was first discussed, and my very good friend Danny Warren, promoter of CWE who wrestled against Kerry in his last match was going to organize the event (and given his track record this year, he would have vastly outperformed the Goldstein/Condello partnership) I immediately said given my reputation for being a political heat score, I would step back and not be involved in any planning, organization or event day production of the event. Though I fully supported the concept and wished for the best, I did not know Kerry at all and didn't think my involvement could be useful. The exact same thing could be said for Bushleaguer Andrew.
Well... Trust Bushleaguer Andrew to display his ridicularity and lack of ample people skills at the Kerry Brown Tribute Fundraising show. This one left me shaking my head in a disgusting laughter last night when I was told. Andrew the Bushleaguer, actually picked a fight in the back with local wrestler Rob Stardom. By all accounts, Stardom had been veteran like in asserting his position with local wrestling rookies Scott Justice and Sabortooth, both far from being mistaken as superstars in anyone but Bushleaguer Andrew's assessment. Who knows if he was right or wrong, maybe there was a little bit of both at play. However, he was one of Kerry's very good friends, and he loved Kerry like a big brother figure. Something he's told me himself. What does Bushleaguer Andrew do, on a night when Rob was probably a little bit sore inside? You guessed it. He started a verbal altercation that had to be pulled apart and cooled down by veteran Chi Chi Cruz.
Now many will jump all over me. But where in hell did these idiots grow up? Marty is knocking on or past 50 years old. Andrew is knocking on 40. And they perform like this on an occasion as important as this.
Last week before I got banned from a local wrestling discussion board by Bushleaguer Martin, I attempted to debate with him, a local college radio talk show host of all things. I wanted Marty to step up and be successful yesterday. I'd love to admit I was wrong today and Marty drew 400 people, and raised $5000+ (his first e-mail he informed the Winnipeg Wrestling community that he thought they needed to raise double that number at $10,000) and proved me wrong for suggested he handled himself terribly in this all important matter. Unfortunately, Marty lived up to his long-living performance level and only impressed himself.
One thing Bushleaguer Marty mis-represented last week was the notion that all the Industry leaders in Winnipeg were committed to making this event successful and would be "brought together". Well, not including myself because I don't need to refer to myself as a local wrestling leader, some of the following were not there: Mentallo and Kenny Omega (arguably the two best wrestlers based in the province right now and in the last 10 years), Shane Madison (who made a financial contribution but did not attend by choice), Danny Duggan (who just 3 weeks ago drew approximately 500 people to his show was in Thompson on a business trip), Ernie Todd (the last promoter to book Kerry regularly, who chose a shift at a part time job over appearing, though he bought a block of tickets in support), Jon Cutler (recently returned from WWE developmental in Florida, who probably had not even met Kerry). Marty was expected to be a LEADER for this event. Did he reach out to Wayne Stanton? No. Me? No, actually the minute Marty convinced Tony that he was the right guy to be a leader, I immediately got taken off the mailing list, in the off chance that I might want to make a financial or professional contribution.
Tony Condello is a love him or laugh at him kind of guy. But he holds considerable amounts of respect in certain circles locally that exceeds Marty Goldboroditskysteinfleck, but what is truly sad about this event is that it exposed that Tony can't bring Marty up to his respect level, and only diminished his own level of respect amongst the "local industry" by hitching his wagon to The Bushleaguer Martin.
And that's my donation to the cause.
What is it about the month of November? Last year Andrew Shallcross entered into a failed Promoters Marriage with Ernie Todd, and the results were laughable by many, and stressful for those who had too much vested to laugh. For those of us on the outside looking in, it was a great time to point and ridicule at the chicanery of those two trying to do what their version of "better for the business" was as an alliance. At that time, I coined the term, "Coalition of Idiots" to accurately describe the duo working together.
In the 1990's there was an entertaining tag-team in WWF called Luke & Butch-- The Bushwackers. They were beloved by children and outright mocked by adults. Well in 2009, we have a brand new version of The Bushwackers. They're right here from Winnipeg Wrestling, and their names are Marty and Andrew-- THE BUSHLEAGUERS. Nothing more evidenced this theory than last night's effort by Marty "Gold" Goldstein Boroditsky Fleck and whatever name he used today, to produce the tribute and fundraiser to the late Kerry "Pitbull" Brown. An event promoted by Tony Condello. Now, in the 90s The Bushwackers were lead to the ring by a geek named Jamison... Well this new age version can be lead around by Condello for being the only guy in town that would hire Marty to produce an event in this day in age.
I realize poking fun at Marty using a tribute and fundraiser is an extremely sensitive matter. And I apologize to those in advance for anything that may be taken as offensive. My goal here is to express an opinion, and the mark that Kerry left on the business is definitely respected by me. I hope the show was successful in raising the funds for the family to alleviate any financial burden the much too early death of Kerry caused.
The issue that has arisen to me, was Marty's outright manipulation to get the role of Producer from Condello in the first place. Marty used the logic that Winnipeg is a political hot-bed and if he was not named Producer to this event, some wrestlers would boycott the event, and some guys wouldn't want to do a job, and an "outsider" needed to be brought in to be a "Leader" of an event like this. With his tag-team partner Bushleaguer Andrew closely in tow, Marty demonstrated his incredible leadership by sending out blanket emails enlisting the help of whoever would assist in the event. I've booked talent and produced events for many years, and I don't think I've ever depended on blanket e-mails to unite such a supposed political landscape. Martin, if there was a gap to bridge, why did you not demonstrate your leadership with more than blanket emails? Because you are an idiot that's why.
But lets digress and back on topic. The event, which in his earliest e-mails needed to draw numbers that far exceeded 300 people that any community club could hold was attended by a mere 100-150 supporters. These fans were very quiet, which I guess is understandable given the fact that it was a solemn occasion. Martin the producer, instructed the tape crew to set one hard cam on the ring, and one on the crowd to pick up their anticipated reaction to all the excitement the night of old school bad booked wrestling would bring. One major problem, there was no excitement. As one girl who was there to support a local non-political wrestler who actually helped in the organization of the event told me by text message, "This show is much quieter than the other I've been too." Well that can be sort of attributed to what happens when you put 125 people in a room that's built for 1000. AND you let a guy who would NOT have the foggiest clue of entertainment, oh I don't know lets called him Bushleaguer Martin, produce the event.
Normally, and I anticipate this at any moment, Marty will jump up, puff out his chest and brag about the level of production that this has been, and even go as far as to say it's never been seen before. He will say that critics everywhere are raving, though you won't be able to hear a single peep. I guess everyone just calls Marty personally to tell him of his level of success, but they all choose to keep the compliments secret. I once made the mistake of hiring Marty to co-produce an event I was having at Coyotes Bar and Billiards (now known as Vivid). The pompous jackoff, with absolutely no people skills decided he'd get on a ladder and start rigging their lights to better suit his vision of production. When venue manager Jamie walked up to Marty and asked what he was doing, Marty not so politely told him "Do you want a Hollywood production, or a typical Coyotes production?" in his uniquely and generally revered condescending tone. Yup that Marty GoldBoroditskysteinfleck is one hell of a producer... in his own mind. What was Condello thinking by hiring this loser?
And not to be outdone in the people skill lacking department, there's tag-team partner Bushleaguer Andrew. Before I get too deep into Andrew, who runs not promotes Premier Championship Wrestling, a local outfit that has been run into the ground the same way his ring has been maintained over the last 7 years (it hasn't been maintained at all, just to be clear). When the benefit and tribute show was first discussed, and my very good friend Danny Warren, promoter of CWE who wrestled against Kerry in his last match was going to organize the event (and given his track record this year, he would have vastly outperformed the Goldstein/Condello partnership) I immediately said given my reputation for being a political heat score, I would step back and not be involved in any planning, organization or event day production of the event. Though I fully supported the concept and wished for the best, I did not know Kerry at all and didn't think my involvement could be useful. The exact same thing could be said for Bushleaguer Andrew.
Well... Trust Bushleaguer Andrew to display his ridicularity and lack of ample people skills at the Kerry Brown Tribute Fundraising show. This one left me shaking my head in a disgusting laughter last night when I was told. Andrew the Bushleaguer, actually picked a fight in the back with local wrestler Rob Stardom. By all accounts, Stardom had been veteran like in asserting his position with local wrestling rookies Scott Justice and Sabortooth, both far from being mistaken as superstars in anyone but Bushleaguer Andrew's assessment. Who knows if he was right or wrong, maybe there was a little bit of both at play. However, he was one of Kerry's very good friends, and he loved Kerry like a big brother figure. Something he's told me himself. What does Bushleaguer Andrew do, on a night when Rob was probably a little bit sore inside? You guessed it. He started a verbal altercation that had to be pulled apart and cooled down by veteran Chi Chi Cruz.
Now many will jump all over me. But where in hell did these idiots grow up? Marty is knocking on or past 50 years old. Andrew is knocking on 40. And they perform like this on an occasion as important as this.
Last week before I got banned from a local wrestling discussion board by Bushleaguer Martin, I attempted to debate with him, a local college radio talk show host of all things. I wanted Marty to step up and be successful yesterday. I'd love to admit I was wrong today and Marty drew 400 people, and raised $5000+ (his first e-mail he informed the Winnipeg Wrestling community that he thought they needed to raise double that number at $10,000) and proved me wrong for suggested he handled himself terribly in this all important matter. Unfortunately, Marty lived up to his long-living performance level and only impressed himself.
One thing Bushleaguer Marty mis-represented last week was the notion that all the Industry leaders in Winnipeg were committed to making this event successful and would be "brought together". Well, not including myself because I don't need to refer to myself as a local wrestling leader, some of the following were not there: Mentallo and Kenny Omega (arguably the two best wrestlers based in the province right now and in the last 10 years), Shane Madison (who made a financial contribution but did not attend by choice), Danny Duggan (who just 3 weeks ago drew approximately 500 people to his show was in Thompson on a business trip), Ernie Todd (the last promoter to book Kerry regularly, who chose a shift at a part time job over appearing, though he bought a block of tickets in support), Jon Cutler (recently returned from WWE developmental in Florida, who probably had not even met Kerry). Marty was expected to be a LEADER for this event. Did he reach out to Wayne Stanton? No. Me? No, actually the minute Marty convinced Tony that he was the right guy to be a leader, I immediately got taken off the mailing list, in the off chance that I might want to make a financial or professional contribution.
Tony Condello is a love him or laugh at him kind of guy. But he holds considerable amounts of respect in certain circles locally that exceeds Marty Goldboroditskysteinfleck, but what is truly sad about this event is that it exposed that Tony can't bring Marty up to his respect level, and only diminished his own level of respect amongst the "local industry" by hitching his wagon to The Bushleaguer Martin.
And that's my donation to the cause.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Rarest Occasion-- I WAS WRONG!
Recently, I boldly predicted that the Bombers would finish the season 6 and 12 and wouldn't even get a sniff of playoff football. As any Canadian Football League fan knows as of today, the Bombers finished 7 and 11 and if it hadn't been for a real bad half of football, they very well could have made the playoffs. So, I've been exposed, I'm far from being an expert on CFL Football. (This is me taking away the criticism I'm sure all those Mike Kelly lovers will fire off in my comment section).
Here's the scoop. Mike Kelly has been an embarrassment to the Winnipeg Football Club. Last week cussing out Bob Irving was a whole new low. Missing the playoffs in a division where the Toronto Argonauts finished 3 and 12, should be unacceptable. Being brash, arrogant, over the line of good taste often, is only acceptable when you are delivering championships. When you are missing the playoffs, and giving us the worst loss in a single game in recent memory (remember the Banjo Bowl? I sure do), and then swearing at a local Media Icon (Bob Irving), you should be fired. There should be no post last game of the season interview where you talk about your goals for the off season, you should gracefully call it a day and ride off quietly. No, Mike Kelly won't do this, he's done it his way this long, why change now.
All week long, I said if Mike Kelly matches Doug Berry's mark of 8 and 10 last season, and made the playoffs, let alone host a playoff game, he should get one more season to undo a lot of the wrong that he did this year. But that would require a win against a team that wanted it far worse. I laugh at those who argue Kevin Glenn isn't a worthy starting Quarterback in the CFL. 2 years ago, if it had not been for a broken limb, this guy quite possibly would have ended the long Championship drought that Blue Bomber fans have had to endure (please remember that Ryan Dinwiddie lost that game by a mere 4 points, and completed just 15 of 33 passes). Does anyone doubt that Greg Marshall's defense wasn't more prepared for this game than any other game this season? I wonder if Lyle Bauer watched that game, stroked his goatee and thought to himself "What if? What if I had just left Brendan Taman in charge? And what if he had promoted Greg Marshall to be Head Coach last year?" Those what if answers probably yield far different results. One Brendan knew how to work with the media, and get positives out of stories that could be slanted negatively. And I seriously doubt Greg Marshall ever would have allowed this team be so unprepared as to get humiliated as regularly as it did (Banjo Bowl, in Montreal last week, and today against Hamilton were rough to watch as Bomber fans).
I can't help but also wonder where this team finishes if Mike Kelly hadn't staked his entire existence to an inexperienced Quarterback going into training camp. Lets forgive that Kevin Glenn was released without even getting a training camp to prove himself in the new system. But Michael Bishop was a free agent a month into the season, and former league Most Outstanding Player Casey Printers was a free agent until about 8 weeks ago. You put anyone of those three through a training camp and familiarize them with this set of receivers, and the team probably finishes 9 and 9. And hosts a playoff game. And even with the inconsistent play that plagued Michael Bishop, it would be considered a success story for a rookie head coach to have finished second.
But not to worry. Mike Kelly didn't do the worst job in the CFL this summer. That distinction goes to Bart Andrus who boldly decided that Arland Bruce wasn't bigger than the Argos. Bruce is the single most talented receiver in the league right now. And his chemistry with Glenn is frightening. He is a true bona fide game breaker, and I believe he's the single biggest reason the TiCats finished second, and the Argos finished last.
So what now? In a perfect world, Lyle Bauer would hold a press conference and announce his resignation. The Winnipeg Football Club Executive would lure a worthy candidate to over see the corporate management of the team, and hire a truly qualified person to handle the Football operations. That Murphy fellow who is Director of Player Personnel would be fired for the Pacman Jones fiasco, Mike Kelly would be exterminated for being the irritating and disrespectful louse that he is. And a new direction for this franchise would be adopted immediately and urgently. He's as boring as a bowl of cornflakes but Tom Higgins comes to mind as the perfect choice to run the Football end. And with the impending deal to go to private ownership already well established, why not just name David Asper Chief Executive Officer. Higgins could coach, and coach damn good. The current roster of the Calgary Stampeders demonstrates that Higgins knows how to assemble a winning football program. He's won a Grey Cup as Head Coach in Edmonton. And I firmly believe in the motto "Once a coach, always a coach", he'd leave his post as Director of Officiating to run the program. One major problem though, the mis-management of one Lyle Bauer, has created a crisis where Doug Berry still has one year of pay as FIRED Head Coach. And for some insane reason that only Bauer understands Mike Kelly is allegedly the third highest paid Head Coach in the CFL (behind success stories named Buono and Huffnagel), and Kelly's contract has two more years before expiry. Yeah don't vomit, this idiot named Mike Kelly got paid more than Marc Trestman in Montreal, and Trestman had double the victories plus one this season. He could have loaned the Bombers 3 wins and still finished on top of the CFL East Division. True story!?!
It will be very interesting to watch the off season unfold. If Mike Kelly is retained as Head Coach, what will happen with Corporate Sponsorship? Season Ticket Sales? Free Agency? I am not much of a gambler, and I have no faith in Lyle Bauer's dice rolling skills. So here's hoping today was a stark wake-up call for the local professional football organization. We can only hope Lyle Bauer saw the same thing 1/3 of the fanbase saw, which is that his buddy Mike Kelly is a dismal failure as a pro football coach.
On Final thought... IF YOU GOOGLE MIKE KELLY, YOU'LL SEE HE DIDN'T HAVE SUCCESS AS HEAD COACH OF THE WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS.
Here's the scoop. Mike Kelly has been an embarrassment to the Winnipeg Football Club. Last week cussing out Bob Irving was a whole new low. Missing the playoffs in a division where the Toronto Argonauts finished 3 and 12, should be unacceptable. Being brash, arrogant, over the line of good taste often, is only acceptable when you are delivering championships. When you are missing the playoffs, and giving us the worst loss in a single game in recent memory (remember the Banjo Bowl? I sure do), and then swearing at a local Media Icon (Bob Irving), you should be fired. There should be no post last game of the season interview where you talk about your goals for the off season, you should gracefully call it a day and ride off quietly. No, Mike Kelly won't do this, he's done it his way this long, why change now.
All week long, I said if Mike Kelly matches Doug Berry's mark of 8 and 10 last season, and made the playoffs, let alone host a playoff game, he should get one more season to undo a lot of the wrong that he did this year. But that would require a win against a team that wanted it far worse. I laugh at those who argue Kevin Glenn isn't a worthy starting Quarterback in the CFL. 2 years ago, if it had not been for a broken limb, this guy quite possibly would have ended the long Championship drought that Blue Bomber fans have had to endure (please remember that Ryan Dinwiddie lost that game by a mere 4 points, and completed just 15 of 33 passes). Does anyone doubt that Greg Marshall's defense wasn't more prepared for this game than any other game this season? I wonder if Lyle Bauer watched that game, stroked his goatee and thought to himself "What if? What if I had just left Brendan Taman in charge? And what if he had promoted Greg Marshall to be Head Coach last year?" Those what if answers probably yield far different results. One Brendan knew how to work with the media, and get positives out of stories that could be slanted negatively. And I seriously doubt Greg Marshall ever would have allowed this team be so unprepared as to get humiliated as regularly as it did (Banjo Bowl, in Montreal last week, and today against Hamilton were rough to watch as Bomber fans).
I can't help but also wonder where this team finishes if Mike Kelly hadn't staked his entire existence to an inexperienced Quarterback going into training camp. Lets forgive that Kevin Glenn was released without even getting a training camp to prove himself in the new system. But Michael Bishop was a free agent a month into the season, and former league Most Outstanding Player Casey Printers was a free agent until about 8 weeks ago. You put anyone of those three through a training camp and familiarize them with this set of receivers, and the team probably finishes 9 and 9. And hosts a playoff game. And even with the inconsistent play that plagued Michael Bishop, it would be considered a success story for a rookie head coach to have finished second.
But not to worry. Mike Kelly didn't do the worst job in the CFL this summer. That distinction goes to Bart Andrus who boldly decided that Arland Bruce wasn't bigger than the Argos. Bruce is the single most talented receiver in the league right now. And his chemistry with Glenn is frightening. He is a true bona fide game breaker, and I believe he's the single biggest reason the TiCats finished second, and the Argos finished last.
So what now? In a perfect world, Lyle Bauer would hold a press conference and announce his resignation. The Winnipeg Football Club Executive would lure a worthy candidate to over see the corporate management of the team, and hire a truly qualified person to handle the Football operations. That Murphy fellow who is Director of Player Personnel would be fired for the Pacman Jones fiasco, Mike Kelly would be exterminated for being the irritating and disrespectful louse that he is. And a new direction for this franchise would be adopted immediately and urgently. He's as boring as a bowl of cornflakes but Tom Higgins comes to mind as the perfect choice to run the Football end. And with the impending deal to go to private ownership already well established, why not just name David Asper Chief Executive Officer. Higgins could coach, and coach damn good. The current roster of the Calgary Stampeders demonstrates that Higgins knows how to assemble a winning football program. He's won a Grey Cup as Head Coach in Edmonton. And I firmly believe in the motto "Once a coach, always a coach", he'd leave his post as Director of Officiating to run the program. One major problem though, the mis-management of one Lyle Bauer, has created a crisis where Doug Berry still has one year of pay as FIRED Head Coach. And for some insane reason that only Bauer understands Mike Kelly is allegedly the third highest paid Head Coach in the CFL (behind success stories named Buono and Huffnagel), and Kelly's contract has two more years before expiry. Yeah don't vomit, this idiot named Mike Kelly got paid more than Marc Trestman in Montreal, and Trestman had double the victories plus one this season. He could have loaned the Bombers 3 wins and still finished on top of the CFL East Division. True story!?!
It will be very interesting to watch the off season unfold. If Mike Kelly is retained as Head Coach, what will happen with Corporate Sponsorship? Season Ticket Sales? Free Agency? I am not much of a gambler, and I have no faith in Lyle Bauer's dice rolling skills. So here's hoping today was a stark wake-up call for the local professional football organization. We can only hope Lyle Bauer saw the same thing 1/3 of the fanbase saw, which is that his buddy Mike Kelly is a dismal failure as a pro football coach.
On Final thought... IF YOU GOOGLE MIKE KELLY, YOU'LL SEE HE DIDN'T HAVE SUCCESS AS HEAD COACH OF THE WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS.
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