Hartley Miller's Slap Shots - August 20th, 2010 - Opinion 250 - News for Northern and Central Interior of British Columbia, Canada

Hartley Miller's Slap Shots - August 20th, 2010

Friday, August 20, 2010 03:45 AM

If a team earns one win in seven games and the season is nearly 40 per cent complete, it is fair to suggest that team “stinks”. After all, there is no hiding from a dismal record. With this in mind, it is safe to say that the B.C. Lions STINK.

The Lions will not lose again this week, only because they have a bye. After seven games, B.C. has scored the fewest points in the CFL thanks to their inconsistent quarterbacks- Casey Printers, Travis Lulay and Jarious Jackson- and pathetic performances from an inexperienced offensive line. The Lions receivers, as a unit, have recorded three touchdowns, two of them from Geroy Simon. This stems from the QB's and the lack of protection they have received.

So, how bad is this picture? Well, here is how the Lions compare to other teams in touchdowns from receivers:

· Calgary-18

· Montreal-16;

· Hamilton-15;

· Winnipeg-12;

· Saskatchewan-11;

· Toronto-7; and

· Edmonton- 7.

Surprisingly, the Lions’ defensive game is much better. In fact, the Lions are 3rd in the league in points allowed; however, as you know, they cannot rely on the “D” to score or to prevent an interception return for a touchdown.

Wally Buono has received criticism this year even though he is the all-time win leader amongst coaches in CFL history. He has won nearly 2/3rds of his regular season games with a record of 236-128-3. In addition, Buono, now in his 19th season as head coach, is 20-15 in the playoffs with 12 West Division Championships (Calgary and BC) and 4 Grey Cups.

Nevertheless, in the world of sports, in general, and football in particular, fans, media and ownership follows the old adage of “what have you done for us lately”. The 60-year-old Buono has never coached a team with this record (1-6) or a club on a six game losing streak, until this year. Critics question whether the game has passed him by. I am sure Buono knew he would face challenges this season, especially with so many new players on the team, but I doubt he imagined such a bad team.

Clearly, the Lions are part of the league’s B Division. Please do not try to convince me there is overall parity in the CFL. Here is what I mean after seven games for each team:

“A” Division:

· Calgary 6-1 (Only loss to Toronto)

· Montreal 5-2 (Only losses to Saskatchewan and Toronto)

· Saskatchewan 5-2 (Only losses to Montreal and Calgary)

· Toronto 5-2 (Only losses to Montreal and Calgary)

“B” Division

· Hamilton 3-4 (All wins against Winnipeg)

· Winnipeg 2-5 (Only wins against Hamilton and Edmonton)

· Edmonton 1-6 (Only win against BC)

· BC 1-6 (Only win against Edmonton)

Am I the only one to find it remarkable that none of the bottom four teams have a single win against any of the top four? That is right; the “A” teams started 14-0 vs the “B”.

I still do not believe that Toronto is as good as the other “A” clubs; however, they already have more wins than last year and are undeniably the most improved team in the league. Calgary, Montreal, and Saskatchewan are considerably better than the lesser lights. As an example, the Riders have beaten the Lions by a combined 74-31 total (scores of 37-18, 37-13). Case closed.

By the way, what league schedules one team (Hamilton) to play another (Winnipeg) in four of its first seven games? One certainly cannot blame CFL poverty on that one.

Ok, back to the Lions: BC’s next five games are against Calgary, Montreal, Toronto, Hamilton, and Calgary again. Yikes! Then they play Winnipeg twice and Edmonton before concluding against Calgary, Saskatchewan and Hamilton.

The Lions will be lucky to finish with half-a-dozen wins this year. This will make it two straight below .500 seasons, as B.C was 8-10 in 2009. Buono’s worst season as coach came in 2002 when the Stampeders finished 6-12. It happened to be his last year in Calgary. Could Buono face a similar fate and exit from the Lions after this year? Based on his remarkable career, that would not be fair, but who says fairness and football go hand in hand?

From the Quote Rack:

The Bucs' practices have been closed to the public. Shouldn't the B.C. Lions do the same with their home games?

Cam Hutchinson of the Saskatoon StarPhoenix

Edmonton's Royal Alexandra Hospital emergency department is launching a survey of homeless people in an attempt to find ways to better serve them. One suggestion... pay CFL players a living wage.

People who collect celebrity memorabilia are anxiously awaiting the weekend, when props and costumes from the TV show Lost go up for auction. This is the second auction for Lost memorabilia after the Edmonton City Council offered equipment from their professional teams.

Contributor Derek Wilken of Calgary (http://smacksport.blogspot.com/)

JaMarcus Russell may not be an Oakland Raider anymore, but he still is dealing with issues from his arrest for using codeine syrup? Codeine? As in available in Canada without a prescription? What my mother used to give us for colds? The guy can’t even do drugs at a major league level.

Phil Mickelson says he’s being treated for arthritis. Guess he and Tiger both have had problems this year spending too much time being stiff.

Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California (www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com)

The last seven weeks - this will be the shocker - I've actually been a vegetarian," revealed golfer Phil Mickelson. So that's why he's been attacking the greens lately.

Dwight Perry of the Seattle Times http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sidelinechatter/

Dustin Johnson missed a shot at winning the PGA because of a two-shot penalty for grounding his club in a questionable bunker on the last hole. That’s the most severe penalty for sticking your club where it didn’t belong since, well, Tiger’s divorce settlement.

Comedy writer Alex Kaseberg http://thordoggie.blogspot.com/

MediaTakeOut.com reports that Kansas City Chiefs WR Brian Chambers has dumped his wife and has married his stalker. Jessica Simpson now has new hope to land Tony Romo.

Two zebras were finally caught after a wild five-hour romp through Carmichael, CA over the
weekend. Roger Goodell was furious and said that they 'should be setting the example'.

Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California

That's an interesting switch - people from New Orleans visiting a disaster area.

Jay Leno of NBC on the Super Bowl champion Saints touring the White House.

The first promo for Conan O'Brien's new show on TBS has aired. Unfortunately, half way through it was cut off by a Doritos commercial with Jay Leno.

Isiah Thomas says he won't be returning to the New York Knicks as a consultant. In a related story, Bernie Madoff will not be starting up another investment advising business anytime in the near future.

Comedy writer Jim Barach of WCHS-TV in Charleston, W.Va (http://jokesbyjim.blogspot.com/)

Well, K-Rod's arrest is already having ramifications for his teammates. Yeah, Johan Santana is now gonna have to find another character witness for his sexual harassment trial.

Giants QB Eli Manning took a nasty blindside hit Monday night, causing his head to whiplash violently. As a result, three Mets are now out with concussions.

Comedy writer Marc Ragovin of New York

Former American League MVP Jose Canseco signed a minor league contract with the Laredo Broncos. The man is 46 years old; the only steroids he’s taking these days are to keep his prostate from enlarging.

Comedy writer Jerry Perisho http://monologuewriter.blogspot.com/

Former boxer Mike Landrum is suing Mike Tyson for $115 million claiming Tyson stole his Iron Mike nickname 25 years ago. Suing Mike Tyson? Isn't that like trying to grab a naked man by the pockets?

www.Sportsdeke.com

And in case you missed it:

Hometown hero Michael Lorenzo launched a chunk of manure 103 feet to capture the World Championship Buffalo Chip Toss to highlight the Fur Trade Days celebration in Chadron, Nebraska.
Although it was a great accomplishment, afterward not a single person shook his hand.

Brad Dickson of the Omaha World Herald

Hartley Miller is the sports director for radio stations 94X and the Wolf@97fm. He also writes for the PG Free Press. Send along a quote, note, or anecdote to hmiller@94xfm.com.

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