A new face for football needed; and all NBA GMs are chatty now

You want to know why the Argos are a bit of a joke?

First, read Zelk’s piece here about the zaniness of the last two days and tell me there aren’t some upper management issues with that team that could very well force some long-time fans to wonder what, exactly, is going on at the top.

Classic.

They either hired the guy from Calgary or they didn’t; the Stamps say he’s going, the Argos say he’s not and someone’s, um, fibbing.

They’ve got a new head coach coming in today (that much we know for sure because they said it themselves) and I guess that means the old head coach is done and I guess we all just missed that announcement (which could very well be the case for me).

Anyway, the shenanigans kind of make me wonder just who’s in control over there? As has been pointed out many times – including here every now and then – this is a franchise that needs – for better or worse – someone colourful, accessible, recognizable as the go-to guy for not only the media but the fans.

They can’t seem to sell the product on the field because it’s been pretty below average most years, they don’t seem to have that one star player – a quarterback would be nice – that people can rally around and if those two things don’t happen, they need a face, a name, a person.

A Leo Cahill.

A Pinball Clemons.

Heck, even Obie was a good guy that people could relate to.

The owner’s probably a nice guy with his heart in the right place but he’s not Harry Ornest, or Bruce McNall or John Bassett or even Sherwood Schwartz, bless his out-of-his-element-like-you-can’t-believe soul.

I have no idea if this new coach, Scott Milanovich, is a dynamic personality or not, whether he’ll be able to connect with the fans and the media in a way so many in recent years haven’t been able to. No clue, really, whether he can coach; I wouldn’t imagine it’d be that hard to be a successful offensive co-ordinator of a team quarterbacked by Anthony Calvillo but maybe he’s the innovative mind and recruiter they need to jazz things up around there.

But as they lurch from one thing to another, the one pressing need they have is someone to become the guy people associate with the football team. Someone exciting and dynamic and able to sell the sizzle ‘cause the steak’s little but gristle these days.

And if they keep shooting themselves in the foot as they seem to be, that job’s going to get harder and harder and they will sink further and further into oblivion.

Too bad, too. You kind of want them to be successful.

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This is a good one:

Q: Hi Doug... If you could sit beside any of the courtside celebrities for one game, who would it be?

Woody?

Spike?

Jack?

Dyan Cannon?

Denzel?

Please provide a clip with your choice! Mine would be Woody, and the story of how he shot a moose. (or the gub spelling mistake, or the Candid Camera bit with the secretary or...)

Bob E, Kanata

A: Yes, Woody would be a nice one, no question about it. But I’m hanging with Jack because it’s a better team we’d be watching, I’d like to spend some time watching him interact with other players and coaches, we could hang with other celebrities in some party room and then we’re going out for dinner. And oldtimers will know that could be a gas.

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So, I see by People magazine (which I believe is the New York Times of pop culture and all the other crap some people see as news these days) reports The Hump is seeking an annulment from what’s-her-name on the grounds of fraud.

My question?

Can the general public file a similar suit against them both to recover the lost wages and energy some of you wasted caring?

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Oh yeah.

There’s nothing official just yet – might not be until Monday – but if I was you and was intently interested in seeing the HOTH’s first and only pre-season home game, I might make sure I had nothing on for the afternoon of Dec. 18.

Just sayin’.

And, yes, it’ll be Boston.

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Hey, how ‘bout that Sonny Weems, who apparently hasn’t found a barber over in Lithuania quite yet.

Has 18 points, including game-winning basket as Zalgiris Kaunas wins a big EuroLeague game over Garbo’s old Malaga team.

Here’s the story; there’s the video.

(No, he didn’t pull up and take a three-pointer, the kid’s learning).

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Just in case you were wondering, it would appear from reading various missives from around the NBA that every general manager talked to every agent about every player.

All yesterday!

Yeah, it’s that silly time of year when we’re getting reports that this team has “targeted” that guy, or that guy “wants” to go to this team and here’s a word to the wise:

If every GM didn’t make a call to the representatives of every significant player on the market, they aren’t doing their jobs and should probably wonder about alternative employment.

No, I don’t know for sure who Bryan Colangelo talked to yesterday but I can assure you he would have touched base with dozens of agents ranging from the reps of Marc Gasol to the reps of Tyson Chandler to the reps of every player at the lower end of the free agent spectrum.

And, no, I have no idea if those conversations will ultimately bear any fruit – I certainly don’t expect so in the first two instances – but when there’s something of actual substance to report, you’ll be among the first to know.

For now?

He’s talking. A lot. As is everyone. Believe what you want at your own peril the next few days and get excited about it as you wish.

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Speaking of mail, we could use some here, thank you very much.

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So, how slow a TV night was it?

Saw about three-quarters of the Leaves game (yes, on purpose; no, I don’t see any hives on my arms or legs) and that probably represents more intense pucks-watching as I’ve done all season.

Of course, a lot of it had to do with the build-up to the game, one of those “measuring-stick” outings against the Boston Kryptonites and, no, the hometown side didn’t let me down.

But even with my scant knowledge of the game – goaltending’s good, right? – you could tell this version of the pucks aren’t too bad. Kind of fast, look like they know what they’re doing and those poor, downtrodden eight-year-olds who have never known the glory of a first-round playoff series (how incomplete must their lives be?) may finally be whole this spring.

And who knows …

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Comments

[Lorie]

Morning Doug!
Well, with the looks on their faces, I'm wondering if that photo doesn't date back to a particular Sunday in November in 1971 with Mr. Cahill and Mr. Theismann ruminating about the wisdom of passing to Mr. McQuay on a slippery field. Or maybe Mr. Cahill was for the first time uttering his now-classic line: "Crap, Joe! You know what they'll be saying? That Leon slipped, and I fell." And I love Sonny's new look; and his game's grown some, too, it would seem. :) Cheers!

[john]

Nice dunk by Weams. Now we know where the Raps former "Assistant coach of off the ball defending" found work...

[mjfn]

You're spot on about the Argos, Doug. Perhaps management should consult the dictionary for the correct definition of "professional" and write it out until it's fully understood - I know that this activity helped to clarify my understanding of appropriate behaviour as a youngster. The best recent joke I heard about the Argos was Barker saying, with a straight face, he thought he had done a pretty good job this year.

[C-Mac]

Please - no Argos commentary!!!! Its going to kill this blog.. Don't let the TF change the scope that much!

[Tim]

Thanks for the Sonny Weems info. Nice to see him having a good game.

[ditch]

John Candy was the last passionate face of the Argos (circa 1994.) Pinball gave it a go but got too weird at the end.

[Nick]

yeah stick to Basketball Doug. Ugh CFL.

[Isaac]

Doug, a few GM's have spoken to media already regarding some plans. Why hasn't Bryan spoken yet since news of agreement? When might we hear from him and his plans?

Blogger's note: His decision, waiting for some more CBA certainty; he will in his due time and we're asking every day. You'll be the first to know. But for now he's being like the majority of NBA GMs, waiting things out and preferring to work on building his team than doing media

[Andrew]

Nick...ugh yourself. I happen to love both. And it will be interesting to see which team - the Argos or the Raps - have done the most to burn bridges over the past few years, or specifically the last few months. The Argos at least have a long history on their side.

Although I disagree that the Argos need a shiny face. Win, and enough fans will come out to make the franchise a healthy concern. I mean, who has made a bigger joke out of themselves then both sides of the NBA labour lockout? Hunter and Stern have embarrassed the league. But if the Raps come out and do well, the fans will follow. If they continue to play poorly, attendance will drop. By the same token if the new Argo coaches get the team into the playoffs, any subterfuge in their hiring will be quickly forgotten.

[Adrian]

"Blogger's note: His decision, waiting for some more CBA certainty; he will in his due time and we're asking every day. You'll be the first to know. But for now he's being like the majority of NBA GMs, waiting things out and preferring to work on building his team than doing media."
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Honestly, do you work in his office or something? Lolol! Because that's what you'd say if you did. You defend him by default, even when you don't need to. I don't know if I remember you questioning, merely questioning, a single move made under Bryan's watch (anyone?) despite the team's epic collapse over his time. Two words: 60 losses. Have a nice day.

Blogger's note: Not bad for a guy who swore this place off forever. How's Bosh's foundation? Miss him? So, does "have a nice day" mean "talk to you tomorrow" or is as useless a declaration as your others?

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Yikes, Doug, what's happening here? I found myself enjoying that pucks match-up last night, too... they even managed to ward off the usual featured goon bouts in favour of, you know, playing hockey. Downright refreshing!
So does your routine now bring you back to the ACC on a daily basis, hanging around for practices, quotes, interviews, etc.? Any reports on who's in town now, or any new faces you might be looking to show up next week? Wondering in particular about Reggie. Would he be back in T.O., or is he back home, waiting for the phone to ring? Cheers.

Blogger's note: Very few in town, just working on a story on that now

[m]

Less football, esp. American, and less hockey.

[Bill]

Should the Raptors try to sign Hump? Do you think he will be a good fit?

Blogger's note: No. And no.

[Jacques]

Doug, can you trade me to the Knicks? what's going on with CP3.

[Peter]

The phrase, "These are my people!!" comes to mind again today. :)

[Eric]

If the rumours are true that CP3 wants to be traded (specifically to NY...but also possibly to Orlando, or one other city that I can't remember right now), then what good did the owners do by fixing system issues? I mean it seems like NBA players will continually make star studded teams because they can, by forcing a trade (to a specific team).