Monday Morning Musings

And you thought the Argonauts were having trouble in the red zone before. . .

If Ricky Ray is out for any significant period of time with an apparent knee problem, the 6-6 Argos might just find themselves in a little trouble as far as making the post-season. That didn't seem to be an issue after the first week of September following consecutive victories over the hot-and-cold Tiger-Cats, but since then losses to B.C. and Montreal, which including the loss of Ray in the first quarter, the picture has changed for Scott Milanovich.

It's not just the quarterbacking issue, although it seems highly unlikely Jarious Jackson can be anything but serviceable. The penatles just won't stop, the defensive line doesn't sack anybody (zero against Montreal) and the field goal team has a nightmarish day on Sunday, including allowing a 129-yard return for a touchdown.

The good news is the Argos are being "chased" by Hamilton and Winnipeg, neither of which seem capable of putting two good games together. But the Bombers will host the Argos this Saturday and with Buck Pierce back from injury, look a little more dangerous. No wonder Milanovich is breathlessly waiting to find out out the results of tests on Ray's knee.

In other news:

It shows you how poisonous the relationship is between the NHL and NHLPA that people are opening talking about losing the full season. What was once unthinkable is apparently now acceptable, or even predictable. . .That Jimmy Devellano was fined by the NHL highlights one of the least appealing characteristics of Gary Bettman's NHL. Free speech is not allowed. If players can talk, owners and executives shouldn't be muzzled. . .Amazing to hear players talk about how they must go to Europe because after all, they worked so hard all summer. It's like they can't even imagine that players already on European teams also work hard. . .Manti Te'o, meet Torrey Smith. Amazing fortitude for young men. . .Notre Dame is 4-0 with a fearsome looking defence. But Michigan fans must be waiting for Denard Robinson to graduate so the Wolverines can ditch that pee wee football offence. it's embarrassing. . .That Meet the Press political debate Sunday morning was rivetting stuff. Don't like his politics, but Joe Scarborough is good TV. . .Still not sure I understand why it takes 10 fights before the OHL starts penalizing teenagers from scrapping too much. But it's a start, I suppose. . . My Marauders are unbeaten and reigning national champs. My wife's GeeGees went down to Laurier. My daughter's McGill squad lost 69-0 on Friday. My other daughter's Thunderbirds lost 62-7. I am ruling this CIS pigskin household.  . .My other alma mater, Ryerson, has a spectacular new hockey and athletic facility in what once was Maple Leaf Gardens. Wandered in the other day. Took a while, but they've done something very, very good with that building. . .This won't make Oiler fans happy, but Oklahoma City should have a rockin' team this fall. . .Best thing about the lockout for Leaf fans is there's no opportunity for the team to even consider keeping first round pick Morgan Rielly in the NHL this season. . .By the way, all you hear about is all the young prospects the Jays have. But they don't have one the quality of Rielly, let alone Bryce Harper. . .Marcus Ball plays linebacker with a lot of energy and anger. Only way to do it. . .Nice to see Mike Singletary recognized on the weekend for the contribution he made to what is now a very good 49ers team. . .Why does it take until the fourth quarter for the Broncos to start playing with urgency?. . .If neither Anaheim nor Detroit make the post-season after spending zillions on Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder, you wonder if that might make Alex Anthopoulos' off-season a little less pressure-filled. Nah. . .Everybody's talking about Nathan MacKinnon and Seth Jones. Maybe not enough are talking about Curtis Lazar. Top prospects game in Halifax this January should be a treat. . .Trent Guy was twice dragged down by his long hair in Sunday's Argos-Als match. Looked just as dangerous as a horse collar tackle. With so many players wearing their hair halfway down their backs, how soon before football has to legislate against hair tackles?