Mike Kelly is....??

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Winnipeg Blue Bomber head coach Mike Kelly is... (TREVOR HAGAN / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)

CALGARY -- Say what you will about Mike Kelly -- and holy-moly, Winnipeg Blue Bomber fans sure have had their say this season -- but it could be argued no one individual in the Canadian Football League over the last decade has made such an indelible impression as the Bomb Squad's head coach in his first year wearing the big headset.

And for those who identify with his passion and adore his defiance, that indelible impression is akin to an injection of plasma in a league that has always welcomed the outspoken. For others, however, Kelly's first year was like getting whacked on the back of the head by a ball-peen hammer. Over and over and over again.

We bring this up today as we present this edition of what has become a popular staple during the championship week of three-down football -- the 7th Annual Winnipeg Free Press/Calgary Herald Grey Cup Media Poll. And in the process of polling radio, television and newspaper types who cover this league from Montreal to Vancouver -- 45 of whom responded -- the results screamed out one thing: love him or hate him, the Bomber head coach is great copy.

Kelly topped a couple-three categories in the poll, including Mr. &^%$#! -- Biggest Jerk -- and the best quote among CFL coaches/general managers. The Bombers also dominated the answers provided to the question: worst personnel move; with Kelly's fingerprints all over those decisions. And perhaps the most entertaining responses to the poll came to the question asking respondents to finish this sentence: 'Winnipeg Blue Bomber head coach Mike Kelly is..."

So now that our loyal readers are properly teased and undoubtedly giddy with excitement, we present the results of the annual media poll with the percentage of votes garnered to each question listed:

▼ MR. OVERRATED

Which CFL player gets way more hype/pub than deserved?

45 responses (26 different vote-getters)

1. Rob Murphy OL, Tor. -- 6 (13.3%)

2. Arland Bruce III, WR., Ham.; Adriano Belli, DT, Tor. -- 4 (8.8)

3. Michael Bishop, QB, Wpg.; Jesse Lumsden, RB, Edm. -- 3 (6.7)

4. Maurice Lloyd, LB, Edm.; Brandon Browner, CB, Cal.; Nik Lewis, SB, Cal.; Ben Cahoon, SB, Mtl.; Ricky Ray, QB, Edm. -- 2 (4.4)

Inside the numbers: Murphy got huge coin to leave the B.C. Lions and join the Argos in free agency. And we all know how that turned out for the Argos, easily the worst outfit in the country. Interestingly, Murphy finished fourth in this category last year, well behind Lion QB Casey Printers.

▼ MR. UNDERRATED

Which CFL player deserves a little more publicity?

45 responses (28 different vote-getters)

1. Avon Cobourne, RB, Mtl. -- 5 (11.1)

2. Rob Bagg, WR, Sask.; Joffrey Reynolds, RB, Cal. -- 4 (8.8)

3. Darian Durant, QB, Sask. -- 3 (6.7)

4. Dave Stala, SB, Ham.; Markeith Knowlton, LB, Ham,; Arkee Whitlock, RB, Edm.; Jamel Richardson, SB, Mtl., Fred Stamps, SB, Edm. -- 2 (4.4)

Inside the numbers: Cobourne finished sixth in rushing with 1,214 yards, but also led the league with 15 TDs despite missing two games. Bagg blossomed this year and Reynolds has posted five consecutive 1K rushing seasons.

▼ Mr. &^%$#!

Name the CFL's biggest jerk

41 responses (15 different vote-getters).

1. Mike Kelly, head coach, Wpg. -- 23 (56.1)

2. Adriano Belli, DL, Tor. -- 3 (7.3)

3. Barrin Simpson, LB, Wpg.; Nik Lewis, SB, Cal. -- 2 (4.9)

Inside the numbers: Astonishing numbers, given how lopsided the results are here. We found most out-of-town media types already had their minds made up on Kelly before meeting him. And while he rubbed many in the press the wrong way, nobody turned off their microphones or slammed shut their notepads whenever he spoke.

▼ NICE GUY AWARD

Which CFL player would you love to sit down and have a pint with? 43 responses (32 vote-getters)

1. Geroy Simon, WR, B.C.; Brent Johnson, DE, B.C.; Henry Burris, QB, Cal. -- 3 (7)

2. Marwan Hage, OL, Ham.; Doug Brown, DT, Wpg.; Adriano Belli, DT, Tor.; Anthony Calvillo, QB, Mtl., Bryan Chiu, C, Mtl. -- 2 (4.7)

Inside the numbers: Both Simon, Johnson and Burris are engaging and always available, win or lose. Interesting that the Argos' Belli appears here and on the jerk list.

▼ READY FOR PRIME TIME

Which CFL assistant is ready to be bumped up to head coach

44 responses (seven different vote-getters)

1. Greg Marshall, DC, Ham. -- 20 (45.5)

2. Mike Benevides, DC, B.C. -- 11 (25)

3. Chris Jones, DC, Cal. -- 5 (11.4)

4. Scott Milanovich, OC, Mtl. -- 4 (9.1)

5. Paul LaPolice, OC, Sask. -- 2 (4.5)

Inside the numbers: Another year, another poll, another first-place finish for Marshall. Sooner or later he'll get his shot.

▼ Oops! Award

WORST PERSONNEL MOVE BY ANY CFL COACH/GM THIS SEASON

47 RESPONSES (some voted for a couple things as a tie; 12 different vote-getters)

1. Bombers trading for/committing to Stefan LeFors -- 14 (29.8)

2. Argos trading Arland Bruce III -- 13 (27.7)

3. Bombers passing on Casey Printers; Bombers cutting Kevin Glenn -- 4 (8.5)

4. Esks firing Rick Worman; Esks signing Lumsden; Bombers/ pursuit of Pacman Jones; Bombers hiring Mike Kelly -- 2 (4.3)

Inside the numbers: Notice a Bomber theme here? It wasn't just that Kelly traded two picks for LeFors, it was his decision to anoint him as the No. 1 gun, trade Glenn and then enter camp with no veteran backup.

▼ SAY WHAT?!

Worst quote player

36 responses (19 different vote-getters)

1. Romby Bryant, SB, Cal. -- 10 (27.7)

2 Richy Ray, QB, Edm. -- 4 (11.1)

3. Michael Bishop, QB, Wpg. -- 3 (8.3)

4. Brandon Browner, CB, Cal.; DeAndra' Cobb, RB, Ham.; James Patrick, S, Sask. -- 2 (5.6)

Inside the numbers: Bryant didn't do interviews here in Winnipeg, but did in Calgary. He's not a bad dude, just a guy who doesn't have a lot of interesting things to say.

Worst quote GM/coach

41 responses (10 different vote-getters)

1. John Hufnagel, Cal. -- 12 (29.3)

2. Ken Miller, Sask. -- 9 (21.9)

3. Marc Trestman, Mtl. -- 8 (19.5)

4. Bart Andrus, Tor. -- 4 (9.8)

5. Mike Kelly, Wpg. -- 3 (7.3)

Inside the numbers: The Stamps' Huffer defends his title from a year ago. Interesting to note that the top three vote-getters all had their teams in the division finals with Miller and Trestman now in the big game.

Best quote player

43 responses (20 different vote-getters)

1. Doug Brown, DT, Wpg. -- 12 (29.3)

2. Henry Burris, QB, Cal. -- 5 (11.6)

3. Jeremaine Copeland, SB, Cal. -- 3 (6.9)

4. Anwar Stewart, DE, Mtl.; Arland Bruce, rec., Ham.; Nik Lewis, rec. Cal,; Avon Cobourne, RB, Mtl.; Otis Floyd, LB, Ham.; Mo Lloyd, LB, Edm. -- 2 (4.7)

Inside the numbers: Readers have often asked why yours truly quotes Brown so much. Easy. He's a money quote, he's insightful and has an aversion to spouting clichés.

Best quote GM/coach

41 responses (6 different vote-getters)

1. Mike Kelly, Wpg. -- 27 (65.9)

2. Wally Buono, B.C. -- 8 (19.5)

3. Marcel Bellefeuille, Ham. -- 3 (7.3)

Inside the numbers: Forget the over-publicized blow-ups like "Non issue, handled internally, next question," Kelly's daily scrums were can't-miss theatre. We liked what we heard from afar from Buono, too, who served up some of his best and most honest stuff when the Lions struggled this season.

Next Stefan Logan/Cam Wake -- name a player who may be the next to make it big in the NFL

40 responses (21 different vote getters)

1. Martel Mallett, RB, B.C. -- 8 (20)

2. Justin Medlock, K, Tor., Emmanuel Arceneaux, rec., B.C. -- 5 (12.5)

3. Jovon Johnson, CB, Wpg.; Calvin Armstrong, OL, Edm.; John Chick, DE, Sask.; Ricky Foley, DE, B.C. -- 2 (5)

Inside the numbers: Mallett's numbers dropped late in the season, but he is a battering ram with wheels. Medlock was steady, but we really like Arceneaux, the rookie B.C. receiver who is just 22.

Best CFL on-air personality -- Radio or TV

45 responses (13 different vote-getters).

1. Chris Cuthbert, TSN -- 14 (31.1)

2. Bob Irving, CJOB -- 12 (26.7)

3. Duane Forde, Jock Climie, Chris Schultz, TSN -- 3 (6.7)

4. Rod Pederson, CKRM, Glen Suitor, TSN -- 2 (4.4)

Inside the numbers: Cuthbert is a pro and a class act. But it speaks of the respect of the craft OB's Knuckles has earned that he finishes a close second even though his work is heard primarily in one market.

You're Jeff Hunt, co-owner of the pending Ottawa franchise, who is your first GM?

41 responses (14 different vote-getters)

1. Brendan Taman, Sask. -- 12 (29.3)

2. Eric Tillman, Sask. -- 5 (12.2)

3. Wally Buono, B.C. -- 4 (9.8)

4. Jim Barker, Cal. -- 3 (7.3)

Inside the numbers: Taman, the former Bomber GM, would be a good fit in the capital where he has worked before. Somehow, some way he'd cobble together a contender for an expansion side, relying on his connections, his knowledge of the league and his many napkins scribbled with information.

Your first move as the Toronto Argonauts president would be...

41 responses (13 different responses)

1. Clean house -- 13 (31.7)

2. Fire Adam Rita and Greg Mohns -- 10 (24.4)

3. Fire Bart Andrus -- 6 (14.6)

Inside the numbers: Translation? The Argos' woes, it would seem, can be fixed with a match and a couple of cases of TNT.

▼ THE LIGHTNING ROUND

Mark Cohon's rating as CFL commissioner to date:

Thumbs up/down

40 responses

Up -- 38 (95)

Down -- 2 (5)

Will the CFL see a work stoppage in 2010?

Yes/No

44 responses

No -- 42 (95.5)

Yes -- 2 (4.5)

Best CFL road trip

42 responses

1. Montreal -- 22 (52.4)

2. Vancouver -- 14 (33.3)

3. Calgary, Toronto -- 2 (4.8)

Worst CFL road trip

41 responses

1. Hamilton -- 25 (60.9)

2. Regina, Winnipeg -- 6 (14.6)

3. Edmonton -- 3 (7.3)W

Name the CFL's most professional organization, top to bottom

44 responses

1. Montreal -- 19 (43.2)

2. Calgary, Edmonton -- 10 (22.7)

3. Saskatchewan -- 3 (6.8)

Name the CFL's least-professional organization, top to bottom

42 responses

1. Toronto -- 22 (52.4)

2. Winnipeg -- 19 (45.2)

Should CFL teams be allowed to start fewer Canadians?

44 responses

Yes/No

No -- 43 (97.7)

Yes -- 1 (2.3)

Officiating this year:

44 responses

Stayed the same -- 24 (54.5)

Took a step backwards -- 12 (27.3)

Improved -- 8 (18.2)

Do you scan your team's fan chat-boards?

45 responses

Occasionally -- 20 (44.4)

Never -- 15 (33.3)

Always -- 10 (22.2)

ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca