Money quotes earn Brown most votes

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 24/11/2010 (5428 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

EDMONTON — Many, many moons ago — back in the days when the Winnipeg Blue Bombers were gallivanting to spots all over the U.S. map — Chris Walby was holding court at a media session at Hornet Field one summer night in Sacramento.

Yours truly was taking it all in and listening to Walby trot out some of his old standards — that he was roughly 200 pounds at birth and that his poor mother was in traction for weeks afterward… ba dum-dum — when one of the TV types who covered the Gold Miners leaned over to another and, while wiping tears of laughter from his face, said:

“This guy is freakin’ hilarious. He should do standup at Yuk Yuk’s or something. Seriously, THAT is one funny dude.”

Walby was then and will forever be the captain of my all-quote team. Slow news day? A crowd would invariably gather around the big man and exit a few minutes later with enough material to fill an entire sports section or sportscast.

It’s a tradition that continues with the Bombers, it would seem, based on the results of our 8th annual Winnipeg Free Press/Calgary Herald Grey Cup Media Poll — that yearly snapshot of the hot topics/issues in the CFL we compile courtesy our friends who cover this league from across the country.

Yes, if it wasn’t Walby busting guts with one-liners it was Milt Stegall pontificating on his guarantees in life — “Death, taxes, Milt Stegall being on time, Milt Stegall being pretty, Milt Stegall being in tip-top shape.”

And now the glorious and prestigious honour of being dubbed the CFL’s best quote — OK, to many ‘glorious and prestigious’ is a bit of a stretch — is absolutely owned by current Bomber defensive tackle Doug Brown, who has grabbed the nod for two straight years now after being runner-up to Stegall in 2008.

He is, as we say in the media biz, a money quote. And just to top it all off, Brown also picked up the most votes in the ‘player you’d most like to have a beer with’ category.

“I think I’ve figured out two reasons for this,” began Brown Tuesday when informed of the results. “First, I’m approximately the same age as a lot of you guys so you can relate to me. And, two, I’m always accessible when it comes to having a beer. Plus, often as a defensive tackle the only time of day you actually get to use your brain is when the media asks you a question.

“I guess having a small involvement in the media with my column in the Free Press and with the radio show on CJOB and being immersed in that culture gives me an appreciation for how tough your guys’ jobs can be. Whether we’re winning or losing, I understand things like deadlines and bad quotes. Plus, players need to remember that any time they say anything they are showcasing themselves.”

Just FYI, we had a record 56 respondents to our poll this year, from newspaper beat writers and columnists, to TV and radio reporters, play-by-play men and accredited bloggers, and their participation helps legitimize the results and provide some juicy copy. And so without any further ado, we present the results (with the vote total and percentage of votes garnered to each question listed):

 

Best quote (interview), coach or player:

(56 responses; 23 players/coaches received votes)

1. Doug Brown, DT, Wpg. — 11 (19.6)

2. Henry Burris, QB, Cal. — 6 (10.7)

3. Adriano Belli, DT, Tor. — 5 (8.9)

4. Wally Buono, GM/HC, B.C.; Angus Reid, OL, B.C. — 4 (7.1)

5. Jim Barker, HC, Tor.; Stevie Baggs, DE, Ham. — 3 (5.4)

Inside the numbers: Just so we’re clear, this is a national poll not dominated by Winnipeg-only votes. In fact, Brown received more votes from outside of Winnipeg than he did locally.

 

Worst quote, coach or player:

(54 responses; 20 players/coaches received votes)

1. John Hufnagel, GM/HC, Cal. — 15 (27.8)

2. Romby Bryant, SB, Cal. — 7 (12.9)

3. Marc Trestman, HC, Mtl. — 6 (11.1)

4. Casey Printers, ex-QB; Chip Cox, LB, Mtl. — 3 (5.6)

Inside the numbers: Three years straight now for Mr. Hufnagel ‘winning’ this category. Here’s the thing: He answers questions respectfully and is always available, but he wouldn’t reveal what he had for lunch for fear it might provide some competitive advantage to his opponent.

 

Next CFL player who could make it big in the NFL:

 (48 responses: 10 different players received votes)

1. Solomon Elimimian, LB, B.C. — 10 (20.8)

2. Emmanuel Arceneaux, WR, B.C.; Yonus Davis, RB/KR, B.C. — 9 (18.8)

3. Chad Owens, SB/KR, Tor. — 8 (16.7)

4. Cory Boyd, RB, Tor. — 6 (12.5)

Others receiving votes: Brendon LaBatte, OL, Wpg. — 2; Greg Carr, SB, Wpg.; Juwan Simpson, LB, Cal.; S.J. Green, SB, Mtl, and Stevie Baggs, DE, Ham., all received one vote.

Inside the numbers: Elimimian hits like a bulldozer and can move quickly sidelines to sideline. Interesting to note that the top three vote-getters all come from the Lions, so kudos to Roy Shivers and Neil McEvoy and all the B.C. scouts.

 

The Canadian QB issue: Should the CFL change rules to give teams the option of dressing a Canadian QB in exchange for an extra designated import?

(53 responses)

Yes — 35 (66)

No — 18 (34)

Inside the numbers: Yours truly has been pushing for this for awhile, but some observers have argued that the pool of Canadian pivots is too shallow and there shouldn’t be another designated import. But this is the CANADIAN Football League and we believe homegrown kids should dream of lining up behind centre, too. Plus, it would be an option, not a requirement.

 

Officiating in 2010

(53 responses)

1. Step back — 29 (54.7)

2. Same — 20 (37.7)

3. Improved — 4 (7.6)

Inside the numbers: Certainly know where Bomber fans stand on this after some of the mess ups witnessed this season. Worth noting: we asked the same question last year and only 12 per cent of respondents said the officiating had taken a step backwards.

 

CFL player who is over-rated:

(56 responses; 30 different names)

1. Kelly Campbell, SB, Edm. — 7 (12.5)

2. Maurice Lloyd, LB, Edm.; Casey Printers, ex-B.C. QB — 5 (8.9)

3. Arland Bruce, SB, Ham.; Sandro DeAngelis, PK, Ham.; Stevie Baggs, DE, Ham.; Rob Murphy, OL, Tor. — 3 (5.4)

Inside the numbers: Campbell just doesn’t seem like the same player after returning from an NFL tryout and Lloyd hasn’t been the impact force the Esks thought he’d be since leaving the Riders and signing as a free agent.

 

CFL player who is under-rated:

(53 responses; 32 different names)

1. Jon Cornish, RB, Cal. — 7 (13.2)

2. Ronald Flemons, DE, Tor.; Weston Dressler, SB, Sask. — 5 (9.4)

3. Korey Banks, LB, B.C.; Kevin Glenn, QB, Ham. — 3 (5.7)

Inside the numbers: Cornish, a Canadian, could be a feature back. Flemons was superb in the second half of the season for the Argos while Dressler is a game-breaking receiver who, because he is healthy this year, could be huge for the Riders on Sunday.

 

Nice guy award — player/coach you’d love to sit down and have a beer with:

(54 responses; 30 different names)

1. Doug Brown, DT, Wpg. — 8 (14.8)

2. Jim Barker, head coach, Tor.; Henry Burris, QB, Cal. — 4 (7.4)

3. Marwan Hage, OL, Ham.; Anthony Calvillo, QB, Mtl.; Stevie Baggs, DE, Ham.; Gene Makowsky, OL, Sask. — 3 (5.5)

Inside the numbers: The fact that 30 different players received votes here confirms one thing about the CFL — there are a lot of good eggs in this little loop.

 

Biggest jerk award (no explanation necessary, is there?)

(52 responses; 18 different names)

1. Jason Jimenez, OL, Ham. — 11 (21.2)

2. Casey Printers, ex-QB — 9 (17.3)

3. Dwight Anderson, CB, Cal.; John Hufnagel, head coach, Cal. — 5 (9.6)

4. Rob Murphy, OL, Tor. — 3 (5.8)

Inside the numbers: Jimenez gets a lot of hate here for his shot from behind at Brent Johnson this season while the sour taste from Printers apparently still lingers.

 

CFL coach/GM who did the best job with his team in 2010

(56 responses)

1. Jim Barker, Tor. — 41 (73.2)

2. John Hufnagel, Cal. — 7 (12.5)

3. Wally Buono. B.C. — 5 (8.9)

4. Adam Rita, Tor; Marc Trestman, Mtl.; Marcel Bellefeuille, Ham. receiving one vote each.

Inside the numbers: Barker took a 3-15 laughing stock to the division final. He’s a lock for Coach of the Year.

 

CFL coach/GM who did the worst job with his team in 2010

(58 responses — some voted for two)

1. Paul LaPolice, Wpg. — 19 (32.8)

2. Richie Hall, ex-Edm. HC — 17 (29.3)

3. Danny Maciocia, ex-Edm. GM — 12 (20.7)

4. Joe Mack, Wpg. — 5 (8.6)

5. Ken Miller, Sask. — 3 (5.2)

6. Wally Buono, B.C. — 2 (3.4)

Inside the numbers: Ouch… that will sting LaPolice. But at least he gets the chance to try and fix things next season. Hall and Maciocia are long gone from Edmonton now.

 

The next head coach of the Edmonton Eskimos is…:

(54 responses)

1. Kavis Reed, Wpg. def. coordinator — 25 (46.3)

2. Chris Jones, Cal. def. coordinator — 8 (14.8)

3. Kent Austin, HC Cornell University — 6 (11.1)

4. Dave Dickenson, QB coach, Cal.; George Cortez, QB coach, Buffalo Bills — 5 (9.3)

5. Greg Marshall, Ham. def. coordinator — 4 (7.4)

6. Scott Milanovich, Mtl. off. coordinator — 1 (1.9)

Inside the numbers: All good candidates worthy of a shot.

 

Should the new Ottawa franchise get a break on how many Canadians it must dress/start in its first year? Y/N

(52 responses)

No — 32 (61.5)

Yes — 20 (38.5)

Inside the numbers: Some CFL management types are bemoaning the shallow Canadian-talent pool. If they don’t get a break, the league should ensure the protected lists other teams submit before a possible expansion draft isn’t too long.

 

Best player-tweeter:

(40 responses)

1. Nik Lewis, SB, Cal. — 19 (47.5)

2. Rob Murphy, OL, Tor. — 8 (20)

3. Geroy Simon, SB, B.C. — 5 (12.5)

4. Angus Reid, OL, B.C.; Tad Kornegay, LB. Sask. — 2 (5)

Inside the numbers: More and more CFLers are using this social media tool to interact with fans. And Lewis is an active Tweeter.

 

Jesse Lumsden should: A. Retire; B. Stick to Bobsleigh; C. Give football another try.

(53 responses)

Bobsleigh — 22 (41.5)

Retire — 17 (32.1)

Another try — 14 (26.4)

Inside the numbers: Some consider Lumsden’s tale hard-luck. But many are growing weary of it, too.

 

Would CFL coverage be decreased if practices were close to the media?

(53 responses)

Yes — 39 (73.6)

No — 14 (26.4)

Inside the numbers: A bit of an in-house question, no doubt. But many CFL coaches are pushing to have at least one practice a week closed to the media and fans just as the NFL does.

 

YOU BE THE GM LIGHTNING ROUND:

 

One game for the championship, your coach would be:

(55 responses)

1. Marc Trestman, Mtl — 24 (43.6)

2. John Hufnagel, Cal. — 17 (30.9)

3. Wally Buono, B.C. — 11 (20)

 

One game for the championship, your QB would be:

(53 responses)

1. Anthony Calvillo, Mtl. — 38 (71.7)

2. Henry Burris, Cal. — 12 (22.6)

3. Ricky Ray, Edm. — 3 (5.7)

 

Kicker you’d most trust on a 40-yarder to win the championship:

(53 responses)

1. Paul McCallum, B.C. — 41 (77.4)

2. Noel Prefontaine, Tor.; Damon Duval, Mtl.; Luca Congi, Sask. — 3 (5.7)

3. Three kickers received one vote: Justin Palardy, Wpg; Rob Maver, Cal.; Justin Medlock, Edm.

 

Coach best suited to rebuild a program:

(52 responses)

1. Jim Barker, Tor. — 20 (38.5)

2. Wally Buono, B.C. — 10 (19.2)

3. John Hufnagel, Cal. — 9 (17.3)

4. Marcel Bellefeuille, Ham. — 6 (11.5)

5. Marc Trestman, Mtl.; Paul LaPolice, Wpg. — 2 (3.9)

 

Player personnel director who finds the best talent:

(50 responses)

1. Jim Popp, Mtl. — 22 (44)

2. Roy Shivers, B.C. — 9 (18)

3. Eric Tillman, Sask. — 6 (12)

4. John Murphy. Cal. — 4 (8)

5. Bob O’Billovich, Ham. — 3 (6)

 

Next rising QB star in the CFL is:

(55 responses)

1. Travis Lulay, B.C. — 41 (74.5)

2. Drew Tate, Cal. — 6 (10.9)

3. Darian Durant, Sask. — 4 (7.3)

4. Adrian McPherson, Mtl. — 2 (3.6)

Steven Jyles, Wpg. and Jared Zabransky, Edm., each received one vote;

 

Would you sign Casey Printers?

(51) responses.

Yes — 0

No — 51 (100)

FYI: in the eight years we’ve done this poll this is, unofficially, the first question that received a unanimous vote.

 

First Canadian you’d sign if all were available:

(52 responses)

1. Andy Fantuz, SB, Sask. — 40 (76.9)

2. Josh Bourke, OL, Mtl.; Jon Cornish, RB, Cal. — 3 (5.8)

3. Six players received one vote each: Dave Stala, SB, Ham.; Ben Cahoon, SB, Mtl.; Dimitri Tsoumpas, OL, Cal.; Chris Baumann, SB, Ham.; Doug Brown, DT, Wpg.; Brendon LaBatte, OL, Wpg.

 

First import you’d sign if all were available:

(52 responses)

1. Darian Durant, QB, Sask. — 11 (21.2)

2. Anthony Calvillo, QB, Mtl.; Cory Boyd, RB, Tor.; Travis Lulay, QB, BC. — 7 (13.5)

3. Chad Owens, SB/KR, Tor. — 5 (9.6)

4. Henry Burris, QB, Cal. — 3 (5.8)

5. Markeith Knowlton, LB, Ham.; Ricky Ray, QB, Edm. — 2 (3.8)

 

ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca