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| My buddy Alex, with the CSI-like shades and Geroy Simon tribute T-shirt keeps blurting "repeat, repeat, repeat" like a parrot. He's still an awesome friend, chirping and all. |
By Ward Kurenoff
Smart, savvy, sexy brother in family
My buddy Alex, a longtime B.C. Lions’
supporter, season-ticket holder, and all-around good guy, has it made in the
shade, so to speak, as he sports his Geeeeeeroy Simon T-shirt awaiting the next
meaningful game for B.C., that being the Western Final on Nov. 18 as the Lions
clinched first place in the division last week.
All Alex could say was
"repeat." I thought I had to ask my questions slower to him but it
finally dawned on me he was saying that the Lions were going to win the Grey
Cup two years in a row!
One, possibly two teams in the CFL
will say otherwise. That is why they play the games.
So, it is "fine" to hit
another opponent under the belt. Shea Emery of the Montreal Alouettes was fined
by the CFL an undisclosed amount of watermelons in last week’s game against the
Riders. At least he didn’t arm-bar anyone, right Alex?
So here we go with Week 18’s picks,
remembering I had three out of four right last week.
FRIDAY
B.C. Lions
at Calgary Stampeders
6 p.m., TSN, TEAM 1410 Radio
Wardo's Inside Scoop: B.C.'s
"real deal" backup QB Mike Reilly is back for his second start (will
he play for Edmonton or Winnipeg next year?) while starting QB Travis Lulay is
resting for another week with a slight shoulder injury.
As mentioned, Geeeeeroy is back. Kalif
Mitchell is back after staying off Twitter and the rest of the Lions will be practising
how to throw snowballs toward the Calgary faithful at McMahon Stadium.
While this game doesn't mean much in the standings as both have clinched home field playoff games in the West,
the best Canadians and MVP contenders -- Jon Cornish (Calgary RB with 1,302
rushing yards) and Andrew Harris (B.C. RB with 1,025 rushing
yards) square off.
Wardo's Wild Guess: If you ask Alex,
B.C. is going to be 5-0 down the stretch with one win already chalked up last
week against Edmonton.
I like Calgary's snowball throwing
skills better than B.C. in this one. In a tight game, Calgary by 3 or
less.
Wardo's Cheap Seat Comments: Except
for individual performances, this game is just for bragging rights. Speaking of
which, cousin Darren Perry of Regina was braggin’ himself – pictured here on
the right with Keith Aulie of the Norfolk Admirals who swept the Toronto
Marlies in last year’s AHL Calder Cup.
I asked him if his name was on the Cup
and then I remembered they don’t put waterboys on there. Like who really wants
to brag? Maybe a certain brother who won his NFL pool last week? Maybe a
certain beer hockey team which is in first place with a 6-2 record and sport such
stylin’ names as Moose, Big Sexy Wheelz, Rooster, Tuna, One Eye Sniper, The
Meat Brother, G Money, Tucker and BJ (it’s for Big Jim people ... geez!)
When you go 3-1 in CFL picks and the
refs cost you the fourth game maybe you have something! Just saying.
SATURDAY
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
at Hamilton Tiger-Cats
10 a.m., TSN
Wardo's Inside Scoop: This is the
game of the week for possible playoff implications. Added to the backdrop is
this will be the final regular-season game at Ivor Wynne Stadium in Hamilton.
Yet, despite it being Never Win
Stadium for the past few seasons, there is a chance for a home playoff game for
the Tabbies.
Essentially, these teams have to win
their next two and Edmonton has to lose two. And considering that Toronto will
lose to the Riders on Saturday there may be three teams with 7-11 records.
So, whom do you like? Bucky again? Or
the good or bad Henry Burris?
Andy Fantuuuuuuz must be chompin at
the bit on this one. Chris Williams of the Ticats has 1,150 receiving yards
with a league-leading 14 TDs.
Hamilton has the worst points-against
record with 515 and the black and Blue Bombers have the second worst at 492. The
Lions, by contrast, sport the best defence at 307 points given up.
Wardo's Wild Guess: Winnipeg is
brutal on the road and is worse against the Riders -- 52-0 is banjo music to my
ears! Methinks Hamilton is due, however.
At home their weapons will show up. High-scoring
affair, Hamilton by 7 or more.
Wardo’s Cheap Seat Comments: What if
Hamilton goes 5-0 down the stretch and wins the Grey Cup with a 7-11 record? Do
they get free Slurpies with their Grey Cup ring?
It won’t happen but just saying if
could happen in theory.
Mind you, in theory my brother is
smarter than I am, but only if he has Einstein on his side. After all, I only
have Moose and the Meat Brothers on my side so advantage goes to Team Gringo.
Mind you, who won the playoff hockey pool this year? Enough said!
SATURDAY
Toronto Argonauts
At Saskatchewan Roughriders
1 p.m., TSN
Ah yes, the game we are all waiting
for this week.
Wardo's Inside Scoop: Punter Jamie Boreham
is in Regina in case punter Chris Milo doesn’t recover as quickly from his
sprained left ankle.
Kudos to Weston Dressler for Special
(ain’t that special!) Teams Player of the week. He leads the CFL with 1,189
receiving yards followed closely by the Arrrrrrrrgos’ Chad Owens with four fewer.
It is cold in Regina. But not as cold
as my brother’s ex-girlfriend(s). Why do they call them ex's? Shouldn’t you
call them y's? Like why did I go out with them in the first place?
Oh yeah, they bought the beer -- so
Gordo tells me! (Editor's note: So, you want to live in the past, eh? There's a photo at the end of this football fiction that will "remind" people of the past! Thank me later, bro!)
Wardo's Not-So-Wild Guess: Riders! Who do you think I am going to choose?
Maybe the 12-pack over the six-pack, but
really folks.
Riders are at home, they beat the Arrrrgoooos
senseless a few weeks ago. More of the same Saturday.
This is a tune-up game before they
head into similar weather conditions in Calgary for the West Semifinal on Nov. 11.
Wardo’s Cheap Seat Comments: Maybe
the Riders should lose the next two and actually get the crossover playoff berth and play in
the East?
Would you rather play Calgary and B.C.
on their home turf or against Montreal and one of the three Eastern teams to be
determined?
Wouldn’t a RIDER and probably a B.C.
Grey Cup – the 100th anniversary Grey Cup – in Toronto be awesome? The folks out east would like it, I
am sure! That would be the only "home" game of the playoffs at the
Grey Cup. Remember the Riders beat the Lions twice in a home environment.
SUNDAY
Edmonton Eskimos
at Montreal Alouettes
10 a.m., TSN
Wardo's Inside Scoop: Montreal has
nothing to play for with the East already locked up. They had nothing to play
for last week and they beat -- or should I say got a gift from a certain zebra --
to finish with more points than the Riders last week. Did I mention this before,
anywhere: I am not bitter!
Edmonton needs one win to cross over into the East playoffs and they play Calgary next week at home.
Jamel Richardson was the offensive
player of the week with honourable mention to AC, the ageless wonder, but
Edmonton has Fred Stamps and Cary (nice catch) Koch, but Hugh Charles is
questionable for the Eskies.
Wardo's Wild Guess: Although
Edmonton needs this one more than Montreal --and you never know how hard
Montreal will play -- it is their final home game before they travel to
Winterpeg for the final tune-up before the Eastern Final.
Anthony Calvillo is the CFL's leading
passer with 4,761 yards. Montreal plays for the fans and wins by 10 or more.
Wardo’s Cheap Seat Comments: Will
Shea Emery keep his hands to himself this week?
Will the players from the southern States
who play for the Eskimos wear parkas? Where is Steven Jyles, the guy they got
back for Ricky Ray anyways?
Would Mike Reilly really want to be
an Eskimo? After this season does Eric Tillman, the Eskimos' GM, need stronger
medication? Because I don’t think their QB situation worked out like he thought
it would.
Have a great weekend folks!
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| Our late Grandpa Kurenoff teaches Ward how to clean fish, but the camera-loving tot with the Lions cap poses for the photog. Speaking of fish stories, enjoy today's picks! |
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