By: Justin Boone
Inspired To Win
I think one of the greatest things you can do in your days is inspire someone.
My colleague, and friend, Ron Lancaster has been doing that his entire life and I’m not quite sure he’s always known it. As a coach when you raise your voice at a locker room full of football players, they’ll respond on the field. Either that or you’ll be looking for a new locker room to stand in next week.
But what about when you’re affecting people’s lives on a much grander scale, many of them, faces you’ve never seen and names you’ve never heard?
Last Wednesday, when Ron let the world know that he’s once again in a battle with cancer, fans, friends, and acquaintances wasted no time letting him know how they feel. Over 500 e-mails poured in during the first night alone and in the week since, they haven’t stopped.
Fans may have cursed him after a loss in the past, but now more than ever they want to see the Little General come out with a win, only this time it’s not on the field of play.
The truth is Ron, whether he wants to or not, has a personality that transcends the game of football. He wasn’t out to change the world, but little by little the proof is coming back, one message at a time, that he has.
And now, the man who has been having a positive impact on people’s lives without even knowing it, once again has to line up against his worst opponent, and just like when he took the field as a player and a coach, his fans are there with his family and friends to champion him to another victory.
If you want to send Ron your message, you can do so by e-mailing Ron@ticats.ca
The Ins and Outs
(Storylines from around the CFL)
Waiting In The Wings – The Argos were teased this week when RB Clifton Dawson was released by the Indianapolis Colts only to be re-signed a few days later. Dawson still may be a training camp casualty in Indy, but Ticats fans are keeping their eyes on another Colt, WR Samuel Giguere. Drafted with the final pick of the first round, Giguere has yet to record a catch in very limited playing time during the pre-season. While the Tabbies receiving corps has played much better as of late, the stellar pass catcher from Sherbrooke would be a welcome addition.
Let The Genie Out Of The Bottle – To whoever wished the Roughriders good luck an
d told them to break a leg before the start of the season, you’re a cruel person. Saskatchewan’s list of players with broken legs is almost as hard to believe as some of the bounces the club has had en route to their 6-1 start. Andy Fantuz, D.J. Flick, Neal Hughes, Leron Mitchell and Belton Johnson are all part of the team’s “walking wounded,” with more emphasis on the wounded than the walking. The path back to the Grey Cup is getting harder with every passing game.
Canary In a Coal Mine – Can you say Grey Cup hangover? The Bombers may not have drank from the silver cup, but they sure seem like they are in a daze a year after making it to the big dance. The strangest part of the their story is that few people seem to have an explanation for their hard times. RB Charles Roberts is a shadow of his former self. The quarterback position has been a merry-go-round, with the Most Outstanding Player in the East last season, Kevin Glenn, throwing eight picks in the first four games, and being replaced by Ryan Dinwiddie. With a loss this week against the Ticats, it could mean wholesale changes before Labour Day in Manitoba.
In One Ear Out The Other – It might not have been the Jackson Five, but it was certainly the Jackson Three during B.C. and Edmonton’s game in Week Seven. On one play, Lions quarterback Jarious Jackson connected with wide receiver Paris Jackson, who was promptly hit and flipped upside down by Eskimos defensive back Tristan Jackson. I’m not sure if the names made it easier or more difficult on TSN play-by-play man Chris Cuthbert, Paris’ catch was one of the highlights of the game, and the Lions scored on the next play.
Easier Said Than Done
(Quote of the Week)
“It is said that necessity is the mother of invention. So when roughly 20 Ticats were crammed into our modest player’s lounge Monday morning, eating Eggo waffles and watching Olympic synchronized diving, and needing a word to describe the divers’ ability to move in unison, “synchronosity” is what was invented.”
An excerpt from FB Jeff Piercy’s blog on CFL.ca. Piercy is a character to say the least and the blog has been a great way for him to express his personality and wit to fans. If you haven’t read his first three posts, I highly recommend doing so. From talking about the offensive lineman removing clothes during sprints, to what it would be like having Jesse Lumsden as a step brother, to this week’s entry about the players new found favourite sport – Olympic diving, Piercy might put this writer out of a job.
Follow The Leader
(Leaders from CFL and the Ticats)
CFL Rushing – SSK Wes Cates – 110 carries, 652 yards, 7 TDs
Ticats Rushing – HAM Jesse Lumsden – 63 carries, 443 yards, 5 TDs
CFL Passing – EDM Ricky Ray – 169/255, 2,389 yards, 12 TDs
Ticats Passing – HAM Casey Printers – 77/121, 987 yards
CFL Receiving – WPG Romby Bryant – 29 receptions, 627 yards, 3 TDs
Ticats Receiving – HAM Scott Mitchell – 19 receptions, 380 yards
CFL Tackling – MTL T.J. Hill – 39 Tackles
Ticats Tackling – HAM Rontarius Robinson – 36 Tackles
CFL Interceptions – B.C. Barron Miles – 4 INTs
Ticats Interceptions – HAM Chris Thompson – 2 INTs
CFL Sacks – B.C. Lions Cameron Wake – 8 Sacks
Ticats Sacks – HAM Darrell Adams – 4 Sacks
Let me know your thoughts on the week by sending your e-mails, comments, or questions to jboone@ticats.ca
