ABOUT THIRD AND NINE

Ty Reidy and Dale Weaver

Fans of Canadian Football

Welcome to Third and Nine, the exciting and interactive newsletter from www.fansofcanadianfootball.com. Just like the website this newsletter is made by the fans of Canadian football for the fans of Canadian football.  Inside you will find articles written by fans across the world expressing their thoughts and opinions on this great game and sharing many experiences they have had while following their favorite teams, players and games.  Also, you will find upcoming news and reports on related Canadian football events happening in your city.  Upcoming issues may also include interviews on players, management, and fan’s and maybe even the sausage and beer vendors where you have the chance to have your questions asked and answered. 

If you wish to participate in upcoming issues by submitting articles for other fans to enjoy please e-mail us at cflfans@hotmail.com for details. 

But for now sit back, relax and enjoy newsletter and if when you are done send it to some friends for them to enjoy.  Then come to fansofcanadianfootball.com and go to the fan forum where you can discuss articles you have read or share your own thoughts and opinions on this great game with fans across the world.

ARGONAUT FAN DAY

If the Argos plan for fan day was to reward their season ticket holders, reach new fans, bring in interest to the younger generation and hold a fun and enjoyable day they have succeeded.

Argo fan day was held at their training camp facilities on June 16 (Father’s Day) in Mississauga.  The day was overcast with some slight showers but that didn’t stop approximately 300 – 350 people.  The best part was about 100 –150 were children and I am sure they would have reached 500 people if it were a nicer day.  When approaching the field one could grab a hot dog, hamburger, pop or water all for only $1.00 or better yet get a free slice of pizza from Pizza Pizza or a free donut from Krispy Kremes.  They had face painting for the children, a souvenir booth full of Argo merchandise (all which was fairly cheap and sold out by days end) and tickets for their season opener for only $10.00.  The cheerleaders were on the field before practice performing routines and owner Sherwood Swartz and marketing guru Garth Drabinsky could be seen chatting with fans.  The players then took the field for about a two-hour practice and while they were running their drills MOJO Radio conducted a live radio show on the CFL (2 hours plus talking Argo and CFL football).  Sherwood continued to sit and talk to fans and Pinball stood in one corner and constantly signed autographs and took pictures with fans.

Once practice was over the children were invited on the field to stretch with the players and then it was time for pictures and autographs.  All players stayed on the field for another hour or two accommodating all fans with photos, autographs or just discussing the upcoming season.

All in all it was a great day.  It almost turned me into an Argo fan.  But I quickly came to my senses but it did make me become a bigger CFL fan (if that’s possible).  What other professional sports league would do this?  Where else would you have the owner hanging with the fans all day and have the players so accessible and accommodating?  The CFL is the best league ever and the most fan friendly and Argo Fan Day proved it.  Hopefully next year more teams will follow the Argos lead and have the same for their organizations.  Until then all one can say is “Well done Argos!”

By Tydoggz

VIEWS FROM TRUE BLUE

John Mantler

Winnipeg Rep

Well, well, well.  Regular season is set to open soon.  I find it amusing to read some posts about fans discouraged about how their team did or other fans telling Sask fans to give up now.  Pre-season means so little people!  The Bombers got kicked by BC 27-4, does that mean I’m worried?  Nope, we certainly a few questions that need to be answered but other than that we’re going to have a great year.  As Ritchie was saying, it was painful to watch some of the “rookies”.  Marcus Nash isn’t really a rookie, spending sometime in other leagues but he went and dropped 4, count ‘em 4 balls.  That won’t help his bid to make the team. 

We also have some problems on the ‘O’ line, which was evident on the blocked punt last night.  Corbin got a lot more personal w/ BC’s defense than he would care for.  Most of the guys we have are good but if one of them goes down, then we’re in big trouble.  The rookies aren’t ready to just step in the middle of a game.  Taman will keep a watchful eye on waiver wire when the teams cut down to 39.  The problem is that the Bombers are 2^nd to last on the list to choose.

The Blue Bombers signed Mohammad recently and that will boost our defense huge.  He was the rookie of the year in ’99, went and spent some time in the NFL before coming back.  If anyone is to replace Juran Bolden, he’ll be the closest to it.  He wasn’t playing in BC, so we’ll have to wait and see what he can do for us.

Many people question, myself included, the release of young Jamie Boreham.  He was brought in to push Westwood and I think he did that.  It was a shame to see him go, because it means we’re depending on Westwood to figure out his problems.  Speaking of Westwood, please keep him and his wife in mind.  His wife was 6 months pregnant when she lost the child.  Westwood had flown home late last week to be with his wife.  Our prayers are with them.  On a positive note for Westwood, he pounded a 55-yard punt yesterday.  He did that last year as well and he may turn out to be our replacement punter when Bob Cameron steps down.  Cameron, by the way, is under contract with the Bombers till the end of next season.  I believe he will either be 49 or 50 then.  Geeezzz, gramps.

I want to end this article with something that has non-Bomber fans (yes there are a few) squawking already.  Dave Ritchie was in fine form yesterday, complaining about the refs.  That has many non-Bomber fans uptight.  They ask how we can be proud of a man who does a lot of whining.  Simple.  We are proud of Dave Ritchie as a whole.  Not ‘well we like this about him and that but we hate him when does this and that’.  We will stand behind Ritchie the whole way.  I’d be pleased as punch if we signed him to a 10-year contract.  You take the good with the bad.

Actually, I have one more thing.  Hey Rita!  Do you remember Benefield?  He’s baaaack!

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