There were some tough calls made by three rookie coaches around the league this week, with varying results.

'Twas a tale of three rookie head coaches, each of whom facing adversity, and in the end, two succeeded and one faltered.

Edmonton's Richie Hall came into Regina, where he starred as a player and later built a reputation as a defensive co-ordinator, with a 1-2 record. With the '89 Roughriders' Grey Cup team that he played for reunited, Hall came into the game with what clearly could have been a distraction. Not only did he handle the situation with dignity, respecting the organization and the fans who followed that Grey Cup-winning team, but he made sure the spotlight didn't fall squarely on him.

And when his team fell behind 22-0 against the Roughriders early in the first half, he didn't panic. He stuck with his quarterback, Ricky Ray, and was rewarded for his efforts with a win.

While he cried afterward, he made it abundantly clear this was a win for his team, not for himself.

Toronto Argonauts' head coach Bart Andrus had to deal with suspending a player, Arland Bruce, his leading receiver, and a depleted receiving corps. He made it known Bruce was being singled out for his disciplinary reasons, that every player on the team is held to a level of accountability and conformity. It took guts to do what Andrus did, but he felt the best interests of the team had to be served. The Argos rewarded him with a win against Winnipeg.

And in Winnipeg, Bombers' head coach Mike Kelly displayed yet again why he has to be the centre of attention for all the wrong reasons. When asked by one media member after the game if it seemed the Argos knew exactly what the Bombers were doing on offence, Kelly made a lame attempt at being funny indicating perhaps Toronto had spies, a reference to the controversy the week before in which a Winnipeg scout was caught spying on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Kelly claimed that it was a non-issue at the time, it was being handled internally and he didn't want to talk about it. He even reprimanded the media for repeatedly asking him about it. So why would he make reference to it following the next game? When asked by another person where he goes with respect to his quarterbacks, he responded: "Any suggestions?" And he criticized the patrons who attended the game for booing when it was announced the jersey of embattled quarterback Stefan LeFors would be auctioned off for charity. Kelly has become a walking/talking controversy, and whether or not he's trying to protect LeFors, whom he traded for and anointed him the starter, Kelly should learn a thing or two from Hall and Andrus about dealing with the issue at hand. Kelly is making himself the story far too often this season.

As the head coach who has control of football operations, the offensive co-ordinator and quarterbacks coach, Kelly has a lot of duties, and for a rookie CFL head coach he may have too much. It wouldn't be surprising if team president Lyle Bauer, who is a friend of Kelly's, is providing input and assistance. Bauer has experience as a onetime assistant general manager and likely had a hand in the decision to sign Michael Bishop.

I TOLD YOU SO EXAMPLE 1: It has been suggested in this space that Calvin McCarty is quite capable of starting for the Eskimos, that their running game wouldn't fall apart following the shoulder injury by Jesse Lumsden in the first game of the season. McCarty is an adept runner who can catch and block well and he proved that in the Eskimos' win over Saskatchewan. Along with rookie Arkee Whitlock, who was shaky in his career debut, it appears as if the Eskimos have a solid one-two punch - provided they don't shackle McCarty to the bench.

I TOLD YOU SO EXAMPLE 2: Richie Williams was the best of the three quarterbacks the Bombers employed in the loss to Toronto. I suggested last week he should be moved up to No. 2 behind Stefan LeFors. Maybe now he will. But it's quite likely Bishop will be promoted to starter. He proved last year that he could move into a new situation and learn the playbook in only a few days.

I TOLD YOU SO EXAMPLE 3: Kelly finally caved and implemented some formations using the shotgun. It says here he'll make greater use of it now or else fall on his stubborn sword.

BRUCE AND BISHOP: During their time in Toronto, Bruce and Bishop developed an interesting rapport. In fact, during the quarterbacking controversy that divided the Argo locker room last year, Bruce clearly backed Bishop over Kerry Joseph. It was not surprising Bruce criticized Joseph again. Kelly said last week the Bombers had no interest in Bruce. You just know Bruce would like to reunite with Bishop. But the likelihood is Bruce will surface in Hamilton because he could commute.

ACTION JACKSONS: Okay, Edmonton's Tristan Jackson scores a touchdown on a punt return and rookie receiver Jermaine Jackson lights it up for Calgary. The week before it was B.C. Jarious Jackson and Paris Jackson in the spotlight. And in week one, it was Bruce doing his Michael Jackson tribute - sorry, I just had to go there.