An exciting catch which led to a very surprising celebration kicks off this weeks impressions.
It appears a change in teams has changed Arland Bruce's temperament.
Bruce, traded from Toronto to Hamilton earlier this month because he became undisciplined for rookie head coach Bart Andrus, made a spectacular one-handed catch to score a touchdown against Saskatchewan.
But it was what he did afterward that was interesting. He didn't celebrate. If anything, he appeared to be rather reserved, almost stunned.
And it was almost a disappointment if you were watching him, knowing his history of celebrating touchdowns (see Spider-Man and Michael Jackson for references). It almost seemed as if the TV cameras were fixated on him waiting for something crazy to happen.
Perhaps the Tiger-Cats have drilled it into Bruce's head that he doesn't need to do any extracurricular activity to be effective - either that or he's saving something special for Labour Day against Toronto.
THROWBACK OF A DIFFERENT KIND: The Tennessee Titans made history with the Music City Miracle in a playoff game against Buffalo back in January, 2000, executing a lateral to perfection off a kickoff. Now the Argos have made history with the worst example of a similar play in their loss to B.C. on Friday. Argo rookie head coach Bart Andrus worked for the Titans the year the amazing play broke the hearts of all Bills' fans. Surely Andrus will need to work on the execution of the play after it produced the exact opposite result - a touchdown for the opposing team.
BUCK PIERCE'S FUTURE: The more I watch Buck Pierce play the more I am reminded of Dave Dickenson and his history with concussions. Pierce seems to take way too many shots and you have to wonder what kind of a long-term future the B.C. quarterback will have.
As an aside, I always thought Pierce had an interesting name, but B.C. third-string QB Travis Lulay is not far behind in that department. Both could have lead roles in films or star together, kind of like Dirk Diggler and Brock Landers of Boogie Nights fame.
THE RIGHT CALL: Wally Buono is now two wins away from surpassing Don Matthews as the top-winning head coach in CFL history and it's because of subtle moves he makes like that one late in the game against Toronto. On his team's second-last play, the call is made to run the ball toward the centre of the field. When the scoring attempt came up short, Buono went for the field goal instead of trying to punch it in. The Lions have been having numerous problems scoring from the one-yard line, and by giving their kicker Sean Whyte a chance to kick from the centre of the field instead of from the side hash mark, it provided a better angle.
And is there a coach who is more involved in overall coaching than Buono? He isn't a co-ordinator, but makes his points known to his players and coaches in every aspect of the game. He probably wears out his shoes walking on to the field, sometimes to the point of where he should get flagged, but rookie CFL head coaches should be made to watch tapes of Buono in action.
PET PEEVE NUMBER ONE: I don't understand why kicking teams are given a single point if the opposition takes a knee in the end zone after a kickoff, but are given nothing if the ball sails out of the end zone. If the ball is booted out of the end zone on a punt, it's a point.
PET PEEVE NUMBER TWO: The officials are starting to get the idea that far too many receivers are going offside in their runs to the lines, but frankly it isn't called enough. With all due respect to Ray Elgaard, who made a living going offside on his waggle to the line, things are really getting out of hand these days.
BATES ON THE BUBBLE: The Winnipeg Blue Bombers made an off-season deal to acquire veteran offensive lineman Kelly Bates from B.C. and he has been a disappointment. Now he's on the nine-game injured list - and he might not even be hurt.
A RACE I'D LIKE TO SEE: Edmonton returner Tristan Jackson and Montreal's Larry Taylor. These guys can scoot. Tristan is really proving his value for the Eskimos.
ARGOS RETURN MEN: Exactly who are they? The loss of Dominique Dorsey is consistently impacting the Argos' return game. You can bet they're hoping he is cut soon by the Washington Redskins.
BEST NAME IN THE GAME: Yes, Sideeq Shabazz has a great name in today's roster of CFL players. You might even say he's a great Sideeq man!
I'll take Ecomet Burley as my all-time favourite. As memory serves correct, he was brought into the CFL by Bob O'Billovich back in the '80s with Toronto. Wonderful Monds, who is not to be confused with Argo assistant general manager Greg (Wonderful) Mohns, is in my top-five, along with Jim Stillwagon, Junior Ah You and Angelo Mosca. Best unusual name: He Hate Me, otherwise known as Rod Smart, who had a brief stay with the Eskimos.
