Winnipeg Free Press

Doug Brown

1. It's like drowning in a very loud sea of green

   Good or bad, Labour Day experiences in Regina are something to be remembered, and this year's trek out to the neighbouring Prairie province was no different in that respect. Updated 12:40 AM

2. Hmm... maybe we should have sent the Bombers to Beijing

   If you've ever competed at what is considered the highest level of your sport and played against some of the world's best professionals in that endeavour, you'd be kidding yourself if you didn't think athletes from all leagues and all places weren't hemming and hawing over which Olympic events they think they could have competed in had they changed the focus of their athletic pursuit and upbringing. Updated 8:08 AM

3. Tell the truth, coach, even if some guys can't handle it

   Ask Milt Stegall about whether he would want to coach a football team at any level once he retires as the CFL's greatest receiver of all time and I can almost guarantee you he would answer with his standardized rebuff: Updated 7:25 AM

4. Bye-week offers Bombers chance to refocus

   The "bye-week" and the game before the "bye-week" present a host of different challenges and problems to all the teams that encounter it. For the record, the Western division is on sabbatical this week and the entire Eastern division will be on hiatus after our games this weekend. Updated 12:25 AM

5. Favre loses respect as saga unfolds

   THE Brett Favre saga that will seemingly never end is a microcosm of much that is wrong with the National Football League and a shining example of why high- profile players should be a lot more definitive in their retirement plans. Updated 12:45 AM

6. Brown-bag 'fans' in the stands send obscure message

   Well, it took eight years of playing football in Winnipeg -- and granted we only saw three of them in attendance -- but a disturbing visual was made before we won our first game of the year last Thursday night against Calgary. Updated 11:45 PM

7. Time of possession crucial to ending our losing ways

   It is no secret that the most unpopular question posed to any member of our football team, coaching staff, or executive employees these past four weeks has been the dreaded "what is wrong with the team" inquiry. Updated 12:25 AM

8. Losing doesn't bother us? Yes, it does, dude

   Losing doesn't bother us? Yes, it does, dude Updated 12:25 AM

9. Do we channel our negativity or cast it aside? It depends

   THE two teams that were ranked No. 1 and 2 in pretty much every off-season poll are set to square off in a back-to-back scenario starting this Friday at home. Updated 7:38 AM

10. Blue knocked down, must bounce back up

    Professional football is so much about perception that what seemingly matters most is not whether you lose a game -- because you are going to -- but when it happens that is most critical. Updated 12:50 AM

11. Football players, coaches live in denial -- then wham!

    Tom Canada and I were trying to put into words what it feels like in the locker-room when a player of long standing and prominence goes along the road that we all eventually have to travel. Updated 12:25 AM

12. Baseball more perilous? You, Mr. Forney, are full of it

    I'm going to admit, this definitely wasn't the best of times or circumstance for me to read an opinion that in my estimation showcases an elite level of ignorance. Updated 12:50 AM

13. Heavyweights make big-steaks bet

    The nervous energy athletes have on the eve of the ultimate labourious contest (training camp) needs to be expended somewhere and much of it is channelled to the activities we are scrutinized on 24 hours before we hit the field. Updated 2:00 AM

14. Running of the bulls, a.k.a. training camp, is upon us

    Strolling into the locker-room yesterday, I couldn't help but get the feeling that the 2008 campaign feels awfully like an extension of the 2007 season. There just wasn't that defining sense of division or closure you usually notice from one season to the next in the air. Updated 12:50 AM

15. Teams don't need to sign lots of new talent to improve

    The state of the franchise conference call for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers took place last week and the overriding sentiment at the conclusion of this call seemed to be the words "status quo," and quite rightfully so. Updated 8:20 AM

16. Impartial arbitrator: Good concept, but...

    When pitted against the NFL in terms of marketing, financials or professionalism, the CFL does not always come out on top in the court of public opinion. Updated 9:00 AM

17. Top rookies get capes to wear with uniforms

    There is no other time of the year when football franchises are so full of optimism and hope. Everybody is undefeated and the brain trust of every team has just finished selecting a crop of players with seemingly unlimited potential and capabilities. Updated 8:24 AM

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