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by Shane House… This guy was almost booed out of Toronto before he even had a chance to play, with Pat Quinn picking this random unknown over the emerging Mikael Tellqvist at the time.
Before becoming a Maple Leaf, Corey Schwab was once touted as a huge prospect for the new Jersey Devils, but after Martin Brodeur was touted as the next great goalie, there wasn’t much room for Corey Schwab in New Jersey, so, he was traded to Tampa Bay where he had a couple chances to start but because they were a god awful team at the time, he didn’t pan out so well and was cast to the minors for a couple years.
After a brief stint in the Vancouver Canucks system, he was given a chance at the Leafs 2001-2002 training camp by Pat Quinn, to fill the backup position while Cujo got most of the starts, but after Curtis Joesph went down with a really bad injury midway through the year, it was Schwab’s time to shine.
Schwab started out a little shaky, with a memorable highlight of Schwab coming out of the net to play the puck and then the puck bouncing off the boards into the net, but it got better.
He quickly became a fan favourite because of his solid play along with the fact that before this year, no one knew who he was and randomly came out of nowhere to steal the hearts of Toronto fans everywhere.
He ended that season with a 12-10-5 record with a 2.73 GAA and a .894 SPCT, but more importantly, he ended that season with the respect of the NHL and fans alike.
In the 2002-2003 off-season, he was signed by his old team the New Jersey Devils after for some reason the Leafs didn’t re-sign him, once again showing the great management skills of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The next year he only played 11 games behind the great goalie Martin Brodeur, but in those 11 games he got an impressive 5-3-1 record with a 1.47 GAA and .933 SPCT. That season had the last 2 moments I can remember about Corey Schwab, the first, coming when he played the Maple Leafs for the first time and shut them out with a 2-0 score. He was phenomenal in that game.
The second and most memorable moment was when at the end of the year, the Devils won the cup and after all the stars have had there moment with the cup, they hand it to Corey Schwab. I felt so great knowing that a former Leaf and player that I truly admired for his perseverance, finally got rewarded with his name etched for all of time on the holy grail of hockey, the Stanley Cup.
After that season, not much was heard of Corey Schwab. After 3 games with the Devils, he retired; taking up goalie coaching with the team he played the most with, (the Tampa Bay Lightning,) most recently last season.
Next week, I will be bringing another installment of Remember A Guy Named…..?
by Jeremy Visser…
With the waiver-free trade deadline approaching, the Jays are one of a handful of teams needing to decide whether to be buyers or shoppers. Now, a realist, looking at the commanding leads the Rays, Red Sox and Yankees have built over fourth place Toronto (at least for today, with Baltimore slipping into last) in recent weeks would be quick to rule the Jays out, and for good reason. On the other hand, three straight wins against the Orioles have sprung the Jays back to .500, likely bringing with them a false hope of contending this season. Nevertheless, here is a handful of names that will at least be floated around in the next week:
AJ Burnett: Obviously. With an opt-out clause this winter, another team is likely to be willing to pay Burnett more than the remainder due on his Jays’ contract, which means he’s likely gone one way or another. If Burnett does decide to take his services elsewhere on the free agent market, though, Toronto will be compensated with two supplementary picks in next year’s draft, which may be better than a package a contender will be willing to offer. Nonetheless, scouts have been out in droves for Burnett’s last few starts, with the Phillies, Cardinals and Yankees considered to be most interested. JP Ricciardi has hinted in recent days that he’s leaning towards keeping Burnett, which might be the best move if potential buyers aren’t willing to part with top-rate prospects.
David Eckstein: Eckstein’s signing turned some heads last winter, one reason being because the shortstop didn’t exactly fill a need. Sure, he was considered an offensive upgrade over John McDonald, but his defense quickly proved to be a liability. Now, with Cito Gaston at the helm, Eckstein can’t seem to find regular duty behind Marco Scutaro and McDonald. He’ll be a welcome addition to a contender like the Dodgers, who still aren’t sure when injured regular shortstop Rafael Furcal will be ready to go. The Jays have also reportedly been in talks with Baltimore about Eckstein, for reasons which are beyond me.
Matt Stairs: The Jays wouldn’t mind getting rid of Stairs, who has a year remaining on the two-year deal he signed this past winter. After stealing the hearts of Canadian fans last season, Stairs hasn’t done much in ’08 – though he leads the team with nine home runs (which isn’t necessarily something worth bragging about), the 40-year-old has seen his average drop below .240. Still, a contender might take a chance on Stairs with hopes of him turning things around. Toronto likely wouldn’t be asking for much in return.
Rod Barajas: Though Barajas has assumed the majority of playing time under Gaston, he’s playing on a one-year contract and will be available for the right price at the deadline. Gregg Zaun, his catching counterpart, will also be available. Like Barajas, he’s also due to become a free agent this winter.
Roy Halladay: Alright, I’ll say it right away – Halladay is going nowhere. His remarks prior to the All-Star Game did, however, turn a few heads. Earlier this week, though, he reassured the team that he plans on staying put. Halladay is under contract through 2010, and expect the Jays to look to renew the deal this off-season.
by Daniel Reiter… It has happened more times than can be counted in professional sports and will continue happening as long as sports exist. It has been the plot of movies about sports and often the reason for a disgruntled player to leaving their team. That’s right the younger, cleverer, handsomer version of an athlete that is given that one chance to prove they have the stuff to take over the starting job excels and becomes the starter. The veteran never takes it well, but some take it like juveniles.
Specifically speaking Jeremy Shockey has been traded to the New Orleans Saints likely to be replaced by rookie Kevin Boss. There was lots of speculation about rifts between Shockey and the Giants organization throughout the playoffs and earlier this off-season, and now all reports have been confirmed.
Maybe Shockey and Boss have had words about who’s prettier in their uniform and maybe they haven’t, but from what we know about Shockey he has something to say about most things so don’t put it past him. For this reason and probably Boss’s great playoff performance the Giants decided they didn’t need the distraction that is Shockey hanging around their locker room. Shockey was traded to the Saints for 2009 second and fifth round draft choices.
The Giants obviously took the high road and claimed to have many deep conversations with Shockey about his future with the organization and that they mutually decided that the best thing for Shockey at this time would be for him to have a fresh start somewhere else.
The public relations BS continued with Shockey issuing a statement about how he is happy about the weapons that the Saints have and that he can’t wait to join his teammates at training camp for a fun year.
Let’s interpret for a moment.
What the Giants really mean is that they are thrilled to be rid of Shockey and the nonsense and complaining about the role he was presented with in the Giants organization. Reports have Shockey unhappy about his situation since he went down late last season with a broken leg giving way for Kevin Boss to excel through the playoffs. The drama came to a breaking point at the Giants mini-camp in June with Shockey having a shouting match with Giants’ General Manager Jerry Reese.
Now what Shockey probably meant by his statement is that he hopes that the Saints meet the Giants in the playoffs and he gets the chance to show them first hand why he is a former pro-bowler. Additionally he probably wants a shot at playing rush end and exposing whatever weakness’s he can against Kevin Boss.
Realistically they will probably not play each other this season or post season. Drew Brees as good as he is, is certainly not Eli Manning and the Saints probably do not have what it takes to make a legitimate wildcard run this season. Additionally, Shockey will likely be injured at some point this season or post season, and if irony has anything to say about it the Saints will be playing the Giants that week.
Kidding aside the trade was a good deal for both parties. As big a distraction as Shockey is he is a great tight-end with the ability to change the pace of a drive through stellar blocking and receiving.
The Giants know they have a great future player in Boss although he is not the blocker that Shockey is and he did gain 20lbs in the off-season and with experience he will likely become a decent tight-end. It is impossible to say at this point if he will ever be at Shockey’s level or not, but playing with a quarterback like Eli Manning will surely make him a better receiver.
Overall the Giants have some other problems to deal with if they want to even make it back into the playoffs this season. Statistically, the Giants have not made the playoffs in the three seasons they’ve had following an appearance in the Super Bowl. They will have to wait a while to see anymore circus catches by wide receiver David Tyree because he has still not fully recovered from off-season knee surgery. Finally, the Giants have another distraction in running back Ahmad Bradshaw who was jailed for a month in the off-season for an old probation violation – the NFL has yet to decide if any disciplinary action will be taken.
The Saints have definitely improved their chances of making the post-season with the acquisition of Shockey as they are a passing team. The problem the Saints have failed to address is that they do not have a 1000 yard rusher or anyone close to a 1000 yard rusher on their team. They may take a more balanced approach this season with Shockey’s blocking ability thrown into the mix and run off tackle more often. If this happens then one of their two main running backs may step up and give the Saints the backfield weapon they need.
On defense last season the holes in the secondary are illustrated by the fact that the team was ranked 25th in points against, 26th in yards against, 30th in passing yards against, but only 13th in rushing yards against. The problem is clearly in the secondary and although there are some good players present the Saints’ defense is not a succinct unit and will probably be a weakness again this season.
Quick note to Jeremy Shockey: Officially you were traded to the Saints for a second and fifth round draft choice, but the unofficial word on the street is that the people from Kleenex Tissues also had talks with the Giants about a trade for you to be the spokesman for the launch of their new “dry your tears” campaign. Unfortunately after winning the Super Bowl the Giants have nothing at all to cry about and won’t be needing a lifetime supply of tissues.
by Joshua Khan…
Surprised at the title? You should be. Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin may be the faces of the glitzy side of the NHL, but we can’t forget those who are putting the league’s pieces back together.
One of those shadowed architects is Daniel Carcillo. Sure Ovechkin and other snipers in the NHL light the lamp on a regular basis, but what about the tough guys? The NHL isn’t full of the enforcers we used to see as kids. Long gone are the Rob Ray and Tie Domi-types, as now we have cocky pests such as Sean Avery. But Carcillo is just one of the few individuals bringing back the old term we like to call “toughness”.
The Phoenix Coyotes forward is like a mixed breed of old veterans. Listed at 5’11, Carcillo can bang with the best of them and can dish out his own prescribed medicine in a fight. Last season, the rookie broke a record and led the NHL with 324 penalty minutes. This statistic alone is a huge improvement when it comes to enforcers because no one, in the past few years, has cracked the 300 mark. But wait, there’s more! Carcillo nailed the accomplishment while only playing in 57 games.
Averaging over five penalty minutes a game, may seem like a bit much, but is it? The NHL is losing its grit right before our eyes. In the 2006-2007 season, the leader in penalty minutes was Ben Eager of the Philadelphia Flyers. His total mark for the season was 233 penalty minutes in 63 games.
That’s just pathetic.
No offence to Ben Eager or any of the other enforcers in the league, but when are we going to see more guys bring back that old, fading toughness? The NHL is cracking down on penalties, but that doesn’t mean anything. Carcillo racked up 300+ in less than 60 games, didn’t he? Just imagine what he could do if he played an entire season.
But aside from bringing back nostalgic memories of the penalty box, Carcillo is also a revolutionary in another way. Despite spending most of his time off the ice, the forward is also effective with his stick. While on the ice, Carcillo scored 13 goals and assisted 11 times last season, including a hat trick against Dallas on April 4. Now can you see why “The Great One” resigned the 23-year-old to a two-year contract?
The young guns are taking over the NHL and some, like Daniel Carcillo, are mixing old nostalgic ways with new skills. A few people may not like it, but you have to admit, it’s slowly reshaping hockey into what it was a decade ago. Plus, it’s pretty much one of the few exciting things fans can grab onto until the world sees Chara v.s. Lecavalier II.
by Bryan Thiel…
At the beginning of the month, first-time NHL and NBA free agents alike were putting pen to paper, dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s, and signing on the dotted line.
Three weeks later, it’s holdout season in the NFL—that magical time where players’ sense of self worth escalates, and they refuse to be seen as a part of “their team” until they can be guaranteed a much larger paycheque.
You can call it greed, you can call it egotistical, or you can call it a player just being ensured that he can receive fair compensation for his services—whatever you call it however, the holdout has become one of the ugliest disputes in sports.
Players are ostracized amongst peers, fans and teammates. A fan favorite is easily turned into a villain through the media, and sometimes the home town boy has to skip town—all because of what is essentially, an argument over the goods and services one side provides, and the price the opposing side is willing to pay.
It’s things like this that make sports a business. If you can’t land the big account or if you can’t catch the big pass in the dying minutes of a game, you’re gone.
If you can’t afford to pay the royalties, then some other bigger and better corporation is surely willing to pay them, that’s just how it is, and that’s why players hold out: They know that one way or the other, they’ll get their pay day.
Some will say it’s just their drive to get overpaid and that today’s athletes are monsters driven more by greed and less by the passion that helped their predecessors give it all during the season, and take on a part-time (or full-time) job in the offseason just so they could survive and get back to their game.
Babe Ruth probably never made more in a season than Alex Rodriguez does during an at-bat; Willie Mays very well could have been paid the same amount over his career than Barry Bonds made in 2006. Meanwhile any NHL player from the mid-80’s or before looks at today’s contracts and wonders why they weren’t born a few decades later.
I believe these men are overpaid, and many of the fans do as well, as it’s the fans who pay their salaries—but it’s just that. The holdout, and the current-day contract in sports has become as astronomical and as diabolical as it has, not because the athletes are necessarily greedy, but because of the nature vs. nurture.
For the players who have had careers that have spanned decades, they’ve been nurtured on to the monstrous contract, and for the players that careers begin today, tomorrow, and in the future, this is the nature of the situation in which they enter.
Because this is the scene which they enter however, the attitude of “I want my money and you’re going to give it to me” becomes ok.
Devin Hester apparently can’t afford to play football on $450,000 a year. Is he worth more than that? Yes he is. But to wait two more years, and honor the two remaining years on his current contract isn’t worth it to him.
As he becomes engulfed in his own talent and his own fame, the past two years become moot—so what if he played the past two years, risking his health each time, and made a combined base salary that was lesser than $1 million? The next two years aren’t worth it, so he’ll just hold out.
The risks are the same, but his popularity and his perceived worth—and if he gets his way his paycheque—aren’t.
But why is this still allowed? Granted a player of Hester’s caliber will help his team—he undoubtedly will—but why should team management give in.
Of course it improves the on the field product, but it just gives another dog his day, another baby his bottle, another pig his mud.
What if one day, an owner just says “no” and let’s the player hold out.
It happened to Deion Branch a few years ago—he became so insufferable that the New England Patriots gave up and moved him to Seattle where the Seahawks were willing to pay him what he wanted.
But what if, instead of trading him, Bears management does nothing and lets Hester sit for the next two years instead of re-negotiating?
Is it practical? No. Hell, it’s not even possible, but it’s interesting to think about isn’t it?
A team can’t hold out from a player—the Toronto Maple Leafs discussed the idea of letting Bryan McCabe stay home, but the NHL Players’ Association would have had the noose all ready to go by the time McCabe woke up the first day of his “house arrest”.
A team also isn’t allowed to force a player into re-negotiations if he underperforms, while a player can hold the team hostage if he over-performs (or gets flat-out, consistently better).
The team’s are granted the trade avenue, but it really only hurts them, as we’ve already covered how if one team is too cheap, another will certainly pick up the slack.
But despite being unbelievably talented, what’s so difficult about seeing the remainder of a contract through? It’s not as if the player isn’t making money still on his current deal, and his name is written on the dotted line, dictating an agreement that he made to play for so-many years for so-many dollars.
The salaries are getting higher and higher—as much as it isn’t fine with me, I’m more concerned with the sense of commitment: And what happens if any of these players hold out after a year or two of their new deal, expecting more cash.
You know what Devin Hester? You can have your pay day—in two years’ time. You signed on for four years and you’re still two years away. Be a man of your word; it’s not like football will be less fun the less you get paid right?
Since when did owning up to your word and following through on your commitments become such a bad thing?
by TJ Zwarych…
Congratulations to the Boston Celtics on winning an NBA championship in 2007-08. Will they be the team to beat again in ‘08-09?
We don’t know yet, but I don’t really think so.
They will obviously be a great team. They won a championship last year, and they have everyone returning except James Posey. (Personally, I think they should have picked up Maurice Evans to replace him.)
The Celtics will still be a fantastic team, but the Big Three are now one year older and slower—although I still think they have a few more competitive years in them yet.
Here’s a list of teams that I think have a great shot at being the team to beat in the NBA this season, in order of who I think will be the best:
Eastern Conference
1. Boston Celtics
Despite losing Posey and the Big Three’s hunger for that first championship, you know that they will still do well. I wouldn’t have them ranked this high if they were in the Western Conference, but in the East they are still number one.
You can’t expect them to drop far in the standings as long as they have Allen, Pierce—and most importantly, Garnett.
Garnett is one of the best players to ever play the game, and did not show any hint of slowing down last season. Pierce is a lifelong Celtic who can grind out clutch wins and is one of the best in the league in creating his own shot, And Allen, despite some inconsistency in the playoffs, still has one of the best shots in the game.
Another reason they are up here is young developing point guard Rajon Rondo. Rondo has shown many signs of improvement in his first two seasons in the league, especially in his mid-range jumper. It’s still not great but it has gotten a lot better from year one to two.
This will be his third year in the league. He is already one of the premier defensive guards in the league, and he looks as if he will only get better.
2. Orlando Magic
Two words, one name: Dwight Howard.
Howard is a monster, and will lead this team to be one of the best in the league next season. Last year, Howard carried the Magic to the third seed in the East and Round Two of the playoffs.
The Magic gained some very useful playoff experience last season, and they look as if they will only get better in ‘08-’09.
They lost shooting guard Maurice Evans to free agency, but got a better replacement in Michael Pietrus. Pietrus is a great, young, high-flying guard who has some playoff experience with the Golden State Warriors. He should add some more firepower to this already explosive team.
Rashard Lewis looks to bounce back after a slightly under-achieving season, and Hedo Turkoglu looks as if he will keep on improving after his breakout year. Young guard Jameer Nelson also looks as though he will improve on his very good season with the Magic last year.
This will create a starting lineup of Nelson and Pietrus as guards, with a very big corps of forwards and posts in Lewis, Turkoglu, and Howard.
3. Toronto Raptors
The Raptors obviously wouldn’t be able to finish third, considering they are in the same division as the Celtics. So the Pistons will still finish third in the East, but will have a worse record than both the Raptors and the Sixers.
With O’Neal and Bosh in the middle, the Raptors should do great. Every time Bosh got the ball down low last season he would immediately get double-teamed. With O’Neal helping out on the low block, he creates space for Bosh to get to the hoop one-on-one. And if Bosh still gets double-teamed, it creates a wide-open Jermaine O’Neal.
Add in ball control point guard Jose Calderon and emerging Anthony Parker, Jamario Moon, and Andrea Bargnani, and the Raptors should do great!
Honorable Mentions: Detroit Pistons, Cleveland Cavaliers, Philadelphia 76ers.
by The Angry Sports Bastard… The Captain called to see how my recovery was coming along. It seems the last time I was here I dared to question the merits of footy and only ended up pulling shrapnel from my ass. I will say this: The soccer enthusiasts are serious and I have the scars to prove it. Not to worry though. You won’t be hearing or seeing them until the World Cup (you have two years to book your vacation out of town) or when the next ball is kicked in anger.
On to bigger and better things. For the past few weeks I was hearing noise of a “big announcement” coming from Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment. After another season spent in the wilderness (don’t make that so-called playoff run from last season fool you) and an off season of chasing their collective tails I was looking for something big from the organization. The public re-signing of Mats Sundin? The dismissal of Richard Peddie? Lowering ticket prices? No, instead they give you, the fans, one free game at the ACC. Let me correct that, a preseason game. Against Buffalo. I’m not sure whether I should laugh or cry.
This organization never ceases to amaze me. They have no strategy for management or coaching; their drafts picks (Jeff Ware, Luca Cerada, Drake Berehowsky; I could go on) and trades (Owen Nolan comes quickly to mind) have been an absolute joke; and evaluating talent and signing free agents has proven to be nothing short of a disaster. Jeff Finger? Niklas Hagman? Jamal Mayers? These guys could dress in full uniform, walk up and down Yonge Street and still suffer a case of mistaken identity. And bringing back a 41-year old Curtis Joseph as a back-up goalie? Now there is progress.
There is only one place to lay blame here and that is with the fans. You have allowed this team to continually sell you a defective bill of goods by resigning yourself to accept mediocrity. There is no incentive for the team to get better because there will always be 20,000 diehards at the ACC. I can only refer to the local hockey loyals as the Great Enablers. You’re starting to resemble Chicago Cub fans. When did it become cool to root for a perpetual loser?
Do you know what the difference is? In Montreal (I know how much you detest the Habs but they are a good reference point) they boo the team for having a bad period; Toronto fans schedule parades for winning first-round series.
You’ve been great. Keep listening to The Wonder Stuff.
by Josh Lewis… Over the last two days Bryan Thiel and Derek Harmsworth have exhibited behaviour that would lead any defense lawyer to use the “insanity” defense.
Presented with the task of selecting the next captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs, these supposedly knowledgeable writers went with Jamal Mayers and Matt Stajan, respectively.
And while both are serviceable choices, Bryan and Derek overlooked the best option of them all: Alexander Steen.
Steen has been touted as a future captain since the day he was drafted, and he certainly has many of the qualities a team would look for in one.
He is a leader, on and off the ice. It is difficult to determine what players are like inside the dressing room, but from what we’ve seen in interviews with Steen and teammates, it’s clear that he’s not afraid to be vocal.
On the ice, Steen was a defensively responsible player to begin with and he has worked hard to improve that side of his game, to the point that he is Toronto’s best two-way forward. He also isn’t afraid to get dirty in order to make a play or help out his teammates.
Steen has always been comfortable with the media. Even during his first serious training camp with the Leafs, when he was expected to be sent to the Toronto Marlies, he carried himself extremely well and was very open with reporters. He continues to be one of the few Leafs who speak with the media on a regular basis.
And whaddaya know? He made the team after all.
Some will say that a European is the wrong choice for the captaincy. Let me remind you that Nick Lidstrom’s Red Wings just won the Stanley Cup.
Let’s explore Steen’s unorthodox upbringing. His father, Thomas, starred with the Winnipeg Jets in the 1980s and early 1990s. He was known as a stellar two-way player who was also capable of significant offensive production. He had six seasons in which he scored near or over a point-per-game.
Alex was born in 1984, during his father’s third season with the Jets. He grew up in Winnipeg, where his father played until Alex was 12.
Steen was introduced to the game in Canada and played his minor hockey here. That could explain his willingness for physical play.
He was raised on hockey, forming a close friendship with John Ferguson, Sr. from childhood and playing floor hockey outside the Jets’ dressing room with the sons of Randy Carlyle and Andy Murray.
“Every Christmas we used to invite the players over for a get together,” said Ferguson, who was the Jets GM. “And he’d show up with his mini-stick and shoot balls around and I’d play with him.”
Steen moved back to Sweden to play for Vastra Frolunda at age 15 and played in the Swedish Elite League until coming to Toronto.
But back to the present.
Steen is one of the hardest working, dedicated players on the Leafs roster. He has willingly accepted the role the Leafs have given him without complaint, despite the fact it has limited his offensive freedom.
He has become an excellent defensive forward, a player the team can confidently throw out there with a one-goal lead and the game on the line. He’s also evolving into an outstanding penalty killer who always has his stick in the right place and is capable of creating a break the other way.
These are qualities a captain needs to have. Yes, leading in the dressing room is an important part of his job description, but he must also lead by example.
That doesn’t mean being the best player. It means doing the little things right and setting the bar for work ethic, commitment, and teamwork. It means getting back to protect your own end. It means taking a hit to make a play.
Alex Steen does all of these things.
When Mats Sundin went down with a groin injury late last season, Steen was counted on to step up his game and he delivered. Seeing time at first line centre, something that may happen more often next season, Steen responded with seven points in his next five games.
“I think I can play even better,” he said. “But I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. Getting more opportunity and more responsibility. It’s so much fun. That’s what you play for, you want to be relied on.”
When asked about the possibility of becoming the next captain, he spoke with typical humility: “We’re getting ahead of ourselves here. We’re worried about the eighth playoff spot.”
Stajan, on the other hand, replied that Steen would make a great captain down the road, saying he has “great leadership qualities.”
Steen’s wide-ranging background means he is also a good choice on the communication side of things. A good captain must be able to communicate with all of his teammates effectively.
With his Swedish heritage, Canadian upbringing, and three years spent in Germany as a teenager, Steen will be able to relate to most of the young players coming in through the rebuild.
Whether it’s Luke Schenn, Justin Pogge, Anton Stralman, or even Jerome Flaake, Steen has something in common with each of them.
And if you’re still not convinced that Steen is the man to wear the “C,” try this on for size: his locker is next to Mats Sundin’s. It’s hard to imagine he hasn’t picked up a few things.
Some believe that a veteran should be named the captain until a younger player is ready for it, but if the Leafs are truly going to rebuild, it’s time they placed more responsibility on the shoulders of their young guns. Until they understand that the team’s fate is in their hands, they will not truly break through.
Besides, Steen himself said he loves taking on more responsibility. It’s time to see what he can do with it.
Quotes from “Hockey’s Young Guns” by Ryan Dixon and Ryan Kennedy
by Joseph Krengel… Being an Argonauts fan, it has been a long time since I’ve been able to watch a quarterback single-handedly win a game for the home team. The long drought on exciting offense seems to have finally ended, with Kerry Joseph settling into his role in Toronto with aplomb on Sunday.
Sunday’s game was exciting and hard-fought; and featured as exciting a fourth-down drive as you’ll see in professional football. That being said, the team did once again surrender 30 points, and the same challenges that they have faced all season emerged: the inability to stop the running game, a lack of discipline, and poor special-teams play.
The Argonauts inability to stop the running game can be attributed in part to their dominance in pass-defense. Teams are going to send more runners if they know that Byron Parker is waiting to catch an under thrown ball, or Kenny Wheaton is getting ready to introduce someone to Mr. Neck Brace; and after three years that’s no longer a secret. Unfortunately this does not account for all of the defensive struggles. Kevin Eiben’s injury surely doesn’t help, but the defensive line still looks a half step too slow, and for the team to succeed on defense the team will have to adjust for a more run-centered look from their opponent from now on.
Much like the team’s defensive failings, the Argonauts’ lack of discipline can be explained, if not explained-away. This is a team with new, young players in a tough scheme; offense is being called from the huddle, and a new coaching regime is in place. There is bound to be confusion, and the occasional breakdown in communications. Frustration feeds off of confusion and difficulty, and the poor behavioural discipline this year can be attributed largely to this confusion, and the various challenges that each unit on the team has faced. This is a problem that should fix itself as the team progresses… or at the very least a problem that a well-coached team should be able to resolve. We’ll know for sure by Labour Day.
by Jeremy Visser… 
Through the end of May, Jesse Litsch was 7-1 with 3.18 ERA. Now, after going 1-6 and 6.12 in June and July, the sophomore right-hander is on his way back to Syracuse for some seasoning. Don’t fret, though, Jays fans, he’ll be back in due time.
One thing that stands out about Litsch is he acts like he belongs in the big leagues. Unlike his replacement, David Purcey, Litsch has never looked nervous in his time in Toronto, as was especially evident in his memorable debut last June against Baltimore. In that game, Litsch allowed just four hits and a run while coming up one out short of a complete game.
He did, however, struggle at points last season, but bounced back, which makes it all the more possible to believe his latest rough stretch is just another hiccup on his road to becoming an established major league starter. In his fourth start of 2007, Litsch gave up five runs and failed to get out of the first inning against the Yankees, and was subsequently sent to the minors afterwards. He was recalled a month later, and responded with four quality starts in his first five outings. Then, after losing his first three starts of September, Litsch finished the season by allowing just three runs in his final three starts, two of which were against Boston and New York.
Purcey has struggled mightily in his two starts with the Jays this season, surrendering nine runs and 11 walks in just seven-and-a-third innings. Both, however, were spot starts, and the former first round draft pick’s confidence should benefit from having an established spot in the rotation, at least for the time being. He’s been great at Syracuse thus far, going 8-6 with a 2.69 ERA in 19 starts, and was a starting pitcher in last week’s International League All-Star Game.
I’m not sure this move is in any way a sign of whether or not the team thinks it has a shot at competing the rest of the season. At this point in time, it just looks as though Purcey has earned a chance to start regularly, and Litsch has shown he’s in need of some work on the farm. In the long run, both should benefit from the move.
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