Wild Goose Chase

Chase Clement “did not feel that the Candian [sic] style of football was something that he could be passionate about.”

It’s been one day since Chase Clement left the Ticats rookie camp and the world has not ended. The team has had a bit of an embarrassment but will survive and perhaps be more careful in future recruiting. The real victims are free agent QBs like Erik Meyer and Josh Betts who were cut to make way for Clement.

I’ve been enjoying reading the blog and news updates of US college football analyst Nate Griffin. He got the scoop on the family’s explanation for Chase’s quick departure: “He did not feel that the Candian style of football was something that he could be passionate about. He knew right away—(Craig [the father] quotes Chase) he says— “it’s completely different—lots of schemes—a lot of motion. It’s just not what he was trained to do.”

I’m not so sure about the claims in Mr. Griffin’s blog about the pro-football potential of Mr. Clement: “For those of you reading this, I think I can safely say as a College Football Analyst, at the very core, Chase’s leaving camp had nothing to do with his abilities. … Meanwhile, what teams do you think might give him a shot at making their roster?”

Not so sure this affair will have improved his resume in the eyes of NFL or AFL2 teams.

The Chase is over

US College Star QB Chase Clement Quits TiCats Rookie Camp after 1 Day

The Hamilton media is reporting that former Rice QB Chase Clement has quit the Hamilton Tiger-Cats rookie camp to pursue “business interests”. It seems like it was just yesterday that the CFL team announced his signing – well, actually it was three days ago.

The player came accompanied by a big reputation, as promoted on websites like examiner.com:

This analyst expects Clement to surprise a few people! However, one of the first things to which Clement will have to become accustomed is how the Canadians spell offense and defense…they spell them…offence and defence!&^*(&*(!

 Well, he sure surprised everyone – even though he didn’t last long enough to learn the local etymology.

The question remains, however, as to what these urgent “business interests” actually were. Here are our top ten alleged possibilities:

10. A position opened up with Casey Printers’ agency for motivational speakers.

9. Just one word: Plastics.

8. He wanted to invest in that General Motors everyone keeps talking about.

7. Just three words: Texas Style Poutine.

6. Who needs football when you can get 200% interest from Madoff and Associates?

5. Shamwow needed a celebrity endorser.

4. “Would you like fries with that sir?”

3. The next big thing: Polaroid. “The photos develop all by themselves.”

2. If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire… The A-Team.

1. The bankruptcy proceedings of the NHL Coyotes presents a unique opportunity to bring pro-hockey back to Arizona.

Ti-Cat training camp starts this week

The wait is almost over. Now it’s time for football - real football!

After an endless series of changes, the sort of changes you need when your team only wins 3 contests a season, Obie’s latest group of future stars is ready to start training for the new CFL season. While every area of the squad has been renewed, most notably the O-line with the addition of veteran all-stars like Dan Goodspeed and Alex Gauthier from the Blue-Bomber meltdown and top Canadian draft choice Simeon Rottier, the big area of interest has to be the QB position.

Porter supporters

The Quarterback saga from November 2008 up until now:

Casey Printers is gone, unwanted by any other CFL team, and the expectation is that the Quinton Porter era is about to start. However, always quick to exploit new Winnipeg boss Mike Kelly, Obie was able to bring in 2007 mvp Kevin Glenn as a super-sub potential alternative starter. Richie Williams got showed the door, consistent with his lack of playing time under the Bellefeuille regime at the end of 2008.  The team also signed journeyman QBs Josh Betts and Erik Meyer but they have already been cut in favour of NCAA Division 3 Mr everything, Jason Boltus. The expectation is that Rice star QB Chase Clement will also be coming up to compete. Last but not least, 2008 third stringer Adam Tafralis is still around.

May the best player win.