The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Welcome to another edition of The Sports Experts, a weekly column where I talk to a collection of sports enthusiasts about everything from Bombers to bowling. While bowling isn't a topic that has come up yet, the Bombers seem to be the weekly topic of choice for many of the panelists. Monday was the trade deadline for Junior 'A' teams across Canada, and once again, the Bombers were busy, unloading 20-year-olds in order to improve the team for the future. "First I would like to offer my best wishes to Stewart Sjoberg, Andrew Skrabek, Bob Graham and Rylan Zakreski. Thank you for your efforts while you were here, good luck to you all. Welcome to Flin Flon Bradyn McCullough, scored the Bombers' only goal in the tie, and Kurt Surine who played a good game. These guys looked good and really are still finding their way into the system here. We are still waiting to see Dalton Pajak and Blake McCullough. With the changes Pajak will come in as Flin Flon's fourth leading scorer. Both will add a little size as Pajak is 6' and McCullough stands at 6'2". So, once all the pieces get together I think the Bombers will be in decent shape. Certainly the moves were made to reward the loyalty of Skrabek and Sjoberg by giving them a playoff shot, but also good moves to build for next season, one we all hope is 'Our Year'!" - Shane C. "The trades appear to be good for us, however, the key to making this work in the future is the coach. We appear to have accepted losing (badly) over the last four years. How long will our fans and sponsors put up with this? There is talent out there on the ice, now put it together." Ð Tom T. "Since the Royal Bank Cup the FFB's have traded away each and every talented player that plays for them. I know it is a good idea to trade away a 20-year-old when you are a bottom feeder in a league. I haven't seen a game this year and only one last year because I don't live in Flin Flon, but when are things going to change? The FFB's are a classic example of why there needs to be a draft of some sort in the league and not just 'protecting' players. They need to get out of the basement fast, or else you will see sponsorships dropped, fans not wanting to come to watch a loser all year, and the team could eventually fold. Although it is unlikely the team will fold, I know that people get sick of watching a loser and they will stop coming. The only thing that saves them each year is the great prices on season tickets." - Rob B. "If all the players the Bombers traded for show up then I love the trades." - Jason M. Regarding the ad the Bombers placed in the paper earlier this week, warning fans to watch their mouths: "I have been going to games for years, and if anything the outcry is way less this year (this is the home of the ZOO, don't forget). The Bombers are very lucky to have the best fans in the league." - Bob H. Both sides in the NHL continue to dig their heels in, and people are predicting the lockout will last through to next season. Mike Modano told the press last week that he figures the players will give in by October next year. I hope he's right. "As far as the NHL goes, I still have a tough time siding with the owners when they created most of this monster to begin with. When you deal with owners who want to win at all costs and players who are only interested in money, you have a very sick business (not just hockey but all professional sports)." - Tom T. "Salary Cap or Luxury Tax? How many fans actually care about the new CBA? The owners created the problem by paying people like Bobby Holik $9 million for winning face-offs and scoring 50 points a season. I wanted to side with the players until Steve Rucchin said the NHLPA won't accept a hard salary cap because $40 million isn't enough for 23 players. I can't support the players after hearing comments like that. Like most fans, I want the NHL back asap but I'm not holding my breath." - Jason M. The NFL playoffs are underway, and my Chargers blew it already. It was an exciting overtime loss, but it was still a loss no matter how you look at it. Randy Moss also added some much needed fun to the No Fun League, pretending to moon the crowd after scoring a touchdown. It is tradition for the fans in Green Bay to moon the visiting team bus after a Packers win, so the Moss celebration wasn't out of context. I thought it was funny. "I love the NFL playoffs and as long as the Vikings are in there, I cheer for them. Except for maybe the Patriots (it's time for someone else), I really don't care who wins it all but if last week was any indication we are in for a great playoff." - Tom T. "The Chargers and Broncos are history! I'm praying for the Colts but the Pats are going to the Super Bowl against the Rams. Don't ask me how - the Rams are making it to the Super Bowl." - Jason M. "I must voice my disdain for the guys at Fox Sports. I usually love how they do football games, but at the end of the Green Bay/Minnesota game, they were way over the line when it came to Randy Moss. Even as a Green Bay fan, I loved his antics in the backfield after getting the second touchdown. The experts over there at Fox Sports basically ripped on his personal demeanor, and I felt it was almost a personal attack I don't see how a bunch of grown men and apparent fans of the NFL can't just sit back and laugh at that. Randy Moss was right - it's the media blowing everything up." - Jeff K. Finally, Vince Carter spoke to the media this week, saying that he didn't give 100% every time he stepped on the court in Toronto. Thanks for nothing, Vince. "Toronto should have unloaded him a long time ago. The game has seriously deteriorated when the player is more important than the team. I can't believe any one would say that they quit on their team and think that that is an acceptable comment. Say that to the person who paid $50-$100 for a ticket (let alone the rest of the package) to their face and see if Vince doesn't get slapped around a bit?" - Tom T. "I can't stand Vince Carter! They should have traded him years ago and kept Tracy McGrady. There is always an excuse with this guy. If it isn't his knee, then he isn't happy with his playing time, or his mom loses her parking spot, and finally the league won't allow him to listen to his I-pod during warmups. Does this guy ever want to play?" - Jason M. That does it for this week's column. If you would like to join the panel, send me an e-mail to reminder [email protected]
