Sports Talk Ep. 515: Olympic Glory

Jeremy and Zam are back from the Olympics with a ton going on in the world of sports, mostly Olympics, they get into talking bout their favourite moments, especially Crosby’s OT goal for the Gold, plus the trade deadline had just passed with a record number of moves.

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Sports Talk Ep. 514

Jeremy and Zam welcome Shaheed back into The Press Box, and start the show talking about VANOC and its relationship with the media, the boys also get into the Canucks epic 14 game road trip and the play of Mason Raymond. It’s also just passed the midway point of the NHL season so it’s time to do some power rankings, so the boys give their top 5 teams in the league, they also talk about the NFL conference finals and Brett Favre throwing that infamous pick near the end and more.

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Sports Talk Ep. 513: Headshots and NFL Conference Championships

Headshots are at the top of the agenda on tonight’s show with the QMJHL’s Patrice Cormier and OHL’s Zach Kassian getting punished for recent head shots. The Canucks continue to roll along yet the Calgary Flames are continuing to sputter after their 9-1 loss to the San Jose Sharks. As well, the NFL Conference championships kick off on Sunday so the boys make their picks.

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Edwards left wondering what could have been

Former Canadian ski jumper, Jade Edwards. Photo courtesy of Jeremy Nolais, Cochrane Eagle.

by Farhan Devji

Jade Edwards will be at the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver, B.C. next month. But much to her chagrin, she’ll be there as a spectator rather than a participant.

Edwards, 19, says participating in the 2010 Olympics as a ski jumper was a realistic goal for her. But with the recent ruling that women’s ski jumping will not be included in the Games, Edwards is left wondering what could have been.

“It would have been so much fun,” said Edwards, via phone from her home in Cochrane, Alta. “It just would have been great. That was everyone’s goal, and now they’re telling us we can’t achieve our goals.”

Last March, Edwards joined a lawsuit with 14 other elite women’s ski jumpers from around the world, petitioning to get the sport into the 2010 Olympics.

“When I heard that they needed more Canadians, I thought, ‘heck yes, I’d join,” she said.

In her written decision, Madam Justice Lauri Ann Fenlon of the B.C. Supreme Court acknowledged that the women were being discriminated against. But she also said this matter was out of the court’s reach because the International Olympic Committee (IOC), who ultimately determines which sports are included in the Olympics, is not bound to Canadian law.

“It’s so frustrating,” said Edwards, without hesitation. “They’re basically saying that the IOC is above everything. What if the IOC said they didn’t want religion in the Olympics? Then what would we do? It’s kind of scary that they can do whatever they want.”

The women, led by their lawyer Ross Clark, then took their case to the B.C. Court of Appeal and after a two-day hearing, which Edwards attended last November, the case was dismissed. The Supreme Court of Canada refused to hear the case in December.

Edwards started ski jumping when she was eight years-old. She was originally attracted to the sport when her Brownies group had a sleepover at the Canada Olympic Park in Calgary, where she was able to see all the towers. Since then, she has grown to love the sport.

“It’s hard to describe; there’s nothing like it,” said Edwards. “It’s like no other feeling.”

More than 10 years, several concussions, a broken foot, and a torn meniscus or strained MCL – depending on which doctor you believe – after taking her first jump, Edwards is ready to call it quits.

“Maybe if it was guaranteed that women’s ski jumping would be in the 2014 Olympics, I would continue,” said Edwards, who now hopes to attend medical school. “But I can’t put my life on hold for another five years.”

And quite frankly, she shouldn’t have to.

Our boy, Ron MacLean

Ron MacLean and Colin Campbell on Hockey Night in Canada.

Usually in Canada there’s not a whole of lot of bad things said about CBC’s Ron MacLean. He’s a seasoned sports journalist and broadcaster with a wealth of hockey knowledge and a good head on his shoulders. I’ve always thought that MacLean has done a fairly good job of asking the tough questions and letting his interview subjects speak for themselves. That is, not allow himself and his personal biases and opinions get in the way of a fair interview.

That was until last night.

MacLean interviewed NHL VP of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell on the hot topic of Alexandre Burrows versus Stephane Auger. What ensued, to me, was an embarrassment to MacLean’s reputation.

At various times during the interview MacLean let his opinions as a referee get in the way of his responsibilities as a journalist. When showing the clip of Burrows being hit by Jerred Smithson, MacLean’s comments were not only outwardly biased – which isn’t the biggest issue – but were purely speculative.

For example when Burrows was down on the ice MacLean speculated that he told his teammate Luongo: “Don’t worry, I’m okay. I’m just going to see if I can get more bang for the buck here.”

And then he says Burrows tells the trainer: “Don’t worry, has he signaled five yet?”

MacLean may be right, Burrows could have said those things. But there’s no proof. I understand what he was trying to do: set up a scene and then get Campbell to corroborate it or not. But what he ended up doing is answering Campbell’s question for him. Not exactly what a journalist is supposed to do.

MacLean then went on to say that the hit by Smithson was “obviously just a glancing blow.” Yeah, maybe when you’re watching it in slow motion.

I get it, we all have our opinions and we all have our take on whether Burrows embellished the hit or not. I happen to agree with MacLean that he did exaggerate. But to let that get in the way of asking the questions instead of answering them is a shame to the journalistic process and the integrity of an interview.

Whether MacLean and Campbell are pals or not, and whether MacLean has reffed an NHL exhibition game or not, and whether MacLean needs to tread lightly to continue to have Gary Bettman at the all-star game doesn’t matter. What matters are the substantive facts.

It’s not Ron MacLean’s job to call Alex Burrows a diver or paint any player in any light. Especially when he’s purely speculating. He should leave that to Don Cherry and focus on doing his job: asking the questions.

Here’s the first part of the interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaNNvFCm9XE&feature=related. You be the judge. And I’ll admit it, MacLean gets back to presenting both sides and doing his job in the latter portion of the interview which can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Py0avvER-qw.

Battle of the Network Stars

In a decision that may seriously botch the landscape of late night TV, Conan O’Brien rejected NBC’s proposal to push the Tonight Show back to 12:05am in order to make room for a half hour show featuring Jay Leno.  While it is still uncertain how this will all play out, Conan surprised many in the industry by not simply accepting NBC’s new work shift.

For a plan flawed from the start, Leno’s attempts at a 10:00pm primetime comedy show have failed.  Miserably.  Viewing audiences for The Jay Leno Show have dropped more than 30 per cent compared with programs in the same timeslot a year ago.  Even as early as last Thursday, when the other major networks were airing encore episodes of their shows because of the BCS National Championship, NBC was live with a new Leno.  The ratings for that show fell below those of Law and Order reruns.  Jays’ decision to come back to TV after only a short hiatus was risky, and something that both he and NBC must have understood.  It was five years ago that he announced he would step down from the Tonight Show and that Conan would take over.  During that time, Jay realized that he couldn’t walk away from showbiz, and NBC couldn’t walk away from a marquee name.  That’s what a network will do when it’s in fourth place in the ratings and in danger of being passed by the CW.  Instead of developing new show ideas, they try to breathe life into old ones.

Now it may cost them up to $80 million dollars.  That’s how much Conan O’Brien’s buyout clause is if his contract is broken in any way.  At the same time, NBC may be seeing some repercussions of giving Leno a gentle nudge out the door.  Remember back when Conan was NBC’s hot new commodity and had his eyes set on the Tonight Show gig, whenever Jay Leno decided to step down.  I think Conan may have played some hardball at the end of his last contract saying if he wasn’t the one to replace Leno, he may jump ship to another network.  That may have expedited Jay’s decision, as he would have had to set a timeline for his departure. And after the incident with David Letterman getting burned and going on to star at CBS, this may have become a decision that NBC didn’t want to mess up — and yet they did anyway.  Of course the winner in all this is Letterman who has become stronger than ever in the coveted 11:30 time slot and really solidified his ratings.

Sports Talk Ep. 512: Mid-Season Premiere, WJHC, Team Canada and a Foot in Mouth Disease

The Boys are back for the new year and it starts off with a bang. The World Junior Hockey Championship just ended and we get into who the best player to don a Canadian jersey for that competition is. As well, Canada’s Olympic hockey team is selected and we dive into those selections, the Canucks are hot and Zam sticks his foot in his mouth…not for the first time…as well the boys get into the NFL Wild Card Games for the weekend.

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Cubed 103: The News of the Week

Cubed is back for the New Year with its first newscast of 2010. It’s the Press Box News of the Week on Cubed with Shaheed Devji.

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Cubed is always evolving and Shaheed would love to hear feedback or topic suggestions. Contact him at shaheed@thepressbox.org.

2010 Olympics: Team Canada men's hockey roster prediction

Will Jarome Iginla wear the "C" for Team Canada in Vancouver? Photo: CBC.ca

Hockey Canada is set to announce the team it will be sending to the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver to compete in the men’s ice hockey tournament. With powerhouses like Russia and Sweden already having announced their respective rosters, the unveiling of the Canadians’ roster is highly anticipated and is being hotly contested.

Below is who I believe should crack the 23-man roster for Team Canada. If Hockey Canada, Steve Yzerman and the rest of the brass, are in line with my thinking you will see a similar roster announced on Wednesday.

Forwards:

St. Louis, Crosby, Nash

Heatley, Thornton, Marleau

Iginla, Getzlaf, Perry

Morrow, M.Richards, Neal

Stamkos

Defensemen:

Keith, Seabrook

Boyle, Weber

Niedermayer, Pronger

Doughty

Goalies:

Brodeur, Luongo

Fleury

Analysis: It’ll be pretty hard to argue with any set of top nine forwards you see for Team Canada because of the types of players it consists of. These are superstar players that deserve to be on the roster not only based on their play season but also because of the quality of skill they possess. If any one player in my top nine was to be questioned it would be Martin St. Louis.

St. Louis has put up very good numbers in Tampa Bay this season playing with Steven Stamkos but can he continue that pace outside of the Southeast Division and against the best players in the world? I bet Canada thinks yes because of his style of play and his history for Team Canada, let alone his apparent chemistry with Sidney Crosby at the summer camp.

For my money, James Neal not only will be one of the best all around players in the NHL one day, but is already. He had a superb year in Dallas last year and has only continued that this year, even with an injury sandwiched into his season. He is offensively skilled, posseses great speed and if you saw him play in the World Juniour Tournament you know that he can hit with the best of them. I think he will be an important part of Canada’s shutdown line with Mike Richards and Brendan Morrow and the penalty kill.

Steven Stamkos is my 13th forward and as you’ll see with my 7th d-man, I have more reasons to bring this guy along for the ride than to keep him off the roster.

On the back end, it’s once again really difficult to argue with the top five or six players that most prognosticators come up with. Duncan Keith may be the best all around defenseman in the league, and his partner Brent Seabrook isn’t far behind. Why split them up when they’ve had and continue to have such success together? They very well could be Canada’s shutdown tandem.

Dan Boyle has won a Stanley Cup and is an explosive defenseman and a leader on and off the ice, and I think has earned himself a spot. Pairing him with Shea Weber, who I think will be Canada’s most feared defenseman will provide a very sound duo. Niedermayer and Pronger played together in Anaheim and despite their separation and their sub-par seasons respectively, I think their experience and leadership in the international game cannot be underestimated. Finally, Drew Doughty. How can you leave him off the roster based on his play? I couldn’t find a good enough reason. Hey may not play, but if he does I think he’ll be fine.

In goal there has been no doubt or debate as to who the three tenders would be but the order is what has people arguing. I think Martin Brodeur because of his play this season, his team’s success and of course all of that hardware and experience he has in his closet will be given every opportunity to succeed and if he doesn’t Roberto Luongo will be the next in line.

Although Marc-Andre Fleury has won a Stanley Cup and plays on arguably the best team in the NHL, he hasn’t played in an Olympics or World Cup and Canada has had a tendency to groom is goaltenders. And I’m not sure you can distinguish too much between the play of the two (Luongo and Fleury) this season. When all is said and done, I think Canada could succeed wither any of the three between the pipes.

With that being said, I think Canada could ice another team of players left of this roster and have a good chance at success. Guys like Brad Richards, Patrice Bergeron, and Dustin Penner have also had great seasons thus far. And young guns like Jonathan Toews and and all three Staal brothers as well as tried and tested Canadians like Vincent Lecavalier and Shane Doan could be vital pieces of a second team for Canada.

Whoever cracks the roster will have heavy expectations thrust upon them and with that responsibility will come a great chance to win gold on home ice in Vancouver.

Peyton Manning: A Team Player

The Indianapolis Colts had a shot at history.

At 14-0, the Colts had a chance to match New England’s 16-0 regular season from 2007, by winning their last two games.

But the Colts had already clinched home-field advantage throughout, and wanted to rest their key players.

So, on Sunday afternoon at home against the New York Jets, rookie head coach Jim Caldwell pulled quarterback Peyton Manning–along with several other starters–in the second half, with Indianapolis ahead 15-10.

The Jets rallied for a 29-15 upset victory, ending the Colts’ 23-game regular-season winning streak.

The big play came in the third quarter, when Curtis Painter, Manning’s replacement at QB, was hit while trying to throw from deep in his own territory, and lost the ball. The Jets’ Marques Douglas fell on it and got into the end zone to put New York ahead for good.

Clearly, Manning, standing on the sidelines, was not happy. But afterwards, he supported his coach’s decision to rest the starters.

“It was the plan, the organizational philosophy that we were going with,” Manning said, “and, as players, we support that” (AP, Dec. 27, 2009).

Again, the Colts were chasing history, so it must have been disappointing for Manning to be taken out.

At least he was a man about it.

He didn’t argue with his coach on the sidelines.

Wasn’t that what happened last Sunday night in Carolina, when Minnesota Vikings QB Brett Favre refused to be taken out?

Favre said afterwards: “(Coach) Brad (Childress) wanted to go in a different direction. And I wanted to stay in the game. It’s not 70-6, but we were up 7-6. I said I’m staying in the game. I’m playing…No way being up 7-6 and getting banged around a little bit would I consider coming out” (AP, Dec. 21, 2009).

So, when coach Childress considered pulling Favre, with his team ahead, his QB wouldn’t let it happen.

No, the Colts don’t have a shot at that perfect season anymore in 2009.

At least Peyton Manning should have respect from all the football fans out there.

He did as his coach said, didn’t question the decision to pull him, and thought more about the team than himself.

And don’t tell me the Colts had nothing to play for, while the Vikings–trying for the top seed in the NFC–did.

The fact is, the Colts had a chance to make history, something that had happened only once in the NFL (Sorry, ’72 Dolphins; I’m talking about a 16-0 regular season).

Manning, however, is a team guy. He did what the coach said.

Good job, Peyton.