2016 CFL Season
- Thread starter Mowich
- Start date
Nothing the NFL can serve up can compare to a good CFL game, like that served up at the Grey Cup last night.
It's such a pleasure to see it played in a superb, old style stadium.. with completely modern facilities like BMO Field.. and on Natural Grass. I compare it to that enervating concrete mausoleum of Rogers Centre with its artificial turf, climactic sequestration and amplified sound and its like a breath of fresh air.
Makes me wonder why they don't move the Blue Jays down the CNE grounds to create a Toronto Sports Campus. Build a single purpose facility based on the the best of the new retro stadiums in the U.S.. Camden Yards (Baltimore), Progressive Field (Cleveland), AT&T Park (SF). But give it a distinct Canadian identity.
Congrats to the Red Blacks.. i'm finally getting used to the name.
It's such a pleasure to see it played in a superb, old style stadium.. with completely modern facilities like BMO Field.. and on Natural Grass. I compare it to that enervating concrete mausoleum of Rogers Centre with its artificial turf, climactic sequestration and amplified sound and its like a breath of fresh air.
Makes me wonder why they don't move the Blue Jays down the CNE grounds to create a Toronto Sports Campus. Build a single purpose facility based on the the best of the new retro stadiums in the U.S.. Camden Yards (Baltimore), Progressive Field (Cleveland), AT&T Park (SF). But give it a distinct Canadian identity.
Congrats to the Red Blacks.. i'm finally getting used to the name.
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I think it's good for the whole CFL franchise to have the new/old team get a Grey Cup win under it's belt... and I am generally glad when the Stamps lose 
Love an underdog win!!
The rightful Roughriders still survive
Love an underdog win!!
The rightful Roughriders still survive
REDBLACKS celebrated in Ottawa after bringing home first Grey Cup in 40 years
With local school buses cancelled due to early morning freezing rain, children were out in abundance to cheer on its local heroes.
Grandparents who had once cheered for the Ottawa Rough Riders, who won the city's last Grey Cup in 1976, were now excited to share memories with a whole new generation of football fans.
"I was one year old the last time they won a Grey Cup here," said Burris. "To be a part of helping bring the Grey Cup back is something we dreamed about when we signed to come here and to actually know we made it happen is totally awesome."
The parade culminated with a fan rally in Aberdeen Square at Lansdowne Park.
Players were introduced to the boisterous crowd and some even brought their own children on stage to experience the moment, including Burris who dedicated the win to his family.
REDBLACKS celebrated in Ottawa after bringing home first Grey Cup in 40 years | CTV Ottawa News
With local school buses cancelled due to early morning freezing rain, children were out in abundance to cheer on its local heroes.
Grandparents who had once cheered for the Ottawa Rough Riders, who won the city's last Grey Cup in 1976, were now excited to share memories with a whole new generation of football fans.
"I was one year old the last time they won a Grey Cup here," said Burris. "To be a part of helping bring the Grey Cup back is something we dreamed about when we signed to come here and to actually know we made it happen is totally awesome."
The parade culminated with a fan rally in Aberdeen Square at Lansdowne Park.
Players were introduced to the boisterous crowd and some even brought their own children on stage to experience the moment, including Burris who dedicated the win to his family.
REDBLACKS celebrated in Ottawa after bringing home first Grey Cup in 40 years | CTV Ottawa News
Roughriders' Joe McKnight shot dead in road rage argument
Postmedia Network
First posted: Thursday, December 01, 2016 06:38 PM EST | Updated: Thursday, December 01, 2016 07:37 PM EST
Saskatchewan Roughriders’ running back Joe McKnight is dead after an apparent road-road rage incident in New Orleans.
McKnight, 28, was killed Thursday after an argument at an intersection, according to the Jefferson Parish Sherriff’s Office. Family members at the scene identified McKnight as the victim.
In a statement, Roughriders head coach-GM Chris Jones said the team was “shocked to hear the news of Joe’s sudden passing.
“We send our deepest sympathies to Joe’s family, friends, and all those impacted by this tragedy.”
“Losing a member of our Rider family this way is an unthinkable occurrence,” said Craig Reynolds, Roughriders president and CEO.
A witness told the New Orleans Times-Picayune that she was leaving the area when she saw a man at an intersection yelling at another man, who was attempting to apologize. The witness said the man shot the other man more than once.
The shooter was identified as Ronald Glasser, 54. Glasser remained at the scene and has turned over his gun to authorities. Jefferson Parish Sherriff Newell Normand told the Times-Picayune that McKnight didn’t have a gun and didn’t find one outside the vehicle.
McKnight’s former school USC confirmed the news on Twitter.
McKnight played in the NFL before joining the Roughriders.
In the past season, McKnight ran for 228 yards on 38 carries.
His Roughriders teammates were quick to tweet out their condolences:
Condolences also came from across the league:
The body of former NFL player Joe McKnight lies between the shooter's vehicle at left and his Audi SUV at right as the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office investigates the scene in Terrytown, La., on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016. (Michael DeMocker /NOLA.com The Times-Picayune via AP)
http://twitter.com/i/videos/tweet/804456255259607040
Roughriders' Joe McKnight shot dead in road rage argument | Football | Sports |
Postmedia Network
First posted: Thursday, December 01, 2016 06:38 PM EST | Updated: Thursday, December 01, 2016 07:37 PM EST
Saskatchewan Roughriders’ running back Joe McKnight is dead after an apparent road-road rage incident in New Orleans.
McKnight, 28, was killed Thursday after an argument at an intersection, according to the Jefferson Parish Sherriff’s Office. Family members at the scene identified McKnight as the victim.
In a statement, Roughriders head coach-GM Chris Jones said the team was “shocked to hear the news of Joe’s sudden passing.
“We send our deepest sympathies to Joe’s family, friends, and all those impacted by this tragedy.”
“Losing a member of our Rider family this way is an unthinkable occurrence,” said Craig Reynolds, Roughriders president and CEO.
A witness told the New Orleans Times-Picayune that she was leaving the area when she saw a man at an intersection yelling at another man, who was attempting to apologize. The witness said the man shot the other man more than once.
The shooter was identified as Ronald Glasser, 54. Glasser remained at the scene and has turned over his gun to authorities. Jefferson Parish Sherriff Newell Normand told the Times-Picayune that McKnight didn’t have a gun and didn’t find one outside the vehicle.
McKnight’s former school USC confirmed the news on Twitter.
McKnight played in the NFL before joining the Roughriders.
In the past season, McKnight ran for 228 yards on 38 carries.
His Roughriders teammates were quick to tweet out their condolences:
Condolences also came from across the league:
The body of former NFL player Joe McKnight lies between the shooter's vehicle at left and his Audi SUV at right as the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office investigates the scene in Terrytown, La., on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016. (Michael DeMocker /NOLA.com The Times-Picayune via AP)
http://twitter.com/i/videos/tweet/804456255259607040
Roughriders' Joe McKnight shot dead in road rage argument | Football | Sports |
This just went from very sad to very unsettling.
The shooting death of a CFL player in a New Orleans suburb was a “road rage” incident that started on a nearby bridge, a sheriff said Friday, as he urged against a rush to judgment and defended his handling of the case.
Saskatchewan Roughriders running back Joe McKnight was shot and killed Thursday afternoon in the community of Terrytown, just across the Mississippi River from New Orleans. Authorities have identified 54-year-old Ronald Gasser, who stayed at the scene, as the shooter and he was released overnight, sparking criticism.
During a news conference Friday, Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand said the altercation that ended with McKnight’s death started on a nearby bridge — possibly when one of the two men cut the other off — and then proceeded into nearby streets in the New Orleans suburb. He did not say which driver cut off the other.
Authorities said Gasser shot McKnight three times from inside his car with a semi-automatic handgun while McKnight was standing outside. Witnesses said the two had been in a heated argument, according to the sheriff.
Normand defended his handling of the case, saying the investigation was ongoing. No charges have been filed. Protesters upset at Gasser’s release gathered outside the sheriff’s office earlier Friday.
Speaking of Gasser’s release, the sheriff said the state has certain “statutes” that provide a defence to certain crimes but did not go into further detail.
“The easiest thing for me would have been ‘Book him Danno.’ Right?” Normand said, referring to the police saying made popular on Hawaii Five-0. But Normand urged caution.
“Mr. Gasser is not going anywhere. He has been completely co-operative with us in every request we have made,” Normand said. “We will do a very through and deliberate investigation.”
More..........
Suspect in shooting of Roughriders’ Joe McKnight released - The Globe and Mail
The shooting death of a CFL player in a New Orleans suburb was a “road rage” incident that started on a nearby bridge, a sheriff said Friday, as he urged against a rush to judgment and defended his handling of the case.
Saskatchewan Roughriders running back Joe McKnight was shot and killed Thursday afternoon in the community of Terrytown, just across the Mississippi River from New Orleans. Authorities have identified 54-year-old Ronald Gasser, who stayed at the scene, as the shooter and he was released overnight, sparking criticism.
During a news conference Friday, Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand said the altercation that ended with McKnight’s death started on a nearby bridge — possibly when one of the two men cut the other off — and then proceeded into nearby streets in the New Orleans suburb. He did not say which driver cut off the other.
Authorities said Gasser shot McKnight three times from inside his car with a semi-automatic handgun while McKnight was standing outside. Witnesses said the two had been in a heated argument, according to the sheriff.
Normand defended his handling of the case, saying the investigation was ongoing. No charges have been filed. Protesters upset at Gasser’s release gathered outside the sheriff’s office earlier Friday.
Speaking of Gasser’s release, the sheriff said the state has certain “statutes” that provide a defence to certain crimes but did not go into further detail.
“The easiest thing for me would have been ‘Book him Danno.’ Right?” Normand said, referring to the police saying made popular on Hawaii Five-0. But Normand urged caution.
“Mr. Gasser is not going anywhere. He has been completely co-operative with us in every request we have made,” Normand said. “We will do a very through and deliberate investigation.”
More..........
Suspect in shooting of Roughriders’ Joe McKnight released - The Globe and Mail
Louisiana sheriff slams reaction to shooting death of Saskatchewan Roughriders running back Joe McKnight
The man who says he fatally shot Saskatchewan Roughriders player Joe McKnight in Louisiana last week has been arrested and jailed on a charge of manslaughter, but Tuesday’s announcement was overshadowed by a heated press conference from Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand.
Ronald Gasser, 54, was arrested late Monday, after initially being released last week without charges pending further investigation, jail records show.
Normand held a briefing the next morning to discuss the case, slamming local reaction to the shooting that was the result of an apparent road-rage incident, even going so far as to read out expletive-filled comments that had been directed at officials.
Ronald Gasser, 54, was arrested late Monday over the killing of Joe McKnight.
City of Oakland, Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office / City of Oakland, Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office
He said the delay was for strategic reasons, and zoned in on those who were in uproar over Gasser’s release in the wake of the Thursday shooting.
“Our arrest is only as good as a prosecution,” he said. “For those who have criticized the men and women of this organization … tough … I don’t care.”
“If people don’t think that we know what we’re doing strategically … tough. I don’t care.”
Normand said his officers had deliberately delayed arresting Gasser in order to “let the case mature” to a point where authorities were confident about the charge being brought.
He said initial witness reports had been misleading, and said that what he considers a key witness was not spoken to until Saturday. Normand said that if an arrest had been made earlier, later witnesses would not have come forward. He said investigators had 268 cars that they were interested in identifying, and had conducted over 160 interviews to date.
“We started Thursday afternoon with a witness that lied,” he said, going on to say that this initial witness told police “three different stories in the space of an hour.”
“Shame on that individual that started something … going down a path we, collectively, should be ashamed of ourselves,” he said.
“From the first instances of what went out on the social networks, we created an environment where witnesses were afraid to come forward.”
He said that Louisiana’s stand your ground law — which says that imminent threats to a person can be met with force providing the person being threatened is not engaged in illegal activity — put pressure on police to “get it right.” In perhaps a sign of how Gasser’s defence might play out, Normand said Gasser’s interview was “replete” with statements about he was in fear of McKnight.
This is a 2013 file photo showing New York Jets running back Joe McKnight.
Former NFL player McKnight has been shot to death following an argument at an intersection with another motorist.
When deputies arrived at the scene, the sheriff previously said Gasser handed them his gun and confessed to killing McKnight, who played running back for the Roughriders last season.
At the press conference, Normand outlined how the police investigation indicated Gasser and McKnight had engaged in a long-running bout of verbal abuse from their vehicles that had eventually come to a head. He said Gasser, in his statements, indicated he was irritated by McKnight initially cutting him off and may have set off after the football player.
He said that at the lights at Behrman Highway and Holmes Boulevard, Gasser’s vehicle was hemmed in and McKnight exited his own vehicle and arrived at Gasser’s window. At this point, Normand said Gasser fired three shots from inside his car after pulling a gun from between his seat and the console.
“Two people engaged in bad behaviour that day. I don’t know why, but they did,” Normand said.
When reporters asked whether his reading aloud of the threats to officials was necessary, Normand defended it.
“I hope it gets everybody to realize how crazy we’re getting,” he said.
At a weekend vigil for McKnight state politicians had promised to revisit the stand your ground law.
“You can believe that we will be going back to the Capitol to work on legislation to make it clear [that] when people commit these crimes, they cannot hide behind laws that were intended to do one thing, and are used to disguise what appears to be [murder],” state Sen. Troy Carter of New Orleans told Nola.com.
McKnight was signed to Saskatchewan’s practice roster on Sept. 26, and he ran for 150 yards in his first CFL start on Oct. 15 as the Roughriders beat Toronto 29-11. He finished the 2016 season with 228 rushing yards and 80 receiving yards over five games with Edmonton and Saskatchewan.
McKnight played three seasons for the New York Jets and one with the Kansas City Chiefs before moving to the CFL.
— With files from Associated Press, Washington Post
Man charged with manslaughter over shooting death of Roughriders running back Joe McKnight
A decade ago, Gasser was involved in a similar altercation — at the same intersection — with a driver. The sheriff said that in February 2006, a man observed a truck driving erratically and called a number on the truck, speaking to a man later identified as Gasser.
Gasser and the man got into a fight on the phone and then Gasser followed the man to a service station, confronted him and hit him several times. Gasser drove away and the victim called 911.
Investigators found Gasser and issued a misdemeanour summons for simple battery, which was later dismissed. Authorities have said they are trying to determine why it was dismissed.
Joe McKnight: Ronald Gasser charged with manslaughter of Riders RB | Saskatoon StarPhoenix
Ronald Gasser, 54, was arrested late Monday, after initially being released last week without charges pending further investigation, jail records show.
Normand held a briefing the next morning to discuss the case, slamming local reaction to the shooting that was the result of an apparent road-rage incident, even going so far as to read out expletive-filled comments that had been directed at officials.
“Thank you for your patience, your restraint and your trust in the process, and in this organization” he said to the family of McKnight upon opening. But from that point on, much of what Normand said focused on the local reaction to his force’s delay in making an arrest.
Ronald Gasser, 54, was arrested late Monday over the killing of Joe McKnight.
City of Oakland, Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office / City of Oakland, Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office
“Our arrest is only as good as a prosecution,” he said. “For those who have criticized the men and women of this organization … tough … I don’t care.”
“If people don’t think that we know what we’re doing strategically … tough. I don’t care.”
Normand said his officers had deliberately delayed arresting Gasser in order to “let the case mature” to a point where authorities were confident about the charge being brought.
He said initial witness reports had been misleading, and said that what he considers a key witness was not spoken to until Saturday. Normand said that if an arrest had been made earlier, later witnesses would not have come forward. He said investigators had 268 cars that they were interested in identifying, and had conducted over 160 interviews to date.
“We started Thursday afternoon with a witness that lied,” he said, going on to say that this initial witness told police “three different stories in the space of an hour.”
“Shame on that individual that started something … going down a path we, collectively, should be ashamed of ourselves,” he said.
“From the first instances of what went out on the social networks, we created an environment where witnesses were afraid to come forward.”
He said that Louisiana’s stand your ground law — which says that imminent threats to a person can be met with force providing the person being threatened is not engaged in illegal activity — put pressure on police to “get it right.” In perhaps a sign of how Gasser’s defence might play out, Normand said Gasser’s interview was “replete” with statements about he was in fear of McKnight.
This is a 2013 file photo showing New York Jets running back Joe McKnight.
Former NFL player McKnight has been shot to death following an argument at an intersection with another motorist.
Despite the uproar that had followed the initial release, uncharged, of a white man after he had admitted to killing a black man, Normand insisted race was not at the heart of the matter.
“This isn’t about race,” he said. “Not a single witness has said up to this day that a racial slur was uttered in the course of these events.”
When deputies arrived at the scene, the sheriff previously said Gasser handed them his gun and confessed to killing McKnight, who played running back for the Roughriders last season.
At the press conference, Normand outlined how the police investigation indicated Gasser and McKnight had engaged in a long-running bout of verbal abuse from their vehicles that had eventually come to a head. He said Gasser, in his statements, indicated he was irritated by McKnight initially cutting him off and may have set off after the football player.
He said that at the lights at Behrman Highway and Holmes Boulevard, Gasser’s vehicle was hemmed in and McKnight exited his own vehicle and arrived at Gasser’s window. At this point, Normand said Gasser fired three shots from inside his car after pulling a gun from between his seat and the console.
“Two people engaged in bad behaviour that day. I don’t know why, but they did,” Normand said.
When reporters asked whether his reading aloud of the threats to officials was necessary, Normand defended it.
“I hope it gets everybody to realize how crazy we’re getting,” he said.
At a weekend vigil for McKnight state politicians had promised to revisit the stand your ground law.
“You can believe that we will be going back to the Capitol to work on legislation to make it clear [that] when people commit these crimes, they cannot hide behind laws that were intended to do one thing, and are used to disguise what appears to be [murder],” state Sen. Troy Carter of New Orleans told Nola.com.
McKnight was signed to Saskatchewan’s practice roster on Sept. 26, and he ran for 150 yards in his first CFL start on Oct. 15 as the Roughriders beat Toronto 29-11. He finished the 2016 season with 228 rushing yards and 80 receiving yards over five games with Edmonton and Saskatchewan.
McKnight played three seasons for the New York Jets and one with the Kansas City Chiefs before moving to the CFL.
— With files from Associated Press, Washington Post
Man charged with manslaughter over shooting death of Roughriders running back Joe McKnight
A decade ago, Gasser was involved in a similar altercation — at the same intersection — with a driver. The sheriff said that in February 2006, a man observed a truck driving erratically and called a number on the truck, speaking to a man later identified as Gasser.
Gasser and the man got into a fight on the phone and then Gasser followed the man to a service station, confronted him and hit him several times. Gasser drove away and the victim called 911.
Investigators found Gasser and issued a misdemeanour summons for simple battery, which was later dismissed. Authorities have said they are trying to determine why it was dismissed.
Joe McKnight: Ronald Gasser charged with manslaughter of Riders RB | Saskatoon StarPhoenix
Can't seem to find the Rider thread but looks like they are getting rid of their only reliable QB of late ...
Alouettes acquire rights to Riders QB Darian Durant - CFL.ca
I guess they like 5th place.
Alouettes acquire rights to Riders QB Darian Durant - CFL.ca
I guess they like 5th place.
Good luck to Darian. I wish him all the best with his new team and thank him for his time with my Riders. Appears that Jones and the club are cleaning house though what they will refurnish it with is beyond me.
I'm glad to see Darian off... I just wish we would have saved some of the past talent that has come up and gone from under him... instead of now having no good second option now... and grasping at straws