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Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2009

Scott Taylor’s CITI Sports Reports

The 3-7 Winnipeg Blue Bombers, back on the practice field today to prepare to face the Eastern Conference’s first-place, 8-2 Montreal Alouettes this Sunday at noon at Molson Stadium in Montreal. The game will be live on TSN. Bomber head coach Mike Kelly will join Tom & Joe just after 8 this morning.

Week 12 in the CFL begins Friday night with Calgary at Hamilton at 6 and Toronto at B.C. at 9. Both games are on TSN. Yesterday, the Argos welcomed back return man Dominique Dorsey, the league’s top special teams player last year. Dorsey was recently cut by the Washington Redskins.

In the NHL, seven pre-season games last night:

St. Louis 3 Minnesota 1:

Florida 3 Ottawa 1:

Boston 2 NY Rangers 1: Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask played the entire game and made 31 saves to get the win.

Edmonton 4 Calgary 1: Patrick O’Sullivan scored twice for the Oilers.

Pittsburgh 5 Columbus 4 (OT): Sidney Crosby had two goals and assisted on Chris Kunitz overtime winner.

Phoenix 4 Los Angeles 2 (in Phoenix): In front of virtually no one in Phoenix. With Ulf Samuelsson behind the bench and not Wayne Gretzky, there were fewer than 1,000 in the rink. Los Angeles 4 Phoenix 3 (in L.A.): Jack Johnson scored twice for the Kings.

Tonight, the Bruins meet the Leafs live on TSN at 6 p.m. Next Thursday, Tampa plays Edmonton right here in Winnipeg. And the American Hockey League pre-season opens on Saturday night with the Moose in Abbotsford.

Finally, in the Majors, Kansas City crushed Detroit 11-1 while Minnesota beat Cleveland 5-4. Minnesota trails Detroit by five games in the AL Central and the two teams play a three-game series at the Metrodome this weekend. And Toronto, behind Roy Halladay drilled the Yankees 10-4 at Yankee Stadium last night. A dugout-clearing dust-up in the eighth and five home runs by the Jays were the highlights of that one, K.K….

7:15 CFL REPORT

Hi everybody, it’s the Coach Scott Taylor and it’s time now for the 92-CITI-FM Canadian Football League Report. Brought to you by MAACO Collision and Auto Painting at 983 Wall Street.

Well, you have to give the Toronto Argos some credit. At least, they’re trying to get better.

On Monday, the scorchingly fast Dominique Dorsey returned to the Argos. Dorsey, who was a CFL special teams all-star last season and led the league in combined yards despite missing five games due to injury, was just recently cut loose by the NFL’s Washington Redskins. His presence in Toronto will instantly make the Boatmen better.

8:15 NASCAR REPORT

Hi everybody, it’s the coach Scott Taylor and it’s time now for the 92-CITI-FM NASCAR REPORT. Brought to you by 3M Automotive and Rondex. At 177 Isabel, Rondex is celebrating 37 years of auto body supply service.

The 26 races of the regular season are over. It’s time for the playoffs. 12 drivers have qualified. Mark Martin is the leader, Tony Stewart and three-time defending champion Jimmie Johnson are right on his heels.
The playoffs start Sunday at noon with the Sylvania 300 at Loudon, N.H. 10 races to go. This is when it really matters.

4:50 PM BLUE BOMBERS REPORT

Hi everybody, it’s the coach Scott Taylor and it’s time now for the 92-CITI-FM WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS REPORT. Brought to you by Harv-Al. Custom jerseys for your team, made right here in Winnipeg.

Blue Bombers head coach Mike Kelly makes a great point when he says it’s possible to bounce back. And it is. In 1990, the Bombers lost the Labour Day Classic 55-11 in Regina and went on to win the Grey Cup.

But that was then, this is now. Tom Burgess was the quarterback then, not Michael Bishop. The offensive line was terrific and the defence was dominant. You can bounce back, but you must have the personnel to do it. Right now, I look at the Bombers and just don’t see the personnel.

Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2009

Scott Taylor’s CITI Sports Reports

The 3-7 Winnipeg Blue Bombers, demolished 55-10 by the visiting Saskatchewan Roughriders on Sunday, now have to get set for the 8-2 Montreal Alouettes this Sunday at noon on TSN. Head coach Mike Kelly got a vote of confidence from CEO Lyle Bauer then said Casey Printers will not be coming to Winnipeg – ever — but Kelly does have a quarterback problem and he knows he’s running out of options. Yesterday, Jeff Garcia signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. Now, it looks like young Casey Bramlett will be experiment No. 3 this week.

In the National Football League last night Tom Brady went 39-for-53 for 378 yards and two touchdowns to Ben Watson in the final minute-16 as the Pats edged the Buffalo Bills 25-24. And the San Diego Chargers beat Oakland 24-20. Meanwhile, Chicago Bears middle linebacker Brian Urlacher is gone for the season after surgery yesterday to his injured wrist. And bood news for Pittsburgh’s Troy Polamalu, he won’t need surgery on his injured knee and is out 3-6 weeks.

The NHL is back! Last night in Terrace, B.C., Sergei Shirokov scored twice as Vancouver beat the Islanders 2-1 in the first pre-season game. Tomorrow night on TSN it’s the Bruins and Leafs and the American Hockey League pre-season opens on Saturday night with the Moose in Abbotsford.

Finally, a spectacular upset in the men’s final of the U.S. Open Tennis Championship. After knocking of Rafael Nadal, Argentinian Juan Martin del Potro defeated World No. 1 Roger Federer in five sets to win the final Grand Slam event of the year.

7:15 CFL REPORT

Hi everybody, it’s the Coach Scott Taylor and it’s time now for the 92-CITI-FM Canadian Football League Report. Brought to you by MAACO Collision and Auto Painting at 983 Wall Street.

Here’s the craziest part about Winnipeg’s last two defeats – 29-14 in Saskatchewan and 55-10 by Saskatchewan in Winnipeg: the Bombers are still in the thick of the playoffs hunt.

When six teams out of eight make the playoffs, it’s harder to miss the post-season than to make it. Right now the Bombers are only two points out of the playoffs. After next Sunday’s game in Montreal, the Bombers have an easy schedule. Playoffs here we come.

8:15 NASCAR REPORT

Hi everybody, it’s the coach Scott Taylor and it’s time now for the 92-CITI-FM NASCAR REPORT. Brought to you by 3M Automotive and Rondex. At 177 Isabel, Rondex is celebrating 37 years of auto body supply service.

OK, when the Chase for the Sprint Cup begins this Sunday at Loudon, New Hampshire, here’s what you have to remember.

Jimmie Johnson is the three-time defending champion. Mark Martin lis in first lace at the ripe ol’ age of 50. And the man who is second in the standings, Tony Stewart, has been terrific in his first year as an owner/driver. I like Johnson again, but the big money seems to be on Jeff Gordon.

4:50 PM BLUE BOMBERS REPORT

Hi everybody, it’s the coach Scott Taylor and it’s time now for the 92-CITI-FM WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS REPORT. Brought to you by Harv-Al. Custom jerseys for your team, made right here in Winnipeg.

Mike Kelly continues to deny that Casey Printers is coming to Winnipeg, but what happens when Montreal clobbers the Bombers this week and again, it’s the quarterback position that kills the local side?

Kelly doesn’t like Printers and that’s fine, but he has a quarterback problem and he’s running out of options. And don’t tell me that Casey Bramlet is the answer. Please don’t tell me that.

Monday, Sept. 14, 2009

Scott Taylor’s CITI Sports Reports

Has it hit rock bottom yet? The Winnipeg Blue Bombers were demolished 55-10 by the visiting Saskatchewan Roughriders in the sixth annual Banjo Bowl as the Bombers turned the ball over eight times. There is reason to believe Casey Printers is now on his way to Winnipeg. Winnipeg is now 3-7 and the Bombers will head into Montreal next Sunday. In the other CFL game yesterday, Montreal improved to 8-2 with a 28-24 win over B.C.

The National Football League season is finally upon us. Here are your scores from Sunday of Week 1:

Brett Favre looked great while Adrian Peterson rushed for 180 yards are three touchdowns as… Minnesota beat Cleveland 34-20
New Orleans 45 Detroit 27…Drew Brees had a career-high six touchdown passes.
Dallas 34 Tampa 21
Denver 12 Cincinnati 7…The Broncos scored on an 87-yard pass in the dying seconds to win it.
Philadelphia 38 Carolina 10…Donovan McNabb suffered a broken rib but may play next week.
NY Jets 24 Houston 7
Indianapolis 14 Jacksonville 12
Atlanta 19 Miami 7
Baltimore 38 Kansas City 24
Seattle 28 St. Louis 0
NY Giants 23 Washington 17
San Francisco 20 Arizona 16
And last night: Green Bay 21 Chicago 15.

Tonight on Monday Night Football, it’s a doubleheader, Buffalo at New England at 6 and San Diego at Oakland at 9. Both games are on TSN.

In the NHL, Dany Heatley is now in San Jose, Theo Fleury is working out in Calgary and Wayne Gretzky has not shown up to coach the bankrupt Phoenix Coyotes. Hey, hockey’s back! And the first official NHL pre-season game goes tonight with the Islanders at Vancouver.

In golf, Tiger Woods went 68-67-62-68, 19-under 265 to win the BMW Championship by eight shots. Woods now has a huge lead with one tournament left in the FedEx Cup playoffs. Only Steve Stricker can catch Woods.

In horse racing, Rock ‘N USA ridden by 62-year-old Alan Cuthbertson won the $75,000 Gold Cup for older horses –and I guess, older jockeys — at Assiniboia Downs yesterday.

In the Majors, Seattle might be out of the playoff hunt, but Ichiro set a record yesterday. The great Mariners rightfielder picked up his 200th hit of the season. He’s the first player in history to record nine consecutive seasons with 200 hits.

Finally, there is a new Northern League baseball champion. After knocking off Winnipeg in five games, the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks defeated the Gary SouthShore RailCats in four games to win the 2009 Northern League crown.

7:15 CFL REPORT

Hi everybody, it’s the Coach Scott Taylor and it’s time now for the 92-CITI-FM Canadian Football League Report. Brought to you by MAACO Collision and Auto Painting at 983 Wall Street.

Got a call on Sunday from a friend. He said, “Fold the team and tear down the stadium, this the worst I’ve ever seen.”

I would respectfully disagree. The Spavital Era was worse. The Joe Zaleski Era was worse. The Jeff Reinebold Era was worse. But losing 55-10 in the Banjo Bowl is pretty damn close to the worst.

8:15 NASCAR REPORT

Hi everybody, it’s the coach Scott Taylor and it’s time now for the 92-CITI-FM NASCAR REPORT. Brought to you by 3M Automotive and Rondex. At 177 Isabel, Rondex is celebrating 37 years of auto body supply service.

It was a wonderfully exciting night in Richmond on Saturday as the final race before the Chase produced three dramatic outcomes:

No. 1: Virginia native Denny Hamlin finally won at Richmond, where he has come so close before. No 2. Brian Vickers finished seventh and clinched the final Chase spot. And No 3: Kyle Busch fell eight points shy while Matt Kenseth dropped out of the race to miss the Chase cutoff for the first time in his career.

4:50 PM BLUE BOMBERS REPORT

Hi everybody, it’s the coach Scott Taylor and it’s time now for the 92-CITI-FM WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS REPORT. Brought to you by Harv-Al. Custom jerseys for your team, made right here in Winnipeg.

Honestly, I like Mike Kelly. I really believed Mike should have been hired as head coach of the Bombers back in 1997 when the Bomber board gave the job to Jeff Reinebold.

But sadly, Kelly is the coach now and even worse, he is not surrounded by very good people. He doesn’t have a particularly good coaching staff and his player personnel expert has let him down. He was told by higher ups in the organization that he had to get rid of Kevin Glenn and now his quarterback situation is just about hopeless. It’s time for a change in Bomberland. But I’m sticking to my guns. The coach should NOT be the first to go.

Friday, Sept. 11, 2009

Scott Taylor’s CITI Sports Reports

The National Football League season has begun. Last night in Pittsburgh, the defending Super Bowl champion Steelers picked up where they left off — with a win. Jeff Reed’s field goal in overtime was the difference as the Steelers beat Tennessee 13-10. This Sunday, Brett Favre makes his debut in Minnesota, Jay Cutler makes his debut in Chicago and first overall pick Matthew Stafford tarts at quarterback for Detroit. It’s opening weekend and it will be fun.

Week 11 in the CFL begins tonight with a doubleheader: Hamilton is at Toronto at 6 – the Argos have lost nine straight at home — while Calgary plays at Edmonton at 9. B.C. is at Montreal Saturday at Noon while the 3-6 Winnipeg Blue Bombers get a re-match with the 5-4 Saskatchewan Roughriders, this Sunday at 3 p.m. at Canad Inns Stadium. It’s the Banjo Bowl and it’s already sold out, but it can be seen on TSN HD. Yesterday, the Bombers put Stefan Lefors on the nine-game injured list because of recurring pain in his non-throwing shoulder. LeFors might undergo surgery. And linebacker Barrin Simpson, down and disgruntled about a coaching staff with which he doesn’t agree, has been granted permission to seek a trade. He will not play on Sunday.

In baseball, Gary and Fargo are tied at one win apiece in the Northern League final. Yesterday, the Winnipeg Goldeyes were named the winners of the Northern League’s organization of the year.

In the NHL, today is the day Judge Redfield T. Baum will decide whether Jim Balsillie, the NHL or nobody wins the bid for the Phoenix Coyotes from the bankruptcy court. Baum said yesterday a third ownership party might have entered the bidding – no sale at all! NHL commissioner Gary Bettman is expected to be grilled by Balisllie’s lawyers today.

Finally, the first official NHL pre-season game is this Monday night with the Islanders at Vancouver. And our old pal Theoren Fleury, from Russell, Man., has been reinstated by the NHL. Now he has to see if a team offers him an invitation to training camp.

7:15 CFL REPORT

Hi everybody, it’s the Coach Scott Taylor and it’s time now for the 92-CITI-FM Canadian Football League Report. Brought to you by MAACO Collision and Auto Painting at 983 Wall Street.

The Canadian Football League said last week that the B.C. Lions’ 19-12 win over the Montreal Alouettes will stand despite the fact that QUOTE “mistakes were made by officials as the clock wound down.” While the errors were unintentional, commissioner Mark Cohon said QUOTE: “the league’s regret at this incident is deep and profound.”

CFL officiating is lousy. Now the league has admitted it’s lousy. That’s not good.

8:15 NASCAR REPORT

Hi everybody, it’s the coach Scott Taylor and it’s time now for the 92-CITI-FM NASCAR REPORT. Brought to you by 3M Automotive and Rondex. At 177 Isabel, Rondex is celebrating 37 years of auto body supply service.

So the big question in NASCAR is this: Will Danica Patrick make the jump from open wheel racing to stock car racing?

Well, most insiders believe she will. With only 17 races on the IndyCar schedule next year, she obviously needs more work and while the travel will be nuts, and she’ll have a lot less time to pose in her undies for FHM spreads, she WILL try to find a NASCAR ride in 2010.

4:50 PM BLUE BOMBERS REPORT

Hi everybody, it’s the coach Scott Taylor and it’s time now for the 92-CITI-FM WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS REPORT. Brought to you by Western Paint and Wallcovering. 521 Hargrave Street and 1510 St. Mary’s Road.

The Stefan Lefors experiment in Winnipeg is done for the season — and it just might be done forever.

The 3-6 Bombers put their former starting quarterback on the nine-game injured list yesterday because of recurring pain in his non-throwing shoulder. He might undergo surgery. Guess I was wrong. Stefan Lefors wasn’t the second coming T.J. Rubley. He wasn’t good enough to be the second coming of T.J. Rubley.

STARTING MONDAY

Hi everybody, it’s the coach Scott Taylor and it’s time now for the 92-CITI-FM WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS REPORT. Brought to you by Harv-Al. Custom jerseys for your team, made right here in Winnipeg.

Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009

Scott Taylor’s CITI Sports Reports

OK, football fans, the wait is over. The 2009 National Football League schedule begins tonight in Pittsburgh as the defending Super Bowl champion Steelers play host to the Tennessee Titans in the season opener at 7:30. Joe and I will have our NFL picks coming up at 8:30 this morning.

Meanwhile, Week 11 in the CFL begins tomorrow night with a doubleheader: Hamilton is at Toronto at 6 while Calgary plays at Edmonton at 9. B,C, is at Montreal Saturday at Noon while the 3-6 Winnipeg Blue Bombers, the third-place team in the East, get a re-match with the 5-4 Saskatchewan Roughriders, the first-place team in the West this Sunday at 3 p.m. at Canad Inns Stadium. It’s the Banjo Bowl and it’s already sold out. Yesterday, the Bombers added non-import defensive back Nick Kordic to the practice roster.

In baseball, the New York Yankees defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 4-2 as Derek Jeter tied the New York Yankees record for hits held by the Iron Horse, Lou Gehrig. Jeter singled in the seventh inning for his third hit of the night, matching Gehrig with 2,721 hits in a Yankees uniform. And in Toronto, the smallest announced crowd for a Blue Jays game at Rogers Centre, 11,159, watched Roy Halladay lose his first ever decision to the Minnesota Twins 4-1 as Justin Morneau hit his 30th homer of the season in the eighth.

In the Northern League, the two teams in the championship final split the first two games in Fargo. Gary won 6-4, Fargo bounced back and won Game 2, 9=5 last night. Game 3 goes in Gary tomorrow night.

And in the NHL, while Jim Balsillie and Gary Bettman square off in a Phoenix bankruptcy court tomorrow to determine who will get control of the bankrupt Phoenix Coyotes, training camps will open this weekend. The first official pre-season game is Monday night with the Islanders at Vancouver.

THE REPORTS

7:15 CFL REPORT

Hi everybody, it’s the Coach Scott Taylor and it’s time now for the 92-CITI-FM Canadian Football League Report. Brought to you by MAACO Collision and Auto Painting at 983 Wall Street.

If you look at the top of the statistical leaders standings in the Canadian Football League, you might surprised. For instance, no longer is Fred Reid the league’s leading rusher, that honour belongs to B.C.’s Martell Mallett. The top passer? Ricky Ray, not Anthony Calvillo. And the top receiver? B.C.’s Paris Jackson. The Bombers top receiver is Terrence Edwards. He’s 10th in the league.

And you wonder why the Bombers are 3-6?

8:15 NASCAR REPORT

Hi everybody, it’s the coach Scott Taylor and it’s time now for the 92-CITI-FM NASCAR REPORT. Brought to you by 3M Automotive and Rondex. At 177 Isabel, Rondex is celebrating 37 years of auto body supply service.

It’s the final race before the Chase. The Chevy Rock ‘N Roll 400 at Richmond International Speedway and here’s the deal: Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Denny Hamlin are IN the playoffs. The next 10 drivers from No. 5 Carl Edwards to No. 14 Kyle Busch all have a chance.

The most exciting race of the Sprint Cup regular season goes this Saturday night at 6. It’s on TSN.

4:50 PM BLUE BOMBERS REPORT

Hi everybody, it’s the coach Scott Taylor and it’s time now for the 92-CITI-FM WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS REPORT. Brought to you by Western Paint and Wallcovering. 521 Hargrave Street and 1510 St. Mary’s Road.

Listen, I’m not naive. I still believe the Bombers must improve at quarterback if they’re ever going to become a .500 football team. But I do believe this: they should win this week.

What happens in Montreal in Week 12 is a whole ‘nother deal, but if the Bombers are 4-7 with Toronto coming to town on Sept. 26, they’ll make the playoffs. In fact, even with Michael Bishop at quarterback, this looks like a team that will be no worse than 8-10. Check the schedule. There are a load of home games, and plenty of wins out there. Just win on Sunday and everything should be fine.

Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009

Scott Taylor’s CITI Sports Reports

The 3-6 Winnipeg Blue Bombers, the third-place team in the East, get a re-match with the 5-4 Saskatchewan Roughriders, the first-place team in the West this Sunday at 3 p.m. at Canad Inns Stadium. It’s the Banjo Bowl and it’s already sold out. Interesting to note that if the playoffs started today, the Bombers would be watching. The 3-6 Eastern Conference Bombers are now behind the 4-5 Western Conference fourth-place B.C. Lions. With the crossover, B.C, would be in and Winnipeg would be out. Yesterday, the Bombers added import quarterback Casey Bramlet to the practice roster.

The CFL is investigating the end of that Montreal-B.C. game in Vancouver on Friday night. The Alouettes tied the game late in the fourth quarter but the TD was called back and nobody is really sure why, exactly.

Meanwhile, Week 11 in the CFL begins Friday night with a doubleheader: Hamilton is at Toronto at 6 while Calgary plays at Edmonton at 9. B,C, is at Montreal Saturday at Noon while the Bombers play on Sunday. Every game is on TSN HD.

In the NFL, all the pre-season decisions are over and the 2009 campaign starts tomorrow night with Tennessee at Pittsburgh at 7:30 on NBC and TSN.

Finally, in the NHL, while rookie camps have opened and training camps open later this week, the legal arguments in Phoenix are getting wilder by the day. Yesterday, as the bid by the U.S.-Canadian group Ice Edge was pulled from consideration, Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie raised his bid on the Coyotes from $212.5 million to $242.5 million. The change in the court documents is meant to address the concerns of the unsecured creditors and the arena in Glendale, Ariz. The auction on the club, slated for tomorrow, is now between Balsillie and the NHL.

Finally, a federal judge sentenced one of NHL commissioner Gary Bettman’s favourite owners, Nashville Predators co-owner Bootsie Del Biaggio to eight years in prison for fraud and ordered Del Biaggio to pay $67.4 million in restitution.

7:15 CFL REPORT

Hi everybody, it’s the Coach Scott Taylor and it’s time now for the 92-CITI-FM Canadian Football League Report. Brought to you by MAACO Collision and Auto Painting at 983 Wall Street.

How about that Kevin Glenn? Seems the guy the Bombers didn’t want to pay, has paid dividends for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. In fact, we guaranteed right here that Glenn would win the No. 1 job in Hamilton and he’s done just that.

Monday, he led the Ticats past the dreadful Toronto Argos 34-15, completing 20-of-36 passes for 273 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Nothing special, but if Michael Bishop had put up those conservative numbers in Regina on Sunday, the Bombers would be 4-5 today.

8:15 NASCAR REPORT

Hi everybody, it’s the coach Scott Taylor and it’s time now for the 92-CITI-FM NASCAR REPORT. Brought to you by 3M Automotive and Rondex. At 177 Isabel, Rondex is celebrating 37 years of auto body supply service.

Wow! One big night-time race, 400 laps, 43 cars and plenty of drama. That’s all that remains before the field for the 2009 Chase for the Sprint Cup is set.

When that happens, 12 drivers will battle over 10 races for Cup Series supremacy. However, while four drivers are locked in, 10 have been left to fight it out under the lights at Richmond International Raceway for the remaining eight spots. It’s the Chevy Rock ‘N Roll 400, live at 6 p.m. Saturday on TSN.

4:50 PM BLUE BOMBERS REPORT

Hi everybody, it’s the coach Scott Taylor and it’s time now for the 92-CITI-FM WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS REPORT. Brought to you by Western Paint and Wallcovering. 521 Hargrave Street and 1510 St. Mary’s Road.

We’re only half-way though the Canadian Football League season and yet, if the playoffs started today, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers would be on the outside looking in.

Yes, it appears the crossover playoff format could be in effect once again this season simply because the 3-6 Bombers and 2-7 Toronto Argos have been horrible this season. If that horrible-ness doesn’t end for Winnipeg in the second half of the schedule, there will be four Western teams and only two Eastern teams in the playoffs.

Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009

Scott Taylor’s CITI Sports Reports

It was a pretty rough weekend for two of Winnipeg’s three professional sports teams. The Winnipeg Goldeyes lost Game 5 of the best-of-five Northern League semifinal 8-3 to the Fargo Moorhead RedHawks to end the baseball season in Winnipeg on Sunday night and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers were whipped 29-14 by the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the Labour Day Classic in Regina.

However, there is always a bright side. Goldeyes general manaer Andrew Collier was named Northern League executive of the year for the fifth time in eight seasons yesterday, and…

The Bombers get a re-match with Saskatchewan. It will be the Riders and Bombers in the sold out Banjo Bowl on Sunday afternoon at 3 at Canad Inns Stadium. The boys will have Mike Kelly on this morning to talk all things Bombers. Yesterday in the CFL, Hamilton whipped Toronto 34-15 while Calgary drilled Edmonton 32-8.

In the NFL, the fooling around is over, the pre-season is done and the 2009 campaign starts Thursday night with Tennessee at Pittsburgh at 7:30 on NBC and TSN.

In the Majors, the only races left are in the Wild Cards. In the National League, Colorado and San Francisco both won yesterday, so the Rockies lead the Giants by two games. In the American League, Boston and Texas both lost so the Red Sox still lead the Rangers by 2 ½-games.

In golf, Steve Stricker finished 17-under 267 to win the PGA Tour’s Deutsche Bank Championship. Tiger Woods fired an eight-under 63 in the final round to move from 30th to 11th.

1) Finally, in the NHL, rookie camps have opened, training camps open later this week and just for the record, Tom, Vegas oddsmakers have made Keenie’s Toronto Maple Leafs 60-1 underdogs to win the Cup.

2) Finally, Winnipeg businessman David Asper will hold a news conference sometime around the third week of September to tell the public about his plans to construct a stadium for the Blue Bombers at the University of Manitoba, but Canwest and Creswin Properties insiders have told me that it’s unlikely Asper will be able to start construction before the spring because it’s been so difficult to lease out space in the proposed new shopping mall on the site of the current stadium. The Bombers stadium woes aren’t entirely solved quite yet.

7:15 CFL REPORT

Hi everybody, it’s the Coach Scott Taylor and it’s time now for the 92-CITI-FM Canadian Football League Report. Brought to you by MAACO Collision and Auto Painting at 983 Wall Street.

We all know that we can’t do anything about the past. Just learn from it and try to do better in the future.

After nine games this season, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers haven’t learned much at all. This is a team that sets up the run with the pass. In two of the three games they’ve won – not the Toronto game because the Argos were just worse than them — they’ve set up the run with the pass. Sunday they didn’t. Either they have to get smarter or they have to go back and chase Pacman again.

8:15 NASCAR REPORT

Hi everybody, it’s the coach Scott Taylor and it’s time now for the 92-CITI-FM NASCAR REPORT. Brought to you by 3M Automotive and Rondex. At 177 Isabel, Rondex is celebrating 37 years of auto body supply service.

Sunday night, under the lights at Atlanta, Kasey Kahne took the lead with 10 laps to go and won his second race of the season and the 11th of his career.

With that win and with one race left before the Chase, Kahne moved up five spots in the standings, all the way from 11th to sixth place. He’s now a lock for the playoffs. There was no better time to win for Kasey Kahne than on Sunday night.

4:50 PM BLUE BOMBERS REPORT

Hi everybody, it’s the coach Scott Taylor and it’s time now for the 92-CITI-FM WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS REPORT. Brought to you by Western Paint and Wallcovering. 521 Hargrave Street and 1510 St. Mary’s Road.

Say whatever you want about Sunday’s game in Regina, but it all came down to one thing. Turnovers. When you give the other team the football six times you’re going to lose. If you only get one turnover back, you’re going to get clobbered.

The Bombers still need a quarterback. Of course, the Bombers might need a lot of things.

Friday, Sept. 4, 2009

Scott Taylor’s CITI Sports Reports

A throwing error by pitcher Chris Homer on an easy play at first base in the bottom of the 10th allowed two runs to score and gave the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks a come-from-behind 9-8 victory over the Winnipeg Goldeyes in Fargo last night. With the win, Fargo tied the best of five Northern League semifinal at one game apiece. Game 3 goes tonight at 7 right here at Canwest Park in downtown Winnipeg. Game 4 will be played tomorrow night in Winnipeg at 6 and Game 5, if necessary will go Sunday night at 7, again at Canwest Park.

In the Majors, the New York Yankees blasted the Toronto Blue Jays 10-5 at Rogers Centre last night. The two teams go at it again tonight in Toronto, 6 p.m. on Rogers SportsNet.

Week 10 in the CFL begins tomorrow night with Montreal at B.C. The Bombers play again Sunday at 3 p.m. on TSN in the Labour Day Classic at Regina against the Saskatchewan Roughriders. The Riders are 7 ½-point favorites. Yesterday, the Bombers announced that the Banjo Bowl on Sept. 13 at Canad Inns Stadium is sold right out.

In the NFL, 13 pre-season games last night and Michael Vick, who scored his first NFL touchdown since 2006 on a two-yard run in a game his Philadelphia Eagles lost 38-27 to the New York Jets, has been told by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, that he can play the first game of his comeback in Week 3.

Finally, Winnipeg businessman David Asper will hold a news conference sometime around the third week of September to tell the public about his plans to construct a stadium for the Blue Bombers at the University of Manitoba, but Canwest and Creswin Properties insiders have told me that it’s unlikely Asper will be able to start construction before the spring because it’s been so difficult to lease out space in the proposed new shopping mall on the site of the current stadium. The Bombers stadium woes aren’t entirely solved quite yet.

7:15 CFL REPORT

Hi everybody, it’s the Coach Scott Taylor and it’s time now for the 92-CITI-FM Canadian Football League Report. Brought to you by MAACO Collision and Auto Painting at 983 Wall Street.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have another opportunity to really make some hay this coming weekend as the sold out Banjo Bowl comes to Canad Inns Stadium this Sunday.

Now, beating Saskatchewan is always a goal, but with 29,000-plus behind them, the Bombers should have a legitimate sot at getting right into the thick of the playoff hunt in the East this week.

8:15 NASCAR REPORT

Hi everybody, it’s the coach Scott Taylor and it’s time now for the 92-CITI-FM NASCAR REPORT. Brought to you by 3M Automotive and Rondex. At 177 Isabel, Rondex is celebrating 37 years of auto body supply service.

Bobby Labonte wasn’t out of work very long.

The 2000 Cup Series champion’s streak of 568 consecutive starts will likely continue through the end of this season, thanks to a last-minute deal from TRG Motorsports owner Kevin Buckler. Labonte, relieved in the No. 96 car for seven of the final 12 races this season by Erik Darnell because of sponsorship troubles, will drive for Buckler’s start-up team in the seven events he will miss for Yates.

Thursday, Sept. 3, 2009

Scott Taylor’s CITI Sports Reports

Bear Bay pitched a dandy while Kevin West hit a three-run homer as the Winnipeg Goldeyes whipped the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks 7-3 in Fargo last night to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five Northern League semifinal. Game 2 goes tonight in Fargo as Bill Pulsipher takes to the mound for the Fish. Then Game 3 will be played at Canwest Park in Winnipeg tomorrow night. Games 4 and 5, if necessary will go on Saturday at 6 p.m. and Sunday at 7.

In the Majors, Texas beat Toronto 6-4 but the big news was in Philly where San Francisco’s Brad Penny, who bombed in Boston, tossed eight shutout innings as San Francisco beat the Phillies 4-0. The Giants remain a game back of Colorado in the NL Wild Card race.

A statement from the Winnipeg Blue Bombers yesterday was short and to the point. Quote: “We are no longer pursuing the services of Adam Jones.” Even though Jones had agreed in principle to a one-year contract, the Bombers felt he’d be way too much trouble and it was unlikely that with his multiple convictions, Jones could get into the country anyway. Meanwhile, wide receiver Charles Rogers can’t come to Winnipeg, either. He’s suspended by the NFL and thereby ineligible to play in the CFL.

Week 10 in the CFL begins tomorrow night with Montreal at B.C. The Bombers play again Sunday at 3 p.m. on TSN in the Labour Day Classic at Regina against the Saskatchewan Roughriders. The Riders are 7 ½-point favorites. Yesterday, Bomber runningback Fred Reid was named the CFL’s offensive player of the month for August.

In the NFL, there are 13 pre-season games on the slate tonight. Tomorrow the Vikings wrap up the pre-season with a game against Dallas at the Metrodome. Brett Favre will not play.

In the NHL, the Vancouver Canucks gave goaltender Robert Luongo a 12-year contract extension worth $64 million. Meanwhile, Ottawa Senators defenseman Jason Smith announced his retirement after a 16 year NHL career. And court case in Phoenix continues today to see if Jim Balsillie even has a chance to purchase the bankrupt Phoenix Coyotes.

Finally, Winnipeg businessman David Asper will hold a news conference sometime around the second or third week of September to tell the public about his plans to construct a stadium for the Blue Bombers at the University of Manitoba, but Canwest and Creswin Properties insiders have told me that it’s unlikely Asper will be able to start construction before the spring because it’s been so difficult to lease out space in the proposed new shopping mall on the site of the current stadium. The Bombers stadium woes aren’t entirely solved quite yet.

7:15 CFL REPORT

Hi everybody, it’s the Coach Scott Taylor and it’s time now for the 92-CITI-FM Canadian Football League Report. Brought to you by MAACO Collision and Auto Painting at 983 Wall Street.

Yesterday, Fred Reid was named the CFL’s offensive player of the month for August. No wonder. He led the Bombers in rushing yards with 476 on 53 carries and ran for four touchdowns and against the B.C. Lions on Aug. 21, rushed for 26- yards and two TDs.

Through the first two months of the season, Reid leads the CFL in combined yards with 1390 and rushing yards with 795, over 100 yards more than Avon Cobourne who sits second in the category.

8:15 NASCAR REPORT

Hi everybody, it’s the coach Scott Taylor and it’s time now for the 92-CITI-FM NASCAR REPORT. Brought to you by 3M Automotive and Rondex. At 177 Isabel, Rondex is celebrating 37 years of auto body supply service.

This Sunday night at 6, it’s the pep Boys Auto 500 as Atlanta Motor Speedway heads under the lights for the first time in its history.

The defending champ is Carl Edwards who looked so good at the Montreal Nationwide Series road race last week. He just might be the man to beat this week. The second to last race before the Chase begins goes at 6 p.m. Sunday on TSN.

Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2009

Scott Taylor’s CITI Sports Reports

Week 10 in the CFL begins Friday night with Montreal at B.C. The Bombers play again Sunday at 3 p.m. on TSN in the Labour Day Classic at Regina against the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Meanwhile, everybody from community activists to politicians gave us their opinion on the potential arrival of bad boy cornerback Adam (Pacman) Jones, assuming that he will be allowed into the country. Jones is said to have signed a one-year deal with the Bombers. There was also talk yesterday that wide receiver Charles Rogers could be headed to Winnipeg. At least, last night at the Hearts of Blue and Gold dinner for Variety, the Bomber players were intrigued with that rumour. Regardless, Pacman’s agent says his client will be in Winnipeg today.

Tonight in Fargo, the second-place Winnipeg Goldeyes will open the 2009 Northern League playoffs against the third-place Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks. Game 2 goes tomorrow in Fargo and then Game 3 will be held in Winnipeg on Friday night. Games 4 and 5, if necessary will go on Saturday at 6 p.m. and Sunday at 7.

In the Majors, Texas beat Toronto twice at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, yesterday, 5-2 in Game 1 and 5-2 in Game 2. Tonight at 7, the two teams met again. Live on Rogers SportsNet.

Winnipeg-based businessman David Asper will hold a news conference sometime around the second or third week of September to tell the public about his plans to construct a stadium for the Blue Bombers at the University of Manitoba, but Canwest and Creswin Properties insiders have told me that it’s unlikely Asper will be able to start construction before the spring because it’s been so difficult to lease out space in the proposed new shopping mall on the site of the current stadium. The Bombers stadium woes aren’t entirely solved quite yet.

7:15 CFL REPORT

Hi everybody, it’s the Coach Scott Taylor and it’s time now for the 92-CITI-FM Canadian Football League Report. Brought to you by MAACO Collision and Auto Painting at 983 Wall Street.

Apparently cornerback Pacman Jones has signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Player personnel director John Murphy has told everyone that Jones has signed. Jones and his agents have told everyone that Jones has signed. But Blue Bombers president and CEO Lyle Bauer claims Jones hasn’t signed.

When it comes to believing a Blue Bombers rep., I will believe Bauer. Until it turns out he’s not telling the truth, then I’ll believe someone – anyone – else.

8:15 NASCAR REPORT

Hi everybody, it’s the coach Scott Taylor and it’s time now for the 92-CITI-FM NASCAR REPORT. Brought to you by 3M Automotive and Rondex. At 177 Isabel, Rondex is celebrating 37 years of auto body supply service.

It’s no secret that the road to the Chase runs through Atlanta. Funny, though, it used t be part of the Chase, now it’s more important that it’s NOT in the Chase.

New this season, Sunday night’s race at Atlanta Motor Speedway — the Pep Boys Auto 500 — appears to offer more promise in the way of excitement than it ever did in its previous home as the sixth stop in the actual 10-race Chase. With half a dozen drivers battling for the final playoff spot, Sunday’s race is now a big deal.