Updated Mon, June 19 06 "BC lions defeat Riders! Alouettes defeat Bombers!  Moose's 06 CFL team by team "Pre Final Player Cuts" detailed previews! My thoughts! New CFLer Ricky Williams MYKwebTV! Grey Cup 05 TotalCFLwebTV shows!" Myk Aussie

CFL Rd 1 scores:
Calgary Stampeders 24 defeated the Edmonton Eskimos 14.
Toronto Argonauts 27 defeated the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 17.
Montreal Alouettes 27 defeated Winnipeg Blue Bombers 17.
BC Lions 45 defeated Saskatchewan Roughriders 28.

Moose Salzer here with the CFL Grey Cup and his Baltimore Stallions flag at the Grey Cup 05 Opening Ceremony in Vancouver. Who will win the CFL Grey cup in 06? Moose's team by team previews are below. You can also see Moose as my co-host in some of the CFL Grey Cup 05 TotalCFLwebTV shows Click here

Moose in his report below is not a Ricky Williams fan but I hope he plays well for the Toronto Argonauts this CFL season! One of my most popular MYKwebTV shows ever features Ricky Williams! For unreal MYKwebTV as I film Ricky Williams being presented with the MVP Award from a recent NFL Pro Bowl check out the small Java video TV screen on the side menu or for Full Screen in Media Player Click here

Updated Sat June 17 "Moose did these previews before the Final Player Cuts were made and thus some of the Players that Moose expected to be plying in the CFL in 06 were Cut! The Previews have been now been edited with the help of some Total-CFLers! Moose did a good job but being down there in Virginia in the USA and writing these Previews before the Final Players Cuts some mistakes were made. I believe the information below is now correct and you will enjoy reading this. Moose does have his HARDBall opinions and bias towards some players but's that's OK!" Myk Aussie

"CFL 98th Year Preview: 'And then their were eight...For now! Predicted Order of Finish!" Moose Salzer

1)  Edmonton Eskimos, 96th year. Western Conference. Won 13 Grey Cups. All-time Record: 620-428-18. Coach: Danny Macocia. QBs: Ricky Ray, Jason Johnson, Steve Jyles. Other player to watch: WR/SB Pat Woodcock,  K/P Sean Fleming, DBs: Malcom Frank, Donny Brady, Keyuo Craver, Jason Nugent, DLm: Antico Dalton, Charles Alston, Tim Fleiszer, Jabari Issa, FBs: Matthew Bertrand, Deitan Dubuc, Mike Maurer, WRs: Ed Hervey, Trevor Gaylor, Jason Tucker, KR Tony Tompkins.

Like last year, when the ESKIES won their 13th franchise Grey Cup (since the 1950's!) this years team is just as loaded. Edmonton's Hugh Campbell may have made the trade that saved the year right before trade deadline time in '05 and also avoided what could have become a messy situation on trying to decide on a QB for this season when he traded strong vet Jason Maas to Hamilton when the season was over. With the addition of Pat Woodcock to the WR fold, the club is well stocked at it's most important position. Fourth year vet Ricky Ray (Af2 alum) is trying for a fourth Grey Cup in four years with the club and don't bet against him getting it. Every year  Hugh Campbell finds a way to get another gem of a player when he needs one and this year will be no exception. Unless there is a rash of injuries, expect the Esks to hoist the Cup again next year. Predicted Finish: Ricky Ray to go to his fourth Grey Cup in four years with the club and square off v. old mate Jason Maas. Edmonton will win it's 14th franchise Grey Cup.

2)  Hamilton Tiger-Cats, 98th year. Eastern Conference. Won 15 Grey Cups. All-time Record: 594-570-29. Coach: Greg Marshall. QBs: Jason Maas, Kevin Eakin, Jon Beutjer. Other players to watch: Centre George Hudson, OG Pascal Cheron, RB Josh Ranek (the best in the League), RM Corey Holmes, who can also play SB/RB, WR Terry Vaughan. The Tiger-cats finally severed their ties with longtime QB Danny McManus, who went first to Edmonton, in the Maas deal, then to Calgary to compete with always shaky Henry Burris. "Moose, Henry Burris is #1 no doubt there at all. You're letting your admiration for Danny Mac overtake your writing here!" Myk

Coach Greg Marshall also picked up several good Ast. Coaches, like Kani Kaua'i from the Ottawa RoughRenegades who have suspended operations until '07 when the League is due to get a real Commissioner and new owners. Joe Paopao is around too, but don't hold that against the Ti-cats! Former Big-10 NCAA rushing leader Anthony Davis should help this team lead the Eastern Conference in rushing, along with sensational Josh Ranek, who has run for more yds., in the CFL in the last four yrs., than any other CFL'r. The passing game will enable Hamilton  to win the East for the first time in the 21st Century. Expect Hamilton to meet Edmonton in the 94th Grey Cup this year in Winterpeg, Manisnowba! Predicted Finish: Maas to lose to old Mate Ricky Ray as the Eskimos win their Fourteenth Grey Cup.  

3) Montreal Alouettes, 52nd year. Eastern Conference. Won Five Grey Cups [as Baltimore Stallions, in '95; won Grey Cup, in '94; runner up]. All-time Record: 442-520-24. Coach: Don Matthews. QBs: Anthony Calvillo, Marcus Brady, Ryan Dinwiddie Quincy Carter, Other players to watch: RB-QB Nealon Greene, SBs Demetis Bendross (Tampa-Ar.FL), Ben Cahoon, who seems to be slowing down, WRs Dave Stala, who can also kick and pass, and the fastest player on the team, francophon Silvan Girard. The Running game will be the second best in the  East, with Robert Edwards now at 230 lbs., and  playoff/Grey Cup hero Eric LaPoint putting off retirement for one more year. On Defence, last Sept., the team needed more size and moved former Defencive player of the year Anwar Stewart first to DT then LB.

Stewart moves back to RDE. He is joined by Kai Ellis, out of Ottawa and two DBs who can dominate; Canadian Rich Karikari and Davis Sanchez, who returns from Edmonton. Special Teams let this team down somewhat in the playoffs and Coach Don Matthews has moved LB Coach and former Univ. of Hawai'i player Daryl Edralin to Special Teams Coordinator. He helped Matthews win Grey Cups in '95-'97 @ both Baltimore and Toronto at that Coaching position. It'll be interesting to see how good Anthony Calvillo does this well. The Montreal Media has been on him bigtime, with his Grey Cup record now a paltry 1-3. Predicted Finish: Second CFL Eastern Conference, loss to Hamilton in the East Final. And maybe the retirement of The Don (?) . 

4) Saskatchewan Roughriders, 96th year. Western Conference . Won Two Grey Cups. [In 15 appearances] All-time Record: 525-519-23. Coach: Danny Barrett. QBs: QB Kerry Joseph, Marcus Crandell, Ian 'Rocky' Butler. Other players to watch: RB-KR Mike Brewster,, WRs Jason Armstead & Matt Dominguez, RB / FB: Kenton Keith, Chris Szarka, Centre Jeremy O' Day, OLm of the Year: Gene Makowsky, DB Almondo Curry (Hampton, VA) . The Roughrider faithful as getting nervous as the 'four-yr' Grey Cup plan (they haven't been to a Grey Cup since '97 & haven't won since '89) has been stretched to a six-going on-seven yr. plan. How Danny Barrett and G.M. Roy Shivers have survived this long can only be attributed to popularity (sort of...) Nobody does a better job of scouring the NFL/Ar.FL waiver wires for talent than does Shivers, who seems to find talent every year. This year will be no different, however with the recent retirement of LaDouphus McCalla and defection of loonngtime K/P Paul McCallum (expect Duncan O'Mahony in uniform sometime this year), it could get very dicey soon. Not to really worry since they still have Grey Cup QB Marcus Crandell and solid backup in Ian 'Rocky' Butler.

They also have 7 time NFL/NFLE failure Joseph, but why get negative?! The running game will carry this team far as I expect Szarka and Keith to have career years behind what is easily the best 'O' Line in the CFL. Two of the last three years, the Lineman of the Year for the CFL has been a R'Rider. If Crandell gets it right early, and with Winnipeg in the East for the fourth time since 1931(!), They should be able to handle Calgary and depleted B.C. Predicted Finish: Me and Myk's old mate Marcus Crandell gets one more playoffs and one more shot @ the Grey Cup. Good luck Marcus, with Barrett and Shivers, you'll need all the help you can get! Loss in the Western Finals.

5) Winnipeg Blue Bombers, 76th year. Eastern Conference. Won Ten Grey Cups. Alltime Record: 640-533-15. Coach: Doug Berry (first year). QBs: Kevin Glenn, Russ Michna (L), Brad Banks, Tee Martin. Other Players to watch: OLm: Ibrahim Khan, an ex-Bengal and Renegade, Val St. Germain, P Jon Ryan, WR-SB Milt Stegall, LB Barrin Simpson. New Coach Berry will be an improvement over departed Jim Dailey, the ex-Roughrider Grey Cup Coach and cronic complainer Dave Ritchie, who was never at fault for the Bombers problems. Now this year, again, Ritchie will not be at fault when the Lions 'D' crashes and burns, eh? Why the Bombers were trying so hard to get the sorry Joseph from the 'Gades is anybody's guess but maybe they wanted him as a reserve RB for VA's Charles Roberts. Roberts ran for 1,624 yds., last yr.

He is the second leading rusher in the CFL the last four years behind Hamilton's Josh Ranek. Winnipeg will make the playoffs simply because everybody in the East, where they are for the fourth time in their 76 year history, is better than Toronto and there will be no crossover this year. Predicted Finish: Fifth and in the playoffs, back in the East. Ain't it weird, Trevor Kennerd? 

6) Calgary Stampeders, 74th year. Western Conference. Won Five Grey Cups. All-time Record: 553-497-18. Coach: Tom Higgins. QBs: Henry Burris, Danny McManus. Other  players to watch: WRs Elijah Thurmon, Jermaine Copeland, Nik Lewis (the most important one), Ken-Yon Rambo, Martay Jenkins (the last two, ex-XFL'r's!) and Brett Ralph. Head Coach Tommy Higgins has a plenthora of fine WRs to throw to; most played for the L.A. XFL team that Jim Barker was Offencive Coordinator Coach of. How much do they have left? We'll see this year. I predict, if Danny Mac is at Quarter this team by Sept, they'll lead the League in passing yds, & TDs.

If they start Henry Burris, they'll be in big trouble quickly. True, Burris had a very good season last year after getting out of the QB shuffle at Saskatchewan, the year before. But Burris history is to follow up a big year with a mediocre one. I think that's why Danny Mac was brought in. Last year, you could sort of see the backfield ex-Arena mate RB Tony Stallings taking shape. "Moose, Tony Stallings as thought by many was "shockingly" cut!" Myk)

The Key to the Defence is of course the Linebacking of John Grace, Scott Coe and Brian Clark. Cam Yeow came over in the Ottawa fire sale and George White got into an auto accident in the off season and may not be ready for the start of the year. Burris better pan out, or Calgary better get Danny Mac in there pronto. Danny still has the arm, and with the deepest WR/SB corps in the League, this team could be a monster, if they stay healthy until Sept/Oct. But the lack of depth and a pretty shallow CIAU draft in the spring could hurt the overall product. No matter, with Winnipeg gone in the West, they should easily come in third and make the playoffs. Predicted Finish: Sixth and just good enough for the playoffs. Danny Mac gets one more chance to set a new record; 5 different teams QB'd to the Grey Cup. Burris? Not a chance...

7) B.C. Lions, 53rd year. Western Conference. Won Four Grey Cups. Alltime Record: 413-454-22.  Coach: Wally Buono. QBs: Dave Dickenson, Buck Pierce, Jarious Jackson. Other players to watch: Bobby Singh, OLm (Hawai'i/ UBC), WRs Geroy Simon, Jason Clermont, Ryan Thelwell, P/K Paul McCallum, LB Jamal Johnson. The jig is up for Wally Buono and Co. in B.C. No, the 11-0-0 start that eviscerated into an 2-7 finish was no mirage. The Lions are headed nowhere fast in '06. It's not just that they lost their best QB, Casey Printers to Kansas City, it's that they lost the heart and sole of the their Defence to the Bombers, now in the East, LB Barrin Simpson. They also stabbed K/P Duncan O'Mahony in the back in the offseason. Since his heart operation two years ago, after he was out Coached in the '04 Grey Cup, by novied Mike 'Pinball' Clemons, G.M. / Coach Wally Buono has become no nice guy. He's become embittered, a complainer and paranoid! It's no wonder, with Dave Ritchie as his lead Ast. Coach.

The Lions will have a losing season and will not make the playoffs Predicted Finish: Seventh and out of the playoffs. 'Sacrilege', you say? Well, Tim Marcum and the Tampa Bay Storm didn't make the Ar.FL playoffs either. There's a first for everything. Especially without the stud, Casey Printers! Curses on you Carl Peterson!

8) Toronto Argonauts, 97th year. Eastern Conference. Won Fifteen Grey Cups. All-time Record: 567-568-28 .Coach: Mike Clemens. QBs: Damon Allen (@ 106 yrs. old according to Ar.FL announcer Charles Davis), Eric Crouch, Spurgeon Wynn. Other players to watch: RB Rickey Williams, RB John Avery, WR Robert Baker, LB Mike Fletcher, SB Arland Bruce, III, former Ar.FL'r, DLm Eric England, OLm: Chad Folk, Jerome Davis, CB/KR Bashir Levingston, former Heisman Trophy winner Eric Crouch, who can play three Offencive postions. Former Toronto Grey Cup QB Joe Thiesmann, ESPN says that while trying to get back to the Grey Cup, the Argos are guilty of "selling out" to sell tickets by signing four-time NFL loser, Rickey Williams, the troubled ex-Heisman winner from Texas, serving a one-year suspension from the NFL's Miami Dolphins. I agree. I still can't figure out the Argo's that would make them want to get Williams, a very ordinary RB, who can't block, can't catch and is very erratic, anyway. Williams has been in and out of the NFL almost as many times as a Lawrence Phillips with more personality. In fact Williams won the MVP at the Pro Bowl when Myk and I were last there together in 2003. See MYKwebTV Click here

Damon Allen will be pushed like never before to give up playing time at the crucial pivot position by Crouch. ("Moose, Spergeon Wynn is there as 2 or 3 QB" Myk). The Argos have a very talented receiving corps with Bruce, R.Jay Soward and Mike Palmer to go with Canadian starter Andre Talbot. So even if Williams pulls a Phillips and go's wandering off or doesn't get the nuances of the CFL game, they still have injury-prone John Avery, another former Miami RB, who helped them win the 2004 Grey Cup. The Defence is getting old, old, old - even for CFL standards and will need to be overhauled soon. Recently Adrion Smith, who started with Birmingham back in '95, just moved into a front office position. The rest of the secondary includes, KR ace Levingston, Derrick Lewis, another former Ar.FL'r, Kris Aiken and vet S Chris Hardy (Manitoba Bison). The Kicking game is in very good feet (and hands!) with Noel Prefontaine. Predicted Finish: Howard and Dave are REALLY grasping for straws when they signed Ricky Williams, two of the biggest trouble-makers out there! It goes to show how far the 'mighty' ['04 Grey Cup upset winners!] have fallen! Eighth place, no playoffs.     

Have a great year, CFL and let's bring back Larry Smith next year!" Moose

"Moose excellent previews although I do not agree with everything you wrote especially the BC Lions finishing 7th. For my thoughts on what could be the most exciting CFL season ever Click here

  What are the great CFL Fans saying on Total-CFL.com Discussion? There has been lots of great Discussion and Disagreement in regards to Moose's Previews! But, hey that's what we're here for to Write/Discuss/Disagree! Click here

I hope you can join me and Moose in the new Massive Mates Club for hours of Sports, Comedy Babe TV Click here" Myk Aussie

Sat, June 10 06 "A USA Ohio based CFL Fan wanting to watch CFL on TV and also online!" Myk Aussie

I had a call today from a USA based Ohio CFL Fan wanting to watch CFL on TV and also online! I know how the CFL "could" do "Online Full Screen CFL games to anywhere in the World!!!!!!

Here's the link to the latest great news re CFL games being broadcast in the USA. Click here

I hope you can join me and Moose in the new Massive Mates Club for hours of Sports, Comedy Babe TV Click here" Myk Aussie

Thurs, June 8 06 "The Wally Buono Award! Wally Buono Award Begins it's Journey to the Canadian Football Hall of Fame from Chance Saint Marche" Myk Aussie

For the recent the Media release Click here

I hope you can join me and Moose in the new Massive Mates Club for hours of Sports, Comedy Babe TV Click here" Myk Aussie

AFL Betting! NFL Betting! CFL Betting!
Check out “Myk’s Mates Club” for AFL Betting, NFL Bettting, CFL Betting, Australian Rules Football Betting, AFL tips, AFL picks, NFL picks, CFL picks, AFL picks against the spread, try online poker or online casinos as well after sports, NFL picks against the spread, CFL picks against the spread, Aussie Rules Footy tips, Australian Rules Football picks, Australian Rules Football picks against the spread. Click here

Sun, May 28 06 "NFL Champ Running Back Ricky Williams is coming to the CFL to play for the Toronto Argonauts! Ricky Williams on NFL Pro Bowl MYKwebTV!" Myk Aussie

For the news on Ricky Williams check out the massive CFL webWORLD and Total-CFLwebTV Click here

One of my most popular MYKwebTV shows ever features Ricky Williams! For unreal MYKwebTV as I film Ricky Williams being presented with the Best Player Award from a recent NFL Pro Bowl check out the small Java video TV screen on the side menu or for Full Screen in Media Player Click here

I hope you can join me and Moose in the new Massive Mates Club for hours of Sports, Comedy Babe TV including a Amazing 4 Part 20 minute Mates Club TV show from the NFL Pro Bowl Click here" Myk

Wed, May 17 06 "Doug Flutie Retirement Tribute and my Top 13 QBs in Pro Football History!" Moose Salzer

Doug Flutie, sighting two arthroscopic knee operations the last two (yrs.) NFL off seasons decided not to come back for one more year. The New Egland Patriots had basically offered Flutie the H/3rd QB job for the '06-'07 season, behind Matt Cassel and Tom Brady. Flutie probably would have played in the CFL for Ottawa this year, if the Renegades had fielded a team in '06. After Flutie decided to not pursue the CFL offer, due to sore knees, ticket sales for the then Bernie Glieberman-owned Ottawa Renegades and the CFL's Board of Governors chased Mr. G out of town. After trying to move the club to Quebec City, the CFL Commissioner decided to pull the plug on the Renegades until after '06 CFL season. Meanwhile Doug's wife and daughter tried to talk Flutie out of his decision.

Then came an offer to replace legendary Keith Jackson on ABC'S US College Football telecasts, which will be home for Doug, both in the studio and at some games during the '06 NCAA season. Here's hoping that Doug makes a few University of Hawai'i games! During Doug's 21 season Pro Football career Flutie's stats line reads: D-O-B: 10-23-62 (just like Moose Salzer) Ht: 5'9-5/8", Wt: 180 lbs., Pos(s): QB/K. Years: 1985-2005. Teams: New Jersey (USFL), Chicago (NFL), Brit. Col. (CFL), Calgary (CFL), Toronto (CFL), Buffalo (NFL), San Diego (NFL), New England [1987-89;2005] (NFL). Passing: 8,647 Att.(s), 4,774 Com.(s), 58%, 58,179 Yd.(s), 368 TDs, Rushing: 1,373 carries for 6,746 Yds., 81 TDs, 1 XP.

Doug Flutie won the NCAA's 1984 Heisman Trophy as the US top College player punctuated by his 64-yd heave for a 48 yard TD to beat Miami, 47-45 for the Boston College Eagle. College teammates included one of the greatest LBs in Pro Football history, five-time Super Bowl participant, Bill "Romo" Romanowski (4 S.B. wins, 243 straight games without a miss due to injury; read the book: Romo: Slaying Dragons and Winning Battles, I think it is...), brother Darren, the CFL's alltime leading WR pass catcher, Mike Ruth and Mike Bell, both of whom played in the NFL E for Barcelona and former Eagel Coach Jack Bicknell, who is the NFL "AAA's" all-time winningest Coach. From their Flutie moved on to the New Jersey Generals of the USFL in their last year. According to Don Trump's book, his Generals were headed to the Championship until Flutie fractured a collarbone (clavicle?) in game 13, by Memphis (late) Reggie White. After being drafted in the 11th round of the NFL draft, Flutie didn't report to/and was assigned to the (then) Los Angeles Rams "Developmental Squad" for the 1985 NFL season. He was released in late Jan. '86, had a one-day try-out with the Green Bay Packers in Sept. '86 (see book 'Flutie', by Toronto Sun's Perry Lefko), and signed with the (qb)injury-depleted Chicago Bears, where he started four games, including the playoff game v. Washington. He completed only 11 of 31 passes, as Coach (Iron) Mike Ditka 'roboted' Flutes by calling in all the plays.

Flutie, 3rd string with the Bears in '87, was traded right as the NFL Union players strike was coming to a close. He was sent for a ninth round pick to his hometown New England Patriots, the first time and started 12 games in two-and-a-half seasons. His best was in 1988 when he threw four TDs v. the Bears, in which Mike Ditka had an attack of angina (pre-heart attack) yelling at ineffiecient QBs Mike Tomsczak and Steve Fuller, who was waived to San Diego the following week. Flutie's contract expired and (then) owner Vic Kiam, the razor blade magnate, decided not to re-sign Flutes. He signed instead for two years with the CFL's British Columbia Lions, splitting the QB job with ex-CFL'r and Ast.Coach Joe Paopao, starting 16 games, winning six. In his second year, Sept '91, his brother Darren, who had played two years in the NFL with the San Diego Chargers and (then) Phoenix Cardinals, was released by the Cards. He caught nine TDs from Doug that year as Flutie set several CFL alltime passing records, including 6,618 yds. passing. In 1992. Calgary's flambouyant owner Larry Rykmann signed Flutie to a contract and Wally Buono's teams cruised to the Grey Cup win with a 16-4 mark. They won 15 games each of the next two years, but fell one game short of the Grey Cup each time. In 1994 for example, the Stampeders were beaten on the last play of the Western Conference Finals by a pass in the driving snow from Danny McManus (now Calgary's QB @ 42) to who else; brother Darren.

In 1995, despite Flutie missing 7 starts with a shoulder nerve problem [Jeff Garcia, the rookie went 5-2 in his place], Calgary cruised with 15 wins again to the Grey Cup where they heavily favored to best '94's Grey Cup runner-up, the Americans from Baltimore. As I sat in the stands that day, @ Taylor field, I prayed, "Pls. lord don't let us lose another Grey Cup! This might be the last we compete in."...It was already pretty well thought that the Stallions would be in Canada the next year. The Defence put heat on Flutie all day and the Stamps got beat, surprisingly easy, 37-20. Rykmann had many financial problems, and at the winter CFL meetings, he announce to all in attendence that Flutie's contract option was for sale. He got $300,000 from Toronto to exercise it and the Argos had a miserable year in '95; last in the CFL with a 4-14-0 mark (even the Shreveport [soon to temporarily be Norfolk]Pirates were 5-13-0). The Argos were put together by Club Pres. Bob Nichols and Coach Don Matthews, who broguth all the ex-Stallions that didn't go Montreal, to the Argos and along with Maryland Centre Mike Kisalak (from San Antonio) and other US CFL'r's, put together a monster team. Many even contend the 1996-97 Argos, 15-3 in the regular season both years, and who won both those Grey Cups, to be EVEN better than the '95 Matthews Coached Stallions who most today think MAY have been the best team in CFL history!

After Toronto won that '97 Grey Cup, NFL & Ar.FL teams raped that squad(!), stealing 8 of the top 12 players! Flutie went to Buffalo, K Mike Vanderjagt went to Indianapolis, Kisalak went to Dallas, LB Reggie Givens went to San Francisco and several played on Orlando's ArenaBowl winner in' 98. Flutie reported to the Bills with no guarantees. He won the Bills second string job over holdovers Todd Collins, who was waived to Kansas City, and Alex Van Pelt, who would outlast both Flutie and Rob Johnson, who was signed that off-season from Jacksonville and would start. But big Rob would always be hurt, so Doug got much playing time in his three years with the Bills, amassing a 21-9 starting record. The biggest news worthy item and stupidest move in Coaching history was in 1999 when Johnson played in game 16 against the awful Colts & Peyton Manning and the Bills won with Johnson at QB. Flutie was a Pro Bowl QB who had gone 10-5 that year. At first dopey Wade Phillips, who had been fired previously from the New Orleans Saints and the Denver Broncos (the guy couldn't win with JOHN ELWAY @ QB!!!), said he would just play Johnson in week 16 to get Doug some rest (Doug didn't need any), then the Monday after the Bills won over Indy, Phillips said Johnson would start the playoff game v. the newly named Tennessee Titans (formerly Houston Oilers). Johnson played fairly well, even throwing one TD without a show on (!), and the Bills lead 16-15 with about a minute left. The came what we today call, 'The Music City Miracle'. FB Lorenzo Neal throw a lateral back to former Maryland FB, now Titan TE Frank Wycheck, who ran 49 yards for the winning score.

Flutie got hurt in '00 training camp but still beat out Johnson for the job late in the year. He was released in early '01 and the Bills expected Johnson to be the answer. He never was and eventually lost his job to the ever patient Van Pelt, who is now an NFL Europe Ast. Coach.  Johnson kicked aorund the NFL for two more yrs. (w/Washington, Tampa Bay and the Raiders), and by '04 was gone forever from Pro Football [Flutie, though 11 years older, played two more seasons, in '04 & '05]. Flutie signed with another team with QB issues. Mainly Ryan Leaf issues. Leaf, Peck's perennial Bad Boy, from Washington St., closed down all the bars then got drafted by the Chargers and won exactly 4 games and lost 14 before the Bolts cut their ties with him in '00. Flutie started all 16 in '01 with San Diego, but their deficiencies were too much to overcome and despite a 3-2 start (they lost back-to-back OT games to Tom Brady and the Patriots and Tim Couch and the Browns), got to a 5-2 mark and then collapsed to 5-11 with a plethora of injuries. Flutie did almost as well statistically as he had done with the Bills: 15 TDs, 3,475 yds., et, al. Behind Flutie that year were former CFL'r Dave Dickenson (Montana) and rookie Drew Brees. Dickenson was released the next year and bounced through the NFL going from Seattle to Miami then to Detroit and was back in the CFL for good by '03. Brees was forced in front of Flutie by flaky Marty Schottenheimer, a Coach know for hating vets from other Pro Leagues. Schotts is still in charge @ San Diego (w/ Wade Phillips as Def. Coor.!!), and still hasn't won San Diego a playoff game! Flutie caddied for Brees for two-and-a-half yrs., more, but 2003 Flutie got to start the final five games winning two with outstanding play (9 TDs, only 4 INTs and rushing for 192 yds., 2 TDs).

After the '04 season, San Diego cut Flutie lose as they had drafted talented Phil Rivers (6'6", 227lbs./UNC), & Brees had become a fine QB, under Flutie's tutilate. Flutie returned to New England last year, but aching knees (he had arthroscopic surgery following the '03 & '04 seasons) limited him to five games as number 2 QB and rookie Matt Cassel was number 2 for the other 11. In the last game of the year, v. Miami, Flutie, who would return to number 2 QB for the playoffs, would connect on the first drop kick FG in the NFL in 64 seasons (since the 1941 NFL Championship). Flutie was @ the lousy Super Bowl XL (unless you're a Steeler fan) and was in the sky box of Bernie / Lonie Gleiberman of the CFL's Ottawa Renegades. They offered to fire their current QB Kerry Joseph, a former converted NFL DB/PR/RB, who had been cut by six NFL teams. But Flutie figured he better wait before agreeing to anything since he was still in the option part of New England contract. The Renegades only bought 2,500+ season tickets in the offseason and the CFL Board of Directors made the Commish cut lose Bernie without getting a new owner, or so the Commish says. So Doug retired on Monday this week, after conferring his wishes to the Pats very fine Coach Bill Belichick.

So where does Doug rank in the alltime Pro QBs? Before I answer with my Top 20, consider the following: 61, 219 yards passing, combines regular season and playoffs for 21 years: NFL/CFL/USFL. The following Grey Cup records: Most Passing attempts in career Grey Cup games (5): 171, ranked first. Most Attempts Grey Cup game: 49 (2 x), ranked second. Most pass Completions in Grey Cup games (5): 108, ranked first. Most rushing TDs in A Grey Cup game: 3, ranked T-2nd. Most pass completions in A Grey Cup game:31, ranked first. A 10-3 winning start mark in one USFL season. A 38-30 mark NFL starts, regular season and playoffs combined. An unconscionable 106-39 mark in CFL games, regular season and playoffs combined. Career Total: 154 wins, 72 losses, 68.8% winning percentage. SIXTY-EIGHT POINT EIGHT! That's better than Elway!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Moose's Top 13 QBs, Pro Football, All-time
1) John Elway, Denver, NFL. The all-time winning leader. Period. Only QB to go to five Super Bowls. Case closed.
2) Dan Marino, Miami. All-time NFL leader in most NFL statistical categories. Finished his career with no more than AFC Championship ring.
3) Joe Montana, San Francisco, Kansas City, NFL. Four Super Bowl wins.
4) Phil Simms, New York Giants, NFL, Two Super Bowl wins.
5) Johnny Unitas, Baltimore Colts, San Diego Chargers, NFL. First to 40,000 yds. in Pro Football. Four Championship wins, including a Super Bowl ('71)
6) Doug Flutie, NFL,CFL,USFL. 21 Pro seasons. 10 years as starter, three Leagues. 60,000+ yds passing. Five Grey Cups (three wins). Folkes in US never saw Flutie's best. A pity. Our gift to O Canada.
7) Warren Moon, 23 yrs, CFL/NFL. Another guy who dominated two Leagues. Eighteen year starter. Pro Football's all-time leader in passing yds. Five Grey Cup wins, but in honesty, he split the job with Tom Wilkinson four years at Edmonton. Best spiral on deep ball I saw.
8) Terry Bradshaw, Pittsburgh, NFL Four and Zero in Four Super Bowls. Ben Roethlisberger will never catch him. Second toughest QB I ever saw.
9) Russ Jackson, CFL. Canadian QB. Took Ottawa to eight Grey Cups (five wins) in 11 years. Great passer-runner. (Wilky also went to 8 Grey Cups).
10) Roger Staubach, Dallas, NFL. Won 2 0f 4 Super Bowls. Lost five NFL seasons due to vietnam war duty.
11) Len Dawson, Kansas City, AFL, NFL teams. 19 seasons. Two Super Bowls, one win.
12) Otto Graham, AAFC, NFL. 7 Championships.
13) Fran Tarkenton, Minnesota. 3 Super Bowl losses, poor guy, in seven yrs.     

"Moose excellent report! I started following the CFL in late 98 so I didn't see Doug play up here but was a Big fan of his the year he stared with the Buffalo Bills and hearing how good he had been in the 8 years in Canada. 6 MVP's in 8 years in the CFL Wow! Should Tom Brady be the top 13 or make him 14th?" Myk Aussie

"I hope you can join me and Moose in the new Massive Mates Club for hours of Sports, Comedy Babe TV Click here" Myk Aussie