Cam's Community Cause - July 14

CLICK 'N CARE

Cam-burger: Eskimos show lack of respect

 He huffed and puffed, Kavis Reed did, during his post-game press conference Saturday, and blew the assembled media down. (Look at the end of the post and you will see yourself.) The Edmonton Eskimos dismal performance Saturday night against the B.C. Lions — a 17-3 loss — is another sign the once mighty Canadian Football League team is in a deep slide. And maybe that’s the reason I am cannot get very excited about the Esks these days.

Penalties. They were a huge reason why the Eskimos lost their second consecutive home game of the season. Eleven penalties for 103 yards. One hundred and three yards. Isn’t that more than the entire length of the football field? From unnecessary roughness infractions to roughing the passer, a somewhat disturbing trend is unfolding.  In three games the Eskimos have been penalized 41 times for 330 yards. No gold stars here.

Rick LeLacheur

Forget lack of discipline. It’s lack of respect, period. It’s a football team out of control with — for whatever reason — arrogance. But for what? Winning the Grey Cup last year? Nope. Not even posting a winning record last year with a 7-11 showing. Ever since Rick LeLacheur retired as president, I have felt a disconnect between the front office and the fans. Look at the number of good, qualified people who left the organization. Long-time vice-president of communications Dave Jamieson left the team just two weeks into the season last year. Trouble in paradise? Absolutely. Somewhere down the road the Eskimos have forgotten how well their grass-roots foundation of the franchise worked. The arrogance of the front office has spread on to the field. Kavis Reed has the daunting task of cleaning it all up — something, clearly, he should not have to do.

KAVIS REED'S POST-GAME COMMENTS

(Interesting note: The Eskimos removed this from their website but the CFL did not)

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Twiter @camtait

Cam 'n Eggs: Why Brad Bartko is smiling

Brad Bartko

Brad Bartok is probably still smiling this morning — and so he should. Brad has an on-line radio show every Sunday evening for an hour and last night he conducted a very smart 18-minute interview with Edmonton Oiler GM Craig MacTavish. Pretty darn impressive for the Spruce Grove son who attended NAIT’s Radio and Television Arts program. 

Craig MacTavis

 But here’s what really impresses me about Brad: he isn’t just sitting in front of his computer and turning on the microphone. He’s out there making contacts. Brad went out to Oiler development camp last week in Sherwood Park and introduced himself to MacTavish. He told MacT about the show and arranged the interview. Brad asked some of the hard questions: how do you start a trade, what was it like trading Shawn Horcoff to the Dallas Stars, and is he planning to move Ales Hemsky. 

 I first met Brad several years ago and was inspired by his motivation. He has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair. But his knowledge of sports and keen mind — and a great wit — is painting him a bright, bright future. He’s already closing in on 100 radio shows giving him reason to smile even more.

Brad with Kevin Karius of Global Television

MY EDMONTON JOURNAL COLUMN ON BRAD

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COMING UP ON TODAY'S CAM-BURGER:

The disrespectful ways of the Edmonton Eskimos