Bobby: The only way that a goal can be a “differ

This is a very good team. I know they didnt rise to the challenge of playoff urgency last year but their statistical success was extreme. And yes, there is a degree of truth that statistics dont always convey the whole picture, but they are accurate indicators of what has improved and what the priority is to improve. For the Stampeders, there is little to find a discouraging word about. Here are the categories of pure football efficiency that the Stampeders finished first in compared to the other eight teams in the league last year: points scored, 30 per game; net offense, 383 per game; rushing yards, 141 per game; fewest quarterback sacks allowed; best second to first conversion rate; most quarterback sacks on defence; fewest giveaways, only 27 over 18 games; and tied with the Roughriders with the best takeaway/giveaway ratio at +19. Really, the only two areas of concern are punt and kick returns and red zone defence in which Calgary finished seventh best. This is a very good team. Quarterback will be an interesting battle. It should be a battle between the youth and arm skill of Bo Levi Mitchell and the intensity with determination of Drew Tate. Mitchell has youth on his side, Tate has the experience; and for Tate a surprising amount of experience. This is now his eighth year in the league and now is the time, but I said that at this time last year too. They are different types of quarterbacks and personalities. Tate is kind of confrontational and aggressive while Mitchell is more smooth and mellow, I would say. Both do work well under pressure and both have excellent futures. Still, it will be very interesting to see who wins the job and if they can keep it for 18 games. Its a nice problem to have but a difficult decision to make between the two. With quarterback depth a unique luxury and in some ways taken care of, the next strength is kicking. You can make an easy argument that no CFL team has a better combo punter/kicker than Rob Maver and Rene Parades. Especially in the field goal kicking, the streak they had last season was both entertaining and game-changing. There will come a day where some field goal kicker makes every kick, does not miss one over the course of the season. The art of kicking has developed into a science more than ever before and a calm concentrated demeanor is more significant than ever before. Yes, its a lofty goal but obtainable also attainable. Maybe in Calgary. Also interesting outside of the priority of a great quarterback and the critical importance of good kickers is depth at running back. With Jon Cornish, Martell Mallett and Jock Sanders there are now three good ones. Of the three, the best may be Sanders, especially if he returns punts and kicks replacing Larry Taylor. Calgary finished fifth best in both punt and kick returns so there is room for improvement. By no means was Taylor the sole issue as a returner is as good as his blocking, especially initially. Still, with Sanders you have acceleration in the excess and a quality running back who can start. The Roughriders will miss Kory Sheets, Keith Shologon, and Craig Butler, but losing Sanders to their most direct competition is a double issue. Evaluating personnel is subjective in that how one person may see the present ability of one player or their potential is always different than another. But right now the combination of 24 starters and key depth contributors in Calgary has no clear superior. It may not be of obvious significance right now, but wait until October and November. And that player that in June you never thought would be a starter responds as one when he has to, it can change everything. I know for the third time, the Calgary Stampeders are a very good team. Kurt Rambis Lakers Jersey . It was a loss. But it was also a learning experience. Deron Williams and Joe Johnson had 24 points each to lift Brooklyn to a 94-87 win over the Raptors, making their first playoff appearance since 08. "I thought we played a little bit as expected as it is our first playoff game," Toronto coach Dwane Casey said. Jerry West Lakers Jersey . Jurrjens signed a minor league contract with Cincinnati in May, and was 2-3 with a 4.46 ERA at Triple-A Louisville. He has a 53-37 record with a 3.63 ERA in seven major league seasons, including five with Atlanta. http://www.lakersbasketballshop.com/ . Samir Nasris 88th-minute equalizer at Etihad Stadium will be of little consolation to City, which is now six points behind league leader Liverpool and four points behind second-place Chelsea. Third-place City has a game in hand but the surprise result against Sunderland, coupled with Sundays 3-2 loss at Liverpool, may be a setback too far in its bid for a second championship in three seasons. Jerry West Jersey . Speaking on Leafs Lunch with Bryan Hayes and Jamie McLennan on Thursday, Bernier said it was "very hard" at times being entrenched behind Jonathan Quick and is now excited at the prospect of getting an opportunity to compete with Reimer for the top spot with the Leafs. Jamaal Wilkes Jersey . Pierre last November, only to watch St. Pierre leave the UFC octagon with his welterweight title belt and a split-decision victory.Got a question on rule clarification, comments on rule enforcements or some memorable NHL stories? Kerry wants to answer your emails at cmonref@tsn.ca. Hey Kerry, Big fan of your column on TSN. It helps put things perspective from the official’s point of view. I was watching the game Tuesday night between the New York Islanders and the Toronto Maple Leafs and I was hoping that you could shed some light as to why David Clarksons late goal was disallowed. He did make a distinct kicking motion but it was directed into the net by an Islanders player. I understand that in this instance that it made no difference to the outcome of the game, but I would like to think that this could happen again where that goal could be the difference maker. Thanks and all the best, Bobby King - Flatrock, NL --- Bobby: The only way that a goal can be a “difference maker” is if it is scored in a legal fashion. Rule 49.2 states that a goal cannot be scored by an attacking player who uses a distinct kickingg motion to propel the puck into the net.dddddddddddd A goal cannot be scored by an attacking player who kicks a puck that deflects into the net off any player, goalkeeper or official. Once David Clarkson used a distinct kicking motion to propel the puck toward the front of the net, a legal goal could have been scored if a Leaf player, in this case Richard Panik, gained possession of the puck and then legally propelled it into the net. The only other option for a goal to be scored off Clarkson’s kicked puck would be if a defending player gained possession of the puck, following which he inadvertently shot it into his own net. On this play the puck simply deflected off the skate of Brock Nelson and therefore by virtue of rule 49.2 the goal must be disallowed. During scrambles such as this in the crease area, referees must also be alert that an attacking player does not have his stick held illegally that would prevent him from playing the puck beyond using his skate to kick the puck. ' ' '