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WestCoastJoe
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https://www.cfl.ca/2019/06/11/nissan-ti ... al-week-1/
NISSAN TITAN POWER RANKINGS
JUNE 11, 2019
HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL IN WEEK 1

CFL.CA STAFF
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TORONTO — It’s a new season and the field is wide open in the Canadian Football League.

While odds-makers list the Calgary Stampeders as the favourite to repeat as Grey Cup Champions, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, BC Lions and Hamilton Tiger-Cats are getting plenty of attention going into the new season.

At this time of year, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. So much has changed since November, and every team starts the new season with a blank slate and renewed hope of becoming a champion.

After all, it was just two years ago that the Toronto Argonauts went from worst team in the league to eventual Grey Cup Champs — a familiar tale in a league of parity, where teams tend to flip the script often.

The defending champs get the benefit of the doubt, but after that? More in the Nissan Titan Power Rankings:

Header_CFLPowerRankings

1. Calgary Stampeders
Record: 0-0
Last Week: —
Missing roughly two-thirds of their 2018 starting defence, the Stamps face an uphill battle in their quest to repeat as Grey Cup Champions. On the other hand, most of the offence is intact, led by highly-regarded coach Dave Dickenson and two-time Most Outstanding Player Bo Levi Mitchell, who’s back on a four-year deal. You just can’t count this team out.


2. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Record: 0-0
Last Week: —
As the drought approaches three decades, 2019 may be the Bombers’ best chance yet to win a Grey Cup. They were close last year, falling to Calgary in the Western Final, and this off-season GM Kyle Walters has re-stocked the shelves, adding Willie Jefferson to the defensive line and Chris Matthews to the receiving corps. On paper this could be the CFL’s deepest, most talented roster.


3. BC Lions
Record: 0-0
Last Week: —
If the Lions are flying under the radar in the hotly-contested West, don’t expect that to last. First-time head coach DeVone Caybrooks has assembled quite the cast of characters in BC, with Mike Reilly, Bryan Burnham and Duron Carter leading what’s expected to be a highly-explosive offence. In the end, though, it’s the other side of the ball that will determine just how far the Lions can go.


4. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Record: 0-0
Last Week: —
Will the Ticats miss June Jones? That’s the question in Steeltown, where a talented roster has new leadership on both sides of the ball in coaches Orlondo Steinauer, Tommy Condell and Mark Washington. If a league-leading offence led by Jeremiah Masoli can pick up where it left off, the Ticats are heavily favoured to win the East and contend for a long-awaited Grey Cup.


5. Edmonton Eskimos
Record: 0-0
Last Week: —
Despite missing the playoffs AND losing franchise quarterback Mike Reilly, the Eskimos are trending up after a busy off-season. Brock Sunderland transformed the team’s core over the winter, signing Trevor Harris, Greg Ellingson and DaVaris Daniels to lead the offence along with a trio of new linebackers on defence. The Eskimos may just be the dark horse of the CFL West Division.


6. Saskatchewan Roughriders
Record: 0-0
Last Week: —
Led by the projected No. 1 defence and a star running back in William Powell, the ingredients for success are in place in Riderville — but there are questions. Zach Collaros wasn’t the team’s first choice at quarterback after a forgettable first season in green and white, while the departure of Chris Jones affects multiple layers of the organization. There is no bigger wildcard in the CFL than Saskatchewan in 2019.


7. Toronto Argonauts
Record: 0-0
Last Week: —
Coming off a last-place finish, cautious optimism surrounds the Argos heading into the new campaign. Star off-season addition Derel Walker looks to be in top form coming off season-ending injury, while Jacques Chapdelaine’s offence has clicked all pre-season, leading the team to a 2-0 record. If Corey Chamblin’s defence returns to its 2017 form, the Boatmen could challenge for the East Division crown.


8. Ottawa REDBLACKS
Record: 0-0
Last Week: —
It’s been a tough few months in the nation’s capital, with little remaining of the core that won East Division titles in three of the last four years. The list of off-season losses for the REDBLACKS is too long for this space, but General Manager Marcel Desjardins has proven adept at scouting and developing new talent. If this team can contend in 2019, it will silence more than a few critics in the process.


9. Montreal Alouettes
Record: 0-0
Last Week: —
As surprising as it was to see Mike Sherman dismissed days before the season, the tone around the Alouettes appears to be positive. Young Antonio Pipkin has been named the team’s starting quarterback, while Khari Jones has worked hard for his first opportunity as a head coach. Perhaps laying low isn’t a bad thing for a team looking to finally break out and get back in the post-season.
John Madden's Team Policies: Be on time. Pay attention. Play like hell on game day.

Jimmy Johnson's Game Keys: Protect the ball. Make plays.

Walter Payton's Advice to Kids: Play hard. Play fair. Have fun.
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WestCoastJoe
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Wait until the Playoffs? Wait until Game 9? Wait until Game 6?

Nah. Coaches evaluate from Day 1.

And of course things change. Constantly.

Some comments, in the order as listed in the article.

Calgary. Hufnagel. Dickenson. Mitchell.

Winnipeg. O'Shea. LaPolice. Harris.

B.C. Hervey. Claybrooks. Stubler. Reilly.

Hamilton. Did June Jones get the bum's rush? He did not retire from coaching. He just moved on. This CFL fan loved the way he coached offence. League leaders in 2018.

Edmonton. No Reilly. No Benny. No Maas? Maas is still there of course. I think he can coach. Can he control his temper? Perhaps.

Saskatchewan. No Jones. No hope?

Toronto. No Trestman. J.C. for the offence. ''Jacques Chapdelaine’s offence has clicked all pre-season."

Ottawa. No Harris. But they still have Desjardins and Campbell.

Montreal. No Sherman. Khari has tons of experience in the CFL. We will see how that translates as Head Coach.
John Madden's Team Policies: Be on time. Pay attention. Play like hell on game day.

Jimmy Johnson's Game Keys: Protect the ball. Make plays.

Walter Payton's Advice to Kids: Play hard. Play fair. Have fun.
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squishy35
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Switch Als with the Riders and then I will endorse the rankings.... :)
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B.C.FAN
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Media members pick the Lions as third favourites to win the grey Cup after Winnipeg and Calgary. Lots of other interesting results of the CFL's 2019 preseason media poll.


CFL UNVEILS RESULTS FROM 2019 CFL MEDIA POLL
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WestCoastJoe
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John Madden's Team Policies: Be on time. Pay attention. Play like hell on game day.

Jimmy Johnson's Game Keys: Protect the ball. Make plays.

Walter Payton's Advice to Kids: Play hard. Play fair. Have fun.
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WestCoastJoe
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After Week 1, heading into Week 2.

Looks about right. Maybe OTT a bit higher. Can't see WPG there all year. Not convinced of their talent level.
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John Madden's Team Policies: Be on time. Pay attention. Play like hell on game day.

Jimmy Johnson's Game Keys: Protect the ball. Make plays.

Walter Payton's Advice to Kids: Play hard. Play fair. Have fun.
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WestCoastJoe
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https://www.cfl.ca/2019/06/18/nissan-ti ... ying-hype/
CFL.CA STAFF

TORONTO — The Winnipeg Blue Bombers wasted little time flexing their figurative muscles in 2019.

Considered by many an early-season Grey Cup favourite, the Blue and Gold lived up to the hype in Week 1, winning a heavyweight battle against Mike Reilly and the BC Lions.

In Reilly’s long-anticipated return to Vancouver, the Bombers went on the road and spoiled the homecoming, controlling possession for 35 minutes, converting 17 of 26 second-down attempts, and holding BC to just four rushing yards in a 33-23 victory.

Is the transition of power under way in the highly-competitive West? More in the Nissan Titan Power Rankings:

Header_CFLPowerRankings

1. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Record: 1-0
Last Week: 2
What a statement the Bombers made over the weekend, going into BC Place and pushing the Lions around in their home-opener. Andrew Harris rushed for 148 yards, Jeff Hecht had two interceptions and the defence allowed just four rushing yards, controlling the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. It’s early, but the hype seems to be legit.


2. Calgary Stampeders
Record: 0-1
Last Week: 1
Despite losing much of their starting defence, it was the offence that lagged in a rare season-opening loss to the Ottawa REDBLACKS. Bo Levi Mitchell failed to generate a point in the second half as the Stamps couldn’t take advantage of four Dominique Davis interceptions. Minor setback, Grey Cup hangover or a crack in the armour? Time will tell.


3. Edmonton Eskimos
Record: 1-0
Last Week: 5
The Eskimos’ offence was simply stunning in the season opener, racking up 35 first downs and 607 yards of offence. We had a feeling Trevor Harris and Jason Maas would jibe quickly, but this was beyond expectation. A Week 2 matchup against the BC Lions — and former franchise quarterback Mike Reilly — might better measure where the Eskimos stand.


4. BC Lions
Record: 0-1
Last Week: 3
Despite taking the loss, Mike Reilly looked sharp in his return to the Lions, throwing for more than 200 passing yards in the first half alone. Quarterback is certainly no longer a question in BC, but there’s plenty to iron out if the team is going to contend for a division title. In Week 1 the Lions could neither run the ball nor stop the run.


5. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Record: 1-0
Last Week: 4
The Ticats fall one spot despite a season-opening win over the Riders. Style points mean nothing in the standings, and Orlondo Steinauer was able to pick up the first ‘W’ of his head coaching career. But Tommy Condell’s offence hasn’t exactly lit it up so far, with Jeremiah Masoli throwing for just 169 yards in the opener. That could change in a clash with the rival Argos at BMO Field.


6. Ottawa REDBLACKS
Record: 1-0
Last Week: 8
The REDBLACKS are taking names and, well, you know the rest, earning a 32-28 season-opening win over the defending Grey Cup Champs. Players felt disrespected by things like writer picks and power rankings, and they backed it all up by beating a good football team on the road. Plenty of questions remain — can they do this consistently? — but it’s a feel-good story after a tough off-season.


7. Toronto Argonauts
Record: 0-0
Last Week: 7
One of the CFL’s biggest mysteries going into 2019, the Argos will learn a lot about themselves when they host the Ticats on Saturday in their season-opener. Expectations are high in Toronto, where Corey Chamblin was named head coach and the team has bolstered its talent on both sides of the ball. The biggest factor may be James Franklin, the team’s undisputed No. 1 after a strong camp.


8. Saskatchewan Roughriders
Record: 0-1
Last Week: 6
The lack of a proven backup could haunt the Riders early in 2019, after Zach Collaros was injured in the opener and placed on the six-game injured list. A dominant defence and elite running back in William Powell should keep games within reach, but one of Cody Fajardo or 23-year-old rookie Isaac Harker will have to make strides quickly to keep this team afloat in a tough West Division.


9. Montreal Alouettes
Record: 0-1
Last Week: 9
The Alouettes were at least resilient in their opener, erasing a 17-point deficit to tie the game with two minutes remaining — but their opponent moved the ball at will, racking up 35 first downs and 607 yards. Despite a talented, veteran defence on paper, defensive coordinator Bob Slowik has his work cut out for him in his first CFL job.
John Madden's Team Policies: Be on time. Pay attention. Play like hell on game day.

Jimmy Johnson's Game Keys: Protect the ball. Make plays.

Walter Payton's Advice to Kids: Play hard. Play fair. Have fun.
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WestCoastJoe
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Was checking out the RedBlacks website, after their big win, and noticed these twins.

Campbell and Thorpe.

Earlier David noticed Altilio and Tate with the Lions.

2019-06-21_0134.png
2019-06-21_0137_002.png
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John Madden's Team Policies: Be on time. Pay attention. Play like hell on game day.

Jimmy Johnson's Game Keys: Protect the ball. Make plays.

Walter Payton's Advice to Kids: Play hard. Play fair. Have fun.
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Toppy Vann
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If Ottawa's QB keeps playing as he did last night the RBs should be moving up the chart.
"Ability without character will lose." - Marv Levy
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WestCoastJoe
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After Week 2

2019-06-25_0725.png
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John Madden's Team Policies: Be on time. Pay attention. Play like hell on game day.

Jimmy Johnson's Game Keys: Protect the ball. Make plays.

Walter Payton's Advice to Kids: Play hard. Play fair. Have fun.
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WestCoastJoe
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https://www.cfl.ca/2019/06/25/nissan-ti ... rn-empire/

Slip, sliding ...

1. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Record: 1-0
Last Week: 1
There were no bye week blues for the Bombers, who soaked up a season-opening win and will even be a little healthier in time for a critical West Division battle. Yes, it’s early, but Thursday’s home-opener with the Eskimos is a big one, as the team looks to get Chris Matthews and Patrick Neufeld back in the lineup.


2. Edmonton Eskimos
Record: 2-0
Last Week: 3
It’s only been two weeks but the Eskimos are averaging 500 yards per game and have yet to allow a sack. Trevor Harris and Greg Ellingson are league leaders and C.J. Gable is running like he’s in his 20s. On paper this has been the most dominant team in the CFL, setting up an exciting showdown with the top-ranked Bombers to kick off Week 3.


3. Calgary Stampeders
Record: 0-1
Last Week: 2
The early bye week could prove beneficial in Calgary, where the Stamps are dealing with injuries on their D-line along with several new starters on defence. Yet it was the other side of the ball that struggled in Week 1, as the only points of the second half came from a Brandon Smith pick-six. Look for a bounce back vs. BC.


4. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Record: 2-0
Last Week: 5
After just 169 passing yards in the opener, the Ticats’ offence got back on track in a big way against the Argos, blowing up the scoreboard for 64 points and 604 yards of offence despite missing receiver Luke Tasker. Orlondo Steinauer’s team looks dominant on both sides of the ball and the Ticats are a contender as advertised.


5. Ottawa REDBLACKS
Record: 2-0
Last Week: 6
Dominique Davis couldn’t miss in Week 2, carving up the Riders’ defence for 354 passing yards and three touchdowns. After plenty of skepticism over the winter, General Manager Marcel Desjardins comes out looking like a genius heading into a Week 3 bye. The REDBLACKS, meanwhile, look like a threat to win the East.


6. BC Lions
Record: 0-2
Last Week: 4
Mike Reilly‘s return to Commonwealth was memorable for all the wrong reasons. The Lions’ star quarterback wants to throw deep often, but isn’t getting the protection as a new-look O-line has struggled through two contests. New teams take time to gel, but how much patience can the Lions afford in such a competitive division?


7. Saskatchewan Roughriders
Record: 0-2
Last Week: 8
Despite the end result, the Riders provided plenty of optimism throughout a 44-41 loss to the REDBLACKS, starting with Cody Fajardo, who kept rookie Isaac Harker on the sideline while proving he may just be the quarterback of the future. Oddly, the concern in Riderville may now rest with the defence, which was gashed for 424 yards.


8. Montreal Alouettes
Record: 0-1
Last Week: 9
The Als’ defence under rookie coordinator Bob Slowik will be tested in Week 3, as Taylor Loffler and Bo Lokombo are both out of the lineup while the group looks to recover from a 600-yard performance in Edmonton. Meanwhile, quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. is getting his chance to finally become a full-time starter after Antonio Pipkin‘s injury.


9. Toronto Argonauts
Record: 0-1
Last Week: 7
There’s no way to sugarcoat losing by 50 points to your biggest rival to open the season at home. One issue for the Argos, however, was on second down, as the offence converted just 33 per cent of attempts while the defence allowed a conversion rate of 68 per cent. The good news? Both of those rates probably aren’t sustainable.
John Madden's Team Policies: Be on time. Pay attention. Play like hell on game day.

Jimmy Johnson's Game Keys: Protect the ball. Make plays.

Walter Payton's Advice to Kids: Play hard. Play fair. Have fun.
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WestCoastJoe
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After Week 3

These rankings look about right to this CFL fan.

WPG at the top, but I think they will not win the Cup, and that teams will catch up to them. I think they max out their talent.

EDM. I still think Maas can coach very, very well, especially offence.

HAM. Steinauer has stepped in and seems to be pushing the right buttons.

CGY. Huge turnover in players and staff. But Dave keeps with the program.

OTT. Desjardins and Campbell obviously know what they are doing.

SSK. Fajardo shooting the lights out.

BC. Improvement? I think so. A work in progress, at best. The team might be lacking in talent on the D Line, DBs, LBs and INT receivers. This fan is not convinced Duron Carter can play like a champion. He can certainly make some crowd-pleasing plays. We will see ...

MTL. Kavis Reed. Enough said. But Khari might surprise and show some HC effectiveness.

TOR. Oh my. Chamblin struggling. The whole team struggling.

2019-07-02_1136.png
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John Madden's Team Policies: Be on time. Pay attention. Play like hell on game day.

Jimmy Johnson's Game Keys: Protect the ball. Make plays.

Walter Payton's Advice to Kids: Play hard. Play fair. Have fun.
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WestCoastJoe
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https://www.cfl.ca/2019/07/02/nissan-ti ... ts-hummin/

Cody Fajardo looking good. We sent him packing. Was it because Mike Reilly wanted Danny O'Brien as his backup? It seems so. And one expects that any QB kept on a CFL roster is considered to be capable of putting up 300 yard games. Hopefully we do not need to find that out with O'Brien.

Dan Dorazio's O Line in Toronto is not keeping the pass rushers at bay. 4 sacks vs Hamilton. 4 sacks vs Saskatchewan.
NISSAN TITAN POWER RANKINGS: THE TICATS ARE HUMMIN!

Johany Jutras/CFL.ca

CFL.CA STAFF

TORONTO — Can anyone stop the Hamilton Tiger-Cats?

The wins are piling up and so are points, as the Ticats open the season 3-0 while backing up the hype of a pre-season East Division favourite.

The offence continues to put up big numbers, totaling 1,130 yards over the last two games while outscoring opponents 105-24, but the defence has been equally impressive, leading the CFL in sacks (12), interceptions (5) and average yards per play (7.1)

1. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Record: 2-0
Last Week: 1
The Bombers’ offence is exciting to watch. We already know about Andrew Harris and Darvin Adams, but Chris Matthews is a matchup nightmare, Nic Demski is versatile and Lucky Whitehead is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. Winnipeg fans have every reason to believe in this team.


2. Edmonton Eskimos
Record: 2-1
Last Week: 2
The Eskimos took too many penalties (15 for 139 yards) and couldn’t finish drives (seven Sean Whyte field goals), but everything still clicked despite a 28-21 loss to Winnipeg. In a battle of the CFL’s top teams, the Esks doubled the Bombers in first downs (29-14) and racked up 440 yards and more than 36 minutes of possession.


3. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Record: 3-0
Last Week: 4
The scariest part about the Ticats’ 3-0 start is that Jeremiah Masoli has yet to play his best football. Brandon Banks is electric. Sean Thomas-Erlington isn’t just a ratio-breaker, he’s one of the best running backs in the CFL. On defence, Dylan Wynn has bolstered a defensive line that now leads the CFL in sacks (12). There’s a lot to like in Hamilton.


4. Calgary Stampeders
Record: 1-1
Last Week: 3
Two minutes, two touchdowns and an onside kick were all the Stamps needed to engineer one of the great comebacks in recent memory. Still, there’s cause for concern, especially if Bo Levi Mitchell is sidelined for any period of time. Calgary was outplayed almost all game, managing just 23 minutes of possession and giving up 34 first downs on defence.


5. Ottawa REDBLACKS
Record: 2-0
Last Week: 5
Which Dominique Davis will show up in Week 4? The 29-year-old is coming off an incredible performance before the bye week, throwing for 354 yards and three touchdowns. No one’s completely sold after just two games, but everyone’s paying attention as the REDBLACKS attempt to rewrite the script with a new-look roster.


6. Saskatchewan Roughriders
Record: 1-2
Last Week: 7
It took several hours on a stormy, weather-delayed night in Regina, but Craig Dickenson finally found the win column in an impressive all-around win over the Argos. The defence got a much-needed bounce back, but fans are most excited about Cody Fajardo, who’s thrown for 790 yards and averaged 12.2 yards per attempt in two starts.


7. BC Lions
Record: 0-3
Last Week: 6
Last-minute meltdown aside, Saturday was a positive step for the Lions. Mike Reilly looked like Mike Reilly again, completing 36 of his 42 passes (86%) for 354 yards and two touchdowns, and the running game was also a lot more involved. The arrow is pointing up as the Lions seek their first win of the season in Toronto.


8. Montreal Alouettes
Record: 0-2
Last Week: 8
There were signs of a spark for the Alouettes in Week 3 vs. the Ticats but they just couldn’t start the fire in a 41-10 loss. It’s not all bad though. Vernon Adams Jr. looks like he’s worth investing time in while B.J. Cunningham and William Stanback continue to be exciting options on offence. Can Bob Slowik’s defence learn on the fly?


9. Toronto Argonauts
Record: 0-2
Last Week: 9
It may have been Canada Day but the Riders were not friendly hosts to the visiting Argos, who punted nine times and managed just 19 first downs in a 32-7 loss to Saskatchewan. Outscored 96-21 over the first two games, Corey Chamblin faces some difficult questions before Week 4, including behind centre with the struggling James Franklin.
John Madden's Team Policies: Be on time. Pay attention. Play like hell on game day.

Jimmy Johnson's Game Keys: Protect the ball. Make plays.

Walter Payton's Advice to Kids: Play hard. Play fair. Have fun.
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KnowItAll
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I would put Calgary down to 6th
Every day that passes is one you can't get back
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WestCoastJoe
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After Week 4.

These look about right to me.

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John Madden's Team Policies: Be on time. Pay attention. Play like hell on game day.

Jimmy Johnson's Game Keys: Protect the ball. Make plays.

Walter Payton's Advice to Kids: Play hard. Play fair. Have fun.
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