Winnipeg, MB (My Sportsbook) - Less than a month before the Grey Cup and the game isn't yet sold out.
More than 5,000 tickets remain for the CFL's championship game, which will be held November 19 at Canad Inns Stadium in Winnipeg. The lackluster sales figures are creating concern that once again the Grey Cup will receive a less than stellar reception in the Manitoba capital.
In 1998, the game attracted just 35,000 spectators in Winnipeg even though the temperature on game day was 50 degrees, a balmy figure considering the game was being played outdoors at a time of year that can indeed be very inhospitable, in Manitoba.
Last year's game, held in the domed B.C. Place in Vancouver, was sold out months in advance and attracted a crowd exceeding 59,000 fans. In 2004, the Grey Cup drew over 51,000 fans to Frank Clair Stadium, an outdoor facility in Ottawa.
But with a month left before this year's game, less than 40,000 tickets have been sold, even though the home town Blue Bombers team has made the East Division playoffs and is in the Grey Cup mix.
BAD BLOOD: The war of words continued this week between the B.C. Lions and Calgary Stampeders.
Stampeders defensive coordinator Denny Creehan alleged that Lions players received $60 or a steak dinner if they were able to get a Calgary player out of a game by leg-whipping them.
On Sunday during the Stampeders' 32-25 win over B.C., Lions receiver Jason Clermont was blocking Calgary defensive halfback Jermaine Chatman on a blitz when Clermont apparently lost his position and at the same time his leg came up, Chatman's arm went down and hit Clermont's leg, resulting in a broken arm.
Both Clermont and Calgary coach Tom Higgins said the play was not a deliberate attempt to injure. Higgins and Wally Buono, the Lions general manager and coach, spoke about the incident afterwards.
The CFL stepped in and fined Creehan for his statements and Clermont for his actions.
NICE PAYOFF: Linebacker George White signed with the B.C. Lions last week, almost a month after he was released by the Calgary Stampeders. But because White was a veteran and cut August 30, he must be paid for the remainder of the season by the Stamps. And that includes the Calgary club having to pay White the same playoff bonuses it must give its current players as well.
Of course, White is also under contract to the Lions, who have clinched first place in the West Division standings and earned a bye to the conference final.
Players on CFL playoff squads earn $3,000 for reaching the postseason and $3,200 for making the conference final. The Grey Cup-winning share is $14,000 per player while the losing share is $7,000 per player.
RECORD EFFORT: Byron Parker's 75-yard interception for a touchdown last week against Edmonton earned the Toronto Argonauts cornerback the CFL single-season record for interception returns. Parker has seven interceptions this year for 342 yards, breaking the league record of 300 set by B.C.'s Eric Carter in 2003.
Parker has returned four of his interceptions for touchdowns this year, one shy of the CFL record.
ARGOS INTEREST: If disgraced NFL defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth has any interest in playing in Canada, he'll have to get in touch with the Toronto Argonauts first.
The Argos have apparently placed the Tennessee Titans lineman on their negotiation list, giving them rights to Haynesworth should he want to play in the CFL.
Haynesworth is serving a five-game suspension for stomping on the face of Dallas Cowboys center Andre Gurode during an October 1 game. He later apologized for the incident.
But it's unlikely Haynesworth will ever see the light of day in the CFL. He's a quality lineman who will undoubtedly find work with another NFL team if he's released by the Titans.
CFL teams can place up to 35 players on their negotiation list and have the option of taking them off whenever they want. By placing a player on the negotiation list, the CFL team secures the right to negotiate with that player should he want to play football in Canada.
COSTLY COLLISION: The Saskatchewan Roughriders will again be without receiver Jason Armstead when they face the Toronto Argonauts on Friday.
And they've got quarterback Rocky Butler to thank for it.
Armstead suffered a thigh contusion after a collision with Butler in a game October 9 against Montreal.
Alouettes safety Richard Karikari intercepted a Butler pass in the end zone and had returned it to midfield when Armstead knocked the ball away from the Montreal defender. But Armstead's right leg hit the back of Butler's helmet as the quarterback was trying to tackle Karikari.
Butler didn't emerge unscathed, either. He suffered a mild concussion.
