Bouncing Back: From National Joke to Grey Cup Champs

[paulwoods13]

Great stuff Paul; i hope your book can be every bit as enjoyable as "The Argo Bounce" (by Jay Teitel) was to me, and can add richly to Argo history and lore. I also have a copy of "Goodbye Leo" - by Cahill with Scott Young (Neil's dad) - that was given to me by an old Argo fan who I met by chance while i was working on a job dealing with the public (guy made the effort to return to my job and give me the book after seeing me wearing an Argo cap).

Arrrrrrrgoooooooos !!!

Thanks, OV. Both of those books were great -- Scott Young was the greatest writer about the CFL ever, IMO, and Jay Teitel's book is brilliantly written, a huge inspiration for me. Every time I start reading it I get engrossed all over again.

[gilthethrill]

Thanks, OV. Both of those books were great -- Scott Young was the greatest writer about the CFL ever, IMO, and Jay Teitel's book is brilliantly written, a huge inspiration for me. Every time I start reading it I get engrossed all over again.

Another good Argo book I recommend is "A Slip in the Rain" by Craig Wallace....I came across "Goodbye Leo" at a flea market in small town Mid-Western Ontario in the 90's, another excellent read for sure along the "The Argo Bounce".

[Will]

I've had Goodbye Leo for years. I don't even know how I got it to be honest, although it may have been at my grandfather's garage sale when he was selling his house, although as a Alouettes fan I don't know why he would have bought it. Anyways, I've never actually read the bloody thing, should probably do it one of these days.

[294life]

I've had Goodbye Leo for years. I don't even know how I got it to be honest, although it may have been at my grandfather's garage sale when he was selling his house, although as a Alouettes fan I don't know why he would have bought it. Anyways, I've never actually read the bloody thing, should probably do it one of these days.

Leo was with the als from 60-64 as an assistant before he resigned due to clashes with the new HC Jungle Jim Trimble.

[ArgoGabe22]

I've had Goodbye Leo for years. I don't even know how I got it to be honest, although it may have been at my grandfather's garage sale when he was selling his house, although as a Alouettes fan I don't know why he would have bought it. Anyways, I've never actually read the bloody thing, should probably do it one of these days.

I think its Goodbye Argos, not Goodbye Leo. I have Dirty Thirty (Jim Young), Double Trouble (Tony Gabriel), Garney Henley's and George Reeds book as well as Dunigan's and Pinball's and rented Argo Bounce from the library but haven't read any of them except Dunigan's on a train. I always push things off for the summer and then forget.

[paulwoods13]

I think its Goodbye Argos, not Goodbye Leo. I have Dirty Thirty (Jim Young), Double Trouble (Tony Gabriel), Garney Henley's and George Reeds book as well as Dunigan's and Pinball's and rented Argo Bounce from the library but haven't read any of them except Dunigan's on a train. I always push things off for the summer and then forget.

It is indeed Goodbye Argos -- good catch.

BTW, I posted on the blog a link to Simmons' column today asking why Terry Greer and Dick Thornton are not in the Hall of Fame. Great question, especially wrt Greer, who was the greatest receiver I've ever seen in the CFL. It is utterly ridiculous that he is not in the Hall while Terry Vaughn is, IMO.

[gilthethrill]

Paul I have no idea how you managed to obtain audio of the Holloway to Greer TD pass in that victory over the Eskimos in 82. It would equally in interesting to hear audio (or watch video) of the Martin Cox game winning TD catch that should have been intercepted by Montreal DB David Dumars in the 20-14 Argo victory on October 17 1981.

[paulwoods13]

Paul I have no idea how you managed to obtain audio of the Holloway to Greer TD pass in that victory over the Eskimos in 82. It would equally in interesting to hear audio (or watch video) of the Martin Cox game winning TD catch that should have been intercepted by Montreal DB David Dumars in the 20-14 Argo victory on October 17 1981.

I have Cox's TD on video but for some reason (possibly a corrupt file) I have not been able to post it to YouTube. I'll keep trying. I don't have any audio of that, I'm afraid.

[Will]

The only possible explanation I can think of is that there shorter stints in the CFL hurt their chances. Simmons brings up CIS players, but it isn't as if those players can stick around there for more than 4-5 years.

[paulwoods13]

I have Cox's TD on video but for some reason (possibly a corrupt file) I have not been able to post it to YouTube. I'll keep trying. I don't have any audio of that, I'm afraid.

I managed to get it working. Enjoy one of the weirdest endings to an Argo game, ever.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Upz55APCCcI

[paulwoods13]

The only possible explanation I can think of is that there shorter stints in the CFL hurt their chances. Simmons brings up CIS players, but it isn't as if those players can stick around there for more than 4-5 years.

There is too much emphasis on longevity over talent, IMO. Vaughn is in only because he was around for many years and went over 1,000 yards most of his career. He was never close to the best receiver in the league. Greer and Fernandez (along with Brian Kelly) were head and shoulders above everyone else at their positions. Five years (MF) and six years (TG) are long enough to qualify for the Hall, IMO. They should not be penalized for being good enough to go to the NFL in their prime. Warren Moon is in, and he played just six years in Canada.

[Will]

What the hell are those two things running down the sidelines with Cox?

[gilthethrill]

I managed to get it working. Enjoy one of the weirdest endings to an Argo game, ever.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Upz55APCCcI

Thank you ever so much for posting that Paul....this thread has been a wonder trip down memory lane for me today!!!

Martin Cox, former Eastern Divsion Rookie of the Year with Ottawa, always played well but seemed to always be the odd man out.

[gilthethrill]

What the hell are those two things running down the sidelines with Cox?

I honestly cannot answer that question....

[1argoholic]

I would have been at that game and many others during that time and I don't remember those stupid looking mascots. Almost look like Blue Jays? The cheerleader look great in head to toe spandex. haha.

[ArgoRavi]

There is too much emphasis on longevity over talent, IMO. Vaughn is in only because he was around for many years and went over 1,000 yards most of his career. He was never close to the best receiver in the league. Greer and Fernandez (along with Brian Kelly) were head and shoulders above everyone else at their positions. Five years (MF) and six years (TG) are long enough to qualify for the Hall, IMO. They should not be penalized for being good enough to go to the NFL in their prime. Warren Moon is in, and he played just six years in Canada.

Good point about Moon, Paul, and Moon did not play much in his rookie year and only became the full-time starter in his third year. Greer and Fernandez were starters throughout their careers and the only subpar year between the two of them IIRC was 1981 when Greer missed much of that season with an injury. Greer had four 1000 yard receiving seasons between '82 and '85 including a 2000 yard season when there were only 16 games back in 1983. That is nothing short of remarkable. Fernandez, I believe had 1000 yard seasons, or at least close to it, in each of his five years in the league (1982-86).

[Midnight Blue]

Mr. Paul Woods,


My compliments, and my congratulations, Sir !

Great stuff.

[argonaut11xx]

wow...so many amazing memroies from those years...Pat Marsdens voice...the Ex...my fav Argo sunshine girl was Astrid...

after reading this thread i wish i had a time machine...to take my son back with me, to watch a game together in 82,or 83...it was so much different than now.

Paul, will your book be availible in hardcover?

[paulwoods13]

Paul, will your book be availible in hardcover?

It will have a soft cover but there will be a print edition, yes. As well as an e-book. At least that is the plan at this point.

[ArgoRavi]

after reading this thread i wish i had a time machine...to take my son back with me, to watch a game together in 82,or 83...it was so much different than now.

I would love to go back to the day of the '82 East Final. That was the day when the Argos were losers no more.