Quote:
Originally Posted by Erick Estrada
I actually give them props. On just a football basis Tillman's by far the best candidate to get the on field product turned around. He knows that Canadian talent is key and will use the Canadian draft to bring in the best available players rather than trade the picks away and pick stiffs as Machoka. He turned around the Riders by adding all those Canadian receivers which made it possibly to stack the defense with American players.
Ownership and management obviously knew this wouldn't be a popular hire but rather than hire a lesser GM for PR purposes they hired the best guy for football purposes. Very difficult but IMO the right decision as when the wins start coming people will quickly jump on the bandwagon just as Riderfans did when Tillman took that hapless franchise into a contender.
Tillman made a mistake whether it be under the influence of medication or not it was still something that you expect an adult should know better. However he didn't rape or force himself on her so IMO he shouldn't have his life and career ended over it. It's a touchy subject when minors are involved and I understand that but the reality is that MacTavish killed a human being under the influence of alcohol. There's no excusing that his poor judgement to drive under the influence of alcohol took an innocent life and altered the course of the victim and families forever. It's telling how society is perfectly acceptable to see him resume his career as a coach and watch him on TSN yet Tillman is a horrible man that should never be given a second chance.
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Except MacTavish paid (at least a little bit) for his actions with a year in jail. Tillman got off with a slap on the wrist, thanks to a Rider-jersey wearing judge. Certainly not the same offenses, but in addition to the nature of the crime, the fact that he went basically unpunished and if it was John Q Public who did this (and I am not sure the full story is out or will ever be out) that person wouldn't be allowed to work anywhere this soon after being convicted of this offense..
That, and Tillman isn't the messiah made out to be either football wise. As shady and shifty as Shivers is and was, he was the arcitecht of that team, Tillman stepped in and made a few moves and got them to win a few playoff games.
Because of that, Edmonton now gets the bad PR which won't go away if they win 2 games, and an recycled GM that may or may not do anything to better the team. Plus, with Tillman's ties to Hall, maybe he stays, when really, although Hall may end up being an ok coach, its clear the roster has tuned him out.
Again, shame on the Eskimos. Write this season off, blow it all up in the offseason when there will be candidate available that don't bring 10 cases of ugly baggage with them.