Registered: Feb 2013
Location: Ontario
Posts: 192

I'll still take Jacobs. You can't buy the intangible called chemistry. Team looks great on paper though, that's undeniable. Could be scary good. I'm really intrigued to see what Howard and Martin do. It also shows the continual outdated nature of provincial pride. Guys jumping from province to province to find the next shiney new car. Brier should be just be like the trials and Slam events and go on a points system. We'd get better games to be sure.

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Of all of the elite Seconds out there in the game, Laing is the worst hitter. His strength is the finesse shots and he's only adequate at the hard stuff. Koe will notice a big drop off at the second position in that area when compared with Rycroft.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Unregistered
That lineup, if they get along well, could end up being one of the best teams in history. Kennedy has always had world class shotmaking skills and will instantly be a top 5 third in the world...if not top 3. Lots can happen between now and the Calgary 2018 Olympics though.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Unregistered
im just confused as to how brent is moving to alberta to curl with a different team when he has a kid with a woman who lives in Manitoba. He's moving further away

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Registered: Nov 2012
Location: Toronto
Posts: 621

Top seconds in the game. Over the last Olympic cycle.

Alphabetically: Carruthers, Harnden, Kennedy, Laing, Rycroft.

In all four years Kennedy stood out as the best hitter. At any positions I'd argue. Harnden making a recent name for himself in the last year. So yes I'd say that Kennedy and Harnden are better run-back big weight throwers.

The other three however are very much of the same caliber in the run-back department. From top to bottom, based on the numbers, I would rank them Laing, Rycroft, Carruthers.


In the last two years for sure Brett was usually first or second team all-star in most events. And it's not like Team Howard plays a whole lot less runbacks than any one else. Jacobs excepted.

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Registered: Nov 2012
Location: Toronto
Posts: 621

I do rather like his other ridiculous nickname....Bambam....suits him, a lot:-)

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quote:

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Originally posted by Unregistered
I doubt Brent will actually move to Calgary. He will just pull a Morris/Simmons and pretend he works or lives there.

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Registered: Sep 2002
Location: London, Ontario
Posts: 4002

quote:

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Originally posted by Unregistered


Why not. The CCA doesn't have the guts to stand up to the curlers on the residency rules. From the Edmonton Sun "The curlers themselves have been making a mockery of the residency rule and threaten the integrity of the Brier."

"The long-term problem would be if the players were actually rebels without a clue, as they appear to be, and are willing to push the CCA to the point of where they may be successful in killing off the Brier golden goose.

That would be tragic, but it sure appears that�s the direction the players want to take the game."

Again, the CCA is not willing to stand up to the top teams. Kind of comical how they get pushed around.

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Team Canada now has their skip playing on another team, their mate already illegally playing out of province, their 2nd retiring and the lead doing who knows what but are still eligible to return as Team Canada if 3 of them show up for the Brier. Terrible. And the latest rumor from CCA is they are going to allow one out of province player per team, add that to the illegal players you could have nobody from that province. I would think it would be fantastic to see guys from another province join a local club in ON, fly in for the zones, win and then go to the ON provincials and win and go to the brier representing ON. Maybe Stoughton, Mead, along with Virtue and Schille the travelers, join up, win the Ontario provincials and laugh about it. What's one weekend and then a week out their lives. Hell if I could afford it I'd pay them to do it to make the point.

Again, what a farce. When will it stop? When the CCA finally realizes they've screwed it up beyond repair.

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I don't understand how in 2014 that there can be any notion that teams have to be location-based in order to play together.

At the provincial level, everyone seems to agree that forcing a team to play out of a club together is a waste of time and energy.

So how is a province any different.

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How much cash if any do the Brier participants get?
How does that match up against what the curlers get on the Cash circuit?
Perhaps a time will come when the curlers realize they don't actually need the CCA at all. (If they haven't already.) The money used to run the CCA could go to prize money for the boys and girls providing the actual entertainment. :-)

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quote:

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Originally posted by Unregistered
I don't understand how in 2014 that there can be any notion that teams have to be location-based in order to play together.

At the provincial level, everyone seems to agree that forcing a team to play out of a club together is a waste of time and energy.

So how is a province any different.

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It's because that's what the Brier is all about, provincial representation and bringing the country together to cheer their provincial team on. Why must it change just because a few players and some of the CCA members want it to. Leave the Brier alone the way it is, provincial teams representing their own provinces, from players who LIVE there. Not with P.O. boxes and fake jobs. Maybe a little over exaggerated but keep it up and all provinces will be represented by AB. What a great Brier that would be. Who's going to go and who's going to watch. Guess you could have AB host every year too. At least you'd get the home town crowd.

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There is no such thing as an auto berth. There are lots of good teams in Alberta that could give Koe a run for his money.

Bottcher
Thomas
Sluchinski
Schlender
Park
Appelman
King

These are all teams that could make a play for the brier in coming years. Also you never know what kind of team Virtue might put together and possibly play in Alberta.

Not saying Koe won't win but I think when Kevin Martin retires you might see a few more surprises in Alberta.

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Registered: Feb 2007
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It's wishful thinking maybe, but if indeed Hebert and Kennedy are playing with Koe next year, I would like to see Martin play one more year with Koe's old team and give the Brier one last hurrah, particularly with the Brier in Alberta. Sort of makes sense as those guys would be unlikely to be sticking together long term anyway. Would be a great story.

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Brent is definitely playing with Koe.

** COMMENT EDITED BY ADMIN **

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Registered: Feb 2005
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Ummm, okay. I don't think this type of personal attack is helpful or warranted in this forum.

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good story in Edmonton Journal Kevin Martin's take on the new team Koe - so right in that this definitely was poor timing - yes it was no surprise but now this is what everyone is focusing on - disrespectful in my opinion to other people involved - plenty of time for the new team Koe

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Registered: Sep 2002
Location: London, Ontario
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Before the personal attacks get out of hand, realize that Brent Laing and Jennifer Jones live in Ontario. They are not and do not need to move. Brent supports his family, his children from another relationship and his current relationship.

These are things that don't need to be analyzed in a curling forum and I will not put up with these kind of comments.

As for playing out of Alberta, there are things called airplanes that can fly you to locations outside of the province. After visiting Fort McMurray for the Grand Slam event, I see how easily it really is do work (or in Brent's case, compete) in Alberta and live elsewhere is a way of life for so many people.

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Registered: Mar 2013
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Just another case of curlers thumbing their noses at the rules. It's getting out of control and will only get worse if the CCA does change the rules for the elite few. I must wonder if these guys knew well before the CCA even votes on the issue, if they even do vote on it or just announce it, about allowing one out of province player per team, and if so, how did they know or did they pressure the CCA for the change?

And while on the topic, this was never discussed at any level like the relegation has been in the past. How do they bring about drastic change like this with no consultation. Seems like the CCA members are just like the political party in power, rubber stamp the motion or lose their position to sit with the opposition.

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Registered: Mar 2012
Location: Canoe Cove, PEI
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quote:

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Originally posted by Gerry
Before the personal attacks get out of hand, realize that Brent Laing and Jennifer Jones live in Ontario. They are not and do not need to move. Brent supports his family, his children from another relationship and his current relationship.

These are things that don't need to be analyzed in a curling forum and I will not put up with these kind of comments.

As for playing out of Alberta, there are things called airplanes that can fly you to locations outside of the province. After visiting Fort McMurray for the Grand Slam event, I see how easily it really is do work (or in Brent's case, compete) in Alberta and live elsewhere is a way of life for so many people.

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Registered: Nov 2012
Location: Toronto
Posts: 621

Just read Martin's comments about the timing of the release of the information about the new Team Koe.

Something he said sparked a thought. Basically he said he didn't want focus on his or any one else's retirement to be part of the picture/story line at the Player's Championship. I disagree in the following sense.

When for example Roger Federer decides to hang it up he will let everyone know at the beginning of his last year. That way the fans can give him a proper send off at each of the Slams. The fans very much want the chance to show their appreciation to players of that quality.

I would like to see the same tradition in curling. And the Players Championship is the perfect place to have that send off. It's the last battle of the year, and you can guarantee the player will in fact be there to play. Something you can't be sure of with the Brier.

They could include as part of the festivities a dinner in the players honour with a roast by his fellow competitors. It would be fun, newsworthy, and would give the fans something they want. A chance to let the player know their contribution was valued.

Last edited by JB42 on 03-22-14 at 11:27AM

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Koe
Laing
Kennedy
Hebert

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Here's why he made the move, they are stronger at every position!!

Laing is as strong or stronger than Simmons, Kennedy is stronger than Rycroft and Bennyheebz is stronger than Thiessen.

I'm sure everyone puts Kennedy at 3rd before Lainger, but you cannot breakup the best sweeping duo in curling today. Maybe Kennedy throws 3rd rocks, but Lainger is definetly holding the broom for Koe's rocks.

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quote:

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Originally posted by UCF
Here's why he made the move, they are stronger at every position!!

Laing is as strong or stronger than Simmons, Kennedy is stronger than Rycroft and Bennyheebz is stronger than Thiessen.

I'm sure everyone puts Kennedy at 3rd before Lainger, but you cannot breakup the best sweeping duo in curling today. Maybe Kennedy throws 3rd rocks, but Lainger is definetly holding the broom for Koe's rocks.

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