Edmonton Journal from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada • 34

C2 WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2011 EDMONTON JOURNAL edmontonjournal.com CANADIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE sks to honour Fleming, Wrack Stamps take weekly awards Postmedia News TORONTO i "(- tv i. i i- -r. 1 v- 'ST. ft I I fL' 1 Vv Former teammates own five Grey Cup rings between them CHRIS journal Football Writer EDMONTON When Sean Fleming was a rookie kicker with the Edmonton Eskimos, it was linebacker Larry Wruck who took Fleming in under his wing. It's only fitting that on Monday, the duo who own five Grey Cup rings between them will enter the Eskimos Wall of Honour at Commonwealth Stadium alongside one another.

The Canadian Football League club announced on Tuesday that the two men would be inducted on during a halftime ceremony on Thanksgiving Day, when the Eskimos host the Saskatchewan Roughriders. "Larry Wruck and Sean Fleming embody the very best qualities of the Edmonton Eskimos," team president and CEO Rick LeLacheur said. "Both were exceptional players who were champions on and off the field." Wruck was with the Eskimos from 1985 to 1996, winning Grey Cups in 1987 and 1993. Fleming won three Grey Cups (1993, 2003 and 2005) while spending 16 seasons (1992-2007) with the organization. Wruck is second on the team's all-time list with 647 tackles, while Fleming is the club's all-time leading scorer (2,571 points) and is second on the Eskimos' all-time list for games played (268).

"It's not something I ever really dreamed about," Wruck said of making it onto the Wall. "I dreamed about playing in this league, but not being up there in the lights with the likes of those guys, not ever. So this is a huge honour. "When Mr. LeLacheur called me a few weeks back and told me, I was just sort of numb for a half-hour afterward.

I've been retired for I think about 15 years now and I thought my day had probably come and gone. So when he did call it was very special and it still is very special tome." Fleming said he loved being an Eskimo. "You had a lot to live up to. SPORTS CALENDAR 'V The Calgary Stampeders dominated the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Saturday, then dominated the Canadian Football League's player of the week awards on Tuesday. CFL NOTEBOOK Calgary running back Jon Cornish was a dual winner earning the CFL's offensive player of the week and the top Canadian award.

His teammate, linebacker Charleston Hughes, was selected the top defensive player. B.C. Lions linebacker Adam Bighill earned the nod as the top special teams player. Cornish had a career game in the Stamps' 40-3 romp over the Riders, as he picked up 149 yards on 13 carries to go along with a 32-yard reception. The 26-year-old fromNew Westminster, B.C., also had a pair of touchdown runs.

Riders may need backup QB regina The status of starting quarterback Darian Durant is in doubt for Monday's Thanksgiving Day showdown with the Edmonton Eskimos at Commonwealth Stadium. Durant suffered a suspected sprained left foot in Saturday's 40-3 loss to the Calgary Stampeders at McMahon Stadium. X-rays of the injury taken onMondaywere negative, but Riders general manager Brendan Taman said Tuesday that Durant was wearing a protective boot. Pierce back practising Winnipeg Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Buck Pierce returned to the practice field at Canad Inns Stadium on Tuesday and then promptly pronounced himself fit and ready to play against the Tiger-Cats in Hamilton on Friday evening. With files from Winnipeg Free Press RICK MACWIUIAM, THE JOURNAL The Edmonton Eskimos announced Tuesday former linebacker Larry Wruck, left, and ex-kicker Sean Fleming will be inducted into the Eskimos Wall of Honour at Commonwealth Stadium during halftime of Monday's CFL game.

66 In your second year, you win a Grey Cup and you figure those are going to come fairly easily. They don't. 3 9 Former Esks kicker Sean Fleming Grey Cup and you figure those are going to come fairly easily. They don't," Herning said. "You know, that game certainly for us was special." "(In) '93, where I'd had a lot more years and a lot more experience under my belt, you sort of appreciate that run and that ride a little bit more," Wruck added.

"You can kind of separate yourself from it and sit back and almost freeze-frame every now and then and appreciate it, that's sort of the way '93 was. We had an inconsistent season and went on a great run toward the end. Sean was instrumental in '93 and I guess I played a little bit of a part in it, too." colearyedmontoniournal.com Obviously, Dave Cutler's name is synonymous with kicking and (winning) the five (Grey Cups) in a row. "I enjoyed playing on the grass field. It made for some interesting games and it's a type of market you want to play in as an athlete.

The fans, the media, the organization is very demanding and that only helps you to improve and want to be a better player. You have to live through and play through the pressures and that's something I always enjoyed." Ayoung Fleming had alockernext to Wruck and over the years, the two developed a strong friendship. They shared in the 1993 Grey Cup win and made valuable contributions to the Eskimos' win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in Calgary. Scoring 21 of the Eskimos' 33 points, Fleming was named the game's most valuable Canadian, while Wruck had an interception in the game. "In your second year, you win a NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE: EDMONTON OILERS All games on 630 CHEO Wild month full of surprises Lions, Bills rise, while Colts, Eagles struggle I SUNDAY: Pittsburgh Penguins, 7 p.m.

THURSDAY, OCT. 13: at Minnesota Wild, 6 p.m. SATURDAY, OCT. 15: Vancouver Canucks, 8 p.m. I MONDAY, OCT.

17: Nashville Predators, 7:30 p.m. TUESDAY, OCT. 18: at Calgary Flames, 7 p.m. CANADIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE: BARRY VV1LNER The Associated Press It doesn't take a Mangenius to decipher the NFL standings one month into the wildest NFL season in recent memory. The winners and losers certainly have separated themselves.

i) EDMONTON ESKIMOS All games on 630 CHED I MONDAY, OCT. 10: Saskatchewan Roughriders, 2:30 p.m. SATURDAY, OCT. 15: Winnipeg Blue Bombers, 5 p.m. I FRIDAY, OCT.

21: at Toronto Argonauts, 4:30 p.m. SATURDAY, OCT. 29: at B.C. Lions, 8 p.m. NFL necessarily, but we have to get this right.

It's not going to happen by talking about it. It's something we have to do. We are going to identify some things that have to be corrected, and then we have to be the people to get it done." I With the countdown begun in Miami for when the Dolphins (0-4) fire coach Tony Sparano, there's already thought that the team could lose enough games to win the Andrew Luck Draft Derby. Miami is awful on third downs and gives up too many big plays in all areas. Perhaps Eric Mangini, the former Jets and Browns coach who once led New York to the playoffs, could bring his nickname and his "genius" to South Beach.

I The Eagles have the people to get a lot of things done, but they aren't meshing. A third straight defeat was the most embarrassing because Philadelphia (1-3) botched a 23-3 second-half margin against San Francisco. Their secondary, with three standout cornerbacks, including CB Nnamdi Asomugha, the top prize WESTERN HOCKEY LEAGUE: mm EDMONTON OIL KINGS All games on TEAM 1260 HANNAH FOSLIEN, AFPGETTY IMAGES Detroit Lions' Kyle Vanden Bosch sacks Minnesota Vikings Donovan McNabb during Sept. 25 NFL action in Minneapolis, Minn. The Lions are an early-season success story, while the Vikings are headed in the opposite direction.

TODAY: Kootenay Ice, 7 p.m. I FRIDAY: at Moose Jaw, 7 p.m. NORTHLANDS PARK: THOROUGHBREDS FRIDAY: Post time, 7 p.m. SATURDAY: Post time, 1 p.m. MONDAY, OCT.

10: Post time, 1 p.m. ON THE AIR MLB PLAYOFFS 1 4 p.m., RSW NLDS, Philadelphia Phillies at St. Louis Cardinals, Game 4 7:30 p.m., RSW NLDS, Milwaukee Brewers at Arizona Diamondbacks (if necessary), Game 4 More TV listings on C5 k. "3 of free agency, has been a sieve. And the offence, aside from Michael Vick, has been inconsistent, with a penchant for big mistakes.

"Our issue right now is we are unable to close out Shockingly, occupying the higher reaches of the league are the Detroit Lions, Buffalo Bills and San Francisco 49ers. Buried with the dregs are the Minnesota Vikings, Indianapolis Colts and much-hyped Philadelphia Eagles. There are overachievers (Tennessee Titans, Washington Redskins, even Cincinnati Bengals) and underachievers (Dallas Cowboys, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, Adanta Falcons, Arizona Cardinals). A breakdown of the first month of the season, in reverse order of the standings: Turnovers: There is no other way of describing Minnesota, Miami, Indianapolis, Philadelphia, Kansas City and St. Louis.

At least the Colts (0-4) have the most valid of excuses: no Peyton Manning at quarterback, who is making a case for his fifth MVP award by not being available because of neck surgery. As for those other cities: I The Vikings have flopped in virtually every area, most notably in the second half of games, when they have been outscored 67-16. They have blown leads of 10, 17 and 20 points after halftime. It seems a matter of days before Donovan McNabb is benched for first-round pick (Christian Ponder, but the problems go much deeper. Minnesota lacks cohesion and confidence.

With Adrian Peterson, Jared Allen, Percy Harvin and Antoine Winfield, this roster has too much talent to be winless. "Well, 0-3, 0-4, those are humbling moments," coach Leslie Frazier said. "I don't know if its humility Asomugha IN THE BLEACHERS Touchdowns: I Considering Detroit's recent history, four wins through half the schedule would be impressive. These Lions score in bunches behind emerging star QB Matthew Stafford, outstanding WRClvmJolmsonandasurprisingly agile and tough defence, with tackle Ndamukong Suh the centrepiece. The Lions also are exceptionally organized and well-coached, something no one could say in Matt Millen's day.

And they never give up: the Lions became the first team in NFL history to rally from 20-plus point deficits in consecutive victories and its 24-point comeback at Dallas matched the largest one on the road in league history, according to STATS, LLC. I Matt Hasselbeck has made all the difference in Tennessee (3-1), where the rebuilding is going at a rapid pace. The franchise has a new coach, newco-ordinators and two new quarterbacks, with Hasselbeck having the best start of his 13-year career. The Titans also have the NFL's stingiest scoring defence. "He is doing the things for us that we hoped he would," coach Mike Munchak said.

"You never know how fast things are going to come together when you bring all different guys together that have never worked together and new coaches, but having a guy like him has made the process a lot easier for us." I Despite its late flop in Cincinnati, Buffalo (3-1) has displayed resilience, a strong and versatile offence, and no fear opponents. The Bills' comeback win over New England in Week 3 to break a 15-game slide against the Patriots showed that, even if the loss to the Bengals diminished its impact a bit. "Definitely one that got away from us," receiver Stevie Johnson said. "Everybody in the locker-room is frustrated. We're 3-1 but we're frustrated that even have that one 'L' We just have to come back harder." I Stepping into the void the Rams, Seattle Seahawks and Cardinals have created with slow starts is San Francisco.

The Niners' attitude and work ethic under rookie coach Jim Harbaugh showed best in the surge past the Eagles on Sunday. Sure, the Eagles' floundering defence made Alex Smith look like Joe Montana and Frank Gore like Emmitt Smith, but give the 49ers (3-1) credit for never losing faith. "I told them the other day they're good, and the longer it takes them to figure that out the better off we'll all be, because when people start thinking they've arrived that's when they stop working and doing the things that got them there," Harbaugh said. "We'll keep pretending we have a long way to go, and we do. We don't have to pretend." games," Asomugha said.

"You can't come into that last quarter and not be able to pull it out, especially when you're winning." I St. Louis knew its division was for the taking, especially after the Rams went 7-9 a year ago and lost a tiebreaker for the NFC West title. Instead of progressing behind offensive rookie of the year quarterback Sam Bradford and a young defence, the Rams (0-4) have regressed so badly they already might be out of the race in the league's worst division. Injuries, particularly to RB Steven Jackson and WR Danny Amendola, have been a factor. More distressing is a defence that sometimes seems clueless.

"Your father is a cautionary tale, son. Study hard and get a degree or you'll get kicked around your entire life." a. f..