The Ottawa Journal from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada • Page 21

Thursday, November 10, 1977 21 Clements set; others aren't Gerald Redmond now and likely won't be able, to until some time Saturday. Yesterday, Tim Berryman jogged only lightly while the remainder of the team practised and Mike Widger wasn't even able to do that. Billy Hatanaka also was restricted to light jogging and the status of the slotback won't be known for a day or so. Jhe likelihood is that come game time they'll all be ready. In that case, Tim Berryman would start as middle linebacker, flanke'd by Larry Brune and Mike Widger with John Glassford available to back all three up.

If that develops, then defensive backfielder Jim Elder would be activated and import linebacker Fred Pagac would be cut. Yesterday, the value of Riders' peerless tight end, Anthony Gabriel, was again underlined. He was named winner of the Hiram Walker Trophy for the second year in a row. Lude of the sponsoring firm, presented Gabriel with the trophy and a watch. The signifigance of this award is that it is voted on by the players themselves so it has a special meaning for Gabriel as well ft should.

Meanwhile, offensive lineman Jeff Turcotte participated in yesterday's workout and he'll be ready to start Sunday. Which is just as well because Granny Liggins has returned from the Argos injury list and he's one of the very best defensive linemen in the Canadian Football League. Kick-off is 2 p.m. Sunday and the deadline for season ticket holders to pick up their playoff seats has passed. So today and Thursday the ticket office stiQuld do a brisk business'.

By Clem Kealey Journal Sports Staff Rrfugh Riders won't know for a few days just what their lineup will be for Sunday's sudden-death confrontation with Toronto Argonauts. The two teams meet in the eastern conference semi-final Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. with the survivors going against Montreal the following weekend for a berth in the Grey Cup. To the surprise of no one, George Brancato announced yesterday that Tom Clements will start at quarterback for the Riders. But Leo Cahill, typically, delayed making a decision on his starter.

Cahill says it depends on weather conditions who will start. If it's an off-track then Cahill said Chuck Ealey would probably start but on a dry field he'd be tempted to use Clint Longley. Despite a 10-7 defeat to Calgary to finish their regular schedule Longley, apparently looked quite sharp throwing the football. He completed 19 of 28, had five dropped on him and CaWill maintains it was the dropped passes and turnovers which killed Toronto. Ottawa has been workingout expecting either one of them anyway and Toronto has to be prepared to see Holloway as well as Clements too.

Because Holloway was extemely sharp in the schedule windup at Hamilton and in the latter half of the schedule Brancato has shown less reluctance to replace one with the other. Riders would be thrilled to be able to announce who the starting lincbacklng corps is but they can't "Well deserved honor for Jeff Turcotte This morning Jeff Turcotte was presented with the Bill Smyth Memorial Trophy in the Mayor's office as Ottawa Rough Riders' outstanding lineman for 1977. It's not a new honor for Turcotte because he won it last year and since he's only 25, he's likely to keep collecting the award for a long time to come, because he's just that good. He had his learning experience as a rookie offensive tackle with the Riders in 1975 and there were days when Junior Ah You and others gave him fits. But over the long haul he won more than he lost in that rookie son.

Last year he did everything asked of him, including taking a turn on defence. This year he was switched to guard at the beginning of the season because Riders needed him there. Then he was moved back to tackle again because Riders discovered a problem there. And everyplace he's played he's been outstanding. He gets his share of penalties, too many according to some people, but big aggressive linemen get penalties and there is no doubt that Turcotte is agressi ve.

Most of the calls come for no yards because Turcotte pays little attention to the five-yard restraining line and the only way he gives yards is if the punter gets it too far downficld for Turcotte to catch up to it. Since Turcotte can run.jtoat means the punter has to hit it well. Back in time He tries to time the hit of course because he doesn't like taking the penalty but to him the hit comes first and if he's a step too close well then it's just up to the official to make the call. Either way the punt return men have to be aware of him and if that's intimidating the receiver, well then so be It. He's been nursing a sore shoulder which is a damaging injury for an offensive lineman but he worked out yesterday and he figures to be ready for the Argonauts Sunday.

Tom Clements starter Levy will be ready for the winner the Rough Riders in tit-la wa In the conference semi-final Sunday, but Levy is far ahead of either Toronto's coach Leo Cahill or Ottawa's George Brancato in his plans. Four weeks before the Alouettes clinced first place and a bye into the Nov. 19 final here with a MONTREAL (CP Coach Marv Levy, whose Montreal Alouettes are waiting to find out who will "be their opponent in the Eastern Conference final of the Canadian Football League, doesn't believe in leaving anything to the last minute. Toronto Argonauts play That's the way you lose your sharpness and concentration." The obvious plus "is the fact we're already in the finals." But, Levy said, the rest can help put the Alouettes in prime shape. "Conditioning and strength tend to fall off late in the season, and this is a perfect time for them to build it back.

It's also a good time for healing and getting back that fresh feeling again. "Another thing we want to do is sharpen our execution and concentration respite from game action, but there are plus factors too. "There are" disadvantages to a situation like this, but I think the advantages outweigh them." Levy said that he "spelled it out" for the players at a meetingaftcr their last regular-season game. "There's a danger of getting fat physically and psychologically. There's a danger of getting lazy and complacent.

You know, the 'We finished first' attitude. on details. We're also spending a lot of time honing our kicking game." The major problem. Levy said, is whether a player is willing to capitalize on the advantages instead of regressing because of inactivity. "What that really amounts to is characterit's partly their responsibility and partly ours," he said, referring to the coaching staff.

The Alouettes, who had a day off Wednesday, were to practise today and Friday before taking the weekend off. victory over Ottawa on Oct. 22, Levy knew almost to the minute how he would keep his players occupying their time productively during a three-week layoff. "Absolutely it's important to plan the time of properly," he said Wednesday while having a snack at the Olympic Stadium. "It's not just a period to bide your.

time. These three weeks can be used very productively." Levu conceded there are disadvantages to the length of the Alouettes' Tempers flare in Ar go camp His return means a great deal to the Riders because the Argos boast one of the quickest defensive fronts in the CFL. Wayne Smith and Jim Corrigall have the speed to give offensive tackles fits and now with the return of Granny Liggins to the lineup, Argos are just that much stronger. Liggins, along with Ecomet Burley, -arc two to the quickest defensive tackles in the league and when the Toronto front four Is coming on, quarterbacks have long afternoons. But Turcotte's return gives Riders a plus up fl JEFF TURCOTTE TORONTO (CP) It may have been frustration after four straight losses but whatever the reason, tempers have flared in the camp of Toronto Argonauts as they prepare for Sunday's Canadian Football League Eastern Conference semi-final against Ottawa Rough Riders.

Offensive tackle Nick Bastaja and defensive tackle Doug Maclvcr had to be pulled apart twice by team-mates as they became embroiled in fights after two clashes along the line of scrimmage in practice Tuesday. It took the threat of $1,000 fines by coach Leo Cahill to prevent the two Canadians from tangling a third time. Both players later denied the dispute was a sign that the Argonauts have begun to ignore their team motto "Pull Together." Maclver, a 245-pound Winnipeg native in his second year with the Argos, said his part of the violence was a reaction to being a backup player this season. "I came to camp expecting to be a starter but then I got sick and the team traded for Wayne Smith (a Canadian defensive end)." Bastaja, who joined Toronto after playing out his option with Hamilton Tiger-Cats, said the four-game losing streak may have been a factor. "But that's only a small part of it.

I think I was just trying to get everyone Tired up for the game. There's a lot of pride and money riding on that game and I was just trying to say 'Let's get it Bastaja, a 267-pound graduate of Simon Frascr University in Burnaby, B.C., said he doesn't regret his move to Toronto, He knows Mike Wilson, the other offensive tackle, is getting a much larger salary. "But I'm not going to bitch about it. Mike deserves every cent he gets. I'm just going to work harder to get a better deal next time." front and against the Toronto defence.

Riders will need every plus they can get. Argos have one of the league's outstanding defensive units. Riders have one of the league's outstanding offensive lines. So if things appear to get dull anytime Sunday, watch the war in the trenches because it will be anything but dull there. Often unnoticed And if the shoulder holds up Turcotte will be in the thick of things.

Offensive linemen go often unnoticed and it took a couple of years of complaining by the former Alouett guard and tackle Ed George before a separate category for post season awards was set up for offensive linemen. The only time anyone notices an offensive liacman is when the quarterback gets sacked. When thingV are going well the quarterbacks, running backs and receivers get all the applause but when things go badly the offensive line taktfs the blame. The offensive line has done the job for Riders this year. Donn Smith has had an excellent season at centre, Charlie Brandon has had his good days and Frank Pomarico has been an asset at guard after coming over from the Alouettes.

Jim Coodc has been steady game in an game out and Turcotte has done it both as a guard and tackle. It came as no surprise he was voted as the Bill Smyth trophy winner. Apparent from the start It comes as no surprise either that Turcotte, in his third year of pro ball, is not only a top Canadian lineman but a top lineman period. He had the look of something special when he turned out for high school football with Fisher Park and he quickly established the fact that he was just too big and too fast for high school opponents. He moved on over to Sooners and the Sooncrs, with a junior-aged team, played In the Senior ORFU that year and won It.

Turcotte was a prominent member of that club and it was that year that he got his first real taste of offensive line play. Matt Anthony was the line coach and he decided that anyone with Turcotte's size speed and ability was pro material and since Anthony always believed a budding pro should have a thorough grounding, Turcotte was switched to offence. At Colorado he was moved back to the defensive club but when he joined Riders he was forced to make the switch again. What It all adds up to Is that now Riders have a versatile football player who in three short years has become one of the real stars of the Canadian Football League. One of these years he'll get the opportunity to stay In one position long enough to catch the eye of the Schenley voters and he'll earn the top prize to go along with his collection for Smyth trophies.

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Mirabel. Que J7N 1A2 (514) 476-161 1 Canucks having problems" New deal for juniors Moore having a ball Vnitas may coach Caplan the agent Page 22 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page2 1.