DO YOU REMEMBER DAN CROWLEY???
L'ex QB dei Lions Bergamo guadagna un posto da titolare nella
CFL!!
Wednesday, June 28, 2000
Dan-dy in relief
Crowley comes up big after Greene injured
By CON GRIWKOWSKY -- Edmonton Sun
REGINA - Before the game, there was some doubt about who the Esks' backup
quarterback will be when the team kicks off its regular season in Calgary next Wednesday
night. Now there's none. Based on last night's performance, it's going to be tough
to justify keeping Dan Crowley down. And, who knows? Crowley may even be pressed
into action as the Esks' starter when they kick off the regular-season next Wednesday in
Calgary. Designated starter Nealon Greene's string of injury problems continued as
the Esks defeated the Saskatchewan Roughriders 38-23 in the final pre-season game for both
teams before 22,101 fans last night. Greene lasted exactly one series before he went
out with a torn knee cartilage. His night ended when he was sacked by Saskatchewan
rookie linebacker Troy Asbell. It's the latest in a series of injuries suffered by
Greene. His three-month off-season training program was designed to insure Greene's muscle
groups would be strong enough to protect him against the hamstring injuries that plagued
him in 1999. That opened the door for Crowley, who came into the game purportedly
battling for the backup spot with Jason Maas. If the injury proves to be serious
enough to keep Greene out of the lineup next week, the good news is that Crowley looked
more than capable in relief.
HE LOOKED HUNGRY
Crowley looked extra-hungry against the rebuilding Saskatchewan defence, whose
lineup could feature 12 new starters once the shooting starts for real. He directed
an offence that featured an overpowering running attack spearheaded by tailback Troy Mills
and fullback Shawn Daniels, who established themselves as a good one-two punch. And,
when it came time to punch the ball in the end zone, Crowley called go-to guy Terry
Vaughn's number twice. Vaughn made a spectacular catch for his first TD and gave the
Esks a 24-10 halftime lead with his second catch, as the clock had ticked down to 34
seconds. Both strikes were thrown from 17 yards out. Crowley finished the night
tossing three TD passes, including a 35-yarder to Ed Hervey before making way for Maas at
the start of the fourth quarter. Henry (Gizmo) Williams did his bit and got a chance
to show he's still got what it takes. With the Saskatchewan cover team frozen by an
impending no-yards penalty, the Giz turned on the burners and scooted down the right side
of the field for a 61-yard touchdown to give the Esks a 17-0 lead. But first-year
Saskatchewan quarterback Henry Burris found enough holes in the Eskimos secondary to hook
up on a pair of long, playground-style TD passes with Curtis Marsh.
IT DOESN'T GET EASIER
The situation does not get any easier for the Esks, who face a killer opening
half-dozen games to kick off the regular season. They face the Grey Cup-finalist
Stampeders next week, Grey Cup champs Hamilton in their home opener the week after and
again in early August. Then, toss in games against division finalist B.C. Lions and
Montreal. About the only break in the schedule, at least on paper, is against the
Winnipeg Blue Bombers. In case you hadn't noticed, the Bombers demolished the Argos
last night. And, with the chance that Greene may not be ready, it may be time for
Crowley to carry the mail.