Hook, line and sinkin'

The weather bitch fest worked. It's not a bad little Sunday morning. We'll take credit when and where we can get it.

Funny, the hour and a half show feels longer than the two hour program we produced the night before. It really depends on how smoothly things move. Again, we're still inconsistent, but well intentioned and determined to make this show great.

Following my rant about our horrible Summer, Jason Williams jumped into the conversation. We didn't talk rain or cool temperatures but about how his game might heat up now that he's rejoined the Red Wings on a one year contract. The soon to be 29 year old says the organization likes the way his game has progressed, obviously enough so to invite him back. He also admitted his signing with Atlanta during last off season was a mistake.

I think Williams is a durable, useful even sneaky good player. He's a 3rd line guy, no question. He'll need a productive season and then some to earn himself what most NHL'ers his age seek and desire: a long term deal.

Mitch Sutton came aboard a bit later. He's doesn't say much. His game does most of the talking. Life is good for the 17 year old who's coming off his 2nd consecutive Canadian Jr. amateur golf championship. Mitch is a straight 'A' student out of Saunders with a big scholarship to NC State to look forward right after he takes a crack at the National men's amateur title this coming week. He's a good kid with "all world" skills. We wish him the best of the luck.

Check out http://rednationonline.ca/ when you get a chance. It's another on a growing list of soccer blog sites with an emphasis on Toronto FC. Red Nation's Ian Clarke dropped in for a chat on his site and to breakdown the Real Madrid/TFC friendly. Clearly knowledgeable about soccer, clearly passionate about TFC, Ian didn't take the bait when I tried to hook him into gushing over RM's presence and performance in Toronto. http://rednationonline.ca/ focus is on TFC, no delusions, but an unwavering emphasis on Canada's biggest soccer outfit. Ian did well in representing that on Satuday. We'll chat again for sure.

We're still wondering what legacy will be left behind by Real Madrid's presence and performance at BMO Field this past Friday? Simple memories of the world's 'biggest' dropping in to do some ass kicking? Or something more tangible, ever lasting? To get RM into town it took big money and the installation of a temporary grass pitch for it's players to work their magic on. And they delivered. After witnessing in real time the possibilities and potential of a grass surface, can MLSE, TFC's wealthy owner, work it's magic and make the dream of a permanent grass pitch at BMO finally come true? It's going to take money and determination. The cash has and always will be there. So, if the idea of annually hosting a massive club while making its own players happier and better doesn't offer that "kick in the pants" to make it happen, nothing will.

We closed "The Hook" with Gentjian Dervishi. A 30 year old former CSL all-star who was happily coaching a local amateur side to high scoring success. Then his former club came calling. London City, a unit in disarray on the pitch and simply lost off of it. Gentjian was a member of City during better days, back when Harry Gauss was at helm. That was back when the club believed in its manager, a manager who still had some recruiting clout. Gentjian has returned to the cove, if not to re instill some of those values he learned from Harry, get the sagging side back on the right side of the ball, "back to basics" he says. City hasn't won a game since 2007. You'd think any new shot in the arm would help. Even from someone representing the old days.

We're back at am980.ca 8 pm, Friday, August 14th.