1964 Season Preview

1964 Schedule
The challenge of adding only one team to the league is how to create a balanced and fair schedule. After looking at several options the league would decide on a format for the 1964 season. With the West Division having 5 teams and the East with 6, there would be a weird balance for the inter-divisional games. It would be determined that each West Division team would play a game against 2 different East Division teams and then they would play 2 division rivals 3 times and then the other 2 teams twice. 

WEST - BUF, IND, LDN, LOU, TOR
1 Game x 2 East Teams = 2 Games
3 Games x 2 West Teams = 6 Games
2 Games x 2 West Teams = 4 Games

Unfortunately, based on the odd number of teams there would be 2 teams left with only one interdivisional matchup. Those two teams would end up playing an additional divisional game against each other. Otherwise, the East teams would play their 2 interdivisional games and then play the remaining 5 East Division teams twice. 

EAST A - BOS, LI, MTL, OTT
1 Game x 2 West Teams = 2 Games
2 Games x 5 East Teams = 10 Games

EAST B - HFX & PRO
1 Game x 1 West Team = 1 Game
2 Games x 4 East Teams = 8 Games
3 Games x 1 East Team = 3 Games

In addition to the new format, each team would get 2 bye weeks throughout the season. This marks the first time bye weeks have been used since 1950. Finally, with the 2 bye weeks for each team, the season will be starting a couple of weeks earlier and have 14 weeks of games instead of the usual 12. 

Power Rankings

1 - Boston Independents
1963 Record: 9-2-1 (1st East)
1963 Result: Lost East Division Final
Despite falling short of the McCallister Cup last season, the Independents are back and ready to fight. Last season, Boston was the king of late-game comebacks. QB Nathaniel Braddock started to show how clutch he can be in games, managing to go 6-1-1 in games that were within one score. Boston is a team that is going to grind out the close games and likely be able to come out on top. That ability gives them an advantage going into the season that could be one of the closest yet. 

Captains:
C - LB Brent Harper
A - QB Nathaniel Braddock
A - WR Ellis Lindholm

2 - London Tigers
1963 Record: 7-5 (1st West)
1963 Result: Won McCallister Cup
London had quite the year last season. They were able to show that they are quite a strong team when the pressure is on and with several injuries. It is tough to count them out even while losing a couple of veterans in LB Aengus Lynch and DL Dee Floyd. GM Joseph Johnson was able to bring back most of the core this season which bodes well for a team looking to stay at the top. They still have concerns however with RB Clifford Russell coming off of a severe injury. The Tigers will hope that he can return to his original production and they can be the best of this tough West Division

Captains:
C - QB Riley Kiernan*
A - RB Clifford Russell
A - DB Jackson Miles*

3 - Montreal Rouge
1963 Record: 6-6 (3rd East)
1963 Result: Last East Division Semi-Final
The Rouge had a disappointing season last year, but they still have a very strong team heading into this season. GM Virgil Gross was able to be more resistant to radically changing the team this offseason, which may work out best for the team. Keeping a similar team year-to-year has worked for London quite well, so it is a valid strategy that could allow the Rouge to get right back into the fight this season. That is another reason that Perry Powell becoming the new head coach may work out, since he was the offensive coordinator last season. 

Captains:
C - DB Quentin Xavier
A - LB Sam Fitzroy
A - RB Scott Mallard-White

4 - Long Island Raiders
1963 Record: 5-7 (3rd West)
1964 Result: Missed Playoffs
With the addition of DB Alexander Bradley along with the major steps forward the Raiders made last season, the team could find themselves back near the top of the NAAF. The biggest question will be if their starting QB Stanley Troyer can play well enough to get the team into a competitive spot to win.

Captains:
C - DL Vernon Spears
A - RB Dareion Fields
A - OL Elliot Winterbottom

5 - Buffalo Blue Wings
1963 Record: 4-7-1 (4th West)
1963 Result: Missed Playoffs
It’s time for this team to make a jump back into a competitive spot. QB Charles Lemieux and RB Jimmy Golden have looked strong in camp along with many of the other youngsters on the team. They will be counting on those two to finally take the next step forward to help get the team back into a competitive spot. They likely do have some humps to get over with a whole new slate of captains to go along with a brand new coaching staff which may have to work out some kinks early on.

Captains: 
C - QB Charles Lemieux*
A - DL Lonnie Vincent*
A - OL Georgio Stephan*

6 - Louisville Thunder
1963 Record: 7-5 (2nd East)
1963 Result: Lost West Division Semi-Final
The Thunder had a historically great defence last season, but their offence was dire. QB Leonidas Dumont had a tough injury-riddled season where he didn’t throw a single touchdown. GM Calvin Carpenter did bring in both WR Sammy Moss and WR Darryl Duke to help out, but Dumont himself is going to have to step up if the team wants to return to the top. They will not have the same support from the defence this season after losing DB Alexander Bradley and DL Tyrone Affalo. 

Captains: 
C - QB Leonidas Dumont
A - LB Scotty Williams
A - S Johnny Berger*

7 - Providence Gold Stars
1963 Record: 8-3-1
1963 Result: Lost McCallister Cup
The Gold Stars are going to be on the back foot to start the season with several key pieces from last season’s McCallister Cup appearance. Losing RB Marcus Devonshire, S Shawn Jensen, WR Sammy Moss, and LB Rusty McVee is going to hinder the team quite a bit. They will have to rely on some younger talent to step up this season if they want to still remain in the battle in what looks to be a very tough East Division. 

Captains:
C - QB Connor O’Rourke
A - DL Calias McDonough
A - DB Neville Falkner*

8 - Ottawa Royals
1963 Record: 4-5-3
1963 Result: Lost West Division Final
The Royals started to officially take steps into rebuilding the team, so the expectations are not going to be too high. However, with QB Jean Matieau returning for what is likely his final season means that you cannot fully count out the Royals. Especially with the additions of WR Marshall Leonard in the offence and plenty of help on defence. Ottawa is a complete dark horse with no expectations which could be dangerous.

Captains:
C - QB Jean Matieau
A - DL Olaf Viktorsson
A - DB Mingan Oliver

9 - Indiana Victors
1963 Record: 4-8 (5th West)
1963 Result: Missed Playoffs
Indiana needs to make something happen this season. They have spent so much time being a team that just can’t get it together. They are hoping that HC Dannell Willis can bring stability and QB Lyle Painter can step up in his second season with the team. The main worry with Indy is that they didn’t make very many major moves that make them feel different than last year. Staying put and letting guys develop, but when it's after continuous struggles it isn’t very inspiring, however, maybe some consistency is what Indy needs to finally get into the playoffs this season. 

Captains:
C - DL William Sanderson
A - DB Kelly Kirkland
A - TE Emmanuel Hines

10 - Halifax Mariners
1963 Record: 3-9 (5th East)
1963 Result: Missed Playoffs
The Mariners certainly have made large steps from their Athletics days, but they still need a little more to get into the conversation. They will have the most important question to answer this season with their QB. Buck Murphy is likely going to get the call to start the season, but HC Urick Wilkins will not hesitate to give Micheal Benedict a chance to prove himself. The goal for the team will be to know their guy heading into next season. 

Captains:
C - OL Ward Briscoe
A - DB Joe Robinson
A - RB Stavros Black

11 - Toronto Steelheads
1963 Record: None
1963 Result: Merged
Toronto will be the toughest team to read since they are mostly made up of former OFU players. It will be a question of how well or quickly they can adapt to the new rule set. It ultimately leaves them in a place where you almost can’t rank them until they play a game. They could either be a strong team that could make the playoffs or they could completely struggle and fall to the bottom. Either way Toronto will be a very interesting team to watch this season. 

Captains: 
C - QB Todd Baker
A - LB Daniel Carpenter
A - S Daniel Perry

Wally’s 1964 Predictions

WEST
Buffalo 8-4 -y
London 7-5 -x
Louisville 6-6 -x
Indiana 5-7
Toronto 4-8

EAST
Boston 9-3 -y
Montreal 8-4 -x
Long Island 7-5 -x
Providence 5-7
Ottawa 4-8
Halifax 3-9

DSF
LDN over LOU
MTL over LI

DF
BUF over LDN
MTL over BOS

46th MC
MTL over BUF

1964 Week 2

Buffalo Blue Wings - 36, Toronto Steelheads - 28 - Milton Charles Stadium - June 19, 1964 - 7 PM ET - FNF - Weather: Partly Cloudy- TV: Jerry Goldbridge and Jackie Calhoon
1st Q
7-0 BUF - RTD RB Jimmy Golden
10-0 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
2nd Q
13-0 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
13-7 TOR - RTD RB Alex Warren
13-14 TOR - PTD QB Todd Baker -> WR Edmund Landry
19-14 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Daniel Irons
3rd Q
22-14 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
22-20 TOR - PTD QB Todd Baker -> WR Sam Nash
4th Q
29-20 BUF - RTD RB Jimmy Golden
36-20 BUF - RTD RB Jimmy Golden
36-26 TOR - PTD QB Todd Baker -> TE Owen Downs
36-28 TOR - 2PT QB Todd Baker -> WR Edmund Landry

Toronto improved a lot in their second game in the NAAF, however, they were no match for another strong performance on the ground from RB Jimmy Golden. 
QB Todd Baker was solid with 3 passing touchdowns but still threw an interception to S Wesley Jones (which was his first career pick). 
Buffalo looked solid throughout, cutting down on the offensive mistakes with only a single turnover in the form of LB Daniel Carpenter knocking the ball out of WR Julius Drake’s arms.

Boston Independents - 25, Louisville Thunder - 31 - Richardson Stadium - June 20, 1964 - 3 PM ET - Weather: Partly Cloudy- TV: Benjamin O’Donnell and William Arland
1st Q
3-0 BOS - FG K Johnnie Berg
3-7 LOU - PTD QB Leonidas Dumont -> WR Sammy Moss
10-7 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Chester Bennett
2nd Q
10-10 LOU - FG K Frank Hughes
11-10 BOS - Single K Johnnie Berg
3rd Q
11-17 LOU - RTD RB Rodney Clark
18-17 BOS - RTD RB Kendall Morgan
18-20 LOU - FG K Frank Hughes
4th Q
25-20 BOS - RTD RB Kendall Morgan
25-26 LOU - PTD QB Leonidas Dumont -> WR Darryl Duke
25-28 LOU - 2PT RB Rodney Clark
25-31 LOU - FG K Frank Hughes

Leonidas Dumont finally found the endzone after seeming to connect with both of his new receivers in WR Darryl Duke and WR Sammy Moss. 
Boston was still strong against the tough Thunder defence, but Braddock was not able to make a late 4th quarter comeback after S Johnny Berger came away with an important interception late.
LB Calvin Hardy also grabbed a fumble for the Thunder while LB Konrad Aust had a fumble for Boston; DB Mordecai King also had a pickoff of Dumont as well for Boston.

Long Island Raiders - 10, Montreal Rouge - 20 - Long Island Stadium - June 20, 1964 - 7 PM ET - SNF - Weather: Rain - TV: EN Frank Dijon and Kevin Holcombs, FR Cyril Etienne and Quinton Jacques
1st Q
3-0 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
2nd Q
3-3 MTL - FG K Arthur Kettinger
3-10 MTL - PTD QB Gene Bishop -> WR Derek Cross
3rd Q
3-13 MTL - FG K Arthur Kettinger
10-13 LI - RTD RB Dareion Fields
4th Q
10-20 MTL - RTD RB Scott Mallard-White

The Rouge came out with a strong win after getting the first week off. 
Their defence had a strong day with 3 turnovers in the rain; DL Lucas Kipling, LB Sam Fitzroy, and LB Elijah Goldwater all had fumbles.
The offence was not electrifying, but they seemed in control of the game with only one turnover themselves on a fumble from LB Deon Wiggins.

Ottawa Royals - 26, Halifax Mariners - 13 - Royals Stadium at Brewer Park - June 21, 1964 - 1 PM ET - Weather: Clear - TV: George Leblanc and Maurice St. Louise
1st Q
7-0 OTT - RTD RB Corbyn Knight
7-7 HFX - RTD RB Stavros Black
2nd Q
10-7 OTT - FG K Ira Foster
3rd Q
13-7 OTT - FG K Ira Foster
13-10 HFX - FG K Elvis Franklin
16-10 OTT - FG K Ira Foster
4th Q
16-13 HFX - FG K Elvis Franklin
23-13 OTT - PTD QB Jean Matieau -> WR Mackenize Jones
26-13 OTT - FG K Ira Foster

It was a bit of a slow burner between the Royals and the Mariners, both sides were moving the ball, but they were unable to finish outside of the opening quarter.
The Royals had a small advantage throughout being able to get a slight upper hand offensively via their QB Jean Matieau.
QB Buck Murphy started okay, but was certainly struggling at times; he ended up throwing a pair of interceptions to DB Mingan Oliver and DB Wesley Nires. 
S Jay Shepherd of the Mariners was able to get an interception back as well as DL Wayne Baxton grabbing a fumble as well.
Unfortunately for the Royals, they would lose their rookie DB Jerome Caldwell for what could be half of the season.

London Tigers - 29, Indiana Victors - 20 - Western Fair Stadium - June 21, 1964 - 5 PM ET - Weather: Clear - TV: Harold Mansfield and Jim Earnest
1st Q
3-0 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
6-0 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
2nd Q
6-7 IND - RTD RB Cody Barnes
9-7 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
9-14 IND - PTD QB Lyle Painter -> WR Ed Edwards
3rd Q
15-14 LDN - PTD QB Riley Kiernan -> WR Jack Duncan
22-14 LDN - RTD RB Clifford Russell
4th Q
22-20 IND - PTD QB Lyle Painter -> WR Alexei Dubois
29-20 LDN - PTD QB Riley Kiernan -> WR Max Sutton

The Victors had a strong 2nd quarter that gave them the lead going into the half, however, the Tigers would turn it up in the second half, scoring 3 touchdowns to grab their second win of the season. 
The Victors were able to stay in it, but DB Jackson Miles would put an end to their comeback with a strong interception on a pass intended for WR Ed Edwards.
DL William Sanderson returned to action with a forced fumble and a sack, while LB Terrence Patton also had a fumble. 

Injury Report
OL Daren Olsen BOS - Day-to-Day
DB Jerome Caldwell OTT - 7 Weeks

Players of the Week

OFF: RB Jimmy Golden BUF - 3 Rushing Touchdowns, 110 Rushing Yards

DEF: S Johnny Berger LOU - 1 Interception, 5 Tackles, 2 Passes Defended

Standings
WEST
Buffalo 2-0
London 2-0
Louisville 1-1
Indiana 0-2
Toronto 0-2

EAST
Ottawa 2-0
Providence 1-0
Montreal 1-0
Boston 1-1
Long Island 0-2
Halifax 0-2

Power Rankings
1 - Montreal +2
2 - London -
3 - Boston -1
4 - Buffalo +1
5 - Long Island -1
6 - Louisville +1
7 - Providence -1
8 - Ottawa -
9 - Indiana -
10 - Halifax -
11 - Toronto - 

Week 3 Games
BOS (1-1) @ MTL (1-0) - JUN 25 - 7 PM ET - Thursday Night Football
OTT (2-0) @ LI (0-2) - JUN 26 - 7 PM ET - Friday Night Football
TOR (0-2) @ IND (0-2) - JUN 27 - 3 PM ET
BUF (2-0) @ LOU (1-1) - JUN 27 - 7 PM ET - Saturday Night Football
HFX (0-2) @ PRO (1-0) - JUN 28 - 2 PM ET
BYE: LDN (2-0)

Last edited by Wallflower (7/14/2021 5:47 pm)

Stickman wrote:

Nice!  Jimmy Golden's having himself a GREAT start to the season!  6 TDs in 2 weeks is most impressive, awfully curious to know what the record is for most TDs in a season!

It's a great start for Golden, the straight record is 23 rushing touchdowns (I assume you mean rushing touchdowns) in a season that was set by RB Laurent Brazeau of the Tigers in 1952 (during a 10-game season). Behind him is RB Élisée Marchal who had both a 22, 21, and 20 touchdown season. (the 22 was over 10 games as well). Overall, technically Marchal's 21 touchdown season when scaled to a 12 game season, since he did that in an 8-game season, would have been on pace for about 31 touchdowns, just to show his dominance at the start of the project. 

1964 Week 4

Ottawa Royals - 8, Montreal Rouge - 33 - Royals Stadium at Brewer Park - July 1, 1964 - 5 PM ET - Canada Day - Weather: Partly Cloudy- TV: EN George Leblanc and Maurice St.Louise; FR Cyril Etienne and Quinton Jacques
1st Q
0-3 MTL - FG K Arthur Kettinger
0-6 MTL - FG K Arthur Kettinger
0-13 MTL - RTD RB Scott Mallard-White

2nd Q
0-16 MTL - FG K Arthur Kettinger
6-16 OTT - PTD QB Jean Matieau -> WR Marshall Leonard
8-16 OTT - 2PT QB Jean Matieau -> WR Marshall Leonard
3rd Q
8-23 MTL - PTD QB Gene Bishop -> WR Derek Cross
4th Q
8-26 MTL - FG K Arthur Kettinger
8-33 MTL - RTD RB Hugo Hughes

It was a bit of a Canada Day beating for the Rouge over the Royals. 
Montreal’s offence was able to rebound after a tough week against the Independents.
Their defence would have a strong performance keeping the Royals to only 7 points in the game. 
DB Jayson Klyde and S Garet deVale each had an interception in the game for the Rouge, while LB Elijah Goldwater and LB Sam Fitzroy each had a forced fumble.
Ottawa had only one turnover from DL Olaf Viktorsson who was able to get a hand on Bishop to prevent a score in the 3rd quarter.

Louisville Thunder - 18, London Tigers -24 - Thunder Stadium - July 3, 1964 - 7 PM ET - FNF - Weather: Light Rain - TV: Clint Georgetown and Jamar Swinton
1st Q
7-0 LOU - RTD RB Rodney Clark
7-3 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
2nd Q
7-10 LDN - RTD RB Clifford Russell
10-10 LOU - FG K Frank Hughes
3rd Q
17-10 LOU - PTD QB Stanislav Ovechkin -> WR Darryl Duke
17-17 LDN - RTD RB Clifford Russell
4th Q
18-17 LOU - Single K Frank Hughes
18-24 LDN - QB Rigobert St-Hilaire -> WR Max Sutton

A bizarre situation would take place in Louisville as both starting QB’s would leave the game early. 
In the end, QB Stanislav Ovechkin and QB Rigobert St-Hilaire would duel to decide who gets the tiebreak advantage between these teams. 
Louisville made a case, even taking a late lead by 1 off of a missed field goal, however, WR Max Sutton would manage to make a huge play. 
The veteran WR would turn a 12-yard throw into a 38-yard touchdown with a great move he put on DB Jayden Mills.
Each defence had success as well with DB Jackson Miles and LB Dallas Dillard grabbing turnovers for the Tigers, while DB Oliver Langstrom and DB Elvin Waters each had a pick for the Thunder and LB Scotty Williams had a fumble. 

Boston Independents - 27, Providence Gold Stars - 10 - Richardson Stadium - July 4, 1964 - 5 PM ET - 4th of July - Weather: Clear- TV: Benjamin O’Donnell and William Arland
1st Q
3-0 BOS - FG K Johnnie Berg
10-0 BOS - RTD RB Kendall Morgan
2nd Q
13-0 BOS - FG K Johnnie Berg
20-0 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Chester Bennett
3rd Q
20-7 PRO - PTD QB Connor O’Rourke -> WR Cedric Peterson
4th Q
27-7 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Ellis Lindholm
27-10 PRO - FG K Maurice Lafayette

It was quite the wake-up call for the Gold Stars who were suddenly down 20-0 at halftime against their rival Independents. 
It was their first game against a team not named the Mariners, and it showed that they may not be all they cracked up to be.
Boston had a great performance with a pair of touchdowns from Braddock against a strong Providence secondary, and their defence was able to shut down the usually prolific Gold Star offence.
DB Lawrence Ralph had a pick while both LB Brent Harper and DL Timmy Kerr had forced fumbles.

Toronto Steelheads - 27, Buffalo Blue Wings - 23 - Anderson Stadium - July 5, 1964 - 3 PM ET - Weather: Rain - TV: Bob Litchfield and Eric O’Brian
1st Q
3-0 TOR - FG K Bob Randall
10-0 TOR - RTD RB Max Tracy
10-3 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
2nd Q
13-3 TOR - FG K Bob Randall
13-6 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
13-13 BUF - RTD RB Jimmy Golden
3rd Q
13-16 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
20-16 TOR - RTD RB Max Tracy
4th Q
20-23 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Zachariah Pembroke
27-23 TOR - DTD FUM LB Rusty McVee

It was a shocking end in Toronto as a botched handoff ended with Toronto taking back a fumble to the house. 
DL Chester Avery was able to prevent the Blue Wings from recovering on the play and would knock the ball loose for Rusty McVee to pick up and take to the house. 
Buffalo was shocked by the loss as these two teams already seem to have created a good rivalry after a strong battle.
Toronto is also proving their worth with another win and this time against a team that people are looking at as a championship contender. 
RB Max Tracy also found his footing with a strong breakout 2-touchdown performance. 

Long Island Raiders - 28, Indiana Victors - 19 - Long Island Stadium - July 5, 1964 - 7 PM ET - SunNF - Weather: Cloudy - TV: Frank Dijon and Jim Earnest
1st Q
0-7 IND - RTD RB Cody Barnes
0-10 IND - FG K Ross Poindexter
7-10 LI - RTD RB Dareion Fields
2nd Q
14-10 LI - RTD RB Dareion Fields
14-13 IND - FG K Ross Poindexter
3rd Q
14-16 IND - FG K Ross Poindexter
21-16 LI - DTD INT DB Lauri Hayha
4th Q
21-19 IND - FG K Ross Poindexter
28-19 LI - RTD RB Dareion Fields

It was a big day on the ground for RB Dareion Fields who potted 3 touchdowns and 144 rushing yards.
The Raiders defence would also come in handy with a DB Lauri Hayha pick-6 which gave them the ultimate edge over the now 0-4 Victors.
It seems like Indiana just can’t find a way to win; QB Lyle Painter is facing a lot of flack despite being able to move the ball alright and keep the team in the game, but it may be time to see what QB Mike Key can do. 
The Victors will be looking over all 3 QBs over their first bye week to see where they might want to go from here. 

Injury Report
TE Tobias Lindholm BOS - 5 Weeks
QB Riley Kiernan LDN - Day-to-Day
QB Leonidas Dumont LOU - Day-to-Day
DL Lucas Kipling MTL - Day-to-Day
DL Russell Ross OTT - 1 Week
WR Edmund Landry TOR - Day-to-Day

Players of the Week

OFF: RB Dareion Fields LI - 3 Rushing Touchdowns, 144 Rushing Yards

DEF: LB Brent Harper BOS - 10 Tackles, 1 Forced Fumble, 1 Pass Defended

Standings
WEST
London 3-0
Louisville 2-2
Buffalo 2-2
Toronto 2-2
Indiana 0-4

EAST
Boston 3-1
Montreal 2-1
Providence 2-1
Long Island 2-2
Ottawa 2-2
Halifax 0-3

Power Rankings
1 - Boston -
2 - Montreal -
3 - London -
4 - Long Island -
5 - Louisville -
6 - Buffalo -
7 - Toronto +2
8 - Providence -1
9 - Ottawa -1
10 - Halifax -
11 - Indiana -

Week 5 Games
BOS (3-1) @ OTT (2-2) - JUL 10 - 7 PM ET - Friday Night Football
LOU (2-2) @ BUF (2-2) - JUL 11 - 3 PM ET
TOR (2-2) @ LDN (3-0) - JUL 11 - 7 PM ET - Saturday Night Football
MTL (2-1) @ PRO (2-1) - JUL 12 - 1 PM ET
LI (2-2) @ HFX (0-3) - JUL 12 - 5 PM ET
BYE: IND (0-4)

Whoa, I had no idea Toronto would be at the .500 mark at this point in the season! Also, with Indiana continuing to be Indiana, what are the chances they go through some sort of mid season coaching change? Not that I am blaming Jimmy Sargent for their struggles at all, but it almost feels as if he's a retread at this point (Like in the NFL, Hank Stram when he coached the Saints, Tom Flores when he coached the Seahawks, George Seifert when he coached the Panthers, etc). 

Anyway, here's hoping Ottawa can get back on track soon after dropping two straight, although Boston is probably going to be tough test.