Hit the Post with Rick Moffat, CJAD 800's Voice of the Als & Habs

Can you go from Captain to Persona non grata for your entire league in less than a year? In the CFL, a week can be an eternity, so I'm not surprised to see likeable Timothy Strickland brought out of forced retirement by the Argos. But Argo heads are reeling over The Don's latest moves to reopen the Toronto QB controversy.

My sources say some Als are still shaking their heads over the release of Kai Ellis. GM Jim Popp told CJAD recently the veteran d-end/linebacker and special teams warrior refused to take a pay cut to help keep the Als under the CFL Salary Cap, but other sources close to this team say it was still a shocker to some loyal soldiers on the team, and they were thrilled to a man to see Ellis score his first CFL TD for Winnipeg to spoil Don Mathews' return to the sidelines in Toronto.

Do you realize the Canadiens AND Alouettes have a #13 in action during the same year for the first time in Montreal Sports History? Now if you're into numerology, the last time the Als in November followed by Canadiens in the spring held Victory Parades??? 1977. Also a year Montreal hosted Grey Cup. Tony Proudfoot's still got the Staple Gun to prove it.

Two weeks ago at the Habs charity golf tournament everyone laughed when Alex Tanguay asked to be introduced as #13. Robert Lang may have turned out to be Mats Sundin's body-double in the Gainey Master Plan, but Tanguay has proved to have a sense of humour and no fear of the Forum Ghosts, who've not haunted a #13 since the 1920's.

I've still got some disturbing images from the Als' loss in Calgary I need to exorcise:

*Like the failure of Jermaine McElveen to sack Henry Burris before the elusive QB threw up his Hail Mary TD to Teyo Johnson with no time left in the 1st half. McElveen has been patient, waiting a full year for his first start, but it could be his last. The Als have Rodney Hardeway, former property of the Rams, re-signed by the team following his refusal to go on the practise roster after Training Camp.

*Like Ben Cahoon withstanding a dangerous spearing attempt in the Calgary endzone for a touchdown catch. Ben is Unbreakable.

Unassuming o-line coach Vince Martino has quietly helped solidify the protection for Anthony Calvillo. One of Martino's claims to fame? Coaching Denzell Washington's son in the NFL Europe last season. J.D. Washington once played for his Hollywood Dad and says that "Remember the Titans" role was no stretch...his Dad was pretty intense even with a bunch of Pop Warner league 11-year olds.

Finally, I'm glad that 33 will hang from the rafters. A whole generation of fans knows only Cups won with Patrick. Unfortunately this generation is also the only one that rioted after Cup wins, but you take the good with the bad, sometimes.