Eskimos Not Holding Stegall’s Boast Against Him
07/11/2008 04:02
Milt Stegall offered to strike a deal with Winnipeg fans on Tuesday, promising a win in exchange for a sold out stadium in Saturday's East Semi-final against the Edmonton Eskimos (Noon et/9am pt on TSN and TSN HD), but the message travelled far beyond the team's marketing region. Word of the proposal reached Edmonton today, where the Eskimos were gearing up for Stegall and the Bombers.
What did the Eskimos think of Stegall's bold guarantee?
"I think he's got a cut of the gate," joked Edmonton coach Danny Maciocia. "It's the first time I've heard a guaranteed win with a sell out crowd - so he's got a cut of the gate."
The players said they understood Stegall's motives and were not about to hold it against him on game day.
"It's a little risky making a guarantee like that," said Edmonton defensive back Jordan Younger. "But I understand he's trying to get people in the seats so they can sell out the playoff game.
"It's not going to make us play any harder, but it might give us a little something to talk about when we're out on the field face-to-face," Younger added. "I'll think of something (to say), but I'll save that for Milt."
Edmonton linebacker Agustin Barrenechea said it was not something the team would be sticking on the bulletin board.
"If that was a marketing ploy on his part, that was a good move," Barrenechea said. "But in terms of anything else, it having any validity in our locker room, it has none."
Maciocia did say he was worried that Stegall's ploy might catch on with other players.
"That just makes it tough on guys like myself and our organization because now players are going to come back and try to negotiate contracts where they can get a cut of the gate," Maciocia said, trying to hide a smile. "It's a pretty smart move from his end."
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
I guess we’ll see on Saturday, eh Milt?
