Down the stretch I go! Last Week!
While on the NFL scouting beat I was able to squeeze in a visit to Ypsilanti, MI where Eastern Michigan University is found. There are a couple of 2015 CFL Draft Eligible players that I wanted to have a look at. It was my first time at the school. Our high draft pick from 2013 Corey Watman went to school here. It rained most of the practice but I saw what I needed to see.
My next assignment was the Chiefs and Packers in Green Bay. On the way I made a stop in South Bend, Indiana. I visited the University Of Notre Dame. I love visiting this campus where there is so much football tradition. A few years back when Charlie Weiss was the Head Coach I had the opportunity to watch a practice in the famous Notre Dame Stadium with a capacity of 80,795. I am not one to cheer for the Fighting Irish but I still got a chill going into the home of the Irish.
Outside Notre Dame Stadium Beside Knute Rockne’s statue Touchdown Jesus
Next I headed to the ‘Frozen tundra’ where history has been written in a tiny town called Green Bay. Well, at this time of year it is pretty warm. The fourth NFL pre-season game is the best for CFL scouts. Most of the starters rest and the guys we are interested in get plenty of play time. This game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers didn’t even play.
Me at Lambeau Field Game action. Chiefs @ Packers
Me and Vince Lombardi in front of Lambeau Field
Planes, Trains, & Automobiles
Like the movie starring John Candy and Steve Martin, my NFL excursion utilized these 3 forms of transportation. I fly to a destination jump in the car and drive. I drove approximately 4500 miles. I took four flights and the two trains I took were to get to games, one to see the Redskins & one to see the Bears. Tools of my trade that are so important to me are Sirius Satellite Radio and a GPS. Don’t know what I’d do without them. It is amazing the technology advancements that help me do my job since I began back in 2001.
Washington DC Metro Chicago Transit Authority train
CTA Red Line
And my final flight took me home and to Mosaic where I love hearing “BRING ‘EM OUT! BRING ‘EM OUT, BRING ‘EM OUT!!!”
Love getting home to that SEA OF GREEN.
Home for two days then back on the road. Fly to Halifax to scout the Atlantic Conference.
GO RIDERS!!!
Smitty
