DrJohnEvans's profile

DrJohnEvans
1042
Location: Trawna
Member since: March 11, 2004
Last visit: June 09, 2022

DrJohnEvans has posted 374 links and 2,056 comments to SportsFilter and 138 links and 1,250 comments to the Locker Room.

Sports Bio

of DrJohnEvans: scholar, gentleman, SpoFite

In a nutshell
The teams
The platform
The commendations
Great moments in sports journalism


Hot Chat update: Thinking about integrating directly with Twitter. In the meantime, I'm on there, if that's your sort of thing.


In a nutshell

Go Jays. Go Sens. Go Furious George GOAT. Go rouge.

(Lose Leafs Lose.)

In our hearts forever: Andy Peters vs. Rob Ray. Okay, so it turns out that you can't watch that video anymore. Damn. In its place, I present to you Aaron Downey vs Brad Norton—the fight that changed the NHL forever.

Sara Orlesky is cute, but Patricia Boal is always in the right place at the right time.


The teams


Coming real soon.


The platform


There are certain inalienable truths in sports, at least according to me.

  1. "Intangibles" do not exist in any meaningful form. If a player brings something "intangible" to his team, that should be reflected in either his individual stats or the team's stats. If not, then his "intangibles" have no value and are not worth discussing.

  2. The NHL's regular season standings will remain inherently unfair until all games are worth the same number of points.

  3. The pitch-out is the best play ever conceived in any sport.

  4. You are not a unique snowflake: everybody here is a fan of a team. Referring to said team in the first-person possessive does nothing to strengthen your argument or make you stand out. Indeed, a comment beginning with "My Brewers" taints the comment's value by informing me that you're arguing through the blue-and-gold-tinted glasses of a Brewers fan, and not objectively as a sports fan. Be proud, but be reasonable.

  5. Winning breeds relaxation, losing breeds frustration. It is infinitely easier to get along with your teammates when you're winning lots of games. Let's stop gazing at .600 teams and talking about how they're all bosom buddies. (Feel free to do the same with .400 teams, though.)


The commendations

"... an integral part of the Sportsfilter.com experience." — NoMich

"DrJohnEvans … should be reading medicine articles if [he is] really a doctor and stop complaining so much." — LROD

"DrJohnEvans [is] only the median if you give extra weight in the direction of users who have posted more than one comment." — mexican

"... DrJohnEvans is now my new friend." — Kleptophoria!

"Where's DrJohnEvans with a cool scoring table when you need him?" — The_Black_Hand


Great moments in sports journalism

Like most discriminating SpoFites, I'm really picky about the commentators and analysts that I have to watch and listen to. Fortunately, there are a few shining stars which pop up on my television. Included with your basic Rogers Cable package up here is a scrappy small-market sports channel, The Score. Their programming's centred around their near-constant highlight/update reels. They're my favourite in terms of sports news and entertainment: they just have fun with the stuff.

Tell it like it is

Sunday afternoons feature The Score on the NFL, which keeps track of the millions of games going on at once. December 19, they were doing their usual mid-afternoon round-up. The game was Minnesota at Detroit:

[highlight reel running]

"Minnesota gets one late in the fourth quarter to go up by seven, but it doesn't matter, because Detroit marches right back to score the major with eight seconds left in the game."

[boxscore screen comes up]

"It's still 28-27 as we're just waiting for the extra point, I'm just watching it now... and THEY MUFFED THE SNAP! They muffed the snap! Amazing. Amazing. Eight seconds left, the touchdown, and they muffed the snap. Okay, hang on, we gotta get you this picture. Amazing. Amazing."

[highlight comes up]

"Okay, here is it. This JUST HAPPENED, folks. Detroit scores to nearly tie it up, and they muff the snap. Amazing. Amazing. Man. Lions suck."

I love good sports journalism.

How to call a Tampa Bay home run

From MLB highlights on The Score Tonight, Summer 2006:
TIM: Fifth inning, Johnny Gomes at the dish. Now he's a model, if you know what I mean, 'cause he does his little thing on the catwalk.

SID: On the catwalk?

TIM: On the catwalk, yeah.

SID: He does his little thing on the catwalk?

TIM: That's correct.






Recent Links

The 17th Annual chicobangs Memorial CFL Pick ‘Em: … will not happen. After a wonderful sixteen years, I’m hanging 'em up. Gushing farewell inside.

posted by DrJohnEvans to fantasy at 02:07 PM on June 08, 2022 - 7 comments

CFL Playoffs Pick 'Em, Final Standings: Winnipeg wins back-to-back Grey Cups and sends the Hamilton fans home with tears in their eyes. Belated final standings inside.

posted by DrJohnEvans to fantasy at 04:17 PM on December 27, 2021 - 5 comments

CFL Playoffs Pick 'Em, Grey Cup Edition: The Bombers and Ti-Cats move on and we have a rematch of the 2019 Grey Cup. We know who's starting, but who's finishing? Grab your scorecard and make your picks inside.

posted by DrJohnEvans to fantasy at 12:25 PM on December 09, 2021 - 16 comments

CFL Playoffs Pick 'Em, Division Finals Edition: The Roughriders win in dramatic fashion, the Tiger-Cats less so, and our division final matchups are set. Grab your opera glasses and make your picks inside.

posted by DrJohnEvans to fantasy at 09:10 PM on December 02, 2021 - 10 comments

CFL Playoffs Pick 'Em, Semi-Final Edition: Missed your chance in the regular season? Join us on these final steps in our journey to the Grey Cup. No dogs or crossovers this year: we've got two solid games between four well-matched teams. Bundle up and make your picks inside.

posted by DrJohnEvans to fantasy at 10:37 PM on November 25, 2021 - 9 comments

Recent Comments

The 17th Annual chicobangs Memorial CFL Pick ‘Em

Thanks everyone! And rcade, I'm thrilled that you're carrying on. (Sorry I didn't give you more notice!)

posted by DrJohnEvans at 12:31 PM on June 09, 2022

The 17th Annual chicobangs Memorial CFL Pick ‘Em

When all this started, it was the halcyon summer of 2005. I had a summer office job with too much time on my hands, the NHL lockout meant that we'd had nothing to pick in months, and the young Canadian Football League season was too tempting to pass up.

Seventeen years, six computers, many jobs, four houses, one degree, one cat, and two kids later, things around here are a lot different, but the Pick 'Em has always been a wonderful constant of community, punditry, margins of error, no-stakes gambling, and unlikely comebacks. I've appreciated every moment, but my aching fingers say it's time to bring this chapter to a close.

I would like to thank everybody who has ever played along and helped to while away those long Canadian summers. Special thanks to Reever for making it possible for me to go on vacation, and of course to rcade for keeping this whole thing going.

The 2022 CFL season kicks off tomorrow, and who knows? Maybe I'll run into you at the 55 yard line one of these days. Thanks to all of you, and good luck!

posted by DrJohnEvans at 02:07 PM on June 08, 2022

CFL Playoffs Pick 'Em, Final Standings

(Sorry this is so late! Having the Grey Cup in December leads to all sorts of scheduling difficulties.)

It's December in the Hammer, which means it's all about the wind. Winnipeg opens with the wind at their backs and carves out an early lead, but when the teams switch sides, it's Hamilton's turn to catch up. Two third-quarter interceptions give Hamilton a 22-10 lead early in the 4th, but with the wind at their backs, the Blue Bombers take to the skies on the arm of Zach Collaros. Field goal, TD, a 44-yard field goal for a 2-point lead, and then a rouge on the ensuing kickoff to make it an even 3 with under two minutes to play. Hamilton takes the ball for the upwind 2-minute drill, and makes it all the way to the Winnipeg 6-yard-line, but can't convert the major, settling instead for a game-tying field goal to send the game to overtime.

In OT, it's the Bombers with first touch, and they quickly score a touchdown and follow with the 2-point conversion. Hamilton takes the ball, but on their third play, Masoli's pass is tipped twice into the arms of Winnipeg's Kyrie Wilson, and the back-to-back celebration is on for the Bombers.

HAM @ WPGMVP BonusO/U BonusTiebreaker
ResultWinnipeg by 8CollarosOver449
Margin of Error6 to 10

Less drama in our standings as jagsnumberone scores four points to cruise to an easy victory. Congratulations jags!

Congratulations as well to rcade who narrowly beats the pack for the Costanza. Well done!

Shout out to ic23b who was only 1 yard off on the tiebreaker!

SpoFiteWPG @ HAMSMVPO/UTiebreaker DiffPointsTotal Points
jagsnumberoneWinnipeg6CollarosOver37413
ic23bWinnipeg CollarosOver138
tommybiden Over5018
cixelsydWinnipeg10 Over9338
argoalWinnipeg CollarosOver5436
Reever Over9716
DrJohnEvans 06
rcade 3205
The_Black_HandWinnipeg 8711

Thanks to everyone for playing. See y'all in June!

posted by DrJohnEvans at 04:17 PM on December 27, 2021

CFL Playoffs Pick 'Em, Grey Cup Edition

Sorry rcade, my miss. Here's the corrected standings:

SpoFiteHAM @ TORSSSK @ WPGSOWC BonusDWC BonusPointsTotal Points
jagsnumberoneHamilton6Winnipeg Winnipeg49
tommybidenHamilton8 37
DrJohnEvans 06
cixelsyd Winnipeg Winnipeg25
Reever Winnipeg Winnipeg25
ic23bHamilton Winnipeg Winnipeg35
rcadeHamilton7Winnipeg 35
argoal Winnipeg Winnipeg23

posted by DrJohnEvans at 11:08 AM on December 10, 2021

CFL Playoffs Pick 'Em, Grey Cup Edition

The Argos chip away to build up a first-half lead, but it all falls apart in the second as the Ti-Cats make a QB switch and complete the comeback. Out west, the Riders make it interesting by forcing six turnovers, but in the end the Bombers shake off the rust and move on to their second straight Grey Cup.

HAM @ TORSSK @ WPGOWC BonusDWC Bonus
ResultHamilton by 8Winnipeg by 4MBTWPG/TOR
Margin of Error6 to 103 to 5

jags nets a tidy four points to move into first place, and tommy nails the Hamilton spread to jump into second.

SpoFiteHAM @ TORSSSK @ WPGSOWC BonusDWC BonusPointsTotal Points
jagsnumberoneHamilton6Winnipeg Winnipeg49
tommybidenHamilton8 37
DrJohnEvans 06
cixelsyd Winnipeg Winnipeg25
Reever Winnipeg Winnipeg25
ic23bHamilton Winnipeg Winnipeg35
rcadeHamilton7 24
argoal Winnipeg Winnipeg23

Here we go!

THE 108th GREY CUP

Winnipeg Blue Bombers (11-3) @ Hamilton Tiger-Cats (8-6) (Sunday, December 12, 6pm ET)

This year, we've got a rematch of last year's the most recent Grey Cup: Winnipeg toasted Hamilton 33-12 in 2019. Hamilton lucks out with home-field advantage, so they'll be looking for revenge. But it won't be easy: the Ti-Cats find themselves mired in a quarterback controversy, as they ditch the loyal guy who got 'em here in favour of the hot hand (who, incidentally, started and lost the 2019 game). And don't forget, the Blue Bombers have been the best team in the league this year, far and away.

CFL.ca Grey Cup Preview »

MVP Bonus

Pick the MVP of the Grey Cup.

Over/Under

The points-scored O/U for the Grey Cup is currently set at 43.5. Will the total points scored be over or under that total?

Tiebreaker

Pick the total yardage thrown by all quarterbacks in the Grey Cup. This is worth no points and will be used only in case of a tie.

Example pick: Hamilton by 21, Evans, Over, 700.

Good luck!

posted by DrJohnEvans at 12:26 PM on December 09, 2021

CFL Playoffs Pick 'Em, Division Finals Edition

The Ti-Cats put on a clinic as they keep it close early, score big in the middle, and coast to the win. Things are much crazier out west, as the Riders and Stamps go back-and-forth, giving us lead changes, kick returns TDs, too many turnovers to count (including SIX interceptions), and then finally overtime. While Rene Paredes takes our pick 'em's bonus award, it's his three missed field goals that will haunt him, as Brett Lauther hits the winner in OT and sends the Riders to the final.

MTL @ HAMCGY @ SSKKicking BonusLVP Bonus
ResultHamilton by 11Saskatchewan by 3ParedesOver
Margin of Error8 to 142 to 4

Three of us nailed the Rider spread so there's plenty of points to go around.

SpoFiteMTL @ HAMSCGY @ SSKSKickingLVPPointsTotal Points
DrJohnEvansHamilton9Saskatchewan3Paredes 66
jagsnumberoneHamilton Saskatchewan3 Over55
tommybidenHamilton9Saskatchewan Over44
cixelsydHamilton ParedesOver33
Reever Saskatchewan 33
ic23b Saskatchewan Paredes 22
rcadeHamilton Saskatchewan 22
argoalHamilton 11

It's December and we're still playing Canadian football!

DIVISION FINALS

Hamilton Tiger-Cats (8-6) @ Toronto Argonauts (9-5) (Sunday, December 5, 13:30pm ET)

Who saw this coming? We all figured the Argos were due for another season in the post-Ricky-Ray wilderness, while we didn't know if Jeremiah Masoli could stay on the field long enough to give the Ti-Cats a chance. But lo and behold, MBT has emerged as a quality QB for Toronto, while Masoli has been just healthy enough to keep pace. The Argos won the division, while Hamilton finished the season strong, taking four out of their last six games. But those two losses? Both against the Argos.

CFL.ca Eastern Final Preview »

Saskatchewan Roughriders (9-5) @ Winnipeg Blue Bomders (11-3) (Sunday, November 17, 4:30pm ET)

Ladies and gentlemen, your Winnipeg Blue Bombers: best offence, best defence, best record in the league. They also swept the Riders 2-0 in the season series, but! These two teams haven't faced each other since Week 6. Has Saskatchewan found enough of its groove to put in a good showing?

CFL.ca Western Final Preview »

Offence Wins Championships Bonus

Pick the quarterback who will throw for the highest yardage on Sunday.

2021 Passing Stats »

Defence Wins Championships Bonus

Pick the team whose defence will register the most sacks on Sunday.

2021 Defensive Stats »

Example pick: Hamilton by 21, Saskatchewan by 14, Fajardo, Winnipeg.

Good luck!

posted by DrJohnEvans at 09:10 PM on December 02, 2021

CFL Playoffs Pick 'Em, Semi-Final Edition

Hamilton by 9
Saskatchewan by 3
Parades
Under

posted by DrJohnEvans at 10:34 PM on November 27, 2021

CFL Playoffs Pick 'Em, Semi-Final Edition

Montreal Alouettes (7-7) @ Hamilton Tiger-Cats (8-6) (Sunday, November 28, 1:00pm ET)

Both of these teams have had their ups and downs this year, but the narrative is pretty clear: Montreal's strength is their offence, with a league-best receiving corps and two-time Grey Cup winner Trevor Harris throwing to them. Hamilton counters with an elite defense led by veteran linebacker Simoni Lawrence. Maybe that home field advantage will pay off for the Ti-Cats: the forecast calls for snow.

CFL.ca Eastern Semi-Final Preview »

Calgary Stampeders (8-6) @ Saskatchewan Roughriders (9-5) (Sunday, November 28, 4:30pm ET)

Here's the classic matchup. Stamps versus Riders. Veteran Bo Levi Mitchell versus upstart Cody Fajardo. These two teams went back and forth all year and they're not stopping now. The Riders got the edge in the standings which means that we have clear skies and calm winds on Sunday, which means I'm looking for bombs all day.

CFL.ca Western Semi-Final Preview »

Swayze Waters Memorial River Salmon Bonus

Pick the kicker who will score the most points this weekend. That includes place-kick field goals, drop-kick field goals, PATs, singles, fake field goals thrown for touchdowns, and wacky safeties. If the kicker's name is next to it, it counts.

2021 Kicking Stats »

Las Vegas Posse Memorial Bonus

The combined over/under on total points scored for both games is 87.5. Will the actual number of points scored this weekend be OVER or UNDER that total?

Example pick: Montreal by 21, Calgary by 1, Bertolet, Over.

Good luck!

posted by DrJohnEvans at 10:37 PM on November 25, 2021

CFL Pick 'Em, Final Standings

In a game that nobody will ever remember, Edmonton beats Toronto. In a much more exciting game, Ottawa completes the comeback to edge the Alouettes and spoil Montreal's hosting hopes. The road wears down the Elks as they drop the other end of their cross-country trip. Hamilton seizes the home playoff spot with authority, while the Stamps beat the Bombers in their battle of the backups.

EDM @ TOROTT @ MTLEDM @ BCSSK @ HAMWPG @ CGY
ResultEdmonton by 6Ottawa by 1B.C. by 33Hamilton by 21Calgary by 1
Margin of Error4 to 81 to 123 to 4315 to 271 to 1

Despite the five games, two single-point margins make it a tough week for points. It's cixelsyd who ekes out the win and takes home the crown. Congratulations cixelsyd!

At the other end, despite a late charge from yours truly, it's jagsnumberone who grabs the Costanza. Congrats, jags! (The_Black_Hand, while always deserving, did not meet the minimum number of picks submitted to qualify.)

SpoFiteEDM @ TORSOTT @ MTLSEDM @ BCSSSK @ HAMSWPG @ CGYSPointsTotal Points
cixelsydEdmonton B.C. Hamilton 348
argoal B.C. Hamilton 246
tommybiden B.C. Hamilton Calgary 344
ic23b Hamilton Calgary 243
rcadeEdmonton B.C. Hamilton 343
Reever Hamilton Calgary 241
DrJohnEvans B.C. Hamilton19Calgary 440
jagsnumberone B.C. Hamilton Calgary 337
The_Black_Hand Hamilton 12

Thanks to everyone for playing! Stay tuned for the Playoff Pick 'Em!

posted by DrJohnEvans at 01:18 PM on November 23, 2021

CFL Pick 'Em, Week Sixteen

Montreal by 12
B.C. by 5
Hamilton by 19
Calgary by 12

posted by DrJohnEvans at 05:55 PM on November 19, 2021

CFL Pick 'Em, Week Sixteen

Never in doubt! The Argos walk all over the Ti-Cats to clinch first place in the East. Calgary gets it done in B.C. to clinch a playoff spot. Montreal beats the Bombers to stay in the hunt, while the Riders clinch second place with a win over the Elks.

HAM @ TORCGY @ BCWPG @ MTLEDM @ SSK
ResultToronto by 19Calgary by 10Montreal by 14Saskatchewan by 5
Margin of Error13 to 257 to 1310 to 184 to 7

cixelsyd scores a solid five points to edge into first place. And a special welcome back to The_Black_Hand!

SpoFiteCGY @ TORSHAM @ EDMSWPG @ MTLSBC @ OTTSPointsTotal Points
cixelsydToronto Calgary7Montreal Saskatchewan 545
argoal Calgary Saskatchewan 244
ic23b Calgary13 Saskatchewan 341
tommybiden Calgary Montreal Saskatchewan 341
rcadeToronto13Calgary Montreal10Saskatchewan 640
Reever Calgary Montreal Saskatchewan 339
DrJohnEvans Calgary12 Saskatchewan 336
jagsnumberone Calgary11Montreal10Saskatchewan 534
The_Black_Hand Saskatchewan 11

It's all on the line with a five-game final week.

WEEK 16

Edmonton @ Toronto (Tuesday, November 16)
Here's your Final Week Special: the Elks are long eliminated and the Argos are going to rest up. Call this the ultimate coin toss.

Ottawa @ Montreal (Friday, November 19)
Ottwawa is toast, but the Alouettes still have a chance to host their semi-final. Hamilton holds the point differential edge, so Montreal needs to win.

Edmonton @ B.C. (Saturday, November 20)
This game is also scheduled, provided they can dry out the field by the weekend.

Saskatchewan @ Hamilton (Saturday, November 20)
Look for the Riders to rest their regulars, while Hamilton would prefer a win to lock up second place.

Winnipeg @ Calgary (Saturday, November 20)
Nobody you've ever heard of will play in this game.

Good luck!

posted by DrJohnEvans at 01:33 PM on November 16, 2021

CFL Pick 'Em, Week Fifteen

Hamilton by 9
Calgary by 12
Winnipeg by 19
Saskatchewan by 19

posted by DrJohnEvans at 07:20 PM on November 12, 2021

CFL Pick 'Em, Week Fifteen

Hamilton rolls out to an early lead and cruises into a playoff spot with a win over the Lions. Saskatchewan hangs on in Edmonton for the win, while Toronto completes the comeback in Ottawa. Montreal hangs in there with the Bombers, but it's Winnipeg who gets it done in the fourth.

BC @ HAMSSK @ EDMTOR @ OTTMTL @ WPG
ResultHamilton by 8Saskatchewan by 2Toronto by 3Winnipeg by 10
Margin of Error6 to 101 to 32 to 47 to 13

cixelsyd nails the Winnipeg win and hits the Hamilton margin for a big seven-point week.

SpoFiteBC @ HAMSSSK @ EDMSTOR @ OTTSMTL @ WPGSPointsTotal Points
argoal Saskatchewan Toronto Winnipeg9442
cixelsydHamilton9Saskatchewan Toronto Winnipeg10740
ic23bHamilton Saskatchewan Toronto Winnipeg 438
tommybidenHamilton Saskatchewan Toronto Winnipeg8538
ReeverHamilton9Saskatchewan Toronto Winnipeg 536
rcade Toronto Winnipeg 234
DrJohnEvans Toronto Winnipeg 233
jagsnumberoneHamilton Saskatchewan 229

Two! Weeks! Left!

WEEK 15

Hamilton @ Toronto (Friday, November 12)
A Toronto win clinches the division and the first-round bye. But Hamilton's rounding into late-season form with three wins in a row.

Calgary @ B.C. (Friday, November 12)
The Lions have not won since September, but have somehow not been eliminated yet. I have a feeling that time is coming.

Winnipeg @ Montreal (Saturday, November 13)
See preview from last week.

Edmonton @ Saskatchewan (Saturday, November 12)
I have officially run out of things to say about Edmonton.

Good luck!

posted by DrJohnEvans at 01:39 PM on November 11, 2021

CFL Pick 'Em, Week Fourteen

Toronto by 19
Winnipeg by 19

posted by DrJohnEvans at 07:00 PM on November 06, 2021

CFL Pick 'Em, Week Fourteen

Calgary stumbles early but then hits their groove for a solid win in Ottawa, while Hamilton starts hot and just keeps scoring for an easy win in Edmonton. The Argos and Lions go back and forth but it's Toronto that wins in OT to clinch a playoff spot, and the Riders eke out a win in a defensive battle in Montreal.

CGY @ OTTHAM @ EDMBC @ TORSSK @ MTL
ResultCalgary by 13Hamilton by 16Toronto by 2Saskatchewan by 5
Margin of Error9 to 1711 to 211 to 34 to 7

argoal notches a tidy six-point week to pad his lead. Reever grabs six too to stay in the hunt.

SpoFiteCGY @ OTTSHAM @ EDMSBC @ TORSSSK @ MTLSPointsTotal Points
argoalCalgary14Hamilton14Toronto Saskatchewan 638
ic23bCalgary Hamilton Toronto 334
tommybidenCalgary Hamilton Toronto 333
cixelsydCalgary9Hamilton Toronto 433
rcadeCalgary Hamilton12 332
DrJohnEvans Hamilton Toronto Saskatchewan 331
ReeverCalgary Hamilton17Toronto Saskatchewan4631
jagsnumberoneCalgary Hamilton Saskatchewan4427

Three weeks left and two playoff spots still up for grabs.

WEEK 14

B.C. @ Hamilton (Friday, November 5)
The Lions will be in tough to stop their slide, but a loss may mean the season.

Saskatchewan @ Edmonton (Friday, November 5)
Speaking of seasons, Edmonton hasn't had much of one.

Toronto @ Ottawa (Saturday, November 6)
The Argos have enjoyed a late-season surge, but are still only two points up in the division. Can they drop the hammer in Ottawa?

Montreal @ Winnipeg (Saturday, November 6)
The classic dilemma: the Bombers are by far the better team, but they've clinched the division while the Alouettes are still deep in the fight for a home playoff spot.

Good luck!

posted by DrJohnEvans at 05:01 PM on November 04, 2021