Whatever his discontent. It has been made clear to him that the best course for him and his family is to fulfill his contract to the best of his abilities. Because that's what he will be shopping in two years. He has a lot of repair to do to his image and reputation.
Jim Popp told Herb, "We would welcome Thorpe back into the fold." If Thorpe wants to end his association with the Als,he won't be working for another CFL team. Jim added: "He has his job. We expect him to come to work." Thorpe called Popp on Wednesday,the two talking for well over an hour." Jim added"There's no problem with our relationship. I consider us good friends. There should be no issue on us returning to the norm. From the owner on down,our arms are open for him to return,like nothing happened."
Popp told Thorpe to take a step back for several days and contemplate his situation. He said he hasn't given Thorpe a deadline or ultimatum,since the coaching staff isn't scheduled to reconvene before January or February. If Noel does not attend those sessions, alternate plans will be made.
Herb added that there have been whispers throughout the league Thorpe might be the CFL's highest paid assistant coach. Apparently,according to the terms of Thorpe's contract,he's not free to accept a Canadian university coaching position either. I guess it's the Alouettes or unemployed. Jim Popp,during conversation with Noel,said he is still an employee and we're still paying him."He's getting a cheque as we speak."
No one can blame Jim Popp or the Alouettes.
Richard
Very impressed by Jim and the organization for refusing go get in the mud with an employee. AT SOME POINT Noel will realize he's standing by himself in the dirt.
I am not a lawyer & it would probably not happen since he is not a part of a strong union, but my guess is that if Thorpe still wanted out, he could attempt to void the contract in the courts by saying the non-Canadian college restriction is not legal.
I’m not a lawyer. I’m a business guy.
The only question Thorpe has to ask himself does he have access to the cash it would take to go up the court and appeal system against a Billionaire who’s best friend and employee is one of the most respected and experienced contract lawyers in the country (Paul Harris). If the answer is NO, Thorpe should write an apology and get his head back in his job.
Straight from Jim Popp
So the elephant in the room that is being ignored is the ESK's involvement in this and the damage they created.
MTL is stuck, Of course MTL says there are no hard feelings, They have no other choice but to say that.
MTL has 3 options
- Buy him out as the highest paid DC in the League that is around a $400K+ buyout for his 2 years remaining
- They could accept his resignation and then the Esk's would swoop in and get him
- Keep him and act like it never happened(but it did)
Option #1 or #2 means Esk's get him
Very similar to the situation with steinauer but more public.
Grover
If they do cut him lose don't be shocked if Ottawa pushes hard to get him as they lost 2 coaches yesterday.
100% Fustercluck.
If I am Orridge, I have the league's attorneys develop some concise language about minimum requirements for coach (and player) contracts - and a standardized set of penalties for teams and individual coaches (and players) who fail to fulfill their contractual obligations.
And for GM's, scouts, coaches ... write a specific protocol for situations where a team wants to offer a REAL promotion to an individual under contract to another team. Again, standardized procedure, rules, and penalties for infraction.
Add this language to every franchise agreement, coach, and player contract. And if this stuff already exists - then it's time to start enforcing it.
Either we have a league with transparent rules, or we have a wild-west free for all - where everything happens shrouded behind curtains.
This whole mess certainly hasn`t helped the Als fragile image with the Montreal media.
I expect Thorpe to return, but I do want to hear him apologize for his overreaction to Popp`s miscommunication of the Reed promotion.
Its also funny that if Thorpes ambition is to ultimately be a Head Coach, how could he expect to find that in Edmonton when Maas hasn`t even started on the job.
Now back to our regularly scheduled Alouette issues.
You think he will be the DC this year hey?
I just can’t see it. It’ll make the Sam distraction seem like a christmas pageant. As soon as the D has a bad game this will be the talk of the town. Respect by the players is now lost imo.
I’d grant permission, get some comp and move on.
If Thorpe explains he overreacted and made a mistake, by training camp it will all be forgotten. Popp has told both Bujold and Penton that he did not communicate properly Reed`s promotion.
With or without Thorpe the Als are in a fragile state in the Montreal sports scene. They will have to hit the ground running and start the season winning games.
How many marriages continue to work after 1 partner is caught cheating, and promises “not to do it again”?
I agree with you entirely about the fragile state of the team. The thing is … the Thorpe fiasco is not a root cause of the fragility, it’s a symptom of a problem the organization has lived with since the Calvillo - Trestman glory days ended.
It’s taken 4 long years years of poor decisions, neglect, and some misfortune to reach the current state of affairs. I don’t think fans or the media are gonna swallow promises of "we’ll be better next year", and accept cosmetic changes as evidence of a turn-around.
That’s why your not a professional GM. Compensation is not going to provide you with continuity on defense and replace Thorpe. There are 3 guys available. Chamblin living large on Riders money, Tim Burke who walked out on us just like Thorpe tried to do and Benevides who may or may not be interested.
Players don’t give a sheeat. As John Bowman said to TSN, Thorpe draws schemes, that’s it. At least they know who they will be playing for and what he runs.
Also cutting him loose, probably means he’s walking with Stewart, Bowman and some others in tow. We don’t need that.
The business plan was continuity and they want to stick to it.
Its not a marriage. Its more like the relationship between a who-re and a pimp. Pimp payed, now who-re has to do the business. :lol:
You could be right.
I accept they want continuity.
Just don’t think it has been or will be achieved with the current cast and actions.
we’ll see I guess.
Lots of cliches…
Cut your losses
Throwing good money after bad
Stubborn gets you stuck
etc…
Its not ideal. But reality will set in over the next few weeks or months especially once the Edmonton position is filled.
Really makes me wonder his smarts. Last time he left his job for Edmonton he ended up being run out of town and I mean run out of town with Maciocia and ended up making 45/50k as an assistant with the Carabins and he's willing to do it again to follow a rookie HC who hasn't proven a thing. Here is a list of coordinators failed HC over the last few seasons.
Cortez
Chamblin
Burke
Kelly
Lapolice
Reed
Bellefeuille
Jury is still out on Campbell and O'Shea
You left out Casey Creehan 
(apologies in advance)
Ah yes “Mean mug” Casey… :lol: