- Today's Press Box Sports Bar buffet courtesy Chef Sid:
"On this weeks buffet we will be having pizza, turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cream corn, caesar salad, dessert and chicken mushroom alfredo. the dessert will be an apple crisp."
- The Pats are home to the Edmonton Oil Kings tonight at 7:00 at the Brandt Centre. I was pleasantly surprised with what I saw in Wednesday's 4-3 win over Swift Current. The Pats are fast, and there's more talent there than I expected. And I noticed that the fans in attendance really love their Pats. The roof went off the place when Regina took the lead. It's nice to see.
- We had an NHL regular season draft last night at the Four Seasons Sports Palace and Jordan Eberle went in the 5th round. Jordan called the pick "a steal", but all he wanted to know was if he was selected ahead of Taylor Hall. Sadly, he wasn't.
- Apparently Regina's NHL team is the Edmonton Oilers. That's the result of the poll at the top left of this page. If you're voting, don't vote for YOUR team. I'm a Dallas Stars fan, but I know enough to realize this isn't a Dallas Stars town. The Sports Cage, based on these results, will be Oilers Radio Saskatchewan this NHL season.
- That was a very interesting interview with Jack Michaels of ESPN 710 Bismarck radio on the Sports Cage yesterday. He discussed at length a wide receiver at UND by the name of Ryan Dressler. Yes, he's the younger brother of the Riders' Weston Dressler and both call Bismarck, ND their hometown. I'll have to ask Brendan Taman today if the Riders may scout him.
- The Rider roster changes for tomorrow's game at Toronto are: IN - WR Obec Cetoute, DT Marcus Adams and LB Daniel Francis. OUT - WR Cary Koch, KOR Hugh Charles, DT Ryan Lucas.
- Congratulations to Andy Fantuz, the Riders and Co-op for donating $10,000 to the Childrens Hospital Foundation from the proceeds of Fantuz Flakes cereal. I bet that really makes Andy feel good, plus he made a personal donation. And the best news for you readers is that a second addition of the popular cereal is coming out due to consumer demand. It's pretty good cereal too. I had some at my Mom & Dad's.
- The Winnipeg Free Press is taking up a collection from its readers to pay for the fines to Bomber coach Paul Lapolice and three players. The total is $2500 in fines accumulated for criticizing officials after their Friday loss to Montreal.
- Help the Rider Pep Band get to Grey Cup! They're holding a fundraiser at Applause Dinner Threatre Saturday, November 13. You can catch the show "Blues Cruise - Christmas On The High Seas" for just $45. There will only be 300 tickets available. The Pep Band is one of the greatest attractions at Grey Cup, and really do us in Saskatchewan proud. Email riderpepband@accesscomm.ca or call 789-7318 for tickets.
- It's interesting to note that Edmonton Eskimos GM Eric Tillman may be in Regina as much as Edmonton over the next nine months. His wife and kids like the Queen City so much that they're staying until the end of the school year while Eric travels back and forth. The Eskimos have been nice enough to put him up in a hotel until then.
- I like Rider linebacker Sean Lucas a lot. He had an insightful quote about being fingered as the 13th man by TSN in last year's Grey Cup. Global's Warren Woods did the story. "This is the business we're in," Lucas said. "You're in the public spotlight so people are entitled to their opinions and they're going to make guesses. The media has jobs too and I have no problems with that. It is what it is and it's in the past. I don't have no hard feelings about it."
- Lucas came to the Riders in 2006, the last year year of the Roy & Danny era. So too did Durant, Fantuz, Congi and Frazier. Woodsy asked Lucas about the change in culture of the team from what it was then to now. "The culture is a little different," Lucas admitted. "The group of guys that was here before was a little different. We brought in some different character guys that to us to the next level, winning a Grey Cup in 2007. On this team, we're known for workin hard. If you're not a hard-worker and you want to be in the spotlight, you're not doing your job."
I wonder to whom he's referring.
- The U of R Rams host the Alberta Golden Bears Saturday night at 7:00 at Mosaic Stadium. The Regina Thunder host the Winnipeg Rifles Sunday afternoon at Mosaic Stadium.
- It's FOUR SEASONS FOOTBALL FRIDAY in The Sports Cage today:
Mitchell Blair and former Rider great Scott Schultz host the show from 4-6pm Sask time. They've got lots of great interviews lined up, and I'll join them from Rogers Centre.
- Speaking of Rogers and Toronto, it's been a rough year for Argo play-by-play men. First, the current voice of the Argos Mike Hogan was let go by the Fan 590 radio this summer (he's still doing Argo games, just not his talkshow) while this week former Argo play-by-play man Jim Lang was turfed by Rogers Sportsnet. That's really horrible for Jim and his family. He's a buddy of mine and was going to show me around the Sportsnet building today once I got to Toronto, but now that's off the table. Good luck Jim. You're one of the good guys!
- Is the Henry Burris stuff over yet? I don't understand why the same Saskatchewan media outlet who exposed the story is the same one running commentaries saying what Henry does away from the field is none of our business? Hopefully we can laugh it off and move on. Stampeders receiver Ryan Thelwell did on Calgary's Fan 960 this week saying: "I think Henry secretly wants to be a Victoria's Secret model."
- As I promised former Rider Mike Abou-Mechrek when he stepped into The Sports Cage this week, here's a plug for the Run For The Cure on Sunday, supporting breast cancer research:
From Abou:
"As you may or may not know, this Sunday October 3rd is the annual Run for the Cure and is held in every major city in Canada. The Run is a great day and it helps raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research.
For the third year in a row my family and I will be doing the Run in Regina. It all kicks off at 9am at the Conexus Center and we would like to invite you to join us in a great day- and it looks like the weather is going to co operate as well.We have been raising funds for this event and if you'd like to help us out we need as much help as we can get.
Our web site http://www.abou67.com/ has some great Rider gear that we are auctioning off. There are items on there at every price point and if you still don't see anything you like there is an option to "donate now" which takes you to my donation page where you can place a donation with your credit card. Thank you for your time and please go to the web site to check out the items up for bid and lets put an end to this disease that is killing our mothers and daughters.
Abou67.com
Mike Abou-Mechrek
Investors Group Consultant"
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Some more random sports thoughts that popped into my head while watching highlights, Sportscentre and Sportsnet Connected this week:
- Do you want the Phillies to win the World Series for former Blue Jay Roy Halladay? I do. But I wasn't big on A.J. Burnett getting a ring with the Yankees last year.
- Anybody catch Law & Order Los Angeles when it debuted this week? It was JUST okay. I was expecting much more.
- Great quote from Lebron James this week as the Miami Heat opened training camp: "Funny how a lot of people try to tell you how to run your life when they don't even have their own life in order."
- When and WHY did the Rogers video store on S. Albert close? We pulled up the other day to rent a flick and the place was as empty as a school on Sunday.
- Nature Valley cereal/granola bars are doing tons of advertising on the sports networks so let's reward them by buying their product. Companies who spend money advertising on sports networks and sportsradio keep us all in business.
- Having said that, RONA needs a new ad on CFL games. At least make it funny or something! The DQ ad where the guy races all over the city to get a blizzard cake home to his family is hilarious and it never get's old. So if you're only gonna run one ad, make it good! Thanks to RONA though, for buying ALL the ads they run.
- Speaking of advertising, Chilis' contract to sponsor Mondays on the Sports Cage has run out so we're looking for someone new. Chilis graciously donated gift certificates to the players for appearing on the show so if you're interest in signing up, be prepared for that. It's a great show and Mondays are a great day to promote Monday Night Football if you're a restaurant who shows the games!!
OKAY OFF TO TORONTO - HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!
RP
18 comments:
That really sucks about Jim Lang being canned by Rogers, he was one of the few guys on there I liked, not that I watched SN much. Is Mike Toth still on SN, I haven't run accross him much, but it may relate to not watching much.
Good read on the Friday Rodservations, Roddy.
David Engdahl
Fun fact to mention...Today (October 1st) is the exact 100th anniversary of the first Regina Rugby Club game. If you wanted to narrow down the centennial...this is the day to do it!
totally agree about the Rona commercial - except my 13 month old little girl seems to love it :) She stops whatever she is doing and watches it! That and the Telus commercial...
and don't really care what Henry Burris does - but maybe he should consider who is friends are if whomever took the pictures let them out in the first place...
Not sure how many guys in your draft Rod, but Eberle in the 5th seems pretty early. And Hall went before that? Its going to take 60-65 points to get into the top 50 scorers. I would say that's a stretch for either one, but here's hoping.
Go Oil!
Rogers Video closed awhile ago, and had a huge movie sale blowout. They closed because the lease was up, and Niesner was going to raise it. It wasn't worth it for them to go along with that. They are still open in the East and North, and are scouting locations for a new South store.
Scott Schultz does indeed look like King Kong Bundy. Hard to believe Bundy headlined the Main Event at Wrestlmania 2 with Hulk Hogan, then all but disappeared from the scene.
Regina indeed may be an Oilers town, and I have no issue with that. I'm a Maple Leafs fan, but I think by and large nobody is nauseated when the Oilers get coverage. I probably watch more of their games than anyone else other than Toronto.
Have a good weekend.
Obama
Scruffy commented that he will be discussing Burris on the Cage tonight so I guess it is not over yet.
One last point regarding Baseball, and I'm glad you brought that up. There are some really awesome teams in the MLB Playoffs.
I don't think the Phillies are going to do anything because they have been sub .500 and hit and miss down the stretch, but Halladay will do very well with his starts. A good playoff showing will further cement his future Hall of Fame credentials, and that is what I'll be hoping for in his starts.
I will be rooting for Cincinnatti as that is my favourite NL team, and they are a really strong young team. I want to see the Reds do well for a couple reasons. Number one they have been junk for about 15 years, and that city like Baltimore should always have a contending club as there is no reason they shouldn't. This season they honoured Pete Rose on the field. With Hank Aaron's endorsement, and that honouring if the Reds put up a National showing with all the references to the Big Red Machine, and the 1990 club Rose built, but Pinella got over the edge I think the time will come in the off season where he will finally be reinstated. People will feel good about Reds baseball, and he's a part of that.
I want to see Minnesota represent the AL. If you have not seen Joe Mauer play baseball due to that small market you are missing out. In my opinion think of all the players over the last 20 years. This guy is the best I have seen in a generation. To be a Catcher and be as strong as Fisk/Carter, but then be able hit like Piazza and Rodriguez he is a once in a generation player. Very special indeed.
Obama
I like Shaq's quote this week better than Lebron's...When Shaq was asked of what he thought of the Miami Heats chances this year, he said "They have a great One-Two punch"... Haha I love the dig at Chris Bosh.
Rod I really look forward to your Friday column.... wish you would have a detailed one like this at least once more per week. Agree with you about the Rona ad... who makes these decisions? They play these to death. Some of the Tim Horton's ads are like this too. I don't care who the 13th man on the field was in the Grey cup because I truly believe it was a coaching error now more than ever because of the way this has continued to be an issue. And finally, I think this has been Sean Lucas' worst year as a Rider. When it's big play time the opposition goes right at him.
I will have nothing to do with Rogers because of their efforts to bring the NFL into Toronto to the detriment of the CFL. I had my cel phone with Rogers and cancelled that and went with a different provider.
Sorry Rod, losing a Roger's video store in Regina is not a bad thing.
I agree with Clarkenstein on Lucas. I have really liked his play in the past but he seems to be a little slower and...don't want to be too harsh but not as active as before. Although I believe he is the 2nd leading tackler on the team. It's just when I read C'ensteins comment it kind of rang true for me also.
My guess is that he may be banged up a bit.
@Clarkenstein and recent Anonymous:
I say this respectfully and only to enlighten. I find it very odd that you would blame the Coaching staff for the to many men penalties alluding to the 13th man debacle from the Grey Cup. However in the same commentary mention Sean Lucas as being a non impact player this season.
I would ask if you have TiVo to go back and look at 2010 Kick Return Teams. Like the Sesame Street song went, "Some of these things are doing the same thing. One of these things is not".
There is a player mentioned in your commentary that teams are picking mismatches on this year, and who for some odd reason was on the field for that play when in previous Kick teams was not.
Video don't lie.
Obama
Hey Rod, Your buddy Jim Lang is now your fellow Cfl.ca coulmnist.
http://cfl.ca/article/lang-setting-up-week-14-in-the-cfl
"The Sports Cage, based on these results, will be Oilers Radio Saskatchewan this NHL season."
Aww yeah! Now, to break the habit of Oiler fans down here still cheering for the Flames in the playoffs. It just aint right!
Sorry the Burris thing is not over yet - his ego is somewhat large!!!
Da wife says she will be bringing 13 black bras (not 12) to string up behind the Calgary bench on the 17th. GO RIDERS!!!!!
It's always a wonderful day when I'm enlightened by Obama!! Do you know for sure it was Lucas that came off the field for the
2nd kick in the Grey Cup? I don't know but you're TiVo will know. So you're sayin' it's been the players fault this year? Maybe you didn't enlighten us as much as you thought.
Sorry Rod; Henry's ordeal is not over. Come October 17th, there will be 10,000 guys wearing bras in Mosiac. They'll get into Hank's head and I predict a Rider win along with some interceptions.
I understand, you're trying to stay reserved on this issue because you anticipate future interviews.
To the anonymous poster that boycotted Rogers. Good on you. I totally agree, they should be punished for their NFL ambitions. To me it's the next thing to treason.
Tex
@ Clarkenstein, hey you want enlightenment....9 wins, 4 losses sonny jim, and a few more to come.
In your world the Coaching staff had nothing to do with 9 wins. Those players I guess just miracled themselves to victory. In your world a month ago Darian Durant was regressing and O.C Doug Berry was an idiot. In 3 games they've gone over a thousand yards.
You guys just make a batch of popcorn, and drink your soda pops. You leave the analysis to me okay because you just might learn something.
Obama
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