For www.daytonahomes.ca
* We open today's column with some GOOD NEWS! Believe it or not we are over half way through the CFL off-season! It didn't exactly go by in a blink but here's hoping the worst of this miserable winter is behind us. This weekend will still be frigid and travel will be dicey but next week it's nothing but sunshine and mild temperatures. With the WHL playoffs on the horizon and the NHL getting to the stretch drive, it's all good times ahead.* Alex Smith is trading Green & White for Green & Gold. No, the former Roughrider linebacker coach is not joining the Edmonton Eskimos but rather the University of Regina Rams as a special teams assistant to coordinator Denis Losie. Alex was a trusty soldier for the Roughriders for 16 seasons and the CIS will likely be a welcome challenge for him since he's never coached at the university level before. Congrats Alex!
* It appears a major faux pas on Twitter landed Ticats MVP Chris Williams in hot water this week. You'd have to be familiar with Twitter to understand this but apparently, according to the Winnipeg Sun's Kirk Penton, Williams meant to "DM" a friend of his about getting a tryout with Hamilton but he couldn't and now he's upset with the team. He also said he wouldn't be back in 2013. The trouble is the comments went out on his main Twitter feed for all of his followers to read. I'd love to tell you more, but then I'd have to pay for a Winnipeg Sun subscription as they cut off the article online. Grrrrrrrrrr! Trust me, there are no plans to make this a pay site.
* Thank you to Global Regina's Warren Woods and CTV's Lee Jones for crediting the source of this week's John Chick scoop; this very blog. Although there were reports to the contrary on Thursday, I can confirm that the former Rider defensive end is no longer under contract to the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars. A trusted CFL source confirmed the transaction on Thursday but warned Chick is likely to sign with another NFL team. At least the Roughriders looked into his availability.
* In typical fashion, the Saskatchewan Roughriders were first-class with their State of the Rider Nation conference for top sponsors this week at the Ramada Hotel and Convention Centre. It was an honour to be asked to be involved. The day was hosted by Bill "Make It Quick I'm Watching Switchback" Wright. Riders' V.P. of Corporate Development Gregg Sauter blew the doors off with his social media and marketing presentation. One of the interesting notes was that the team has over 128,000 Facebook "Likes" and here's a breakdown by location:
19,671 Regina
18,500 Saskatoon
6,954 Calgary
5,106 Edmonton
3,420 Prince Albert
2,723 Winnipeg
2,237 Moose Jaw
The other cities tabulated, in terms of the number of "Likes", are: Toronto, Yorkton, Vancouver, Red Deer, Swift Current, North Battleford, Ottawa, Estevan, Lethbridge, Victoria, Weyburn and Brandon. To "Like" the Riders on Facebook, click here: http://www.facebook.com/saskriders?fref=ts
* Another interesting note is that the Roughriders trailed only Edmonton in home attendance last year and were the #1 draw on the road. That means more people bought tickets to watch the Saskatchewan Roughriders across Canada in 2012 than any other CFL team. Canada's Team indeed.
* And, the Riders dispute the claim that the B.C. Lions were the most-watched CFL team on TSN in 2012. I'll discuss this in further detail in the Monday Morning Goalie but it would be hard for the Lions to not draw huge TV numbers. Looking at their 2013 home schedule, seven of the Lions' 10 games are on Friday or Saturday night with a 7:00 pm kickoff. That's prime time!
* In the way of a 2013 Grey Cup update, Regina hotels are booked solid this upcoming November but there's still vacancy in nearby communities such as Moose Jaw and Weyburn. You can bet there will be multiple shuttle services available.
* In the way of a stadium update, the plan is to move into Saskatchewan's new outdoor stadium in January of 2017. There will be no roof. And by the time this year's Grey Cup rolls around there will be tangible evidence of stadium construction. It is to commence in the fall.
* As far as our roundtable chat with GM Brendan Taman, coach Corey Chamblin and linebacker Mike McCullough goes, that will have to stay in the room.
* One of the key things I took away from Bob Hughes' comments on the Sports Cage this week is that the Roughriders have "gambled" this off-season. It's clear they have and generally big things come to those who do. I'm not much of a gambler, but I greatly admire those who are willing to take the risk for a big payoff.
* Forgive me for saying, but Bob Hughes is the most prolific sports writer I've ever read. Rick Reilly, Bill Simmons, Steve Simmons, Stephen Brunt, Bob Ryan, George Plimpton ... I'll take Hughes over them all.
* If you haven't already, please purchase tickets to Saturday night's Regina Thunder sports dinner. Rider President Jim Hopson will be the emcee and I'll be hosting a roundtable with the Riders' Brendan Taman, George Cortez, Neal Hughes and Zack Evans. For tickets, go to www.reginathunder.ca and click on "Contact Us" or call team President Brin Werrett at 306-537-3610 as soon as possible.
* On to hockey. The Regina Pats play their final home game of the 2012-13 WHL season Friday night against Swift Current in the Brandt Centre. It will be the swan song for the Pats' 20-year old players but for at least one of them, his season won't be over this weekend. Lane Scheidl is fielding offers from many NHL organizations and he is in the process of selecting the best one ... after his Pats career concludes.
* Apparently with Moose Jaw's 5-0 win over the Pats on Tuesday, the Mayor's Cup ended up in a tie. However, I'm told, the Pats won it on goal differential.
* Had a great visit with an NHL scout this week who figures this is the harshest winter he's experienced since moving to Regina 15 years ago. He offered his assessment of the Regina Pats but that will remain between us. Honestly I've heard so much from so many people that I don't know what to believe.
* You have to love the Saskatchewan shout-outs from TSN's Jay Onrait and Dan O'Toole on Sportscentre lately! It's clear the pair has developed quite an affection for our fine province and why wouldn't they? The pair will be speaking at the 33rd annual Ducks Unlimited dinner on Saturday, May 11 in Regina. O'Toole referred to Detroit Red Wings coach Mike Babcock as "the most terrifying man in hockey" the other night to which Onrait chimed in "he's from Saskatoon!"
* Babs? The most terrifying man in hockey? I don't know about that one. I'd still bestow that honour on the great Scotty Bowman. Rangers coach John Tortorella is making a run for that title, but his act is wearing thin. This week he bellowed "I thought we stunk!" after the Rangers' loss to Buffalo. One former NHL coach said to me this week "with all that talent in New York, Tortorella had better start looking in the mirror."
* One more note on Onrait and O'Toole; if you want to see their best stuff, watch the live version of Sportscentre at 11:00 pm Saskatchewan time. Any antics TSN producers think are too off-colour get edited out for the loop which plays over and over the next morning.
* TSN analyst Craig Button didn't pull any punches with his analysis of Alberta's NHL teams this week. Regarding the Oilers, Button said "this team didn't deliver" and regarding the Flames, Button doesn't think their fortunes will turn around in the second half of the NHL season.
* Fan 960 Calgary's Andrew Walker told us on the Sports Cage this Thursday that whether or not Jarome Iginla stays with the Flames will likely be up to Jarome himself.
* Where's Marc Crawford?
* Great to see the Regina Pat Canadians have adopted a theme for the 2013 SMAAAHL playoffs. They've died their hair red, white and blue. Hopefully somebody can send in a pic of the crew. They'd better go far! It always looks silly once you lose out but it can certainly bring a team together in a playoff run. On the way to a provincial midget hockey championship in the 80's, we bleached the bottom of our mullets blonde. Oh to be young again. And have a mullet. I've asked my barber for one but she refuses.
* A Twitter rule of thumb: you probably shouldn't have more tweets than you have followers.
* Oprah in Saskatoon? Pffft. I'd rather see Dog The Bounty Hunter. Well, 10 years ago anyways.
* Where's Buck Martinez? Missing him on the Jays telecasts. **UPDATE: Sportsnet's Arash Madani tells us he's broadcasting the World Baseball Classic.
* Where's Ken Johner?
* Okay - enough about that. Here's Friday's Press Box Sports Bar lunch buffet lineup:
Roast Beef
Boneless Wings
Pizza
Marinara Pasta
Bread
Gravy
Mixed Veggies
Mashed Potatoes
Caesar Salad
_______________
That's all! Don't miss Four Seasons Football Friday in the Sports Cage live from the U of R and the CIS Womens Basketball Nationals. Scott Schultz and I will be joined by Rider great Gene Makowsky.
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!
RP
@sportscage
24 comments:
According to the Associated Press, former Miami Dolphins starting quarterback Pat White has been offered a contract with the Edmonton Eskimos. He was a beast running the Wildcat in college. What do you think of that potential starting quarterback for the Esks?
John Chick will stay with Jacksonville Jaguars, period. Have a great week-end.
Best of luck to Alex Smith in his latest football endeavour. Way to go young man! Alex should be the first Rider assistant coach in the Plaza of Honour. He worked quietly and efficiently for many years producing all-star linebackers, losing them to free agency, and then turning their replacements into all-stars as well. And he was a major contributor to our draft.
That twitter rule is dont be following more people than are following you. number of tweets means nothing
This is MY rule of thumb.
Not surprised PA has so many likes for the RIders. It's truly Rider Country. Always talked about in the Gateway to the North. .. I thought Calgary would have more. It is the largest city in Saskatchewan.
Rod, I wish I could match my Tweets to Followers ratio! ha!
Aw come on Rod, some of us don't have thousands of followers but still want to express their Twitter opinions so the tweet total being higher is inevitable.
Ken Johner still plays with his brother Brad, they just don't tour as the Johner Brothers. We had him out for a big dance last summer. Nice guy.
And, I hope the Flames ownership wakes up and finally doesn what is best for the team and trade Iggy. Their hands on approach is sickening and fans are fed right up. I mean, isn't it embarrasing for them to own a franchise that doesn't have a hope in hell of making the playoffs and winning the Stanley Cup? Isn't that the whole point?? Just look at Harold Ballard's style and tell me if that works or not. Unbelievable.
Rex
Did Bob Hughes catch you with some Velcro gloves on?
Jason Miller
Onrait speaks of Sask fondly cause he has family ties all over the province not because he's came out here for PR and some shows. His aunt used to teach High School in Yorkton.
Can't wait for the lunch on a blizzard like day today in Regina !
* A Twitter rule of thumb: you probably shouldn't have more tweets than you have followers.?
That makes no sense. followers are there to see your thoughts, if you have one interesting thought per day then you're gonna be in trouble in a hurry by that rule.
I think the Warriors won the season series versus the Pats with a record of 5 wins and 3 loses for 10 points. The Pats ended with a record of 3 wins, 3 loses and 2 overtime or shootout loses versus the Warriros for a total of 8 points in the head-to-head.
Methinks Chris Williams found out about Twitter the hard way (similar to Henry Burris and his derogatory comments about women). If someone who follows you sends you a DM and you reply to that DM but don't follow that person, your DM ends up going out as a tweet for the whole world to see. I'm surprised C Williams didn't use Hank's "my account was hacked" excuse.
Besides bleaching our hair, I also recall shaving our numbers in the side of our heads. What I wouldn't give to be able to do that again!
Totally off-topic here, but I wanted to get an insurance quote from your good buddy Scott Schultz this week and I got to his website from the banner on your page no problem. However, none of the links on his website are working! Maybe pass this along to him so that he can get that fixed.
Prolific only means he's written a lot. Doesn't necessarily mean the quality of the writing is high.
Regarding the Mayors Cup, I'm just going by what I was told. I don't believe it was PUBLICIZED anywhere.
And regarding Twitter, this isn't Facebook, so try to write something useful. If a guy (or gal) shows up in my feed EVERY time I open it up, then they're likely getting unfollowed unless it's useful info.
Just my $0.02.
Here is the article from the Winnipeg Sun about Chris Williams
CFL
Chris Williams' Twitter indiscretions could cost him
By Kirk Penton ,Winnipeg Sun
First posted: Thursday, March 14, 2013
Twitter can be your friend, and it can be your foe.
Sometimes you’re not thinking straight. Sometimes you’re so angry that you don’t care. Sometimes you think you’re DMing somebody, but it goes public and then you go into damage-control mode.
It appears stud Ticats receiver/returner Chris Williams had one of those moments earlier this week, when he Tweeted the following to a former teammate about his chances of getting a tryout with the Tiger-Cats: “… they was about to bring u on but they fired the gm bro and now im beefin with my squad im not going back.”
Who knows why Williams put that out there for everyone to see, but a CFL source said he is genuinely upset.
Williams wants a raise in 2013, which is the final year of his contract, and still have the ability to give the NFL a shot next winter.
The only problem is it can’t be done.
Thanks to the current collective-bargaining agreement, players can’t leave before their option year and all CFL contracts include an option year. So once a player signs a contract he is locked in for at least two years.
If Williams wants a raise, he’s going to have to commit to spending two more years in the CFL before getting a crack at the NFL.
The Ticats could sign him to a fat new contract and then release him after the season, but then GM Kent Austin would have 41 other players lined up outside his office door looking for the same arrangement.
One CFL exec said if you signed a player to a big contract and released him after the season, you’re basically “paying them to leave and you get fired.”
And that takes us back to the option-year window, which should be activated once again. There are those in Canada who say the CFL isn’t a minor-league system for the NFL, but players aren’t going to want to come north if they don’t have the option of leaving after a year — and the import talent in the three-down loop will suffer as a result.
Rod,
Bang up job with the Q@A with Taman, Chamblin and McCullough. I was in attendance, and loved the opportunity to ask my question, and wasn't surprised when the answer was that they considered the hiring of Coach Cortez as the biggest signing of the off season.
I also really enjoyed the banter all three gentlemen displayed, and it shows a level of comfort and camaraderie that you don't get to see often from a fan standpoint.
Really looking forward to the season!
Brad
Iginla to Detroit.
Bob Hughes is clueless. We had one of the youngest clubs in the CFL last year. Last year we shored up the offensive line, found some young new DB's and LB's, worked out some new receivers, and laid the foundation of a great team.
Going after guys like Foley and inquiring after Chick is not a "gamble."
We're not "loading up because we're hosting the Grey Cup." That's such a stupid statement.
We're targeting specific veterans to address specific needs on a team that has already gone through a rebuilding phase. If we were going in to this season in the situation we entered the 2012 season in then the Simon deal probably doesn't happen.
But we're not in that situation; we're in the situation where picking up a few key vets to augment and support the nucleus is just what you should be doing. We'd be going after Simon and Foley even if the Grey Cup were in Montreal.
These are not gambles. We're not blowing up the team to accommodate these players. We're still one of the youngest clubs in the CFL. Bob Hughes... please stay retired.
Grrrrrr because you can't read the Sun newspaper for free? Why would you want to? Oh, I get it...you're one of "those people".
Pats and Warriors tied the season series.
Pats: 4-3-0-1
Warriors: 4-3-1-0
Both had nine points.
You wanna a hear a good Scotty Bowman story from my friend who was reading a book about him as it made me laugh?
He was coaching the Blues at the time. On one particular road trip a couple players decided to sneak out of the hotel after curfew and toss back a few beers. The 2 players find a bar near the hotel and are happily drinking their beers when Scotty walks in. He makes eye contact with the players, says nothing and orders a beer from the bartender. Of course the 2 players are at a loss for words as they silently ponder why he didn't say anything to them. Scotty drinks the last of his beer and as he's heading to the exit, he inserts a quarter into the Jukebox and picks a song. The song that played was "Kansas City - Kansas City here I come" sung by Wilbert Harrison. Fast forward to the next morning. The 2 players were sent down to the Blues farm team in Kansas City.
Shouldn't have more tweets than followers? Some of us aren't blogger/announcer/public figures Rod. What makes what you have to say any more important than someone else Rod? Get a clue.
I thought Marc Crawford was coaching in Switzerland this season ?
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