In The Crosshairs

After a brief rookie camp, its time to get down to work for the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the other teams in the CFL as training camp gets underway with the first pre-season game for the green and white now less than two weeks away in Vancouver. As is the case going into every season, there are questions to be asked and there are players to watch. There are many questions about the Riders going into 2012 after a disastrous 2011. They include how Corey Chamblin will do in his first year as head coach to did this team lose its confidence and its swagger because of what happened in 2011. Those questions will be answered in time.

When it comes to the players that I have questions about, here is a list in alphabetical order

Rob Bagg --The Queens University receiver hasn’t played since tearing up his knee in a 2010 game against Calgary. He re-aggravated the injury just over a year ago and it cost him his entire 2011 season. Bagg has been working hard to get back on the roster and be one of the most dangerous Canadian receivers in the game. Has the time off affected him or can he be the Bagg of old?

Craig Butler – The London, Ontario product had a huge impact on the Rider defence last year as he became the starting safety early in the season and did not let go to that job. Butler laid out some ferocious hits on the season (hello Buck Pierce) and showed that he belongs. Butler stole the safety position away from all-star James Patrick. What do the Riders do with the ratio and what role will Butler play in it. Is he a guy that comes off the bench as a nickel or dime back or does he stay at safety to make Patrick roam elsewhere?

Darian Durant – It seems funny to put the Riders starting quarterback on this list, but how can you not ask questions about him after a sub-par 2011. It was a rough year on Darian not having Andy Fantuz or Rob Bagg around. He seemingly disagreed with Doug Berry and it totaled up to him having a disastrous season. The team invested in their future by signing Durant to a contract extension in the off-season. That was the right move as I think Durant, who has many detractors which is something that you get with the position, is still a guy that can be one of the CFL’s elite for years to come. He has to show though that 2011 was an anomaly and that he resembles the quarterback that took this team to Grey Cup appearances in 2009 and 2010. I am a Durant fan, so I say he will return to form.

Chris Graham – I have liked what I have seen from the Michigan product when he has been on the field. With this team having some big-time holes at linebacker, Graham has to show he can produce whether it be outside or inside seeing he has some CFL experience in his back-pocket. I don’t know exactly what Richie Hall has in store for Graham, but I would like to see him in the mix to be the middle linebacker.

Justin Harper – Harper was the most impressive player at rookie camp. He seemingly has the tools to be a huge weapon in the Rider offence. He is big, he has nice hands and he runs nice routes. However, how does he do with the vets here and how does he do in an actual game situation. If he can do in a game situation what he did in rookie camp, it will be Andy who?

Brent Hawkins – There is no doubt the Riders have not had the impact defensive ends since John Chick and Stevie Baggs left. Brent Hawkins showed potential, but his bad shoulder has stopped us from seeing how good he can be. Hawkins, like Bagg, missed all of 2011 due to injury. Like Bagg, can he regain his old form and like Bagg, has he lost a step?

Jordan Sisco – The Regina native hasn’t really been given an on-the-field opportunity to show if he can follow in the paths of former Rams receivers Chris Getzlaf and the now-retired Jason Clermont. There have been some whispers that his work ethic is maybe not what it needs to be. There is a spot for Sisco in this lineup, but he has to show the coaching staff he is deserving of that spot.

Brandon West – The tailback’s job is open with the Wes Cates era now over. West saw time at tailback last year and he didn’t disappoint. He did well enough for this team to ship Hugh Charles off to Edmonton. There is some talent behind him in Kory Sheets and Demetrious Crawford so West will be the guy to beat even though he was never the guy. Can he keep the job or does he give it away?

Shomari Williams – Taken as the number one pick in the 2010 draft, some are wondering when Williams will step up and be the player the Riders thought he could be when he was drafted. To be fair, Williams has been asked to do a lot in his two years and now he is being asked to perhaps be the man in the middle. It is time for Williams to show us what he can be and that the team was justified in making him the number one selection.

Odell Willis – The Riders rolled the dice to get the controversial defensive end from Winnipeg. There weren’t a lot of tears shed in Winnipeg when it was learned Willis was a Rider and some thought the Riders gave up too much to get Willis. It didn’t help matters any when Willis got in legal trouble shortly after becoming a Rider. He obviously needs to show that he is still one of the best at his position in the game. If he doesn’t, he could be the guy who faces the wrath of the Rider Nation first and that won’t be good for anyone.

New Banners At Mosaic

While driving past Mosaic Stadium Friday afternoon, I noticed that the banners of Ron Lancaster and George Reed have been taken down. They have been replaced by ones featuring Kent Austin and Roger Aldag.

Nothing against Kent and Roger, but you can't replace Ronnie and George can you? I'm not really sure how I feel about this.

(picture courtesy Regina Leader-Post)

This And That

Rider season has started, the Regina Red Sox season has started and the Stanley Cup is winding down. Its time to switch into summer mode is it not?

Yes, it is rookie camp and it is only a couple of days long, but the Riders have returned and that means we can strap ourselves in for another six months of twists and turns. I resemble this time to being on a great big roller-coaster. This is the time when the cars leave the start line and slowly makes its way up that first incline before starting the ups and downs that a Rider season usually brings. Hang on! Lets hope this ride isn't as scary as last season.

Wednesday night marked the start of the Western Major Baseball League season and the Regina Red Sox opened it up with a 5-0 win over the visiting Moose Jaw Miller Express.



A good crowd was on hand for the season opener and it was great to see virtually all of the media at the park to take part in opening night festivities. The Red Sox's image is getting bigger and bigger thanks to a championship season, the efforts of guys like Bernie Eiswirth and Gary Brotzel and a bigger media push by most to get the people interested. If you haven't been to a game at Currie Field, I highly recommend it. Yes, parking is a problem, but nothing is perfect right?

Game 2 of the Stanley Cup final is Saturday night and one would have to think we will see another tight-checking affair with goaltending coming up big for both sides and shots at a premium. I thought the Devils were the better team in Game 1, but a serious brain cramp by the New Jersey defence left Anze Kopitar all alone and he made no mistake on what was an outstanding effort to give L-A the game and get the early advantage again. If the Devils can come back to win Saturday night, we will have a series. If L-A wins, it could be a short final.

My best friend is a Devils fan and has been for a number of years. My question is is he the only Devils fan in Regina? I don't see many with the New Jersey logo around town.

Its been a very weird and very disturbing week when it comes to news stories. The story coming out of St. Walburg is extremely sad and just indicates that perhaps all is not being done when it comes to fighting depression. I can't imagine how anyone could shoot their wife and young child, but then again I probably can't imagine the demons that were unsuccessfully fought.

What is going through the head of the guy who is killing people and mailing body parts everywhere? Just when you think you have heard it all, you hear that story and the one of the guy in Miami that was shot when he was found eating another guy's face. WTF??? Oh yeah, I forgot about this story too which is just as gruesome

The Edmonton Eskimos announced this week that musical acts 'Salt n Pepa" and "Vanilla Ice" will perform at half-time during home games this season. Was Bobby Curtola not available? Why weren't "The Stampeders" invited? Rod and I made fun of this during the Sportscage on Wednesday when we did the show live from Currie Field. One fan got a chuckle out of it, but reminded me that at least the Eskimos are doing something and not treating their fans to something like the dog show. I couldn't disagree with them.

With Andy Fantuz gone, I think it is safe to say that the jersey that will be most prevalent at Mosaic Stadium this year will be the number 7 one worn by Weston Dressler. Who's kidding who, Mrs. Scruffy even has a number 7 uniform.

The Seattle Mariners pushed 21 runs across the board against the Texas Rangers this week. It prompted CTV's Chris Hodges to tweet me telling me the Mariners had scored more in one game than the Seahawks in more than half of their games. Well played Hodgie, well played!

What Regina media member headed to the first day of Riders rookie camp only to pull up outside Mosaic Stadium and wonder where everyone was? Oh yes, it happened!

This might be the one most bizarre sports stories of 2012.

I was sad to read that Craig Stein of Yorkton radio station GX94 was resigning his position. Craig is a good guy and a good play-by-play guy who just for one reason or another couldn't get that Western Hockey League shot. In my one year with the SJHL, I worked with a lot of talented broadcasters---many of them are now no longer with their stations for various reasons. As I said, Craig is a good guy and I hope that somewhere down the road he gets back behind a mike and gets to do what he wants. He deserves the opportunity.

I am one to watch Jay Onrait and Dan O'Toole do Sportscenter in the morning. On Thursday, TSN had French Open Tennis on while TSN2 had the Scripps Spelling Bee. Can someone please tell me how this classifies as something that is sports. Cmon TSN, you are better than that.

Speaking of TSN, it looks like Sportsnet is ready to give them a battle. Rogers is telling people they did more hockey than TSN this year as they look to outbid them and CBC for Hockey Night in Canada, they want a piece of the CFL if what you hear is right when the current TSN contract runs out, they have taken the Indy 500 and other IRL from TSN and are looking at other properties as well. What Sportsnet really needs is better on-air personalities to compete with the on-air guys at TSN. Hazel Mae or Rod Smith? That decision is crystal-clear.

I don't know what direction the WWE is going in these days, but without stars like Randy Orton, Chris Jericho and Mark Henry for the next little while, I don't like it. There is talk that "Stone Cold" Steve Austin is about to return to make life difficult for John Laurainaitis. If writers can make the Austin-Lauranaitis feud as funny as the Austin-Vince McMahon feud, it will be entertaining.

The debate has started over Nick Lidstrom's spot in hockey history. The Red Wings defenceman had a first ballot hall of fame career and he is deserving of every accolade he receives. When I think of defenceman during my time, I would have to put Nick 3rd behind Bobby Orr and Paul Coffey. Yes, putting him below Coffey may be blamed on my love for the Oilers, but I just think Coffey was more of a complete d-man because of his offensive skills. If I had to rank d-men, I would go Orr, Coffey, Lidstrom, Niedermayer, Stevens, Chelios, Bourque, Robinson and Leetch. Sorry, but Doug Halward doesn't make the list.

NHL GM's met in New York this week to talk about rule changes and one of those changes discussed was having minors or majors stretch over to the next game in the playoffs. ????? Really? In an NHL where head shots are still prevalent and no-touch icing is still not used, this is an idea that was actually discussed? If they gave more than 30 seconds of discussion to this, it tells you that perhaps the GM's themselves can take some of the blame for the way the game is.

It is said average weekly earnings in the province are increasing 6 percent year-over-year-over year. It isn't and hasn't at Casa de Blair. How about you?

Face your problems, but don't Facebook them!

That's all I got. I'm out! Have a good one!

Odell Says I'm Sorry

Riders rookie camp started today, but it was a veteran who captured the headlines. Odell Willis, who received a DUI charge in Georgia shortly after being acquired in a trade with Winnipeg, spoke to the masses today and as you will hear, he sounded apologetic for what he had done.



Hours after signing his name to his first pro contract, Ben Heenan was out there showing his stuff. This guy carries a tremendous amount of confidence to him. He's not cocky, but you know he is looking to come into camp and make an immediate impact.



It was a day of getting out there and running a few drills. Main camp will begin Sunday, but for Corey Chamblin, it was his first practice as head coach. Here's his comments....




The team also announced two more signings today. Defensive back Karl Paymah spent six seasons in the NFL with the Texans, Vikings, Broncos and Vikings while Canadian d-lineman Renaldo Sagesse comes to Riderville after a four year career at Michigan. He was taken by the Alouettes in the 4th round of the 2011 CFL draft.

A couple of other notes. Receiver Justin Harper was impressive on day one of rookie camp. The former Baltimore Raven looks like he could be a very inviting target over the middle. He has size and he has hands. I joked at camp that they should have given him 83 instead of 82. Yes, while Harper did impress today he has a long ways to go before he makes this roster. I am not going to get caught up in Terrence Nunn like hype.

Dwayne Jarrett was not at camp. He is expected in town tomorrow. Jarrett may be the most high profile rookie at camp having been a starter with Carolina and being the leading receiver at the USC team that featured Reggie Bush, Matt Leinart and Clay Matthews that lost to Vince Young and Texas in the national championship game.

Flames Hire New Head Coach

Bob Hartley, who was rumoured as a favorite to land the head coaching job with the Montreal Canadiens, will be named the new head coach of the Calgary Flames at a news conference today.

Hartley spent the 2011-12 season coaching the ZSC Lions in Zurich to the National A League Championship.

Having coached 651 career NHL games, Hartley brings a wealth of experience as well as a winning pedigree to the Flames bench. Hartley coached the Colorado Avalanche to a Stanley Cup in 2001, the first of four consecutive years that he would guide the Avalanche to the Western Conference Final.

Hartley also coached the Atlanta Thrashers for parts of five seasons between 2002 and 2008, guiding the franchise to its only playoff appearance in 2007. He was also a panelist on RDS before taking the coaching job in Zurich.

He was also present at the Memorial Cup as a volunteer advisor to Shawinigan Cataractes head coach Eric Veilleux. The Flames finished 37-29-16 last season and missed the playoffs for the third consecutive season.

(From tsn.ca)

Lidstrom Retires

The guy the Detroit Red Wings nicknamed "The Perfect Human" – their captain for the past six seasons and a sure lock for Hall of Fame status – is officially hanging up his winged-wheel sweater and retiring after 20 remarkable years in the Motor City.

Lidstrom made the announcement Thursday during a press conference at Joe Louis Arena, an event attended by coach Mike Babcock, GM Ken Holland, Lidstrom's family and several current and former teammates from the Red Wings.

Lidstrom helped the Red Wings win four Stanley Cups and seven times was awarded the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s best defenseman.

Lidstrom, who turned 42 on April 28, played in a whopping 1,564 regular-season games in his NHL career to put him second behind only Gordie Howe on Detroit’s all-time list. He also piled up 1,142 points, fourth most in franchise history, by scoring 264 goals and adding 878 assists. His plus-450 career plus-minus rating ranks No. 8 in League history and nearly equals the paltry 514 minutes he spent in the penalty box.

Lidstrom's career numbers in the Stanley Cup Playoffs are just as impressive.



No other Red Wings player appeared in more postseason games (263), as he never missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He also scored 54 goals to go with 129 assists for a total of 183 career playoff points and finished with a sterling plus-61 rating.

Lidstrom also decided 11 postseason games with game-winning goals and became the first European-born player to win the Conn Smythe Trophy (2002) before becoming the first European to captain his team to a Stanley Cup title in 2008.

Lidstrom, who made 12 NHL All-Star Games and was voted a First-Team All-Star 10 times, also holds the NHL record for most games played by a player who spent his entire career with one franchise.

This past season, he also became just the sixth Detroit-based athlete in the four major North American professional sports to play at least 20 years all in the Motor City. Red Wings legends Alex Delvecchio (24) and Steve Yzerman (22), Detroit Tigers stars Al Kaline (21) and Alan Trammell (20) and Detroit Lions kicker Jason Hanson (20) are the others.

Rider News/Pats News

The Saskatchewan Roughriders announced today they have signed all four of their 2012 Canadian Draft picks. Non-import offensive lineman Ben Heenan, non-import linebacker Samuel Hurl, non-import linebacker Kevin Regimbald-Gagne and non-import wide receiver Ismael Bamba have agreed to contracts. Financial details of the signings were not released.


Heenan (6’4 – 310) was selected by the Riders with the first overall selection in the 2012 Canadian Draft. The offensive lineman spent four seasons at the University of Saskatchewan where he helped the Huskies to three Canada West regular season titles and four straight playoff appearances. While with the Huskies, Heenan picked up a number of CIS Awards including 2008 Canada West Rookie of the Year; 2010 and 2011 Canada West All-Star; 2010 First Team CIS All-Canadian; 2011 Second Team All-Canadian and played in the East-West Shrine Game. Prior to joining the U of S, the Grand Coulee native was a standout offensive lineman at Sheldon Williams high school in Regina.

Sportsnet (and Sportscage insider) Arash Madani is reporting Heenan's deal is a three year one (two plus option) and will pay him between 57 and 60 thousand per year with bonuses and incentives.

Hurl (6’1 – 225) was selected in the second round (12th overall) by the Riders. The linebacker played three seasons in his hometown at the University of Calgary. Hurl has twice been named the Canada West Defensive Player of the Year and led the Dino’s last season with 97 defensive tackles and four tackles for a loss.


Regimbald-Gagne (6’1 – 230) was the Riders fifth round pick (35th overall). The native of Rouyn-Norand, QC attended the University of Sherbrooke where he was a standout linebacker. In 2011, Regimbald-Gagne was named a First Team CIS All-Canadian after registering 40 defensive tackles. He was also named to the RSEQ all-star team in each of the past two seasons.


Bamba (6’1 – 195) was selected in the sixth round (39th overall) by the green and white. Last season, Bamba played his senior year with the University of Sherbrooke where he finished with 50 receptions for 543 yards and four touchdowns. He also added 12 kick returns for 310 yards and one touchdown and 18 punt returns for 208 yards and one touchdown. Prior to transferring to Sherbrooke, Bamba spent two seasons at the University of North Dakota.


· The Riders have also announced that they have invited three members of the Regina Thunder Junior Football Club to participate in training camp. Quarterback Asher Hastings, wide receiver Clay Cooke and defensive tackle Zach Evans will be in uniform when Rookie Camp opens Thursday, May 31st.

------

General Manager Steve Tambellini announced today the Edmonton Oilers have agreed to terms with defenceman Brandon Davidson on a three-year entry level contract.

Davidson, 20, played in 69 games last year with the Western Hockey League's Regina Pats, finishing the season with 49 points (13G, 36A) and 83 penalty minutes.


The 6'1", 202-pound Lethbridge, Alberta native has collected 134 career points (22G, 112A) with the Pats in 200 games along with 191 penalty minutes.


Davidson, who was the captain of the Pats, also made his professional debut when he appeared in two games last season with the Oklahoma City Barons of the American Hockey League.

The Oilers selected Davidson in the 6th round, 162nd overall, in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.