An Interesting Saturday Afternoon

I had never been a part of game day coverage for Saskatchewan Roughrider football until today---and I was starting to wonder if I was going to be a part of it. I had a chance to host "The Touchdown Club". That is the 90 minute pre-game show before Rod Pedersen and Carm Carteri take over. I was ready with John Lynch to discuss the game, but those oh-so-famous technical difficulties that happen at I think every radio station raised its ugly head again.





We were forced to leave the practice field and hurry it up to Rod's broadcast location in the press box. When we finally got going, an hour and a half show got condensed to about a half hour. It wasn't the way I thought it was going to be, but what can you do. All of the people involved in the broadcast were doing their best to get us on and all you can do is sit back and hope. It just made me think back to the problems we used to have in getting U of R Rams games from the road on CJME. Many, many stories could be told there. I still laugh when I think of my colour man Sheldon Stener carrying this briefcase with our tieline (portable studio) around Thunderbird Stadium at UBC trying to find a broadcast location because the only broadcast line set up was for a Vancouver radio station and not us. When we finally got to doing the game, it was because we were using a phone line that was the stadium office. Anyone wanting to phone the stadium that afternoon got a busy signal. At least their calls didn't knock us off the air because that's what I thought would happen. The bottom line is when the equipment isn't working, it causes chaos and stress for many good people.


-----


Thoughts on the game....





--The Riders should have blown Hamilton out. They scored 37, but it could have been and should have been 50. While it was a celebratory dressing room at game's end, I think everyone in that room knew it could have been a lot better.





--Defensive co-ordinator Gary Etcheverry seemingly has to teach his unit how to tackle again. There have been a lot of missed ones over the last two weeks.





--The special teams play was much better today. Dominique Dorsey didn't break a major return,. but there was a tremendous improvement. Neal Hughes' blocked punt may have been the game's biggest play.





--Louie Sakoda's days in green appear to be numbered. Eddie Johnson has won that job with his performance.





--I think Hamilton's game plan was to get the ball into the hands of Arland Bruce! I don't care if you win the game or not, you can't be happy with the fact that one guy caught 16 passes for 270 plus yards. I know Lance Frazier wasn't very pleased.





--This team is 4-1 and I don't know if they have had a complete game yet. The B.C game was arguably their best one of the year.





--The chicken breasts we were treated to at halftime might have been the best meal at the half we have had over the past couple of years.

--Dave Stala's touchdown celebration was fantastic! Even Rider fans have to give him his due for that one.





--Kevin Glenn got the ball away lightning quick, but there still wasn't a lot of pressure on him. Lynch and I argued about the team not having impact ends like Chick and Baggs anymore. I said the sacks are still coming so why worry. I think I was wrong.

--Kudos to CTV's Lee Jones. He did sidelines for TSN on Saturday and he did his usual outstanding job. He even did it while wearing a suit! Where were those TSN golf shirts? With the game on the NFL Network, he even got to do his thing in front of an American audience. Who needs Suzy Kolber or Erin Andrews or whoever when you could have Jonesy!!!! He even did his own post-game package for CTV Regina. A gold star for him ladies and gentlemen. He gets the hardest-working media award. Its why you will see him on Sportscenter one day.





Before the game, we found out Jordan Sisco had been released by the Indianapolis Colts. It means he is likely on his way to Riderville. What do you with Sisco when he comes back? Can you realistically send him back to the U of R Rams? If he comes in, does this mean the end of Jason Clermont or Obed Cetoute. I would say the latter, but if it comes down to money, it could mean the end of Clermont's days in green and white. I hope that isn't the case. We will find out over the next couple of weeks.

--My six year old daughter had a blast at her first ever Rider game. I don't know if she could see a lot, but she told me all about it. Her only disappointment was she didn't get one of those little yellow footballs. Mom even took a picture of her and it ended up on the Maxtron at the end of the game. Of course, Dad didn't see it because he was walking from the press box to the field. GRRRR!!


----


The Eskimos fired Danny Macioccia. Its about time! Many people believe Eric Tillman will be the new guy there. However, I had one person in the Rider organization tell me that he heard Lynch and I discussing the scenario and that it won't be Tillman. We will see. If it is Eric, he will get the Eskimos back to a level of prominence. In his opening remarks, will he say the E-E stands for something? (ITS A JOKE!!)


----


Former Rider play-by-play man Geoff Currier was in attendance at the game. I spoke with Geoff for about five minutes. He is as classy and first-rate as ever. I told Rod that he should get a picture of the two of them at halftime, but there wasn't enough time for that to happen. I don't think I remember anyone else doing games except for Geoff and Rod. I remember Tim Dancy, Steve Brown and Ron Barnet doing games, but many of my Rider years have been spent listening to Geoff and Rod. I wonder what it would be like if Rod ever handed the mike off to Geoff for just a couple of series. I would have to find a radio to listen to that.


-----

The Jays resisted the urge to trade Jose Bautista. They also didn't trade any of their relievers which surprised me. Meanwhile, the Yankees acquired Kerry Wood from Cleveland. I've always been a big Kerry Wood fan since he started with the Cubs. His 20 strikeout game a few years ago against Houston was one that I just marvelled at. That game comes on ESPN Classic every now and then and I usually watch it. Not being a Yankees fan, it won't break my heart if he blows a few 7th or 8th inning leads.
-------
The Regina Red Sox are one win away from Round 2 of the playoffs. They beat Weyburn Saturday night 9-4 to take a 2-0 lead in their best of 5. Game 3 is Sunday night at Currie Field.
David Fox homered for the winners to give them an early lead.
-----
That's it. Have a good Sunday. Stay cool!!