This And That

--I've met George Reed many times before, but it is always a thrill when you get to talk football with him and that's what I was doing Tuesday in the Sportscage. George was in with Rod and myself to hawk his new book "George Reed, His Life and Times". He will be doing a book signing at the Northgate Mall Rider Store on Saturday afternoon. I believe he said its from 130-330, but perhaps phone the Northgate outlet to make sure. He also said he may drop by the main Rider store at Mosaic.

--George and Ronnie provided me with perhaps one of my biggest thrills when I worked at CJME. We were doing the sports show from a Winnipeg hotel and it was just me by my lonesome on this night. TSN was presenting the top 50 players in CFL history on this Friday night at a hotel about six blocks away. There was no way I could get to it, but I had spoken with TSN reps about getting someone on and they assured me it wouldn't be a problem. The first hour of the show went by and I had seen nothing. As the 2nd hour started, the doors swung open and in walked Andrea Goldstein from TSN. She said she couldn't get me one of the top players, but she got me two people who would be considered top players in Saskatchewan. I looked behind her to see George and Ronnie Lancaster come walking in. The 2nd hour of the show was spent talking to these two men. I didn't want to take a commercial break and I didn't want to say good night. When the show was over, they sat there and held court. It was great. The only thing that pissed me off is that no one made a copy of it at the station so I had no way to forever capture the moment.

--Speaking of great Riders, it saddens me when I see someone wearing jersey number 18 and 81. The Riders gave new receiver Scott McHenry number 18 and the oft-injured Aaron Fairooz is 81. Those numbers should be retired in my books. Some have said the same should go for 80 which is true as well. I just hope the Riders don't give up number 60 to someone because Geno needs his number to be retired. I know the day will come when Ray Elgaard and Jeff Fairholm get their sweaters retired, but I just don't like seeing someone else wearing the numbers of the all-time greats.

--Not to sound crass about the terrible death of Wade Belak, but it seemed to me last night that Sportsnet paid way too much attention to this ---at least more than the deaths of Rick Rypien and Derek Boogaard. Is it because Belak once wore the beloved Maple Leafs sweater? I hope that isn't the case. I also hope we stop hearing about these stories. This has definitely been a summer to forget for the NHL and for the Saskatchewan hockey community as we have lost three good men. Something needs to be done. How many more are out there that we don't know about and may tragically find out about soon.


--Congratulations to TSN's Sara Orlesky. The Winnipeg girl is moving home. Sara is going to continue working sidelines for CFL broadcasts, but she is also heading up the TSN Winnipeg bureau and will be a major component on Jets games. I remember the day they announced that Winnipeg was coming back to the NHL and TSN had Sara parked at "The Forks" for the announcement. The wind was blowing, but the girl had the biggest smile going because she knew how big this was and she was just as excited as anyone to see Winnipeg come back into the the NHL.

--Congratulations to my good friend Bryn Griffiths. The first ever voice of the Moose Jaw Warriors is making the move from Edmonton to Calgary to do the drive show on the FAN 960. I have a deep amount of respect for Bryn and would have loved to had the opportunity to work side by side with him. As those in Moose Jaw, he's a good man and a straight shooter.

--What's your favourite Labour Day Classic memory. As I said on the Cage yesterday, I think mine would be the Rocky Butler game. I also remember very well the Kerry Joseph TD in the last seconds in 2007. I hope there's another memory coming on Sunday.

--His feelings might change after Sunday's game, but I don't know if there is anyone happier than Ken Miller right now. He just seems to have a little more excitement in his voice and its not hard to see that the players have responded to his return. Will that translate into a win on Sunday?  We'll see.

--For what its worth, I have no problem with "Swaggerville". I also have no problem with the Eskimos billboard that they have put up in Calgary to promote their LDC. Its called marketing the game people which is what we want don't we?

--Did you hear former Bombers coach Mike Kelly on the Sportscage yesterday?  When his interview was over, I openly suggested if Kelly's name would be considered as a replacement for Miller IF he decides to step down as HC at the end of the season as I think he will. A lot of texters seemed to say no to HC, but yes to OC. Rod also asked how we can be sure that Ken won't be around next year to coach. Those questions can be answered at a later date.

--Regina's crime stats are at a 10 year low which is good news. However, I don't ever consider and never have considered Regina to be dealing with a major crime problem. Yes, there was the car theft crisis, but that has seemingly been dealt with. I guess when I haven't really been a victim of crime I can say that, but I just find Regina to be very secure and safe and I've felt that way throughout my many years in this city (yes, I am a born and bred Reginan if you didn't know).

--If Blockbuster stores are closing down, where are we to get videos from now? I don't like that decision.

--I'll watch the season premiere of "Two and A Half Men" just to see the end of the Charlie Harper era, but I don't know if I'll watch after that. I'm  not a big Ashton Kutcher fan.

--There don't seem to be any shows on the fall TV lineup that interest me.

--US College Football starts tonight and the NFL starts one week from tonight. Add this to the CFL and the CIS and football once again takes centre stage. There is nothing wrong with that.

--Fantasy Football draft #3 of 4 happens tonight. I'm not complaining though.