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Monday, August 11, 2014

Something To "Mitch" About


I've preached about this  for a couple of years, and now TSN's Duane Forde is getting onboard by saying its time the CFL scrapped the East-West format and went to one nine-team conference. Once again this weekend, three of four interdivisional matchups were won overwhelmingly by the Western Conference team.

In fact, in East vs West games this year, the West is 15-2. The Riders lost one of those games in Toronto, but who is the other team to lose to an Eastern opponent this year. Think about it!!!!  Montreal beat BC at Molson Stadium 24-9 in Week 2.

I have thought for a number of years the CFL should be one big conference. The top two teams get byes to what would be the semi-finals with 3 playing 6 and 4 playing 5. This would eliminate the cross-over and would mean the best teams are getting into the playoffs. Are we that stuck on East-West that we need it. Would you not like to see a Calgary-Saskatchewan Grey Cup? I'm sure those in Eastern Canada would hate it, but those in Eastern Canada don't seem to fond of our game right now with the exception of those in Ottawa.

Its an idea the league should seriously look at.

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Many people have asked what I think of the Taj Smith situation and what I think will happen to him. The answer is I really don't know, but it wouldn't surprise me if he has played his last down for the green and white. Boys are boys and when boys are on the road, they will go out. However, when you are told to be at a meeting at a certain time, you had better be there ready to go and Taj wasn't. In fact, they couldn't find him until Monday afternoon. That sends a message and its not a good one. The other question a lot of people have asked is "Who ratted on Taj?" I don't know. I wasn't on the trip so how would I know and no, Rod Pedersen doesn't fill me in on every road story or every detail surrounding the club. I would hope it wasn't someone in the organization and I would hope it wasn't some fan. If it was the latter, I hope the guy realizes he may have changed someone's life forever.

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Do ya like the Riders new jersey or do you hate it? It seems as if its 50-50. Put me down in the I like it category. I want to see what the other teams are going to roll out.
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I came across a very interesting story this week. A poll was taken (secretively of course) amongst NHL players, coaches and executives about who they would rather have on their team---Sidney Crosby or Jonathan Toews. The answer was Toews. That really doesn't surprise me as I think the Chicago captain is the best all-around player in the NHL, but it did surprise me that players, executives and coaches think that way. Would they rather have Patrick Kane than Sid? I can't see them wanting Ovechkin or Crosby. I'll ask you, who would you rather have...Sid or Toews?

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Did everyone survive the storm Friday? That came in quick and it was nasty. I was doing public address at the Red Sox game and you could see the lightning coming our way from the West. It started to rain lightly around the 7th inning and when the game ended, it was still just spitting. It was doing more than spit about 20 minutes later. That game ended just in time. Some of the pictures in places like White City were unreal.  The storm made me wonder just when it was that we had that massive hailstorm in Regina in the summer of 2013...was that also not mid-August? I was right in the middle of that and it was some kind of nasty. I thought a tornado was getting ready to roll down my street, but not as bad as one of my neighbours who hit the basement immediately.
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It was disappointing to see Weston Dressler get very little action in the KC Chiefs pre-season opener. As  much as I hate to say it because I want to see Weston succeed, I think he will back in Riderville perhaps as early as the Labour Day Classic. He has to win over some coaches in playing time and that first game was the opportunity to do so. I don't know if he will get much of an opportunity the rest of the way. I hope I'm wromg because I'd rather see him wearing Chiefs red than Riders green. As for Kory Sheets, he didn't see much time either, but there is talk he could do no worse than the practice roster in Oakland. That's a win for Kory if it happens. If he comes back this way too, it not only creates another chapter in the running back story here, but it loads up the Wheat Warriors for the 2nd half of the season.

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Regina's baseball community should be beaming. The Red Sox finished another positive season on the weekend and even though they were eliminated by Swift Current on the weekend, it was still a pretty good year. If the performance of the Red Sox isn't good enough, how about what is up and coming. Not only is a Regina team competing at the Little League Junior World Series in Michigan, but I found out Saturday a Regina team is also competing at the Little League Senior World Series in Maine after winning the Canadians last Thursday. This is outstanding!  Those connected with Kiwanis Baseball and the North Regina Little League should be pretty proud of what likely is the greatest season we've had. With the kids on these teams ranging from 14-17, the future looks bright for b-ball in the Queen City.

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Tiger who? The PGA championship proved golf does not need Tiger Woods anymore as there are many ready to assume his spot. Sunday's final round was maybe the most collective and most dramatic round of golf I have seen.  Rory McIlroy, Phil Mickleson. Rickie Fowler and Henrik Stenson fought it out with Ernie Els making a late charge as did several others. Graham DeLaet might have been in the mix if his putter was working Sunday, but he wasn't that far back. At one time, golf revolved around the doings of Tiger. No more! There are enough established vets and young guns to keep this sport entertaining for years to come.

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The Blue Jays can forget about being AL East champions and now have to concern themselves with getting the 2nd and final wildcard spot. I don't know if they will do it, but while fading, they aren't dead in the water yet. Three games against the Mariners in Seattle with the first one being against Felix Hernandez won't be easy. Going into the week, they are tied with Seattle a game and a half back of Kansas City. If the Mariners should sweep this set, its bye-bye Jays and will leave one to wonder again just why Alex Anthopoulos chose not to add any significant pieces prior to the trade deadline. CKRM co-worker Chris Harris asked a great question during the 19 inning marathon against the Tigers. That question being----do they start selling beer again at some point. I think beer sales end after the 7th so that would be a long time for a big crowd to go suds-less. Two other Jays points---would they have a playoff spot basically cinched if 2nd half Mark Buehrle was like first half Mark Buehrle? What happened there? The second thing is how much longer is John Gibbons going to employ Juan Francisco. The guy seemingly does nothing but strike out or pop up.

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The future is starting to arrive in Wrigleyville. Javier Baez is going to be a star and his major league career started off with a bang as he homered three times in two games. I still think the Cubs compete for a pennant in 2016.
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What did Heather Anderson do at Global? Both of her compadres are leaving her! How can you leave Heather Anderson I ask??? Well, if you're Kent Morrison, you get an opportunity at Global Edmonton and if you're Rustie Dean, you go back into the world of radio.  Heather, if Rustie comes to work for the Harvard chain, you are more than welcome to come visit anytime and if you want to read a newscast or two, I'm OK with that.
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I don't think John Cena is losing the belt to Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam next week, but I am interested to see what goes down at the PPV. The Stephanie McMahon-Brie Bella match won't be of the quality Undertaker-Triple H was, but it will be as entertaining as hell I'm guessing. It was that way when Vince got in the ring. I'm thinking we see a sister turn before this match is done, but we'll see. When is the WWE coming back here anyhoo?

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I still want to find a way to legislate the afternoon nap into the workday. Just a quick 45 minute nap will do! Hey if people can go and waste their time smoking, I can waste it napping can I not?

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And finally, lets let the Manning brothers take you out this week with this...



Have a great Monday!


33 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yes...blame potentially a fan for noting that Smith was violating the rules of his release. Don't blame the 31 year old for being selfish and irresponsible. That makes sense!

Anonymous said...

It should be one big 9 team league. The Eastern teams are terrible. There at least used to be one good team, but all four can't carry the chinstrap of the Western teams right now.

Anonymous said...

Put me down in the I'll take a one division 9 team CFL.

Anonymous said...

Who ratted on Taj? That's a great question. I'd never thought of that. It would also be absolutely stupid to suggest this isn't his first violation on the road. Football players go out, they eat at fine restaurants and have a bevvie or two. I'm guessing Taj doesn't go back to his hotel room, watch Sportscentre and get a bag of chips from the nearby 7-11.

Russ

Anonymous said...

Anon 1. Would it surprise you if some Ottawa fan that knew what was going on here phoned the police and said hey what's this guy up to? As Scruffy says, when you don't go to a meeting, you're in trouble. I think in a way that's saying he's selfish and irresponsible. I'm guessing you'd be one to rat on other players when they come to Regina if the opportunity arose.

Anonymous said...

If Kory Sheets and Dressler both return to the CFL this year, only one will be in green and white due to salary cap issues. My bet is that Sheets will be wearing an Argo jersey.

Anonymous said...

The reason Taj missed the meeting was because he was in jail.

Anonymous said...

Re Blue Jays;

Muney Kawasaki may not be the league's best at any position but boy do I want him on my team.

Anonymous said...

Why do you say that a practice roster spot makes Kory Sheets a winner. I just checked it out and the minimum for PR personnel down there is $6,000 per week, Kory has a minimum contract. Up here Kory is a free agent and I'm sure he could do better than that as a feature back, heck Geroy Simon did last year as a fifth read. Do the math....$6,000 X 18 weeks = $108,000.

Anonymous said...

I hate to say it, but I agree with you on Dressler.


Terry C

Anonymous said...

If he was in jail, why did it take the Riders so long to find him. Don't ya think a call would have been made after his arrest? The Riders have no choice but to let him go. He did something dumb and he let the team down. It will send the wrong message if he stays.

Shannon

Anonymous said...

I would take Toews over Crosby and probably Stamkos too.


Rob

Anonymous said...

If anyone knows Ottawa and it's surrounding area, night clubs galore on the Quebec side. For a 31 year professional football player who was already in trouble with the law, he should known better at his age, some guys never grow up until opportunity has passed them by. Roughriders management should have tied a very heavy ball and chain to this guy. Good riddance Taj Smith, you blew your chance here at Sask.

Anonymous said...

As is the custom in Saskatchewan where anything Roughrider is coated with green icing sugar. Saskatchewan media never did mention the fact that Taj was in jail, that came from down East. It made me think of the time the Montreal based 'Hockey News' ran the headline "Lafleur doesn't win scoring race". Bryan Trottier won it that year and Marcel Dionne was second. Guy Lafleur was third, yet he got the headline. Media can manipulate a lot of people's thinking.

Anonymous said...

Too bad the actions of a professional football player are dominating the comments today and not the actions of young men representing our city in two high profile events on the diamond. Regina's baseball community is beaming over the efforts of our teams in Michigan & Maine win or lose. Thank you for noticing them!

Gary

Anonymous said...

Releasing Dressler outright might just come back to haunt the Roughrider football club if he returns to the CFL. Money talks, loyalty walks, the other 8 teams in the league are sure to have high interest in his playing service. Does the Roughrider club have necessary cap room to afford on this one person?

Anonymous said...

"Ratted him out", it was Smiths responsibility not to be in a bar. He brought this on himself. Why is no one responsible for their own actions anymore? Yes someone "ratted him out" for not being accountable for his responsibilities. Sounds like a grade 9 comment. If Smith wanted to play, he shouldn't have been in a bar, the provincial court placed that condition on him. If he wants to look at the person who did wrong, he only needs to look in the mirror.

Anonymous said...

I'm with Gary!

Anonymous said...

No doubt Taj was selfish and irresponsible, but someone snitched on him while on the road. Who would do that? I can't see it being a teammate. Who did it then? Does Regina police spend $$$ on trailing someone in an "undercover" like fashion? I'd like to know just why police went to that club and if he was targeted.

peter dalla riva

Anonymous said...

Why hasn't Obama chimed in? He must be on Pederson's payroll and not yours.

Bill Eng said...

I really enjoy your blog. Keep up the great work!

Anonymous said...

Screw BLOWBAMA!!!!!!!!'

Anonymous said...

Taj Smith an adult, he accented to his responsibilities when he was released last year on bail conditions. He didn't own up to those conditions, now the consequences, unless his employer has intervened on his behalf once again.

Mitchell Blair said...

Thanks Bill!

Anonymous said...

Weston has three more games to show his stuff. Why throw him out of the equation after just one game?

Anonymous said...

A Regina Pee Wee Baseball Team won Provincials a little over a week ago and are off to Nationals in London, Ontario next week.

Anonymous said...

Taj Smith can't or won't abide by court imposed release conditions, he belongs in the Regina Provincial Correctional Centre, or Prince Albert Federal Penitentiary, case closed !

Anonymous said...

Who's Obama?

Who's Pedersen?

Screw Obama!!!!!!!!'

Screw PEDERSEN!!!!!!!!'

Anonymous said...

professional football player ? Not !

Kudos to Regina baseball !!!!

Anonymous said...

Responsible professional teammate or someone from management personnel maybe the person/s who reported the law breaking Taj, who cares? Ottawa Police more than likely went to that club on strong reasonable grounds to investigate, which were validated, hence Taj Smith arrest. Regina police don't need to trail anyone in this day and age as police departments across this land cooperate and share information with each other anytime they want. Taj Smith on court of law imposed release, Taj on watch. Just because he plays football doesn't mean he's hands off don't touch, he's not above the long hand of the law of this country !

Anonymous said...

I always read Mitch's Blog. He puts a lot of hard work into it.

It is definite kudos for the Little League programs in Regina. NRLL and Kiwanis merged, and had there been interest would have made up to 3 teams. That Junior had it's pick of players. Some just didn't want to give up the summer, but that division was loaded with talent.

The Senior team was the only Little League team. SBA wouldn't allow them into the AAA program so they played AA and dominated. Baseball Regina held a Bantam tournament and it was Saskatoon and Regina Little League in the final. Maybe time for SBA to start thinking about getting onboard with how to develop players instead of playing politics huh?

Those are well run leagues that meet the needs of all participants. The regular season is competitive, but the philosophy is to get them all on the field and developing. It made for a really good regular season. Then they combine up to make a AAA team, and those kids are all at that level.

Baseball Regina/SBA especially in Regina is nothing but pure garbage. 5 Dads in what is supposed "AAA" sign up to Coach to make sure they can all get their kids in the team picture. The Bantam Division they make 3 "AAA" teams and half of them can't play.

The players of the future for the Red Sox will be coming from the Little League programs.

Also a big applause should go out to RBI Center and Inside Pitch who develop players in the off season. The pitching coming out of those businesses is what is driving the baseball success.

If you have a kid wanting to play baseball go with the the Little League programs.

Y'er Welcome
Obama

Anonymous said...

Sheets isn't eligible for the Raiders practice roster, he either makes the 53 or he gets cut.

Anonymous said...

Is taj smith a full blown alki (alcoholic) ?