This And That

Welcome to Friday! Here are the usual weekly thoughts running through my muddled mind, and as always they come in no particular order.



--We are on the eve of the last ever Rider game at Taylor Field. What type of night does the football team have planned? The answers will be found out soon. Some suggest whether or not we are going over the top in saying goodbye to a stadium that was past its prime years ago.  Iconic buildings like the Montreal Forum and Maple Leaf Gardens were past their prime years before they held their last game. Edmonton's Northlands Coliseum was well past its prime last year and so was Yankee Stadium and Tiger Stadium. They are iconic buildings that deserve the proper sendoff. The Riders will give them one and hopefully they will give their fans a victory too. This is the last time we will see the green and white at home this season, and like it is any year, you want to go out on a high. That is the case moreso on Saturday. It will be a night where you come in, cheer your team on to what you hope will be a victory and then remember the moments.  My farewell essay will come on game day.

--The Rider player nominees for year end awards will be coming out soon. I don't have a vote. If I did, it would look like this

       MOST OUTSTANDING PLAYER -- Naaman Roosevelt
       TOP CANADIAN  -- Rob Bagg
       SPECIAL TEAMS -- Tyler Crapigna
       LINEMAN -- Thaddeus Coleman (is he the only one to play all year?)
       DEFENSIVE PLAYER -- AC Leonard
       ROOKIE -- Justin Cox

The selection of Cox may upset some because of his past history. He isn't the best character guy that the Riders have ever had, but he has kept his nose clean while in green-and-white unlike some others.  He has given the Riders no reason to not want him around, and he has done what has been asked of him on the field. If he strays off that path, we can talk.


--Will Jeff be at this game? He ducked out on the Plaza of Honor, and he was a no-show when the Riders were officially handed the keys to the old Mosaic Stadium.  The relationship with the Riders is a tenuous one for the commish. I would think he should be here representing the league. He has to be! I won't be surprised if he isn't.

--The Stampeders finish the regular season off this weekend as they have the bye for the final weekend. That means they will get some substantial time off before playing in the Western final. Does Dave Dickenson rest his starters knowing they won't play again for a while?

--The Oilers are 6-1. When do we start actually taking notice of what is being done and start talking about this team as one that ends its lengthy playoff drought. 7 games is too early. 15? 20? By the way, do you still think the Taylor Hall trade was a bad one?

--The Habs are the last NHL team to be beaten in regulation. If you're a Montreal fan, was the PK Subban trade still a bad one to make?

--Week 8 NFL Lock of The Week -- Seahawks over Saints
  Week 8  NFL Upset of the Week --Bills over Patriots 

--If all goes right, by this time next week the Chicago Cubs will be World Series champions. Something evil must be lurking, It has to be doesn't it?

--Who thought the University of Regina Rams would be walking into Winnipeg tomorrow to play the Bisons knowing a win would give them first place in Canada West about two months ago.  The job Steve Bryce and his coaching staff have done this year is second to none. If the Rams win this game, Bryce is the CIS coach of the year. There can't be anyone in Canada doing a better job than what he has done. Having a Hec Crighton-calibre starting quarterback helps a lot too. Saturday night should be a fun night at Investors Group Field.  I will have that one for you alongside Braden Konschuh on CKRM2 (sportscage.ca) starting at 7.

--The WWE world is abuzz as Brock Lesnar will fight Bill Goldberg next month in Toronto at "Survivor Series". Lesnar is from Maryfield, and Goldberg's wife is apparently from White City. Let's just hold this match at the Superstore East parking lot.

That's all I got. Have a great weekend!  GO RIDERS!! GO SEAHAWKS!! GO CUBS!!