This And That

Just a random collection of thoughts whirring through the brain over the past couple of days.


--Sidney Crosby may be back in the lineup Sunday afternoon when the Penguins take on Boston. Some are questioning Sid coming back against the Stanley Cup champs because of guys like Chara, Lucic and Marchand. There are guys who will hit on you every team so either play him now and take your chances or tell him his season is over so that he can be for sure at 100 percent when next season starts. One has to wonder though if he can't make it through the rest of this season, if this will be it.

--Peyton Manning is a free agent and my Seahawks are said to be interested. I am conflicted over this. When on the top of his game, Manning is one of the best in the league. Is he still on top of his game? Can he be the quarterback he once was? There is no doubt a healthy Manning would be an upgrade over what Seattle has at quarterback now, but how much longer can he go. If the team wants to get Manning and then draft a quarterback this year or next that can take over, I'm fine with it. If this is going to be short-term gain, but long-term pain, I'm not for it. When all is said and done, I think he ends up with Miami. He has a home there, he can play Tom Brady twice a year and you know he would relish an opportunity to play the Colts. Oh by the way, the Dolphins are scheduled to play in Indy this year.

--The Regina Pats have sent out a press release saying there are over 2000 tickets remaining to be sold for tomorrow's game against the arch-rival Warriors. A team that they boot-thumped 8-2 at the Brandt Centre the last time out. This amazes me. I know there are some in this town that don't want to support the Pats anymore for various reasons, but this team is going to the playoffs for the first time in a few years and they have a legitimate shot at getting to the 2nd round if not an East final the way Pat Conacher has them playing. Its time to start getting behind this team is it not? If you're not supporting them still, why? I hope there's a huge walkup tomorrow. I'm confident there will be.

--Former Pat Carter Ashton made his NHL debut last night with the Maple Leafs. How many players have gone from the Pats to play at least 20 NHL games since the Parkers took over. Names like Derek Morris, Barrett Jackman, Josh Harding and Jordan Eberle automatically spring to mind, but what is the answer? Its got to be more than a dozen.

--Toronto FC and the Los Angeles Galaxy met last night in a CONCACAF league playoff game. It went at Rogers Centre and the place was packed. I can only wonder what the CFL was thinking and what the Argos were thinking as they saw this unfold. The market is there, its just a matter of getting people to Rogers Centre to watch the Argos.

--As I tweeted last night, who had more time with the ladies on TV? Sam Malone, Charlie Harper or Dan Fielding? To go one step further, there are reruns of Cheers on TV and reruns of Two and a Half Men, but no channel with the exception of Comedy Gold (which I don't have) carries reruns of Night Court. Why? I loved that show.

--I'm a huge Oilers fan as you know, but I am really hoping the Winnipeg Jets get into the playoffs.

--Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment needs to do the right thing and get rid of Leafs GM Brian Burke. He is just embarassing them now.

--Burke wants the CBC to fire Ron McLean and Don Cherry because of their "slanted" views on the Leafs. Is Burke naive enough to think that the two will just drift away never to be heard from again? TSN and Sportsnet would have a bidding war over their services--especially Cherry's. Say what you will about him, Canadians still tune in to hear what he says and if they don't, they hear about it from someone.

--The NFL Network showed the 1975 Hail Mary game between the Cowboys and Vikings this past week. The game was at the old Metropolitan Stadium. It was great viewing for many reasons. The one thing I laughed at is just how small the offensive and defensive lines were. The biggest guy out there weight-wise might have been 270.

--Watching Peter Loubardias do the Raiders-Blades game on Access (Shaw) last night just makes me shake my head as to why the Flames got rid of Peter Lou before the start of this season. I guess if they wanted a library like approach to the games they certainly got it.


--Scott Manners had a great start to the Brier, but predictably the rookie Saskatchewan skip is struggling mightily. He needs a win in his final round-robin matchup to give him 3. I had him getting 4. Yes, its disappointing, but what did we expect?

--I wonder if Michael Fougere is sitting back looking at the candidates he is running against for Mayor and just counting down the days until he moves into the big office at City Hall. If I were Fougere, I would start ordering office furniture now. Unless someone new comes to the front, there will be no real race as far as I'm concerned.

--How do you keep the dream alive? Hit the snooze button!