This And That

I was going to save this item for this column, but it came out during "Sportscage" Wednesday with Rod Pedersen and John Lynch.

I am surprised that Kent Austin is returning to the CFL, but I am not disappointed that he has returned wearing another team's colours. While some in the Rider Nation believe that Kent should simply just step in to the position he vacated and become our head coach again, I say NO! I am quite satisfied with the job done by both head coach Corey Chamblin and general manager Brendan Taman this year. Those two set the foundation in 2012 for what should be a good football team in 2013 and one that will contend for the Grey Cup that will be in their own backyard. Chamblin and Taman have their haters, but I'm not one of them. I have a great deal of respect for them and the grand poobah Jim Hopson. There is no guarantee they will be at the big game or win it, but they will give this team a much better chance of being in the game then the first two times the Grey Cup was played at Mosaic Stadium.

Back to Austin, I do have a problem with his banner still hanging on the west side of Mosaic Stadium. Once again, I will not doubt that Kent is Riders royalty. He did something that no one else has done and that is quarterback and coach this team to the title. However, he is now walking in as the enemy. In my mind, you don't salute someone who is returning in opposition colours. I don't like the optics of it. I think in a way that disrespects Corey Chamblin a little bit as he drives into work and sees the likeness of one of his counterparts staring down at him. If the Tabbies should come in here and win in 2013, I'm guessing Corey wouldn't like driving in and seeing the guy that just defeated him on the field.  By looking at Rod's blog, it would sound as if I'm in the moral minority here, but that's the way I feel. I still think the Ronnie and George banners should never have been taken down in the first place, but I understand the reasoning as to why it was done. That being said, lets switch em up before 2013 again and put Elgaard and Ridgway up there or Makowsky and Fairholm.

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Can someone explain to me why Bob Young feels the need to wear a ball-cap whenever the Tiger-Cats have a news conference. The guy has the deepest pockets in the CFL (I think he has more $$$ than Braley) and he comes to newsers wearing ballcaps? CMON BOB!!!

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So Ron Lancaster quarterbacked the Riders to a Grey Cup and went to coach in Hamilton. Kent Austin quarterbacked the Riders to a Grey Cup and went to coach in Hamilton. Has Kerry Joseph sent a resume to Young yet. Perhaps he will be Austin's successor. Who's kidding who, he might still be playing by the time Kent decides to pull up stakes whenever that may be.

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It was great to hear Ken Miller's voice on "Sportscage" Wednesday. I still have a fond spot for Coach Miller and I found it interesting that both Roddie and I still referred to him as Coach Miller. Things certainly did not end the way they should have for Miller in Riderville, but when you look back at what he did during his time here, he has to go down as one of the greatest head coaches the Riders have had. An assistant coach on one Grey Cup winning team and the head coach of two teams that were so close to winning it all in his four years in Saskatchewan. I still think if Darian Durant doesn't get hurt against the Argos at Mosaic that night that the 2006 season would have been a lot different as Michael Bishop would never have worn green. Miller did far more good for this team than he did bad in my mind. I hope he is given a Plaza of Honor induction before he passes away.

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Speaking of which, I hope the young Rider fan asks the elder Rider fan about Eagle Keys and how great of a coach he was. I know I was told at a young age about how good Keys was and when you consider all the coaches this team has had, he is number one. He is definitely Rider royalty!!! RIP Eagle and thank you for everything you did for this organization during your time here.

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The news about former Pats captain Kyle Deck was just saddening. Deck is one of many who have gotten a cruel hand as he has been stricken by a kidney disease that sounds as if its taking his toll on him. He needs a new kidney and he needs one quickly. I know he's not the only one, but his situation is being publicized. I applaud the Pats for asking people to see if they have a matching kidney not just for Kyle but for anyone who is suffering from some kind of kidney disease. I hope this story has a happy ending.
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As Kelly Remple and I discussed on "Sportscage" Thursday, Deck is the latest in a long line of players that have had some kind of major medical malady strike them in their post-Pats career. I think Kelly and I counted 14 players that have had something happen to them. From Brandon Davidson to Josh Harding to Rick Rypien to Shane Lanigan to Tyson Sievert. That's just not right!

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Nothing says Christmas like someone ramming their cart into your vehicle in the mall parking lot or that woman that bitches out the staff at Tim Hortons for not getting her order right when she says it so quickly that no one can understand her. I just shake my head at some people at this time of year.

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Is goaltending going to kill our gold medal hopes at the World Juniors again? I'm not sold on Malcolm Subban or Jordan Binnington. I hope one of those two takes the step up that is needed.

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I should have put some money down on the Jays to win the American League East before they completed the R-A Dickey trade. Its hard to believe that they are now being considered a favourite to win it all. What will Toronto do if that happens? Will we have the NHL back by that time?

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I'm guessing Gregg Zaun won't be tweeting about Regina women what he did about Toronto women when he is here for Grey Cup week. Then again, we all know Regina women are better than women from the Tdot don't we?
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With that, I'll end it. Have a great weekend!