This And That

 

 

The usual weekly assortment of thoughts running through my muddled brain

 

 

 --If you didn't know sports was a business before, you did this week when the Riders lost Keith Shologan to Ottawa in the expansion draft. I knew the Riders would lose someone of value, but I was hoping it wasn't Sholo. As I've said before, I think Keith is a class one individual and he was one of my favourite Riders. He and his wife had just built a home and had a baby and were ready to set up roots in the Queen City for a long, long time---probably after his career was over. While he still could do that who knows. Our loss is definitely Ottawa's gain. Some have asked where Sholo is as he hasn't commented on the move making some wonder if there is sour grapes. The answer is no as he is in Austria. We have communicated via direct message on Twitter and when he gets back he says he wants to come on "Sportscage" to talk about it all and say goodbye to the Rider Nation. I think I speak on behalf of Rod when I say there will not be a problem with that.

 

 --Brendan Taman had some criticism thrown his way for leaving Shologan unprotected. If it wasn't Shologan that left, it would have been a Heenan. a Best or a Getzlaf and we would still be having this conversation.

 

 --Am I the only one surprised the REDBLACKS took James Lee as the Riders import player. I really thought a guy like Eddie Russ or Prince Miller was gone. I even wondered if Tristan Jackson would get selected. Nothing against Lee, but I thought there were a lot of other guys who could have been gone.

 

--Thomas Dimarco was a loss for the Lions as he played well in Travis Lulay's absence, but I think BC got off quite well in the expansion draft as I've never heard of the two guys Ottawa took from them. They didn't lose a thing.

 

--Word is the Riders may have themselves a player in Hilltops running back Andre Lalonde if he keeps his head screwed on right. I'm not sure what that means and what baggage if any Lalonde carries, but if Kory Sheets bolts for the NFL, an Andrew Harris type player would be a ratio-changer.

 

 --You knew it would happen, but kudos to the Riders for taking the Grey Cup to as many communities as possible. All of Saskatchewan deserves to see that trophy up close and personal because of the investment so many make in the team. I hope as many people as possible get to see it.

 

--I didn't think this would bother me, but it did on Thursday night. My 10 year old had her school Christmas concert. Yes, I still call it a Christmas concert and I have no problems unlike others saying Merry Christmas to others. The Christmas concert has obviously changed over the years as we become more "politically correct". There was at least a little more "Christmas" flavor to this year's event. What bothered me was  this. When I got to the school, there was hardly a place to sit. Teachers had to go around asking people if chairs that were open were being saved or not. With my daughter being in an upper grade, she was one of the last to perform. As the younger grades finished things up, parents left not caring what other kids were up to. Hey, if I have to sit through your kids performance and I have no problem with doing that because they are cute in doing what they do, sit your ass down and watch my kid and her classmates perform. I really didn't think that would bother me, but it did. I think it got under the skin of the principal a little bit too, but she obviously wisely did not say a word about it. Perhaps next year and this is some advice for all schools. Have one giant number at the end involving all kids so you have to stay through everything.

 

--Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker not only kicks 61 yard field goals to win games, but I found out Friday morning, he can sing in seven different languages. How many people can do that.

 

--Week 16 NFL Lock of The Week --- Dolphins over Bills

--Week 16 NFL Upset Of The Week --Redskins over Cowboys

 

--Designated hitters make the most money out of position players in major league baseball averaging over 10 million. DH"s?? They sit on their wallet and come out to swing a bat four or five times a game. That's wrong!!!

 

--Would I be wrong to suggest for the Edmonton Oilers to find some kind of package to get Martin Jones out of Los Angeles once Jonathan Quick returns. What a find he has been for the Kings.

 

--American figure skater Brian Boitano announced he was gay this week. Who knew?

 

--Locker Talk co-host Pete Paczko asked a very good question on the show this past week. He wanted to know what Reginans can look forward to in 2015 after a year in which we hosted the Grey Cup, the CIS womens national basketball championships and the Junos. Good question Pete. We have the CIS womens volleyball championships and................

 

--A CIBC poll says the average Saskatchewan person is paying over $1000 in Xmas gifts. Really? How big are their families and how many are they shopping for?  I've spent a few hundred dollars for friends and family, but I'm not close to $1000 and won't be when all is said and done.

 

--The Tim Hortons ad where the guy keeps running into the girl and saying "HI" is a little creepy if you ask me. She should be calling law enforcement wondering if this guy is stalking her. That being said, it is better than those two knobs who hawk KD.

 

--Best commercial on TV remains the NHL mascots for Scotiabank credit cards. I laugh everytime I see it....I don't know if its just the dumb look on the Canucks mascot, the casual sliding of the bill by the Capitals mascot or the fist pump by the Leafs mascot, What a great ad!

 

--The Oilers traded Linus Omark to Buffalo for a conditional 6th round draft pick. Does that mean Linus went for Peanuts? Think about it! That one is rather Gene Principe-ish if I do say so myself.

 

That's all I got. Have a great weekend and if you're shopping this weekend, keep the elbows high and sharp!