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!