The City of Regina will be holding a pep rally to honour the Saskatchewan Roughriders as they make their way to the 97th Grey Cup Championship. The rally will take place Monday, November 23rd at 4 p.m. in the front court yard at City Hall. The public is invited to join us in showing our support for the Riders as they fight to bring home the cup. We will be filming a group singing of “Green is the Colour” as well as filming individual messages from the crowd to send the Riders off to 97th Grey Cup Championship.
Maybe Councillor Szarka can hold court in his office. Do councillors have offices?
Monday, November 23, 2009
A Slight Change-Up
Usually Mondays I ask you what the best and worst of the sports weekend was. There's no doubt as to what the best part was (and I guess worst if you're a Calgary fan). That being said, there were many moments to remember at Mosaic yesterday. What was the one memory you take away from that game whether you were there or not. If there was something that made you mad on the weekend sportswise, feel free to mention it here too.
For me, the best part was talking to Neal Hughes on the field when it was over with the fireworks going off and the crowd going nuts. Neal looked like a 4 year old on Christmas morning who looks under the tree and sees the present he asked Santa for sitting there. By the way, he tells me that he is making room in his bed to sleep with the Grey Cup again. (Please no tape of what goes on!!)
For me, the best part was talking to Neal Hughes on the field when it was over with the fireworks going off and the crowd going nuts. Neal looked like a 4 year old on Christmas morning who looks under the tree and sees the present he asked Santa for sitting there. By the way, he tells me that he is making room in his bed to sleep with the Grey Cup again. (Please no tape of what goes on!!)
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Off To The Cup
If you were there, you won't forget it for a long, long time. The Riders are off to the Grey Cup and unlike the 2007 Western final or any other Grey Cup appearance of recent note, they get there by doing it in front of their own fans.
It was some kind of loud on the field as the fireworks went off and the cheers of a sold out crowd rained down on the Mosaic turf saluting their Western Division champs. The Riders were full marks for their 27-17 win. They left no doubt as to the better team was. It was a slow start for the home side and I think they needed a quarter to shake off the rust, but once Darian Durant got his game back it was advantage Riders.
The play of the game as far as I was concerned was the 2nd half kick return by Jason Armstead. The Riders had momentum going into the 2nd half thanks to their 2nd quarter play and the Armstead play only fuelled that momentum even more. When Durant hit Fantuz to give the Riders a lead they wouldn't give up, it was game over. I have to admit I had some anxious moments after Luca Congi had his field goal blocked in the 4th quarter. That kick would have been the dagger, but it kept Calgary alive and Henry Burris started marching his team downfield. It had me wondering in the back of my mind if there was a comeback, but you know there wasn't.
So its off to Calgary next week and the 97th Grey Cup. The Montreal Alouettes will provide the opposition. They were 15-3 in the regular season. They don't have any weaknesses. My early thoughts is this game will rest on the shoulders of the team's talented bookends on the defensive line. If John Chick and Stevie Baggs can have a better game than Anwar Stewart and Jon Bowman then Saskatchewan wins. If its the other way around, its game, set, match to Montreal. The o-lines will be under the gun. I would have to say Montreal has a more talented offensive line. but the gap is not a wide one. In a one game showdown, you just never know.
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I didn't see a lot of NFL action today for obvious reasons, but what shoots out at me is this.
--Its ironic the Detroit-Cleveland game may have been the most exciting one of the day
--The Patriots didn't self-destruct after losing to the Colts
--The Broncos may not win again this season after starting 6-0
--The Seahawks secondary is brutal
--How can Cincinnati beat Pittsburgh twice and lose to the Raiders?
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Its going to be a wild week Saskatchewan. Enjoy it!
Get Ready Calgary
The scoreboard says it all doesn't it. I need to enjoy a couple of cold ones before I talk about this. I think you understand. In the meantime and in between time, Darian Durant has a message for you.
Number one indeed.
Here We Go
We've been waiting for two weeks, but the day has arrived. Today is the day we find out who is going to the Grey Cup and I'm guessing most everyone in this province will be either A)at Mosaic B) at a local watering hole C)watching TSN or D) listening to Rod and Carm. Will it be as quiet around Saskatchewan as it would be during a Grey Cup game involving the Riders.? I suspect it will be.
Where did the snow come from? There wasn't any snow forecast for last night. Its still supposed to get up to plus 4 today and I don't think there is to be much of a wind so it should be a great afternoon/night for football. I think we are in for a very stressful three hours.
John Hufnagel said yesterday he thinks B.C Place is a louder place to play in than what Mosaic is. Really?! That statement may come back to haunt you Huff.
The Riders feel Henry Burris disrespected them when he said after getting clobbered in Montreal that he will see them on the 29th. Mo Lloyd said the same thing and look what happened last week. Henry is right. He will see Montreal on the 29th. I'm sure he is sticking around for the festivities and I'm guessing he's going to the game. Thus he will see Montreal on the 29th. So I ask what's the fuss?
Wouldn't it be something if number 7 came out of the tunnel today?
Jason Clermont will make a significant contribution today! Keith Shologan will make a big play on defence.
If Darian Durant should have a bad game today, I hope that fan that got into a fight with Michael Bishop last year after the Western semi doesn't return today. What's that? Oh yeah, that fan didn't exist.
It wouldn't surprise me one bit to see the Lions beat the Alouettes and I think they will give Montreal a tougher game than what Hamilton would have given them. That being said, I am still taking the Als.
If B.C. should win, how dumb will it sound saying the Eastern reps are from B.C.
Calgary has a team going for a national football title. The Dinos are going to the Vanier. That is all they need.
Watched Global Calgary sports last night. They led with the Flames win over L-A! They then had a graphic of Joffrey Reynolds that said CFL's Most Outstanding Player 2009. I guess they have already handed out the awards. Did John Chick win? I'll go back to watching Warren Woods and Derek Meyers now.
Forrest Griffin did NOT beat Tito Ortiz last nite. Not in my mind. He certainly didn't take all three rounds as one judge suggested.
I thought I had a sizable Pro-Line win last night, but again I was one game short. I thought Oregon would cruise over Arizona. Such is not the case. DAMN!
I can't forget about the Pats. They are 2-0 on their West Coast trip. After beating the Ice in a shootout on Friday, they hammered Tri-Cities 7-1 last night. The Americans lead the US Division and had only lost 5 games going in. Nice job guys! Keep it up. Maybe its the fact Pedersen isn't with them that has sparked their play.
Possible NFL upset today----Redskins over Cowboys. Games over the last 5 years have been traditionally close between these two division rivals with 7 of the last 10 finishing in a 5 point or less verdict.
Did anyone catch the end of the LSU-Ole Miss game on CBS last night. If so, you saw LSU's Les Miles pull off a Belichick. Why in a two point game he would elect to have his quarterback try and stop the clock by spiking the ball with one second left so that he could get his FG out team out there with the ball inside the Ole Miss 10 is a little strange. Either run a play for a TD or get your FG out team there quick, quick, quick. That play probably cost LSU a major bowl berth.
Speaking of Belichick, it amazes me how so many people have changed their tune and now said he was making the right call the other night only to have it go awry. I understand not wanting Peyton Manning to get his hands on the football again, but giving him the ball at the Patriots 30 with two minutes left was just stupid. Punt the football and make the Colts move 70 yards. Last time I checked, its tougher to move the ball 70 yards than 30. The Colts might have won in the end, but it would have been a lot more challenging.
Roy Halladay has said he's not interested in re-signing with the Blue Jays. If that is the case, get a good deal Mr. Anthopoulos.
The ESPN 30 for 30 series is outstanding. The Gretzky documentary was great the other night and so was the one on TSN last nite about the demise of the USFL. Outstanding TV!
When does the first batch of fans show up at Mosaic? Who's kidding who, they probably are already there having spent the night.
Have a great Sunday, have a memorable Sunday. If you are going to the game, soak up every second of it if they win. The only thing bigger would be to see this team win a Grey Cup at Mosaic. My prediction.....Saskatchewan 29 Calgary 24.
Where did the snow come from? There wasn't any snow forecast for last night. Its still supposed to get up to plus 4 today and I don't think there is to be much of a wind so it should be a great afternoon/night for football. I think we are in for a very stressful three hours.
John Hufnagel said yesterday he thinks B.C Place is a louder place to play in than what Mosaic is. Really?! That statement may come back to haunt you Huff.
The Riders feel Henry Burris disrespected them when he said after getting clobbered in Montreal that he will see them on the 29th. Mo Lloyd said the same thing and look what happened last week. Henry is right. He will see Montreal on the 29th. I'm sure he is sticking around for the festivities and I'm guessing he's going to the game. Thus he will see Montreal on the 29th. So I ask what's the fuss?
Wouldn't it be something if number 7 came out of the tunnel today?
Jason Clermont will make a significant contribution today! Keith Shologan will make a big play on defence.
If Darian Durant should have a bad game today, I hope that fan that got into a fight with Michael Bishop last year after the Western semi doesn't return today. What's that? Oh yeah, that fan didn't exist.
It wouldn't surprise me one bit to see the Lions beat the Alouettes and I think they will give Montreal a tougher game than what Hamilton would have given them. That being said, I am still taking the Als.
If B.C. should win, how dumb will it sound saying the Eastern reps are from B.C.
Calgary has a team going for a national football title. The Dinos are going to the Vanier. That is all they need.
Watched Global Calgary sports last night. They led with the Flames win over L-A! They then had a graphic of Joffrey Reynolds that said CFL's Most Outstanding Player 2009. I guess they have already handed out the awards. Did John Chick win? I'll go back to watching Warren Woods and Derek Meyers now.
Forrest Griffin did NOT beat Tito Ortiz last nite. Not in my mind. He certainly didn't take all three rounds as one judge suggested.
I thought I had a sizable Pro-Line win last night, but again I was one game short. I thought Oregon would cruise over Arizona. Such is not the case. DAMN!
I can't forget about the Pats. They are 2-0 on their West Coast trip. After beating the Ice in a shootout on Friday, they hammered Tri-Cities 7-1 last night. The Americans lead the US Division and had only lost 5 games going in. Nice job guys! Keep it up. Maybe its the fact Pedersen isn't with them that has sparked their play.
Possible NFL upset today----Redskins over Cowboys. Games over the last 5 years have been traditionally close between these two division rivals with 7 of the last 10 finishing in a 5 point or less verdict.
Did anyone catch the end of the LSU-Ole Miss game on CBS last night. If so, you saw LSU's Les Miles pull off a Belichick. Why in a two point game he would elect to have his quarterback try and stop the clock by spiking the ball with one second left so that he could get his FG out team out there with the ball inside the Ole Miss 10 is a little strange. Either run a play for a TD or get your FG out team there quick, quick, quick. That play probably cost LSU a major bowl berth.
Speaking of Belichick, it amazes me how so many people have changed their tune and now said he was making the right call the other night only to have it go awry. I understand not wanting Peyton Manning to get his hands on the football again, but giving him the ball at the Patriots 30 with two minutes left was just stupid. Punt the football and make the Colts move 70 yards. Last time I checked, its tougher to move the ball 70 yards than 30. The Colts might have won in the end, but it would have been a lot more challenging.
Roy Halladay has said he's not interested in re-signing with the Blue Jays. If that is the case, get a good deal Mr. Anthopoulos.
The ESPN 30 for 30 series is outstanding. The Gretzky documentary was great the other night and so was the one on TSN last nite about the demise of the USFL. Outstanding TV!
When does the first batch of fans show up at Mosaic? Who's kidding who, they probably are already there having spent the night.
Have a great Sunday, have a memorable Sunday. If you are going to the game, soak up every second of it if they win. The only thing bigger would be to see this team win a Grey Cup at Mosaic. My prediction.....Saskatchewan 29 Calgary 24.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
The Calm Before The Storm
Yes the picture is a little dark, but here is Mosaic Stadium just 24 hours before it hosts its biggest football game as far as Rider fans are concerned in 33 years. The team was surprisingly loose in its pre-game walkthrough. They are ready for tomorrow. As Darian Durant says, "You can't get too uptight. We know the stakes are huge, but at the same time you have to realize that if you are going to get to the Grey Cup, you have to take the same approach that you have taken every other game this year to get to this spot. Just treat it like any other game because when it comes right down to it, that’s what it is." I can't argue with that statement.
If I have said it once, I will say it again. There is no better sports department in Canada than the one at the Regina Leader-Post. Proof positive is the two Rider supplements in Saturday's paper to get you ready for the big game. Is there any angle that was not covered? The thing is they will duplicate it and probably better it should the Riders win tomorrow as they will have to do it all again for next week's paper. Some fans gave guys like Rob Vanstone and Murray McCormick some grief for what they write sometimes. I understand that frustration at times and at times I don't, but what I do know is that Rob, Murray, Ian Hamilton, Tim Switzer and Greg Harder have once again outdone themselves. Reginans should be very fortunate to have this group covering sports for them that you can read on a day-to-day basis. They are one of the reasons why sports plays such an important part of the fabric that makes this city so great.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Top Secret Footage From Calgary
The Stampeders are ready for Sunday. Take a look!!
Thanks to my good friend Tyler McMurchy for this. You can check out his unique views on the world at http://tymcm.blogspot.com/. I think you'll agree with me when I say I don't think Hank has ever looked better.
Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!
Thanks to my good friend Tyler McMurchy for this. You can check out his unique views on the world at http://tymcm.blogspot.com/. I think you'll agree with me when I say I don't think Hank has ever looked better.
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