Something To "Mitch" About

Has winter arrived? It did in Calgary Sunday morning as I looked out the window of the hotel at 530 AM as I awakened to catch an early flight back to the Queen City after calling what was a disaster of a playoff game for the Regina Rams on Saturday. In fact, that pic was from my seat on the flight that was delayed by almost an hoour as they de-iced the craft.  Why do they let you on the plane when they know you are going to sit there for an hour. I never understood that!
I'm glad what they had in Calgary isn't coming here. It may be mid-November, but I'm not ready for snow yet and I think I speak for many when I say you aren't either.

As mentioned it was a disaster for the Rams on Saturday in Calgary as they were embarrassed 56-0 by the 4th ranked Dinos and embarrassing may be a kind word. It was the worst effort of the year for the Horns and while they didn't dress the lineup they wanted to defensively because of injury, they just didn't come to play while Calgary did.  I had some people ask me what its like calling a 56-0 game when your team is on the bottom end of that score. Its not a lot of fun, but it wouldn't be a lot of fun being on the other side either. I think all p x p guys come in wanting a game to be at least close going into the 4th quarter or 3rd period. Sadly, that doesn't happen all the time and you have to keep motoring on which is what Marco Ricci did on Saturday. With the game being online because of the Rider broadcast, I'm sure the only one listening at the end was our operator Grant Biebrick and that's because he had to.

If I learned one thing from the weekend, it was the fact that the Dinos have learned well from another team that plays at McMahon about what its like to be cocky and have a lack of class. I don't mind a guy celebrating a touchdown, but when its 49-0? That shows a distinct lack of class as far as I'm concerned and I had no problems letting people know about it. As Marco knows and I think those that know me as well, I would ripped a Ram on air as well had he done that in the same position. You win with class and you lose with class. As mentioned, perhaps the Dinos have gotten that trait from another football team that calls McMahon home, but like the Stampeders. the Dinos have done very little when it comes to winning titles.

I couldn't help but wonder what was going through Frank McCrystal's mind as his coaching career ticked away in one-sided fashion. There is a lot of talk about what this Rams team will look like after Frank. I don't know when his replacement will be named, but I know there are many names being tossed about. Former Rams now Stamps assistant coach Marc Mueller tried to make it sound as if he wasn't as interested as some think he is during a half time interview Saturday night. I like Marc. but I didn't believe him one bit. He was politically correct with his statements and that is what he has to do at this time. I still think when all is said and done that the right choice is to go with Mueller and all he has to say is I want the job for it to happen.

I didn't see much of the Riders game, but I did see the final stages of the 4th quarter. Its good to see the team win, but how much are we really going to take out of that game? It will be a much different story next Sunday afternoon at Commonwealth Stadium. Do I think Mike Reilly won't play? NOPE! Do I think Darian Durant will play. NOPE! The Riders have some confidence underneath them though so I am expecting a good football game. I do believe the Eskimos are the class of the West going in, but we all know in the CFL how things can change on one play----especially this year,

Who had the Pittsburgh Steelers in their survivor pool and who is cursing them today? I just about raised my hand in that one but at the last second changed my mind to Seattle. How can you lose to the Jets after playing as well as they had over the last two weeks. It just shows that on Any Given Sunday anyone can win in the good old NF of L.

How much longer will Marc Trestman be with the Bears? That clubbing given to them by the Packers on Sunday Night Football had to perhaps be the final straw. I can't see Chicago removing Trestman before the year is over. but I can see it happening. Its too bad he had to be saddled with Jay Cutler because if he had a decent quarterback, he would be fine. Cutler is a disaster and so is the defence as Aaron Rodgers proved last night. To those who think Trestman will come back to the CFL, think again. He will roam the sidelines of some NFL team as an offensive co-ordinator.

Wrestling fans---it was 18 years ago yesterday that the Montreal screwjob happened. Its hard to believe it was 1997 when the WWE decided to "strip" the belt away from Bret Hart and give it to Shawn Michaels in the fashion they did. Its something the wrestling world still buzzes about to this day. If you see Bret's documentary "Wrestling with Shadows", you see a "young" yet still grey-haired Kelly Remple in the tunnel underneath the Bell Centre holding Bret's jacket with the Silver Fox uttering the line "You just punched Vince McMahon". I was so shocked and laughed so hard when I saw that for the first time. For those that don't know, Kelly, who besides being a great co-host and junior hockey analyst on "Sportscage" is extremely tight with Bret and he went to a lot of events and saw a lot of backscene stuff.

I thought it was very classy of both the Leafs and Senators to appear at the same time at the National War Memorial to honor Corporal Nathan Cirillo who was shot down a couple of weeks ago while guarding the area. The Leafs and Senators don't like one another on the ice, but they share the same feelings of it off the ice. I hope a lot of teams and players do this while travelling through Ottawa this year. Its not even close to the enormity of ground zero, but many went there and still do after what happened at 9/11. I know if I ever get to New York, that is one of the first places I want to go.

I don't know why, but I think Montreal getting another baseball team is picking up some steam and if Montreal hosts another great weekend just before the 2015 season starts when the Reds and Jays will play two at the Big O, it may happen as early as 2016. They have to get ground broken on a new stadium before they come though. Baseball can't be played at Olympic Stadium for more than two years.

If you can, honour our vets tomorrow by going to a Remembrance Day service or something. I've seen a lot of poppies being worn this year ---especially by the younger demographic and that is a great thing to see.

Have a great week!

This and That

The weekly collection of thoughts running through my muddled mind in no particular order

  --It didn't dawn on me until the official word came down that I would be doing the play-by-play of the Regina Rams-Calgary Dinos playoff football game on Saturday afternoon from McMahon that I've made my last trip to Mosaic Stadium for a game this year. I won't be at the Riders game because I'll be on my way back from what hopefully is a Rams win. The bad news----one less visit to the old girl. The good news----no trips up the ramps until next year.  I think I speak for a lot of people who sit in the 200's asking why wasn't an easier way created to get up to that level and under no circumstances should we have anything like that in the new stadium.

 --Darian or no Darian, I think the Riders beat the Eskimos and end up finishing 3rd in the West. While I would love to see the team upset Edmonton in the West semi-final and will be cheering the green and white on, realistically I think the dream of repeating dies in the Alberta capital leaving us all to wonder what might have been had number 4 not gotten injured. I will still say this team would have gone to and won the Grey Cup again. Call me crazy, tell me to take off my green-tinged glasses, but that's the way I feel.

 --The Canadian Taxpayers Federation says government employees, and a lot of them, phoned in sick after the Riders beat Ottawa on a Sunday at Mosaic---that was the last Riders win I believe. The story goes on to say many government employees phoned in "sick" on the day of the Grey Cup parade and the day of the CFL expansion draft. Why on the day of the draft? Really? What I find surprising is that government employees didn't phone in sick the day after the Grey Cup win. What better excuse would one have than that! Like no one has ever claimed to be "sick" so they could attend or watch some other event. I think that happens just about every week does it not?

 --Some interesting numbers have come out regarding the CFL vs NFL battle in Canada.  The NFL is getting better numbers on CTV than the CFL on TSN. If I am the CFL, I would be very concerned about this and its something the league will need to look into when hiring a replacement for Marc Cohon, Say what you will about the NFL, but their marketing machine is just too strong for the CFL. The CFL can't compete even in its own backyard.  This league needs to take a serious look at not playing Sundays after Labour Day with the exception of playoffs and the Grey Cup and they have to find a way at getting the younger demographic involved in some manner, With 9 teams, the fantasy experience is not the same as you have far less of a talent base to choose from, but something needs to be done to bring in the younger viewer who loves the NFL.

 --As I watch Rams quarterbacks Cayman Shutter and Noah Picton hurl the football around with the greatest of ease racking up 400 yard games, I can only sit back and wonder why CFL teams won't develop quarterbacks. Tell me Rider fans, would a CIS quarterback have done a better job than Tino Sunseri and Seth Doege this year? This is something else that needs to change and change in a big hurry. Picton and Shutter aren't the only good CIS quarterbacks out there both currently and in the past who have deserved a shot. Perhaps by the time Picton becomes draft eligible, there will be a shot for him.

 --Is there anyone giving the Rams a chance against Calgary this weekend. The Dinos should win the game and win it going away, but this Regina team has shown they can play with the big boys this season and while a 59-7 loss in Calgary earlier this year won't help, the Dinos didn't see Regina when they had a run game in Atlee Simon, I wouldn't bet the farm on the Rams, but I wouldn't write them off. Upsets and many of them have happened in the Canada West semi-finals over the years and this could be another one of those years. We'll find out. I'm excited to have the call alongside Marco Ricci on sportscage.ca starting at 4 Saturday afternoon. It would be great to have the game on CKRM, but at least there is an alternative now which wasn't the case a few short years ago.

 --NFL teams still hand out programs before games. They are just little informative 20-30 page booklets that sell for 2 bucks. CFL teams should once again adopt this. Give fans a little something for entering the stadium. Yes, some won't buy and yes, some will leave them at the park, but if you only make one or two games a  year its a keepsake. I know whenever I go to a pro sporting event, the one thing I want is a program. If the CFL doesn't want to do it, the Riders should.

 --Week 10 NFL Lock Of The Week ---Packers over Bears
    Week 10 NFL Upset Of The Week ---Jaguars over Cowboys

--Did some schools really tell kids they couldn't wear Hallowe'en costumes to school this year because it is no longer considered politically correct? Its like the Christmas concert of old which now is referred to as the "winter concert". CMON!!!! We managed to get through this 20-25 years ago and beyond can we not do it now. This politically correct nonsense has gone way over the top.....wayyyyyyyyyy over!

 --Its been noted TSN's morning loop now features the dynamic duo of Kate Beirness and Natasha Staniszewski. TSN is a male dominated channel and what better move for them to make than allowing people to watch Sportsnet's NHL coverage and then come back and have two talented and very easy to look at women come back and give you the highlights.  They do some dumb things at TSN, but this isn't one of them.

 --There is talk the NHL is close to allowing ads on their jerseys. If this starts in the NHL, it will carry over to other leagues and NHL unis will look some kinda ugly. I can only hope this doesn't happen, but I think it will.

 --If those who vote for the various CFL awards look at things in a rational manner, there is no reason why Ricky Foley shouldn't be named the league's top Canadian. His only competition is Jon Cornish and the Calgary running back only played half a season. It was a solid half season and then some, but Cornish isn't the league's best Canuck for a second straight season. Its Foley!

--Congrats to TSN's Chris Cuthbert. Chris was named to the media wing of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame this week. Its no secret I'm a big fan of Chris' so I am in favour of that induction. Its now time to add his name to the media wing of the Hockey Hall of Fame, but I suspect he needs to hang up the microphone before that honor can be considered.

Week 10 NFL Capsules

The Browns and the Bengals meet in the NFL Thursday night game to kick off Week 10 of the schedule. A complete look at the games can be found right here

U of R Action This Weekend

Away Events (Postseason)Rams Football – at Calgary, Saturday (3:00 p.m. MST) in Calgary, Alta.
Cross Country – at CIS Championships, Saturday (12:00 p.m. NST) in St. John's, N.L.

 

Home Events (Canada West)Women's Basketball – vs. Manitoba, Friday (6:00 p.m.) at CKHS
Women's Hockey – vs. Lethbridge, Friday (7:00 p.m.) at The Co-operators Centre
Men's Basketball – vs. Manitoba, Friday (8:00 p.m.) at the CKHS
Women's Volleyball – vs. Mount Royal, Saturday (12:30 p.m.) at CKHS
Men's Volleyball – vs. Mount Royal, Saturday (2:30 pm.) at CKHS
Women's Basketball – vs. Manitoba, Saturday (6:00 p.m.) at CKHS
Women's Hockey – vs. Lethbridge, Saturday (7:00 p.m.) at The Co-operators Centre
Men's Basketball – vs. Manitoba, Saturday (8:00 p.m.) at CKHS
Women's Volleyball – vs. Mount Royal, Sunday (2:00 p.m.) at CKHS
Men's Volleyball – vs. Mount Royal, Sunday (3:30 p.m.) at CKHS

 

Away Events (Canada West)Men's Hockey – at Lethbridge, Saturday (7:00 p.m. MST) in Lethbridge, Alta.
Men's Hockey – at Lethbridge, Sunday (3:00 p.m. MST) in Lethbridge, Alta.

 

Away Events (non-conference)Women's Wrestling – at University of Winnipeg Open, Sunday in Winnipeg, Man.

 

Rams Football – The Rams (3-5) took a 35-31 come-from-behind victory over Alberta to claim the fourth and final Canada West playoff spot, thanks in large part to rookie quarterback Noah Picton who earned CIS Offensive Player of the Week honours after throwing for 467 yards and tallying one touchdown through the air and another on the ground. Picton engineered a six-play, 85-yard game-winning drive with just over five minutes to play that was capped by an 11-yard major from Atlee Simon. The Rams will head to Calgary this weekend to meet the 6-2 Dinos in a Canada West semifinal game.

 

Cross Country (Men’s CIS Ranking: No. 10) – Matt Johnson leads the men’s team into this year’s CIS Championships as the defending Canada West individual champion and having won all four races this year for the Cougars. The women’s team is also sending a full five-runner squad led by veteran runner Avery Westberg. Hosted by Memorial University at the Pippy Park Golf Club in St. John’s, N.L., the women’s race starts at 12 p.m. (NST) with the men’s race to follow at 1 p.m.

Women's Basketball – The Cougars opened their Canada West schedule last weekend with a pair of road setbacks at Victoria, losing to the Vikes by scores of 89-69 and 80-64 as they open the season 0-2 for the first time since 2006. The Cougars host their home openers this weekend against Manitoba (0-2) at the Centre for Kinesiology, Health & Sport with tip-off scheduled for 6 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday.

 

Men's Basketball – The Cougars challenged No. 10-ranked Victoria in both contests last weekend in their first conference games of the season, but eventually fell 72-63 on Friday and 78-63 on Saturday. The men’s team will also hosts its home openers this weekend, as they’ll entertain a Manitoba Bisons team which enters the weekend at 2-0 after wins over Trinity Western. Game time is set for 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday at the CKHS.

Women's Hockey – Coming off a bye week, the Cougars (1-3-3-1) will host Lethbridge this weekend at The Co-operators Centre with games scheduled for 7 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday. The Cougars enter the series in sixth place in the Canada West standings with 10 points, while Lethbridge (1-0-7-0) is tied with Mount Royal for seventh.

 

Men's Volleyball – The Cougars earned their first win of the season as a part of a split last weekend at Thompson Rivers, sweeping the WolfPack on Friday before losing in four sets on Saturday. The Cougars (1-5) will do battle with Mount Royal this weekend, which sports a 5-3 conference record on the season after sweeping two matches against the Saskatchewan Huskies last weekend. Match times are set for 2 p.m. on Saturday and 3:30 p.m. on Sunday.

 

Women's Volleyball – The Cougars (1-5) lost a pair of road matches at Thompson Rivers last weekend, including in a five-set marathon on Friday night. The U of R returns home this weekend for two matches against Mount Royal (2-6) as the teams play a rare Saturday/Sunday series at the CKHS. First serve is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.

 

Men's Hockey – The Cougars (1-9-0) earned their first win of the season on Saturday with a 2-0 victory over the UBC Thunderbirds that saw Tyler Henry score both goals for the Cougars and Lucas Gore stop 28 shots in net for the shutout. Regina will head to Lethbridge this weekend for a pair of games against the 2-8-0 Pronghorns, who beat the visiting Manitoba Bisons twice last weekend. Game times are scheduled for 7 p.m. (MST) on Saturday and 3 p.m. on Sunday.

 

Women's Wrestling - Rookie Dakoda Sinclair was the U of R's top finisher last weekend, as she collected a fourth-place finish in the 85-kilogram event at the Simon Fraser University Clan International. Teammate Vicki Busch also competed at the Clan International and finished sixth in the 55-kg. The women's team will compete in the University of Winnipeg Open this weekend.

 

Swimming – The Cougars competed at the Odlum Brown Colleges Cup over the weekend at UBC. Daniel Gomez (1500-metre freestlye) and Chris Myers (50-metre and 100-metre breaststrokes) both qualified for the Canada West Championships on the men’s side, while Eyad Albassiouny, Michael Andersen, and Brent Hill each posted season-best times after qualifying for the conference meet back in October. For the women’s team, Jacee Kaczmar hit conference standards in three different events while Eva Madar hit Canada West marks in the 50-metre and 100-metre freestyle and scored season-best times in the 50-metre and 100-metre butterfly.

And The Nominees Are.....

The Saskatchewan Roughrider nominees for the CFL awards were announced today.  This year’s nominees are: John Chick (Most Outstanding Player & Most Outstanding Defensive Player), Ricky Foley (Outstanding Canadian), Dominic Picard (Outstanding Offensive Lineman), Mark LeGree (Outstanding Rookie) and Tristan Jackson (Outstanding Special Teams Player).                                                           

JOHN CHICK

MOST OUTSTANDING PLAYER/MOST OUTSTANDING DEFENSIVE PLAYER

First nomination as Riders Most Outstanding Player…Second nomination as Riders Most Outstanding Defensive Player…has started all 17 regular season games…leads league with 15 quarterback sacks and 10 tackles for loss…has also picked up a career high 43 defensive tackles, while adding 2 forced fumbles…was named Defensive Player of the Week three times this season…was named Defensive Player of the Month twice…last Roughrider to win CFL Most Outstanding Player was Kerry Joseph in 2007…Chick was the last Roughrider to win CFL Most Outstanding Defensive Player in 2009. 

RICKY FOLEY

MOST OUTSTANDING CANADIAN

Third career nomination as Most Outstanding Canadian and first as a Rider…was named CFL Most Outstanding Canadian in 2009…has started all 17 regular season games at defensive end…currently sits third in league with 12 quarterback sacks…has registered 53 defensive tackles, one fumble recovery, one forced fumble and one tackle for loss…named CFL Canadian Player of the Week once this season…named CFL Defensive Player of the Week twice this season…the last Rider to win CFL Outstanding Canadian was Andy Fantuz in 2010.

DOMINIC PICARD

MOST OUTSTANDING OFFENSIVE LINEMAN

Second nomination as Riders Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman…third career nomination as he was named Toronto Argonauts Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman in 2011… has started in 16 regular season games at centre…last Roughrider to win this award was Brendon LaBatte in 2013.

MARK LEGREE

MOST OUTSTANDING ROOKIE

Signed with the Riders as free agent in March, 2014…has played 13 regular season games…is tied for the team lead with four interceptions…has also added six special teams tackles, three defensive tackles, one knockdown and one fumble recovery…last Roughrider to win Outstanding Rookie was Weston Dressler in 2008.

TRISTAN JACKSON

MOST OUTSTANDING SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER

First nomination as Riders Most Outstanding Special Teams Player…third career selection after being nominated with the Edmonton Eskimos in 2008 and 2009…has played in all 17 regular season games…leads the league with 954 yards on 46 kickoff returns…leads the league with 251 yards on eight missed field goal returns, including a 111 yard touchdown…has added 28 punt returns for 305 yards…leads the league in combined return yards with 1,510 …Corey Holmes won this award in 2002 and 2005.

The players were selected by voting members of the Football Reporters of Canada (FRC) and CFL head coaches.

In this first ballot, FRC representatives from each CFL city plus the respective head coach submitted votes for the six categories. Voters were asked to select players from their local CFL club who, through on-field performance excellence, best represent the awards’ titles – Most Outstanding Player, Most Outstanding Canadian Player, Most Outstanding Defensive Player, Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman, Most Outstanding Rookie, and Most Outstanding Special Teams Player.

The East and West Division winners for the 2014 CFL Awards will be announced on Thursday, November 13 at noon ET.

The 2014 CFL Awards will be handed out on Thursday, November 27 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver, B.C. 

CFL Playoff Picture

East Division:
Montreal Win OR Montreal Loss by Seven Points or Less = Montreal Clinches First Place in East Division
Montreal Win + Toronto Win = Montreal Clinches First Place and Toronto Clinches Second Place in East Division

Hamilton Win by Eight Points or More = Hamilton Clinches First Place and Montreal Clinches Second Place in East Division

Hamilton Win by Less than Eight Points = Montreal Clinches First Place and Hamilton Clinches Second Place in the East Division

Hamilton and Montreal Tie = Montreal Clinches First Place and Hamilton Clinches Second Place in the East Division

West Division:
BC Win OR Saskatchewan Loss = BC Clinches Third Place in the West Division

BC Tie + Saskatchewan Tie or Loss = BC Clinches Third Place in the West Division

Saskatchewan Win or Tie + BC Loss = Saskatchewan Clinches Third Place in the West Division

Blue Jays Heading To Montreal Again For Pre-Season Games

The Toronto Blue Jays are heading back to Montreal .
 

The team will announce on Tuesday that they will play two preseason games against the Cincinnati Reds on April 3rd and 4th at Olympic Stadium.
 

Last year, the Blue Jays played two exhibition games against the New York Mets at Olympic Stadiumand the games were an overwhelming success, drawing a total of over 96-thousand fans while honoring members of the 94 team that so many thought would win the World Series,

Supporters of baseball in Montreal are hoping to show Major League Baseball the team is ready to receive another franchise whether it be an existing one or an expansion one.
 

Montreal used to be home to the Expos who moved to Washington at the conclusion of the 2004 Major League Baseball season.