10 THINGS FOR CAPITAL AUTO MALL

1- FAJARDO-VILLE: You got a glimpse into off-season life as a pro football player when Cody Fajardo joined The Rod Pedersen Show this week from D.C. where his new bride is continuing her studies. Cody laughed that he feels a bit “lonely” spending so much time by himself, and being limited to small activities as he recovers from two torn oblique muscles. (The rehab is going fine btw, and he’ll be ready for camp). Fajardo also thinks that new offensive coordinator Jason Maas can help him become an “elite” CFL QB. I’d suggest after leading the CFL in passing in 2019 he’s already elite, so how high can he go? 

2 – LORD, IT’S HARD TO BE HUMBLE: Football maven John Lynch thinks Fajardo could become the most popular QB in Rider history, far surpassing Ron Lancaster and Lynch would know. On my Recovery podcast, I asked Cody how he stays humble in these times. “I have the tattoo on my wrist that says James 4:10 which is Humble yourself before the Lord and He will exalt you,” Fajardo stated. “It started in high school when I was rated the #1 player in California and getting all these scholarship offers. The verse helped me stay grounded and realize there’s more to life than just football. There’s more to Cody than football. The talents and opportunities I’ve been given are because of Him. For me to say my accomplishments are just because of me would be very selfish because God’s played such a huge part in my life. That tattoo isn’t for anyone else but me. When times are good or when times are bad, I look down at it and remember to put Him first.”

3 – FAME IS FLEETING: At 27, Fajardo is wise beyond his years. He’s mentioned to me several times that he knows there will be fire on his butt if he’s not performing on the field and his whopping new contract has only ratcheted up the pressure. When he missed Game #18 due to the oblique injury, Rider fans were tearing him apart on social media for not living up to his new wage. It’s a tough lot around here and they forget fast. But at least we know what we’re dealing with.

4 – JONES’ING: In case you missed it, 3DownNation’s Justin Dunk is reporting the early word is that Senior Defensive Assistant Chris Jones will be retained by the Cleveland Browns despite the firing of head coach Freddie Kitchens. Dunk hears that Jones made such a favourable impression on Browns brass in Year 1 that they’d like to keep him around. Perhaps Coach Jones will confirm as much when he appears on the RP Show on Monday.

5 – D.C. IS CHILLIN’: Meanwhile polarizing receiver Duron Carter joined our show from Ft. Lauderdale, FL and spilled his guts this week. He revealed his first love is still football rather than making hip hop music and definitely plans to be playing in 2020 despite currently being a free agent. Duron revealed that his preference is to play cornerback rather than wideout because it allows him to be free. The 28-year old also went deep into the details of that October 2017 practice fight, him being cut and then the Riders changing their mind, and starting him at CB against the Stampeders that very same week which led to the infamous Pick 6 against Bo Levi Mitchell. In the interview Duron also referred to ME as being crazy. He’s right.

6 – TITAN UP: This particular weekend – the Divisional round of NFL Playoffs – is referred to as the greatest weekend of the year of NFL football. It’s produced such divine moments as the Immaculate Reception, the Music City Miracle and the Minneapolis Miracle. It didn’t disappoint Saturday night when Tennessee upset the Ravens 28-12 in Baltimore to earn a date in the AFC title game. Yes Titans RB Derrick Henry is rightfully getting the plaudits for his 195 yards rushing but QB Ryan Tannehill is being overlooked. Tennessee could never get this far with Marcus Mariota at QB, and he also had Henry at his disposal. Meanwhile all Dolphins fans can do is lament “the one that got away”.

7 – REGINA PADDOCKS: Break up the Pats. GM John Paddock did by trading his nephew Max away to the P.A. Raiders in advance of the WHL Trade Deadline. In his first game on Friday, Max Paddock was named the #1 star with 19 saves in a 2-1 win over Prince George. We’ve all known Max has the tools but it wasn’t working in Regina. Perhaps the family ties provided too much pressure. A change of scenery was needed and we wish nothing but the best for him.

As for us fans, John Paddock engineered the first WHL Finals appearance in 33 years and the first Memorial Cup Final appearance in 44 years. We’ve got strong, local ownership and a franchise to be envied. Sit tight and wait for the good times to return.

8 – FEEL THE RUSH: The Saskatchewan Rush visit the San Diego Seals Sunday afternoon on Bleacher Report Live. On January 18 the Rush welcome the Colorado Mammoth on Prairie Pride Night where the Rush will welcome Cody Fajardo and honour Saskatchewan farmers. We have room on a limo bus from Regina which will stop at Wendel Clark’s Classic Bar & Grill for details. Message me! The Rush will still be eager to atone for laying an egg in the home-opener against New England. They’re far better than that and showed it in their next game at New York.

9 – ALL STARS: The 2020 AHL All Star game goes in Ontario, CA on Monday, January 27. The list of WHL Alumni in the game is long and it includes: Glenn Gawdin (S.C./Richmond), Connor Ingram (Kamloops/Saskatoon), Derrick Pouliot (Portland/Weyburn), Kale Clague (Brandon-MJ/Lloydminster), Jake Bean (Calgary-TriCity/Calgary), Lane Pederson (Seattle-Red Deer-SC/Saskatoon) and Kris Knoblauch (Red Deer-Edmonton-Lethbridge/Saskatoon). The AHL tells us 95% of their All Stars have gone on to the NHL.

10 – RANDOM THOUGHTS: Matthew Tkachuk deserved it and GOOD FOR ZACK KASSIAN.Zack has the right to say “enough’s enough” of being targeted by the Flames forward. If this results in a suspension it’ll be an injustice but it will also galvanize the Oilers dressing room and fanbase. This is win/win for Edmonton … The WHL needs an All Star Game. Above all else, it’s great for marketing. The WHL/Russia series isn’t getting it done. … My Top 6 Netflix series: 1) Breaking Bad 2) Ozark 3) You 4) Suits 5) Insatiable 6) Riverdale. … I couldn’t name you one song by Rush. … Two marketing slogans that still ring in my head years after they went off air are the Head & Shoulders line: You never get a second chance to make a first impression from the 1980s and the 1991 Ford Trucks phase The Best Never Rest. Do any stick in your mind? … CFL great Anwar Stewart has been named the new D-Line coach at Kentucky. … CFL Hall of Famer Ben Cahoon has been named the Canadian rep for G2G Protein Bars and is based in Utah. …

Y’er welcome,
RP
@rodpedersen