10 THINGS I THINK I THINK FOR PEDERSEN RECOVERY
1 – THE EAGLES: Monday’s major concert announcement by the Regina Pats that The Eagles will play Mosaic Stadium to kickoff the 2018 Memorial Cup on May 17 has everybody buzzing. Reaction has been mixed and it’s become clear that you’ll never get 100% buy-in when it comes to musical tastes. I’m not a big music guy but think it’ll be a fantastic show, and have no doubt that it’ll sellout.
You have to hand it to the Regina Pats ownership group for “thinking big” and landing huge events, not to mention a WHL Finals appearance for the first time in 33 years!
2 – THE OFF-SEASON: Rider fans are filling up my inbox saying they’re already in “Rider Withdrawal”. The exciting 2017 Rider season has only whet fans’ appetites for Rider news and they can’t get enough. I’ve heard it’s like feeding a lion; the more you feed him, the hungrier he gets. Unfortunately you can’t get blood from a stone. But my spider senses tell me there’s some big news on the horizon.
3 – SOUPY SAYS: Eskimos colour commentator Dave Campbell told the SportsCage that it’s been years since so many QBs have been in play entering free agency. It’s a salacious list including James Franklin, Brandon Bridge, Travis Lulay, Jeremiah Massoli, Ricky Ray, Trevor Harris, Drew Willy and maybe even Zach Collaros, Darian Durant and Kevin Glenn. Who will be left without a chair when the music stops? The suspense is agonizing!
4 – YAKKITY ZACH: With Monday’s news that June Jones will return as head coach of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2018, many say Zach Collaros’s time in the Steel City is over. As the story goes, Jones is particularly fond of Jeremiah Massoli and that Collaros will be traded (preferably to a western opponent). My Hamilton football friends say Zach is “done” (“His knees and confidence are shot,” they say). I don’t buy it. In fact I’ve heard that about many players over the years – Ricky Ray and Armanti Edwards come to mind – but they’re now getting fitted for Grey Cup rings and having the last laugh.
5 – RIDER FREE AGENTS: The Roughriders have 22 free agents which seems like a lot, but it’s nothing compared to Edmonton’s 37. The Riders say they’re comfortable with that group and confident they’ll be able to sign the players on their target list. To date, I’m told NO ONE has officially signed but some names should start trickling out before long.
6 – TIGER-TOWN: Word leaked at Grey Cup that June Jones would return for another season on the Hamilton sidelines and that it would be status quo for President Scott Mitchell, V.P. of Football Kent Austin and GM Eric Tillman. Again, as the story goes, Ticats owner Bob Young is simply too nice to fire anybody. (Tell that to George Cortez). However given the uplifting way Hamilton finished the season under June, there doesn’t appear to be a need for change. If they win, everybody’s safe.
7 – CHAMBLIN OUT: The Montreal Gazette reports Corey Chamblin has pulled his name from the list of candidates to become the Alouettes’ next head coach. Why? We don’t know, but Corey’s smart enough to realize that he has a good thing going as defensive coordinator of the Toronto Argonauts and the Alouettes aren’t exactly the New England Patriots. But if you’re a Montreal fan, are you nervous? Is there any proof that they’re getting better?
8 – LIONS DEN: For some reason many pundits scoffed last week when Ed Hervey was named GM of the B.C. Lions, sandwiched in between the V.P. of Football and the head coach, both of whom are named Wally Buono. But I’m not so quick to judge. While the hierarchy appears awkward, Hervey and Buono are both proven football men who will put the team first. But get ready for it now: 2018 will be the Year of Wally.
9 – RIDERS IN THE DESERT: The Riderville Arizona Tour IV will take place in Glendale, AZ on February 22 when the Coyotes host the Calgary Flames. The Coyotes will once again host thousands upon thousands of Rider fans as we celebrate Rider Pride in the Valley of the Sun. Mark the date on your calendar, and we’ll see you in Arizona for what’s become the highlight of the year! Call the Coyotes for group tickets and contact Canada To Arizona for accomodations.
10 – TINSELTOWN: The SportsCage/Marlin Travel Ultimate Sports Trip VII heads to Los Angeles on Tuesday for a week of fun in the sun including NHL and NFL games. Plus we’ll have a live SportsCage show on Friday from Hooters Anaheim featuring Chris Getzlaf, Ducks Assistant Coach Rich Preston and former Bruins coach Nick Sereggela. Be sure to tune in for that, and thanks to the 60 SportsCage listeners for selling out this year’s trip in just 24 hours!
Y’er welcome,
RP
@rodpedersen
