10 THINGS I THINK I THINK FOR AUTO EXTREME REGINA
10 Things I Think I Think for Auto Extreme Regina. Celebrate the relaunch of Auto Extreme with a trip to the Caribbean! The first 20 customers this week with $2000 of work or SGI claims will be entered.
1 – We said Saturday’s Roughriders-Stampeders game would tell us a lot about both teams. It did! The 27-10 Calgary victory showed the Stampeders are still the class of the West and the Roughriders still have a ton of work to do. The youngest team in the CFL has to grow up FAST.
2 – I asked Rider Hall of Famer Dan Rashovich on CKRM’s halftime show what Chris Jones has to do to wake his team up. Razz responded “It’s not Jones! It’s the players!” It’s true. Right now 1-3 is on the players. However when all is said and done (in November), Jones will be responsible for whatever transpires. That’s how it works.
3 – In the aftermath of Saturday’s lopsided loss, CKRM colour man Luc Mullinder explained, “We learned a lot about the Roughriders tonight and right now … the truth hurts”. The performance was inexplicable. Hopefully come Saturday when the Riders host Toronto, they’ll be adequately ticked off enough to go out and prove they ARE a good football team. It’s time.
4 – Trailing 17-0 at halftime in Calgary, my first thought in the broadcast booth was “The bye week killed this team”. The week off stalled any momentum coming out of the win over Hamilton on July 8, and it was the culprit for the team coming out flat against the Stamps. It’s no excuse, but it’s a reason.
5 – Despite the pain of the loss, I’d still rather lose with Saskatchewan than win with Calgary. That may not be a logical stance – or even a popular one – but it’s honestly how I feel. Even the bad times in the 306 are better than the good times anywhere else!
6 – The attendance was poor at McMahon Stadium and without Rider fans, the place would’ve seemed empty. The fact is Stampeders fans have been spoiled by their team’s excellence since John Hufnagel showed up. Winning has become boring for Calgary football fans. In a very twisted way, try to ENJOY the drama associated with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. The Dallas Cowboys have thrived on it for 20 years.
7 – This Saturday when Calgary hosts Hamilton, the Stampeders will hold a 25-year reunion for the 1992 Grey Cup champs. Doug Flutie will be there but Wally Buono won’t, even though BC is at Edmonton the night before. The message from Wally basically is “I’m a Lion now”. Please discuss.
8 – Cory Chamblin is coming to town with the Argos on Saturday and even got a message to me through a mutual friend on the weekend. The simple fact is, I love Cham! It didn’t end well but I think he’s a FANTASTIC coach and appreciate all he did for this franchise. He’s also cool as hell. The past is the past and I, for one, will be real glad to see him.
9 – Rider fans are justifiably hot right now but some are going overboard with their ridiculousness. Cutting Rob Bagg? Trading for James Franklin at this juncture? Give me a break. EVERYONE is in this together so let’s cool off and see how it all turns out. It’s still JULY.
Oh, and the best seats in the house for Saturday’s game against Toronto are still available in the AGT Lounge. A tad pricy? Yes. But why not enjoy the CFL’s finest stadium in luxury with food included? Call the Rider ticket office this week or visit the Mosaic Stadium box office in person.
10 – It was an unsightly crowd in Toronto on Monday as Doug Flutie was honoured by the Argos. They said there were 15,801 there but I don’t believe it. Did the 27,000 seat facility look over half full? Try 25% full, at best.
The biggest culprit for lagging CFL attendance this year? Over-priced tickets in many markets.
Meanwhile CFL TV ratings in the GTA remain golden for Argo games. The Argos are the girl who Toronto calls at 2 am for some lovin’, but won’t take her out on a date.
Just my $0.02.
Y’er welcome,
RP
