10 THINGS I THINK I THINK FOR AUTO EXTREME REGINA
10 Things I Think I Think for Auto Extreme Regina:
1 – How do you spell “Relief”? W-I-N. Saskatchewan’s 38-27 triumph over Toronto at a sold out Mosaic Stadium on Saturday elicited more sighs of relief than jubilation or celebrations. The team is 2-3, they’re still 5th place in the CFL West, but that was the Roughriders team we’ve been promised. Welcome to “Up Week”.
2 – Duron Carter’s backhanded, onehanded touchdown catch against the Argos will be replayed for years. I believe it’s the best catch I’ve ever seen, and that includes Odell Beckham Jr.’s onehanded TD stab for the NY Giants a few years ago which everyone says is #1. On Saturday Duron showed why the Riders signed him, and continue to tolerate his high maintenance, gregarious ways.
3 – A Twitter troll wrote that he sees catches like Carter’s all the time in the NFL. No you don’t, so stop hating. With NFL training camps now underway, you’re going to hear a lot of the “NFL vs CFL” argument in this country. The truth is, if you try to make this silly argument, then you’re simply not a football fan.
4 – Corey Chamblin may not have been victorious in his return to Riderville but his heart was full. Several Rider staff rushed out to see him when he showed up for media interviews on Friday at Mosaic Stadium. Whether Corey Chamblin is a Head Coach again in the CFL is a matter of “When”, not “If”. The stress might’ve gotten to him here, but he’ll be ready for it next time.
5 – Argos Head Coach Marc Trestman wore a cap that said “Life Is Good” when he met with reporters before the game. Marc has a career as a Life Coach waiting for him when he’s done with football. Read his book PERSEVERANCE. It’s simply amazing what happens when you tell the world – and yourself – that “Life Is Good” rather than “Life’s a struggle”.
6 – You know you’re getting old when a haircut includes your ears, eyebrows and nose.
7 – The Challenge Football League? I prefer to look at the positives of this CFL season and the wildly entertaining games rather than the annoying coaches’ challenges. If there truly is a problem with officiating and the video review mechanism, then I expect Commissioner Randy Ambrosie to pound his fist on the table and fix it once and for all. He seems like a “Take Charge” kind of guy.
8 – It says here that it can’t help things when the TSN announcers are berating or questioning officials’ calls and review verdicts on a weekly basis. That occurs on the panel, and in the broadcast booth. The TV ratings aren’t spectacular this season despite the fact the games have been out-of-this-world. The TV announcers need to lend a hand in selling the product.
9 – The Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Oh, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. They were shellacked 60-1 on Saturday in Calgary and Head Coach & GM Kent Austin was pacing the sidelines like a caged tiger. They are 0-5 this season and 4-15 in their past 19 games. What happens next in Tiger Town?
10 – The Roughriders can boast five straight sellouts and Mosaic Stadium has become a tourist destination. Many fans have written and asked what they should take in on trips to Regina. I’d suggest visiting the Fan Wall, statue, Confederation Park, a trip to the 5,000 square foot Rider Store and maybe even swing by Taylor Field which is just a few blocks away. In the fall, new stadium tours will be offered.
Riderville is the place to be again! I love it.
RP
@rodpedersen
