10 THINGS I THINK I THINK FOR CAPITAL GMC
10 Things I Think I Think
1 – REBUILD COMPLETE: I made that declaration at the conclusion of Saskatchewan’s 38-24 CFL win over Winnipeg in the Labour Day Classic. Although Coach Chris Jones called it “premature”, I still feel that way. One-and-a-half years into this rebuild, the Riders can now compete (and beat) West Division teams and are a team we can be proud of. Getting to the top of the mountain is another story entirely.
2 – MOVING ON UP: It’s undeniable that this team has made major strides under Chris Jones. At 5-4, they’re now out of the West Division basement for the first time since the Harper Administration and, as of today, they’re in a playoff spot. The scary thing for the rest of the CFL is that the Rider players feel they’re just getting started. They now possess the only thing they were missing: confidence.
3 – SPITS & GIGGLES: Duron Carter is a much better man than me. The star Rider receiver says he was spat upon by a Bomber fan on Sunday but the fan’s ejection from the game is punishment enough. If someone did that to me, I’d lose my ever-loving mind. I feel that’s the most heinous act of disrespect, not to mention the potential spreading of disease.
4 – “FAKING”: The Blue Bombers say the Riders were faking injuries to slow down the game on Sunday and the Riders say they weren’t. Now there’s a CFL investigation into the matter. What will they find? NOTHING. This has been going on for at least 30 years and I’m shocked Winnipeg actually thinks that’s why they lost the game.
5 – UNDER PROTEST: If Saskatchewan loses TSN’s contest for the CFL’s loudest stadium this week, I will NOT acknowledge the results. TSN didn’t announce the criteria until DURING the telecast of the Labour Day Classic! Winnipeg fans were able to watch, sit back, and plot how to win the contest in Week 12. Weak sauce.
6 – ROCKY, ROCKY, ROCKY: One of the great stories of Labour Day lore is Rider QB Rocky Butler who, in his first career start, rushed for 3 TD’s to lead Sask to an upset win over the Bombers in 2002. Rocky is now working as a QB coach at Position Specific Training at his alma mater Hofstra University in New York.
7 – PARADISE CITY: I heard Evraz Place and the City of Regina wrung up a cool $1-million in liquor sales at last week’s Guns N’ Roses show. That’s in ONE night. More shows anyone?
8 – BRING HER BACK: The Saskatchewan Roughriders are 2-0 when Teagan Littlechief sings Oh Canada. Pats fans will know she helped the Pats on their way to the WHL Final last year as she’s the regular anthem singer at the Brandt Centre. Here’s hoping we see Teagan the rest of the way! What’s her magic?!
9 – JOHN FRENZY: Hall of Fame Rider broadcaster John Lynch turns 80 today. There was a campaign and petition a few years ago to get the football maven inducted into the Plaza of Honour but it fell on deaf ears. I’ve accepted that the Plaza won’t honour Saskatchewan media personalities, but don’t care for the policy.
10 – JUST NOTES: Thanks to the Pats for handing out lineups outside their Neutral Zone Store at weekend games. It’s a lost gesture in sports … The Pats host Brandon on Saturday … The Rams cleaned up on UBC 36-20 in Week 1 at Mosaic Stadium and LB Nick Cross was named Defensive Player of the Week. Regina is at Calgary on Friday … And it’s the Game of the Year for the Regina Thunder on Saturday as they visit the Saskatoon Hilltops.
Y’er Welcome
RP
@rodpedersen
