10 THINGS I THINK I THINK FOR SOBER BOWL CANADA
1 – BREAKING NEWS: It’s funny the things you learn sitting on a beach in Mexico. Just this morning I learned former Roughrider LS Levi Steinhauer has been hired as the strength & conditioning coach for the Korean badminton and ping pong teams at the Olympics. Levi Steinhauer – a Moose Jaw product – is an Olympian!
2 – WILD CARD: The latest buzz in the CFL surrounds Argos RB James Wilder Jr. who’s threatening to boycott the 2018 season unless Toronto lets him out of his contract to sign in the NFL. Sorry kid, you’re not the first to be in this situation and you won’t be the last. NFL agents have called CFL rules “archaic” – and that may be true – but they were drafted by some very smart men to have the league’s best interests at heart. I hope he sits.
3 – RIDERS FAVOURITES?: So many people have asked how the trade for Zach Collaros affects the Riders’ Grey Cup chances in 2018? Personally, I feel Collaros makes Saskatchewan the #1 contender and that’s the truth. However the Vegas odds look this way: Calgary 350-1, Edmonton 500-1, Toronto 600-1, Saskatchewan/BC/Winnipeg/Hamilton 700-1, Ottawa 1000-1, Montreal 1200-1.
4 – BURNING BRIDGE: Apparently Brandon Bridge literally was burning once he learned that Zach Collaros signed for $430,000 for this season (we have no idea what Bridge is scheduled to earn). In careful analysis, we feel Bridge should be upset at no one but himself and his agent. We were stunned they opened contract talks before the season was over and even more stunned they did the deal before Christmas. Not seeing what was available on the open market is just bad business. Now let’s get this all behind us and look forward, not back.
5 – SO LONG BOBBY V: It was a rough week on the Rider Nation, whatwith the passing of Bob Vespaziani and Jack Urness. Condolences to the families of both, however I never had the pleasure of meeting Jack. Bobby V, on the other hand, was someone I spent A LOT of time with when he was Roy Shivers’ righthand man. He’d always introduce the Rider PR man, himself and me as the “Bobby B Three” when we were checking in at airports and hotels. (“You haven’t heard of us? We’re the hottest musical trio on tour!” he’d say). Bobby V was a fountain of football knowledge and a devoted family man. He will be missed so much.
6 – SUPER BOWL 52: It’s the Super Bowl championship so of course we’ll be watching the big game from Minnesota but, to me, the match-up is so ho-hum. Can you imagine if it was Jacksonville-Minnesota?? North America would be going bonkers! Now it’s the Eagles and their annoying fanbase against the Patriots, whom we all feel like we know personally after so many trips to The Dance. The match-up is good, but not great.
7 – SUPER BOWL CANADA: Tune into the CBC News at 6:00 pm as they’re doing a story on our inaugural Sober Bowl Canada at Tony Roma’s on February 4. Thanks Jill Morgan! Sober Bowl is a family-friendly, alcohol-free party to watch the Super Bowl and mingle with CFL personalities. There will be a Nacho & Chili Bar, Mocktails and prizes! The idea is to keep Saskatchewan roads safe and promote family time. All proceeds go to Oxford House Society of Saskatchewan. Win/Win/Win. Thanks Saputo Dairy of sponsoring. Email pedersenrecovery@aol.com for tickets.
8 – TONY ROMO: It’s another popular question these days: Do you like Tony Romo’s colour commentary on NFL broadcasts on CBS? I couldn’t decide for the longest time but have concluded that ‘yes’, I do. When it comes to broadcasting, I’m a staunch traditionalist but Tony has come in on fire and done it his way. It’s refreshing and entertaining. My only question is, if he can predict every play before it happens, why don’t the Cowboys hire him as Defensive Coordinator?
9 – GO PATS GO: The 2017-18 Regina Pats have turned into a box of chocolates. (You never know what you’re going to get). But to me, that’s incredibly entertaining and is what junior hockey is supposed to be about; unpredictability. Here’s what I’m fascinated to see: If John Paddock can motivate and pull these guys together in time for the playoffs and Memorial Cup. It’s crystal clear that they’re good enough, but they embarrassed themselves to start last Friday’s game against Moose Jaw. This is turning out to be a lot of fun!
10 – GOLDEN KNIGHTS: The expansion Vegas NHL team is – by far – the talk of the NHL right now, leading the Western Conference at the All Star break. They say the Golden Knights have completely changed that city. I can’t wait to get down there to see for myself. My only pet peeve is that NHL insiders say, “The Golden Knights play like it’s the playoffs every night”. Great! But with an average NHL salary of $2.4M, why can’t every team play balls out for 82 games? That’s one of the biggest problems with the NHL that I have.
And there’s no bandwagon-jumping here! You know I was on the Vegas bandwagon from Day 1!
Y’er welcome,
RP
