10 THINGS I THINK I THINK

This column originally appeared on my Facebook page on July 17.

From Canada’s Football Capital:

1 – The “Karen Play” might be the biggest blown call in CFL history. While most everyone agrees the wrong call was made, Commissioner Randy Ambrosie said the call could’ve gone either way while the referees say the onus was on the Argonauts to throw the challenge flag. For their part, the Argos didn’t say anything.

The fact of the matter is, if not for Karen’s blown million dollars, would anyone be talking about this play at all?

2 – CFL officiating has NOT gotten worse over the past couple of years. The addition of more TV cameras, more angles, more slo-mo and High Definition has made for a lot more “Living Room Officiating” in this country. That’s all.

3 – The most staggering fact to come out of the #WhatAboutKaren controversy is a Global Winnipeg story which revealed Karen Kuldys and her family won $675,000 in a Manitoba lottery in 2007!

4 – The top gripe around here in the past week is that craft beers won’t be made available at Mosaic Stadium in 2017. Really? Did anyone stop to think this is why Molson spent millions, and I mean MILLIONS, for exclusive beer-pouring rights for Rider games? Sheesh. Enough with the belly-aching! Molson is the Riders’ oldest sponsor and loyalty still means something in Saskatchewan.

5 – The Ottawa RedBlacks are 0-3-1 and that has many wondering if it’s a Grey Cup hangover. Possibly, but remember after Saskatchewan’s last two Grey Cup wins they started 6-0 in 2008 and 8-2 in 2014. Perhaps Ottawa simply lost too many key players from that 2016 championship squad. Who gets win #1 first: Ottawa or Hamilton?

6 – Some are wondering if the RedBlacks will make a call to Henry Burris to see if the 42-year old would consider coming out of retirement. However they can likely save their breath. Smilin’ Hank has smoothly transitioned into a broadcasting and ambassador role and is realizing Life After Football isn’t too bad. He can eat what he wants!

7 – The marquee game in Week 5 has to be Saskatchewan at Calgary on Saturday night (7 pm, TSN, CKRM). Can you believe the Stampeders have been installed as 11.5-point favourites? That seems like a whopping number to me, even with the two teams’ histories.

8 – The forecast calls for sunshine and 26 degrees Celsius at McMahon Stadium on Saturday evening. Our request is that the Rider Nation pack the place, but be respectful, sportsmanlike football fans. We don’t need any ugliness between the two fanbases which historically don’t like each other.

9 – Saturday’s game is pivotal for Chris Jones’ Roughriders. The Week 3 romp over Hamilton was a wonderful slump-buster but it won’t mean a ton if they don’t put up a great fight in the Foothills. A victory would be a telltale signal that the Roughriders are BACK.

10 – Say what you will about Calgary QB Bo-Levi Mitchell but he’s a legitimate superstar in this league. And his penchant for speaking his mind on Twitter should be embraced, rather than discouraged. However until the league’s Social Media policy is changed, we simply CAN’T have players criticizing officials on Twitter.

Meanwhile 38-year old QB Kevin Glenn is the Riders’ feel-good story of the year so far. His QB rating is 3rd, only behind Travis Lulay and Mike Reilly, and he’s played well enough for his team to be 3-0. I’d be comfortable with KG quarterbacking this team at least until he’s 40.

That’s all!
RP
@rodpedersen
Snapchat: Pedersenmedia