10 WEEKEND THINGS

Taking shots …

1 – THE OPPORTUNITY CITY: What a treat it’s been to spend the weekend in world famous Weyburn, Saskatchewan; home of Tiger Williams, Brendon Labatte, Tommy Douglas, rumoured to be Kiefer Sutherland’s grandma, and Canada’s only All You Can Eat KFC Buffet! It’s also where I got my first newspaper job, first radio job, and my first speeding ticket. I was here for my little cousin’s wedding (congratulations to Tyson & Emma Scott by the way, the groom being a clone of Pat McAfee) but also had occasion to visit old friends, and look around. Several people came up during breakfast at Welsh’s Kitchen on Saturday to say they’re watching the RP Show, and that life appears to be great. Weyburn’s a place I love, and could’ve easily spent my over-50 years, but God’s got other plans for me. Thanks folks! See you next time, whenever that is.

2 – LIONS 19 RIDERS 9: It’s unreal how these point spreads go. The oddsmakers at Bet Regal had the Lions favoured by 10.5 over the Roughriders Saturday night at B.C. Place, and they ended up winning by 10. This was a surprise to nobody, although the Rider Nation had their fingers crossed that QB2 Mason Fine was going to be the “Next One”, and he’d salvage the season after the major injury to QB1 Trevor Harris. But no, Fine’s inexperience was on display, throwing two interceptions as part of a 284-yard night. The narrative in my head while watching the game at the wedding was, “He’s got the tools. He just needs more reps/playing time.”

Unfortunately for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, time is not a luxury they have.

3 – THE BUZZ: Of course the buzz around Southeast Sask regarding the Riders ranges from the ridiculous to the sublime. I heard it all; from some in the know, and others nowhere near it. “They think the other back-up should be playing,” one oldtimer told me. “Dolegala. He can see over the line!” Others, whom I’ve known as Rider Priders for years, say they just aren’t that interested anymore because they don’t know who the players are. Someone else told me Rider GM Jeremy O’Day has designs on coaching the team, since he and current Head Coach Craig Dickenson’s butts are on the line, in the last year of their contracts. They’re also criticizing O’Day for giving $550,000 to Trevor Harris, and not leaving enough for a veteran back-up (a la B.C. and Dane Evans).

Listening to the buzz is great, in small doses. All day, everyday tends to get a bit much.

4 – DURANT: It was wonderful to see Rider legend Darian Durant making a guest appearance at the Ag In Motion farm show near Saskatoon this week, as a guest of Nutrien. I heard some fans hoping Mason Fine would be the next Darian Durant but now with three starts under Fine’s belt, he doesn’t look that way to me. When Darian got his first start on a July afternoon in Hamilton in the summer of 2008, we knew he had “it”. That’s how it goes with Hall of Famers.

5 – SPEAKING OF: There seemed to be very little discussion or buzz around this week’s Plaza of Honour Induction announcement by the Saskatchewan Roughriders. The 2013 team will be enshrined, along with former volunteer executive Wendy Kelly (posthumously). As the voice of the 2013 team, I’ll have a speech ready for the induction if they require it. My thoughts? I don’t have any. Hall of Fame inductions, at one time, inspired many a long debate over the worthiness of the inductees and of course, the snubs. This announcement generated neither. I’m finally at peace with the realization that it’s never going back to what it was.

6 – ARRRRRGOS: If you’ve looked at the schedule, it gets no easier for the Roughies as they take on the 5-0 Toronto Argonauts in Touchdown Atlantic in Nova Scotia next weekend. Early on the Argos have established themselves as easily the best team in the CFL and not enough kudos are being given to GM Pinball Clemons, Head Coach Ryan Dinwiddie and their staff. That’s also just the way they prefer it. How do the Winnipeg Blue Bombers feel about giving up this title? It’s still early I suppose.

7 – CHAD KELLY: On the phone this week with a football guy in the U.S., we were discussing Argos QB Chad Kelly and how he was overlooked/passed over by everyone but Toronto in the pro football landscape. “Once you get a bad rap, it’s hard to shake,” this coach advised. But that’s where the diamonds in the rough are! Didn’t we all see when Kelly, in a pinch, led Toronto on a game-winning drive in the fourth quarter of last year’s Grey Cup for an upset win over Winnipeg? I felt it, and I’m far from a football expert. However I can see he’s got NFL talent. So did the NFL people at one time. So for a million reasons I hope Chad Kelly wins multiple CFL championships, continues to stick it where the sun don’t shine to the critics and those who’ve written him off. He’s the Story of the Year in the CFL so far.

8 – 5 NFL THINGS: Here are the five things I’m looking forward to the most in the NFL this season, with kickoff less than 50 days away – 1) Can the Dallas Cowboys outshine the Eagles for NFC supremacy and get to a Super Bowl, 2) How much of a difference will new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio make with Dolphins, 3) Will we see the Aaron Rodgers of old with the Jets, or just an old Aaron Rodgers, 4) Who ends up signing Ezekiel Elliott, whom I told you was a bust after signing his last mega contract, and 5) Will Baker Mayfield revive his career with the Bucs. Fingers crossed for reclamation projects and, again, for those who’ve been written off.

9 – 5 NHL THINGS: Here are the five things I’m looking forward to the most in the NHL this season – 1) Will the Florida Panthers make a step up, or take a step back, 2) Will the housecleaning with the Flames remove all the evil spirits, or will the curse continue and the team have to be sold, 3) Are the Oilers done knocking on the door of the Western Conference or has the window actually closed, 4) Does Connor Hellebuyck finish the season in the Jets crease, and 5) Will the Vegas Golden Knights be the first repeat Stanley Cup champions since … since … the Tampa Bay Lightning.

10 – RANDOM THOUGHTS: From the same oldtimer at breakfast, “Why did the Blue Jays pitch to Teoscar in the ninth inning?” Ummm, because they thought they’d strike him out. … I believe I saw one of the ZZ Top band members in Weyburn this weekend. … After that first speeding ticket in Weyburn at age 16, my Dad advised, “I don’t pay speeding tickets”. … That led to the first of me working two jobs, or more, in the media simultaneously. It hasn’t ended, 34 years later. … Apple TV MLS analyst Kaylyn Kyle might officially be Saskatchewan’s most famous export. … If you can envision a media world beyond your traditional TV or local radio station, that’s where we’re living, and thriving. … By the way, the RP Show takes up residence at Century Downs Casino in Calgary beginning Monday for the rest of summer. Swing by and say hi! … Also, you can Listen Live to our show EVERYDAY from 10AM-12PM by clicking on this link: WQEE Radio. Bookmark it! … Some people will love you no matter what you do and some people will hate you no matter what you do. Live your life. … The best airline in the U.S. is Delta, with free Wifi for members and live TV on flights including ESPN and Fox Sports. … Air Canada and WestJet are neck-and-neck in Canada, although I was impressed with A.C. moving me to the exit row while going to Charlotte, NC, saying, “We knew you were 6’3″ Mr. Pedersen, so we took the liberty. Hope you don’t mind!” I don’t still don’t know how they did that. … Whomever invented pop-up signs is a GENIUS. … I enjoy listening to Howard Stern on these long flights and drives. After returning from a recent h0liday in South Florida, Howard told co-host Robin Quivers, “Miami is fun.” Yes it is! That’s why I live there. … AND HOW WAS YOUR WEEK??

Y’er welcome,
RP
@rodpedersen