10 THINGS I THINK I THINK
10 THINGS I THINK I THINK:
1 – Bye, Bye, Love: It’s been a wonderful two weeks of bliss around here as the Riders pounded BC 41-8 in Week 8, and then went on a bye. Fans are believing this team is coming around, and there has been no talk lately of Chris Jones having too many job titles.
Now, Saskatchewan heads to Edmonton this Friday to face an Eskimos team which is favoured by 6.5-points.
All the pressure is on the Esks!
2 – Appetite For Destruction: The Riders are practicing at Leibel Field at Douglas Park all week because New Mosaic Stadium is being madeover for Sunday’s Guns ‘N Roses concert.
This had better be a heckuva show if the Riders had to be booted out of their home for a week! As yet, we don’t have tickets but I’d like to see the show if it’s going to be this big.
The last team GNR was here, the Brandt Centre was big enough for them.
3 – Bada Bingham: Rookie DB Zavian Bingham was the star of Rider rookie camp but after making the team, he injured his knee and got cut. Now we learn he’s getting a tryout with America’s Team, the Dallas Cowboys.
What’s more, Saskatchewan cut rookie DE Davis Tull after training camp but the Chattanooga product signed with the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams this week. Guess what? There are players in the CFL who are better than some NFL players. No guff.
4 – East-West Is Best: Here are two reasons why the CFL playoff format will NEVER change: 1) Since the crossover was invoked 20 years ago, the 5th place team in one division has never finished higher than the 2nd place team in the other. Therefore this proposed alignment isn’t needed. 2) The eastern owners will never vote for this change because they reside in the weaker division and their playoff odds would take a huge hit.
Let’s forget this argument.
5 – Stand On Guard For Thee: The NFL season is just a few weeks away and it’s a shame the #1 topic is players refusing to stand for the anthem. How nice it is that we haven’t had that ugly issue pop up in the CFL! But it truly is an American thing, and a problem that, luckily, we don’t have to deal with in Canada.
I stand for the anthem at all games to honour those who lost their lives fighting for the right these nincompoops have to protest. And whatever else it means to be FREE.
6 – OBJ: Of course New York Giants WR Odell Beckham Jr. was injured in this week’s Monday nighter against Cleveland which will be the new topic: Why play your stars in exhibition games? Well, for one, teams charge regular season prices for exhibition games. Plus the games are on national TV. There are still dozens of exhibition games to go, but you won’t be seeing many big names from here on in.
7 – Hot Chick: Were you surprised when Hamilton traded John Chick to Edmonton? I wasn’t. But nothing in pro sports surprises me anymore. It seems to be a cost-cutting move by the sinking Ticats but it’s also bad news for Saskatchewan. John will be double-motivated when he faces the Roughriders on Friday night. He had two sacks and a forced fumble against the Riders on August 20 last year.
Incidentally Chick shares the same number as Edmonton icon Connor McDavid. John was unaware of that fact when he spoke to reporters on Monday.
8 – Plan Ahead: Don’t be like those complaining about a lack of Pats playoff tickets, or water fountains at Mosaic Stadium. PLAN AHEAD for this Saturday’s biggest fight in history between Floyd Mayweather and Connor McGregor. The sports bars in this province will be JAMMED so call ahead or arrive well in advance. But for the love of God, please don’t show up late and then complain.
9 – Eclipse: As was noted in this space a few weeks ago, the Solar Eclipse was much ado about nothing around here. Facebook was rife last night with people who were letdown after all the hype, when they could’ve just listened to me in the first place. Heck, if I wanted to be letdown I would’ve just watched the Blue Jays.
10 – VGK: The NHL season is still almost two months away but I’m already extremely excited for it. And, after much deliberation, I’ve chosen my new rooting interest: the Vegas Golden Knights! It was simple; it’s a new start for them and a fresh start for me. Plus, the road trips to watch them will be better than most anywhere else.
Go Knights Go!
Y’er welcome,
RP
