THE WEDNESDAY THRILLER … WITH PHIL ANDREWS
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| Voice of the Pats Phil Andrews |
SLAPSHOTS:
• It seems the Pats coaching search has come to an end. TSN Radio 1260 Edmonton reported on Sunday that John Paddock will be hired as the team’s new bench boss and will also be taking over a role in management of hockey operations. That report has since been confirmed and I think Regina has big reason to be excited.
Paddock brings a wealth of experience at the pro level as well as championship pedigree. More to come today I imagine so stay tuned.
• This blogger is wishing Morgan Klimchuk all the best at Canada’s World Junior summer camp.
• Training camp starts in 15 days and I for one am very excited to have hockey back in the Queen City. I think we will see an infusion of youth in the lineup and the future looks bright for this organization.
• Speaking of training camp, what a great weekend for the Regina Thunder who started their 2014 training camp. There is a ton of competition and the coaching staff will have some tough decisions come final cut day which is coming up after the weekend.
The defense is going to be strong with the entire linebacking core still in tact, the secondary has most guys returning and some guys ready to step in at the corner positions. On the D-line there will be plenty of talent as well.
Offensively is where the most change will come with a new quarterback, running back and a number of new receivers. However from what I saw on the weekend there is plenty of talent there was well. Jaeden Marwick looked solid at QB and Matt Frass has already demonstrated what he can do running the ball.
Kasim Ocaya and Ruben Viveros look set to make an impact at receiver and add those names to the likes of Preston Bews, Brady Keller,
Thomas Bresciani among others and this offense will put up points.
The quest for a repeat starts on August 17th at home to the Saskatoon Hilltops. Hope to see you at Mosaic Stadium for the 1 o’clock kickoff.
• I am so excited for tomorrow night’s game between the Riders and Blue Bombers in Winnipeg tomorrow night. What a huge game for the Green and White, a win puts them two points out of first in the West Division.
The story lines are awesome in this one. Darian Durant going against his former understudy in Drew Willy. The rivalry between the two clubs, its good for the CFL that Winnipeg is in the West Division.
• Tough news about Taj Smith yesterday. In a receiving corp that is already thin with experience, they take a hit for tomorrow. Smith has certainly hurt the team but I for one think he will get through this and be better for it. I hope to see him in a green and white uniform again, he is a special player. I’m not going to sit here and judge him for his mistakes. We all make them.
• Anyone else feel the Riders got snubbed in the CFL player of the week honors. I thought Tristan Jackson deserved to be special teams player and that Rob Bagg would push for Canadian of the week. Not to toot my own horn but I think I wrote last week that Jackson should return more kicks. Certainly looked good in Ottawa.
• Tiger Woods is hurt again after not even two tournaments. I used to idolize the guy and I’m still a big fan. Tough to see him dealing with injuries. My allegiances are wavering over to the Graham DeLaet camp these days. Want to see him win one so bad.
• The Toronto Blue Jays started off their biggest series of the year on the wrong foot last night losing to Baltimore 9-3. Hurts that much more after losing 3 of 4 in Houston in their last series. Needed to win 3 of 4 against a inferior team. I think the Jays will be lucky to get one win in this series against the Orioles this week and it won’t come tonight against left handed pitching. At least they are still in the hunt. Haven’t been able to say that in August that often in the last decade.
That’s it for today. Have a good week,
Phil
@PhilTheThrill18
Nice column, but no mention of Weston Dressler. The word is out that Dressler will "Not" make the NFL Kansas City team this year. Does he still belong to the Riders, and if so does that mean that he has to return to the Riders if he gets cut by Kansas City ?
What's to say about Weston? He's still in KC. If he comes back he'll get offers from everyone in the CFL.
RP
I want to know who votes on "CFL Player of the Week"
Lets see..punt returner Quincy McDuffie took the special teams award.McDuffie returned five punts for 105 yards and also returned three kickoffs for 47 yards in Hamilton's loss to Winnipeg.WOW. That's 21 yards per punt return and an amazing 15.6 yards per kickoff.All-Star quality performance.
Tristan Jackson only had a 111-yard missed field goal return for a TD, an interception and two pass knockdowns.Sorry Tristan…NOT GOOD ENOUGH.
Smart move by the Jaysto stand pat at the non-waiver trade deadline while others teams added parts. The Jays knew their pitching isn't good enough to make the playoffs yet they did nothing in a rare season where the Rays, Red Sox and Yankess are all tanking
If Weston cannot get enough $$ from the Riders I only hope he goes to Ottawa and no one else. It would be a good thing for the CFL and that new franchise. The eastern conference needs all the help it can gets to make the league more competitive.
Good post Phil, your column is quickly becoming a must-read on the site. Keep it up!
TR
Weston will be with the Riders if he comes back to the league. Remember he wears #13 as a tribute to Rider Nation so …..this is where he wants to be and the Riders will want him back….a deal will be a no brainer….he is not going somewhere else further away from his family in North Dakota and from his best friends on this team like DD and Getz. He is a class act and he will go where his heart is.
Dressler will go where the money is. Football is a short career need to make the most money when you can. Who cares what his training camp number is. He can visit his family in the off season.
Weston knows if he returns to the Riders he can sign umpteen endorsements. That should help.
The offers he gets are not going to make him a rich man…. Just like fantuz the riders offer will be similar to the others …..there might be a few thousands of dollars difference but not enough for him to go. Like i have said for six months he will be in the rider lineup for banjo bowl….will put money on it.