FRIDAY RODSERVATIONS

TOP 10 FRIDAY THOUGHTS:

1 – That’s the view from our hotel room at the Grand Bahia Principe in Jamaica’s Runaway Bay.  We returned on Tuesday and our friends of Jamaican descent (Mike Thomas, Andrew Greene, even Dwight Anderson) will be happy to know it was a fabulous time in their homeland.  They were concerned about our nightmare three years ago but that was just a bad set of circumstances and this time around we had a splendid time on the tropical island.  There was plenty of drama around us, like my Rider Radio colour commentator Carm Carteri running into a gun-toting gentlemen on the green of a Jamaican golf course, but my crew was able to steer clear of controversy for a change.  I even sang karaoke for the first time in my life, opting for Johnny Cash and Bon Jovi!  However for the most part I just laid on a hammock in the sun for a week with this view:

That was interrupted the odd time by a visit to this nice girl at the beach bar:

We came to be very close during the week!  This is another one of these Harvard Broadcasting vacation destinations.  We do three per year – to a tropical destination, Las Vegas and an NFL trip – and they’re always sold out.  That’s why we’re Regina’s leading radio group!!!  If you’d like to participate one day, just advertise on the SportsCage, Rider Radio 620 CKRM or our stations MY 92.1 FM or the Wolf 104.9 FM.

Regarding Carm’s brush with danger on the golf course, I’ll discuss it on the SportsCage today with the Old 96’er at 4 pm on 620 CKRM.

2 – Of course our resort was full of Canadians.  We met fans of the CFL’s Lions, Stampeders, Blue Bombers, Ticats and Argos!!  The Calgary fan was still mad at his team for their implosion in the West Final while the Argo fans were in Regina for Grey Cup and wondered how we can possibly deal with the cold in this province.  But we had nice visits with all of them.  The CFL brings people together.  I love it.

3 – Is it true that, on CFL free agent deadline day, if a Rider fan complains, we’ll get six more weeks of winter?  That’s got to be the case.  Yes it’s true, the Grey Cup champion Saskatchewan Roughriders have been “pillaged” this off-season (a term used by one CFL assistant coach in conversation this week), but who didn’t see it coming?

The Roughriders certainly did, even though they’re not happy about it.  Clearly the 10-week honeymoon after the 2013 Grey Cup championship win is over because the outpouring of complaints about the Roughriders on social media is overwhelming.

Let’s recap:

*Keith Shologan and Zack Evans went to Ottawa in the expansion draft.  The Riders were going to lose somebody.

*Weston Dressler and Kory Sheets go to the NFL.  Who could blame them?  And how could you blame the Riders for that??

*Craig Butler went home.  As much as that one hurts, it’s no different than CFL veterans from this province signing back here with the Riders like Paul Woldu and Brendon Labatte.  We can’t have it both ways.  However if it’s true Butler was upset the Riders wouldn’t extend his deal during the season, that’s odd.  I can’t remember any time in the Taman era that the team negotiated with players mid-season.

*Drew Willy is traded to Winnipeg.  We were going to lose him in free agency anyway so you might as well get something back for him.  He deserves a chance to play and he’ll be good there if he doesn’t get killed behind that offensive line.

*Graig Newman bolts to Winnipeg.  That one’s a head-scratcher for me.  He’s a Saskatchewan kid who likely figured prominently into the Riders’ defensive plans in 2014 but he couldn’t wait since the Blue Bombers were giving him a guarantee.  I believe this is a move Graig will live to regret, but it’s his life.  He’s giving up rockstar status here.

There are more losses but those are the highlights.  Or low lights.

If you recall in December I wrote about this pending situation, quoting NBA legend Pat Riley who once said the real problems begin after you win a championship.  It’s called the “Disease of Me”.

4 – On the positive side, it was tremendous news to learn that the Riders were able to re-sign kicker Chris Milo on Tuesday.  I jubilantly texted his father Franco in Montreal and he was unaware of the news, but was equally as excited to find out.  What a great kicker and what a great family.  And what a tremendous display of loyalty by Milo.

5 – Just so you know, salary caps are designed to prevent dynasties.  That’s why we don’t see them in the NHL anymore and likely won’t see a dynasty in the NFL again.  The NBA and MLB are completely different stories but the CFL and NHL cap sidelines are fairly similar.  That’s not to say the Riders won’t repeat as Grey Cup champions but the odds are stacked against them.  Last year the Riders bought up everybody in free agency!  Chamblin and Taman took over a 5-13 team and within two years built the greatest team in Roughrider history.  They destroyed the East Division’s best in the Grey Cup.

And now a lot of you are complaining.  Seriously, get a grip.

6 –  Did the BC Lions take a shot at the Riders on Twitter Thursday evening?  Their social media team wrote from the @BCLions account last night:

“Dressler, Sheets, Shologan, Butler, McElveen we feel your pain @sskroughriders (Khari says hi) #CFL #BCLions”

Perhaps it wasn’t a shot, and a quick check with the Riders told me they’re not concerned about it, but I think right now everyone needs to be reminded THE RIDERS GOT THE CUP!

7 – Thursday’s 3-1 victory over Norway for Canada’s mens hockey team at the Sochi Olympics was an eyesore.  Of course no one was worried when the game was scoreless after the first period even though Canada was icing a team of Hall of Famers and Norway only had one player we’d ever heard of.  Canada looked like 20 guys who’d never met each other before but with no on-ice camp in the summer, and not much practice time before the tournament, this was understandable.  BUT Canada had better be a whole lot better from here on in.  And Carey Price should just stay in the net rather than playing the puck.  He looked like a fish out of water.

8 – This is a two-pointer. 1) Why do we have to halt the NHL season for the Olympics?  It doesn’t have to be any different from the World Juniors.  Come on NHL – LET’S PLAY!  2) Whoever thought it wasn’t a foregone conclusion that Martin St. Louis would replace Steven Stamkos on Canada’s roster?  It was masterfully played by Canada’s GM Steve Yzerman as it involved both of his players from the Tampa Bay Lightning.  Don’t believe me?  Then you’re naive.

9 – Canada gets very “un-Canadian” when it comes to these hockey tournaments.  Arrogance takes over from our famous politeness.  Even Don Cherry said on CBC’s pregame show something to the effect of “this one will be no problem”.   I choked on my ribs at the 4 Seasons Sports Palace when I heard that.  We can think it but we can’t say it!!  And what a horrible outfit by the way, Grapes.

10 – There was a gaggle of NHL scouts in the Brandt Centre on Wednesday to watch the Pats knock off the Kootenay Ice 3-2.  They were there to watch top draft prospect Sam Reinhart of the Ice but he didn’t do much.  Early on he looked dangerous but he seemed to lose interest as the game went along.  He certainly wasn’t the hardest-working player in the game.

The Pats are at P.A. tonight before returning home to host Swift Current on Saturday.  Both games can be heard on 620 CKRM.  Kudos to Pats GM Chad Lang and coach Malcolm Cameron for turning this franchise around and restoring some respectability and credibility.  They continue to be fun to watch.

THAT’S ALL! HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!
RP
@sportscage