DAYTONA HOMES FRIDAY RODSERVATIONS
A DOZEN RANDOM THOUGHTS
1 – PACK THE DOME. PLEASE: Well this is it. Game day. The Regina Pats host the Kootenay Ice tonight at 7 pm in the Brandt Centre and it will be broadcast live from coast-to-coast on Sportsnet. While our Pack The Dome campaign has generated plenty of interest, it has not translated into a sellout. Yet. I was with the Sportsnet broadcast crew at Golf’s Steak House last night and they got real excited at the possibility of the facility being jam-packed but we still have a ways to go. If you plan to go tonight, get down to the box office early today and if I may be so bold, please purchase tickets in the lower bowl. Don’t wait until just before game time because the ticket office will be jammed. See you there!
2 – GOOD WEEK FOR BALLSY: The Wolf 104.9 FM’s Michael Ball discussed the Pack The Dome campaign this week and suggested it’s going to take the Pats getting at least to the second round of the WHL playoffs for the Queen City to completely buy in to this club. We’ll see. But Ballsy scored the top interview of the week when he had Rider receiver Weston Dressler on his show on Thursday. I was surprised Weston spoke so freely about his tryout with the Kansas City Chiefs.
3 – “SO FAR, SO GOOD”: That’s the quote from Weston’s agent Justin Seurer regarding how things went in Kansas City. Argh! I swear these guys speak in riddles just to get us spinning around chasing our tails. By “us”, I mean fans and media alike. What does his quote mean? Personally I think we can start saying our good-byes to Weston. Your #7 DRESSLER jersey is about to become retro!!
4 – STAND-UP BABY, STAND-UP: Another hockey note — we had a tremendous discussion on the SportsCage Thursday with Regina Pats forwards Dyson Stevenson and Boston Leier. Watch the NHL highlights, and the highlights from Wednesday’s CHL Top Prospects Game if you can, and notice how many goals are going in the top third of the net. It’s got to be 90% or better. Most goalies are on their knees these days before the shooter even releases the puck. You don’t think shooters know that? If someone could teach these netminders to be stand-up goalies again, they’d be the next big thing. What goes around, comes around and it’s time for the new, “old” style to come back.
5 – THE NEW CITY OF CHAMPIONS: SportsCage hockey analyst Curtis Hunt speculated this week that Regina could erect signs around the city hailing that we are the new “City of Champions”. Considering the success of the Roughriders, Thunder and Red Sox over the past few years, why not?
Curtis also brought up a great point regarding Tuesday’s Oilers-Stars game. The Stars scored 0:14 into the contest which was a true sign Edmonton wasn’t ready to play. His question was – who’s responsible for being ready to play: the coach or the players?
6 – HAPPIEST CITIES: The results of a survey were released this week saying Kingston, Ontario is Canada’s happiest city while Regina finished second. Rider linebacker Mike McCullough must be the happiest guy in the world because he’s from Kingston, but now calls Regina home.
7 – THE BUTLER DIDN’T DO IT: I’ll admit to being a little surprised on Thursday when Rider GM Brendan Taman revealed linebacker Craig Butler is waiting for the free agency period to find out what his market value is. That’s certainly his right, and he’s probably very wise to do it, but somewhere I thought he said the only place he wants to play is Saskatchewan. It would be very painful to lose him, both off the field and on. No wonder Taman referred to this time of year as “tricky”.
8 – COACHING CAROUSEL UPDATE: Scott Schultz’s UND teammate Tim Tibesar was one of two defensive coaches let go by Chicago Bears head coach Marc Trestman last week. They took the fall for the NFL’s worst defense which clearly was the Bears’ achilles heel. Now Tibesar, who was a defensive coordinator with the Alouettes, is rumoured to be up against Gary Etcheverry for the Bombers’ DC job. Rookie Bomber coach Mike O’Shea must be agonizing over this decision because it’s taking so long. He has a very strong relationship with Etch which dates back to their days with the Argos. Stay tuned.
Meanwhile the BC Lions are still looking for a QB coach and a DB coach.
9 – QUOTE OF THE WEEK AND TWEET OF THE WEEK: They’re the same one and it comes from Coach Quotes on Twitter (@SportsProverbs). The quote is: “The superior man blames himself. The inferior man blames others”. It comes from legendary Dolphins coach Don Shula.
10 – NFL THOUGHTS: It’s Conference Championship weekend and both games are on Sunday: AFC New England at Denver 2:00 pm and NFC San Francisco at Seattle 5:30 pm … In my mind we get THREE Super Bowls this year! The drama surrounding these two games is almost too much to take, and then the winners will clash in two weeks at MetLife Stadium for the Super Bowl. This is the greatest football playoff in a long, long time … No quarterback has ever led two different teams to Super Bowl titles but Peyton Manning figures to be the first this year. After reading the 20-page article in Sports Illustrated about him being their Sportsman of the Year, (and the reasons why) Peyton is now my favourite NFL player … After watching last week’s Saints-Seahawks game in Boston Pizza South, I realized there is indeed a market for the NFL in Regina because the place was jammed with fans. That’s why I’m providing plenty of NFL coverage on both the SportsCage, and also on this blog … Peyton Manning yelled “OMAHA” 44 times while at the line of scrimmage in last week’s playoff game against the Chargers which had everyone talking all week. Peyton wouldn’t say what it meant, but Tourism Omaha thanked Manning for the free publicity on Twitter (@VisitOmaha). The trouble is, Peyton isn’t on Twitter … In Foxborough, MA on Saturday night I noticed the stadium had signs that said “QUIET PLEASE” while the Patriots were on offense. You wouldn’t see that in Regina, and you certainly didn’t see that in Denver.
11 – REGINA PRIDE:
Had to snap this tremendous photo while in the Boston Pizza South lounge. Two of Regina’s favourite sons, the Getzlaf boys: Ryan and Chris. Chris is the older of the two by three years.
12 – A TOUGH WEEK FOR GUYS BORN IN 1972: I’m sure you’re the same with guys your age, but I’ve always felt a kinship with Anthony Calvillo and Martin Brodeur because we were born in the same year. But Father Time is catching up with those two. “A.C.” is expected to announce his retirement next Tuesday after a Hall of Fame, record-setting career while Marty played potentially his last game in his hometown of Montreal this week with the New Jersey Devils. He made 29 saves in a 4-1 victory. Time marches on and it stops for no one. And it’s time to ponder the next career move.
SPONSOR NOTE: Less than 300 tickets remain for Saturday night’s Larry The Cable Guy show at Mosaic Place in Moose Jaw. You can select your seats here: http://tickets.mosaicplace.ca/ordertickets.asp?p=130&backurl=default.asp
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!
RP
@sportscage
We are getting old, RP. I still play rec hockey and play a stand-up-ish style of goal. Thats how old I am! haha
Age is just a number boys. You hear about people in their eighties still hitting the gym, downhill skiing, etc. Just gotta take care of yourself health-wise and the rest will fall into place.
Rod, why is packing the dome important enough that you would actually use the word 'please'? You are an elite sportscaster and one of Canada's most recognizable people (top 100 I bet). Why would you undertake an emotional attachment to a franchise that has done very little to connect with the citizens you are pleading with?
Exactly how close are we to a sellout Rod?
Quite a ways.
And to the other guy, I'm simply trying to sell out our arena for a nationally-televised game. Nothing more, nothing less.
When guys like Calvillo go it's the writing on the wall that Generation X is turning the page and time moves on. Now your QB stars are sleeved, and you have no idea what they are saying in a press conference so I barely listen anymore. Peyton Manning knows it's almost over, and frankly might be over after this weekend if he loses.
I immediately thought of Merle Haggard's, "Are the good times really over for good.", Tim McGraw's, "Back When", and Tracy Lawrences, "Time Marches On."
Time doesn't wait for anybody.
Obama
Geroy Simon needs to realize his good times were over back when and was fortunate to have one last hurrah at the expense of the Roughriders Football Club dime. He needs to timely march on out now because the good times are really over for good.
2 tds in the gey cup game. that is all.
/////// GO PATS GO ///////
And Rod, you should be commended for it. You are a great community guy. I respect you a lot. But, in this case, I completely disagree with your approach. It is, in my opinion, putting earings on a pig to sell out that building because a person like you helps them do it. It sends the wrong message that all is well. I disagree. This team is still under the control of a family that has seen it run into the ground. So, when you allow your celebrity to provide a false shot of adrenaline, you are actually inhibiting the… Read more »
I disagree about Geroy. He is the perfect blend of intellect, conditioning, guts and ability. Every time he was asked to step up, he did. Two tds in his last game, which just so happened to be on the biggest stage. Caught that ball across the middle and bounced up. I am not suggesting he gets anything beyond one more year if he doesn't deserve it. But, to let him go now, without knowing what he can do, is not good management of an asset. My guess is Geroy has something to prove, will come back leaner and better, and… Read more »
I know what you mean about guys your age. I was born one day before Teemu Selanne, so if I was ion the NHL I'd be the oldest player by one day!
How can you say Rod should be commended and then in the same paragraph rip him for trying to push citizens of Regina to buy tickets to watch their local junior team?? How exactly has the organization been "run to the ground"? Sure there have been issues with a non-hockey mind making hockey related decisions in the past but even that has been corrected. Ripping on a guy for trying to create some excitement within a community and ultimately get people out to support some kids is simply bizarre and pointless.
I agree completely
Me thinks if Dressler signs down south Geroy will play a far bigger role stats why this season.
Whoah…..I did not rip him. I gave some feedback and gave my opinion. I also commended him. Im pretty sure if Rod felt ripped, he could defend himself. I made a pretty clear argument for what I was thinking. I laid it out pretty methodically. It was respectful. As for your comment about watching a bunch of kids play hockey – BS. Its a business. Its a ten million dollar business built on the backs of a bunch of kids. So, lets not turn this into some atom tier 3 tourney here. Rod's name is gold. He is using it… Read more »
I want to know how it has been run into the ground?
If Geroy is back with his high priced contract, then gm Taman has his priorities up his a**. As Weston Dressler goes, so do the Roughriders, he's the go to guy and game changing play maker that makes the difference on the end resulting win on the scoreboard.
Matt Dominguez needed to preface his comment. I've said this on here for many years. I truly believe in equality for all mankind, but when it comes to the CFL flat out there is a tiered system of imports vs. non-imports. Geroy is a better Receiver than Getzlaf is not a fair comment. One is import one is not. There are few non-imports that it doesn't matter particularly with Jon Cornish, and Jason Clermont in his prime. Canadian Linemen are a unique breed to the game, but my issue happens with Receivers primarly and that's why I wouldn't argue in… Read more »
The greatest gift and respect to a Canadian like Getzlaff is to be measured on his abilities, not his citizenship.
Dominguez did that.
He doesn't need to preface anything. He compared them head to head. My point is that Geroy is still a great receiver. His last game, he was a gamechanger again. If Wesston doesn't like his contract he can frick off. He should worry about his own contract. If Geroy got Wesston's balls, he would have the same stats, and based on the chip on Dressler's shoulder last year, was a much better team guy from the stands.
Wish people would just be honest. Excuse after excuse not to attend a game when the honest truth would serve just as well. My personal entertainment “allowance” is reserved for Rider tickets. Any entertainment expenditures after that will involve the rest of the family and what they like to do (like going to the Red Sox games and movies). Yes, the Pats haven’t been exciting to watch in prior years but it’s hard to justify spending $ on something the family just isn’t that interested in. I highly doubt the attendance would change if the Pats record/performance was the same,… Read more »
Maybe “rip on” was the wrong term to use, I’ll give you that. I’m simply pointing out the contradiction. Absolutely it’s a business but that doesn’t change the fact that it’s still kids playing good exiting entertaining hockey. Yes making money is important and in our greedy society often money trumps all but I for one can appreciate things for more than just the figure on the bottom line. Maybe you and I have different opinions on what “run to the ground” means. I still see an organization contributing to the community and providing citizens with a form of entertainment.… Read more »
Regina is now a mecca of entertainment and you have options:
1) High Impact Wrestling tonight at Hungarian Club – I am there.
2) Neil Young Concert
3) Regina Pats
It's not a one trick pony anymore in this town there is a lot of competition.
Roughriders gm needs to responsibly address the team salary cap by releasing excessive on field team expenditures, (some aging player ccontracts) Clearing the way for prized free agent acquisitions such as Weston Dressler and others. Something to be learned by past regimes who refused to make the necessary changes to a aging team roster and the end result of losing and decline.
Pretty hard to do when you still don't know what the salary cap will be.
Surely they would know if they were over the league spending cap last year and ajust accordingly on yearly anticipated projections based on past job experience and insider league sourses for the upcoming season.
Typo, – adjust
Rod answered last years cap question quite some time ago & if you heard Taman yesterday he said they don't know where the cap will be this season.