FRIDAY RODSERVATIONS
THE WEEKLY NOTEBOOK:
* The Saskatchewan Roughriders head to Calgary today and will touch down before noon. It doesn’t appear as though they’ll have a walk-through at McMahon Stadium as the only thing on the schedule is a Corey Chamblin news conference mid-afternoon. I will not be in attendance as I’m staying behind to call tonight’s Regina Pats/Edmonton Oil Kings game on Access 7 from the Brandt Centre. Rider Radio analyst Carm Carteri will provide the coverage from the day-before-the-game news conferences.
* Kickoff on Saturday is 5:00 pm on TSN and the CKRM Rider Radio Network. The forecast calls for sunshine and 14 degrees Celsius for the game and the Stamps are favoured by four points.
* We all know the importance of this contest. Stamps coach John Hufnagel said on Thursday, “I’m very pleased this game has the meaning that it does”. A Calgary win clinches first-place for the Horsemen while a Rider win means their goal of finishing first is still alive. How important is homefield in the West Division Final? Good question. Over the past 10 seasons in the CFL the home teams in the Division Finals are a combined 11-9 (5-5 in the West and 6-4 in the East). It should be noted that neither first-place finisher made it to the Grey Cup last season.
* Quote of the Week #1: Comes from Calgary Stampeders broadcaster Dave Rowe on the SportsCage on Wednesday: “Awww you guys are still talking about finishing in first?” Rowe snickered. “How cute!”
* Quote of the Week #2: This one comes from CTV Regina’s Don Hewitt when asked on In The Huddle if he would be watching the Bombers/Argos or Panthers/Buccaneers on Thursday evening: “I think I’ll be looking for a hockey game!”
* Quote of the Week #3: From Rider alum Mike Abou-Mechrek in the SportsCage on Tuesday: “In Regina we read in the newspaper about the Roughriders and in Calgary they read in the newspapers about the Roughriders!”
* As one Rider staffer put it this week, “We’re in their heads”.
* That likely includes Stampeders defensive end Charleston Hughes who apparently has had enough. “I mean, it’s almost to the point where I’m just tired of hearing them talk,” Hughes told the Calgary Sun on Thursday. “We’re actually being gentlemen and not really saying much.”
* Charleston must have suffered some amnesia as it relates to the two teams’ meeting on August 9 in Calgary. Before the game Hughes guaranteed he’d shut Kory Sheets down and then the Rider tailback went out and laid 133 yards on him. I’d be quiet too!
* Saturday provides a tantalizing sports doubleheader in Calgary with the Riders/Stamps at 5:00 followed by the Capitals/Flames at 8:00. It also presents a headache for fans who have tickets to both games. Ironically both teams are owned by the same conglomerate. Stampeders President Gordon Norrie told CHQR 770 radio in Calgary the scheduling conflict was “an oversight” and “it won’t happen again”. Hey it works for me! I plan to attend both if possible.
* Interesting note: Stampeders season ticket holders also get season tickets to the Calgary Dinos and Calgary Colts in their packages.
* It’s all about symmetry in sports these days so it comes as no surprise the Regina Pats would announce Rider Pride Night next Wednesday against the Moose Jaw Warriors. The Pats will wear special green uniforms honouring their neighbours across the street. Hey why not? Rider safety Tyron Brackenridge said Thursday he plans to attend Wednesday’s game which will be the first hockey match he’s attended in his life.
* Week 18 in the CFL continues tonight with Edmonton at BC. The Eskimos have lost six games by five points or less this season. Also Eskimo coach Kavis Reed now sports a 21-31 career record during this season’s down year.
* The Lions are averaging 29,003 fans per game this year. That’s not too bad. BC is also 9-0 when allowing 30 points or less this season and 0-7 when allowing 30 or more.
* There’s a crazy rumour that rock star Jon Bon Jovi is in the running to the buy the BC Lions. Apparently he was in attendance three weeks ago at BC Place when the Riders visited. I think it’s great! So many of his songs apply to the Lions! For instance the song Livin’ On A Prayer describes the club’s plight without #1 quarterback Travis Lulay. This Is Our (My) House could apply to owner David Braley. How about You Give Love A Bad Name for Kelly Bates? For GM Wally Buono you could play It’s My Life! Why stop there? Lay Your Hands On Me would be appropriate for top rusher Andrew Harris. The possibilities are endless. I could even think of one for Yonus Davis.
* 18,478 was the announced attendance at Rogers Centre Thursday for Toronto’s 36-21 win over Winnipeg. It’s doubtful that’s paying the bills. This blogger is also skeptical that a move outdoors will reignite the love for the Argos in the GTA.
* Although the most-watched CFL game on Thanksgiving weekend was the Argos-Ticats which pulled in 956,000 viewers on the Monday afternoon. The Riders-Eskimos were next at 778,000 on Saturday. The 1:00 pm ET Sunday NFL games attracted 712,000 watchers.
* It was a treat to listen to the Argos radio broadcast on Sirius/XM channel 167 last night. I’ve long maintained Argo playcaller Mike Hogan is one of the best in the league but I was further impressed by the work of Argo colour commentator Sandy Annunziata. He’s fantastic! It was an enjoyable broadcast.
* Having our CFL broadcasts carried on satellite radio has been a boon for us radio guys. I even got a note from my friend John Meissner listening to last week’s game on satellite radio down in Tampa Bay, Florida. It’s a shame it’s not promoted more.
* The U of R Rams conclude their 2013 season Saturday afternoon at Mosaic Stadium against the U of S Huskies. Kickoff is at 1:00 and Mitchell Blair has the call on CKRM2 (www.sportscage.ca).
* Thanks to the generous donations of several local businesses and football fans, the Regina Thunder will be heading to Saskatoon a day early for Sunday’s PFC title game against the Hilltops. Initially the Thunder didn’t have hotel rooms in their budget but their fans came through. You would have hated for the team to have any regrets before, or after, the game. Kickoff is at noon at Griffiths Stadium and you can listen to the contest at www.cjwwradio.com. Moving the kickoff from 1:00 to noon still seems strange, no matter what the reasoning.
* The Regina Pats will look to get back in the win column Friday night when they host the Edmonton Oil Kings. Their six-game win streak was snapped by the P.A. Raiders (3-1) on Wednesday evening. From what I’m told the game is nearly soldout but there’s still tickets available. As noted above, I’ll have the call on Access 7 and then hop on a 6:00 AM flight to Calgary Saturday morning for the Rider broadcast.
* The Moose Jaw Warriors got the news they were dreading on Thursday when the Toronto Maple Leafs confirmed they’re keeping 19-year old defenceman Morgan Rielly for the rest of the year. It can’t be a coincidence that without Rielly, the Warriors are 10th in the conference and have just three wins in their past 10 games.
* Why can’t Taylor Hall stay healthy?
* Edmonton coach Dallas Eakins slammed Montreal’s Lars Eller for his condescending remarks about the Oilers prior to their game at the Bell Centre this week. St. Louis Blues colour commentator Kelly Chase in turn slammed Eakins saying his comments show he’s “inexperienced” as well.
* Does Brendan Gallagher own Montreal yet? If not, he soon will. He’s the most-exciting player in the NHL for me.
* Jessie Ventura for President of the United States in 2016? If I had a vote, he’d get mine.
* Is Jenny McCarthy now a regular on The View? If so, sign me up.
* Friday’s Press Box Sports Bar lunch buffet lineup:
Roast Beef
Mashed Potatoes
Mixed Vegetables
Chicken Alfredo
Caesar Salad
Buns
Desserts
THAT’S ALL – ENJOY THE GAMES!
RP
@sportscage
Would hope the CFL is doing it's homework in advance of the day Mr. David Braley leaves with his behind the scenes devoted support to the Canadian game along with his hefty cheque book. League turmoil with some franchise Instability to follow.
I made the blog! I made the blog! How cool is that?!?!
Going to Calgary on Sat. Will be sitting with my blaster in the stands and have intro to Bring Them Out! when Riders come out. Should be very interesting!
Bob
Lets get ready to Rumble!
Ethuansize the horse.
Ray
Roddy,
A tip on the game tonight, try not to revert back to your old ways and cry about the reffing and missed calls, and "blown" calls…call the game as it is, just like the real guys do it.
Are you reffing the game Anonymous?
Nope, just know the broadcast turns to bush league community programming when you start pulling that crap….all the reason I stopped listening to your Rider PBP because of Carm.
A. Nonymous
President Jessie Ventura and Vice Pres. Howard Stern, how could anyone hate the US then?
Roddy, call the games like you do. Poser ref has his mom listening to your broadcast and he doesn’t want to hear about all his mistakes from his mommy when he goes to bed, in her basement.
What does Kelly Chase know about coaching? Eakins did exactly what any good coach would do in that situation…Thirren has called out players for doing similar things, so has Balsmya, Hitchcock, Ruff, Carlyle and many others in their careers…you protect your guys, especially when your leading a young team. The final result proved that Eakins had his team ready to go.
Fred
Hahahahaha I agree! Say hi to your Mom for me! Now go have a nap. You're too cranky for a Friday.
Sorry Roddy,
have to agree on the one poster regarding ref bashing on a broadcast, not saying you do it cause I haven't had the fortune of hearing you call a hockey game, although there's nothing I hate more than when a Play-by-Play crew starts on about reffing.
Sadly, I'm going to the game tonight so I won't get to hear your broadcast.
BigKev
We DO talk too much. Want an example? You're flapping about Charleston Hughes saying he'd stop Sheets while he ran for 133 yards on Aug 9th. Need I remind you we got absolutely destroyed in that game?? And we're flapping about how many yards Sheets had??? Good Grief. To be honest, I think the running backs on both teams are selfish tools. They've done nothing but make this about THEM for the last month. I wish they'd both shut up and go win football games. I could give a rats ass if Sheets runs for 5000 yards this season if… Read more »
Hey Anon (basement troll)
How many wieners did your mom have at the Pats game Wednesday ?
I agree with Quote #1 for us to finish in first the Stumps would have to post consecutive losses. That hasn't happened this year. We beat them in week 2, B.C. got their number in week 8 and the Argos bounced them in week 13. I think the main thing is to get out of these last two games without major injuries.
BB
Ah the maturity of you Pedersen is showing again. LOL hence why you didn't the Oilers job.
Love the comments from the folks going after the play-by-play hating Anon. He's probabaly yelling at the computer screen "MY MOM'S A SAINT!!!" The View?? Rod when you leave the studios today make sure you hand in your man card to the receptionist. You're not allowed to have one anymore. Hughes' attempts to protray his team as a bunch of angels is a bunch of garbage. How about Cornish's cocky antics at the end of last game? You can bet that Chick hasn't forgotten about that and neither have the rest of the team. Boy I'm pumped for this tilt.… Read more »
Hey Rod,
The cespool is full today! hahaha
Good luck with the game tomorrow.
Russ from Saskatoon
Roddy, I couldnt agree more about the crying about the refs. Way too homerish and calls go both ways all the time, try to be a little more like a pro.
By the way the Bon Jovi piece was a swing and a miss, not amusing at all.
My groupies are back! And I haven't even called the game yet. LOL
RP
Crips guys can't you just read the blog and just be happy with what is said. If you don't like what rod has to say write your own blog.
I think Rod calls an exciting game whether its football or hockey. I enjoy reading his blog and sometimes I don't agree but don't come on here and bash him.
Ive never met Rod but seems like a very professional guy on the radio and in person.
Jeff Kozack.