10 MIDWEEK THINGS FOR REALTY ONE
1 – THE PRESSURE MOUNTS: As the Riders prepare for their home-opener on Canada Day against the Toronto Argonauts, there’s a wide range of reaction to their 0-2 start in the Rider Nation. Many are saying not to panic because it’s early in the season and there are plenty of positive signs. Hall of Famers Jim Hopson and Eddie Davis said as much on Tuesday’s The Rod Pedersen Show. However others are writing off the season already and calling for firings. Famed columnist Bob Hughes would refer to this last group as the Loyal Disorder of Rider Priders.
2 – DICKIE: First-year head coach Craig Dickenson has been dealt a crappy hand. A tough schedule to begin with, the inability to sign a marquee QB in free agency, and the loss of the QB you did sign on the first series of the season. People are criticizing his lack of wearing a headset on the sidelines, lack of challenging a wrong call in Week 2 in Ottawa, and not supporting Zach Collaros enough in Week 1. Welcome to the pressure cooker that is football in Saskatchewan, where the temperature is 125 degrees F. But to call for his firing? Stop it.
3 – RUMOURS: There are whispers from some corners that nicked up vets LB Solomon Elimimian and WR Manny Arceneaux will be at practice when the club reconvenes on Thursday. Is this true? Who knows. The club is Fort Knox with info so you’ll have to go to practice yourself to find out. The infusion of this pair – if they’re healthy – would mean A LOT to this club. However lack of info = lack of buzz = lack of ticket sales.
4 – PRESSURE MOUNTING 2.0: These fans won’t wait long for this club to figure things out. There’s already been criticism over the signing of much-ballyhooed punter Jon Ryan (rightly or wrongly), stemming from the club’s special teams play so far. It says here if you win in Saskatchewan, you can do whatever you want. However if you lose, wear a helmet because the going gets tough FAST.
5 – WEEK 2 – THE GOOD: The obvious question is of the four unbeaten teams – Ottawa, Edmonton, Hamilton and Winnipeg – who’s a contender and who’s a pretender? That’s a tough call, and likely too early to tell. The Bombers appear to be the #1 team in the Power Rankings but they’ve got the upstart Eskimos at IG Field on Thursday in Canada’s Game of the Week. A Clash of the Unbeatens.
6 – WEEK 2 – THE BAD: Which of the winless clubs – BC, Saskatchewan, Calgary, Montreal and Toronto – will be the first to turn it around? There have been many quick to point out the Lions and Stamps have yet to win with their $700,000 QBs. Are GMs Ed Hervey and John Hufnagel regretting those whopping contracts? Not yet. It’s just going to take more figuring to make it work. Wouldn’t it be nice if everything went according to plan? Welcome to pro football. Hope for the best but brace for the worst.
7 – HATS OFF TO WINNIPEG: Bombers PR man Darren Cameron informs us the Bombers are lowering Bud and Bud Light prices to $4.85 until kickoff on Thursday and the team features a $3 concession menu all-game long which includes hotdogs, perogies, spring rolls and chili bowls. It’s also Country Night, featuring a halftime performance by The Reklaws. Folks, it appears now is Winnipeg’s time!
8 – HOCKEY HALL OF FAME: Hockey fans around here seem pleased with the induction of Shaunavon’s Hayley Wickenheiser but displeased with the inclusion of Vaclav Nedomansky and the snubs of Theoren Fleury and Paul Henderson. Ticked at the selection committee? It includes Lanny McDonald, John Davidson, David Branch, Brian Burke, Cassie Campbell, Bob Clarke, Bob McKenzie, Jari Kurri, Luc Robitaille and a host of others. At least they’re hockey people!
9 – KAWHI- IT: Raptors GM Masai Ujuri proved at his Tuesday news conference that rumours are usually bunk, and confirmed he’s staying in Toronto. Was there ever any merit to the Washington report? My circle of people is talking about the big free agent fish Kawhi Leonard, and if he’ll return to the Raptors or bolt to LA. A couple of things make me nervous: 1) He reportedly doesn’t like the cold nor living in Canada, and 2) He was non-committal on his future when interviewed at the championship parade. Hope for the best, brace for the worst!
10 - RANDOM THOUGHTS: It's called the Zipper Merge people. Google it! ... I can't imagine Theo Fleury is too miffed over his HHOF snub. The man's overcome child sex abuse and addiction. This is F all. ... When did it become 'okay' to talk during movies at the theatre? Two ladies in our row tried their best to ruin Rocketman for us Monday night. ... As for the movie itself, two enthusiastic thumbs up from the MMG! What a story Elton John's is, and the music is fantastic. ... Are you enjoying the ONE week off during the 51-week NHL season? It's this current week between the Draft and Free Agent Frenzy. Other leagues could learn a lot from how the NHL keeps itself in the spotlight. ... Don't forget the Regina Rifles Canada Day tailgate party at The Armoury from 3:00-5:00 pm presented by District Brewing Co. It's right across the street from the stadium! There will be face painting, food trucks, family games, beer gardens and more. See you there!
RP
@rodpedersen
.Way too early to panic & you would think that you can’t have a better opponent to get a win against this week. I think the schedule going in was very favourable for the Riders as they had 3 Eastern opponents to start. With the Riders standing pat & all the changes in Ottawa, you would think that’s a club to play early. Didn’t we beat the TiCats last year & Toronto was a bad club with a lot of change. The good is it looks like McAdoo has finally allowed his QB’s to attempt passes more than 3 yards… Read more »
Hats off to Winnipeg indeed! Tired of getting gouged on food and beverage prices. Rider football club…take note. You’ve priced your fans out and it shows through dwindling attendance since the novelty of the new stadium wore off.
Not only have they priced fans out of it, there is literally no beer or food selection. It’s a joke they charge those kind of prices and give the consumer no selection.