10 THINGS FOR TITAN AUTOMOTIVE GROUP

1 – CORNDOG CAPITAL: It’s already been quite a summer, and there’s plenty more to go. Rider QB Cody Fajardo is the toast of the town after leading Canada’s Team to wins in 4 of their last 5 games. The 27-year old from Brea, CA officially became a provincial icon when he posed with a corndog outside Buffalo Days following Thursday’s 24-19 win over Hamilton. The Green & White are 4-3 and very much in the race in the tough CFL West. For that, there’s plenty of credit to go around.

2 – TOP OF THE O’DAY: It starts at the top and the free agent signings of rookie GM Jeremy O’Day this off-season were astute. We’ll say it again because it’s important for people to get it through their heads: the Riders didn’t “get lucky” with Fajardo. O’Day did his homework, and knew exactly what he was getting. Most of the credit goes to Cody, because he seized the moment, but he’s far from an “overnight sensation”. This is his 5th CFL season. Meanwhile the signings of William Powell, Solomon Elimimian and Micah Johnson have been impactful too. Head coach Craig Dickenson deserves his share of kudos as well. Fans are noting how quickly the 2019 team has “come together”. Who do you think is responsible for that?

3 – FURTHERMORE: Imagine where this franchise would be if Jeremy O’Day hadn’t been passed over in favour of Chris Jones in December of 2015? That’s a move I was campaigning loudly for at the time, but was scoffed at. No, I’d seen O’Day on a day-in, day-out basis earning his stripes, doing the grunt work, and learning all that he could as he awaited his turn in the Big Chair. He’s a “conventional” GM in that he does things the way they are traditionally done in pro football. (For instance, conducting an elaborate head coaching search in January for Chris Jones’ replacement even though he likely knew all along that Dickenson was his guy). O’Day’s not going to break rules or colour outside lines, and will always make the best of what he has. The Riders will win a Grey Cup on his watch. Take that to the bank.

4 – HALL OF FAME: One of the highlights of my year is the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony which went this weekend in Canton, OH. It’s amazing to see all the American football greats gathered in one spot, and hear their stories. Listening to the inductees’ speeches is like a How-To Guide for life, such as Michael Irvin’s famed “Look up, Get Up and Don’t Ever Give Up” speech in 2007. Mike O’Shea’s address in 2017 should be burnt onto DVD and sold at Walmart. It’s a bloody shame that this Friday’s Canadian Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Tim Hortons Field not only won’t be televised, but won’t be live-streamed anywhere. That was confirmed in a text message from Hall officials Sunday morning. This gives me a knot in my stomach and makes me want to throw up. Canadian football fans deserve better coverage and I, for one, would’ve tuned in to hang on every word of Jim Hopson’s speech.

5 – SHIPS AHOY: CTV Atlantic’s Steve Murphy used CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie for a punching bag in an interview this week and frankly I felt sorry for the Commish. Randy went on to promote Touchdown Atlantic and provide a Schooners update but Murphy went straight for the jugular regarding low ticket sales for the August 25 game, and why there’s no concrete plans for the CFL’s 10th team. Ambrosie’s a smart guy and can think on his feet, so he handled the interview with class and dignity but he didn’t seem pleased. I just think Murphy was speaking for millions of CFL fans who are asking, “What’s going on?”

6 – WEEK 8 THOUGHTS: We need to stop griping about Thursday or Saturday night games. Realistically, when the heck do you want CFL games if NFL Sundays are to be avoided? Go to the games. Enjoy them. Then, let’s talk about them here. … The sky is falling in Winnipeg but this blogger says the Bombers’ 2-game win streak is a blessing in disguise. Smooth seas never made a skilled sailor. … Who’da thunk Ottawa/Montreal would be the Game of the Week from an entertainment standpoint? Those franchises, and their fans, both seem to be wide awake as we approach the turn. … Canada’s Game of the Week, Edmonton/Calgary, was a bit of a dud from an entertainment standpoint. The Stamps won 24-18 and you can’t really blame Calgary sports fans for getting numb to winning. Who wants to go to a movie where you already know the ending? However the fans who were there seemed to be having a blast.

7 – RATTLE THE RIM: Switching gears, I have a new fascination. Pro basketball’s Saskatchewan Rattlers are impossible to ignore and The Rod Pedersen Show thanks CEBL Commissioner Mike Morreale, Rattlers officials Lee Genier, Brad Kraft and Raul Garcia for opening their doors to us. Similar to how I got hooked on the NLL’s Saskatchewan Rush, we went up to experience a game day and it was love at first sight. I guess there’s something about Saskatchewan people, but the Rattlers are already the CEBL’s model franchise and that’s why they’ll host Championship Weekend August 23-25 at SaskTel Centre. It’s a Memorial Cup format that will knock your socks off. The RP Show will be front and centre.

8 – BIG DREAMS: Still recovering from Saturday night at Buffalo Days. Things were going along just fine at Confederation Park with music by Washboard Union and Paul Brandt but when Brandt launched into Small Towns & Big Dreams – and the guy in front of me was wearing a Humboldt Broncos jersey – the waterworks started. My mind immediately flashed back to the memorial in September at Elgar Petersen Arena, televised nationally on TSN. Broncos staff played that Paul Brandt song over and over on a loop while RCMP officers unveiled each of the memorials to the 16 Broncos. Saskatchewan’s real-life nightmare that will never end. #humboldtsrong

9 – BLUE JAYS: Count me as the farthest thing from a baseball aficionado, although growing up it was my #2 sport behind hockey. Toronto’s braintrust of Mark Shapiro and Ross Atkens have been getting torched all week for not getting enough in return for some franchise cornerstones at the trade deadline. In this little blogger’s opinion, at least they should be lauded for drafting, signing and grooming Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Beau Bichette and Cavan Biggio (the sons of big league superstars). “The Kids” have been hitting the lights out, the Jays have gone on a roll, and they’ve got me interested in the team again! Hats off.

10 – RANDOM THOUGHTS: Hockey icon Lorne Molleken always said hockey season begins right after Buffalo Days. He’s right. WHL and SJHL team staff reports to duty this week. Awesome! … The WMBL’s Regina Red Sox appear to be on the verge of an historic season and playoffs are right around the corner. Catch them at home Monday night to the Melville Millionaires at Currie Field. The playoffs begin at home on Thursday with Game 1 vs either Moose Jaw or Weyburn. … A gem from my Mom that I always remember when driving around southwest Regina, “Whoever designed Harbour Landing never had to drive in it.” … Watching a PVR’d game is like reading yesterday’s newspaper. Useless. … There’s a special place in hell reserved for the people who leave garbage behind in your car. … Watching Last Chance U on Netflix has convinced me that we are Independence, Kansas. Replace the corn fields with wheat fields, and voila! They we are. For better or for worse. … This is one of the best Queen City Ex experiences in years. Hats off and bravo to all involved! Offering free admission with your Rider ticket on Thursday was a genius move. Way to go!

Y’er welcome,
RP
@rodpedersen