Friday Commentary: Oops!
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A coupla three or more thoughts entering the weekend …
#1 – It’s why we play the games. So confident I was in Green Bay beating Atlanta on Thursday Night Football that I didn’t even watch (opting for the NHL’s Battle of Florida instead). Oops! Michael Penix led the Falcons to – what the pundits are calling – a “stunning” 35-14 victory at Lambeau. Just like *that*, my pick ‘em bracket’s busted for the weekend.
#2 – The CFL announced its 2026 Grey Cup halftime act on Thursday and it’s country star Riley Green. That’s a 10/10 selection by the CFL, even I can’t name a song he sings. I learned enough about Riley at Country Thunder this summer to know the kids love him, and you’ve gotta have a country act in Calgary. Who cares if Green’s from Jacksonville, Alabama, and not Canadian? I gave up the fight about the Grey Cup halftime act having to be Canadian, long ago.
However please let the record show that I was the original “Elbows Up” guy, but couldn’t get enough support. How bout that.
#3 – Without question the BIGGEST game of the week in the CFL is tonight in Vancouver where the Saskatchewan Roughriders visit the BC Lions. Some say the winner of this will get second-place in the West. The season series is certainly on the line. Can’t wait! I picked the Riders to win.
And #4 – The top story in the NHL this week is Oilers great Mark Messier – now of ESPN – telling reporters he was “horrified” by Edmonton hiring Mike Babcock as head coach. Babs responded on Thursday saying he has “nothing but respect” for Mess. If I had the chance, I suggest to Messier not to judge someone based on what you hear, but he’s in the small group of people who can say whatever the hell they want.
I wonder how long it’ll be before the Oilers are tired of dealing with this?
That’s today’s Rod Pedersen Commentary.
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Mike Babcock has a great line is Dad taught him; “Unless your knees hit the bottom of my table I don’t care what you say. It’s just noise.” Mark Messier what he did to Trevor Linden and bringing in Mike Babcock. Yet due to that one Stanley Cup in New York he gets a pass. I’ll clear it up. People like Mark Messier and Chris Chelios were great players. Those guys were 1%’ers. If anyone ever heard the stories of what NHL players ever got up to. Unless it’s Mike Gartner 99% of them couldn’t look a cyclops in the… Read more »
The players of today. They have no concern or respect for any of the yesterday players. These are the Crosby/Ovechkin influenced kids. Anything prior to 2004 never happened. When Mike Babcock mentioned Messier is older than him. That was the subtle dig it’s nothing more than another Boomer/old man with an opinion. These guys today and the ones coming along. These are millenial/gen z players raised by screwed up overbearing Gen X parents. You think Messier wanted a Dad’s or Mom’s trip when he was 19 going into New York for road trips? Edmonton was a boom town and those… Read more »