10 MOTHER'S DAY THINGS

1 – CAPTAIN OBVIOUS: CFL players are supposed to report for training camp next Saturday, May 18. However without a new CBA in place, they won’t. Captain Obvious says each day that goes by without a deal, it’s more likely there will be a strike. 7 days and counting. My spider sense tells me training camps will not be starting on time.


2 – BAD NEWS: It can’t be overstated. A labour disruption would be catastrophic for the CFL, a league which is in the fight of its life for ticket sales and corporate sponsors in the new climate that is Canadian pro sports. The NHL seems to be sucking up all the dollars. Out of sight, out of mind.


3 – CALLING SOL: The signing of LB Solomon Elimimian was a bonus for your friendly neighbourhood Saskatchewan Roughriders. A real shot-in-the-arm for the defence. But as we’ve learned the last few years, defence, alone, doesn’t win championships.


4 – ZACH ATTACK: I saw the quote from Craig Dickenson this week that Zach Collaros is no more susceptible to a concussion than any other CFL QB. I’m sure he’s working with the best medical advice. However for this blogger, it’s a case of “Fool me once…”. Zach has an incredible amount to prove this season and it begins and ends with staying on the field.


5 – THE DOOR IS OPEN: With top seeds Tampa Bay and Calgary falling, not to mention defending Stanley Cup champion Washington, the door is open for a new, exciting NHL champion among the Sharks, Blues, Bruins and Hurricanes. I’m pulling for the Sharks, and may end up winning my pool because of them!

Meanwhile the complaining about NHL officiating this spring is justified, and the league has completely botched video replay as well. And these are the guys we’ve entrusted with the game?


6 – BUNCHA JERKS: Casual fans seem to be pulling for the underdog Carolina Hurricanes. Here’s my only point on Don Cherry giving this team its nickname way back before Christmas: It takes one to know one!


7 – BOOB TUBE: The SJHL Finals were televised (SaskTel Max TV) but the exciting WHL Finals are not. It’s a head-scratcher, and a bloody shame. The PA Raiders are missing out on a massive branding opportunity and it’s not even their fault.


8 – RATTLE THE RIM: The Sask Rattlers are 1-1 in the inaugural CEBL season. There was some skepticism this league may not even play a game for financial reasons, but their first weekend seemed to be a success. Will you go?


9 – SASK FASHION WEEK: Can’t believe my first ever experience at this great event came on the last night it will ever be held! It’s ending after 8 great years. On Saturdya night I wondered aloud where all these beautiful people spend the other 51 weeks of the year. My friend said, “I think they came from Saskatoon.”


10 – HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY: How lucky am I to be able to spend today with my wife and Mom. Luiggi’s brunch is on the schedule. The best advice from my Mom: “Stay true to yourself”. I’m enjoying being able to do that in my new life. What a relief.

Y’er welcome,
RP
@rodpedersen