DAYTONA HOMES FRIDAY RODSERVATIONS

Kellan Leach, Austin Gorill & Brayden Gorill

A LITANY OF FRIDAY THOUGHTS

1 – The Saskatchewan Roughriders (7-2) will hold their final practice of the week on Friday and then head to Winnipeg for Sunday’s Banjo Bowl against the Blue Bombers (6-4).  The Riders are 5-5 since the Banjo Bowl’s inception.  It looks like a perfect fall afternoon for football in the Manitoba capital as the forecast calls for sunshine and 23 degrees Celsius.  Saskatchewan is favoured by 2.5-points.  Kickoff is 2:00 pm Saskatchewan time on TSN and the CKRM Rider Radio Network.

2 – Some folks around here refuse to acknowledge the name “Banjo Bowl” as they feel it’s derogatory towards Saskatchewan people.  I suppose it’s the same mentality that has people upset over the name “Redskins”.  However it takes a lot to offend me and I have no objections over the nickname of the traditional Week 11 game between the Roughriders and Blue Bombers which was started by then-Bomber kicker Troy Westwood.  You’ve got to be able to laugh at yourself.  Incidentally I’ll be on TSN 1290 radio in Winnipeg Friday morning with Westwood at 7:30 Sask time for any Rider fans who are able to tune in.

3 – The Seattle Seahawks kicked off their title defense with a 36-16 home victory over Green Bay Thursday evening in the 2014 NFL lid-lifter.  Regina’s Jon Ryan punted twice for a 33.0-yard average for the Seahawks.

It was an exciting game which threw water on the theory that the NFL is a “more boring” game than the CFL.  Personally I love both leagues and never understood the squabble over the two.  You never hear arguments like this in hockey.  No one compares the NHL, AHL, WHL or SJHL.  We appreciate the leagues for what they are.

Interestingly enough in a SportsCage poll on Thursday, listeners were split 50-50 regarding their appetite for the NFL.  The gap is certainly closing.  10 years ago the split would have likely been 70-30 towards the CFL.

4 – RIDER UPDATE:  Saskatchewan head coach Corey Chamblin confirmed on Thursday that punter Josh Bartel and long-snapper Levi Steinhauer will miss Sunday’s game due to injuries sustained in the Labour Day Classic.  In fact Chamblin said, “Anyone who was hurt last week likely won’t play this week.”  That will possibly include Rider interceptions leader Mark Legree.

5 – An inebriated Blue Bomber fan challenged me after the Labour Day Classic regarding the use of the term “Canada’s Team” as it pertains to the Saskatchewan Roughriders.  I always take particular offense to fans of other teams challenging this notion because I came up with the phrase a decade ago (if you don’t believe me, ask Trent Fraser or Steve Mazurak).  It’s usually a quick argument – the Riders have the #1 TV ratings, are the CFL’s top draw and outsell the other eight CFL teams combined in merchandise sales.  Case closed.  Heck, the Bombers aren’t even Winnipeg’s team!  Right now that honour belongs to the NHL’s Jets and likely will for however long they’re around.

6 – A Blue Bomber blogger based out of Brandon wrote a lengthy piece this week bemoaning TSN’s love-in with the Roughriders in the telecast of Labour Day Classic XLVIII.  Here’s a suggestion if you don’t like it — WIN SOMETHING!

This jealousy towards the Riders from other CFL teams is becoming infinitely aggravating.  There was a time Saskatchewan was the laughing stock of the CFL and in the late 90’s TSN used us a punchline.  But the franchise has worked unbelievably hard to get to where it’s at today, both on and off the field.  The marketing staff made trips to NFL games over the past number of years and made notes of their best practices which you now see on display at Rider games.  It’s what won them all the awards at league meetings this winter.

As Jim Hopson said in an interview this off-season, “We want the best people in all of our departments.”

Quit bitching and be better!

7 – The Bombers are on the right track however.  Combined with a winning record, the team is coming out with an aggressive marketing campaign and one specific goal is to win Brandon, Manitoba back.  A poll by CKLQ radio in Brandon last year found 75% of Brandonites are Rider fans but the Blue Bombers aim to change that.  That will start with them holding their training camp in Western Manitoba perhaps as soon as next year.

8 – If you’re looking for something to do in Winnipeg on Saturday night, check out the Banjo Bowl Social hosted by the Blue Bomber Alumni and Blue Bomber Cheer & Dance Team.  The event will be held at the Area Night Club with live entertainment.  Tickets are only $20 and the doors open at 8:00 pm.  For details check out www.bomberalumni.com.

9 – If you still can’t get enough Bomber/Roughrider revelry, consider joining Bomber greats Chris Walby and David Black along with the Riders’ Carm Carteri and me on the inaugural Banjo Bowl Cruise through the Caribbean.  For details email christine@ixtapatravel.ca.  For more info check out this CBC story on the cruise: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/travel-agent-creates-banjo-bowl-themed-cruise-package-for-football-fans-1.2756441

10 – It’s going to be a warm weekend in Regina and that’s not a surprise with all the hot air coming from the west, particularly near the Rocky Mountains.  The 8-1 Calgary Stampeders are boasting they are the CFL’s #1 team and are complaining their defense isn’t getting enough respect.  Hey, no one will argue they’re the top team in the loop but you shouldn’t have to beg for respect.  It is earned.

11 – Rider lineman Dan Clark was featured on TSN’s Top 10 Plays of the Summer this week on Sportscentre.  Dan’s touchdown grab at B.C. Place a few weeks back was ranked #8.  “I love that (stuff)!” Clark gushed on Thursday.  The Regina Thunder grad also drew more respect from his teammates when he received a rousing ovation during the player introductions at last Saturday’s SGI Play It Safe Day at Mosaic Stadium.  “It was Durant, Dressler, then YOU!” they chuckled with Clark.  He’s the most-hyped lineman I can remember in quite some time.

12 – Ken Miller’s Southern Utah University Thunderbirds are 0-1 on the NCAA season.  Kenny is the T-Birds’ offensive line coach.  This week they’re on the road to Southeastern Louisiana for a game at Strawberry Stadium in Hammond, LA on Saturday.

13 – Everybody’s talking about the plight of the Toronto Argonauts.  Their staff has been stripped to the bare bones and there’s talk head coach Scott Milanovich wants out after this year because the whole outfit doesn’t meet professional standards.  Who knows who will end up owning the team once David Braley finally gives up the reins but there are better days ahead.  A deal is nearly complete to see the Argos move to the outdoor BMO Field within a few seasons and many feel that will save pro football in Toronto.  As far as the NFL in Toronto goes, forget it.

14 – The Regina Pats are 3-0 in the preseason and this weekend they will face Brandon in an exhibition home-and-home set beginning Friday evening in the Wheat Kings’ building.  The Pats host Brandon Saturday night at the Cooperators Arena at 7:00 on 620 CKRM.  Meanwhile Pats season tickets are ready for pick-up at the Pats office Friday during regular office hours and on Saturday from noon until faceoff.  There’s also still considerable discussion in local hockey circles over the Pats icing a veteran-laden squad against a young Moose Jaw unit last week in which Regina pasted their top rivals 9-1.  It certainly added fuel to the fire.

15 – And finally, on the local football scene, the U of R Rams open the 2014 Canada West season Friday evening at home to UBC.  The game can be heard on 620 CKRM and we’ll be broadcasting the SportsCage live from Mosaic Stadium on Friday at 4:00 pm.  Meanwhile the 1-1 Regina Thunder visit the Saskatoon Hilltops Saturday night in PFC action.

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THAT’S ALL.  ENJOY BANJO BOWL!
RP
@sportscage