DAYTONA HOMES FRIDAY RODSERVATIONS
GOING TO NEED YOUR HELP: Lots of CFL fans from across the country will be coming here this morning to see how the league’s current labour war is going over in the Wheat Province. Certainly talk radio shows from across the land have dialed me up and asked that question and speaking for myself, it’s catastrophic. We’ve waited six long months since the Roughriders lifted the Grey Cup over their heads and now it’s time for the pigskin to fly again. However after Thursday’s latest break down in talks, a stroke seems inevitable. Errrr, strike. Although someone may have a stroke if it goes on for a prolonged period of time.
However this blog’s comments section on Mondays and Fridays generally provides a good pulse of the Rider Nation. How are you feeling about things? It can be difficult to fill the SportsCage in the off-season but once training camp kicks off, it’s cruise control during Rider season. How will we fill the time? What will we do without our Riders?
I enter this weekend with considerable trepidation. Do we drive to Saskatoon for Day 1 of training camp or not? If we do, how long will we be there? What about hotel accomodations? What about the season premiere episode of In The Huddle, our provincial television show on Access? It needs to be filmed on Monday, but from where? There are 23 weekly newspapers across the province waiting on my weekly column which hits their inbox by 9:00 am Monday. What will we be writing about? It’s nuts.
#PLAYBALL2014: If taking to Twitter to air your grievances is more your style, might I suggest the hashtag #PLAYBALL2014? It’s a good way for the fans to show their distaste for what’s going on at the bargaining table (or for what’s not going on). I saw one fan already started it on Thursday evening and it seems appropriate.
DURANT SPEAKS: Rider quarterback Darian Durant is back in town and graciously made an appearance at Regina Motor Products on Thursday to launch his latest endorsement deal. He signed autographs and posed for pictures with fans but also spent some time with us on the radio. Durant surprisingly reported that the feeling is “pretty much 50/50” regarding the union’s support for a strike. That’s a contrast of the front portrayed by CFLPA President Scott Flory isn’t it?
Darian was asked on the show who gave him the nickname “Doubles”. He said it was originated in 2006 by then-Riders offensive coordinator Tommy Condell.
He also revealed baseball was his #1 sport growing up in Florence, South Carolina. He was a pitcher and a first baseman. Perhaps the Regina Red Sox can use an import? By the way they open their season tonight in Weyburn.
Durant is also slated to speak at Simon Fraser University’s annual Gathering of the Clan fundraising breakfast. The other keynote speakers are Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and TSN’s Brian Williams.
THE THUNDER ROLLS: Another Regina Thunder product is in rookie camp with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. It is linebacker Brandon Whitehouse. He is 6’0″, 215 lbs and currently earns paycheques at Flaman Fitness.
THE RING IS THE THING: Rain or shine the Roughriders’ Grey Cup ring ceremony will be held Friday evening and that’s welcome news to all Roughrider players and staff from the 2013 championship squad. One Rider employee who wasn’t around in 2007 said this week, “Can this week go any slower?” It’s a private affair and the media has been asked to respect the club’s privacy as they put the final capper on the magical 2013 Roughrider season. Mark DeNobile from the Canadian Football Hall of Fame is bringing the Grey Cup in for the event.
WHERE HAVE YOU GONE BOB HUGHES?: I don’t know about you but often find myself wondering what Bob Hughes would think about the monumental events which have occurred since his unfortunate passing last year. What does Hughesie think of the Riders winning the 2013 Grey Cup at home? What would he think about the new stadium design? And right now what would the Hall of Fame football writer think of the league’s current labour impasse? We’ll never know but I do know where Bob is right now. The only request in his will was that his ashes be scattered on the 18th tee box at Long Creek Golf Course in Avonlea.
THE PREMIER WITH A ZINGER: Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall held his popular annual Premier’s Dinner Thursday evening in Regina. CKRM’s Chris Harris was on hand to cover the event and reported on Twitter that during his address, Wall said Geroy Simon coming to the Riders is another example of good things that can happen when you switch from orange to green! As far as Geroy’s status goes, no one seems clear on whether or not he’ll be back with the Green & White in 2014. I’d like to see him back.
WE’VE GOT TO GET THIS THING GOING: A work stoppage threatens to delay the CFL debut of Montreal Alouettes receiver Chad Johnson. Aren’t we all anxiously awaiting that? The receiver formerly known as “Chad Ocho Cinco” was late for his own news conference in Montreal this week because he was held up getting a McDonald’s meal at a Montreal Walmart. I’m also wondering what calamity will result from Johnson being introduced to St. Catherines Street.
THE MONCTON ARGOS: CFL Commissioner Mark Cohon certainly has a lot on his plate these days. This week’s news that the Toronto Argonauts won’t be welcome at Rogers Centre past 2018 and BMO Field doesn’t want them either has to have league personnel overly concerned. It would seem that a franchise move to Moncton, NB is the only reasonable solution.
HOCKEY NEWS: The Saskatoon Blades are reportedly down to a shortlist of five candidates for their vacant hockey operations department. I’m told they’ll hire a Coach/GM combo and we would be surprised by two of the names. Apparently the Blades did in fact have brief discussions with Humboldt Broncos boss Dean Brockman but they were just that. Informal talks.
MORE HOCKEY NEWS: The Vancouver Giants will begin interviews today for the head coaching job vacated by Don Hay who fled to Kamloops. GM Scott Gonner and owner Ron Toigo will conduct the search. Supposedly Willie Desjardins and Doug Lidster are candidates.
A KING’S RANSOM: NHL legend Dave “Tiger” Williams predicted in a phone discussion this week that the L.A. Kings are poised to claim the Stanley Cup for the second time in three years. If that’s true, good for them. They’re certainly a likeable bunch but they’ll have to get by Chicago first and then the hard-charging New York Rangers. There’s always a darkhorse in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and this year it turned out to be the Blueshirts. I gambled that it would be the Colorado Avalanche but that quickly fizzled out thanks in part to Matt Cooke. That’s why they call it “gambling”.
ANOTHER KING’S RANSOM: “King Henrik” Lundqvist could go down as one of the most popular athletes in New York history although he doesn’t have the body of work of Yankees great Derek Jeter. Still, he’s likely more of a hit amongst the ladies. There are nightclubs in Manhattan that won’t allow you in if you’re not good-looking enough. That’s a problem Henrik will never have.
COLE’S NOTES: Hockey Night In Canada’s Bob Cole puts up with his share of guff on Twitter because of the odd “senior moment” but his call of Michael Handzus’s double-overtime game-winning goal for Chicago in Game 5 against L.A. was pure magic. And that’s why CBC still has him in the booth. Treasure him while he’s still around.
OKAY BLUE JAYS: An error by Jose Reyes in the ninth inning against the Kansas City Royals cost the Blue Jays their 10th consecutive win but their nine-game win streak was still an MLB season-high and they still have the best home record in the American League. Regardless, it’s time to dust off the Blue Jays gear because they’re exciting to watch. Jose Bautista gunning down a runner at first base Thursday evening showed this team has some mojo.
LATE NIGHT BATTLES: For the first time ever I tuned into Late Night With Jimmy Fallon on Thursday. The kid’s funny! It’s been awhile since a late night TV talk host made me grab my belly with laughter. He’s worth tuning in again.
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THAT’S ALL! SEE YOU IN THE CAGE AT 4
RP
@sportscage
press conference with my possible new employers… it can wait im hungry gotta get me some mcdonalds. lol id hand him a return ticket to where ever he came from.
It's fascinating to hear Darian say support for a strike being 50/50. That's definitely not the message the Union is trying to send. Darian probably got a call to shut up from Flory and Hage shortly after his interviews aired. Those two seem to be making the most noise from the union and they're FORMER players. It drives me crazy. They have nothing to lose. If you want to convince me that the players are united, give them a microphone, not just a twitter account. Or could it be that whenever someone gets a Microphone, like Darian, he tells the… Read more »
MLSE has $110 Million committed to a $120 Million stadium upgrade at BMO – a stadium owned by the City of Toronto (who also contributed $10 Million to the upgrade). The deal was only given the green light on the condition that the Argos be accommodated at BMO.
The Feds have refused to contribute their $10 Million to the stadium upgrade, and so MLSE is threatening to call the whole thing off? This is posturing.
Argos will be at BMO in 2018.
Move the Argos. I'm sick and tired of kissing Toronto's butt and hoping that some year they'll pull their own weight.
If the players strike, all the hard work everyone had put in over the past number of years will all for not. A sad day for football in Canada.
Shut up BLOWBAMA!!!!!!
Is Brandon Whitehouse related to former Rider Great Reggie Whitehouse?18 He was a field goal kicker and Offensive Tackle. I believe 15 seasons a Rider.
The kings? Likeable? #dustinbrown
Horrible.
If the players are 50/50 as DD says… and I would trust his info more than these other meatheads posturing… I would present every player with an envelope at camp telling him what his new deal will be. They would then have 24 hours to accept and sign the deal or pack your sh*t and move on. This is the CFL… for most teams it's held together with binder twine and duct tape. As I've said before we're a "minor" league in the scheme of things but it's our "minor" league. Of course, the players deserve a raise and that's… Read more »
If the players association wants to address the state of the league, perhaps they should not look at the Rider Nation for their reaction but rather the rest of the league's fans. It's their reaction and lack thereof that should indicate where the league is right now. Yesterday on Sportsnet they had a sports update during Tim and Sid and they talked about the NHL playoffs, tennis and basketball. Not one word about CFL labour talks breaking down. If you asked some random people on the street in TO or Montreal, they either wouldn't have a clue or say who… Read more »
A few things: 1) There will not be a strike. Darian did a lot of double speak, but the main take away was Football is an earn your opportunity business. The guys on the bottom end if they don't like it they can move onto the real world. If they are really hungry and want to play they have to bide their time and make the most of the opportunity. With the minimum salary going up which we all agree it should, what is the incentive then? How many guys are like Adrian MacPherson? Content to sit on the sideline… Read more »
Nice try cupcake!
Y'er welcome!
Really!
@sk.obama
Why do you feel it necessary to yak bullsh*t to be comfortable?
Shut that rancid a**hole you use to spew opinion! Just because you are allowed character on this blog site, doesn't mean you have character. Be gone, jock sniffer!
From the engine that drives In the 306, V8.
obama, take note and learn something, the real jock sniffer, rrs gm.
1. To not have a CFL team in the largest market in the country seems ridiculous. But I suppose if we look at the NFL, LA has been without a team for years. Too bad there isn't more support for the game in TO. 2. I, for one, will be pretty upset if any regular season games are lost to the labour dispute. Preseason games I can handle losing. I believe they'll sort it out before the season starts, though, as I can't imagine many players being okay with losing a game cheque. That's 1/18 of their annual salary. You… Read more »
If we want our league to be of a high calibre we need to respect the people who play the game enough to pay them for what they do. We saw in Saskatchewan last year what can happen when a team gets the quality players it needs to win a championship. Imagine a league so full of high quality players well paid and happy to be here. Imagine those players don't bolt for the NFL because they can make a good living. In the CFL. Imagine a league so successful, sold out stadiums, higher profits, better calibre football.
Roddy, I think you meant the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon…Late Night was his previous gig. Unless you mean Seth Meyers was funny? Then your just wrong, just plain wrong.
Hey anon, you must be with the CFLPA or something. The Argos had a great team that won the 100th Grey Cup in 2012 and had another great team in 2013. Did winning the Cup in 2012 translate into a sold out Skydome and hype all over TO for CFL football? Nope! You need to do a hell of a lot more than just have good football players and a good team for the league to thrive. So cut the crap.
I agree with Dubya… judging the state of the league based on how things are in Sask is going to give you the wrong picture. I say let some of those owners who have lost money for years earn some for a change and maybe even invest some of it in their teams and promotion, etc. Not everything is as rosy as it is here. As for how we feel about the situation… I understand that getting the leagues going means a lot to you Rod. It is part of your income and livelihood. I grew up in the province,… Read more »
I hope the CFL holds the line on their offer.
The only ones who will pay for what the players are asking for is us fans.
Would Brandon Whitehouse be none other than "Flaman Man". If so, please ask him to cut back on the ads during the Stanley Cup games, I have had enough already!!
Count me in as a Bob Cole fan. His work is not predictable and I always bust a gut at some of his commentary now and then. Enjoy him while you can before the new, young slick play-by-play guys move in.
I understood Darian's 50/50 comment to be his own way of saying how torn the CFLPA's members are about the whole situation and possibly having to strike.
The bargaining process when it comes to the crunch is a difficult struggle for all concerned.
Darian obviously has no knowledge of how high (or low) the strike mandate will be (some teams yet to vote) so it is the strike vote results that will show what type of mandate the CFLPA has from its members.