As has become a holiday tradition here on this blog, here’s a look back at the past year in our world of sports. Judging by the recap, the Rodpedersen.com Newsmakers of the Year are Scott Flory and Weston Dressler! Please enjoy:
JANUARY:
5 – Russia beats Canada 2-1 to win bronze at the WJC in Malmo, Sweden
7 – Canada’s Olympic Mens Hockey roster is unveiled and it includes three Saskies: Ryan Getzlaf, Chris Kunitz and Patrick Marleau (Four if you include coach Mike Babcock)
9 – Riders re-sign DB Terrell Maze. 2014 would be his 3rd season in Saskatchewan
12 – Winnipeg Jets fire head coach Claude Noel
15 – Riders sign punter Brett Cameron, son of Bomber Hall of Famer Bob Cameron
16 – Riders re-sign 30-year old WR Taj Smith for his third season in Green & White
20 – Corey Chamblin, Kent Austin & John Hufnagel named finalists for CFL Coach of the Year
21 – 41-yr old Anthony Calvillo announces his retirement after a 20-year CFL career
28 – Free agent running back Kory Sheets works out for the NFL’s Oakland Raiders
30 – DBs Macho Harris and Troy Stoudemire re-sign with the Riders
30 – QB Kerry Joseph asks for – and gets – his release from the Edmonton Eskimos
30 – Hamilton Ticats release Henry Burris and sign QB Zach Collaros
30 – Riders release Weston Dressler to pursue an NFL opportunity
FEBRUARY
4 – Henry Burris signs with the expansion Ottawa RedBlacks
5 – Weston Dressler signs a futures contract with the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs
6 – Corey Chamblin is named CFL Coach of the Year for 2013
6 – Riders trade QB Drew Willy to Winnipeg for NI REC Jade Etienne of Regina
8 – Regina’s Mark McMorris wins Canada’s first medal at the Olympics, a bronze in slopestyle
10 – Riders release LB Diamond Ferri and in Winnipeg, former Rider LS Chris Cvetokovic retires
10 – Riders re-sign DB Paul Woldu and sign Etienne to a new deal
11 – K Chris Milo re-signs with the Riders, avoiding free agency
12 – DB Graig Newman signs with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers
12 – Ticats sign LBs Craig Butler and Abe Kromah away from the Riders
12 – Ottawa fires offensive coordinator Mike Gibson
16 – EDM 18 SASK 10 (WSF) The season ends. Kerry Joseph throws five INTs
20 – BC fires head coach Mike Benevides
23 – Hamilton, Calgary win the division finals to advance to the 2014 Grey Cup in Vancouver
24 – The hockey world mourns the passing of Pat Quinn
27 – WHL’s Vancouver Giants fire head coach Troy Ward
30 – Stamps beat Ticats 20-16 to win the 102nd Grey Cup
DECEMBER
1 – Vancouver Giants hire Claude Noel as coach
3 – Ottawa hires Jason Maas as offensive coordinator
3 – John Hufnagel announces 2015 will be his last year as coach. D. Dickenson will take over
5 – Riders confirm O.C. George Cortez’s contract won’t be renewed
5 – Kerry Joseph announces his retirement from pro football
9 – Lethbridge Hurricanes fire head coach Drake Berehowksy
10 – Corey Chamblin confirms Richie Hall will not be defensive coordinator in 2015
10 – Lethbridge Hurricanes fire GM Brad Robson
12 – Riders sign DT Tearrius George to avoid free agency
14 – The Pats’ Morgan Klimchuk is cut from Canada’s World Junior team
15 – Dallas Eakins is fired as coach of the Edmonton Oilers
15 – Anthony Calvillo joins the Montreal Alouettes staff as offensive assistant
16 – 39-yr old Foam Lake product Craig Reynolds is named new Roughriders President & CEO
17 – Winnipeg Blue Bombers fire defensive coordinator Gary Etcheverry
18 – DE Ricky Foley signs a new contract with the Roughriders
19 – Riders hire Jacques Chapdelaine as their new offensive coordinator
19 – BC Lions hire Jeff Tedford as head coach
23 – Roughriders sign 32-year old receiver Jamel Richardson
** And that’s got us caught up to today! Here’s hoping 2015 is a much better year for all of us.
—
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: NFL WEEK 17
Aaron Rodgers will get an extra week’s rest for his aching left calf – the one Ndamukong Suh stepped on (more on that later) – thanks to having led the Packers to a fourth consecutive NFC North title and the conference’s No. 2 seed.
After aggravating his injury and being carted away in the first half, Rodgers returned to hear “MVP!” chants from the Lambeau Field faithful during Green Bay’s 30-20 victory over Suh’s Detroit Lions on a snowy Sunday in Wisconsin. Rodgers scored on a 1-yard sneak once he came back and finished 17 of 22 for 226 yards passing, including a pair of TD throws and zero interceptions.
While Rodgers and the Packers (12-4) made the Lions the NFC’s No. 6 seed, just take a look at who’s No. 1: Seattle.
Yes, the reigning Super Bowl champions’ 3-3 start is a distant memory, and a 20-6 victory over St. Louis allowed the Seahawks (12-4) to finish atop the NFC West. Since linebacker Bobby Wagner returned from a right foot injury, Seattle is 6-0, allowing an average of 6.5 points.
It’s been a decade since New England won consecutive NFL championships, the longest stretch without a repeat champion in nearly a half-century of Super Bowls. But Seattle could end that drought.
Next weekend, it’ll be Detroit at Dallas, and Arizona at Carolina in the NFC; Cincinnati at Indianapolis, and Baltimore at Pittsburgh in the AFC.
New England and Denver earned the AFC’s top two seeds.
The Steelers will await word on the status of running back Le’Veon Bell, who left Sunday night’s AFC North-clinching 27-17 win over the Bengals with a knee injury after getting hit by Reggie Nelson (who got an earful from Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin after the game.)
The Lions could face the Cowboys without Suh. His cleat twice wound up on the lower left leg of Rodgers, who then shoved away the 300-plus-pound defensive tackle.
Remember: Suh was suspended for two games by the NFL after stomping on the right arm of Green Bay’s Evan Dietrich-Smith during a Thanksgiving Day game in 2011. (On Sunday, Detroit played without centre Dominic Raiola, who was suspended for stepping on a Bears player last week.)
In case you missed it, here are the other top topics after the NFL’s 17th – and final – regular-season Sunday:
FLOPS: Given a chance to make the playoffs by winning, the Chargers and Falcons flopped. San Diego had more turnovers (two) than points (zero) in the second half of a 19-7 loss to Kansas City, while Atlanta rolled over in a 34-3 defeat against Carolina.
BLACK MONDAY: We know Jim Harbaugh is leaving the 49ers. Who’ll join him on the way out? Jets coach Rex Ryan and Bears coach Marc Trestman are expected to be let go, Falcons coach Mike Smith’s run could be over, too, and Oakland probably will replace interim coach Tony Sparano. Assistants who could get consideration for a top job: Arizona’s Todd Bowles and Cleveland’s Kyle Shanahan.
COWBOYS RECORDS: As the NFC East champ Cowboys routed the rival Redskins 44-17, DeMarco Murray broke Emmitt Smith’s franchise record for rushing yards in a season by getting to 1,845, and Dez Bryant eclipsed Terrell Owens’ team mark for touchdown catches in a season by grabbing his 16th. Dallas is only the sixth team since 1978 to go 8-0 in away games – and four of the other five reached the Super Bowl.
WE’RE NO. 1: Well, sort of. While some clubs were concerned with playoff permutations, Tampa Bay was busy letting a lead slip away in a 23-20 loss to New Orleans that gave the Buccaneers the No. 1 overall pick in next year’s draft. In need of a quarterback, the Bucs could end up with Heisman Trophy winners Marcus Mariota or Jameis Winston.
WHAT ABOUT WATT: It’s been more than a quarter-century since a defensive player won NFL MVP honours (Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor in 1986), and Rodgers might have sealed his second award with his back-from-injury performance Sunday. But Houston defensive end J.J. Watt completed a remarkable individual season in a 23-17 win over Jacksonville, adding three sacks, a forced fumble and a safety. Watt’s 20 1/2 sacks make him the first player with a pair of 20-sack seasons.
I guess I'm blood thirsty because the hi-lites include the Oilers gassing Dallas Eakins and the Riders letting George Cortez walk and hobbling Richie Hall.The biggest error in judgement was bringing in Kerry Joseph. There was absolutely nothing gained and Tino lost a lot of reps. The play of John Chick would be my hi-lite of the year.
Anonymous
9 years ago
The Lion's Suh ends the year with another classic moment in sports with fancy foot work on Rodger's leg. Some guys never change. Go Cowboys!
Old Hank
Anonymous
9 years ago
Time for a poll: Who should be the MVP J.J. Watt or Aaron Rodgers?
take rodgers off the packers, take watt off the texans. whos worse for ware the packers hands down. now if its most outstanding player watt gets 100 percent.
Anonymous
9 years ago
The chances of Tino Sunseri being resigned by the Riders is slim to none. The guy didn't have the faith of the players in Pittsburg and he played like a pink Panther. Never took responsibility for anything when his play was poor. Did the same thing here in 2014. He is not and will never be nothing but a back up to the back up QB in the CFL.
Anonymous
9 years ago
Here are a couple things for you fanatics regarding the Riders:
QB's Durant Glenn Price
REC's Dressler Getzlaf Bagg Richardson Stamps & a mystery player (not SJ Green because of $$$)…stay tuned
Lastly….welcome back Ricky Schmidt and Jock Sanders
2014 was great for me. If 2015 is going to be better, it must mean I am winning a lottery or moving to some warm weather locale!
Anonymous
9 years ago
2015 will be Roddy. Happy new year and stay warm!
Dubya
Anonymous
9 years ago
Beautiful recap Roddy
Anonymous
9 years ago
Riders do need a back-up, so it makes sense to re-sign Tino. Good arm and can only get better, just needs to work on his pocket presence and quicker release. See how he competes within the new system in 2015.
Anonymous
9 years ago
If Rob Bagg had caught that pass Kerry Joseph would never have been phoned. Other than Durant getting injured that was the defining point in the season.
Yup, another brilliant come-from-ahead loss for the Succaneers yesterday.
Suck for the Duck!
Have a great 2015 Roddy!
Anonymous
9 years ago
2014 Calgary Stampeders were so dominant it was pathetic on the CFL and it's other teams. Other teams in the league have a longggg way to go to be in the same class as the Stampeders. May Mr Hufnagle can be a roving gm and show others how to be successful on and off the field.
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. Stop it! Too funny. Ha ha ha ha ha. D. Lingenfodder
Anonymous
9 years ago
Sunseri will be back because he won't have other options. I hope they don't give up on Doege. He was thrust in before ready so hopefully they let him develop. Don't over value Price he is the worst of the three.
Thats a broad statement. Keith price hasnt even played a cfl snap yet how do you figure he is worse than the other two
Anonymous
9 years ago
Happy New Year to you Rod and thanks for all of the time and effort you put in to making this the number one sports blog in Canada……period!!
Aaron Anderson
Anonymous
9 years ago
regarding Suh's suspension…what a load of b.s.! his back was turned to the crybaby…positive jerry was behind this,as me thinks the "boys" r intimidated by the "ROAR"! go LIONS!! p.s….photo of natalie would win hands down if not for carm takin up space in pic!
Wah wah wah wah wah! Just cause you cheer for the bucs!
Anonymous
9 years ago
Of course suh got suspended he stepped on the precious arron rogers from the precious packers. The whole league is stuck up the packers butts its sickening.
Thanks for a great year Rod. All the best in 2015
I guess I'm blood thirsty because the hi-lites include the Oilers gassing Dallas Eakins and the Riders letting George Cortez walk and hobbling Richie Hall.The biggest error in judgement was bringing in Kerry Joseph. There was absolutely nothing gained and Tino lost a lot of reps. The play of John Chick would be my hi-lite of the year.
The Lion's Suh ends the year with another classic moment in sports with fancy foot work on Rodger's leg. Some guys never change. Go Cowboys!
Old Hank
Time for a poll: Who should be the MVP J.J. Watt or Aaron Rodgers?
take rodgers off the packers, take watt off the texans. whos worse for ware the packers hands down. now if its most outstanding player watt gets 100 percent.
The chances of Tino Sunseri being resigned by the Riders is slim to none. The guy didn't have the faith of the players in Pittsburg and he played like a pink Panther. Never took responsibility for anything when his play was poor. Did the same thing here in 2014. He is not and will never be nothing but a back up to the back up QB in the CFL.
Here are a couple things for you fanatics regarding the Riders:
QB's
Durant
Glenn
Price
REC's
Dressler
Getzlaf
Bagg
Richardson
Stamps
& a mystery player (not SJ Green because of $$$)…stay tuned
Lastly….welcome back Ricky Schmidt and Jock Sanders
More to come….
Take care,
Agent
Somehow that doesn't seem too far fetched. We'll see how it all plays out.
Take care,
Client
Oskee Wee Wee,
Oskee Waa Waa,
Holy MAKINAW
Tiger Cats win 2015 Grey Cup.
Happy New Year Sk. prairie hillbillies !
A bit too much of Grampa's "eggnog" already!
2014 was great for me. If 2015 is going to be better, it must mean I am winning a lottery or moving to some warm weather locale!
2015 will be Roddy. Happy new year and stay warm!
Dubya
Beautiful recap Roddy
Riders do need a back-up, so it makes sense to re-sign Tino. Good arm and can only get better, just needs to work on his pocket presence and quicker release. See how he competes within the new system in 2015.
If Rob Bagg had caught that pass Kerry Joseph would never have been phoned. Other than Durant getting injured that was the defining point in the season.
Yup, another brilliant come-from-ahead loss for the Succaneers yesterday.
Suck for the Duck!
Have a great 2015 Roddy!
2014 Calgary Stampeders were so dominant it was pathetic on the CFL and it's other teams. Other teams in the league have a longggg way to go to be in the same class as the Stampeders. May Mr Hufnagle can be a roving gm and show others how to be successful on and off the field.
Bo knows football, so does Jon.
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. Stop it! Too funny. Ha ha ha ha ha.
D. Lingenfodder
Sunseri will be back because he won't have other options. I hope they don't give up on Doege. He was thrust in before ready so hopefully they let him develop. Don't over value Price he is the worst of the three.
Thats a broad statement. Keith price hasnt even played a cfl snap yet how do you figure he is worse than the other two
Happy New Year to you Rod and thanks for all of the time and effort you put in to making this the number one sports blog in Canada……period!!
Aaron Anderson
regarding Suh's suspension…what a load of b.s.! his back was turned to the crybaby…positive jerry was behind this,as me thinks the "boys" r intimidated by the "ROAR"! go LIONS!! p.s….photo of natalie would win hands down if not for carm takin up space in pic!
Wah wah wah wah wah! Just cause you cheer for the bucs!
Of course suh got suspended he stepped on the precious arron rogers from the precious packers. The whole league is stuck up the packers butts its sickening.
suh is nothing but thug he knew what he was doing and got what he deserved. cowboys 38 lions 17.
What. You cheer for the bucs too?
Suh should be banned from the NFL for life.
Ur all just stuck up rogers butt like the rest of the league. Watt for MVP