FRIDAY RODSERVATIONS
LET’S GET IT
* On Thursday’s SportsCage I mentioned that I’m starting to feel the vibe for Sunday’s CFL Western Semifinal between the Roughriders and BC Lions at Mosaic Stadium. It’s true! See for yourself:
This photo found its way to me via Twitter. It’s from a church in Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories! Yukon Premier Darrell Pasloski told me this summer the Roughriders are the official CFL team of the Territories and they’ve got Rider Pride rolling up there in advance of the WSF..
Love this one from the blog mailbag!
Hi Rod,
Love your blog!
Here is a picture of my twin girls striking their best superman pose at the Co-op!
GO Riders!!
Desta Gibson
Rod
Sorry I didn’t send this pic in last week but I was busy climbing the sand dunes of Morocco to actually take this picture. I love having your blog to keep me caught up on SK sports while I’ve been living in London (UK) for the last year and a bit. Also like that 620 streams so that I can listen to the game live in the wee hours of the night with the depth chart in front of me!
Joel
Still my favourite. To the soldiers in Afghanistan who sent me this, you’ll be happy to know I sent it to Coach Chamblin and it hangs on the walls in Mosaic Stadium.
The Elphinstone and Sask Drive Dairy Queen is all set for Grey Cup! Manager Sheldon Jones sent in this pic and wants to remind you they’re the closest restaurant to Riderville if you get the growlies…
What more can be said about Toronto Mayor Rob Ford? I suppose with Pat Fiacco stepping down a year ago, he can pass the torch on to Rob Ford as “Canada’s Toughest Mayor”. Here’s Ford at a Rider game this summer…
We had some laughs at Fiacco’s restaurant Fortuna Thursday evening in East Regina. In a certain light this gentleman could pass for Rob Ford and SportsCage analyst “The Silver Fox” Kelly Remple asked for a photo, for which he graciously obliged. His name is also Rob and he admitted to being an avid reader of this blog and SportsCage listener. To be fair however, close up, he’s about half the size of Ford and better looking! He was a good sport.
***
OBSERVATIONS
* The usual pleasantries: the forecast for Sunday’s Western Semifinal calls for sunshine and a high of minus-9 degrees Celsius. The Riders are favoured by 4.5-points.
* Rider coach Corey Chamblin was having some fun this week, doing interviews on Wednesday with his hood up and pretending to shiver and chatter his teeth. “Let’s make BC think it’s real cold here!” Chamblin smiled.
* Corey wasn’t smiling on Thursday however, when a member of the local media inexplicably tweeted out some vital info from the team’s practice which was closed to the public. I don’t know what happened in between, but the tweet was deleted. Again, I don’t get the attraction to attending practice when the team doesn’t want you to report on what you see. Rider Radio analyst Carm Carteri covers practice for CKRM daily, just so he knows what to expect in the game. Other than that, his lips are sealed.
* Much has been made about the fact Sunday’s game is not soldout. The Riders were careful to advise me not to scorn those who haven’t bought tickets, but to politely encourage them to do so because they want homefield to be as big of an advantage as possible. CFL followers across the league are flabbergasted when they hear well over 10,000 tickets are still available.
* Maybe it shouldn’t be a surprise. The Riders didn’t have over 31,000 for home playoff games in 2007, 2008, 2009 or 2010. We didn’t have 44,900 seats back then, but the 2010 Western Semifinal was 1,000 short of a sellout.
* The reasons/excuses are many for why this game isn’t the hottest ticket in town. I’ve heard: A) the team’s 3-6 record in the second half, B) lack of funds and C) the forecast. Still, if you’re able to come, you’ll never forget it.
* Sellout or not, the Lions are expecting the Rider Nation to bring the noise come Sunday. Apparently they’ve been practicing with crowd noise all week at BC Place. It shouldn’t be hard. Just pop the CD in from the West Division Finals at BC Place in 2004 and 2006. Vancouver reporters still snicker at me for the accusation but I’ll never forget walking up to BC Place the day before one of those games and hearing ear-splitting crowd noise. I thought there must have been a rock concert going on however once we got inside, the place was empty! GOTCHA
* QUOTE OF THE WEEK #1: It comes from the Winnipeg Sun’s Kirk Penton in his playoff preview this week: “Rider fans won’t trust Darian Durant until he wins six or seven Grey Cups in a row.”
* QUOTE OF THE WEEK #2: This one comes from Rider slotback Weston Dressler who said it’s tough to sit by and watch all the heat Darian takes in this province. “Definitely,” Dressler said. “He takes more than anyone on this team. When things aren’t going well he’s the guy who has to take the heat for everybody. As a teammate you just try to encourage him but he does a good job of not letting any outside sources affect his play. He’s one of the most mentally tough players I’ve been with.”
* Got a chuckle out of seeing Durant call bingo numbers at the Canadian Progress Club’s Camp Circle of Friends fundraising dinner Wednesday evening. He was pretty good at it. Incidentally Rider safety Tyron Brackenridge presented a cheque for $5000 to the camp from his own personal charity that night. What an absolutely first class individual Tyron is.
* Rider trash-talking king Dwight Anderson wanted to clarify his comments from two weeks ago in Calgary after the Riders’ loss to the Stampeders. He said “Calgary sucks” and that the Riders will be back to beat them in the West Final. Period.
“You know what? That right there was just the heat of the moment knowing that they were the #1 team,” Anderson explained. “In order for us to get to the Grey Cup, we have to come back there but you can’t overlook a team that you’re gonna play. That’s no to disrespect BC at all. We know what type of team BC is. They got a veteran team, especially on defense and their leader coming back in Lulay. We’re not thinking about Calgary.”
* Corey Chamblin doesn’t buy the Lions’ quarterback secrecy. He feels the decision has already been made by the Lions.
* Former Rider running back Greg Fieger couldn’t figure out on In The Huddle this week where all the criticism for offensive coordinator George Cortez is coming from. Fieger noted the Riders have three 1000-yard receivers, a 1500-yard rusher and the All-Star quarterback. Critics will point out the lack of redzone production going as far back as the Banjo Bowl but if Cortez can get that rolling in the playoffs, then look out.
* Argo quarterback Ricky Ray said on Toronto’s Fan 590 radio this week that the number-one team which East Division teams fear right now is the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
* Still saddened over the passing of the great Bob Hughes on Monday. His family has asked me to speak at Bob’s memorial on Monday, November 25, the day after Grey Cup, at the Conexus Arts Centre. What an honour.
* Legendary CKRM morning man Willy Cole suggested this week the press box in the new stadium be named the Bob Hughes Media Centre. Who knew Willy liked the Leader Post so much! However it’s an apt tribute.
* Happy 48th birthday this week to my all-time favourite Roughrider, Jeff Fairholm.
* Hamilton hosts Montreal in the Eastern Semifinal Sunday at noon our time and the Ticats are 3.5-point favourites. I thought it would have been more.
* Hamilton/Guelph-area residents have been getting phone calls this week from Ticats quarterback Henry Burris encouraging them to purchase tickets to the playoff game. It’s one of those robotic calls like Regina Mayor Michael Fougere utilized in September for Regina’s Water Treatment debate. If Darian Durant did the same in Regina, I fear a lot of people would hang up.
* Here we go on Mayors again. I understand there will be no marshall for the Grey Cup parade in Regina in a few weeks. I’m hoping this is actually a closely-guarded secret and they’ll announce someone spectacular but if not, may I suggest Toronto Mayor Rob Ford? My friend Steve Powell quipped this week that Ford would just want to take the parade up and down Dewdney Avenue between Albert and Broad.
* For Rider fans travelling in the USA over the next few weeks, the Semifinals will be televised on ESPN3 and the Division Finals will be on NBC Sports Network.
* It’s a massive football weekend at Mosaic Stadium. On Saturday the Regina Thunder will take on the Vancouver Island Raiders in the Canadian Bowl, or as I’ve heard it called in the past, the “Little Grey Cup”. The last time the Canadian Bowl was played in Regina, the Regina Rams knocked off the Okanagan Suns 36-13 on November 14, 1998.
* I’ll have the pleasure of MC’ing Friday’s luncheon at the Hotel Saskatchewan where both the Thunder and Raiders will be introduced and we’ll hear from both head coaches. The event will be attended by CJFL delegates from across the country, sponsors and fans. Rider/Rams alumni Roger Aldag and Jason Clermont are ambassadors for the game and are expected to attend as well.
* 620 CKRM will broadcast the Canadian Bowl on Saturday with announcers Michael Ball and Marco Ricci. Kickoff is 2:00. Better yet, take your radios. Adult tickets are just $20.
* If you’re up by 8:00 am, tune into the Global Morning News on channel 5 as I’ll be live from the stadium breaking down the game with Kent Morrison.
* How do I keep up the pace? Vigr elk antler pills. I’m serious. Check them out at www.vigr.ca. By the way, I need some more Jared!
* Press Box Sports Bar Friday lunch specials:
BBQ Pork Sliders $9.99
8″ 3-Topping Pizza $8.99
Buffalo Chicken Wrap $10.99
THAT’S IT! ENJOY THE WEEKEND!
RP
@sportscage
Rob Ford as GC parade marshall? Wouldn’t be hard to sell him on how things would be much easier on him.
I’m sure he’d love all the pot-holes
I was single digits in age when the Riders hosted a playoff game in '88 and mid-twenties when the next one finally rolled around. I haven't missed any of them in the past 6 years and I'm not about to miss this one. Cold shmold. It's Saskatchewan.
Go Riders!
Rod,
Sensational work as always. Can't wait for the game on Sunday, regardless of the crowd count. The Riders will play well, Darian is usually solid in the post season and our defense has been sensational in the back half of the season. Adds up to a Rider win by 7-10 points on Sunday. The crowd will be a factor for sure!!!
Aaron
I remember in 2007 when it was our first home playoff game in 19 years, it was a mad rush to get tickets and people who couldn't get tickets were paying above face value just to be there. I think people have gotten spoiled with 5 playoff games in 7 years at home, and think if they miss this one they will go next year or the year after that. I for one would not miss this game for anything, the atmosphere will be out of this world, and you never know when the lean years could return, and home… Read more »
– – – – GO REGINA THUNDER !!!! – – – –
ElA
I thought maybe this season would be redemption for 2009. We all know what happened of course, losing with the 13th man. But this season I was hoping we would actually win the Grey Cup with a big help due to the 13th man, the fans. I didn't really expect us to sell out with 45,000 for a semi, but I really thought Rider nation would show up to a tune of 38,000 to maybe 40,000. Little disappointing, but the 30,000 plus that are attending will be the loudest and proudest. Wouldn't miss this game. All those years of no… Read more »
me thinks the poor ticket sales has everything to do with the weather….no one wants to sit on METAL bleachers and face a windchill of -25!! put cohon up there or better yet wait till grey cup….when its -45!!! get with the times c.f.l.,our kids don't walk to school 5 miles plowing through snowdrifts!!! move season up a month..cmon man!!
I'm not spending my money on the Riders because they are WAY too inconsistant! You never know what team is going to be playing and it's frustrating. They are up and down, up and down, up and down. It drives me so insane.
The Riders have also pumped crowd noise through the speakers over the years. People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.
Cookie
And I saw a pig fly yesterday!
I agree with the above Dennis. There are some 'fans' that have become spoiled. Maybe some are upset they didn't finish 1st. Who knows. But its a home playoff game and Riders have an All Star packed line up. Get your popcorn ready! I'll be there!
In my time, the Roughriders have not. Nice try cupcake.
RP
Re: lack of sellout, I think one big factor NOT being mentioned is winter driving conditions. I have season tix and live in Saskatoon, and Hwy 11 is totally packed, bumper-to-bumper on game days. Imagine driving in that on sheer ice? Also because of late aft. Kickoff it means either driving back in the dark orr staying overnight in Regina. Not everyone can do that
To be fair, there are 120 ads on USEDREGINA right now selling playoff tickets. Add in the ones already sold and those sold/given to friends and family and you have a few thousand non season ticket holders already going because the season ticket holders aren't. They just got better seats. It doesn't add up to more seats, but they are coming to the game. Why sit in the endzone when you can buy the good seats.
To anon on lack of sellout
And yet you probably think an NHL team would survive in Saskatoon with terrible roads. Its not like you wouldn't be by yourself. Monday is also a holiday so there is no rush to get back.
Like an earlier commenter said, they would pack 60-thousand if not more into Lambeau on a chilly January day for a playoff game to watch the Packers so we can't do it here in Saskatchewan. Worlds greatest fans——NOPE!
Scott
RP is way too classy to name the reporter in question, but really I think we can all figure it out and narrow it down to
1) Jamie Nye
2) Murray McCormick
3) Glenn Reid
The three are the most obnoxious of the bunch out there.
You're O for 3! But I wouldn't say who it was anyways. Thanks for the compliment though bud!
RP
Is it the reporter who got in trouble with grandpa Miller, lol.
Forecast says -5!! Change your excuse or be sure to stay home GC Sunday too when the Riders are playing.
Best fans, ha
To Kirk Penton… no, not 6 or 7 Grey Cups but ONE would sure be a nice start! If this game were being played in a new stadium with a ROOF I think 45K or whatever capacity would be could be achieved no problem. Rod, I think the dolt that tweeted info from practise should be named and finally I've not read anywhere was Bob Hughes cause of death was. Just curious. I think the press box named in his honour would be very appropriate.
Was it Scruffy? I'd have said Nye too FWIW.
Glad the Riders told a guy that hasn't bought a ticket in 20 years to stop chastising fans.