Scruffy’s This N That

1 – THE BEAT GOES ON: Remember a few weeks ago when I said, those including me who had the Riders at over 7.5 wins could likely cash in their ticket?  Perhaps not! Yes, the Banjo Bowl was another one-score loss (26-21), but it was another Banjo Bowl defeat and the Riders’ winless streak goes to 7. At least they won’t lose this week seeing they have a bye.

I’ve been asked by a few people whether it be on social media or in person if the Riders season is done.  The answer is no.  Is it slipping away though?  The answer to that my friends is most definitely.

They should beat a Calgary team that has become the worst in the CFL, but we all know that is no guarantee. If the winless streak hits 8, full panic mode might begin if it hasn’t already with some.

2 – CFL ON CTV: The league and TSN promoted the fact that Saturday’s game in Winnipeg was the first of many Saturday games that will be on CTV this Fall. It is something many have asked for. They got what they wanted, many didn’t know about it, and some were upset. You just can’t please people, I guess.

That being said, I was sort of disappointed with the broadcast. I was OK with Dustin Nielson and Glen Suitor on the broadcast, but a lot was lacking as far as I’m concerned. The game was an exact TSN telecast. Kate Beirness hosted the panel with Henoc Muamba, Milt Stegall, Jim Barker and Paul Lapolice in studio as they were for Saturday’s other games on TSN. It would have been nice to see a different panel and maybe some different graphics. Who’s kidding who, the CTV panel should have been live in Winnipeg. TSN is guilty of not refreshing their CFL broadcasts and this was a perfect opportunity to start.

3 – WIN AND THEY WILL COME: It’s Marketing 101. Victories mean crowds. It was great to see the Edmonton football fan return to Commonwealth Stadium for their game against the Stampeders Saturday. It doesn’t matter what the team’s name is, all that matters is if the team is playing entertaining football and with the Elks doing that they showed up. Yes, it was the marquee game of the year with Calgary in town but it was great seeing 32,000 in the stadium that looked embarrassingly empty most nights over the past few years. If they keep winning, could a crowd of 40,000 happen?

4 – THE REDBLACKS: I don’t know about you, but it might be time to start investing in the Ottawa REDBLACKS. Bob Dyce has something special happening in the Nation’s Capital and I couldn’t be happier for him as he is one of the CFL’s good guys. The REDBLACKS rolled over Chad Kelly and the Argos last week and that surprised me because I thought with Kelly back under center the Argos would be much better. In a one-game showdown, I would give Ottawa a great chance to beat Montreal and get to the Grey Cup. Right now, they are a +750 to win it all. That’s enough for me to make a small investment.

5 – BRAXTON WHITEHEAD: Braxton Whitehead is hoping to be a trailblazer. The Pats forward has become the first Canadian Hockey League player to verbally commit with an NCAA Division 1 school as he will head to Arizona State next year. As it stands right now, CHL players are not allowed to play NCAA if they have suited up for a game, but a lawsuit has been filed on eligibility requirements. This story isn’t over yet, but it’s good to see that junior players may have another option available to them.

6 – OILERS JERSEY: When the Edmonton Oilers take the ice, the PlayAlberta logo will be on the front of their uniform. Is this the start of NHL teams having NASCAR-like uniforms or having the jersey look as if it belongs in a game in Europe?

Other teams are doing it and while it does ruin the sweater somewhat as I would like to see it clean, it is a source of revenue for NHL teams much like the dumb ad boards and ice ads that we see in games now. Some say the PlayAlberta logo promotes gambling which shouldn’t be done. I understand that, but you see gambling ads all the time when the game is on so the argument while valid is somewhat weak. I’m guessing the outrage would be the same if a beer company sponsored the ad patch. After all, today’s society is all about finding something to bitch about right?

I don’t think this will lead to something bigger and I hope it doesn’t. I think the NHL realizes this as well. The key word there is “think”

7 – AL MICHAELS: Let’s just start with this right now: Al Michaels is one of the best p x p guys in the history of p x p guys. Has he lost some off his fastball? Absolutely he has, as many do when they get up there in age (he’s 79). Is he still a treat to listen to? Absolutely. Michaels is being criticized on social media after “not sounding excited” during last night’s Bills-Dolphins game.  This just in: Nowhere in the broadcasters handbook does it say you need to be over the top excited calling plays. Many today think they have to be a part of the game with their call. Wrong! The stars of the game are not who is in the broadcast booth, but who is on the playing surface of choice. Michaels is old school and will continue to be old school. There is nothing wrong with it at all.

8 – TUA: It was a little eerie seeing Tua Tagovailoa leaving the field Thursday night after suffering yet another concussion. You knew what had happened as soon as the Dolphins quarterback got hit. Everyone believes Tagovailoa needs to retire. I am in the camp as well, but try telling a football player that his career ends on a play where he is injured. The man who hit Tagovailoa is a perfect example of that. That player was Damar Hamlin and we know what he went through.

9 – NFL WEEK 2: Here are some tidbits as you get ready for another full Sunday of NFL action –

• In his first 97 career starts, Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes has totaled 75 wins, 28,715 passing yards, 2,406 completions and 220 touchdown passes. His passing yards total is already the most-ever by a player in his first 100 career starts, and he can tie or reset the all-time records in each of the other categories this week.

With a win against Cincinnati on Sunday, Mahomes will tie Tom Brady (76 wins) and Pro Football Hall of Famer Roger Staubach (76) for the most wins ever by a quarterback in his first 100 career starts.

• Since entering the NFL in 2020, Minnesota wide receiver Justin Jefferson has totaled 396 receptions and 5,958 receiving yards in 61 games. With four receptions on Sunday against San Francisco, Jefferson will surpass Julio Jones (64 games) and Jarvis Landry (64) as the third-fastest player ever to reach 400 career receptions. Only Michael Thomas (56) and Odell Beckham Jr. (61) reached the mark in fewer games.
• Since entering the NFL in 2017, Pittsburgh linebacker T.J. Watt leads all players with 97.5 sacks in 105 games played. He opened the season with a sack last week in Pittsburgh’s victory. With 2.5 sacks at Denver on Sunday – a mark he has hit or surpassed seven times in his career – Watt will surpass Pro Football Hall of Famer DeMarcus Ware (113 games) as the second-fastest player to reach 100 career sacks since 1982, when the individual sack became an official statistic. Only Pro Football Hall of Famer Reggie White (96) reached the milestone in fewer games.

10 – RANDOM THOUGHTS:

• Was the Blue Jays season this year basically encapsulated with what happened to Bowden Francis and the bullpen Wednesday against the Mets? From having a chance at a no-hitter to giving up 6 in the 9^th. It’s soooooooo Toronto.
• I couldn’t have been the only one on Sunday seeing the New York Giants uniforms and wondering why the Montreal Canadiens were playing football.  Well, I know Chris Berman had the same thoughts.
• The Toronto Star had a story this week about whether or not customers should tip at fast-food restaurants.  The answer my friends is NOOOOOOO! 21 percent agreed with me. When it comes to a sit-down restaurant, 79 percent leave a tip and that is fine. The amount you leave is up to you.

Have a great week all!