SCRUFFY’S THIS ‘N THAT
Welcome to Friday! Here are the usual weekly thoughts running through my muddled mind, and as always they come in no particular order:
— What was mocked by many of you a few weeks ago got real on Wednesday night when Vince Young touched down with his family at the Regina airport. It got bigger Thursday as the former NFL quarterback signed a contract with your Saskatchewan Roughriders. As someone said to me Wednesday night at a local establishment “Is this really happening?”. The answer is yes!
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are making football headlines across North America. While driving home from work Thursday night, NFL Radio was talking about Tony Romo’s future, they were talking about Jay Cutler’s future and yes, they were talking about Vince Young’s future! The Riders are being mentioned on all the big outlets in the U-S, and I am guessing the signing is as big in Texas as it is in Saskatchewan.
Can he do it? Many have their doubts, and admittedly I do too. He said all the right things at his news conference and on his appearance on 620 CKRM’s Sportscage, but once he gets on the field and the bullets are flying, can he do it? We are going to find out. Players like Dwayne Jarrett and Limas Sweed came to Riderville hoping to revive their football career and it didn’t pan out. So did players like Kory Sheets and it turned out well for him. The onus is on Vince Young and his desire. If he wants it bad enough, like many others he will get it. If he doesn’t, he is getting perhaps his last 15 minutes of football fame.
Some are still bewildered over the fact Chris Jones would do this. Why not? There is no harm in getting players to sign a contract and bringing them to training camp to see if they can play. You could say the same about every player that comes to training camp. You want the bodies to see what they can do. If Young doesn’t make it, he gave it a try much like the many who will be cut at camp. If he does make it, it means good things for the green-and-white. This is a gamble the Riders are more than willing to take. Good on them for doing so win or lose.
The only thing that bothers me with the whole scenario is this. Jones said Darian Durant was “moderately successful” in what led to his eventual departure. If Durant was “moderately successful” in his CFL career, what was Vince Young’s NFL career? Yes, the money that would have been spent on Durant went to Derek Dennis and others and at the end of the day, the Riders are probably better off, but it still leaves me with that question.
— Canada started play at the World Baseball Classic Thursday night losing to Jose Bautista and the Dominican Republic. Who are these guys playing for Canada? Ryan Dempster was the starting pitcher? Was Fergie Jenkins not available? Is Eric Gagne the closer? The Canadian team would look a lot better with the likes of Joey Votto, Michael Saunders, Russell Martin and yes Brett Lawrie on it. The game is growing in Canada because of these guys. It would be nice if they were participating, That being said, there has been very little or no buzz for this event in Canada as far as I can tell. That is disappointing. What wasn’t disappointing was seeing both North Battleford’s Andrew Albers and Regina’s Dustin Molleken pitching for Canada!
— The Edmonton Oilers are going to make the playoffs by the looks of it. By the sounds of it, the team’s first playoff appearance in a decade is going to be costly for fans. Ticket prices for playoff games are reportedly going to be up 40 percent from regular season games. That is absolutely absurd. Does Daryl Katz and OSEG not realize what is happening in the economy right now. Oiler fans will snap those tickets up, but at what cost? Katz likely doesn’t care and why should he because as mentioned, Oilers fans will snap up those tickets. That’s the way it goes. You don’t have to like it, but you do have to accept it. One wonders what Stanley Cup ticket prices will be in Toronto. I can’t see them doing the same thing.
— Not a good day for Canada West basketball. The Cougars and Huskies lose at the USports womens championship and Alberta and Calgary lose at the mens championship.
— What type of optimism do you have if you are a Cleveland Browns fan?
— Some of the early free agent signings in the NFL make me go “huh”. Seeing Seahawks kicker Steve Hauschka go to Buffalo makes me go “NOOOOOO”. Does this mean Blair Walsh is the kicker? Again, NOOOOOOO!!
– Adam Casey finishes 5-6 at the Brier. I think that’s where many thought he could end up. What a week it has been in St. John’s. If Brad Gushue wins it all, the Rock might never be the same
— Pats and Warriors in a home and home this weekend. In the words of John Frenzy, “its just going to be fantastic!!” A road trip may be have to be done Saturday.
— I’ve got to quit my bad habits, but I’m no quitter
That’s all I’ve got. Have a great weekend!
