SCRUFFY’S THIS ‘N THAT
The usual weekly assortment of thoughts running through my muddled mind and as always, they are in no particular order.
— The annual trek to Mosaic Stadium begins anew tonight as the Riders play the Stampeders in what is the second and last pre-season game for both meaning we should see a much better contest from both sides than last week. How nostalgic are you as you walk into the old stadium knowing the new one will be ready soon. Visits to this place are starting to dwindle and I can’t even envision what it will be like when the green and white play their last game here and what emotions will run through what you know will be a sold out crowd. Let the walk up the ramps commence!
–As the Riders take the field tonight, they will have Darian Durant, Kevin Glenn and Brett Smith as their quarterbacks. Last year when they walked off the field in the Western semi-final loss to the Eskimos, their QB’s were Kerry Joseph, Tino Sunseri and Seth Doege.
–There’s been a lot of talk about the CFL season moving up two weeks. I’m really on the fence on this one as I can see the positives and I can see the negatives. It is an issue that divides many people and there are many good reasons for and against it. If the CFL decides to do such a thing, they have to look at it very carefully as they will be going head to head against the Stanley Cup playoffs. There is a way to get around it though. If the season starts the first weekend of June, you go at the same time as the Stanley Cup final starts. This year, two games between the Hawks and Lightning went on a Saturday night with another on a Thursday. Could the CFL schedule opening week to have a Friday night doubleheader, a Saturday afternoon game and a Sunday afternoon or night game so you are not going head-to-head against the Cup final. It certainly could be done.
–CFL.ca’s Justin Dunk is picking the Riders 4th in the West. He made his comments on Thursday’s SportsCage. 4th?! He’s taking the Riders behind Winnipeg? Yeah OK. You keep thinkin that Justin! #ridiculous
–You can’t argue the fact the Chicago Blackhawks are a dynasty. It’s not the Habs of the 70’s, the Islanders of the 80’s or the Oilers of the 90’s, but in this day of sports and free agency, its as close to one as you are going to get when you make it 3 Stanley Cup championships in 6 years with an appearance in the NHL’s final four in two of the three years they didn’t make it. It is safe to say they know what they are doing in Chicago and they aren’t going away anytime soon. I wonder what type of Cup celebration stories Patrick Kane has and will have. Who’s kidding who, the guy owns Chicago!
Hmmmm….
–The Toronto Blue Jays have made noise all year with their bats, but I always maintain pitching wins and that was sooooooooo evident this week when Toronto had their winning streak snapped. Toronto could be four or five games clear of the rest of the division had the team gone out and found an established closer in the off-season, but they chose not to improve that area and it has bitten them in the backside several times including Monday in New York. This team can’t win games with their bats all the time and they don’t have the pitching, especially in the bullpen to succeed. That could change and hopefully Alex Anthopoulos is working the phones looking for that closer and maybe an 8th inning guy as well.
–The US Open is underway just outside of Seattle as the 2nd of golf’s 4 majors is underway. One wonders what type of celebratory smooch Rickie Fowler’s girlfriend will place on him if he wins this event because it is a little bigger than the Players Championship and we saw what he got after winning that tournament. NOTE: Fowler shot an 81 in his first round so it looks like he and his girlfriend can enjoy the sights of Seattle this weekend because he will have it off.
–I think Saskatoon will do a great job in hosting UFC Fight Night in August. There are many in our fine province who have been clamouring for an event here and many of those will descend on SaskTel Centre August 23. Many from North Dakota, Montana, Alberta and Manitoba will also make the trek to Toontown for the event and make the initial indentation into Saskatchewan a successful one. Yes, if you don’t know a lot about the UFC, there are no “name performers” headlining the card—at least not yet, but those who do know a lot about the UFC know it will be a great night and they will be there. BTW: The Riders need to get jerseys for Arianny Celeste and Brittany Palmer and if they need someone to hand deliver those unis for the girls, I am more than willing to volunteer.
–Congrats to former Pat Jordan Weal as his Manchester Monarchs won the AHL Calder Cup championship. Weal finished tied for first in playoff scoring with 22 points and was named playoff MVP.. Does he get a shot next year and if so, is it with the Kings? There has to be interest in him if L-A doesn’t want him to take the jump to the next level.
–McLobster tastes more like McChicken Salad. Don’t waste your money on it. Its a one and done for this blogger.
–The Boston Red Sox suspend Pablo Sandoval because was in the clubhouse bathroom saying he liked a picture on Instagram. Do I really want to know?
–You don’t forget Mom on Mother’s Day so don’t forget about Dad on Father’s Day
-Let’s just finish it this week with this….
–Have a great weekend everyone!!!! GO RIDERS!!!
I have a bet with a couple of buddies that there is no way that you would shell out 1 cent of your own money to see the UFC fights in Saskatoon.
Can't wait to visit the old girl tonight. The visits are getting shorter as the new structure rises.
Patrick Kane is just a modern day Rod Pedersen.
I disagree the blue Jays chose not to get a closer in the off season. What team doesn't want a good closer? It's not as easy as just deciding Hmmm, I want a good closer I think i'll get one today. Also, one of the main reasons they are where they are right now is because of Donaldson and Martin, they have changed the culture in that dressing room, so they were big pickups. So I think there is still time before the deadline to get a closer, if they get that and another starter they are sitting pretty good.… Read more »
Just curious if Justin Dunk picked Ottawa for 1st in the East?
A Bruce Jenner joke?? Really?
Mike: The bullpen has been a disaster since Day 1. How many games have Toronto lost this year because of blown save opportunities. The answer is 11. If you convert at least half of those, the team leads their division and they likely don't look back. They will lose more games in the 9th this year and when they finish 5 or 6 games out of a playoff spot, please remember your comments. I agree with Scruffy. The team has all the talent to compete, but they can't win low-scoring games and they have no one to shut the door.… Read more »
And a damn funny one too. That's great!
It's saskatchewan… I guess I should expect that kind of joke to be made and for others to defend it.
What dynasty did the Oilers have in the 90's?
See there's the whole problem with the LGBT thing. As soon as someone makes even a slight joke about things the bleeding hearts get all defensive. Look, the vast majority of society is not homophobic. We all have gay friends. It's not a big deal. Every gay person I know is insensitive about their sexuality and even call themselves f**s. But the media jumps on every little LGBT issue and blows it up just to get headlines. Could you imagine if Aaron Rodgers came out and said he's gay? He's never be left alone! But would GB fans care? Absolutely… Read more »
Only is Saskatchewan would people try to defend this. Why am I not surprised after some of the comments that I hear made there.
how exactly does one hear something posted on a blog there is no audio ?
Hey Scruffy, I'm sure there's some easy Michael Sam jokes you can add for next weeks column.
Cause you're a bleeding heart politically correct troublemaker who causes trouble just for the sake of arguing. Just like the gay couple that went to marriage commissioners looking for one who would refuse them. The first nine they asked all said yes, the couple told them all that they'll keep looking. When the tenth said no, they made a huge stink about it and got that person fired. They didn't care about getting married, all they cared about was causing a stir. And that, my good sir or ma'am, is exactly what you are trying to do here. It ain't… Read more »
Howard Stern has been joking about Jenner getting his dick cut off ever since it happened, the bleeding hearts need to get a spine.
Did you hear about the brother and sister from saskatchewan that got in trouble for posing nude together in Malaysia?
Real Classy to post a Jenner joke on here, once again the true SK colours shine through. What can you expect from a blog infatuated with a pub from the 70's that has all been wiped out in most north american cities. I'm sure the likes that support this joke are the same ones okay with the adage of "1 for the road", "seatbelts are for loosers" and its okay to wear my hat in a restaurant or drop an F-Bomb when I'm in public cause hey, I'm from SK and I'm proud to be a degenerate. Remove the joke… Read more »
Way to stick up for Jenner… you're so empathetic and moral…
LOL only people from SK could get us national news attention for a brother and SISTER getting naked with each other and some friends to become Facebook heroes among their loser hipster followers. I fear for this world when I look at the youth coming up, lord help us.
Go RIDERS!
Nice try Regan. You're asking Scruffy to respect those who are different. Yet in the same breath you're criticizing those who hang out in 70's pubs, wear hats, etc. In your opinion they are different, correct? Therefore you are the one not being respectful of those who are different! If Scruffy enteted a hot dog eating contest you'd probably make fun of him as being a big redneck with no manners or class. So it seems that you are no better than he is. Hypocrisy at its finest.
Trump
Updated weather forecast looks just fabulous for the game tonight. Hardly wait. Could not ask for better weather tonight. Halaluya.