THE (WEDNESDAY) MORNING GOALIE

GREY CUP REFLECTIONS

* The greatest week of our football lives has come and gone. It began with the Roughriders’ 35-13 win at Calgary in the West Final on Nov. 17 and concluded with Tuesday’s Grey Cup rally at the Provincial Legislature. Exactly 10 days of euphoria. For once all the football gods were smiling on Saskatchewan in unison. Everything lined up for the Roughriders to win their fourth Grey Cup, 45-23 over Hamilton on Sunday. If you’re like me, it will be awhile before it truly sinks in.

* After the longest, coldest and worst winter in 40 years, the suffering was worth it as we came out with the single greatest event in provincial history. What an amazing story. No matter how cold it gets over the next six months, it won’t seem that bad since the Riders are Grey Cup champions.

* At Tuesday’s Grey Cup rally, head coach Corey Chamblin told the crowd to “Forget about the past”. It sounded good at the time and it still does. Rider Radio analyst Carm Carteri said on Sunday’s postgame show that this team has a 100-year history of being “Chokers”. I felt that term was a little harsh, but he would know better than me. Do we want to forget the past? Certain parts of it we do, yes. And Chamblin seems to be the new Pied Piper of this province. Follow in line.

* The “fishbowl” nature of Regina has scared many coaches off. CFL super agent Gil Scott confirmed as much to me last week. However Chamblin told reporters, “I actually enjoy it”. That’s good because he plans to be here a decade or more. With a Grey Cup title under his belt so soon in his tutelage, he’s more than welcome to.

* You may have read in the Regina Police report that someone was charged with an Indecent Act on Grey Cup Sunday. RPS confirmed to me yesterday that a man exposed himself on the Green Mile after the game. A Rider staffer was nearby and said, “I’ve been really, really happy at times in my life but I’ve never wanted to…”

* As the Roughriders were parading by us out of the flat-bed trailers and into the Legislature on Tuesday, I turned to Premier Wall and said, “They smell like booze!”. Wall replied, “Until May, who cares?!”

* We’re still waiting on a news release from the CFL announcing the Riders have been fined for breaking with protocol and storming the field during the player introductions on Sunday. “Oh well, whatever!” said Rider President Jim Hopson at Monday’s funeral for Bob Hughes. “We can afford it”. Chamblin did not seem too concerned either.

* That, to me, was the clear-cut sign that the Roughriders were going to romp to victory in the 101st Grey Cup. Sure, the Roughing the Kicker penalty against the Riders’ Rick Schmitt was too, along with the late Dressler touchdown. Other signs were the Durant fumble into-the-arms of Kory Sheets for a 39-yard gain, or the snap that flew right past Henry Burris. This was a day where everything went Saskatchewan’s way. It still sounds weird to say that. Why are we so used to misery?

* Much has been made about the fact Rider defensive coordinator Richie Hall has three Grey Cup rings (1989, 2007 and 2013) and that’s astonishing for anyone associated with this franchise. However former Rider marketing man Barry Taman pointed out on Monday that head therapist Ivan Gutfriend has those same rings as well.

* For this, it’s time Richie Hall goes into the Plaza of Honour. If we wait until his career is done, half of us might not still be alive. Wally Buono was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame Friday night and he’s still active.

* Speaking of, it’s not a good idea to hold any kind of news conference on the Friday night of Grey Cup at 9:00 pm. Who makes these decisions?! That’s when the 2013 CFHOF induction class was unveiled and the announcement came and went with a whisper.

* Back to the rings. George Cortez now has five (four with Calgary and one with Saskatchewan). The Stampeders will tell you it’s not a coincidence. And regarding his “unstoppable play”? They didn’t use it. Perhaps they’re waiting until the 2014 Grey Cup to bust it out. And no, George told me he has no plans to leave the Roughriders any time soon.

* Ron Nugent’s digital decibel meter hit 119 during Sunday’s Grey Cup. Michael Ball was taking the readings on the sideline. So that doesn’t come close to the homes of the NFL’s Chiefs and Seahawks but until we hear differently, it’s officially a CFL record. Truthfully, I thought it would be louder at the 101st Grey Cup at Mosaic Stadium.

* Saturday’s Safeway Grey Cup Parade was the first time in history that parade floats have been issued speeding tickets. I was broadcasting the event on Access and across Ontario on Rogers in minus-30 degrees and the floats were whizzing by like ZOOM! ZOOM! ZOOM! Can’t blame them.

* The funniest line regarding the weather, which dipped as low as minus-39 last week, came from comedian Steve Patterson and Saturday’s Rider Pride luncheon: “Dead people would say this is cold.”

* Truthfully I think the only one complaining about the cold was me. And Pro Football Hall of Famer Marcus Allen. He had Casino staff drive him from the front doors of the Delta Regina to the front doors of the Casino Friday morning. For those who don’t know, IT’S ACROSS THE STREET!

* I had less of a problem finding a parking spot downtown during Grey Cup Week than at any other time in my life.

* Damon Allen played for six CFL teams but never played for Saskatchewan. Why? “Because of money,” Damon explained at the Casino. “You guys were always broke”.

* George Reed also had a great line at that Casino event. When it comes to winning the Grey Cup, George reasoned, “The first one is the most important. Any ones you win after that are just a bonus.”

* CFL great Jason Clermont was wearing a #10 FARTHING jersey when I saw him at the Daytona Homes reception. I asked him why and he replied, “A) it’s weird to wear your own jersey and B) he’s my favourite all-time Rider”. I suggested Farthing was Jason Clermont before there was a Jason Clermont and he corrected me by saying, “He was better because he had less to work with”.

* He was also justifiably disgruntled for not being invited to the CFLAA Legends Lunch on Friday. “I guess I’m not alumni,” Clermont quipped with a smile on his face. I suppose it’s difficult to invite everybody, but hopefully the association starts to bring along the next generation of former CFL’ers.

* There were a few questions posed during Grey Cup Week for which I did not have an answer. Like, “Why is there a chance for three straight home teams to win the Grey Cup when before it was impossible to do?” I posed that one to player agent Tim Fleiszer and he shrugged his shoulders and said, “The ball has an odd shape. Who can explain how it bounces?”

* Coaching news? The smart money has Mike O’Shea taking over as head coach in Winnipeg with Khari Jones as his offensive coordinator. Paul Lapolice is a good bet to be the first head coach of the Ottawa RedBlacks although they’ve interviewed Marcel Bellefeuille and Greg Marshall as well. Lapolice told people if he’s not a head coach next year, he’ll be back on TSN for one more season. He really enjoys it.

* It was great to see who sent “Good Luck” text messages on Grey Cup Sunday and a lot were from the hockey community including Rich Preston, Shaun Sutter, Julie Stewart-Binks and Brian Munz, Morley Scott (Eskimos PBP). After the game there were hundreds of notes received.

WHAT A GREAT FEELING!!

Thanks for reading all season. Now it’s time for yours truly to go away for a little while.

CHEERS,
RP
@sportscage