WEDNESDAY CAT COUNTRY COMMENTARY

(Listen daily for the Rod Pedersen Commentary at 9:50 am and 5:20 pm on Cat Country 98 FM)

WE HOLD OUT HOPE THAT COMMON SENSE WILL EVENTUALLY PREVAIL IN CANADA AND WE’LL HAVE A RETURN TO SPORTS BY LABOUR DAY WEEKEND. I’M TALKING ABOUT THE SPORTS WE CARE ABOUT AROUND HERE — FOOTBALL AND HOCKEY. NO SLIGHT TO THE OTHERS, BECAUSE THEY SHOULD BE BACK TOO.

SO IF THAT’S THE CASE, WE CAN GET BACK TO THINKING ABOUT FUN THINGS LIKE NAMING THE TOP FIVE PEOPLE WHO FACE THE MOST PRESSURE IN THE CFL IN 2020. HERE ARE MINE:

#5 CODY FAJARDO – THE BELOVED RIDER QUARTERBACK LED HIS TEAM TO 13 WINS IN HIS FIRST-YEAR STARTING AND IT MADE HIM THE HIGHEST-PAID PLAYER IN FRANCHISE HISTORY. WITH THAT COMES MONSTROUS EXPECTATIONS, BUT WE THINK HE’S UP TO IT.

#4 RICK CAMPBELL – HUGH CAMPBELL’S KID JUMPED FROM THE OTTAWA REDBLACKS TO THE BC LIONS AND HE FACES THE MAMMOTH TASK OF TURNING AROUND A FRANCHISE THAT FINISHED LAST IN THE WEST, AND IS BATTLING FOR ATTENTION IN VANCOUVER.

#3 RANDY AMBROSIE – THE COMMISSIONER IS ALWAYS UNDER PRESSURE, BUT IT’LL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THE SHORTENED SEASON GOES. FRANKLY JUST GETTING HIS TEAMS BACK ON THE FIELD WOULD BE A MONUMENTAL ACHIEVEMENT AND FOR THE MOST PART, HIS HAY WILL BE IN THE BARN IF IT HAPPENS.

#2 CRAIG DICKENSON – THE HEAD COACH OF CANADA’S TEAM WILL ALWAYS BE IN THE TOP FIVE OF PRESSURE POSITIONS. HOWEVER WITH THE 2020 GREY CUP BEING MOVED OUT OF SASKATCHEWAN, THE BLINDING HEAT IS OFF. FOR NOW.

#1 ORLONDO STEINAUER – THE HEAD COACH OF THE TIGER-CATS LED HIS TEAM TO A FRANCHISE RECORD 15-WINS LAST YEAR BEFORE IMPLODING IN THE GREY CUP. IT WAS ORLONDO’S ROOKIE SEASON, AND HE WAS NAMED COACH OF THE YEAR. THAT EARNED HIM SOME BREATHING ROOM FROM HAMILTON FANS, BUT THAT’S LONG-GONE NOW.

THERE’S OUR LIST. NOW ALL WE NEED IS GAMES.

THAT’S TODAY’S ROD PEDERSEN COMMENTARY ON CAT COUNTRY 98.