WEDNESDAY SHOW RECAP: DREW TATE JOINS!

It was big fun on Episode #276 of The RP Show with CFL updates, stories and a visit from the Toronto Blue Jays! Read on:

• Rod and Dupes opened with The Rollout for Flooring Superstores covering these Quick Six show topics: 1) The Blue Jays played an intrasquad game Tuesday night and Toronto won, 2) CFL update? RP said he got into a Twitter debate with TSN’s Dave Naylor about the need for the CFL to play in 2020 and while they disagree, they don’t hate each other, 3) Are players expendable?, 4) Do you have a problem with pro athletes and sports employees crossing the Canada-US border? (Rod and Dupes do not), 5) Are you in favour of Vladimir Guerrero Jr’s move to first base?, 6) Who are you following the most during Return To Play? (i.e. NHL, NFL, CFL, CEBL, NBA, MLS, etc.)
• Ottawa RedBlacks punter Richie Leone was watching the show from Alabama and had a back-and-forth with Rod about the “expendable player” debate. Richie asked if viewers would tune in if stars like Andrew Harris aren’t playing? RP figures they would and thinks CFL decision-makers feel the same way.
• 3DownNation’s Justin Dunk joined the show from Southern Ontario for a deep report. The CFL Insider explained the ball is in the players’ court regarding the proposal to play and the disgruntled Tweets from a few CFL players represents the mood of a greater number of players. He said Commissioner Randy Ambrosie is being silent at the moment, allowing players to consider the proposal. Dunk also said it’s prudent for the CFL to investigate potential hub cities while the players mull over the offer, however it’s impossible to predict if there will be games in 2020 or not.
• Robert Witchell, the Executive Director of the Jays Care Foundation, joined the show from Toronto to discuss the $7.5-million the Blue Jays Foundation has distributed to youth and communities across Canada including Saskatchewan towns Ituna and Turtleford. Witchell talked about the importance of the Blue Jays giving back and reflected on trips he’s made across Canada to help out communities. It was a rewarding visit.
• Hour 2 was broadcast on Facebook Live only and we were joined by former CFL QB Drew Tate (Roughriders, Stampeders, RedBlacks and Lions alum). It was a colourful visit as Tate was walking in the woods of Kingwood, TX (a suburb of Houston) during the interview. The Iowa product reflected on his CFL career, his two Grey Cup wins (2007 and 2014), and said while injuries plagued his time in the CFL, he’s proud of what he accomplished. Tate also examined the 2012 Western Semifinal where he hit Calgary teammate Romby Bryant on a 75-yard TD to win the game. He was battling a concussion and broken right wrist at the time. Tate discussed coaching BC Lions quarterbacks in 2019 and how he wants to make a career out of coaching. While the pandemic affects the CFL, Drew said he’s turned his attention to obtaining his certification and becoming a high school coach in Texas. It was a real fun chat.
• Stampeders blogger, podcaster and Chief Punk Ryan Ballantine joined the show from Calgary and surmised that the CFL SHOULD NOT play in 2020, citing player safety. He’s not in favour of a 6-game season (he favours a minimum of eight games), and then trolled Rod on the history of the Roughriders/Stampeders rivalry. Ballantine also feels the Flames would be better off to lose to Winnipeg in the Play-In Round and take their chances at winning the #1 overall pick in Phase 2 of the NHL Draft Lottery.
• The daily Capital Auto Mall/Universal Collision Centre poll question was: How do you feel about Vladdy Jr.’s move to first base with the Blue Jays? At press time around 80% of respondents are in favour of it.
• Producer Clark popped into the bunker in the second-last segment to explain why it’s a good move for Guererro to shift to first base. He feels that since Vladdy had the worst fielding percentage in the Majors at third base in 2019, the Jays have nothing to lose by shifting him to first.
• You can vote now on our Twitter poll for the Rockstar of the Day for RoxDar Supply Chain Solutions. At press time, Justin Dunk was leading. Tuesday’s vote finished in a tie between Darren Dreger and Gord Burnett.
• Wednesday’s show is available for viewing now on our Facebook page, you can listen to the podcast by clicking on the PODCAST tab at the top of this page or you can listen anytime to our 24-hour live audio stream at RodPedersen.com/ListenLive.
• See you at 10 am MT on Thursday on Game+ TV Network, Facebook Live and RodPedersen.com/ListenLive!