"A major shakeup in the Dallas Stars front office. The Stars have named Joe Nieuwendyk their new general manager. Nieuwendyk spent seven seasons as a player with the Stars, winning a Stanley Cup title in 1999. Former co-G-Ms Brett Hull and Les Jackson have been reassigned."
- Les is supposed to be coming to my parents' house this evening! This will be interesting..
The Stars fans in this province are abuzz today. All four of us!
Chad Lang was dumped from the GM role last night and will be holding a news conference Monday morning at 10:00am at his Moose Jaw home.
Stay tuned.
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Saturday's WMBL scores:
Regina 15 Saskatoon 2
- 15 runs were scored, Ryan Salt threw 7 scoreless innings, and the Sox moved to 1-1 on the young 2009 season with a 15-2 blowout of the Saskatoon Yellow Jackets on Saturday night in 'toon town.
Now at an even .500, the Sox head home for their first look at Currie Field, Sunday at 2:00.
Edmonton 10 Lethbridge 2
Sunday in the WMBL:
Saskatoon at Regina, 2pm
Lethbridge at Edmonton, 2pm
Weyburn at Yorkton, 2pM
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Calgary, Alberta – World Junior hockey gold medalists Jordan Eberle and Colten Teubert have been invited back to the National Junior Team development summer camp for the second straight year. The camp is from August 5th-10th in Saskatoon.
Eberle was a star for Canada in their run towards a fifth straight gold medal, scoring the thrilling game tying goal against the Russians in the semi-final and then scoring the shoot-out winner in the same game.
Teubert was a part of Canada's number one defensive pairing, and was key in shutting down Sweden in the gold medal final with his usual rough and abrasive style of play.
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Regina, Saskatchewan – The Regina Pats are proud to announce that Athletic Therapist, Greg Mayer will be the Head Therapist for Team Canada at the upcoming 2010 World Junior Hockey Championships, being held in Saskatoon and Regina.
This will be Mayer's second stint with Canada at the World Junior's. He was the Equipment Manager with the red and white at the 2001 World Juniors in Moscow, where Canada won a bronze. Mayer was also the Equipment Manager with Canada's U-18 team in 1999.
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Humboldt Broncos coach & GM Dean Brockman was in town this week interviewing with the Regina Pats for the vacant assistant coach's position under Curtis Hunt.
Brockman says he has a high degree of interest in the job. His Broncos are defending SJHL champions.
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Friday's WMBL Games:
Regina Red Sox 4 at Moose Jaw Miller Express 9
Lethbridge Bulls 8 at Edmonton Prospects 0
Saturday's Games:
30-May 7:05 PM Lethbridge Bulls at Edmonton Prospects
30-May 7:05 PM Regina Red Sox at Saskatoon Yellow Jackets
From http://www.tsn.ca/
Byline: Chris Schultz
Do you believe? Do you really believe? Because more than mere words can convey, I do!
This message and the meaning behind the message will be delivered by every CFL head coach on Saturday, June 6th by 7pm. The coach will convince the players that this is their year; that what happened last year has no significance on what will happen this year.
He will state over and over again that the only goal is to be in Calgary on Sunday, November 29th and win the 97th Grey Cup.
And after those Saturday night meetings are over, there will not be one CFL player that either does not believe that they have a chance, a real chance to own a Grey Cup ring.
The optimism in late May/early June is almost childlike across the league. The coaches have spent months getting ready for the season and the players are in the best possible shape they can be. Everyone has forgotten the past and is looking toward tomorrow.
The rejuvenation process that happens from the end of one football season to the beginning of the next is amazing. Of the 12 seasons that I played in both the NFL and CFL, I estimate five or more times I thought seriously about retiring. I was tired, especially after 30 years of age because you just don't recover as fast.
But within two weeks, maybe four at the most, that thought either has begun to leave you or has left completely. As December moves in January and a new year begins, you wonder what the heck you were thinking.
The greatest indicator of desire to pay the price to play football is in direct relation to when and how hard you start training for a new season. My earliest time was one week. When I was much younger, I took six days off and was back in the weight room and on the bike on the seventh day.
In my last year, everything still hurt and my heart was just not into it. I couldn't face it until February 16th. I wasted 10 weeks and I knew it would be my last year as my body was wearing out.
That's why coaches are all very aware of age in football. Regression in ability in association with age is not a slow process. It's fast; real fast. From 32 to 34, my body aged 10 years in relation to football.
For some players, it may happen earlier and for others, later.
There isn't really a specific number but coaches know when diminishing ability is on the horizon and when perceived as a genuine possibility, the player is not invited back. As cruel as it sounds, it's good coaching because the team is more important than the proven player. Anticipation of the inevitable before it happens creates success.
Training camp can be brutal, depending on the staff the head coach employs. Just as you watch for diminishing returns from players, you have to be very aware of diminishing returns from teams. I have experienced pro football camps where we hit each other so much, I just tried to survive and wasn't overly concerned with improvement. In the extreme opposite, I have been in training camps that were not physical enough. Consequently, I needed two or three games to find my mental, physical and emotional toughness.
Each coach has a different approach and the experienced coaches know exactly what they are looking for. So much so that the starting 24 are set and depth is the only issue. On the opposite side, other coaches don't know the intangibles of their present roster and the only way to find out is to put them in tough, stressful situations and observe the results.
Edmonton, Winnipeg and Toronto all have new head coaches who subconsciously crave respect. They just don't know what they've got until they see it.
If I was an Argonaut in 2009, I had better be in the best physical, mental and emotional shape of my life for new head coach Bart Andrus. Remember, Montreal set the standard in the East that hard work wins and that will be the Argonauts' reality in 2009.
Can you win or lose a Grey Cup opportunity in early June? Well, it is true that if you get hot in September and October, you can go a long way in November but, and this is equal in truth, the foundation of the ability to play your best in September and October is created in early June.
Football is a process. You practice a massive amount of time to prepare for a 3-hour game.
The key is to keep improving from the beginning of the process. Not dramatically because that's unrealistic but just a little bit every day. You combine that element with a genuine belief that this is your year and perhaps then you will be in Calgary on November 29th.
----And I enjoy his stories about his life away from the studio, his family, his friends, and stuff like running into Joe Montana in the hotel gym at Super Bowl. Very funny.
Talk-host Howard Stern's personal stories are particularly fascinating to me too, and I tune in everyday to see what's up with him and his gang. I feel like I know him and his family because of his stories.
I like to tell stories about my life on this blog as well. I'm not in the stratosphere of Stern and Cowherd, but I have a lot of stories from nearly 20 years crisscrossing this country with sports teams, and a lifetime in the game. If it's construed as name-dropping and narcissistic by some, so be it. Maybe the critics' friends and acquaintances just aren't that interesting. That would be my guess. But 2500 people (and growing) come here everyday and seem to like it so I'm not going to let five or six people get me down.
And I'd prefer if you don't like it, please don't come back.
And regarding the real journalists, those are the guys like Vanstone, Harder, Hamilton, Drinnan, etc.
I'm not going to dig to get the dirt. Some of it, I feel, doesn't need to be known.
Cowherd's primary gig is to yak on the radio, as is mine.
And we have a lot of fun doing it.
I just get a kick out of people writing in with what their expectations are for MY website. What a trip! Why should YOU decide what gets posted on here?
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It was with a sinking feeling that I learned longtime friend Rich Preston was let go by the Calgary Flames as assistant coach this week.
Rico and Flames GM Darryl Sutter have pretty much been "besties" since the mid-80s when they played together in Chicago but obviously that friendship is over.
Like Schultzie says, "great game, crappy business."
I've been told to expect that Rich will go to coach in Europe. From what I recall of their kids' ages, he and Laura must be empty-nesters by now so I wouldn't be surprised if they want to get out and experience the world after 30 years in the NHL.
Good luck Rich. I'll miss our visits in the Saddledome when the Pats roll through town.
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The race for the Pats' head coach job really,I feel, only came down to one candidate; Curtis Hunt.
Somewhere along the way this week I heard the other potential candidate -- Michael Dyck -- will be back in Lethbridge as head coach if the right G.M. is hired.
That's JUST what I heard. We'll see.
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The 2008-09 Regina Pats season is going to go down in history as that "dirty little secret no one talks about."
The hiring of Curtis Hunt and a new coaching staff will indeed signal a fresh start for the franchise but I'm not done examining last year and where things went wrong.
I remember writing for this blog on a bustrip from P.G. to Vancouver about how impressed I was with what was going on at the time. From that point on it was a nosedive.
I've talked to SOME of the players, the ex-coaches, the G.M., the staff, the fans .... just about everybody. And NO one has the answer.
Actually maybe somebody does. But I've got to get some facetime with some of the vets over the summer. A beer with Brett Leffler may be in order. He's still one of my faves.
It's true that no one wants to bring it up again but we need to know the reasons why. Don't we?
And how long before the "Derkatch" name returns to glory? Even the Rat has to admit it's somewhat tarnished with what went down. I hope to God it gets shined up again real soon. What a fabulous person.
AND how ironic it is that I bumped into former ass't coach Terry Perkins in the bowels of the Brandt Centre while I was walking to where I THOUGHT Hunt's news conference was the other day.
"You'd better get outta here, Curtis and the Parkers are going to be coming by any minute," I advised Perk.
He looked at me funny:
"I thought the news conference was over in Queensbury?" he questioned.
"OH S**T!" I yelled and sprinted across the concrete and up the stairs.
Anyways, Perk seemed very chipper and content while doing a construction contract on the Brandt Centre reno's.
I hope he's back in hockey soon.
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Where does one buy advance tickets for the Shrine Circus in town this week?
The A-Train and I had a blast there last year, despite the avalanche of abuse I got from anti-Circus protesters after the fact.
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Bought an "82" green Rider jersey with "PHOENIX" across the back of it today at a garage sale for $30. What do you think it's really worth?
I had grand plans of getting my buds at Sports Exchange to put CLERMONT across the back of it, and re-selling it for big $$$$$$$.
BUT, Cindy has claimed it for herself and her collection. What a woman! Sports Exchange is still doing the lettering, in exchange for a case of Molson Canadian.
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22 newspapers across the province will be carrying my Rider Insider column this year and we're hoping for a few more.
One of them is the flourishing Clark's Crossing Gazette in the Warman/Martensville area. It's run by the great Terry Jenson.
With those two communities exploding, (one of them I'm told with a population over 5,000) I wonder if the SJHL would consider putting a team in there?
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I turned on the George Strait Tribute on CBS last night just in time to see Georgie give his thank you speech and sing Oceanfront Property.
It does not get better than that.
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Those ads the Regina Pats are running in the Leader Post about SEE RED with that crazy fan are awesome. I had to ask who he was, and Dan Plaster said he's the guy who joined him and Greg Johnson on that storm-chasing trip a few weeks back.
It's really too bad that the atmosphere in our crowds is such that if a guy showed up looking like that and screaming at the top of his lungs he would be shunned and ridiculed.
Maybe that'll change next year??
Old time Pats fans tell me the atmosphere was severely lost when the club moved into the Agridome from Exhibition Stadium in 1977.
Hopefully that doesn't occur in the Riders' new home.
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Okay, now I've got to get out of here and take a break from the insanity and troll commenters.
Any further CFL or WHL news will be forwarded to the blog so you still have reason to come back.
LATER SKATER!
RP
Commented Vanderjagt, "After many conversations with my family, we have come to the decision that after 13 years of professional football, I'm better suited to be with my family in Florida. At 39 years old, my priorities have changed. I enjoy my life out of the spotlight. I thoroughly appreciate all the Argonauts have done for me over the course of my career both before my time in the NFL and after. I have nothing but the utmost respect for the organization. Having been born and raised in southern Ontario, I appreciate the feeling the fans there gave me of always being home. Instead of retiring, I have asked for my release to leave my options open in case my feelings change."
An Oakville, Ontario native, Vanderjagt holds several Argos regular season, playoff and Grey Cup records for excellence in place kicking and punting. In 1996, he was named the Grey Cup game's Most Outstanding Canadian for a perfect 5-for-5 performance. He was honoured as an East Division and CFL All-Star for a terrific 1997 season in which he single-handedly scored 190 points. Vanderjagt played 18 games in his return to the Boatmen in 2008, accounting for 161 points, with a 76.5% (39 of 51) field goal success rate, averaged 44.4 yards/punt and 55.6 kickoff yards.
Regarded as the most accurate field goal kicker in NFL history with a staggering 86.4% average, Vanderjagt spent nine seasons in the NFL, primarily with the Indianapolis Colts and part of one season with the Dallas Cowboys. He achieved perfection for field goal kicking (37 for 37) in the 2003 season, the same year he won the AFC scoring title and was named to the NFL Pro-Bowl team. He also won the 1999 NFL scoring title in just his second season.
Argonauts GM/VP, Football Operations, Adam Rita remarked, "We are thankful for Mike's career here in Toronto and appreciate his work to win games for us and be a team guy. We would like to wish Vandy all the best of luck in the future. This gives him the opportunity to spend more time with his family and with his business. This does not come as a surprise to us and we have worked this off-season recruiting kickers to fill this vacancy. More announcements are imminent."
The Edmonton Sun
Vancouver, B.C. –Vancouver Canucks General Manager Mike Gillis announced today that forward Rick Rypien has signed a two-year contract extension with the club through the 2010-11 NHL season. Rypien has played five seasons as a Vancouver Canuck.
Saskatchewan Roughrider head coach Ken Miller released the following statement regarding the playing future of receiver Matt Dominguez.
Rod PedersenYesterday they announced Curtis Hunt as head coach and this week they'll begin conducting interviews for his assistant(s).
From what I've gathered talking to league people today, the shortlist includes but is not limited to these candidates:
Mark Johnston
Shaun Sutter
Gerad Adams
Dean Brockman
I also wouldn't rule out Mike Sillinger in some capacity if he isn't signed as a UFA after June 30. The report of Jamie Heward's desire to join the Pats staff, I'm told, is premature. Hewie plans to be playing with the Toronto Maple Leafs next fall.
Meanwhile former Pats assistant coach Terry Perkins is on the shortlist to be the next head scout of the Prince Albert Raiders. He's a career hockey guy and knows how to pick 'em. This blog strongly endorses Perkins.
Also on the shortlist however, is believed to be former Melville Millionaires GM and Pats Ass't GM Perry Andrusiask and a third mystery candidate.
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Also the Spokane Chiefs have announced that former Memorial Cup and Stanley Cup Champion Jon Klemm has been named the Assistant Coach for the 2009-10 season. Klemm played 204 games as a Chief in a three season career that culminated with the 1991 Memorial Cup championship as a 20-year-old captain. The Cranbrook, BC native won a pair of Stanley Cups, 1996 and 2001, with the Colorado Avalanche in his 17-year pro career.
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And the Leader Post's Ian Hamilton is reporting the Riders will have Marcus Crandell has a guest coach at 2009 training camp set to being June 7 in Regina.
Our weekly notebook of ramblings and observations will be interspersed with details about tonight's event.----
By now you likely know the Regina Pats plan to announce Curtis Hunt as their new head coach this afternoon. There's a post about it below this one with Pats' fans' reactions.
Some nincumpoops that read this blog were hassling me over the weekend that I got "beat" on the story by Mitchell Blair and CTV. Same goes for the Kitwana Jones trade 10 days ago, saying the L-P got the scoop.
Do you deadbeat commenters actually think I don't know about this stuff ahead of time? I was told about today's news conference last week in the Pats' office in a meeting with B.P.
Dan Plaster can attest to that, as he was sitting beside me. AND I was told not to say anything about it publicly.
Wake up and open your eyes some of you guys! I'm thinking about writing a blog post about my role with the Pats and Riders and the expectations they have of me. Would you care to read that?
These dorks say this blog is slipping. I would say 2500 readers per day would dispute that.
You know the score. I think these are just young punks who don't know how things work in sports.
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What a couple of duds those hockey games were Sunday! A wonderful afternoon of hockey was spoiled by those lopsided outcomes.
The 6-1 victory by Detroit in Chicago has the Red Wings on the verge of another Stanley Cup Finals appearance with a 3-1 series lead.
And the Memorial Cup championship got off to a stunning start where Windsor jumped out to a 3-0 lead over Kelowna on their first three shots just 7:11 into the match. They cruised to a 4-1 win and there was little drama until the trophy presentation.
I have to say my buddy Jason Baker called it a week ago. He said to watch out for Windsor despite their 0-2 start to the M.C. round robin. He watched every shift of every game and said they're the best team. I scoffed, thinking the Rockets would win it in a waltz. Nice call Bakes..
Congrats to Bob Boughner and the Spitfires!
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There was a blackmark in the 2009 Memorial Cup in Rimouski. Consider this snippet from Kelowna Rockets broadcaster Regan Bartel's blog:
"I will admit I was a little turned off by the reaction of the crowd at the Colisee over the booing every time the Rockets touched the puck. The booing was the result of the fans belief that the Rockets threw Tuesday's game against the Spitfires when they had a chance to eliminate them from the tournament. Essentially it looked like the fans are blaming the Rockets for the demise of both Rimouski and Drummondville. Windsor would beat Rimouski in the tie breaker before eliminating Drummondville in the semi finals. To say the Rockets threw the game is laughable."
Are the Oceanic fans really that stupid?? Rimouski and Drummondville had chances to advance in the tiebreaker and semifinal respectively, so if anybody needs to be booed, boo yourself.
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Please take a minute to read the new few paragraphs and get to know Maranda a little better. This from her family:
"We knew Maranda had health problems, but it would also be fair to say that we did not fully understand the extent of her illness. It's one thing to be told a child has microcephaly and a reduced life expectancy, but a completely different thing to LIVE it. Maranda has been through all kind of tests, most notably her neurological exams, which include CAT scans, MRI's of her brain and regular EEG's (electroencephalographs) to measure her brain waves.
We now know that she is having many different kinds of seizure activity in all parts of her brain. What we thought were sleep problems turned out to be seizures and what we thought was nighttime gastric reflux, was actually vomiting associated with the seizures. Each time a new seizure symptom presents itself we call our neurologist directly, and every morning if she isn't up at the crack of dawn, we creep into her room to make sure she is still breathing. Some mornings our hearts stop until we see that she is awake.
She is on a number of medications to reduce inattention, impulsivity, hyperactivity and seizure activity. This means remembering a list of medications and administering them about every four hours. Maranda is a vulnerable child. She has no sense of danger, and no understanding of yesterday, today, or tomorrow. She has many developmental delays most notably delayed fine motor skills, and intellectual challenges. So far, she has been diagnosed with microcephaly, ADHD, OCD, vision problems, and seizure disorder, which are all symptoms of a syndrome that has yet to be named. She does have an amazing 'savant' memory.
Like the character in the movie "Rain Man," she can remember names of people, places, football players and other lists with amazing clarity. She is charming to converse with and entertaining to watch. Maranda is an incredible child who has come so much further than anyone thought she would, and we are so proud of her."
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The Riders' Wes Cates and Marcus Adams will be on hand for Maranda's fundraiser this evening around 5:00. For a donation to her Medical Trip fund, you can get your photo taken with Saskatchewan's #20 and #51.
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Stampeders receiver Nik Lewis boasted recently that the 2009 Stampeders will be the best team the Canadian Football League has ever seen.
Of course, people are piling on with criticism and scorn for that prognostication, but give the guy a break!
He may actually feel that way, and good on him for having the cajones to make such an outlandish remark.
Time will tell if he's right..
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Silent auction items for tonight's fundraiser have been provided by:
Regina Pats (Eberle Team Canada jersey)
Saskatchewan Roughriders (personalized copy of Green Magic)
Stantec Consulting (NHL stars autographed stick)
Cypress Cyclones (Autographed Joe Sakic photo)
Golden Esso (Gift Cards)
TCU Financial Group (Gift package)
Brandt Centre (Gift packs including 4 Brooks and Dunn tickets and 4 Blue Man Group tickets)
Phillips Distillers (Sour Puss and Cherry Whiskey)
In The Tunnel Network (Autographed Kerry Joseph photo)
Bring your chequebooks! If I'm forgetting someone, please forgive me.. Post your info in the comments if you please!
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A Regina media member quizzed me last week if former Rider broadcaster Geoff Currier (1986-1997) has ever been given consideration for the Plaza of Honour.
I've been championing that cause for quite some time, but been told members of the media won't be given consideration.
I hope in time that position will change. Someone even absurdly suggested I only want him in there so that one day I'll be given consideration. What a joke that is.
If induction is based on contributions to the club, then I feel Geoff should be looked at.
It's that simple.
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This broadcaster/blogger is on vacation for the week so Joe and John have Sportsline tonight at 6:05pm on 620 CKRM live from Capital Ford Lincoln.
But the blog will continue to be updated... And I'll likely be at the Pats news conference this aft.
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Cool.
Sportsnet's Jason Portuondo gave props to the Campbell Tartans football program when announcing the Riders' signing of Joel Lipinski last week.
Does anyone else get fuzzy reception of Sportsnet on their cable in Regina? I do, but it's the only channel.
Speaking of RSN, kudos to Peter Loubardias and Sam Cosentino for their informed and passionate play-by-play of the Memorial Cup all week.
That's what we've come to expect from "Lou" and yes, Sam still has the whitest teeth in the biz!
They announced on yesterday's game that Sportsnet has signed a five-year extension to broadcast the Memorial Cup. They do a nice job.
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No idea why the movie Fighting is already in Rainbow Cinemas just a few weeks after it debuted in the big ticket cinemas.
We took it in Saturday night and I thought it was very enjoyable. From what I recall, there was very little profanity. In fact, I don't think there was a single F-bomb. Not a bad flick for the kids.
So ..... Two thumbs up from The Monday Morning Goalie!
And.....
If there's ever a movie about the life of Riders' defensive end John Chick, then Fighting star Channing Tatum will play the role of big John.
He looks like him, sounds like him and kept reminding me of him all film long.
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SGI bombards us with ads on the TV Listings channel 13 promoting motorcycle riding this summer.
Live to ride? Ride to live! Is what they tell us, and urge people to take a motorcyle safety course and then go out and buy a hog.
But really, do we actually need MORE motorbikers on the road? It seems awfully dangerous to me.
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Speaking of the roadways, don't people think twice about giving someone the finger on the road?
I get it a lot since I'm not exactly a defensive driver. In fact, my driving philosophy is a lot like the Edmonton Oilers of the 1980s: The best defense is a good offense.
Now, I'm not the type of guy who's going to follow you to your driveway and flog you after getting "the bird", but some guys might.
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Lots of joggers are on the road these days. Just a tip: if you're going to wear spandex, maybe ask a friend or family member before you leave the house if you actually SHOULD be wearing spandex.
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Congratulations to the Blue Jays for their fine start but is this recent swoon a case of a minor slump, or is the real team crashing back to earth?
Their 20-something wins at this point are great but they're going to need at least 70 more for a sniff at the postseason and that's a big mountain to climb.
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Has anybody tried that new Mucho Burrito restaurant on Rochdale Blvd? I haven't been there yet but it sounds like my kinda place.
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Pet peeve. People who constantly open and close the door to the sauna. IN OR OUT PLEASE!!
Some of us are trying to sweat out our many toxins.
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Speaking of, profuse thank-you's to Craig P. over at Crave for his above-and-beyond hospitality Friday night at their Heineken Music Night.
Good times.
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I shake my head at the lyrics of the songs the kids are listening to these days.
Remember the outrage caused by Salt N' Pepa's "Let's Talk About Sex" when we were in high school? And they wanted to just TALK about it.
It really makes you wonder about where society's going these days.
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My friends have warned me about the water in these public pools and hot tubs I jump into after a workout.
Can it really be that bad? I'm still here to blog about it and I never get sick so it must be building up my immune system!
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Apologies to those people I scoffed at for driving around with their windows down and their system up here in the spring time. I wrote about it a few weeks back and I was shaking my head because this guy was pumping Yanni through the stereo in his Jeep. Yuck!
But now I'm doing the same thing with the two CD's I have spinning in the Saturn Vue: Lady Gaga and George Strait.
And then one day, my mind drifted and wondered what it would be like if those two mated!? That would produce quite a singer/entertainer.
Maybe one day.
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I'm just going to throw this out there --- I would like to be the one to introduce George Strait onstage at Craven this summer....
It'd be neat to ask him what he thinks about Lady Gaga..
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HAVE A GREAT WEEK and hopefully I'll see you tonight at Maranda's fundraiser! I can't wait to turn the funds over to her parents and see the look on their faces.
RP
Details to follow...
RP
"Here's one man's look at the key moves by all eight CFL teams this off- season and our grade on their effort":
B.C. LIONS
THE BIG SPLASH: Scored one of the free agent gems by signing LB Anton McKenzie away from archrival Saskatchewan, but also noise by releasing name players like Jason Clermont, Tyrone Williams, Charles Roberts and Otis Floyd and losing Rob Murphy to free agency and RB Stefan Logan to the NFL. GM and head coach Wally Buono then effectively used that money saved by locking up Geroy Simon, Paris Jackson, Korey Banks, Javier Glatt, Barron Miles, Jarious Jackson, Buck Pierce and others to new deals.
OUR TAKE: It's not exactly sexy, but credit Buono for managing the cap well to keep a talented squad together. Couple that with their draft-day success -- they had three picks in the first round, using their first to select RB Jamall Lee -- and the Lions effectively reloaded.
FREE PRESS GRADE: A
HAMILTON TIGER-CATS
THE BIG SPLASH: Being perennially awful means the Ticats often make significant big splashes in the off-season, and this winter was no different -- so much so that the release of former saviour Casey Printers barely drew a shrug of the shoulders across the league. Three ex-Bombers should improve the Tabbies in the short term: QB Kevin Glenn gives the squad a veteran safety net should Quinton Porter's development stagnate while tackles Dan Goodspeed and Alexandre Gauthier solidfy an O-line that surrendered the most sacks a year ago. Jesse Lumsden is gone, while CFL vets Otis Floyd (B.C.), Agustin Barrenechea (Edm.) and Brandon Guillory (Edm.) strengthen the front seven.
OUR TAKE: There's a certain quick-fix feel to the additions, given that Barrenechea, Floyd, Gauthier, Glenn and Goodspeed will all be 30 or older by the start of the season. But the Ticats need to win now after being absolutely horrible over the last few years and GM Bob O'Billovich has addressed that urgency.
FREE PRESS GRADE: A
EDMONTON ESKIMOS
THE BIG SPLASH: New coach Richie Hall comes over from a division rival in the Riders and many of his charges were eager to follow him. The Esks added all- star LB Maurice Lloyd, DB Scott Gordon and DE Kitwana Jones from Saskatchewan and snatched Canadian RB Jesse Lumsden in free agency. They traded for Anthony Malbrough and Kelly Malveaux, safety Jason Nugent and end Kai Ellis and signed free agents Kyle Koch and Graeme Bell -- all former Bombers -- but lost future star receiver Kelly Campbell to the NFL.
OUR TAKE: The Esks were just sixth in points allowed a year ago, so landing Hall and some of his crew helps the defensive dozen. Lumsden, if he can stay off the DL, will allow them to use a Canadian at RB with Calvin McCarty in reserve.
FREE PRESS GRADE: A-
CALGARY STAMPEDERS
THE BIG SPLASH: The champs have been quiet. In fact, the biggest roster news of the winter may have been the retirement of QB Dave Dickenson and the signing of Arena League MVP Matt D'Orazio, 32, as the likely No. 2 man behind Henry Burris.
OUR TAKE: Big boss man John Hufnagel has effectively kept the talent core intact, no easy task with a frozen salary cap, and hopes to push his vets with young bucks instead of veteran CFLers scooped up in trade or free agency.
FREE PRESS GRADE: B+
WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS
THE BIG SPLASH: It wasn't just one move, but a tsunami of change in Bomberland. The most significant comes at the quarterback position where Kevin Glenn was cut and Stefan LeFors comes aboard, meaning the Bombers will be the only CFL team to line up a new pivot behind centre to open the season.
OUR TAKE: This will shock many who figure the media in this town love to jam needles into a Kelly voodoo doll, but yours truly likes a lot of what this new regime has done. The defensive front seven will be monstrous with the additions of Tyrone Williams, Fred Perry, Riall Johnson and Siddeeq Shabazz. The receiving corps, which already features three 1,000-yard receivers, has added Brock Ralph and Adarius Bowman. The O-line, even with the defections of Gauthier and Picard, should benefit from a healthy Obby Khan and has added experienced pieces in Glenn January, Kelly Bates, Luke Fritz and Steve Morley. LeFors, obviously, will be in the crosshairs and the secondary will be dramatically different. Then again, given that the pass defence has finished last or second-last in interceptions the last four seasons and hasn't placed a member on the CFL All-Star Squad in seven years, dating back to Juran Bolden and Harold Nash, Jr. in 2001, maybe change isn't such an evil approach.
FREE PRESS GRADE: B+
TORONTO ARGONAUTS
THE BIG SPLASH: New head coach Bart Andrus addressed two huge needs by landing O-linemen Rob Murphy (B.C.) and Dominic Picard (Wpg.) in free agency and they'll offset the retirements of Jude St. John and Chad Folk and bring a nasty attitude to a line that finished second-last in sacks allowed and in rushing. Linebackers Jason Pottinger (B.C.) and Zeke Moreno (Wpg.) were solid pickups in trades but Toronto also lost ace return man Dominic Dorsey, their best DB in Byron Parker and promising receiver P.K. Sam to the NFL.
OUR TAKE: Upgraded at key positions, but overall just treading water with the NFL defections. What has to concern Argo faithful is starting QB Kerry Joseph turns 36 in October and his backups are unproven.
FREE PRESS GRADE: C+
MONTREAL ALOUETTES
THE BIG SPLASH: Yawn. Very quiet off-season for the East Division champs as GM Jim Popp spent the winter signing Anthony Calvillo, Ben Cahoon, Davis Sanchez, Josh Bourke, Anwar Stewart and Scott Flory to new contracts. Interestingly, the Als were quick to snatch up three Bomber defenders who were sent packing here: Jerome Haywood, Cam Hall and Stanford Samuels.
OUR TAKE: Nothing jumps out as a significant upgrade and while Calvillo is coming off an MVP season, he does turn 37 this summer and the depth chart is thin on experience behind him after Marcus Brady retired.
FREE PRESS GRADE: C
SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS
THE BIG SPLASH: No matter how Rider Priders spin it, they took some nasty hits this winter with the exits of Richie Hall, Maurice Lloyd and Anton McKenzie. Landing Joe McGrath in free agency helps the O-line, but they also lost veteran hog Wayne Smith last week to an Achilles injury. SB Jason Clermont returns home to beef up an already-dynamic receiving corps.
OUR TAKE: Must count on the ability of GM Eric Tillman -- who is still running the team in absentia with his court case pending -- to unearth new talent. But we loved what Lloyd and McKenzie brought to the front seven and that kind of skill isn't quickly replaced. And while QB Darian Durant has huge upside, fingers must be crossed both he and Steven Jyles can provide consistent work from that critical position.
FREE PRESS GRADE: C-
Meet new Press Box Sports Bar manager Trevor Secundiak. He's third from the left in this picture from the Rams' golf tournament along with Scott Ducharmie, Jason White and Kirk Finnel. Here's a note from Trevor:
REGINA _ An initial report into whether a new stadium should be built in Saskatchewan is complete, but that doesn't mean a project is moving ahead.
Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall says he hasn't read the report yet and the government needs time to consider the options.
They could include upgrading Mosaic Stadium - home of the CFL Saskatchewan Roughriders football club - building a new outdoor facility or building a dome.
Wall says it shouldn't take long to determine the next step, which could be a more detailed feasibility study.
The premier joked about a ``provincial stadium'' during a speech to 2,000 people at a Saskatchewan Party fundraising dinner in Regina Thursday night (see photos below).
Wall said the event was believed to be the biggest sit-down dinner in the province.
With less than a week to go before Maranda's Medical Trip Fundraiser, Brian and I are woefully low on ticket sales for the steak night fundraiser at the Press Box Sports Bar.
We were very surprised and honoured to be offered seats at Thursday night's Premier's Dinner held by Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall at Evraz Place. We were guests of Al Dumba at Investor's Group. Here are some photos, and some highlights from Brad's address....
Brad joked that extra dinner tables from Calgary had to be brought in. Curtains too. So "not only are the people moving back from Alberta, the furniture's being brought back too!"
Saskatchewan is a terrible place for a GPS. Who doesn't know how to get around here??
Consider where we've been. Where we are. And where we're going.
March 2007, we suffered the worst out-migration in the country. In two years, we have moved from worst to first. We lead the country in job creation and migration.
We are the only province in the Dominion of Canada that's still creating jobs. Saskatchewan is in the middle of the ring swinging instead of ducking (I thought Pat Fiacco would like that one).
Nobody asks "why are you moving to Saskatchewan?" anymore. Now they're asking "what took you so long?"
(Raucous applause)
Pat Fiacco doesn't say the children's hospital in Saskatoon is a Saskatoon project. He says it's a Saskatchewan project. The Premier said maybe that's why Regina is on a roll -- because of leadership like that! And then Brad joked, "and Pat probably feels when those kids are feeling better they'll come down to watch football in a domed stadium which is a SASKATCHEWAN project."
With a little good fortune we are thisclose to having our provincial debt at $0.
We are so close to having people from far away being able to actually pronounce S-A-S-K-A-T-C-H-E-W-A-N because we're worth it.
Thank you Al Gore that it hasn't warmed up yet around here.
The coach of the Bombers said we're the crotch of Canada. Brad can't remember his name because Winnipeg goes through so many coaches but the Bomber coach is RIGHT! Because we're the only ones in the country producing anything these days.
Slammed the NDP for saying last year that Saskatchewan's financial picture will never get better. I have this to say to that "I like our chances" in a world that needs us and our resources. - Wall
I LIKE OUR CHANCES! - Wall
IT DOESN'T MATTER WHO THE GOVERNMENT IS OR WHO THE PREMIER IS -- IN SASKATCHEWAN OUR BEST DAYS WILL ALWAYS BE AHEAD OF US!!!! - Wall
And then the 2,000 people jumped to their feet in a wild standing ovation as Brad was joined on stage by his wife Tammy as AC/DC's "It's A Long Way To The Top" blared through the sound system.
Absolutely amazing. Thank you Investors Group for allowing Cindy and me to be a part of it!
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Meanwhile, the Saskatchewan Roughriders held their annual State-of-the-franchise conference call on Thursday. The Leader Post's Ian Hamilton transcribed the session here:
http://communities.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/blogs/roughriders/default.aspx
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2009 TELUS Regina Walk to Cure Diabetes
Roughrider John Chick - Guest Appearance at Cathedral Cultural Festival in support of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation 2009 Walk
Date: Saturday May 23, 2009
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Place: Employment Network Booth at corner of Rae Street and 13th Avenue
Attractions: John Chick will be signing autographs along with showcasing a collection of football memorabilia
Why Attend: To support the 2009 TELUS Juvenile Diabetes Walk – all proceeds from this event are directed to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
For further information please call Dave at Employment Network 540 – 2480
Don’t forget to register for the 2009 JDRF Walk to be held on Sunday June 7th
On-line Registration and Fundraising:
www.jdrf.ca/walk
543 – 5451
To me, that's staggering. (Pictured here is Graham with someone you may know)To date there's a whopping $75 in the Credit Union account but I know people who can't make the event have sent cheques today.
Thank you Saskatchewan for getting this rolling finally. I was starting to get nervous!
RP
It's pretty rare that I ask questions in news conferences or media scrums because I ask enough during football and hockey broadcasts and on talkshows.
