Viva La NHL

Ahhh...The desert heat on my back and all I could think about is why is the NHL not in Las Vegas?

After spending last weekend in Sin City, I just really can't come up with a good idea as why the league doesn't put one of its failing franchises here.  This is a city designed around outings.  Sure the big money flows thru the casinos, but how many shows play on the average night?  I don't know, but there has to be at least 50 or 60, plus the fountains at Bellagio and the volcano at the Mirage or the Sirens show at TI.

And each and every time the curtain goes up, the places are packed.  Hockey would be just one more outing for people to see.  Sure, there may not be a huge season ticket base, although Vegas is continually one of the faster growing cities in the States, so people isn't an issue.  And the people that do live there are often from out of town, as was my cabbie from Boston (big Bruins guy).

But imagine a hot March afternoon, what better to do than go to Caeser's, throw down a couple of bucks on the game and then grab a few seats and beers and sit in the cool arena to root for your wager.  I like it.  

Its no different than seeing Love or O or Ka.  And in most cases, a pair of NHL tickets would be cheaper.  

You would think the corporate possibilities are endless.  Casinos giving away tickets as a promotion to get you to stay at their hotel.  "Stay here, get a ticket and a beer!"

And really, if the NHL continues to throw good money after bad at a place like Phoenix, why not take a gamble on LVNV?  I for one would bet on it!

Riders Evaluate Offence???

Pre-season...I mean its just pre-season.  Are we talking about pre-season?

After the Riders 45-12 loss on Wednesday, the team touched down in Regina yesterday afternoon, something they only managed once in Edmonton.  But the team is putting on the "its preseason and the score doesn't matter" face.

Coach Miller said the teams had 'different agendas' and the Riders was to evaluate their young talent.  However true that may be, it also seems that things may have gotten away from them on the offensive side of the ball.

The QB position is far from clear.  By all accounts, Steven Jyles looked to be the top pivot on the field while Durant's numbers are very pedestrian.  Ok, it is the first game action and I for one still believe Darian is the number one guy on this roster.

Another player at the top of his respective depth chart, Wes Cates, didn't play because of his lingering shoulder issue.  In fact, nobody has been able to say when he might play.  That would have me looking hard at his fill in replacement.  But the Riders only handed off the ball 11 times.  Stu Foord had 4 carries while Hugh Charles toted the ball 3 times.  

Maybe the team is set to go with these guys, but I would have thought a little more evaluation could have went into what has generally been a big part of the team's offence.

At the receiver position things are just as odd, although it is harder to complete a pass than to hand off to a back.  Now, while I accept that Jason Clermont would be my target in the hurry-up like he was for Steven Jyles, I'm fairly certain the staff has to be comfortable with the 7-year vet.  After his 4 receptions, only 6 other balls were caught by Rider receivers and 4 of those went to Bam Childress.  Johnny Quinn and Chris Getzlaf picking up one each.

Where are all the rest of the receivers?  Chris Jones & Todd Blythe have looked good in camp, but were shadows in this game.  Maybe that is the evaluation, maybe they couldn't get open?  Tough to believe that two receivers catch 80% of the balls.  That will need to be rectified.

I won't talk evaluating the offensive line because these guys will be fine when the season starts, although as a team they did give up 5 sacks.  However, the young guys played a lot in this one.  When July 3rd rolls around, this group will be solid as a rock as always.

So as it goes, the team has alot of evaluating to do and only one game to do it, home against the defending Grey Cup champs from Calgary.  It'll be interesting to see who gets what reps and what the evaluating process might be in that game.

But remember, this is pre-season...Yeah, we're talking about pre-season.

Riders Day 4

Seemingly a real uneventful day during camp, but the one thing I did find interesting was what happened afterwards. Juan Joseph and Dalton Bell staying late to work on some reps with Chris Jones serving as the receiver. Joseph was still on the field after the media horde had finished interviews and left for the day.

Stu Foord left early and was seen with an ice pack on his leg. Coach Miller called it a bruise and nothing serious, he's day-to-day.

The team continued to go thru their second practice without pads on today.

I saw several passes get away on the QB's today, either sailing high or not getting to the back on a screen. Maybe not their best day of camp.

Coach Miller is positive about Bam Childress and Casey McGahee and their punt returning capabilities. The team struggled at the position last year and the Coach is determined to take Weston Dressler out of that roll so that he can focus on his receiver duties.

Only one week until the first pre-season game in Edmonton. Not much time to get everybody reading on the same page considering the new faces around. But Coach feels that the team is progressing nicely and will be ready.

Born Into Riderville

Its our birthright.  Being born in this province allows a person many things.  The options are endless.  But one thing that isn't an option is becoming a Rider fan.

I never grew up cheering for the Riders because they were a great team.  In fact, for the first decade of my life, they stunk.  But that didn't stop my Dad from taking me to a game every year.  I remember the road trips into the 'Big City', the stop at McDonalds and me trying to be big like my Dad, Uncle and their buddy Del.  I'd order a Big Mac and down the whole thing, at 6 years of age!  

Its a ritual, a religion.  A bonding experience that created a fan of the Green and White.  I followed the team as best I could from a farm north of Midale.  These were the days before TSN.  I'd listen to the games on the radio with Dad, living and dying (mostly dying) with each snap.  Always looking forward to that once a year game when Dad and his buds would take me into that cathedral of football.

I remember a rain soaked day in the East stands watching Terry Greer haul in pass after pass for the Argos.  Oh I didn't like him.  How about 'card day' where the fans were given these green and white cards to hold up on command, making a cool picture in the stands.  Soon after the Riders began to be routed, the cards became giant paper airplanes.  The cheers that day were reserved for how far each plane could make it from the upper deck across the field.

Time passes, but the love for the Green only grows stronger.  The memories of watching 'The Kick' in the basement at the farm with my hockey bud Scott Hood is fresh as a daisy.  How about the run in '97.  I froze my butt of in Edmonton watching  Doug Flutie tear us to bits, man it was awesome to see the Riders in the Grey Cup game.

Then there was 2007.  The Riders in the West final in BC...My brother and I in Seattle to catch a Seahawks game.  We couldn't get back to my cousin's fast enough to check if the Riders had won.  They did and we spent the rest of our night in the Emerald City, arranging tickets, flights and a place to stay.  

One week later, my brother, sister and I were taking my Dad to watch our beloved Riders at the Grey Cup.  The life of a Rider fan had come full circle, with the kids sitting second row with the 'old man'.

And now, I have a son of my own.  As he lay sleeping in his little Rider shirt, I can't help but smile and know that he has no choice but to be devoted to the Green and White.  In a couple of days when the sun shines, he'll make his first trip to Mosaic to see the team he will fall in love with.  And so it goes here in Riderville.

Riders Main Camp Notes

Should I be surprised at the amount of fans in the stands, even though it was cold and raining?  Crazy people, but it shows the care and love there is for this team.

The feel on the field was more like a mid-season practice rather than a tryout.  Alex Smith barking out play calls was great to hear.  That to me means Rider football.  

Wes Cates was on the field taking part, but afterward Coach Miller labelled him doubtful for game #1 of the season.  That could mean trouble.  Hopefully the club waits until he's 100% before they run Cates out in game action and not risk him having a lingering shoulder injury all season.

Juan Joseph continues to get stronger as the camp goes on.  I know he's only been on the field a few days, but he has improved each time.

Jason Clermont looked like, well, Jason Clermont.  The ball came his way, he caught it, he turned straight upfield.  Great to see!

Seeing Clermont and Andy Fantuz take a run at the line at the same time is a beautiful thing and is going to be quite a scary sight for opposing teams.

Speaking of Clermont, veteran Eddie Davis is glad he doesn't have to run into him this year!  Davis a longtime vet with the team chuckled when asked if he likes camp.  And while he's excited about football, he says no veteran is excited for two a day workouts.

Gene Makowsky basically said the same thing.  And the weather certainly didn't help matters.  Rain and sleet and cold.  The veteran O-lineman was asked if he is willing to help the young guys, even if they are after his roster spot.  Graciously he says he'll help anyone and if they want his job..more power to them!  I really think his job is one that is pretty safe.

Schultzie was curiously serious in an exclusive interview with GlobalTV.  Although he is pumped about the number of local players on the team, not just because they are from the 306, but because they are good players.

Coach Miller continues to be a treat to be around.  He's honest and accommodating.  The Coach stood by in the rain, waiting for the interviews to finish so that he could do his media scrum.  On a brutal day, Miller stood and chatted with reporters for nearly 10 minutes while the rain came down and while his wife patiently stood by.  

Glad Miller is nothing like those folks in Winnipeg who only allow the media to shoot during the first 15 minutes of practice.  Wow, Winnipeg seems to be blowing up from the inside out, and now there going to have the media dropping 'bomb'ers on them.

The boys back on the field today and Tuesday morning, before a later go on Wednesday.

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Tiger and Roger...Really?  

I think Roger has now proved he is the best all-time.  No disrespect to Pistol Pete, but they both have 14 majors but Roger has the Slam.  Incredible stuff.  Not even some jokester could rattle RF.

Then there is Tiger.  Oh yeah, how good was his back nine?  The chip for eagle.  The birdie on 17.  Oh and that approach to seal the deal on 18.  

In his 6 stroke play tournaments since returning from his hiatus all Woods has done is finish in the Top 10 every time out and win 2 of those events.  

Right now is a great time to be a sports fan, because two of the greatest atheletes of all-time are in their prime and we get to witness it.

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Lakers!  Doc Halladay!  Hopefully Game 7!

Riders Ready For Main Camp

One more sleep.  That's all that separates the misery of the off-season from the joys of a new year.  It's been over 210 days since the Riders last scrimmaged in a game and oh how things have happened since that fateful Saturday afternoon in November.

Unfortunately for the Green and White, most of the off-season news has been bad.  Despite signing hometown star Jason Clermont,the team has been followed by a black cloud at virtually every other turn.

The Tillman case, the departure of Richie Hall, the exodus of defensive players (Jones, Lloyd, McKenzie, Gordon...) are all stories the team would probably rather not put press releases out about.

But, all that is in the past and with the start of camp, hope springs eternal.  Coach Miller has a little bounce in his step.  D-Coordinator Etcheverry smiled briefly on Friday.  Alex Smith gave a wink and a nod.  Despite everything that's gone on off the field, this team looks as if they're ready to get down to business on it.

As the players try and construct a game on the field, the heavy construction to add new seats on the south side of the west stands is ongoing.  Just one sign that things are good in the land of the green.  But in many ways, the two acts are mirroring each other.

The Riders go into camp with some serious questions at the Quarterback & Linebacking positions.  Only time will tell if the team has the right answers for these spots, but it will take that time.  The Riders coaches, players and fans all need to show the patience of a surgeon on this one.  

The team is headed into camp with 68+ hopefuls and really only a few starters spots up for grabs.  Hopefully the key positions sort themselves out in a clear manner. Hopefully the skies stay clear for the next couple of weeks. 

We'll see in a few weeks first hand when the team hosts its pre-season game on the 23rd.  But until then, it'd be to quick to crown or clobber anyone at any position.

Riders Rookie Camp Day 2

Well, if the coaches were hoping to see what the rookies could do on a typical Saskatchewan day, they got it! A cool, breezy, rainy morning awaited the young guns as they tried to impress.

Day 1 standout Todd Blythe continued to catch virtually everything that came his way. At 6'5" the Iowa State product is a big target that has drawn comparisons to former Denver Broncos standout, Ed McCaffrey.(No doubt Rob Vanstone from the LP is drooling). "We're both tall and white" quipped back Blythe. Great stuff. Tall, good hands and funny! He's a keeper.

Justin Beaver made the catch of the day doing his best Weston Dressler imitation by laying out for a pass.

Chris McKenzie was one of the players singled out by Coach Miller as being impressive. The Arizona State DB shows tremendous closing speed on the ball and even though he's only 5'9" he was able to defend the tall Blythe on an under thrown ball.

The Riders first pick in this year's draft, Tamon George continued to look just a little bit out of place. The rookie corner is just a half step behind at this point in camp. Although he did say he was feeling more comfortable by the end of today.

Overall the drills today seemed to run a bit smoother as it appeared most of the players had become a little more comfortable with their surroundings and the nerves had wore off.

Eberle Talks Coaches

There has been a lot of turnover in the coaching ranks both in the WHL and the NHL recently. Last week both the Regina Pats and Edmonton Oilers hired their new coaches, one of which will have the pleasure of having young star Jordan Eberle on their team.

Eberle was picked in the first round by the Oilers at last year's entry draft, so he'll head to camp this fall and tryout for his old World Jr. Coach Pat Quinn. If the Oilers choose to season their budding talent for another year, he'll return to the Pats who are now back under the guidance of Curtis Hunt. Here's some of the things Eberle had to say about his coaches:

Q) What do you think about the Pats bringing Curtis Hunt back?
EBERLE: It's tough to see Dale (Derkatch) go but, Huntsy, obviously the records we had with him here was tremendous. He's a great coach and everyone respects him.

Q) Is it exciting to know Hunt spent a year coaching in the NHL? Will it help you?
EBERLE: He's going to be a guy that's learned a lot in the last year. He's seen the Spezza's and Heatley's. The thing for me going into the season, I want to win.

Q) What kind of coach is Curtis Hunt?
EBERLE: He's not a big screamer and yeller but he's got this look that you know if he's not happy and he looks at you. In that way, he portrays himself, it's awesome. He credits guys, but when you're not playing well, he'll definitely let you know.

Q) What do you think about Edmonton hiring Pat Quinn?
EBERLE: (Laughing) I was pretty excited when I heard that. I've had him for two tournaments now. He's one of the better coaches I've ever had. He has that respect level with him. He's done so well with Hockey Canada and obviously being an NHL coach for a long time.

Q) Do you think its a big benefit that you've left an impression on Quinn already?
EBERLE: For him being familiar with me, I think that's something I'm excited about. I'm glad he got the job and its good to see a familiar face.

Eberle is in Calgary, working out and playing some golf for the short summer. He'll be back on the ice at the Oilers spring camp in late June, then to the World Jr. summer camp in August.