Got to check this out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rT2XyIBMWUY
If this doesn't remind you of a story that you have that starts, "One time at a Rider game..."
Fans in this province and of the Green and White are some of the most passionate, but this one may take the cake.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Weekend Notes
First up, is Dave Hunchak not one of the best? The Warriors Coach is always willing to chat, be frank and talk a little bit about how to look good in a suit. Oh yeah, and he's got one heck of a hockey team. This guy has the Tribe making the playoffs.
The Pats let out a collective sigh of relief after last night's game as it was released that Jordan Eberle is coming back to the club. Not a second too soon either. This team barely has one scoring line and the 19 year olds skill and work ethic should give the club a boost. But each and every player on the squad must improve their compete level and that is especially true of a couple of vets.
I don't know if there are better people in the world than curlers. Really! Once again it is just fantastic to be able to hang around this group. On Friday I spoke to Sheri Singler and she informed me of the dark circumstances following Stefanie Lawton and sister Marliese Kasner. She didn't have to talk about it, but she did. Why? Because she understands and wants others to understand. All my best to the girls in this trying time for the family, but maybe now there can be some peace for them.
Funny how life works. With Lawton and Kasner at home with their mother who ultimately lost her battle with cancer on Saturday morning, the team played on with subs. Who stepped up? Jan Betker and Joan McCusker. Members of Sandra Schmirler's team. Ironic, but it just shows what kind of people these are. They never forget and will always help out.
The Riders win! It was kinda one of those keep the lights off victories, but hey, it still counts in the W column. I just get a kick out of all those people that still bang on Darian Durant. He threw 3 interceptions...so what...He won! Who is the all-time leader in interception passes in the NFL? Brett Favre is the answer and people seem to think he's ok.
Speaking of Favre. If you haven't seen the game winning touchdown pass he threw yesterday, watch it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=un3B7Og-FS0
That's it for now..Got to get ready for the Monday Nighter...Starts in like 8 hours.
The Pats let out a collective sigh of relief after last night's game as it was released that Jordan Eberle is coming back to the club. Not a second too soon either. This team barely has one scoring line and the 19 year olds skill and work ethic should give the club a boost. But each and every player on the squad must improve their compete level and that is especially true of a couple of vets.
I don't know if there are better people in the world than curlers. Really! Once again it is just fantastic to be able to hang around this group. On Friday I spoke to Sheri Singler and she informed me of the dark circumstances following Stefanie Lawton and sister Marliese Kasner. She didn't have to talk about it, but she did. Why? Because she understands and wants others to understand. All my best to the girls in this trying time for the family, but maybe now there can be some peace for them.
Funny how life works. With Lawton and Kasner at home with their mother who ultimately lost her battle with cancer on Saturday morning, the team played on with subs. Who stepped up? Jan Betker and Joan McCusker. Members of Sandra Schmirler's team. Ironic, but it just shows what kind of people these are. They never forget and will always help out.
The Riders win! It was kinda one of those keep the lights off victories, but hey, it still counts in the W column. I just get a kick out of all those people that still bang on Darian Durant. He threw 3 interceptions...so what...He won! Who is the all-time leader in interception passes in the NFL? Brett Favre is the answer and people seem to think he's ok.
Speaking of Favre. If you haven't seen the game winning touchdown pass he threw yesterday, watch it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=un3B7Og-FS0
That's it for now..Got to get ready for the Monday Nighter...Starts in like 8 hours.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
That's Pats
Last night was only the third game of the year and the Pats first win, but its a tone setter for the club.
With the return of Colten Teubert and Matt Delahey, the Pats looked like the gritty hard hitting team they will need to be for the year.
Players not usually known for their physical play were stepping into Saskatoon Blades players all over the ice. Hrcina, Strueby and Metz all delivered body blows, but the tone was set early when Colten Teubert delivered a knockout like blow early on with a bone rattling hit.
Teubert was a physical presence all night long and looked like the 1st rounder he is. If he plays like this all year, opposition forwards will be taking a couple looks up when they're coming towards the Pats blueline.
Brett Leffler demonstrated what I thought was not only leadership, but a strong message to his team. With Garrett Mitchell trying to get off the ice in obvious pain from blocking a shot with his hand, one gutless Blades player thought it'd be a good idea to ram him into the boards. Leffler responded with an attack. The flurry of blows that he pulverized his opponent with may have cost the Pats a few minutes in penalties, but his team responded behind him and everybody with a red helmet on grew about 3 inches behind his actions.
Oh, by the way. Did you know Leffler clinched the game in the shootout and didn't even raise his stick. No big deal. Put the 'C' on #24 right now!
This is the Pats team that Regina has been waiting to see. Now let's see if they can keep it up.
With the return of Colten Teubert and Matt Delahey, the Pats looked like the gritty hard hitting team they will need to be for the year.
Players not usually known for their physical play were stepping into Saskatoon Blades players all over the ice. Hrcina, Strueby and Metz all delivered body blows, but the tone was set early when Colten Teubert delivered a knockout like blow early on with a bone rattling hit.
Teubert was a physical presence all night long and looked like the 1st rounder he is. If he plays like this all year, opposition forwards will be taking a couple looks up when they're coming towards the Pats blueline.
Brett Leffler demonstrated what I thought was not only leadership, but a strong message to his team. With Garrett Mitchell trying to get off the ice in obvious pain from blocking a shot with his hand, one gutless Blades player thought it'd be a good idea to ram him into the boards. Leffler responded with an attack. The flurry of blows that he pulverized his opponent with may have cost the Pats a few minutes in penalties, but his team responded behind him and everybody with a red helmet on grew about 3 inches behind his actions.
Oh, by the way. Did you know Leffler clinched the game in the shootout and didn't even raise his stick. No big deal. Put the 'C' on #24 right now!
This is the Pats team that Regina has been waiting to see. Now let's see if they can keep it up.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Game Great - Extras Not
At least the Tampa Bay Lightning had NHL jerseys on, even if many of the players in them may not skate in the show this year.
The caliber of hockey displayed on the Brandt Centre ice last night was nothing short of very good, too bad the same couldn't be said for the ice itself.
Preseason is a time for teams to evaluate what they have. Even the Pats failed to ice any of their stars in their Blue and White game in Lumsden, leaving many fans there to watch a lot of kids that will be in the SJHL this year.
I don't blame Tampa Bay for fielding a squad that they wanted to look at, but I do fault GM Brian Lawton and Head Coach Rick Tocchet for saying that their stars would be on the ice when the game was announced.
The NHL is a massive business and production. I doubt very much that the Tampa brass are concerned whether or not fans in the QC get to see their favorite player or not. To the Lightning, they need to use this game to see what they have. And as a horrible unit last year, they need all the looks they can get and I'm quite sure Vinny or Marty or Victor aren't the guys they need to evaluate.
Speaking of evaluations, here's one for the operation that hosted the event. Poor. This was supposed to be Regina's big league game, but it was quite evident that its was run by a small town group that has never been to a Pats game little lone an NHL matchup.
First off, thanks for the pre-game meal and media room. Oh, that's right, it didn't exist. Seriously. It was also nice of them to not really enforce any of their 'strict' security rules that they had in place. It looked like a rock concert downstairs after the game with all kinds of people milling around.
The press area was so stellar that minutes before the game, print reporters were trying to switch seats with TV reporters so that they could access the one extension cord provided for their laptops.
How about the 3 TV timeouts a period, or the 2 intermissions. Where was the entertainment that often accompanies such a game. Anything would have been better than the privilege of listening to Poker Face. Good song, but come on. No T-shirts shot into the crowd? Not even some kind of goofy blind folded game at the break? Nope, Nothing, Nada. And by the way, thanks for paying 'Big League' prices for a 'Little League' production. All that people seem to want to talk about is who wasn't on the ice, but I say maybe more chat should be directed at what wasn't even at the game.
It's a good thing that the Game Ops staff had a few of the fine Pats people backing them up and bailing them out. Otherwise this would have been nothing less than a complete disaster from where I sat, which was exactly in front of the drunk guy who was standing on the concourse asking me who was playing!
After all that ranting, it must be noted. The quality of the game was excellent as Kovalev, Fisher and Spezza dazzled with their speed and skill. The level the game was played at won't be rivaled until the WJHC gets here. Hopefully the level of the Operations is raised by that time.
The caliber of hockey displayed on the Brandt Centre ice last night was nothing short of very good, too bad the same couldn't be said for the ice itself.
Preseason is a time for teams to evaluate what they have. Even the Pats failed to ice any of their stars in their Blue and White game in Lumsden, leaving many fans there to watch a lot of kids that will be in the SJHL this year.
I don't blame Tampa Bay for fielding a squad that they wanted to look at, but I do fault GM Brian Lawton and Head Coach Rick Tocchet for saying that their stars would be on the ice when the game was announced.
The NHL is a massive business and production. I doubt very much that the Tampa brass are concerned whether or not fans in the QC get to see their favorite player or not. To the Lightning, they need to use this game to see what they have. And as a horrible unit last year, they need all the looks they can get and I'm quite sure Vinny or Marty or Victor aren't the guys they need to evaluate.
Speaking of evaluations, here's one for the operation that hosted the event. Poor. This was supposed to be Regina's big league game, but it was quite evident that its was run by a small town group that has never been to a Pats game little lone an NHL matchup.
First off, thanks for the pre-game meal and media room. Oh, that's right, it didn't exist. Seriously. It was also nice of them to not really enforce any of their 'strict' security rules that they had in place. It looked like a rock concert downstairs after the game with all kinds of people milling around.
The press area was so stellar that minutes before the game, print reporters were trying to switch seats with TV reporters so that they could access the one extension cord provided for their laptops.
How about the 3 TV timeouts a period, or the 2 intermissions. Where was the entertainment that often accompanies such a game. Anything would have been better than the privilege of listening to Poker Face. Good song, but come on. No T-shirts shot into the crowd? Not even some kind of goofy blind folded game at the break? Nope, Nothing, Nada. And by the way, thanks for paying 'Big League' prices for a 'Little League' production. All that people seem to want to talk about is who wasn't on the ice, but I say maybe more chat should be directed at what wasn't even at the game.
It's a good thing that the Game Ops staff had a few of the fine Pats people backing them up and bailing them out. Otherwise this would have been nothing less than a complete disaster from where I sat, which was exactly in front of the drunk guy who was standing on the concourse asking me who was playing!
After all that ranting, it must be noted. The quality of the game was excellent as Kovalev, Fisher and Spezza dazzled with their speed and skill. The level the game was played at won't be rivaled until the WJHC gets here. Hopefully the level of the Operations is raised by that time.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Reminds Me of Clermont
If you want to get it from the horse's mouth, here it is.
http://www.kamaupeterson.com/blog.html
This is quite the read on what its like in the CFL, straight from one of its own. I couldn't help but think of the Jason Clermont situation while reading this.
Clermont comes home to play with the Riders, but doesn't have the numbers that fans are accustom to seeing from the Regina product. Why? Are his skills diminishing? Is he miscast in the scheme? Plethora of receivers in Green & White?
I don't think its any one answer, but probably a number of factors for the reduced numbers, but there is one key stat that isn't kept that doesn't show Clermont's contribution to the Riders.
Coach Miller touched on it this week how the veteran receiver has not once made any noise about his role. In fact, he's been quite the opposite. Clermont continues to be a pro, helping the younger receivers and even at times the coaches. His hands are still as good as gold and his determination is second to none.
Players like Derrick Armstrong could maybe look at the 2-Time Most Outstanding Canadian and learn a thing or two. It seems all of the Riders receivers are!
Don't think for a second that Andy Fantuz doesn't look over and notice how Clermont carries himself. It could only help the younger become an even more complete player.
So while the numbers may be down, the contribution appears never to have been higher.
http://www.kamaupeterson.com/blog.html
This is quite the read on what its like in the CFL, straight from one of its own. I couldn't help but think of the Jason Clermont situation while reading this.
Clermont comes home to play with the Riders, but doesn't have the numbers that fans are accustom to seeing from the Regina product. Why? Are his skills diminishing? Is he miscast in the scheme? Plethora of receivers in Green & White?
I don't think its any one answer, but probably a number of factors for the reduced numbers, but there is one key stat that isn't kept that doesn't show Clermont's contribution to the Riders.
Coach Miller touched on it this week how the veteran receiver has not once made any noise about his role. In fact, he's been quite the opposite. Clermont continues to be a pro, helping the younger receivers and even at times the coaches. His hands are still as good as gold and his determination is second to none.
Players like Derrick Armstrong could maybe look at the 2-Time Most Outstanding Canadian and learn a thing or two. It seems all of the Riders receivers are!
Don't think for a second that Andy Fantuz doesn't look over and notice how Clermont carries himself. It could only help the younger become an even more complete player.
So while the numbers may be down, the contribution appears never to have been higher.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Riders Nuke Bombers/CFL Rule Suggestion
WOW...LMAO...LOL
Yeah, that about sums it up in the new language of 'T-Bombing'. The Riders absolutely thrashing the Bombers 55-10 was about as brutal as I've ever seen.
Winnipeg is so bad that they should consider paying people to come watch them. What a side show, punctuated my Michael Bishop smiling on the sidelines. Seriously, this guy doesn't get it. A week before he flashed that same smug grin at reporters after his PR guy shut down an interview. Kinda like his career is shutting down. How was that 'ass-whooping' you promised SSK? That worked about as well as calling the coin toss. Really, the Coach can't even trust him to call heads or tails!!
The line about this guy is that 'he's athletic, has a great arm and always has potential for a big play'. Great! Potential means you never live up to expectations or talent. No disrespect, but he's brutal.
BUT, not as brutal as the entire team. Was the pigskin greases yesterday? or was that more of a smell of pig barns, kinda reminiscent of the Bombers play. These guys are supposed pros, but they coughed up more than a 90 year old smoker. Embarrassing.
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RULE SUGGESTION
Siddeeq Shabazz. Could you be anymore of a cheap shot artist. How did that guy last the entire game with his list of late hits and shots to the head. Take your beating like a man pal, cause you've got a few more coming this year.
Note to Mark Cohon and CFL officials. How about we amend the rules to disqualify a player that gets two major fouls in a game Soccer does it! Why not keep track of them and suspend a player for a game after he gets 5 in a season? They are brutal plays that are intended to injure. Get losers like that off the field!
BTW. Darian Durant. Anyone questioning the QB now?
Yeah, that about sums it up in the new language of 'T-Bombing'. The Riders absolutely thrashing the Bombers 55-10 was about as brutal as I've ever seen.
Winnipeg is so bad that they should consider paying people to come watch them. What a side show, punctuated my Michael Bishop smiling on the sidelines. Seriously, this guy doesn't get it. A week before he flashed that same smug grin at reporters after his PR guy shut down an interview. Kinda like his career is shutting down. How was that 'ass-whooping' you promised SSK? That worked about as well as calling the coin toss. Really, the Coach can't even trust him to call heads or tails!!
The line about this guy is that 'he's athletic, has a great arm and always has potential for a big play'. Great! Potential means you never live up to expectations or talent. No disrespect, but he's brutal.
BUT, not as brutal as the entire team. Was the pigskin greases yesterday? or was that more of a smell of pig barns, kinda reminiscent of the Bombers play. These guys are supposed pros, but they coughed up more than a 90 year old smoker. Embarrassing.
---------------------
RULE SUGGESTION
Siddeeq Shabazz. Could you be anymore of a cheap shot artist. How did that guy last the entire game with his list of late hits and shots to the head. Take your beating like a man pal, cause you've got a few more coming this year.
Note to Mark Cohon and CFL officials. How about we amend the rules to disqualify a player that gets two major fouls in a game Soccer does it! Why not keep track of them and suspend a player for a game after he gets 5 in a season? They are brutal plays that are intended to injure. Get losers like that off the field!
BTW. Darian Durant. Anyone questioning the QB now?
Friday, September 11, 2009
Bombs Falling in Winnipeg
Does it get any crazier than what is going on in the Keystone Province this summer?
Last weekend the Bombers were in town and we in the media had the joy of our first media scrum with Mike Kelly. I found him polite, articulate and well mannered. But something smells rotten in Denmark, and it ain't just that usually Portage and Main stink.
Now veteran linebacker Baron Simpson wants out of Bomber-Town. Its remarkable just how many negative stories keep coming out of the Peg this season. They're going thru veterans faster than a newborn goes thru diapers. Spygate, the Lefors incident, bringing in Michael Bishop.
The team is also bunkering in like Hitler in his last few days. Last weekend their media guy intervened during a Michael Bishop interview and apparently Simpson was 'unavailable' for comment in the Bombers' locker room.
Whatever is happening behind closed doors seems to be spilling out onto the field. The team is 3-6 starting the second half of the season and slipping closer and closer to missing a playoff spot if they don't run their plane around.
Stay tuned...No doubt there will be more out of Manitoba any second now, unless ofcourse they slam the doors shut again, in which case, the next story is already happening!
Last weekend the Bombers were in town and we in the media had the joy of our first media scrum with Mike Kelly. I found him polite, articulate and well mannered. But something smells rotten in Denmark, and it ain't just that usually Portage and Main stink.
Now veteran linebacker Baron Simpson wants out of Bomber-Town. Its remarkable just how many negative stories keep coming out of the Peg this season. They're going thru veterans faster than a newborn goes thru diapers. Spygate, the Lefors incident, bringing in Michael Bishop.
The team is also bunkering in like Hitler in his last few days. Last weekend their media guy intervened during a Michael Bishop interview and apparently Simpson was 'unavailable' for comment in the Bombers' locker room.
Whatever is happening behind closed doors seems to be spilling out onto the field. The team is 3-6 starting the second half of the season and slipping closer and closer to missing a playoff spot if they don't run their plane around.
Stay tuned...No doubt there will be more out of Manitoba any second now, unless ofcourse they slam the doors shut again, in which case, the next story is already happening!
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Bishop Checkmates Media
Interesting media scrum today after the Bombers walkthru. First off, media was only allowed to shoot in the first 10 minutes of the Winnipeg onfield session. Too bad for the TV stations that nobody informed us of that little fact. Oh well, not like you get much anyways, but at least we could have shot some visuals then, instead of waiting for some action shots which we quickly found out after 5 seconds, we couldn't use.
Then come the interview. Bishop in rare form, completely avoided the questions, just saying he was "focused on the game"...No sour grapes, no extra motivation, nothing? Yeah right.
During the entire interview the Bombers' PR guy kept edging closer and closer to the scrum with each question. Finally after CJME's Jamie Nye asked "Which parking lot the fight took place in"..Bishop countered that he was once again "focused on the game"...As Nye tried a follow up question he was promptly cut off by the Bombers' PR personnel and told the scrum that Michael had answered the question.
Well, actually he didn't. Not even close. Listen, I understand the job of the PR guy and respect what he's doing, but let us do what we need to as well. Bishop is the one saying he was let go because of a fight in the parking lot, if its true, then lets hear about it. Instead, he gets to walk away with a smile on his face after avoiding dealing with his statements.
Comment of the Day: "If there was a fight you have to know that no punches landed. Bishop couldn't connect with anybody, he overthrew every time." author unknown
Kinda funny, huh?
Then come the interview. Bishop in rare form, completely avoided the questions, just saying he was "focused on the game"...No sour grapes, no extra motivation, nothing? Yeah right.
During the entire interview the Bombers' PR guy kept edging closer and closer to the scrum with each question. Finally after CJME's Jamie Nye asked "Which parking lot the fight took place in"..Bishop countered that he was once again "focused on the game"...As Nye tried a follow up question he was promptly cut off by the Bombers' PR personnel and told the scrum that Michael had answered the question.
Well, actually he didn't. Not even close. Listen, I understand the job of the PR guy and respect what he's doing, but let us do what we need to as well. Bishop is the one saying he was let go because of a fight in the parking lot, if its true, then lets hear about it. Instead, he gets to walk away with a smile on his face after avoiding dealing with his statements.
Comment of the Day: "If there was a fight you have to know that no punches landed. Bishop couldn't connect with anybody, he overthrew every time." author unknown
Kinda funny, huh?
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
'Classic' Weekend Coming
This is it, Labour Day!
As if the annual Bombers/Riders clash didn't already have enough fuel, this year's will be explosive. Mike Kelly, Michael Bishop and now, maybe Pacman Jones. Wow!
I've been waiting for this game since Bombers' Coach Mike Kelly made is now infamous 'crotch' comment about the QC. My excitement level rose to new highs when the Derrick Armstrong incident prompted "its a non-issue, we're handling it internally". Now with all the Pacman Jones talk, I can hardly wait for Saturday when the questions "rain" down on the Winnipeg Coach.
To say the least, Kelly has been a polarizing figure in his first year at the helm. You could say he's almost the complete opposite of Riders' Coach Ken Miller. Fans of the Green and White sometimes criticize Miller for being to calm and quiet. Well, be careful what you wish for, cause Kelly is the other end of the rainbow. Which is better or worse? That is in the eye of the beholder.
What will the line of questioning be when Winnipeg touches down in Regina? There are son many places to go. How packed will the Green and White lounge be for Mike Kelly's presser?
Will Kelly say anything controversial or just play it safe? Oh, I can't wait!!
The game is quickly becoming a footnote before the history is even written. Of course the 60 minutes on the field is all that matters, but on this rarest of occasions, I find myself more interested in the frame than the picture.
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There is also a pretty big game going on at Mosaic on Friday. Mark Mueller will be the starting Quarterback for the U of R Rams when they kick off their season on against the Manitoba Bison. Mueller is the grandson of late legend Ron Lancaster, making this a passing of the torch on the hallowed grounds.
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When you add it all up, two great games will be played in Regina this Labour Day weekend, but the stories around the contests will no doubt be 'instant classics'.
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