Prior to getting to what it seems most of my loyal followers come here for, the Riders, a quick thought on the yesterday's NHL Trade Deadline. Like always, the hype that is generated by this day was overwhelming, and like most years, it was highly disappointing. Rick Nash was not traded and essentially the biggest deal of yesterday was Cody Hodgson being sent to Buffalo for Zack Kassian in a move that the Canucks made obviously in an attempt to get bigger and stronger as they move forward.
Do you ever stop and think why there is so much hype which in turn leads to disappointment? It is because that is all TSN and Sportsnet have talked about seemingly since the moment the World Junior's ended in early January. They talk about it daily, analyzing potential deals, talking about salary cap, who needs what and so forth. At the same the fact that both of these networks devote eight hours of live coverage to this day essentially dooms it to disappointment. Honestly, watching James Duthie and the guys wait for the second trade of the day, a lull of two hours after the Canadiens shipped Kostitsyn to the Predators was painful and I truly felt for them as they sought to make live television entertaining.
At the end of the day, here is what stands out for me from yesterday's NHL movement or lack of:
* Clearly Rick Nash is playing out his days as a Blue Jacket. I thought GM Scott Howson threw him under the bus for telling the world that Nash asked to be dealt. At the same time, I think Nash is feeding the Blue Jackets fan a line by saying he only wants whats best for that organization. Clearly Rick Nash you want what is best for you, and to be honest, you deserve it after enduring nine years in Columbus.
* The Nashville Predators will be a force in the play - offs. They have great goaltending, a solid back end and the addition of Paul Gaustad provides them with a little more sand up front. If I am in the west I am hoping to avoid a date with the Predators.
Not a great deal new with the Riders short of a couple of signings today. Canadain FB Graeme Bell has re - upped with the Green and White. And a pair of import QB's were signed today, Drew Willy and COlt Brennan. While little is known about Willy by myself, I know quite a bit about Brennan. I tweeted earlier that in a pass first league, Colt Brennan has the potential to be good. He put up astronomically big numbers as a Senior at the University of Hawaii, throwing for 58 touchdowns. For those accomplishments he was a runner up for the Heisman Trophy. After NFL stops in Washington and Baltimore, he has been out of football for two seasons following a nearly fatal car accident. The kid can throw the ball and can read a defense, there is no denying that. What might hold him back is the same thing that help Todd Reesing back two years ago. He came as a much heralded pivot from the University of Kansas but he lacked the arm strength to make the cross field throw. Sure, Reesing was more of a mobile QB whereas Brennan is a pocket passer. While his arm might hold him back, it also might be the very tool to earn a spot on the Riders roster this season. Only time will tell.
Later.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Friday, February 17, 2012
And It Begins....
Essentially from this point until approximatley November, short of my job and my family, I will be consumed by the Saskatchewan Roughriders. This will be the first of what you can expect to be dozens of blogs, discussions, rants and so on dealing with this great organization.
Unless you live under a rock you know CFL Free Agency started on Wednesday. At the same time, if you follow the Riders you know that many have been publicily calling out Brendan Taman as being a poor GM who has 'never signed anyone'. Well I would say after the first two days, Brendan Taman has been the most succesful GM in the league thus far. A glaring problem with the Riders in last years debacle was the O - Line. Marc Parenteau struggled with the simple things like snapping the ball, Makowsky and Goodspeed looked every bit like late 30 something's and the list goes on. By yesterday at noon, enter Dominic Picard from Toronto to replace Parenteau and Brendon Labatte from the Bombers, a guy who was as much coveted as Andy Fantuz was and continues to be. What makes the Labatte signing that much sweeter is ET and the Evil Empire was hot on his trail and never got it done. They also reportedly wanted Fantuz desperately but does not look like they will get him. As the magic run out for Eric Tillman.
The hot debate continues to be where Andy Fantuz will land. Rumor has it that it comes down to Hamilton and the Riders with Hamilton offering more money. At the end of the day, I would love to keep Fantuz as much as the next. However, at the same time the additions to the O - Line were far more important. I mean we can have the best receivers in the world but without any quality protection, how can Darian find them? Seriously, it is not like our receiving corps is weak without Fantuz. Time will tell; I am hearing early next week we will know as Fantuz is presently wrapping up a three week holiday in Africa.
On a side note, but no less important the Riders also brought in local product Paul Woldu from the Als. Woldu will provide some insurance on the corner and is an absolute beast on the teams. He will bring a lot of energy to an already much improved group led by Craig Dickenson.
What have we lost...Stu Foord. Sad to see him go but wasn't really utilized all that much with the exception of Special Teams, and with three new backs being brought in to go with Brandon West, the writing was on the wall for STUUUUUUUUUU!.
Lastly, a Roughrider Press Conference at 10:30 this morning will prsumably announce the retirement of Gene Makowsky. A great Rider two years ago, it's his time to walk away. Let's face it, the O - Line needs to get younger and faster and with the two additions to go with the kids already around from last year, Geno would struggle to make this team anyways.
Have a great weekend.
Unless you live under a rock you know CFL Free Agency started on Wednesday. At the same time, if you follow the Riders you know that many have been publicily calling out Brendan Taman as being a poor GM who has 'never signed anyone'. Well I would say after the first two days, Brendan Taman has been the most succesful GM in the league thus far. A glaring problem with the Riders in last years debacle was the O - Line. Marc Parenteau struggled with the simple things like snapping the ball, Makowsky and Goodspeed looked every bit like late 30 something's and the list goes on. By yesterday at noon, enter Dominic Picard from Toronto to replace Parenteau and Brendon Labatte from the Bombers, a guy who was as much coveted as Andy Fantuz was and continues to be. What makes the Labatte signing that much sweeter is ET and the Evil Empire was hot on his trail and never got it done. They also reportedly wanted Fantuz desperately but does not look like they will get him. As the magic run out for Eric Tillman.
The hot debate continues to be where Andy Fantuz will land. Rumor has it that it comes down to Hamilton and the Riders with Hamilton offering more money. At the end of the day, I would love to keep Fantuz as much as the next. However, at the same time the additions to the O - Line were far more important. I mean we can have the best receivers in the world but without any quality protection, how can Darian find them? Seriously, it is not like our receiving corps is weak without Fantuz. Time will tell; I am hearing early next week we will know as Fantuz is presently wrapping up a three week holiday in Africa.
On a side note, but no less important the Riders also brought in local product Paul Woldu from the Als. Woldu will provide some insurance on the corner and is an absolute beast on the teams. He will bring a lot of energy to an already much improved group led by Craig Dickenson.
What have we lost...Stu Foord. Sad to see him go but wasn't really utilized all that much with the exception of Special Teams, and with three new backs being brought in to go with Brandon West, the writing was on the wall for STUUUUUUUUUU!.
Lastly, a Roughrider Press Conference at 10:30 this morning will prsumably announce the retirement of Gene Makowsky. A great Rider two years ago, it's his time to walk away. Let's face it, the O - Line needs to get younger and faster and with the two additions to go with the kids already around from last year, Geno would struggle to make this team anyways.
Have a great weekend.
Friday, February 3, 2012
What's that Smell???
I am not going to do anything to belittle the performance of Edmonton's Sam Gagner last night. He did something only thirteen players had done before him in the history of the league. At the same time his eight point night tied an Oiler record for most points in a game with a couple of fellows you may have heard before; Paul Coffey and Wayne Gretzky. A great night for a guy who has struggled to find his place with the Oilers this year, and as an Oilers fan I hope this is the break out performance he needed. While he might not have another eight point night again, the way he played last night was something to watch. He was quicker to the puck, stronger on the puck and hands down the best player on the ice.
HOWEVER, the performance was tainted for me by TSN who chose to name him the 1st, 2nd and 3rd star of the game. Was he that much better than all the other players on both the Hawks and Oilers last night? No..he wasn't. Lost in his performance were solid efforts by both Jordan Eberle and Taylor Hall, each of whom had a goal and three apples. While it is only half of an eight point performance, four points is also a very good night in the best league in the world.
Don't get me wrong, Gagner was awesome last night but to name him the three best players on the ice..well that is just a little bit ridiculous if you ask me. Gord Miller...shame on you.
HOWEVER, the performance was tainted for me by TSN who chose to name him the 1st, 2nd and 3rd star of the game. Was he that much better than all the other players on both the Hawks and Oilers last night? No..he wasn't. Lost in his performance were solid efforts by both Jordan Eberle and Taylor Hall, each of whom had a goal and three apples. While it is only half of an eight point performance, four points is also a very good night in the best league in the world.
Don't get me wrong, Gagner was awesome last night but to name him the three best players on the ice..well that is just a little bit ridiculous if you ask me. Gord Miller...shame on you.
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