Riders Get Things Started

With Rider Mini - Camp set to get going tomorrow, it is time to start thinking about another summer in the sun at Mosaic. Believe it or not, the Riders are t - minus 67 days away from kicking it off for real on Friday, June 29th. The day before camp was highlighted by the Riders announcing some roster moves. To start with they signed three imports to the roster, all of whom have NFL experience at some level. Included in this group was Wide Reciever Sinorice Moss, who has spent the last six seasons in the NFL and won a Super Bowl ring in 2007 with the Giants. The Riders have signed a LOT of former NFLer's this year. In fact, there are many more than usual coming up north to the CFL. While I am excited about many of these signings, I think one needs to remain cautious before passing judgement. Too many people get excited at the notion of signing a guy who has played good football in the past. Until the season kicks off and the guys get out there for real you never know what you have. Case in point: Terrence Nunn. Last year some were anointing him the next great thing. A year, a handful of catches and an achilles injury later we realize that he was not as good as he appeared to be. Sticking out in camp is one thing; bringing that to the field is another. While I like the shape the team is taking and the work done by Brendan Taman and Jeremy O'Day to this point, time will be the ultimate tale. The CFL draft is coming up and the Riders hold the top pick. Consenus #1 Ben Heenan is no longer the top ranked player having being supplanted by Boise State DL Tyrone Crawford. The issue I have with taking either guy is the NFL. Tyrone Crawford will go in the first three rounds of the NFL draft and Heenan is going to get some looks down south. I know taking Heenan makes the most sense but look, if he is going to be another Matt O'Donnell who never shows up, I would rather take Wilfrid Laurier Recieved Shamawd Williams...just saying. A light night in the NHL as the Panthers look to move on in New Jersey. How happy can one be for Shane Doan. The guy has been a class act his entire career, never left the Jets/Coyotes organization and always answered the bell for Team Canada when asked. For the first time in his career, Shane Doan has tasted playoff success after last nights 4 - 0 victory over Chicago. I don't think it could happen to a better guy. On a side note I hope Sidney Crosby has no taste of playoff success ever again. Good day to you...