As I sit down to write this post, the Rider season is for all intent and purposes over a week old. However, that being said things don't get 'real' until Friday when they travel to Edmonton to open up the pre - season against the Eskimos. After a return home for the finale of the pre - season, June 29th sees them kick it off for real once again in Edmonton before hosting the Stamps on what has become my favorite day of the year, the home opener. While I haven't been to watch camp in Saskatoon, here are my random thoughts about the club as we approach the start of what I desperately want to be a 'magical' season at Mosaic.
* Kory Sheets got himself into a little bit of hot water over the winter, having faced domestic violence charges in Florida. Nobody was aware of this until yesterday when the story broke which prompted a statement from the club. While I don't like the fact he was in front of a judge, the fact that the charges were dropped and he met any and all requirements ordered by the courts ends it for me. He did what he had to do to be able to come back to play for the Riders which says a lot about the type of guy he is. Sheets was a guy who dabbled here and there for a few years after his career at Purdue ended. Last year he earned an opportunity and made the most of it and looks to build on it this year. We all make mistakes and I don't think Kory will put himself in that position again. While some talk about the Riders record in this department, let's fact it. Kory Sheet is not even close to being compared to the likes of Trevis Smith and Kenton Keith. In my books, this issue is over, done with, been addressed and let's concentrate on football. The fishbowl that is Saskatchewan is small enough without these types of problems being continually brought up by the media and fickle fans. If you want what's best for this team and the player, in this case Kory Sheets, one of our most dangerous offensive weapons, shut up and support him.
* It has been a while since Weston Dressler has appeared at camp. He is currently listed as day to day with what is being called an abdomen injury. I can only hope that this is simply a strain or small tweak and his absence is simply the Riders carrying out due diligence when it comes to our marquee receiver. If you ask me, Weston will be there on June 29th, if not earlier playing with the same gumption and heart that we all love about him. I have read several reports that when active at camp, he went all out, refusing to give up on a single play. We all know he has made the team and could not catch a single pass in camp but still line up for real in the season. The fact he play's 110% on every play is a testament to how hard he has worked to get here and how he refuses to ever take that for granted.
* Patrick Neufeld will be out for a while with a broken fibula. That being said, I don't think the Riders have terrible reasons for concern as Ben Heenan can quickly fill that hole and maintain the Canadian ratio. On the other hand, the ability to play Canadians elsewhere could very well open up a spot for Jose Valdez, the biggest of the linemen in camp, any by most accounts a player who has been more impressive with each passing day. It was reported he handled John Chick very well in camp yesterday which is no small task.
* It will be interesting to see who wins the final spots at reciever. As I said last year there is an abundance of talent and potential in that group. Find me another team who can sport the names of Dressler, Simon, Getzlaf, Smith, Bagg, Sisco, Johnson, etc. Maybe BC has players equal to the quality of the the starters but I don't think they have the depth we have at this point.
* I could go on and on about the Riders but won't. But elsewhere in sports....
* The Stanley Cup Final drops the puck on Saturday in the Windy City when the Hawks welcome the Boston Bruins to town in what should be a great series. My pick? Boston in six.
* After being eliminated in four straight while scoring only two goals, Pittsburgh Penguins captain said that he didn't think the Bruins did so much a good job of shutting them down as the Penguins failed to score. Huh? Uh Sid, the reason you couldn't score has a LOT to do with the system the Bruins played which minimized your chances. Sure Rask played great but give the Bruins some credit. It is one thing to have a rough game here and there but to struggle so mightily for four games with the line - up the Penguins boast, credit needs to fall on Claude Julien's system that was designed to slow down the high - powered Penguin offense.
* How must Jarome Iginla feel? Could have been a Bruin, should have been a Bruin, instead he watches the Bruins play for the Cup while he sits at home contemplating where he will end up next year. Where does Iginla end up next year? Surely he has to go to a contender, right?
* The Edmonton Oilers parted ways with Ralph Kruegger this week after one very short, disappointing season in the City of Champions. I have no issue with this move, or with how it was done. While many have bemoaned Craig MacTavish for doing so via Skype, I would argue he had to do it this way. For starters he clearly liked what Dallas Eakins brought to the table. Eakins was avery hot commodity in coaching circles and MacT didn't want to miss out. Ralph Kruegger lives in Switzerland, and there was not enough time to fly there for what amounted to a five minute discussion. There were far worse ways this could have been done and at least MacTavish realized it had to be done face to face and Skype provided that opportunity.
* Apparently John Tortorella is interviewing for the Vancouver Canuck job. When will teams realize that he is not a good coach. His actions and words do more to belittle and embarrass his best players when a good coach should be a motivator. Calling out a guy in public for a poor game or streak of inconsistency is not how you get guys to play their best.
* Back to the Oilers and in a press conference last week management more or less said Shawn Horcoff and Ales Hemsky will not be back next year. Great by me. Hemsky has always been that guy who should do more and has had more than enough time to make the next step. He won't bring much in return but does clear up some cash. As for Horcoff, I can't see anyone wanting him to be honest. The guy was great the year they went to the Finals and then cashed in with a big contract. Since then? DUD. Thank god for the buyout option which I believe get's used on Horcoff.
* Heard a rumor this week; Sam Gagner to Toronto for Jake Gardiner. I truly don't think the Leafs make that deal.
* The Blue Jays still stink. Jose Baustista should be embarrassed. When you are hitting .250 and making $11M, don't act like a child after striking out. If it weren't for Edwin Encarnacion and the work of the bullpen I would hate to see where the Jays are at this point. Oh wait, they are the fourth worst team in the Major's so I guess it can't get much worse.
* US Open goes this week and I can only pray that Tiger shoots 80 - 80 and misses the cut so my Father's Day weekend doesn't have to include painfully watching Tiger hit every single shot and listen to Johnny Miller basically confess his man crush for Tiger on every hole. Interestingly enough Tiger is paired with Adam Scott for Thursday and Friday. If you don't recall Tiger's old caddy, Steve Williams now carries the clubs of Scott and didn't exacltly have a cordial ending with Tiger.
* Tim Tebow is still in the NFL. How does this happen? The guy is terrible. He can't throw a football worth a hoot but has landed a job in New England to back up Tom Brady. I wonder if Tebow will break down and cry during one of Bill Belichick's profanity laced tirades at the half?
That's all.
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