July, 2008

I better blog again before I take off on holidays for two weeks.

What a thrill it was to introduce my two sons, 16 and 13, to Gordie Howe when he was in Saskatoon last week. Gordie as always was a treat to visit with. I had never met his son Marty until last week. A fine gentleman as well. It's hard to believe Mr. Hockey is 80. Grown men become little kids when they are around Gordie Howe. It was great of Gordie, Marty and Mike Babcock to help out Garry Peters with his Kidsport efforts at Dakota Dunes. It was great.

Off the top, let me say I'm sorry for the quarterback chatter that some of you have had to endure on our stations. It's easy to go to the Durant/Crandell button to generate talk. A starter should NEVER lose his spot due to injury. Last week coach Ken Miller said it best when he said "If we want players to be loyal to us, we have to show it in return." Even Darian Durant has said time and time again, "This is Marcus' team", yet there is a small portion of the Rider fan base that will second guess a 4 and 0 football squad. It is an amazing thing.

I know that we love our offensive stars here in Riderville, but can't we give the defense a little love?

I may not be popular for saying this, but I am a fan of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Standing at their bench on Saturday at Ivor Wynne Stadium, I could tell that this is a team hungry to get better. I get the sense they are on the verge of big things. Jesse Lumsden's play speaks for itself. Casey Printers is a quarterback that can make things happen. Here are some other observations though. Tony Miles and Pat Woodcock are going to find their groove with Printers if they are given the opportunity. Kori Dickerson and Zeke Moreno will be studs on defense. It will come together soon.

I haven't blogged in a while, and there is alot of stuff going on.

Saskatoon Blades co-owner Jack Brodsky called it last hockey season. He pulled me aside at a Blades game and told me that he felt Saskatchewan had a shot at the 2010 world juniors because it was an Olympic year. With NHL teams focusing on the Vancouver games, it put Saskatchewan on good financial footing against Winnipeg and Halifax. Congratulations to the organizing committee. It will be here before you know it.