Riders in Edmonton this weekend

There is a good story about Rocky Butler on CFL.ca today. It looks like he will get the mop up duties after Joseph , who will play for most of the game. It also looks like Darien Durant won't get to play which most likely means unless he is signed to the practice roster he won't be with the Riders. Well there goes that prediction.

Riders win sleeper

Well the Riders played over the weekend (Saturday) and won 14-8. Really that is about all there is to say. The 1st pre-season game is usally a little vanilla but this game was boring. But don't worry I still have a few words to say:

1) big hit on Jason Tucker, knocked his helmet off, good to see that from the defence
2) the defence was solid, stiffling the Esks every which way
3) sepcial teams needs some work, like last year there was too many big returns
4) Sherry trapp is crap, purely a professional comment she is probably a nice woman
5) There was some mix ups with sound, is it really that hard to have a decent sound system? I'm not talking about a new one I just mean one that works or somebody who knows how to work it
6) video replay was used, which is cool, they even had a CFL branded video booth, which is good to see it executed properly
7) Last but not least SHABAZZ

Over 100 million have access to CFL games

Really?? Yes Really!! In this article from cfl.ca the details are outlined of all the regional sports networks that are carrying the games. In fact It wouldn't surprise me if the CFL had more coverage than the NHL. Yes, yes it is all regional coverage but exposure is good, and apparently some of the American athletes here are recording audio promos to be played in their old college stomping grounds. This is great!! get in at the grass roots make the CFL a viable option for the athletes and it will grow the game.

Take one a day and call me in the morning

The Riders are down to one a day practices (unless they canceled the second practice yesterday) as they tune-up for Saturday's pre-season game against Edmonton.

I just checked the Esks site to see what was going on and found this

Fan Day - Nearly 2,000 fans enjoyed Eskimo Fan Day presented by Alberta Pork. Included in the festivities were complimentary sausages from Alberta Pork, Coca-Cola soft drinks and Old Dutch chips, as well as an opportunity to see the Eskimos practice. Following the two hour session, the fans got a chance to get autographs from the entire team

This drives me nuts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Riders should be all over this type of thing. This is how you treat your fans, this is why they can get 50,000 to a game. Yeah yeah Edmonton is so much bigger, bullshit we are supposedly the greatest fans in the league and yet we only sell-out 1-2 games a year and there is no competition for the entertainment dollar in this town. I went to get tickets for the game and they had a ratty old trailer set-up for season ticket holders. Just a few ideas for the customers you should be ecstatic to see.

1) A tent so the season ticket holders aren't standing in the blazing sun / or the rain
2) a water cooler maybe ...gasp... get it sponsored
3) Staff training, I did not see one smile from the ticket staff unless it was someone they knew. Whether they like it or not this is retail, treat the customer right and they'll be back. I saw one woman that left without buying tickets after some debate about the teen tickets, here's a tip sell the tickets!!! tell them only teens can use them, it then becomes their decision, because they were obviously interested in the tickets. Don't let them leave without buying and don't let them leave with a frown on their face.
4) If there are going to be lots of people picking up tickets have players there for autographs, look you need to treat your customers right. This organization thinks that because they are the only game in town that they don't have to try hard. It's an arrogant attitude and leads to handouts from the provincial government when the government should be asking what they did to improve the customer experience, and why your marketing was only able to attract enough people for one sell-out

Anyway I'll see you at the game on Saturday!!

Riders hitting the green...field turf that is

Camp started last week and the fans are chomping at the bit. I must admit I'm quite excited to see how the offence will work. There is talk from Rob VanStone of some creative formations using Szarka and Hathaway as well as five receiver sets. Although from the practices I've seen I don't know who those five receivers will be. Today I watched Corey Grant secure a spot... in the unemployment line. This guy is frustrating, everyone saw him do his thing in Hamilton but he has never come close to that season again, and quite frankly it has been there for the taking.

Little tidbits, this is the all double double team:
Kenton Keith
Darian Durant
Rontarius Robinson
Dominic Dorsey
Mike McCollough
Mike Mahoney
Chris Cowan
Kareem Kelly
Scot Schultz
and my favorite
Shukree Shabazz

Yes that's Right Shabazz!!!



That Stancil he's so hot right now!

Prediction: Darian Durant makes the team, I just like the name

Busy day for Riders

The state of the franchise address happened today here are the links for each of the key players:
Danny Barrett
Roy Shivers
Jim Hopson

The Riders also signed six of their Canadian draft picks as well as Dwan Epps (he was injured all last year) and Quarterback Darian Durant. He is an interesting case at 5-11 and weighing 217 pounds he seems small but reminds you of Tracy Ham, or Matt Dunigan. Here is the link to his UNC player bio. He holds numerous school passing records. Perhaps he is someone to watch come training camp.

I missed my Tee time

Unfortunately I was not able to ask any hard hitting questions of Kerry Joseph as I was called away for diaper duty / lunch / book reading / waaaaahhhhh time. Anyway here is the link so you can read it at your pleasure. Unfortunately most of it is ...Welcome to Saskatchewan... How do you think you will do? To which Kerry says, thanks and we should do good....Insert comment for a particular position ie; offensive line. It would have been interesting to ask him how many necklaces he collected during the Mardi Gras promotion in Ottawa last year or if Lonie has a pet rat or just a weasel?? You know things that people are really interested in.

On another note, Kerry is no longer going to see the beautiful Rideau Canal in summer or the Byward market or be able to hob knob with the Prime Minister, or be able to go to a nice bar or dance club but there are alternatives. Wascana was just re-modeled and if you bring along some industrial DEET repellent the mosquito's are really not that bad. The farmers market is on Wednesdays and Saturdays along 1 block of downtown but according to locals there is no parking so you might want to make a day of it. We've got premier Calvert who I am sure would be willing to do a strawberry social with you at the lieutenant governor's residence. And we have the Big Valley Jamboree, which is a big country hoe-down just outside of Regina in the ummm.... Village of Craven. Of course if you don't like country your kind of screwed.

Welcome to Saskatchewan Kerry.

Oh yeah, I just about forgot the Riders signed three more yesterday here's the link to the story. Receiver Kareem Kelley looks like he might have some potential based on his resume.