Setting up the Rider season

CFL fans can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Training camps are beginning and very soon the preseason will kick off the season leading to the 100th Grey Cup. The year can not come soon enough for Saskatchewan Roughrider fans who watched their team have a dismal showing in 2011. Some I have talked with are nervous for this year while others are optimistic.

Regardless, management took note of the rough road that the crew endured last year and changes were a common theme throughout the offseason. 

That theme of change was recently pointed out by Rob Vanstone of the Regina Leader Post. In his Robservations, Vanstone said a total of 21 of the 42 players who suited up for the green and white in last year’s regular-season opener are gone. Along with that, 16 players who were with the team in the final game in 2011 have also been given their walking papers.

You can take that one step further with the coaching staff. A lot of new and younger faces are taking charge led by head coach Corey Chamblin. The team’s facelift will also determine the fate of general manager Brendan Taman.

So what will the latest version of the ‘Riders look like? Here is a brief peek at what people can expect in the early going.

Quarterback Darian Durant has already been given the nod as the team’s starter and why shouldn’t he be? I agree with him being number one. Where the true battle lies is behind him.

 Ryan Dinwiddie and Cole Bergquist were released while players like Heisman trophy candidate Colt Brennan, Levi Brown, former San Francisco 49er J.T. O’Sullivan, who also played with 10 others in the NFL, are vying for number two. 

My money is on Brennan although talk has focused on O’Sullivan. In any case, the competition will be interesting to watch.

The backfield will also be different after starter Wes Cates was let go, Hugh Charles was dealt to Edmonton and Stu Foord moved west, signing with B.C.

Cates, who was a mainstay behind the quarterback was not brought back and the job is Brandon West’s to lose. West who was with the team last year and had 233 yards on 45 carries. However, a few others have been brought on board that have some NFL experience. While there are not any ‘household’ names, the players will all be competing for that top job.

The team also has fullbacks Neal Hughes and Graeme Bell to round out the group.

The wide receiver picture is interesting after the departure of Andy Fantuz. Similar to the quarterback position, former NFL players have been brought in to compete. Along with the core crew of Rob Bagg, Chris Getzlaf, Weston Dressler and Efrem Hill, former New York Giant Sinorice Moss and a few others are vying for a spot on the roster. The ‘Riders draft pick of Ismael Bamba sounds like a very good Canadian receiver.

Add to the mix some key off-season signings of Brendon LaBatte and Dominic Picard and a trade with Winnipeg for Odell Willis and the team has some potential and the possibility to do some damage in the CFL’s west.

So while change can sometimes be a bad thing, I think in this case it should be a good step in the right direction. It might take a few games but if the group can come together and buy in to coach Chamblin’s plans, I think the team will host a playoff game this year.

I also really like the coaching staff. While many are young, I think bringing in a fresh set of ideas will help in creating a new identity.

The team opens its regular season against Henry Burris, Andy Fantuz in Hamilton and then are at home July 8 versus Edmonton. 

At the zoo

Had a great day at the zoo with my wife and daughter. It was Natalie's first time and she enjoyed the animals. Here are some pics from there...

Sports thoughts from a rainy week

Once the rain leaves it will be nice to hit the links and just get outside again. This past week has been cold, rainy and gloomy so with the forecast predicting sunshine all next week with a high of 24 for May 9, that will be a very welcome thing. As for today with a chance of a thunderstorm and WHS grads having their ceremony it makes for the potential of some messy outfits. Our grad, ten years ago, was cold - I don't think it really rained but it was chilly over the first weekend in May. Anyway here are some sports observations over this past week for you - have a great weekend!

We are into that part of the year when sports fans can watch practically whatever professional sport they want, other than football. However, both NFL and CFL drafts were held a week apart so technically a fan could watch baseball, golf, hockey playoffs, football draft and some basketball playoffs, among other sports. 

While many enjoy the abundance of sports to view, including myself, others anxiously await for many of them to be over :)

Until that time approaches, here are some of my thoughts from the week or two that were:

• Putters up for Saskatchewan native Graham DeLaet who placed in the top five at the Zurich Classic in New Orleans. After four rounds, DeLaet placed in a tie for fourth with a 16-under par. The Weyburn golfer ended the final round at one-under and was three strokes back of the leaders. Jason Dufner beat Ernie Els for the victory. However, DeLaet pocketed over $280,000 for his efforts and now needs to make another $170,000 to keep his tour card. With 14 more tournaments that goal is very possible and is it time to say that he could become the best Canadian golfer.

• Hockey sticks up for the SJHL’s Humboldt Broncos who won this year’s Anavet Cup. The Broncos blanked Portage in game seven of their series to capture the last Anavet Cup. The series will take on a different format next year.

• The Broncos are now up against the top teams from across Canada in the RBC Cup. Humboldt is the host venue and, having had the opportunity to cover some games during the Canalta Cup, the team looks like it could compete with any across the nation. I would not be surprised to see them in the finals as the event concludes May 13.

• Team allegiances aside, how many hockey fans have enjoyed the NHL playoffs so far? I have but who would have thought at the start of the playoffs that one of Los Angeles, Nashville, Phoenix or St. Louis would make it to the Stanley Cup finals?! That will happen this year. 

• I like the new mix of teams competing for the Cup and as I write this, Los Angeles and New York are still the two teams I am picking for the finals.

• My picks for MVP of the playoffs if their team gets there: Mike Smith from the Phoenix Coyotes and Claude Giroux of the Philadelphia Flyers.

• The ‘Riders extended quarterback Darian Durant and offensive lineman Chris Best to 2014. Durant was entering his option year and it was good to see general manager Brendan Taman get that out of the way. Getting Durant signed now allows the quarterback to focus on football. I like the moves and if Durant minimizes his interceptions he should see his numbers jump back up to where they should be. 

• The NFL held its draft and to no surprise a pair of quarterbacks went one and two. Indianapolis and Washington are hoping the pair are the keys to each team’s future. 

• The Albert Pujols signing by the Angels has not been paying off so far. The slugger had yet to hit a home run as of early last week. Last year he hit 37 dingers and 42 the year before. He still has a lot of season left though.

• The Jays keep rolling. I like to see that, not to mention a thumbs up for their uniforms. Nothing like a little retro look to inspire a run to the postseason.

•  Like in the NHL, playoffs are also underway in the NBA. The Miami Heat had a huge game one against the Knicks and I imagine will keep rolling. 

• With virtually no knowledge of the current basketball picture, it was nice to see some classic clubs like the Pacers, Bulls, Jazz and 76ers in the picture. I did watch some playoff games during the days of Michael Jordan, Reggie Miller, Carl Malone and Allan Iverson, each from those teams. Perhaps the Bulls will get back to the glory days since they finished first in the east.