Friday thoughts

It's been a while, hope I remember how to do this! (Boy, isn't that the story of my life!):

• It sounds like Andy Fantuz will be signing with the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers. I'm not sure how to break it to my boy that his favourite Rider is moving on.
• Granted, Fantuz may still be back in Rider green at some point this year, but that may not happen until the mid-point of the season - assuming he goes through an entire NFL camp.
• And that's assuming NFL teams actually hold training camps in 2011. The threat of a labour disruption still looms over the most successful outfit in pro sports.
• Not that you were planning to, but don't try to reach me Sunday afternoon between 2:00-5:30. The Packers take on the Bears in the NFC championship at that time. I will ignore you.
• Aaron Rodgers is quickly making me forget about 'ole what's his name. You know, the guy that used to play quarterback for the Packers.
  
• It's possible the Pack will beat my two least favourite teams (Chicago and Pittsburgh) in their next two games. That would be exceptionally sweet.
  
• J.S. Giguere is open to the idea of being traded away from the Toronto Maple Leafs. Who isn't?
• It's probably time that I made my way over to the Brandt Centre to check out this year's edition of the Regina Pats. Long overdue, actually.
• Unless somebody goes on a big-time tear, the Pats will finish the season with only one 20 goal scorer (Jordan Weal). Is that an indictment of the players, or the system?
• Planning is about to begin for our 2011 Regina Minor Football adventure. Watch out for the pee wee Unicorns, who are about to become a huge rags to riches story!
• Seriously, they went 0-9 last year. How much worse can our coaching staff do?
• The bronchitis is almost cleared up. Just in time to start getting my butt kicked in Krav Maga again. Yippee.
• Looking for a surprisingly good read? Try Open, the autobiography of former pro tennis enfant terrible Andre Agassi. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
• Now, I'm on to Playing With Fire, the tale of former NHL star Theo Fleury. It's not as well written, but it's equally engrossing.
  

Thursday Cheers and Jeers

It's been a while, but it is time for another edition of the wildly popular Cheers and Jeers. This is a chance for you to salute those individuals or businesses who have impressed you, and warn the rest of us about those who have not!

Whattya say I go first?

Cheers

• Air Canada. I have to admit, they've picked up their game in recent years. Many of their staff still seem morally opposed to smiling, but at least they got me where I needed to go - and when I needed to get there.
• Tony's Pizza. If you're ever in London, Ontario order a panzarotti from Tony's. Trust me, you'll be glad you did.
• Green Bay Packers. A win over the hated Chicago Bears this weekend will send the Packers to the Super Bowl, and send sales of foam cheeseheads (I have two) through the roof!

Jeers

• City of Regina. Another tax hike, annual nine percent increases in our water bills, a plan to eliminate back lane garbage collection while charging us to recycle, and residential streets are a snowy, rutted mess. What's not to love?
• Self-absorbed douches who glide through intersections two seconds after the light has turned red. Yeah, I know it's slippery. But you're still an asshole.
• Rogers Video. Four stores in Regina at this time last year, now they're down to one. Was it something we said?

And an honourary jeer has to go out to the residents of London who were miffed to learn the Saskatchewan Roughriders had stolen the head coach of the Western Mustangs. Uh, wrong Greg Marshall folks.

Locker Talk lineup for January 11

I'm back in Saskatchewan, and ready to talk a little local sports on our first show of the year. The show airs tonight at 9 p.m. and Thursday at 6 p.m. Mitch's duties with the SJHL have taken him out of town, so Carlo Palazzo will be seated in the co-host's seat. Let the good times roll!

Locker Talk Guests for January 11/11
Co-Host: Carlo Palazzo

1. An update on the University of Regina women’s basketball team. Guest: Dave Taylor (Head Coach).

2. How are those New Year’s fitness resolutions coming along? Need a little extra motivation? Guest: Michael Lindenbach (General Manager, Gold’s Gym Regina).

3. ENG segment. The Regina Pats will retire the jersey number of team icon Mike Sillinger this weekend. Reporter: Dan Plaster.

4. A profile of the University of Regina track and field team. Guests: Bruce McCannel (Head Coach), Merissa Margetts (Cougar sprinter) & Chelsea Valois (Cougar pentathlete).

5. The Blair Necessities. Mitch’s weekly sports commentary.

London Calling

Suddenly, I have an urge to listen to an 80's album by The Clash! Anyway, I'm off to Ontario tomorrow to see my mom. I'll be back in a few days. Blog at ya later!

Oh, and the Riders will name Greg Marshall their new head coach at a news conference this afternoon. Not exactly a shocker.

Happy new post!

Well, I suppose it's time to kick off a new year of semi-regular blogging. Here's how the world looks to me on the fourth day of 2011:

• So Greg Marshall will finally get a shot at being a CFL head coach huh? I actually quite liked him during his previous tour of duty with the Riders, so I'm cautiously optimistic.
• Will Marshall appoint Richie Hall as his defensive coordinator? Where will Gary Etcheverry end up if that happens?
• Dave Cameron must be a hell of a hockey coach to have this year's edition of Team Canada poised to win gold at the World Junior Hockey Championships.
• It's not a star-studded lineup, but Cameron's crew has definitely bought into the team-first philosophy. The results have been impressive.
• Don't look now, but the Regina Pats are inching towards a WHL playoff berth. Will Chad Lang make any more deals in the final few days before the trade deadline? Stay tuned!
• The Seattle Seahawks are NFC West champions, with a record of 7-9. Blech. However, I don't think we need to worry about them sneaking into the Super Bowl.
  
• The Green Bay Packers get Michael Vick and the Eagles in the first round of the playoffs. Watch for Packers linebacker Clay Matthews Jr. to be in the Philly backfield for most of the game.
• Unlike many people, I wasn't all that anxious to see 2010 end. The previous year was a pretty good one, all things considered.
• For example, the J-man continued to grow into an outstanding young man last year. I helped coach his baseball team to a league championship, we had a great year in football, and we welcomed Dexter the dog to our little clan. And those were just some of the highlights!
  
• 2011 has started off with a case of bronchitis for me, and a pending trip to Ontario this week to see my hospitalized mother. Suffice to say this year is not off to an auspicious start!
• How are you doing with your New Year's resolutions? Yeah, me too.