Monday musings

Just another manic Monday (whoa, whoa)...

• Don't look now, but the two hottest teams in the CFL's west division go head-to-head Saturday at Mosaic Stadium.
• The Saskatchewan Roughriders will look to run their winning streak to four games, while ending the B.C. Lions' four-game string of success.
  
• Both teams are capable of putting points on the board, but it'll be interesting to see how the Rider offense matches up against the Leos resurgent defense.
• Speaking of winning streaks, the RMF Unicorns' lost for the first time in three games yesterday.
• We'll try to get back on the winning track against the Razorbacks next week.
• Thumbs up to the atom division Gators and Badgers, who entertained the fans during halftime of the Rider game on Saturday. Coaches Stusek and Probe (ably assisted by the always stylish Gary "Chop" Bresch) have a couple of good-looking teams.
  
• Two games, and two wins for the Green Bay Packers. So far, so good.
• Carolina Panthers rookie Cam Newton has passed for over 400 yards in his first two professional starts.
• So much for the theory that he wasn't going to amount to much in the NFL!
• By all accounts, the Regina Pats have played some entertaining hockey during the WHL preseason. Let's hope it translates into an exciting winter for the fans.
• Is a playoff spot too much to expect for the rebuilding Pats and their new coaching staff? I would suggest not.
  
• From the world of junior B hockey, the Regina Capitals quietly (but effectively) cleaned house in the off season. That's what happens when a first place club bows out in the first round of the playoffs, apparently.
• The forecast is calling for a few more days of convertible weather this week. Bring it on!
• Looking for a killer workout? Try the UFC training "game" for the Xbox Kinect. Ouch.
  

Locker Talk lineup for September 13

We're baaaaaack! We kick off a brand new season of Locker Talk with this week's show, which airs tonight at 9 p.m. and Thursday at 6 p.m. on Access channel 7. Tune in - it'll put some zippidy in your doo dah. For sure!

Locker Talk Guests for Sept 13/11
Co-host: Mitchell Blair

1. An update on the 2011 season for the Regina Thunder junior football club. Guests: Erwin Klempner (Head Coach) & Wyatt Catley (Thunder Quarterback).

2. The Regina Red Sox celebrate their first Western Major Baseball League championship. Is it too early to talk about a repeat? Guest: Justin Eiswirth (Assistant Coach).

3. Regina’s Lonsdale Boxing Club and Regina Boxing Club host boxers from Wales in a fundraiser at the club next week. Guest: Frank Fiacco (Lonsdale Boxing Club) & Don Owens (Bridgend Boxing Club).

4. The Regina Hockey Officials Association (RHOA) is hosting a recruitment night this month. Guests: Don McMillan & Keith Miller (RHOA).

5. Elite Boxing News. Locker Talk’s amateur boxing correspondent Moses Alli brings us up to date on what’s happening with the “sweet science” locally.

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

Friday thoughts

It's a Friday and I have thoughts. That in itself is a great accomplishment, no?

• Andy Fantuz has been released by the Chicago Bears. Maybe, just maybe he'll be back in a Saskatchewan Roughriders uniform within two weeks.
  
• I think the Saskatchewan Roughriders just might upset the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the Labour Day Classic.
• If the defense can slap Buck Pierce around a bit, things could get pretty interesting.
• However, the Rider offense also has to contend with the league's best defense. Darian Durant has to get rid of the ball quickly, and accurately.
• If DD has a sub-par performance, the Bombers' defense may outscore the Riders.
• The RMF Unicorns take part in their own Labour Day Classic on Monday against Yorkton.
• Let's hope our season-opening two game losing skid comes to an end Monday!
• Our offensive coordinator may be a little growly tonight, as his Martin Monarchs lost 60-0 to O'Neill in high school action last night.
• Frankly, I'm just glad that the football program at Martin is still alive and kicking. That alone is worth celebrating.
• Wade Belak is gone too? What the hell is going on this summer?
• Three NHL brawlers gone within weeks of each other. Is there a connection, or is it just a horrible, horrible coincidence?
• The U of R Rams are favoured to win the Canada West conference in a preseason poll. The fun starts tonight against UBC.
• If you like football, you'll want to check out a Rams game or two this season. CIS football is good value for your entertainment dollar.
• The Regina Pats open the WHL preseason at home (Cooperators Centre) to Moose Jaw tonight. It's a battle between a rebuilding club, and one expecting to contend for an east division championship this season.
• Anyone been to that new Taste of Tuscany restaurant yet? Your reviews are welcome!

Monday musings

Scattered thoughts, rattling around in a scattered brain:

• The Saskatchewan Roughriders returned to the practice field yesterday, under the watchful eye of new/former head coach Ken Miller.
• Miller faces the task of getting his crew ready to take on the league-leading Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the Labour Day Classic. Not an easy job!
• Once again this year, the two combatants in this game are at opposite ends of the standings. It's rare for both the Bombers and Riders to have winning (or losing) records when Labour Day rolls around.
• However, that rarely affects the intensity of the action on the field - or off the field, for that matter!
• The RMF Unicorns are off to an 0-2 start, after a pretty one-sided loss in Lumsden Sunday afternoon.
• Rumour has it management is already pondering a coaching change! In fact, I believe last year's coach has been spotted lurking around our practices. :)
• If the kids keep working hard, we'll get this thing turned around. No worries.
• There's some head-scratching going on with the Regina Thunder today, after a loss in Winnipeg dropped the Thunder's record to 1-2.
• The Thunder better things turned around quickly, as their next two games are against the league-leading Saskatoon Hilltops, followed by a rematch with Winnipeg.
  
• Early indications suggest Regina Pats rookie forward Morgan Klimchuk is in fact the real deal.
  
• Will Jordan Weal and Brandon Davidson finish the season in Pats jerseys? I suppose that depends on whether the Pats are in contention for a playoff spot by the time the trade deadline rolls around.
• If they aren't, I'd expect both those players to be dealt.
  
• How long before the good people of Moose Jaw start complaining (loudly) about the paucity of parking spots near their new arena?
  
• Can anyone make use of a 51 inch rear projection high def tv? First reasonable offer takes it!
  

Monday musings

There's a dwindling number of active brain cells up there, but here's what has been keeping them occupied lately:

• Good luck to Ken Miller as he steps back into the roles of head coach and offensive coordinator with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He also steps into a tough situation, but with a little luck he just might be able to get his team into the CFL playoffs.
• If the Riders can get a few players healthy (Koch, Cates, Mitchell) and 1-2 guys back from the NFL (Hi Andy Fantuz!), fans could see some significant improvements in the on field performance. Let's hope so, anyway!
• I'm not sure how I feel about Greg Marshall's parting shots at his weekend media conference. On the one hand I respect him for speaking openly and honestly about his disappointment over being let go as head coach.
• But to say the team took the "easy way out"? Not sure I'm with you on that one, (former) coach.
• The RMF Unicorns dropped an 18-14 heartbreaker to Weyburn in our season-opener, as the Eagles scored on an 80+ yard pass and run play with less than two minutes remaining on the clock. Ouch!
• Great effort by our kids though, and we'll be better next week against Lumsden.
• Kudos to the J-man, who held his own despite giving up what seemed like a foot in height (and probably 20 pounds in weight) to the linebacker he was assigned to block.
  
• Leibel Field has become a fantastic facility for minor football. Hats off to everyone who worked so hard to make that project a reality. I can't wait until all the work (scoreboard/press box) is done!
• Kinda tough to get there, though - with roadwork closing one of only two entrances to the Douglas Park complex.
  
• Stain resistant khakis are one of the greatest inventions of the modern era.
  
• The first planning meeting for the 2011/12 season of Locker Talk on Access 7 happens today. If you have any requests/suggestions for guests we should be inviting onto the program, let us know!