Pats’ Smart off to rookie game with Leafs
Robservations ...
The Regina Pats should hold
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a ceremony during the 2017-18 season to honour Russ Parker, who owned the WHL team from 1995 to 2014. Parker’s impassioned speech to the league’s board of governors was a key reason why the 2001 Memorial Cup tournament was awarded to Regina. That event was such a sensational success that it made Regina’s bid proposal for the 2018 CHL championship tournament, also earmarked for the Brandt Centre, much easier to sell. Under Parker and his son Brent, the profile of the team — from a hockey standpoint and in the community — increased exponentially. In 2005, the league presented Calgary-based Russ Parker with the Governors’ Award to honour his contributions. The current ownership group should follow that lead.
Duron Carter has been a tremendous
■ addition to the Saskatchewan Roughriders, as evidenced by his mid-season totals — 47 catches for 541 yards and seven touchdowns. He has made a series of seemingly impossible catches while quickly becoming a fan favourite. His popularity will only increase when the Roughriders find a way to deploy him as a downfield threat. The uber-athletic Carter is capable of a much higher average per catch than the current 11.5 yards. And the longest gain (46 yards) could, or perhaps should, be doubled.
Carter has twice been open
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for what could have been longdistance touchdowns. In the season opener against the host Montreal Alouettes, Carter got behind Jonathon Mincy but was underthrown by Kevin Glenn. Mincy ended up registering a pass knockdown instead of being burned for a 104-yard touchdown. On Sunday against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Carter was open on a deep route and was barely overthrown. The Roughriders were that close to a 67-yard major.
Here are the Roughriders’
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leaders in passes caught during the current three-game winning streak: Carter, 17; Naaman Roosevelt, 16; Bakari Grant, 13; Rob Bagg and Cameron Marshall,
both seven; and, Nic Demski and Ed Gainey, both six. Gainey’s total is especially impressive when you consider that his six catches are the result of interceptions.
The Roughriders have thrice
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replaced Glenn — twice with Vernon Adams Jr., and once with Bridge — for part of an offensive series after the veteran quarterback has marched the team into scoring territory. On each occasion, the drive has stalled. Why mess with success? Glenn is one of the league’s elite quarterbacks, as shown by the 19 touchdown passes he has launched over the first half of the regular season. Leave him in the game!
The Roughriders’ retro jerseys
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are far more aesthetically pleasing than the green-on-green eyesores.
Kudos to the Roughriders for
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erecting statues of George Reed and Ron Lancaster.
Kudos to the Roughriders for
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no longer recruiting defensive backs who possess the mobility of statues.
Kudos to the City of Regina for
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keeping Wascana Pool open until Sept. 24.
Nice people who deserve a
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plug: George Reed, Lana Mueller, Mick Panko, Lori Vanjoff, Mitch Thompson, Braden Konschuh, Kyle Moortgat, Allan Livingstone, Harley Livingstone, Geoff Perry, Karin Yeske, Brad Bellegarde, Tyler Williams, Dr. Kobus de Witt and Brent Parker.