WASCANA SHINES IN DEBUT TURN AS LPGA HOST
Robservations …
The CP Women’s Open, won by Brooke Henderson on Sunday, is one of the most successful, best-organized sporting events ever held in the greater Regina area. And it certainly won’t be a one-off after the Wascana Country Club played host to the LPGA’S first Saskatchewan-based event in such impressive fashion.
Henderson became the first Canadian in 45 years to win the CP Women’s Open. Hence this Twittery headline suggestion via @shooterbot: “Henderson has scored for Canada.”
How many sporting moments in Regina history have compared to the gallery singing O Canada after Henderson secured the title with a tap-in?
The Saskatchewan Roughriders’ past two games — both victories — are noteworthy for the presence on the roster of linebacker Cameron Judge and offensive lineman Josiah St. John. At long last, the Roughriders’ first-round CFL draft choices in 2016 (when St. John was chosen first overall) and 2017 (Judge was the second pick) are in the lineup at the same time.
The jury is still out on St. John, but not Judge, who registered a sack in Saturday’s 24-21 victory over the host B.C. Lions and seems to improve each week.
Also improving, game by game: Roughriders running back Tre Mason. He has a knack for hitting the hole, disappearing inside a mass of humanity, and emerging from the other side of the pile to register a significant gain.
Also trending upwards: The production of rookie receiver Jordan Williams-lambert, who leads the Roughriders in catches (36) and receiving yards (406).
Williams-lambert and Shaq Evans are 1-2 on the Roughriders in receiving yardage. But their combined total of 736 yards trails six individual CFL pass catchers this season — Duke Williams of the Edmonton Eskimos (947), Kamar Jorden of the Calgary Stampeders (895), Derel Walker of Edmonton (875), Brad Sinopoli of the Ottawa Redblacks (775) and Brandon Banks of the Hamilton Tiger-cats (745).
The Stampeders’ Jorden is a great story. He was unfairly, yet widely, cast as a Grey Cup scapegoat last year. Instead of succumbing to the criticism, he has responded with a monster season.
Always annoying: The “get in the hole” guy at any golf tournament.
Kudos to Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Matt Nichols for delivering candid answers to the media. His honesty has generated some criticism, when more appropriately, he should be applauded for providing something other than eye-glazing quarterback speak.
CFL players are trying to choreograph all sorts of distinctive touchdown celebrations. If the objective is to do something that’s truly unique, why not just hand or flip the football to the nearest official and head to the sideline? If it worked for George Reed and Hugh Campbell, it should work for everybody.
Roughriders offensive coordinator Stephen Mcadoo has to find a way to effectively deploy two-time 1,000-yard receiver Naaman Roosevelt, whose production is way down this season. During last year’s homeand-home set with Winnipeg, Mcadoo used the since departed Duron Carter as a decoy to create open space for Roosevelt to score long touchdowns. What’s the plan this year?
Saskatchewan has a 2-0 record since cutting Carter, but more evidence is required before the wisdom of the decision can be confirmed. This is a premier talent, remember, who amassed 241 receiving yards in a single game this season. Will there come a time when his explosiveness is dearly missed? At some point, the Roughriders will have to win a shootout this season. It remains to be seen whether they possess enough weapons to keep pace if a CFL aerial battle breaks out.
Roughriders touchdown passes at the nine-game mark: 22 in 2017; six in 2018.
With Kevin Glenn at the controls, the 2017 Roughriders boasted six touchdown passes after nine quarters.
Blue Bombers’ backup QB Chris Streveler has seven aerial touchdowns — one more than the Roughriders — despite attempting only 98 passes this season. Saskatchewan quarterbacks have thrown the ball 271 times.
Nice people who deserve a plug: Emory Royal Switzer, Lorne Dunsmore, Dean Brockman, Sheldon Affleck, Chris Van Os- Shaw, Carmelle Ottenbreit, Barb Ryan, Kevin Haynes, Marty Burke, Phil Kershaw, Tammy Robert, Adam Graves, Andrew Ference, Scott Hartnell, Mike Farrell, Craig Smith, Liam Richards, Aaron Lukan, Brian Munz, Chad Lins, Carla Clement and, the special guest on this week’s Rider Rumblings video podcast, Costa Maragos.