Stephenson a champion for Humboldt
Robservations ...
Three cheers for the Washington Capitals’ Chandler Stephenson, a Saskatoon-born Regina Pats alumnus who, while celebrating an NHL championship on Thursday, disclosed his plan to take the Stanley Cup to Humboldt.
The Capitals’ Saskatchewan ties also extend to head coach Barry Trotz (a former Pats defenceman), assistant general manager Ross Mahoney and amateur scout Darrell Baumgartner. The latter two gentlemen reside in Regina.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders’ plan to utilize Duron Carter on both sides of the ball is an intriguing storyline, but is it the wisest decision? Carter could very well be the best athlete ever to play for the Green and White. However, there is a danger of overuse, especially when the rigours of an 18-game regularseason schedule are taken into consideration. But why expose this extraordinary player to more hits than necessary? The grand plan for Carter is fraught with risk — more than a team or a player would ordinarily assume. By all means, take advantage of Carter’s talents by using him on defence, but do so selectively. If the team needs an extra defensive back in an obvious passing situation, or someone to intercept a Hail Mary pass, call on Carter. But, ideally, his primary role should be that of a receiver. Any conversation about the league’s premier pass-catchers has to include No. 89, so why tinker? Turn him loose on opposing defences, sit back and watch the show. Honestly, Carter has the ability to threaten the Roughriders’ single-season receiving-yardage record — 1,715, set by Joey Walters in 1981. Walters set his long-standing mark during a 16-game regular season. With two extra games, and two strong-armed quarterbacks (Zach Collaros and Brandon Bridge) on the roster, Carter could approach the 2,000-yard mark if the decision is made to accentuate his talents on offence. Kudos to Carter for treating the fans like gold.
Kudos as well to the Roughriders for designating their June 30 home date with the (winless) Montreal Alouettes as the “Humboldt Strong ” game. Then comes a July 5 home game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. By then, Johnny Manziel should be the Ticats’ starting quarterback, don’t you think?
At long last, the CFL has implemented a cap on football operations expenses. Spending was getting out of hand. Something had to be done to level the playing field. Fairness is also a consideration. If players’ salaries are capped, why stop there?
As it stands, things are out of whack in the CFL. The football operations types (see: Marc Trestman, Chris Jones) should not be the highest-paid employees in the league. The top salaries should go to the players, who are the show. Nobody pays to watch a coach or a GM.
The new system won’t necessarily penalize wealthy teams, such as the Roughriders. Money can still be spent by enhancing the experience for the players and fans. Or, as one fan suggested the other day, how about reducing ticket prices by the same percentage as football operations salaries? Did the 2013 Roughriders really need two defensive backs coaches?
Idle thought: I really miss watching Ray Elgaard play football. There was nothing quite like the sight of No. 81 squelching would-be tacklers in the open field.
And now for some shameless self-promotion! The Regina Leader-Post’s weekly Rider Rumblings podcast can be found on iTunes or Google Play Music. Special guests so far: Arielle Zerr, Michael Ball, Steve Mazurak and Darrell Romuld. Next week, listen for the always entertaining Peter Mills.
More shameless self-promotion: The Leader-Post is debuting a new columnist next week. Former Roughriders general manager Brendan Taman will offer his thoughts on the team, and the CFL in general, on a weekly basis.
Nice people who deserve a plug: Chandler Stephenson, Ross Mahoney, Darrell Baumgartner, Barry Trotz, Vaughn Taylor, Matthew Exner, Jana Brandt McEachern,
Darrell Romuld, Frank Kovacs, Chloe Kovacs, Aubrey Kovacs, Len Antonini, Kelly Hamilton, Jon Antal, Brendan McGuire, Taylor Shire, Gerald Baumgartner, Trevor Buhnai, Ray
Elgaard, Katie Wood, Barb Barnes-Wilcox, Angela Tillier, Jeff DeDekker and Al
Muirhead.