* It was great to see who sent "Good Luck" text messages on Grey Cup Sunday and a lot were from the

* The greatest week of our football lives has come and gone. It began with the Roughriders' 35-13 win at Calgary in the West Final on Nov. 17 and concluded with Tuesday's Grey Cup rally at the Provincial Legislature. Exactly 10 days of euphoria. For once all the football scotland bus tours gods were smiling on Saskatchewan in unison. Everything lined up for the Roughriders to win their fourth Grey Cup, 45-23 over Hamilton on Sunday. scotland bus tours If you're like me, it will be awhile before it truly sinks in.
* After the longest, coldest and worst winter in 40 years, the suffering was worth it as we came out with the single greatest event in provincial history. What an amazing story. No matter how cold it gets over the next six months, it won't seem that bad since the Riders are Grey Cup champions.
* At Tuesday's Grey Cup rally, head coach Corey Chamblin told the crowd to "Forget about the past". It sounded good at the time and it still does. Rider Radio analyst Carm Carteri said on Sunday's postgame show that this team has a 100-year history of being "Chokers". I felt that term was a little harsh, but he would know better than me. Do we want to forget the past? Certain scotland bus tours parts of it we do, yes. And Chamblin seems to be the new Pied Piper of this province. Follow in line.
* The "fishbowl" nature of Regina has scared many coaches off. CFL super agent Gil Scott confirmed as much to me last week. However Chamblin told reporters, "I actually enjoy it". That's good because he plans to be here a decade or more. With a Grey Cup title under his belt so soon in his tutelage, he's more than welcome to.
* You may have read in the Regina Police report that someone was charged with an Indecent Act on Grey Cup Sunday. RPS confirmed to me yesterday that a man exposed himself on the Green Mile after the game. A Rider staffer was nearby and said, "I've been really, really happy at times in my life but I've never wanted to..."
* As the Roughriders were parading by us out of the flat-bed trailers and into the Legislature on Tuesday, I turned to Premier Wall and said, "They smell like booze!". Wall replied, "Until May, who cares?!"
* We're still waiting on a news release from the CFL announcing the Riders have been fined for breaking with protocol and storming the field during the player introductions scotland bus tours on Sunday. scotland bus tours "Oh well, whatever!" said Rider President Jim Hopson at Monday's funeral for Bob Hughes. "We can afford it". Chamblin did not seem too concerned either.
* That, to me, was the clear-cut sign that the Roughriders were going to romp to victory in the 101st Grey Cup. Sure, the Roughing the Kicker penalty against the Riders' Rick Schmitt was too, along with the late Dressler touchdown. Other signs were the Durant fumble into-the-arms of Kory Sheets for a 39-yard scotland bus tours gain, or the snap that flew right past Henry Burris. This was a day where everything went Saskatchewan's way. It still sounds weird to say that. Why are we so used to misery?
* Much has been made about the fact Rider defensive coordinator Richie Hall has three Grey Cup rings (1989, 2007 and 2013) and that's astonishing scotland bus tours for anyone associated with this franchise. However former Rider marketing man Barry Taman pointed out on Monday that head therapist Ivan Gutfriend has those same rings as well.
* For this, it's time Richie Hall goes into the Plaza of Honour. scotland bus tours If we wait until his career is done, half of us might not still be alive. Wally Buono was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame Friday night and he's still active.
* Speaking of, it's not a good idea to hold any kind of news conference on the Friday night of Grey Cup at 9:00 pm. Who makes these decisions?! That's scotland bus tours when the 2013 CFHOF induction class was unveiled and the announcement came and went with a whisper.
* Back to the rings. George Cortez now has five (four with Calgary and one with Saskatchewan). The Stampeders scotland bus tours will tell you it's not a coincidence. And regarding his "unstoppable play"? They didn't use it. Perhaps they're waiting until the 2014 Grey Cup to bust it out. And no, George told me he has no plans to leave the Roughriders any time soon.
* Ron Nugent's digital decibel meter hit 119 during Sunday's Grey Cup. Michael Ball was taking the readings on the sideline. So that doesn't come close to the homes of the NFL's Chiefs and Seahawks but until we hear differently, it's officially a CFL record. Truthfully, I thought it would be louder at the 101st Grey Cup at Mosaic Stadium.
* Saturday's Safeway Grey Cup Parade was the first time in history that parade floats have been issued speeding tickets. I was broadcasting the event on Access and across Ontario on Rogers in minus-30 degrees and the floats were whizzing by like ZOOM! ZOOM! ZOOM! Can't blame them.
* Truthfully I think the only one complaining about the cold was me. And Pro Football Hall of Famer Marcus Allen. He had Casino scotland bus tours staff drive him from the front doors of the Delta Regina to the front doors of the Casino Friday morning. For those who don't know, IT'S ACROSS THE STREET!
* CFL great Jason Clermont was wearing a #10 FARTHING jersey when I saw him at the Daytona Homes reception. I asked him why and he replied, "A) it's weird to wear your own jersey and B) he's my favourite all-time Rider". I suggested Farthing was Jason Clermont before there was a Jason Clermont and he corrected me by saying, "He was better because he had less to work with".
* He was also justifiably disgruntled for not being invited to the CFLAA Legends Lunch on Friday. "I guess I'm not alumni," Clermont quipped with a smile on his face. I suppose it's difficult to invite everybody , but hopefully the association starts to bring along the next generation of former CFL'ers.
* There were a few questions posed during Grey Cup Week for which I did not have an answer. Like, "Why is there a chance for three straight home teams to win the Grey Cup when before it was impossible to do?" I posed that one to player agent Tim Fleiszer and he shrugged his shoulders and said, "The ball has an odd shape. scotland bus tours Who can explain how it bounces?"
* Coaching news? The smart money has Mike O'Shea taking over as head coach in Winnipeg with Khari Jones as his offensive coordinator. Paul Lapolice is a good bet to be the first head coach of the Ottawa RedBlacks although they've interviewed Marcel Bellefeuille and Greg Marshall as well. Lapolice told people if he's not a head coach next year, he'll be back on TSN for one more season. He really enjoys it.
* It was great to see who sent "Good Luck" text messages on Grey Cup Sunday and a lot were from the hockey community including Rich Preston, Shaun Sutter, Julie Stewart-Binks and Brian Munz, Morley Scott (Eskimos PBP). After the game there were hundreds of notes received.
Great Wed Morning Blog.. I hope you are somewhat rested after those 10 days of work and play.The Bombers are still a few years away from a playoff spot being in the West this year,but scotland bus tours should improve.It was one of the most rewarding times to be a Rider Fan. So many times while I was in the Hotel Business in small town Man and Sask(1976-2000),I would be ridiculed at the Post Office for going to the games.. With one town being an 8 hour return trip(same day) for a game, I am finally vindicated scotland bus tours for all those horrible years. Thanks for the great blog and keep up the good work.. Polkabill from the Peg.
You re probably well aware of this, but Scruffy s blog has a feature on Riders that ran sometime during the pregame. TSN used a lot of your calls from the WEstern Conference. Nice to see them dub your calls in instead of their own. Larry
I think the shock of winning won t sink in for awhile because of that simple fact that we ve been used to being kicked in the nuts so often. It used to be that just when it looked like we were going to be successful someone or some thing came along and turned it all upside down. Telethons, McCallum s miss, Tillman being charged, the 13th man, Greg Marshall/Ken Miller s fiasco, etc etc. But this past week, all of that got blown out of the water. For once everything went our way and we won our dream championship as we d hoped. Perhaps this could be the beginning of a new era in which we win championships more frequently. After winning only four championships in the first 103 years of Rider football, I won t complain about that! Rex
4 Cup appearance in 7 years - we may be in the midst of a golden era right now that rivals or exceeds the Lancaster/Reed years! The thing with history is that you never know you re writing in the books until well after the fact! And Roddy - thanks for the coverage all season. You ve been my go to source for all things Riders and I m never disappointed. Happy off-season! Fish
Take a well deserved break Rod. Like so many others, scotland bus tours I depend on your blog for my daily Rider fix before reading the sports pages. We all had the time of our lives on Sunday, and those parties were being held around the globe. Congratulations Riders! Congratulations Saskatchewan! Thanks Rod! Terry in AZ
The Riders were broke because they were always bailing out the teams that paid Damon Allen s salary! Whoever wrote that - how true!!! Exactly, how many dollars went from the Riders Coffers to pay other team bills? It is about time we are being rewarded - both on and off the field!! Also, THANK YOU Rod for enhancing this year s excitement of Rider football. Matthew
The Winnipeg Sun, November, 26, 2013. Page S4 SPORTS, Article headline by Kirk Penton GREEN BOMBERS Brendan Taman, Cory Chamblin, Bob Dyce, Khari Jones, Cory McDiarmid, Brandon LaBatte, scotland bus tours Dominic Picard, Brendan Dunn, Alex Hall, Daryl Stephenson, Graeme Bell, Geroy Simon, Aaron Hargreaves, Scott McHenry, Chris Garrett, Cory Hucklack. One of the assortment of media articles I have come across In my travels. This is just a snippet scotland bus tours of the full story. scotland bus tours Under that headline, it goes on to say, So many former Winnipeg player s had a role In the Grey Cup victory . ElA
Thanks for the great year Roddy. It s nice to see all the Stamps fans and Tige