November, 2008

After making Montreal home for the past six days I am back on Regina soil as I type this and yes I was glad when that Westjet plane touched down on the tarmac.  Just some final thoughts on Montreal and Grey Cup festivities and activities

1. After being in Toronto last year, I really think last years party was better. Perhaps this is because A)the Riders were involved B) I was right in the middle of it last year because we stayed right next door to where everything was happening and this year my hotel was about a 15-20 minute walk from the party.

As I write this I can hear Calgary Stampeder fans celebrating their teams victory in today's Grey Cup and I can hear Rider fans with that familiar RIIIIIIIIIIII-DERRRRRRRRRS chant as I type this from my room on the 15th floor of my hotel in Montreal. The Grey Cup is over and the Stampeders are the new kings of the CFL. Heres the way GC Sunday went through the eyes of my trusty camera.

Mother Nature co-operated by giving us a nice day---temperatures just below freezing as you get the look from the balcony of my hotel....

The time has come. All the talking is over. Its time to play some football. After some late nights and early mornings wandering the streets of downtown Montreal I can finally say game time is here. The streets were alive downtown last night with hockey fans who went to the Bell Centre to see the electric Patrick Roy retirement ceremony and with football fans from across this country who revel in all the festivities surrouding the big game. Where did I set up camp. That's easy.

The 96th Grey Cup is in full swing from Montreal and I hope you are enjoying the coverage that we are providing on News Talk Radio. I will have a two hour show for you tomorrow afternoon from 1-3 in which you will hear from Rider president, CEO and all around good guy Jim Hopson. You will also hear from CFL commissioner Marc Cohon, TSN's Glen Suitor, CFL rookie of the year Weston Dressler and players from both the Calgary Stampeders and Montreal Alouettes including quarterbacks Henry Burris and Anthony Calvillo.

--While many in the Rider Nation will spit nails if Calgary (Henry Burris) wins the Grey Cup, I for one won't care one bit. That being said, I believe this week and no disrespect to Burris but this week will belong to  Anthony Calvillo.

--If the Als do win the 96th Grey Cup and Calvillo is named the 2008 MOP will he call it a career. I would.

--If Calvillo does retire, does that make the price of one Darian Durant go up substantially

--Who has had a better career--Gene Makowsky or Roger Aldag

--Nothing against Henry Burris but how does Cam Wake not get the West nomination for Most Outstanding Player.  Yes Burris had outstanding player like numbers but you can't ignore the numbers Wake put up(well obviously some people can!)

--Accuse me of wearing green coloured glasses if you want but Sandro De Angelis over Luca Congi for Western Special Teams player. Uh no!!