What are you thankful for this time of year?
I’m thankful for the Saskatchewan Roughriders. It’s game day in Regina and I can’t think of a better way to spend Thanksgiving Monday.
The Riders welcome the Edmonton Eskimos to Mosaic Stadium and I’ll be hanging out at the Party In The Park with Access shooting for In The Huddle. I’ll be looking to find out what you’re thankful for with Canada’s team at this juncture of the season.
My keys for a Rider win today?
- Win the turnover battle
- Control the clock
- limit penalties
Sound familiar? Those are my keys to win EVERY football game. I will add this though: Zac Collaros will have to continue to spread the ball around to keep this Edmonton defence on their heels.
I’m thankful for new Tennessee Titans’ head coach Mike Vrabel.
My Sunday started with the Titans game in Buffalo but was interrupted to help my brother install a couple of windows in his new house that is being built. I watched the second half of the football game on the PVR when I got home.
The team was not very good on this day and were on the wrong end of 13-12 score. Inside I was ready to explode when Nick Williams dropped a sure touchdown late in the football game that may have secured a Titans’ win. But that wasn’t the reason they lost. They committed far too many turnovers and simply did not make enough good plays.
I love the attitude and confidence that the first-year head coach displays though. A week ago against the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, Marcus Mariota and the Titans converted four 4th down conversions in overtime including a 4th-&-2 where Mike Vrabel elected not to attempt a 50-yard FG and instead kept the ball in the hands of Mariota-&-Co. It turned out to be a great decision as they scored the game-winning touchdown a few plays later.
The Titans may have some issues offensively, (especially in the first three quarters) but Vrabel has changed the culture and has developed an energy within that locker room that is contagious.
The Titans, at 3-2, are going to be ok.
I’m thankful for the Saskatoon Blades going 3-1 on their Central Division road-swing, 4-2 during a stretch of six games in eight days and sitting at 6-2 on the season.
I have never called a Blades playoff game. This is a fun, exciting group that may be able to change that for me.
Oh, I’m also thankful to Les Lazaruk for allowing me to ride shotgun as much as I can again this year!
Speaking of hockey, I’m thankful to Phil Andrews for letting me call a few Regina Pats’ games with him on the radio this season. I’m spending much more time in Regina and love being at the rink so why not call a few more?
I have plenty of experience guiding fans through a Memorial Cup hangover and am confident that the group in Regina will get things back on track in short order!
I’m thankful for good tires on my vehicle!
Here’s an example of my fall/winter season (although usually not quite THIS intense!):
Over 6 days I:
- called 7 games
- featuring 13 different teams to prepare for
- in two different sports
- in four different cities
- in two provinces
- traveled 2,800 km
I don’t know any other way to operate!
Here’s a few other things I’m thankful for that I will try to keep short:
- Auston Matthews and Jonathan Tavares.
- wonderful, supportive family
- A welcoming new community and all the wonderful people I have met over the last few months
- and I’m thankful to Rod Pedersen and CKRM for allowing me to play a small role on the Sportscage, but more importantly, great friendship and unbelievable support.
Enjoy the game!
I’m also thankful for all those things you’re thankful for. I’m really thankful your schedule allowed you to have some home time and turkey and most of all you in our nest for two sleeps?