Random Thoughts From Motown Mitch: Sept. 9

Mitch Kasprick is the “Motown Curmudgeon” aka “Motown Mitch”

Odds and Ends, Thoughts and Questions,  from this past week in sports – 

Just so there’s no confusion when I’m spewing my bias, I am a fan of the Winnipeg Jets, Arizona Coyotes, Manitoba Moose, Winnipeg Ice, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays, Arizona Diamondbacks, Winnipeg Goldeyes, Toronto Raptors, all curlers from Manitoba, and all Canadian athletes competing on the international stage. 

I am NOT a fan of Gary Bettman or as I call him, Count Chocula.  I am a big believer in the 7Ps.  You’ve been warned.

1. Jets:  The Winnipeg Jets have nothing to report as it pertains to Patrik Laine or Kyle Connor BUT out of the blue Josh Morrissey reports that he and the Jets have started talks on a long-term contract.  Josh stated he wants to be a Winnipeg Jets player for a few more news.  This is terrific news.

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2. Blue Bombers:  Winnipeg 35 vs Saskatchewan 10 …  All I have to say is “the Riders are who we thought they were”.  It was complete Blue Bombers domination from start to finish.

The Blue Bombers go into their bye week with a 1 1/2 game lead in the west (9-3) and then return for six tough games.  They play in Montreal after the bye, then host Hamilton, then visit the Riders, then host Montreal before finishing the season with a home and home with Calgary.  No gimmes down the stretch but they do control their own fate. 

The Good: 

• The opening drive.  The score was 7-0 with 6:05 left on the game clock when Saskatchewan took their first snap in the first quarter. 
• Johnny Augustin was very solid again.
• Chris Streveler looked way more comfortable in his third start and I’m sure being at home didn’t hurt either.
• The Blue Bombers defence smothered the Riders offence all game.
• Another special teams touchdown.  Janarion Grant took another one (51 yards) to the house making that THREE for him in his short CFL career. 

The Bad:   

• Mike O’Shea’s challenge late in the game.  I’m sure it was gamesmanship but why?  

The Ugly:

• No ugly this week. 

3. Jets:  The Winnipeg Jets have signed goaltender Eric Comrie (rolls eyes) to a two-year contract with an average annual value of $700,000 in the NHL.  The contract is a two-way deal in 2019-20 followed by a one-way deal in 2020-21.  The one-way deal in two years puzzles me though.

4. U.S. Open Tennis:  Bianca Andreescu was the story of the 2019 US Open and I wrote this before the Women’s Final.  Well, it turns out the story wasn’t quite over yet and ended with Andresscu dominating Serena Williams in the US Open Final, winning in straight sets.  Bianca is the first Canadian to win a “singles” tennis major.  What an incredible year for the 19-year-old.

5. Blue Bombers:  Thank you to all the Riders fans that travelled to Winnipeg from Saskatchewan and helped sell out the “Banjo Bowl”. 

6. Jets:  Chevy has actually been fairly busy this summer.  He has signed quite a few players to contracts, the problem is most of them will never see full-time employment in the NHL.  

7. Blue Bombers:  I wonder what a backfield of Andrew Harris and Johnny Augustin would look like?  Throw in Chris Streveler and that could be a tough running game to deal with.

Johnny Augustin

8. Pet Peeve:  TSN and the CFL cramming the Relklaws down our throats every week.

9. Vikings:  I almost forgot how good Dalvin Cook looked last year (rookie season) before his injury.  He certainly was studly in the Vikes season opener on Sunday.  Cook had 111 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries. 

10. Ottawa Senators Rookie Showcase:  The Winnipeg Jets youngins got spanked by Ottawa (8-1) in their first game but rebounded for a close win over Montreal (2-1) in their second game this past weekend in Belleville.  It looks like hockey is upon us.

11. Blue Jays:  The Blue Jays are auditioning a lot of young players down the stretch and it isn’t pretty.  

12. Vikings:  The Vikes are the winningest NFC team over the last six years and have SFA to show for it.  It’s not easy being a Minny fan.  

13: Raptors:  It’s amazing how invested I was with all the Kawhi Leonard drama but now that the dust has settled and hockey season is on the horizon, I could give a rats ass.  All I have to say now is good luck Kawhi and thanks for helping to bring a championship to Canada.   

14. NFL:  Antonio Brown and the New England Patriots can both kiss my …..  

15. Important Dates:

Sept. 21:  Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Montreal.

Sept. 16:  Winnipeg Jets pre-season opener at Edmonton.

Sept. 18:  Winnipeg Jets pre-season home opener vs Minnesota.

Oct. 3:  Winnipeg Jets regular-season opener at the New York Rangers.

Oct. 10:  Winnipeg Jets regular-season home opener vs the Minnesota Wild.

If you have any questions for Darryl or myself (Mitch) please give us a shout.  You can use the comment section or use the #ASKWHTPOD hashtag on Twitter.  

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If you have any thoughts on any of these comments or questions, please let me know.  We would love to hear your opinions.

Thanks, Mitch 

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