A Slow Week in Riderville – But There’s Still News

I hope PA and area Rider fans will forgive me for a little late, but between a royal wedding, Osama Bin Laden and a general election, I guess I was distracted.

Because let's be honest, with training camp opening June 5, there just wasn't all that much in Riderville this past week, with the exception of these tidbits.

First off is something either really funny, interesting, degrading or exciting, depending on your point of view. The Lingerie Football League is looking to place a franchise in Saskatchewan.

The LFL has women play football in pads, helmets shoes and the latest items from Victoria's Secret. They play hitting seven person teams and will be in competition with a regular women's football league.

No doubt Regina's Mayor will be making a full court press on this to add to the “Multipurpose Entertainment Facility”. The players better hope they get a domed stadium, it can get pretty cold in the fall.

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After that burst of excitement, there is some genuine excitement this weekend as the CFL holds their amateur draft. The first two rounds of the draft will be televised on TSN (check local listings) and rounds three to six will be shown on TSN.com. With TSN showing exhibition games and giving the Canadian draft its due, I guess they are trying to sell their case as sole televisor of CFL games when their contract with the CFL expires this year. With the ratings the CFL has given TSN, and especially Rider fans, expect teams to cash in big with a new TV contract

As to whom the Riders will pick, well, let's assume the obvious and say it will be an offensive lineman. But there are rumors Edmonton would be willing to trade their number 2 overall pick and the Riders could use it to pick Scott Mitchell, who TSN draft analyst Duane Forde says will be the draft pick most able to start and contribute right away. Winnipeg has the first and fourth picks and may be looking at either Mitchell or a linebacker out of St. Francis Xavier.

There are two University of Regina Rams that will be looking at the draft with interest. Receiver Brenden Owens is eligible and the Riders have done well with Ram receivers. If you are a receiver in high school, go try out for the Rams, you will be drafted or signed as a free agent.

The other player is quarterback Marc Mueller, who is Ron Lancaster's grandson. The Riders may lose out of the PR value of having Mueller suit up to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, where Mueller spent many a summer with his grandfather. I hope the Riders do either draft him or sign him for a couple of reasons. Canadian quarterbacks need the opportunity to play and Mueller is like his grandfather. But the other reason is imagine the exhibition game when Mueller comes onto the field and fans get to vicariously honor probably the greatest Saskatchewan Roughrider of all time (Although I might say George Reed).

Weston Dressler spoke to Regina media stating he wants to be a Rider for life. I don't care if we were $26,000 over the salary cap, sign Dressler and don't let him go.

Brent Hawkins, a defensive end who came in with some fanfare and had a shoulder injury, recently bench-pressed 500 pounds and had it posted on YouTube. While that was impressive, former Rider Scott Schultz didn't think so, mostly because who ever does that in a game situation. But I guess it shows Hawkins has recovered and is prepared for a monster year.

The Riders held a free agent camp in Florida last month and are expected to have two this month, one in Dallas, the other maybe back in Florida. There is an open component to the camp, the business part is restricted to Riders on the negotiation list and free agents. With the NFL draft recently concluded and the NFL in labor uncertainty, I would be interested to see who comes to, but more importantly, who comes up to Saskatchewan, after these camps