Roundtable
Mid Trample /Source: huskieoutsider.com
University of Regina teams prepare for another season
In the off-season, the Regina Rams landed former University of Hawaii quarterback Cayman Shutter. Do you think the acquisition of a veteran quarterback will get the Rams back to the playoffs this season?
McDowell: Getting Cayman was huge, and largely unexpected. Of course, having a veteran in the pocket will help, but sadly Cayman won’t replace the other 19 that graduated. I still think we’re in for a rebuilding year, or five.
Wincherauk: I think that you have to be pretty happy when you can bring back a player the caliber of Shutter. While he may not have been starting a lot of games at Hawaii, the experience that he got just from being at a big Division 1 school is always a huge plus.
Kreutzwieser: This guy’s story is intriguing, so I’m excited to watch how this season plays out. But, the real question is, can he throw a ball in -30 degree weather? Just a guess, but I think the playing conditions are a little different here than in Hawaii.
Sockett: The Rams acquiring Cayman is a great move; the experience he brings to the table is huge. However, this isn’t golf and football is a team game and no one player can make or break a season, overall I think the Rams lack the experience to be a serious contender in the playoff race.
Which University of Regina team are you most looking forward to watching this season, and why?
McDowell: I think I would have to go with women’s volleyball. Just kidding, no one’s looking forward to that. Being the hockey fan that I am, I am the most excited for the men’s hockey team. After finally making the playoffs last season, I expect to see another post-season berth, and plenty of drunken post-game celebratory shin digs.
Wincherauk: I am most looking forward to watching the men’s basketball team. They lost a lot of veteran players, and of course James Hillis, so I’m interested to see how they respond to these losses, whether Burrows can motivate them or not.
Kreutzwieser: I’m most looking forward to any home games for any team. Reason why…I did not take full advantage of the alcohol availability last year. Is that a legitimate reason?
Sockett: This one’s a toss up for me. The love triangle I have going between football, hockey and myself makes this a tough choice. To avoid causing unnecessary jealousy between the Rams and the Cougars men’s hockey team, I’ll say as long as the hits are hard and the beer is cold I’ll be in the stands.
The Regina Red Sox are currently 22-19 and are hoping to accomplish mission threepeat and capture their third WMBL title in a row. Do you think that the team will be champions once again?
McDowell: I want to say yes to this question so bad, but no, the answer is no. I was there for the repeat last year, and it was one of the best moments of my summer, but I have accepted that was a one-time thing. As long as they finish better than the Weyburn Beavers, I’m happy.
Wincherauk: I think that the Red Sox incredible run over the past two seasons will come to an end in 2013. They just don’t have the same level of talent as their previous seasons. They will be in tough to just make the playoffs let alone win it all again.
Kreutzwieser: As a former Moose Jawvian, I would like to say no. Every time they would play the Millers, their fans were just annoying – and borderline abusive. But, now that I consider Regina my stomping grounds, I will admit I have been rooting for them.
Sockett: Having been to a game this summer I found myself incredibly emotionally invested in the Red Sox. If the Red Sox’s pitching staff was half as good as the two hotdogs I took down they’d have a serious chance, but seeing as the Sox walked in two runs in one hour long inning leaves me with some major doubts.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are currently 5-0 and everyone in Ridernation is already calling for a Grey Cup. What are your thoughts on the Riders season so far?
McDowell: I may or may not have already ordered my undefeated season sweatshirt. But seriously, fans need to enjoy this dominating time while they can. In other news, I would like to propose that it should be made illegal to have to work during a Rider game, also if your boss orders pizza he should be required to share. It’s a long, painful story. I don’t want to talk about it.
Wincherauk: It seems every year the Riders have a very hot start, but often end up fizzling out. Offence looks great, defence looks great, but it’s how you finish, not how you start. This start has been great, but people should temper their expectations.
Kreutzwieser: I think I’ve had close to a million conversations about this already. My opinion: when you have the build up in the pre-season and then actually follow through with talent in your first handful of games, you’re on the path to something good.
Sockett: Before the season started, I was scared at how good the Riders looked on paper, because as the Jays have shown us, looking good on paper doesn’t mean a thing. After a 5-0 start, the Riders look damn good on all sides of the ball, often dominating their opponents. As long as they can pick up where they left off after the bi-week, I see no reason for the Rider train to slow down. Take note fellow fans, we won’t see another Rider team this good for a long time.
What has been your favourite summer sports moment of 2013?
McDowell: Originally, I was going to say going to the Red Sox game. But it was deathly cold and raining, and the first inning took an hour. An hour, people. And to top it off, there was this incredibly annoying girl that I didn’t get to punch in the face. Terribly upsetting. So, I think my favourite memory would be Carly Rae Jepson’s epically awful first pitch.
Wincherauk: Right now, it was definitely seeing Henry Burris get whipped by the Riders in their last game. I’ve never liked Burris (what Rider fan does), so it was especially sweet to see him get knocked around.
Kreutzwieser: Off the top of my head I think of Lincecum’s no hitter. The look on his face when it happened is the exact reason why sports are awesome.
Sockett: Disney, I have found your sequel to Miracle on Ice. Last Sunday, the Regina Copperheads superstar right-winger Jordan “Fucking” Trask scored an incredible goal in a tilt against Folk Construction. In true Trask fashion, Jordan reminded us what it means to “put the team on your back” as only he and Marshawn Lynch can. In the final minutes of the game on a two on one, Trask made a gutsy decision to “look off” yours truly. He then proceeded to score a bar down goal that had many fans, refs, and players on both sides questioning their religious beliefs. I witnessed a goal that will no doubt see Trask skyrocketed into the Beer League Hall of Fame, with all the other washed up greats you’ve never heard of.
