ABOUT TIME TO CUT CARTER SOME SLACK
Roughriders receiver is rare bright light in the game despite what detractors may say
Robservations ...
Duron Carter’s detractors should stop criticizing him and start enjoying him. He entertains Saskatchewan Roughriders fans — people he treats like royalty — on and off the field. How many members of the team have, in recent memory, gone out of their way so often to be nice to young fans in particular? As much as football is a business, and a harsh one at that, Carter also recognizes that it is a game. He is always smiling and, in a world that is polluted by problems of various descriptions, his happy-go-lucky demeanour is refreshing.
Yes, the multi-talented Carter can be a high-maintenance player. Roughriders head coach/GM Chris Jones meets with Carter every day, just to make sure that all is copacetic.
The team and its supporters should be grateful that Carter is who he is.
Were that not the case, he would still be a marquee member of the Montreal Alouettes, as opposed to being a 1,000-yard receiver with Saskatchewan.
The Roughriders have had some bad apples over the years — several players’ indiscretions were well-documented — but Carter certainly isn’t one of them. If anything, the personable pass-catcher is at the other end of the spectrum. So calm down, people!
Much was said and written about the fallout from Monday’s in-practice pugilism involving Carter and teammate Sam Williams. Many people who objected to the detailed reporting opined that it was “blown out of proportion” or simply erroneous. It is interesting and revealing, though, that nobody came close to effectively refuting reports that emanated from well-connected individuals such as Justin Dunk (3DownNation.com), Dave Naylor (TSN) and Arash Madani (Sportsnet). It is comical to see and hear people labelling a story as incorrect without countering with their version of the facts. It is bluster and outrage without substance.
Profuse thanks to an Evraz Place employee — first name: Rob — who helped a young man with a disability as he negotiated a few stairs in Section 213 following last Saturday’s rollicking WWE card at the Brandt Centre. Without even being asked or summoned, the well-named Rob walked over and cheerfully offered assistance.
Baaaad traffic light: Going northbound or southbound on Elphinstone Street, near the railway tracks. So, naturally, many of the city’s busiest sports facilities are nearby. Location, location, location ...
Am I the only person who enjoys watching the NFL on DAZN? The service has its critics, but I like the fact that DAZN enables me to access the NFL anywhere, thanks to my laptop. The portability is a plus.
Congratulations to me for winning the worst fantasy football game ever! The score: 45-40. On many a week, the combined point total isn’t enough to win a game.
How bad is 45 points in fantasy football? Peyton Manning, by himself, once exceeded that total as a valued member of the Leader-Post Mortems.
As a compassionate gesture, the name of the losing franchisee has been withheld as a gesture of compassion, respect and sportsmanship. However, his home address and phone number are ...
Nothing kills a column quite like highly personal references to fantasy football.
Nothing kills a sportscast quite like Major League Soccer highlights.
TSN’s SportsCentre with Jay and Dan is the best program on television (with profuse apologies to the minds behind Community Calendar).
It drives me nuts — a short trip, admittedly — when a hockey person utters “he can put the puck in the net” or some variation thereof. Why not just say “he can score?”
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to finish putting the words on the screen ... I mean, writing.
Nice people who deserve a plug: Craig Smith, Cathy Smith, Jason Roske, Kevin Knight, Wayne Kuntz, Katrina Henning, Sawyer Buettner, Jordan Walls, Spencer Moore, Rob Bagg, Crezdon Butler, Brendon LaBatte, Paige Kreutzwieser, Rick Gallinger, Atlanta Gallinger, Jasper Priebe, Ian Hamilton, Diane McDonald and Dale West.