Off Season Blues....er, I mean, Greens.

One time my Dad said to me, "Every night I take my socks off and throw them in the laundry basket." PAUSE.  "Last night I took them off and threw them in the toilet."

I know that has nothing to do with football or sports at all, but this morning it made me laugh.  It's been tough so far in 2014.  My dog, who was a huge Rider fan, passed away after a fight with lymphoma....there was that dreaded REDBLACK draft and then Free Agency.  So when something tickles my funny bone like a memory of dear Dad wringing out his socks.....I'll take it.

It still really bothers me that we lost Keith Shologan and Zack Evans to Ottawa.  I saw an Instagram picture of Sholo with his son in a REDBLACKS toque and my heart broke.  His son is the cutest little guy I've ever seen, by the way.....just wish he was wearing green.

The NFL came calling.  First it was Weston Dressler to the Kansas City Cheifs.  I know it's the dream of every American boy to play in the NFL but honestly I never thought Dressler fit that bill.  He is a total beast on the field and I really hope he has a chance to prove himself.  The last thing I want is for him to come back dejected and rather "messed up" like Fantuz did after his stint as a Bear.  Good luck Weston!  We want you to do well, but man, we will miss those rolling sliding grabs by the goal posts.

Hot on Dressler's tails, Kory Sheets was signed by the Oakland Raiders, which I am pleased to say, even though different colours, won't be all that hard to cheer for considering the name is so similar.....Raiders...Riders....it works.  I LOVED Kory Sheets.  I have a soft spot for running backs.  I once threatened Hubby by saying I was running away with Wes Cates....he said to go.  HA!  Kory was just plain fantastic.  I am going to miss shouting HOLY SHEETS!  I'm going to miss his celebration after a touchdown.  Most of all I won't get a chance to give him the cookies I promised last year at training camp and then didn't give them to him.

Sigh.

It seems our free agents have fled the country.  I understand most wanted and expected more money with the name champion under their belt.  Shocking what happens.  I'm tired of seeing how, football is a business.  Whatever happened to loyalty?

After perusing the 2014 Free Agency Tracker - which doesn't look very up to date, it might be easier to mention who hasn't left us.  Macho Harris, Taj Smith, Terrel Maze & Paul Waldu were extended.  Chris Milo re-signed.  We picked up Jade Ettienne and Josh Bartel....the Aussie kicker.  It seems it is only Jock Sanders who is still in limbo.  Will he be able to take over for Kory Sheets?

So many questions.  But isn't there always?  I remember when mass panic set in when Kerry Joseph left after the 2007 Grey Cup win.  I've remembered every off season since when it seemed like players we couldn't live without got traded or retired or went south.  We survived then and we will survive now and as I've always maintained....if we lived through Grey Cup 2009 then we can live through anything.

It won't really be all that long and the roster will be set.  Training camp will start, which I hope will be in Saskatoon again because that really does make a huge difference.  The season will start and all this stuff will be a memory.

But in the meantime....I hope my little blog put a smile on your face.  Chin up!  Bask in the Olympic glory.  And never fear for when those spring tulips finally break through the newly thawed tundra of Rider Nation, we will be ready.  I believe.