Seven months ago we were a bunch of crazed rabid fans. Nothing much has changed but it is indeed a new year and a new Roughrider team.
I just completed one of the busiest months I've had in a long time. My goal was to just make it through with the big reward being the promise of attending Roughrider training camp at Griffith Stadium. Ugh. I got sick. Not just a run of the mill cold either....but some sort of bizarre gland/ear thing that took me 3 weeks to get over and feel normal - as normal as I ever was - and that meant.....I missed out.
*cry*
I sucked it up though. Because that's the kind of hearty prairie female Rider fan that I am and The Hubs and I went to what is now known as Fan Fest. It was supposed to give Saskatonians the 'game day' experience. Autographs were not held which was so disappointing considering I wasn't able to get to any of the training camp sessions. There were concessions along with face painting and activities for the kiddies. The Riders held a short practice and then a scrimmage. It was fun and the fresh air was good for me, but not getting the chance to meet the players was a fail to me.
Next up was the first Pre-season game against the REDBLACKS. It was marketed as an 'away' game so the Roughriders for the first time in the history of Taylor Field were on the Visitor side while the REDBLACKS got the Home bench. We had amazing tickets. I managed to get my grubby little hands on section 25 row 2 tickets right behind the GREENWHITES bench. So cool. During warmup, Chris Milo came over to the bench.....he said he got kicked off the sidelines on the other side and "this was so weird!" It was a little.
It was a fun game. First Gainer and Big Joe met up at center but ended up shaking hands. In spite of all the joking, Big Joe did look kind of cool in person even if he did take off after the 1st quarter. The game left me with a few impressions. Firstly, Darian Durant is no doubt a leader. When it was his time to take over as quarterback the whole stadium filled with an incredible sense of pride and and command that simply wasn't there moments before. Secondly, Ottawa proved that they could be somewhat competitive in their first year. I know it was just a pre-season game and all, but they took to the field like any other the other CFL teams would have. I sure bet it was interesting for Smilin' Hank to be on the home side for the first time in ages and probably pretty strange for Keith Shologan and Zack Evans too after being snatched up in the expansion draft.
It was great and I loved being there even though I was only one of 13,000. It didn't rain and I can save my $1.50 poncho for another day.
Now of course all the cuts have been revealed and we are now down to the main roster. There were some surprises. I am so sure that Kieth Toston is the new Running Back and if he isn't I'll eat my Rider flag. He won't be Kory Sheets nor he should be. The same goes for Flyin' Ryan Smith. The new number 81 isn't Geroy either. These guys will turn out to be themselves and we will love them like we've loved all those before them.
Are you ready for the 2014 season! Looks like we finally made it!
