Tonight is the very first game for the Ottawa REDBLACKS. After week one, they unbelievably sat in first in the east without even playing a game. Ufdah! [as my mother in law would say] How is it possible to not even play a game and come out better than the guys who did? Yikes.
I did have the pleasure of seeing the REDBLACKS preseason game in Regina. My opinion is that everyone will underestimate them. They did hold their own in the game. They've got the talent. Even though, I picked the "Willypeg" Blue Bombers to win tonights historical game, I think Ottawa is going to surprise everyone.
Who else surprised us last week? I already mentioned the Bombers who are probably wishing they were still part of the eastern division, but what about those Eskimo's? It seems they've maybe got it together for this season. I am never one to count out the Lions, but they really aren't the same team who made us all throw our beer cans at the tv back when. The Stampeders aren't either. I used to think Hufnagel was one of the toughest coaches, but this year...I don't know. They just don't seem as dominant as they once were. Of course it was only game one and there are 17 more games to be played so who can tell how things will turn out? One thing is for sure, the Lions have tons of pressure on them since they are hosting the Grey Cup this year and if the trend were to continue they logically [but not hopefully because I know my Riders will be there instead] would make it to the big game as well.
So. How about those Riders?! We had concerns didn't we? We didn't know who would fill those gaps vacated by those favorite players of ours. Did we miss a step? Because wowzers the Riders came out to defend their championship in mid season form. We played a very unprepared TiCat team. That is for sure. Poor Collaros couldn't stay upright for all the chickpeas in Saskie. His offensive line just didn't care or couldn't do anything about it against our totally dominant defense. Admittedly, if I saw Chick and Foley rushing me I might fall over too, but 10 sacks?! That tied a Rider record. And look at that offensive line. Undoubtedly, the Riders have the best Oline in the league. Heck, I could run through the gaps they create. Lastly, who is this Anthony Allen dude? Where did he come from? The Hubs kepts saying he reminded him of Robert Drummond. I can see him getting more and more effective as we get into the season. Soon #26 Allen jerseys will be flying off the racks.
Speaking of that.....a certain blogger said she figured Keith Toston was the guy and if he wasn't she'd eat her Rider flag. Ugh. All I can ask is...what goes better with nylon - ketchup or mustard? How can a guy who looks like the guy get put on the practice roster? *shrugs*
This week the Riders head to Toronto to take on the Argos who lost last week. Remember the TSN top 50 players? Ricky Ray was named #1. It will be interesting to see how we match up. Playing a team like Toronto is also a good reminder about what can happen if we let it. They won the Grey Cup two years ago. They are close to not having a stadium to play in. Rider Nation is strong but it wasn't really all that long ago that we weren't and as Rod Pederson mentioned on Sportscage the other day, there was a time you wouldn't be caught dead in a Roughrider shirt.
By the way, I ended up 7th in the pool on PoolTracker.com. How the heck does a flag eating female football fanatic end up 7th? Shocking particularly because my rational is not always stats but "ooh, they wear blue and I like blue".....unless the colour is green. Green is always the colour and you can count on me choosing them to win any week any day. As coach Chamblin says "win all day every day."
One last parting thought - Journey to the Cup was a great production. It was a mere half hour and was really well done by the guru's at TSN however, I actually liked "All In" better. Tell me your thoughts! And until then Go Riders!
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