At Summer's End

Here we are closing in on the end of August.  All the little Neighbourhood Terrorists are busy getting their back to school clothing and supplies and sadly, I myself will have to go back to my "real" job as piano macdaddy in two weeks as well.

While this is going on the CFL is busy releasing all these new *Signature Look* uniforms.  I'm not going to say who has the best/worst new uniforms which, will actually only be worn a few times a season, because there is nothing that football fans like better than to disagree with each other.  I will tell you why I think the new and fresh Rider jersey will be around for a long time.  The wheat sheaf is a long standing symbol of the province of Saskatchewan.  The Riders are owned by the community and entire province.  There is nothing better to adorn their uniforms with than the wheat sheaf. And really ... don't those wheat sheaves bare a suspicious resemblance to uprights/goal posts? "I Am Rider Nation".  Are there any more powerful words?  In the sun and heat.  In the pouring rain.  In the sleet and snow and minus 40.  We. Are. Rider Nation. The helmets.....  I know that if you squint really hard and apply an Instagram filter they might kinda sorta look like watermelons ... and you know what?  That's okay too.  Who hasn't carved up a melon from the Superstore as head gear on game day?  Yes.  I think they got this design right.

I watched not only one but two NFL preseason games last week.  Weird.  I saw a very comfortable looking Kory Sheets playing in Oakland.  Apparently, he's 4th in the depth charts but he looked good to me.  I suspect he will have a job there.  I got conned into watching the Kansas City Chiefs with the promise of seeing Weston Dressler who in spite of some saying was in for a play in the 4th was not.  I feel really bad because unlike the Fantuz fiasco, I believe Dressler actually stood a chance.  Now we are all waiting to find out what happens next.  IF he is indeed released, then I believe the Riders and Rider Nation need to throw everything his way to ensure he comes back.  I suspect he has a certain amount of loyalty considering his number 13 jersey number but you can never tell when "the business" comes into play.  I believe in Brendan Tamon and I know that he has something in place for this occasion...and possibly even if Sheets does become available too.

Paris Jackson got released from Ottawa.  Consensus around Rider Nation and from an informal Twitter poll is OH HELL NO.  I don't think we will be seeing him around Saskie soon.  However, Brendan Tamon did say on Sportscage yesterday that they are looking at bringing in another kicker to help Milo out.  Then late last night the name Justin Palardy was floating around the Twittersphere.  All I know is that there are no consistent kickers in this league anymore.  The days of Robo Kicker are long gone.

The Hubs and I ventured to the game on Saturday.  What a great time it was!  Loved it.  Sat in section 25 again as for some reason I believe we've become EastSiders.  Once I was comfortable in my Row 49 seats and having to climb those horrid steps with my short wheel base, there was no way I was leaving until the end.  The game was fun.  We had a really good time.  The fans around us were terrific.  I don't know what the media is trying to do because everything I listen(ed) to EXCEPT for The Voice of the Riders was negative.  I heard the game was boring.  I seriously cannot figure it out.  I even watched the game on my pvr and still don't get it.  This was the first sell out of the season.  Why would you want to go to a game that the media is calling boring?  I really hate it and I know hate is a very strong word, but I seriously hate it.  The games are exciting.  There is an atmosphere in the stands that you cannot get anywhere else.  Don't listen to what the guys on CKOM are selling and get your butts to the games.  You will not regret it.


Some final thoughts.  Don't you dare say a word about Darian Durant.  This man is our leader.  Guys like Tyron Brackenridge and Rob Bagg have been quoted since the game about what a leader he is and how he carries the team.  A family and a team...a real team...compensates for each other.  The offense isn't quite clicking but I saw shades of what is to come.  Our defense is completely making up for it.  How about that John Chick? <swoon> No the games haven't been high scoring but you know what? Defenses win championships. Also, you don't show all your tricks against a team like Montreal especially when you play BC next!  You have to plan for down the road.  You play to win the game but you don't show everything you have in your playbook if you don't have to.  The Riders are now 5-2.  The team is winning. We are winning!

Good teams find a way to win at all costs.

Championship teams find a way to win no matter what.

Period.