Almost Everything

We almost had it all.

Or did we?

Nothing could compare to the 2013 season. We hosted the Grey Cup. We hoisted the Grey Cup. Everything we could imagine in our wildest dreams came true...and came true right in our own stomping ground.

2014 never stood a chance. No matter how we tried to keep the pieces of the puzzle the same...they wouldn't fit. We lost players to free agency. We lost players to injury. We lost hearts in the stands. On and off the field we just couldn't get things gelling. Maybe it was Grey Cup hang over. The feeling, drive and determination was not there as it had been. Then when the unthinkable happened and our franchise quarterback, Darian Durant, went down it devastated us more than any of us wanted to let on.

*SIGH*

It was within reach. We made it to the play offs by a hair. In the end, we just couldn't do it no matter how much we willed Kerry Joseph to do it for us. Thinking about it now, maybe we put more pressure on him than he was able of handling in the circumstances.  I am heartbroken for him. His words of criticism cut and no one should have to bear that.  We wanted him to "Kerry us to the Cup" but it wasn't going to be the stuff Disney movies are made of.  Especially when we had all the glory last year.

So what's next? Well some are calling for firings and big shake ups. I'm not about that at all. We all learn from losses. Some will say 'what do you know, you aren't a player' and that's true. I've always felt that my career choice of piano teacher was similar in many aspects to coaching and playing football. I teach the fundamentals. I give you the skills to play. Sometimes there are concerts, exams and festivals. There are winners and losers. I've seen winners lose and previous losers win. Losing is a good thing. It builds character and it motivates. My students who have experienced both come away smarter, fine tuned and better prepared. It's the same for football. This loss as painful as it feels now will serve us in 2015.

None of the logic makes it easier does it?  The fact is the lockers will be cleaned out, changes will be made in the off season and a new team will emerge from training camp. Our community will gather to support them all clad in our newly pressed green jerseys, hats and face paint.  Our voices will go hoarse from cheering. Our hopes will once more rise.  It is the way of Rider Nation.

Hold you head high. Reflect with happiness. Know that we had almost everything.