Is It Over Yet?

Mercifully, Sunday was the final game of the Saskatchewan Roughriders 2015 season. The Riders travelled to Montreal to take on the equally terrible Montreal Allouetes. Could we have ever imagined a season ender like this back in 2009 or '10?

I've been thinking lot's lately about how hopeful I was back in June. I took in many sessions of Training Camp here in Saskatoon. Seeing both Darian Durant and Kevin Glenn on the field was reassuring. We'd fixed the back up issues of last year. How silly was I? We forget quickly and even though the Riders issues go far beyond the lack of developing a competent back up...we forget the undeniable presence of Darian Durant any time he sets foot on the football field. He elevates everything. Thinking back to the season opener against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, hearing his voice call out for the snap...Wow. Its awe inspiring. Whatever that is – it's “it”.

There have been many questions about Darian's recovery and in last weeks press conference someone asked him if he'll be the same quarterback. I loved his response. “No. I won't be the same quarterback. I'm going to be better.” I believe him. That's the level of confidence I want to hear from the leader of my team. However, some still like to condemn the two time Grey Cup winner. Some are saying it's time for a trade. That's looney tunes to me. In spite of the Grey Cup win at home in 2013, haters are still going to hate.

Later on, when Kevin Glenn was injured we witnessed the evolution of Brett Smith. He really seemed to show promise. However, as the season continued and our offence started to stutter, it became evident that our offensive line just wasn't up to snuff and the poor backup had to scramble again and again. It seemed playing him was doing more damage than good. Sure, it's great that Brett Smith can scramble when he needs to but when he doesn't even have time to go through his reads because the Oline can't control the line of scrimmage (or takes holding penalties instead), well, he's rather doomed. I wish he could roll out instead of having to scramble. I like his heart and the team seems to play better with him but is that a personality choice or are they just more familiar with his play?

Shrugs.

Last week the Rider faithful saw third stringer Keith Price. When he took the snap and stepped back I admit I was wooed. He had pocket presence. Then when his first pass ended up being a touchdown pass to the “president” Naaman Roosevelt, well, it was jaw dropping. Since we've found out a few things about Price including that a Warren Moon scholarship paid for his schooling at the University of Washington. I think he has the poise to continue to develop.

An undoubtedly defining moment of the 2015 Rider season was the firing of head coach Corey Chamblin. I posted a Twitter pole and 80% of Ridernation who answered still stands by the decision. In my opinion, it was better to do it when it happened because the fans and organization found out just how badly the Riders had been patched together. Did you read “the interview” on Yahoo Sports? Did you listen to the interview with Ballzy on CKRM? I thought the Ballzy interview was really well done and asked the tough questions. I also thought Chamblin was honest but still maybe not far enough removed because it's going to take time to see clearly what happened. He didn't sound egotistical at all. In fact one of the biggest eye openers was how he said about 4 people had been interviewed for defensive coach and were offered jobs but they all declined and that led him to doing it himself. Mike McCullough thinks it's because he burnt bridges. I don't think that's the case. It takes a special breed of coach to withstand the microscope of Saskatchewan media and fans. Why would you say yes to constant criticism?! Even I praise my piano students before correcting them. Ridernation is harsh and sometimes the biggest problem.

The Roughrider season has divided Rider fans. The same amount of fans who stand by the firing of Chamblin have also stopped following the team and CFL because of the dismal season. That's a shame. There have been some excellent games including the REDBLACKS vs Ticats game Saturday. Even though my team isn't doing well, I still pride myself on being a fan of the league. Us rabid Rider fans are strongly opinionated and often find ourselves embroiled in disagreements. In spite of this, I've managed to make some great acquaintances with other fans of the other 8 teams in this 9 team league. Rnation is giving us a run for the money but I think it is so completely refreshing to have another team in the league who has passionate fans and don't mind shouting it from the rooftops. Good on you! And while I'm at it, how awesome has Smilin' Hank been?! I take back everything I've said about him. He is part of something really special there in Ottawa.

In the first game of the Riders 2015 season against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers John Chick got an interception and scored a touchdown but like so many other instances in the season, it got taken back on a penalty. In Sundays game against our old Grey Cup foes John Chick single handily changed the outcome by scooping up a fumble and sending us to over time. It was shades of Canada Day 2010. As I saw Crapigna line up for the tying field goal, I quickly counted the players on the field. Some habits die hard. But there we were and my almost dead green heart pounded a little harder. It was a boring game. It was turnovers galore. The fourth quarter and over time were exciting and just as the Alouettes had battled back in 2009, we did the same in this game. The Riders played with their hearts on the sleeves of their jerseys. After losing pretty much everything they still wanted to win this one.

3 – 15

Ugh.

The off season is going to be interesting. We're going to say goodbye to some guys we love. It's going to be upsetting. Coaches will be hired. A GM will be named. The snow will melt and it'll be time for camp again.

Here's to building for 2016.

Rider Bye's & Fruit Flies

I took the Roughriders bye week off from blogging. Instead, I waged a war on fruit flies. They moved in to my kitchen when I brought home a box of pears from Costco. Let me say this – Fruit flies are not my friend.

During the bye week, we said goodbye to Kevin Glenn in a trade to the Montreal Alouettes. The Riders got a 5^th round draft pick in return. Then we turned around and used that draft pick as leverage and sent Jerome Messam to the Calgary Stampeders for a kicker (Tyler Crapigna) and a player on their negotiation list. It took some time to find out who the neg list player was and he had no sooner arrived in Regina when he got some NFL opportunities and quickly retreated. In the end of it we signed a RB Chad Spann.

GASP! Messam to the Stamps?!

May as well just kill off Glenn on the Walking Dead.

Oh wait.

So after the initial shock wore off it did feel encouraging for Jeremy O'Day to be making some moves. It felt like he was making a statement and doing what any 2 – 14 team does when looking to the future and that is trade for some younger players. As much as I've enjoyed McCallum being our kicker, the truth is that he's a 45 year old man. I've loved his attitude in spite of what I've heard others say...I do believe he has been a leader in the locker room when we were lacking that so badly this season. Messam to Calgary was a great move for the Stamps with the future of Cornish up in the air. It seems he's still suffering from effects from concussion injuries. I talked to a Stamps fan and even he admitted that in his opinion it was a stupid move from the Roughriders, but Messam was a free agent at the end of the season anyway. We were bound to lose him one way or another. So...as it may appear, I'm on the fence about Jeremy O'Day. I also highly suspect his hands are tied by previous contracts and the salary cap and so many other things that our little fandom brains can't even comprehend it. What I do know is that he was a player on a Roughrider team who did suffer as horribly as the 2015 team has. Maybe...just maybe he is exactly the right man for the job.

~ shrugs ~

Here we are nearing the end of October and what have we found out about the 2015 Saskatchewan Roughriders? They are awful in every possible way. Tackling has been an issue right out of training camp. That can almost sum everything up. We are slow. We are undersized. We are unmotivated. I don't think Bob Dyce is the next Head Coach. There, I said it. The Roughriders need a coach & coaches who can keep the team in check, preparing them for every game situation possible and firing them up when they falter. At times during the game Saturday, Dyce seemed bored. He's also saying some similar things as to what Chamblin was quoted as saying in media scrums. Sure mistakes happen but it is your job to be better...make the team better...

...Fans deserve better and we know, BETTER is always possible.

This team has consistently tried to hang onto the glory of past seasons and done very little to plan for next year. We can't even say we are in “next year country”. There are very few players on this current team who should be here next week never mind next year. The bottom line for the Roughriders is they need to put a system in place to scout and develop players not only for now but for always. They should always be looking for the next Chick, the next Dressler, the next franchise quarterback. There needs to be an end to finding the cast offs and trying to rehabilitate them. It doesn't work and we end up running in circles.

This is where someone like Wally Buono has excelled. He's been able to see the end of a career and nip it in the bud before they've over stayed their welcome. It's shocking. But when you are the GM or HC your job is to make the tough calls not the popular ones. You have to do what is best for the greater good. You have to sometimes release players you've loved to move the team forward. It's not personal – it's business.

Did firing Corey Chamblin and Brendan Taman change anything? There was such an outcry at the time but really, in my opinion, all it really did was expose how broken down the team really was. No longer can we hinge the Riders demise to the injuries of Darian Durant or Shea Emry. When the rule changes occurred the Roughriders were the last team to try to adapt. We didn't employ a defence that was prepared or could over come the changes while our small receivers constantly got beat by taller Db's. Next season I'm looking to see taller bigger defensive backs and receivers and I know that means saying goodbye to Riders we love dearly.

Rip off the band aid.

Just pull Glenn off the dumpster.

There are two games left in the Roughriders season. Many fans have already jumped ship. They've gotten behind the Jays, although that didn't end very well. It was very inspiring to see so many people, myself included, come together for a Canadian team. Others have turned to hockey or the NFL. I myself am enjoying the end of the Nascar season and have tuned into some of the Boise State games which are always fun to watch on the Smurf Turf.

Sigh.

Oh...so how did I finally get rid of the fruit flies? It turns out a slice of fruit with vinegar in a jar and a makeshift funnel made out of paper is all it takes to trap them.

If only the Roughriders problems could be resolved so easily.

Paint the World PINK

It's an interesting time we're living in. In the last week, I was unfollowed on Twitter for being judgemental, bashed for not wanting to pay higher taxes for something the government has no right to be involved in, and told the Pink campaign for breast cancer awareness is a scam. This can only mean one thing...the Riders are not only losing but have finally “officially” been “mathematically” eliminated from the 2015 Grey Cup play offs.

I'm a strong prairie woman. Your opinion on any social media platform means little to me. Elections bring out the worst in people and even though I try to maintain my belief of don't discuss politics and religion, sometimes things slip out. Hey, if I have to see your silly Anyone But Conservative slogan time after time, my little share with our Prime Minister in a guitar factory should be okay. But what really got me angry was when I saw a photo criticizing football players and cheerleaders for wearing pink for breast cancer awareness month.

Apparently, “pink washing” is a thing.

Who knew?

Prior to 2010 CFL players were not allowed under CFL regulations to wear anything during practice or games that were not considered regulation football uniforms. In 2007 Roughriders Marcus Chunky Adams made the news by wearing pink shoelaces to show support for his mother who had been diagnosed with breast cancer. I cite him because I recall his story more easily but there were other CFL players who were ambassadors for breast cancer awareness as well. These men fought for the ability for CFL players to wear pink during games as a sign of support for female fans and family members. This is why every CFL team takes turns during the month of October to wear pink.

Back in 2011 the Roughriders sold Touchdown for Dreams bandanas at their Rider Stores. They came in a set of two; one to be worn and the other to be signed and returned to Taylor Field at Mosaic Stadium as a massive show of support for those battling cancer. I bought one and had my piano students sign it and then it was sent to the football game.

Touchdown for Dreams is a partnership between Cameco, the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency and the Saskatchewan Roughriders. The program holds different events to promote early detection programs. They also sell pink items and merchandise through the month of October to grant wishes and dreams to women who have life threatening diagnosis of cancer.

In January of this year I received a courageous phone call from my older Sister. She informed me that she had been diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. It was found through an ultrasound as a follow up to a routine mammogram. To date, she's had seven rounds of chemo, surgery to remove the cancer, and radiation treatments. She's been the most amazing woman I've ever known. In the face of a potentially life threatening situation she continually shared her story through facebook posts and often professing how grateful she was for each day. Her prognosis is very good. My sister has always been a fighter and I knew from day one cancer picked a fight with the wrong lady.

Because of my Sister's story and even though I'm younger than she is, I've taken action and talked to my doctor about screening. Not everyone has an older sister as amazing as mine who urges you to start the conversation. Not everyone has a son like Marcus Adams to help change a whole sports league to one who paints the field pink. If you happen to see a cheerleader wearing pink it may just encourage you to get screened. Early detection can save your life. I think that's complete reality and not a scam at all.

As I sit here writing this blog in my cancer awareness tee shirt purchased at Penningtons, there are other campaigns which the CFL supports. Check out Roughriders John Chick's support of Sun Life Kick Diabetes where there are different challenges with other CFLers as well as screening to find out if you are at risk for diabetes. Injured Rider Shea Emry is also an ambassador for mental health awareness and last week as a show of support Investors Group Field was lit up in purple.

Aren't Canadian Football League players amazing?!

Before Lambeau Leaping to conclusions, consider yourself or your family in these situations. Don't paint with the same brush. You may find yourself needing this tremendous show of support some day and regretting you didn't listen.

CFL – this normally green clad rabid Rider fan salutes your efforts.

In October, let's paint the world pink and for the love of Gainer start the conversation with your doctor.

Rider Nation needs you.

It's Not Easy Being a Fan of the Green

OMG

Oh my GAWD

Oh-Em-Gee

You have no idea how many times I said those words during Saturday's pathetic display of football against the BC Lions.

~ face palm ~

I still can't even put it in to words. I'm still angry. That wasn't even the sentiment at the end of the game. It was the feeling during the second quarter. Hubby stormed out of the living room muttering how much he couldn't stand it. He returned but the muttering didn't change much.

It sure is tough being green these days.

What did we think was going to happen? After beating the Allouettes in a completely dominant fashion, did we think that was our team now? Did we think all the bad was undone and we remembered what Rider football was? I'm mostly upset because that game gave Rider Nation hope...HOPE...and there they were in BC breaking our hearts yet again this season.

Where do we go from here?

One view is the Roughriders need to make some trades for draft picks. I have a really hard time with that belief. Who do you trade? I had thoughts back in training camp days but now and with injuries in consideration I'm not ready to part ways with these guys who I've grown to love so much. I also know, and it's the pessimist in me, Riders often trade people and then they go on to have stellar careers elsewhere and usually have the games of their lives against us.

I posted some painfully brutal comments following Saturday's game. This team, playing the way they did, don't deserve to win a game nor do they deserve a play off spot. Our team is under sized, slow, unmotivated, and poorly coached.
Corey Chamblin stacked his coaching staff with people who could not or would not challenge him. I don't know if that's ego or just the belief that he could control everything. I feel for Bob Dyce because he's inherited this mess. He has an offensive coordinator in Jaques Chapdelaine who really doesn't believe in what I consider “rider football” because he refuses to use the run game. The defensive coordinator Greg Quick shows sparks of potential but when it comes to the secondary..... * grimace *. 

The Roughriders need a complete revamp.

BUT we won the 2013 Grey Cup.

Sure. We did. Look at us now.

Ugh.

For interest sake:

Riders Grey Cup 1966. Record in 1968 12-3. Lost west final.

Riders Grey Cup 1989. Record in 1991 6-12. Finished 4^th in west.

Riders Grey Cup 2007. Record in 2009 10-7. I won't remind you.

Riders Grey Cup 2013. Record in 2015..... NOW.

We are not making the playoffs.

Period.

It's just not our time. As actor Kim Coates remarked several weeks ago (to paraphrase) “we had our time in the sun and now it's time to let someone else shine.”

I just wish it wasn't so painful.

I love this team. I'm still watching the remaining games. I'll still wear my Rider jersey. I know that whatever happens from this point on is what happens but for once in a long time I'm looking forward to the off season.

Can't possibly lose in the off season.

Is it June yet?

Once in a Super Blood Moon

 You may have noticed I didn't post a blog last week.

~ crickets ~

I was sick. I had that cold/flu that is going around which ends with a hacking cough so bad you wonder if you've given yourself a concussion. My birthday was the 22^nd so that sucked because even though I know it happened the cold meds had me in a blurry state of mind.

But finally here I am with a clear mind and a year older and holy smokes the Riders won a game!

Did I dream that?

Things in Rider Nation had been pretty quiet. My Twitter feed was full of Blue Jays and people wishing for hockey season. It's creepy when no one is talking about anything regarding the Roughriders. Either they were all sick like I was or they stopped caring. Neither one of those things is something we want going on.

September 25^th was the Plaza of Honor dinner which we saw the ol' 96er Scott Schultz and Tim McCray get inducted. It was really great to hear McCray's account of the lead up to the 1989 Grey Cup and how the Riders beat the Eskimo's in the west final when everyone had counted out the Riders. There's nothing like being the under dog and showing everyone what you're made of.

September 18^th Kory Sheets was in Saskatoon signing autographs. I wanted to go see him so badly but the last thing I wanted to do was spread my plague to my favorite running back. He was at the game as well. It surprised me that none of the Rider media seemed to pick up on it. I was expecting an interview or some speculation on what he was doing back in Saskatchewan. I am completely hopeful and maybe it's the goggles or that I just loved that man in 2013, but could you imagine the tandem of Jerome Messam and Kory Sheets in 2016? That would be amazing and my green Rider heart would really appreciate that after what seemed like the running back merry-go-round in 2014. I pray that Sheets second Achilles surgery rehab goes well and he can return to the player he was. If he can do it once or twice, why can't he do it a third time?

Responded on my birthday by the way :)

Speaking of Achilles, some Rider fans are obsessed with seeing Darian Durant on the sidelines. I'm sure now that he's walking it's not as dangerous for him to be there as he's getting more mobile. But what's all this talk of doubt that he'll be the same player he was before the injury? I know we barely saw him recover from his arm injury but I know how hard of a worker Doubles is and in my greenest of hearts don't doubt that he'll not only recover fully from this leg injury but be the same or better as before. Via Twitter I asked Kory Sheets how he responded after the first time he injured his Achilles. He responded that he was the same. Durant is a tremendous leader and completely elevates the team. I only remembered how much when I heard his voice when rewatching the 2013 Grey Cup.  I think we've all forgotten that in his absence from the field.

How wonderfully consistent is Kevin Glenn?! I was concerned after seeing both KG and Doubles in training camp and fretted over a quarterback controversy. Who knew this season would turn out like it has? As Darian was seen on the sidelines recovering from his Achilles injury, the questions of who should start, Glenn or Smith, seems to have quietened down. In my opinion, Glenn was always the starter in this scenario. Glenn can just see down field, anticipate defences and get the ball to the guys who can make plays. But I hope Smith is watching and learning. He will get his time again. It's just not now.

With the TigerCats starting quarterback Zach Colaros being injured it has been suggested that Kevin Glenn be traded to Hamilton. I honestly believe Kent Austin will want to develop the back up quarterbacks he already has. Wouldn't it be Corey Chamblin mentality to trade for a vet? Besides, if.....IF.....there is still mathematical chance of the Roughriders still making the playoffs then the Riders need Kevin Glenn to do it.

Do I really think the Saskatchewan Roughriders have a chance at making the 2015 Grey Cup play offs? Heck no. I'm not delirious still from the cold medication. I know that there's little to no chance at all of it happening. I'm realistic and logical and know they'd have to win out the rest of the season. That's a lot to ask and hope for and it's highly unlikely.

But could you imagine? Could you imagine if it did happen? It would be epic. Legendary. Magical. And that minute shred of hope is what makes Rider Nation what it is. That belief in last minute wins and heart pounding drama that makes us rabid fans yearn for miracles at Mosaic.  It's pure Rider Pride.

Does the house on Piffles that Ron and George helped build have enough left in her for one more go in 2015?

I wanna find out.

A Roll of the Dyce

Many a blog has been composed at my dining room table coffee cup in hand. At 3pm Thursday afternoon my two year old Keurig moaned and groaned but did not product any coffee.

I'm not sure life can go on as we know it.

* * * * *

How great was the Labour Day Classic? I was again in section 14 but got moved up to row 13 and I have to say, WOW, what an interesting (crazy) and fun (drunk) group of people. Someone actually brought a massive jar of pickled eggs and was serving them to seat mates with a spaghetti ladle. Sunflower seeds were shared as were touchdown high fives. It was great. I have to say any Bomber fans near us were good sports in spite of my Hubby's incessant yelling of BOMBERS SUCK!!! One turned around and motioned as if to say 'yeah, well, you're right.' Still these fans make the pilgrimage every year and help make the day into the event that it is.

This has been a season of rumours. Going back to the story by Gary Lawless, which we now pretty much know was leaked by Brendan Taman himself, we all said at the time it was hogwash only then a couple weeks later and after the outcry of fans what he said became truth. Knowing now that Lawless and Taman are friends is interesting and has made me think of two scenario’s.....one being that BT was just wondering out loud and Lawless took it and ran with it OR two, that it was a publicity stunt of sorts where Taman was trying to drum up Chamblin support and squash the firing rumours. That's all water under the bridge because then Jeremy O'Day and Bob Dyce were named as interim GM and Head Coach. Rider Nation was high after the Labour Day win. It seemed like the team was the one we remembered. It kind of seamed like everything was fixed. It's a new O'day! Then a new rumour emerged saying John Hufnagel was going to leave the Calgary Stampeders to become the Roughriders new GM and Head Coach.

Wait, wha?

I don't know where this story started but I know for sure it did not start in good old Saskie.

Before the firings, while everyone was speculating, call in show hosts talked about how the position of head coach would be a difficult one to replace and that it would pretty much be career suicide because when the season is over they'd be relieved of the position as well. Then, once the names O'Day and Dyce were put out there it seems like all of what I just stated went out the window. Suddenly everyone is on board with the hiring. What I can honestly say is that besides knowing that Jeremy O'Day was a previous player and was Taman's assistant, I know nothing else about him which would make him ready to not only right our Rider ship but make it the premier team that we all want it to be. I also ask this question.....if Bob Dyce wasn't good enough to be named Head Coach in 2012 after being Rider Offensive Coordinator and now Special Teams Coordinator, what makes him ready for the job going forward?

I'm not saying I don't like these men because that simply isn't true. The players certainly seem to like them and want to play for them. Just consider the inexperienced coaching staff we currently have.....who could possibly fix it? Not only fix it but completely turn it around into a winning team next year? And that's why whether there may be any truth to the Hufnagel rumour or not....it actually could be considered because you cannot deny how successful he's made the Stampeder franchise.

I know what you're saying.

ABC – Anyone But Calgary.

Since I'm on the topic of ex Roughrider quarterbacks.....how about that little skirmish Kent Austin got himself into? In case you missed it, he gave Dave Stala a bit of a shoulder shove on the Tiger Cats sidelines during the game the other night. This whole thing is so amusing to me. First of all we all know that Kent has sideline antics from eye rolling to arms flailing so much so a Twitter account was created called Angry Kent. Taking that into consideration, it doesn't surprise me that a hot headed Kent would shove a player in this fashion. But really...was it a thing? I mean, a big enough deal for Austin to issue an apology and then be fined $5000 by the league?

:)

By the way, word on the street is that Kent Austin's contract in Hamilton is up at the end of this season. Would we want him back?

Why is another teams cast off supposed to make the Riders pearl necklace?

Shrugs

Remember that time the Roughriders were favoured to thrash the Blue Bombers in the Banjo Bowl? I'm not going to rehash a game where we saw our 3^rd string quarterback run for his life as our mostly veteran offensive line failed repeatedly. In my opinion the game ended exactly the same as the Ottawa game where Brett Smith was pulled and we saw Sunseri get sacked again and again as our offensive line failed.

The questions this week are all about who starts at quarterback as Kevin Glenn comes off the injured list. Since our O line can't seem to protect anyone for three quarters never mind four.....does it really matter who the starter is? Playing armchair coach, I think you have to go with the veteran in this case. He has the experience in seeing the defences. Glenn put up great numbers prior to his injury. The choice is simple for me. The goal even though the play offs aren't even a consideration at this point is to win games. We still have to play games and try to win and by playing anyone else you are waving the white flag.

The stats say that typically teams who fire their head coach tend to win the following game, however, the season usually finishes the way it starts. If you read my last blog I went back in Roughriders history and looked at the coach firings two to three years before Grey Cup wins and the season records.

1964 9-7

1986 6-11

2005 9-9

2011 5-13

Even though in two of those seasons the Riders made it to play offs, they still weren't successful winning teams until two or three seasons later. Are you ready for that Rider Nation?

* * * * *

Some good news. I McGyvered my Keurig by using a steak knife and vinegar and gave it a second life.

Coffee cup in hand, I ask you, can the Saskatchewan Roughriders gain some W's in these last 7 games? My guess is as good as yours.

It's a roll of the Dyce.

Fire & Brimstone

I will admit when I am wrong.

I was wrong.

I put my support behind the Roughriders and coaching staff because I honestly didn't see a reason not to. Yes, things were done I was surprised by and didn't understand and yes, it got harder and harder to see every game and I felt for the players deeply. I wasn't blind nor did I sport green goggles but I just didn't know all the facts. It's definitely hard when you are the one voice against the herd.

After Sunday's game I put my faith in the Roughriders organization. My belief was and continues to be that those on the board and who hold the power know what the right decision was and should be. They have all the inside knowledge and run the business while I am just someone on the outside viewing the field. I won't pretend to have the knowledge to decide whether someone should have a job or not.

I've also said a firing was a dangerous road. I could see how if not controlled correctly it could be the beginning of a coaching carousel which would take years to recover from. I hope I am wrong on that account too.

The last time the Saskatchewan Roughriders made a statement by firing both the General Manager and Head Coach was December 8^th, 1986. Those positions were held by Jack Gotta and Bill Quinter. Three years later the Riders won the Grey Cup.

There were two coach firings before Eagle Keys led the Riders to the 1966 Grey Cup. Danny Barrett was fired before Kent Austin came in 2007. Greg Marshall in 2011...then Cory Chamblin led us to the Grey Cup of our wildest green dreams.

It feels like a cycle.

Can it be broken?

* shrugs *

In previous blogs I've mentioned how the culture in the province has drastically changed. There was a next year mentality. Losing was okay. Rider Nation won't stand for mediocrity any longer. In 1963 it would have been word on the street of discontent that would have spurred the team to make changes. In 2015 the people who would be on the street are now on their smart phones.

Before the 2010 Grey Cup, Rider Nation was awarded the CFL Commissioner's Award.

"This award is for everyone who has ever worn a watermelon instead of a toque to a CFL game," CFL Commissioner Mark Cohon said in making the announcement during the Gibson's Finest CFL Player Awards.

"Each year, I have the privilege of handing out the Commissioner's Award to a person or group that has made an outstanding contribution to the development of Canadian football," he said.

"This year, the one hundredth year of the Saskatchewan Roughriders, I decided to pay tribute to a group that epitomizes the way CFL fans love our league: the Rider Nation, which collectively does so much to make our league vibrant and strong and fun."

While every team in the CFL has tremendous fans, Saskatchewan fans are known for filling stadiums for their team's road games as well as home games, making the Riders the league's best draw. They are responsible for more than half of the CFL's merchandise sales. And their team's games are routinely among the most watched on TSN.

Oh how the mighty have fallen.

Sunday evening and continuing on to Monday throughout the day and leading right up until the news of the dismissal of Cory Chamblin and Brendan Taman broke, Rider Nation picked up torches and pitch forks and went on a witch hunt of the likes that no one has seen since Mary Shelley put pen to paper.

Is that the legacy you want Rider Nation to have?

I've never been so embarrassed or ashamed in my whole life to be a Rider fan. As my pal, Tony Brice commented, “Rider Nation is too dark for me.” Folks, that's what it looks like on the outside looking in. No wonder other fan bases hate us! It's the reason Rnation is giving us a run for our money. It's the reason if we aren't careful that football players and coaches will start backing away. We've touted that this is the place to be, yet chased away Henry Burris and dumped manure on Paul McCallum. Why? Why would anybody in their right mind want to come into this fish bowl?

Le sigh.

So it's a fresh start. We are moving forward with interim Head Coach Bob Dyce and General Manager Jeremy O'Day. The Saskatchewan Roughriders are now in their hands. Wednesday practice is open and we've got a Labour Day Classic to prepare for. Brett Smith will be the starting quarterback and we've got a beaten and battered team to get behind as the struggling Winnipeg Blue Bombers fly into Mosaic Stadium Sunday afternoon at 2pm.

Use your passion, Rider Nation, in a massive show of support. These players and coaches deserve the very best. Let's make it a sell out.

Bring your cow bells. Leave the spears at home.

Put Owen in his place and put the win back in SaskatcheWIN where it belongs.

Vert et Blanc

Coming up with a new and fresh blog every week is hard. It's certainly complicates things when your team is struggling or are win-less in the Riders case. I've maintained the theory that I'm not about stats because you can get that information from anywhere and everywhere else. I promise you that I will always have a unique view and often the female fan view of the game of football and this Saskatchewan Roughrider community owned team that I love and support with all my heart.

The only thing fans and media seem to be discussing is the Randy Richards hit on the Stampeders Tim Brown. I was holding down seat 8 in section 14 at that football game. What a unfortunate chain of events. However, from my seat and vantage point not only did I not know what had transpired but no one around me did either. We cheered as soon as we saw the stop. We had no idea who the player was. All we saw was Brown laying on the field. There was no replay shown on the Sasktel Maxtron. Then the refs announced the penalty and ejection and the wrong player number. THE FANS HAD NO IDEA WHAT HAPPENED. When Randy Richards was escorted from the bench I stood and cheered again. I don't feel bad and I don't care what others think of me. Know this - I would never cheer if I knew someone was injured.  We knew at that point Tim Brown was not injured despite his dramatics on the field. I felt what happened in front of my eyes did not deserve anyone to be booted from the game. Richards was asked to do a job and he did it.

I know, what if that hit had been on a Rider player like Dressler? First, because I've seen too many missed calls on Roughrider players, I highly doubt there would have been a penalty resulting in an ejection. Secondly, Dressler would never have layed splayed out on the ground milking it for all its worth. No, he would have sprung up right away because that is the beast of a player that he is.

Then we find out Richards was fined the maximum penalty in a CFL hearing! The maximum penalty being half a game cheque?  

OH COME ON!

Shockingly, I agree with Arash Madani on Thursday's Sportscage. There is no consistency in the officiating in the CFL. I feel like CFL football fans have been shouting this from the rooftops forever. When will they listen to us?

Shrugs.

All we wanted was a pure definition of pass interference. The CFL's answer was to give us reviewable calls in 2014 while in 2015 they come up with a new contact rule. Did it make the referee’s any better? No. It gave them a way out instead because now they can just throw a flag without even really knowing if an offence was made. Sure teams have adjusted but it hasn't made the officials any more accountable. How ridiculous is it that every time you see a big play you have to look around to see if flags were thrown? It doesn't make CFL games a good product and it surely doesn't make it marketable in the US.

Have you seen the new goal posts in the NFL, by the way? Some of our kickers would never stand a chance making it through those narrow uprights. Yikes.

I'm not much of an NFL watcher at all. Collage football hasn't started yet. I tend to follow the Oregon Ducks and Boise State because I have family who live there. So...with this lull in activity...I started watching Friday Night Lights. I never watched it on TV, mostly because of my teaching lifestyle.....I miss a lot because of it. Here's what I have to say – I'm addicted and by the end of episode one I was in tears. If you watched it years ago, I'd urge you to go back and watch it again. Matt Saracen sure reminds me of Drew Willy, there is no debating Smash Williams is Kory Sheets and Buddy Garrity could sum up all of Ridernation's media sources in a car salesman nutshell.

So the Green Whites play the RedBlacks on Sunday in Ottawa. A couple weeks back Rnation was all in a tizzy over a billboard that was put up by the Roughriders organization. These billboards aren't anything new as the Riders have been putting them up in CFL cities for years but those in the Rouge Noir were sure offended. Meh. These days people are offended by pretty much anything and everything if you try hard enough to be. What I'm counting on in Sunday's match up is a good penalty free stupid mistake free Rider team and Bad Hank showing up.

HEEEEEEENNNNRRRYYYYYYYYYY.

It never gets old.

I never count this team out unlike some members of the media. It may seem I have a hate on for some of them but I really don't. I just want them to be better. Instead of using their voice, talent & position to condemn a team, why not use them to boost morale?! The season is not over. It won't be until the final whistle sounds on November 8^th. There's a lot of games to be played and this is the CFL where nothing is for sure and no lead is safe.

The most dangerous team is the one who has lost everything, has nothing left to risk and has the most to gain.

Clear eyes. Full hearts. Can't lose.

Legends & Lore (aka The Hall of Fame Game)

Ages ago, months really, in the off season I had a discussion with my Rider Soul Sister (same team, different parents) about choosing which games we could go to, to increase our chances of meeting up this year. At that point in time, it must have been March when the Roughrider flex packs went on sale, RSS said “you want to go to the August 22^nd game for sure because it's the Hall of Fame Game.” And thus, I added that date to my flex pack shopping list.

I don't know how RSS knew this tidbit of important information but she did and I am glad. She is out of the Rider loop, as it were, because she lives amidst the Evil Empire but bleeds pure Rider Pride. Because RSS knew, I knew, and I waited patiently for the hype.

* Pin drops *

I saw a tweet mentioning tickets for the CFHOF gala dinner at the start of the CFL season. I looked into it but yikes, at $230 a pop, that's a lot of beans for Hubby to count at work to earn the moola for an evening out. I really wanted to go. I really did. To think of brushing elbows with some of the CFL's greatest of all time.....wow, just wow.

Time was passing. Still no one was talking about it. The second week of August I tweeted Rod Pederson, the Voice of the Riders, to ask if he was taking his show The Sportscage to Saskatoon to cover the HOF gala.

“Nope”.

FINALLY, the day of the Hall of Fame gala I started to hear rustlings of stories on CKOM and on CBC TV. Why wasn't this event talked about more? Why didn't anyone seem to care? And why wasn't anyone calling the August 22^nd Rider game against the Calgary Stampeders The Hall of Fame Game?

Shrugs.

Saskatchewan media – you failed. You failed fans. You failed the fine men who were inducted.

Who were these phenomenal people who now wear Hall of Fame jackets and have their faces cast for us to admire always? Leroy Blugh, Eddie Davis, Dave Dickenson, Gene Makowsky, Bob O'Billovich, Larry Reda, and Bob Wetenhall. You can read all about their careers on the CFHOF web page:  Canadian Football Hall of Fame.

Living vicariously through Cody Whiteman.

Two of our very own Saskatchewan Roughriders were inducted into the Hall. Friday aka Game Day Eve there was an autograph signing at the Rider Store at Lawson Heights Mall. It was a no brainer that I'd spend a day of my summer vacation at the Rider Store. I secretly hoped Geroy Simon would happen to be there but alas, he was not. I had a near meeting with the GOAT in 2013 but I digress.....

I arrived and stood in line for a few minutes but the line was relatively short so I ventured into the Rider Store. There were some very nice Hall of Fame tee shirts so I purchased a couple to have signed. When I returned to the line there was only one lady waiting. She asked me a couple questions about who the other men were besides the Riders and I admittedly/shamefully did not know which of the other men they were.

Then it was my turn. I shook both their hands and smiled and as nervous as I was and always am when I've met players, I actually didn't spout nonsense this time. I told Gene how Hubby's cousin played football with him at the U of S and what Cousin Mark is doing now. I asked Eddie where he lives now and he was eager to tell me that he lives in Calgary and even when he played for the Riders travelled back and forth. Heck, they have those “Chinooks” there.....I'd even take winter there. Maybe. I ended my conversation with asking if they both would be at the football game Saturday and they said yes and that they hoped it went well.

* Fingers crossed *

The Roughriders sold out Mosaic Stadium for the tilt against the Calgary Stampeders. The weather was not going to be optimal. It was going to be chilly and there was a great possibility of rain. I wore three layers of clothing for the first time since February.

“When Riders make a comeback, what a story that will be.” John Chick

Well that story isn't being written just yet. I wanted it to be written. I wanted it to be legendary and rate right up there with the Black Out Game or the Labour Day Classic of 2007. It wasn't meant to be. Yet.

0 - 8

I saw an injury decimated passionate Roughrider team take on the defending Grey Cup champions and come within 3 points of winning. I saw a 3^rd string young rookie quarterback take a beating and get back up every time and keep pace with a Grey Cup champ and starting quarterback. I saw a first year punter attempt a 64 yard field goal when the opposing vet (*) never had to take a risk at all.

I'm not going to talk about moral victories, accepting mediocrity or coaching changes because I don't believe in any of that stuff. For those who rant about those things – it's exhausting – find a new crusade.

I will tell you that this Rider team has progressed greatly since week one. It just might not be the progression you expected or wanted to see. Didn't Coach Chamblin tell us at the end of the 2014 season that we would see a very different team in 2015? What I will say to you is that fans, and that's me included, need to change our perspective.....we need to have different expectations of this team. An attitude adjustment.

This is not the 2013 Riders. This is not even the 2014 Riders. And they are a far cry from the 1979 Riders. There are too many odds stacked against us and in spite of it all this team is competitive. No one is blowing this squad out. That's why today I have sore arms from clapping and a hoarse voice from yelling. That's why in two weeks at the Labour Day Classic I intend on doing it all again.

The men honoured at half time can attest to the down times in Rider Nation. Gene Makowsky, who had his entire 17 year career in Saskatchewan can tell you he never even considered he'd ever be a Hall of Famer. Imagine, these players today who are criticized.....they are the Hall of Famers of tomorrow.

The 2015 football season is an experience and not a destination.

Wouldn't it be a shame if you missed the journey because you couldn't deal with a little adversity?

The choice is yours.....do you want to be the fan riding on the bandwagon or the one running to catch the tail gate?

I am here. I am seat belted in. I believe. And I can't wait for the story to be written.

Little 'stitious

I've always said I'm just a little stitious not SUPERstitious. I have to admit that as much as I'd like to say it - it doesn't matter what shirt or hat or shoes I wear - it has no bearing on if the Riders win or lose. I'm throwing a flag on myself.  Calling an audible. It totally matters to me in 2015. At oh-and-7 it has to be something I'm doing wrong, right?

Knock knock

Who's there?

Owen.....Owen Seven

* eyeroll *

I think every sports fan is a little superstitious. Some people say it’s a ritual. A procedure of doing the same things to bring about similar results as before. I watched an episode of the McCarthy's (check it out – John Ritter's son is on it) where the whole family had to wear certain things, sit in particular places & do actions just because their team won once when that happened and they HAD to reenact it every time. Guess what? Their team kept winning as long as they did it.

Didn't that just prove the theory?!

The first time I ever remember feeling this way was back in elementary school. I played clarinet in the school band and insisted upon wearing my blue and yellow striped sports socks. Yeah, I know, Bomber colours! They were great socks. At least, I thought they were. I thought they did something for me because I wore them for every performance that band gave in my grade 7 year.

I had a lucky yellow rabbits foot as well, but it was hardly lucky for the rabbit.

Fast forward to 2007 when everything changed for Rider fans. There was a surge in everything green and the CFL marketing guru's licked their lips. Any kind of Roughrider garb that you could dream up in your wildest of imaginations was stamped with the //=S=// logo and sold. Everything except make up for us girls. I bought a little compact of Maybelline eye shadow called Emerald Isle. It went with my green shirt which at that point was not an official Roughrider shirt but just the Walmart $5 variety. Gradually, I came to believe that this green eye shadow somehow held the secret to the team winning.

In subsequent years I've tried different combinations of make up and jewellery and Rider shirts and jerseys. I ditched the Emerald Isle eye shadow for a glittery brownish green shadow in 2009/10. That didn't work out so well for me. I've tried eye liners, eye shadows and outfits galore. White shirts, green shirts, beads, head bands, hair clips, and Hubby will never forget the crazy green glue on eyelashes for the year the Riders played the Lions on Halloween. Even the trick or treaters at the door wondered why I had green spiders on my face. One kid even asked if they were real!

I can’t exactly define the moment when I thought, “I know, I’ll do watermelon make up this season!” It could have had something to do with a pre-season game occurring during my work week and I needed something not so crazy. * SHRUGS * But I pulled out my Annabelle “Pinked” eye shadow and combined it with the tried and true Maybelline “Emerald Isle” …..

.....drew on black eyeliner and brushed on some black mascara and…..

That was the 2013 season.

In spring 2014, and having been to New York twice at that point, I found an eyeshadow compact by New York Color which consists of a pale green, dark green and purple. #789 West Vintage. Dressler and Getzlaf OR Dressler, Bagg and Demski. Which ever way you want to look at it. I've chosen to look at it as a sign. It seemed to do the trick since the Riders were pretty good out of the gate and right up until our starting quarterback Darian Durant was injured in that “non play” against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers I hadn't lost belief that it wasn't working.

Sigh.

Over the off season, as many people do, I cleaned out my closet and make up stash. I threw out the original Maybelline Emerald Isle eyeshadow. I just tossed it in the waste basket. Didn't even think about it.

Ugh.

I feel like I may as well admit that I in fact was the 13^th man.....woman.

It's my fault. Not Darian's. Fire me. Not Chamblin. Throw the flag. Toss me out of the game.

My name is Owen.

Maybe, just maybe the make up doesn't have anything to do with both our starting quarterbacks being injured this season. The Emerald Isle doesn't have anything to do with missed tackles or low sack numbers. #789 West Vintage isn't responsible for enormous amounts of penalties.

It just is.....what it is.

That's an eye opener, isn't it?

But hold on! Keep that flag in your pocket, Proulx. I've just realized I have failed to wear my jersey even once this season!

So, if I wear my jersey to the game on the 22^nd, The Hall of Fame game, the game against the Calgary Stampeders, MAYBE, my beloved Roughriders will manage to squeak out a win.

* fingers crossed *

 

Nope. This rabbit.....er, rabid fan is not superstitious at all. * wink *

Stay the Course

How many of you were around in 1979? I was. I was seven. At age seven I don't even recall the word Roughrider muttered in our household. No one ever mentioned them until I was what I refer to as “stupid teenager” in 1989 when my Dad professed that 'the Riders are good this year'.

That's a small snapshot of what life was like when the Riders sucked.

Pierre Trudeau was Prime Minister. People played Atari. We listened to music on a Sony Walkman if you were lucky enough to have $200. We watched M*A*S*H* and wondered who shot J.R.

Social media was chatting with the cashier at the grocery store.

2 – 14

That was the how the season went and that's why no one talked about them.

There were only four recognizable names on the 1979 team roster. Ron Lancaster had forfeited his role as quarterback and became the coach. Tom Clements was the quarterback and he had huge shoes to fill on a team that had to find a new identity. It was doomed from the start.

We live in a different world now. Rider fans came out of the woodwork during the 2007 season. Something magical happened and we had to put lifters on the bandwagon to support the additional weight. Now we wear our Rider green every single day and we aren't ashamed. We put it on our cars and houses and tattoo it on bodies. It's Rider Pride and it's been easy to back our team through recent winning times.

Roughrider fans are now are young and impatient. They weren't here in 1979.....weren't even a sparkle in someone's eyes..... and don't care to learn about the past. They point fingers, ridicule and want people to lose their jobs. The worst part is they are the loudest voice on social media. Instead, of doing their homework they follow the ill words of others like sheep.

Let's face it.....weeks before Gary Lawless wrote his article talking about Coach Chamblin being fired it was being discussed everywhere. All the radio programs were talking about how changes needed to be made and even though they weren't calling for heads to roll it doesn't take much to plant that seed of doubt in a smart phone obsessed mind. Who was Lawless's source? Heck, it could have been all of Rider Nation.

I for one have greatly adjusted my attitude. So what? We (the team) may not have glorious wins this year. Every game will be a struggle that will make you want to rip of your jersey and throw items at the TV. That's okay. That's passion. That proves you care. But when it comes down to it.....isn't it wonderful that we have this team in our province, which helps define our province and community? Isn't it great that we can come together to cheer for these guys who have left family and loved ones and come from across the United States and Canada to become the 2015 Roughriders!

We are so blessed.

The 13th Man.  Other CFL teams WISH they had a fan base like ours.

So I dare you – this week, week seven, look for the good things. Look for small improvements. Look for someone doing their job well. Look for better instead of the best. Trust me, we will all be happier and more content for it. This team has faced a HUGE amount of adversity this year that not many other CFL teams could easily recover from and now is the time to stick with this Roughrider team. The payoff will be down the road but I know in my greenest of hearts it will be sweeter than you could ever imagine.

And if not, well, I'm sorry you feel that way. Just know that one bad decision could turn the time back to 1979 and as much as I enjoyed Atari, I love the 2015 version of the Roughriders far more.

Stay the course. Persevere. And Always Bleed Green.