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.
