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.