Snow is falling at my house today - sometimes it's great big giant snow globe flakes gently falling and other times it's small rapidly blowing pellets. It's enjoyable to sit and watch with the glow of the LED lit Christmas tree...until one focusses on that one green ornament with the //=S=// engraved across it. The Grey Cup was held a week ago Sunday and the Toronto Argonauts were crowned champions over the Calgary Stampeders...the Stamps losing in heartbreak for the second year in a row.
Scrolling through social media feeds it was clear the majority of Rider Nation was on the Argos side. It was a bit of 2009 revenge since it's widely known how Rider fans had to withstand all the ribbing from Stamps fans after that 13th Man debacle in Calgary eight years ago. I understand how some Rider fans felt under those circumstances but I'd never wish that on anyone else so I held myself back from posting much in relation to that. At the same time how can one deny that while the Argos played like they deserved to be champions under Marc Trestmans leadership it was also fate they were going to win. I know that's not a popular idea that the CFL might have wanted a particular team to win but it seems somewhat true to me. The ramifications of the Argonaut win means tickets and merchandise sold to oblivious Torontonians throughout the year. Sure that does make for a healthier CFL but can that attitude hold until training camp starts in May? I'm not sure. Toronto has won before and not all that long ago and many fans still looked the other way.
My Saskatchewan Roughriders were one game away from the big dance. They lost to the champs in the east division final. When you phrase things in that way I don't feel badly about it anymore. As hard as it is for any CFL fan to close the doors on the season I think I'd rather do it in a divisional final than in heartbreak during a Cup game. Unfortunately though, because my team lost, I found myself with little interest about the actual Grey Cup game itself. Sure I still watched it but I also decorated my house for Christmas at the same time. It didn't get my total attention until half time when rhinestone clad Shania Twain came out on dog sled and entertained me...which I fully enjoyed.
The Riders have 22 free agents. At this time last year we were all consumed with wanting Darian Durant to re-sign with the Riders - oh how things have changed! This year there are some big names on this free agent list and with the exception of a couple...Rider fans want them all back. The team was close and evolving with every game and while sometimes they'd take a step back they had all the puzzle pieces. There's questions about the Quarterback position and Canuck Brandon Bridge is a free agent. It's been said that his agent had already approached Jones about a contract but we are waiting not so patiently to find out if he'll be back. 3 Down Nation had reported that Willie Jefferson signed a contract prior to Grey Cup yet nothing official has been reported by the Riders. We are starved for Rider news and every time I get a little alert on my phone my heart leaps...only to find out it's the weather network informing me that more snow is on the way.
Still I'd far rather be a fan of the Riders this off season than a few other teams in the league. Krazy Kavis is out looking for a head coach. Corey Chamblin was on the list and removed himself which just might be the smartest thing he's ever done. I know there's no way I'd ever want to work for Reed since Montreal seems to have coaches on short leashes. In BC, Wally Buono is taking a step back and will only be coaching in his final year while Ed Hervey was named GM. There's a lot of speculation how that will all turn out. Both of those teams also have question marks around their quarterbacking position. I'd think the Stampeders will be examining why they are so dominant during the regular season but can't seem to win post season. June Jones was given full title of head coach of the Hamilton TigerCats and they seemed to rebound with him in charge so I'd look for them to continue that momentum in 2018. These things are just the beginnings of CFL news in the off season.
What do we have to look forward to for 2018? The Eagles are playing Mosaic Stadium in May. I've seen them twice and they're worth far more than the ticket prices. If the concert wasn't planned for a Thursday during my teaching week before our major festival I'd be there in a heartbeat. For me, the Eagles set the standard for what all concerts should be. Don't miss out on this one. Trust me no matter what your musical tastes are - you will love this. To those who love to hate this announcement...the Eagles are on tour and the last time they played Saskatoon they were here for 3 sold out concerts. Stop criticizing what you don't know.
That goes for your football knowledge too. * grin *
In the new year I plan on working on this very site and giving it a facelift. In case you didn't know the background which I know can give some googly eyes after reading was inspired by the coloured seats at Taylor Field which we saw demolished this autumn. Next year I plan on integrating Power Rankings as well as continuing my blogs which so many of you have supported with your (mostly) kind comments through 2017. With three weeks to go until Rider Claus breaks and enters into all our humble abodes it's not likely I'll get to post again unless something big comes up. I wish all of you warm fuzzies through the holiday season and I hope Santa brings you your hearts desire on Christmas morning.
...and remember - don't stop BEL18VING - we have a cup to get in 18.
Tuesday, December 5, 2017
Wednesday, November 22, 2017
Football Grief
When Christion Jones ran back the punt to score a touchdown towards the end of the fourth quarter in Sundays East Final to tie the game I leaped to my feet and jumped up and down in front of our 55 inch LG TV. We aren't going home! We aren't going home! We planned for 21 days and we aren't going home! It was the height of emotion but with a sinking feeling I knew we weren't going to hold back Ricky Ray and the Argonauts and with my green heart pounding wildly in my chest I prayed and hoped and BEL13VED. I was in denial. I had thought at half time we had lost the game. My Saskatchewan Roughriders who were the underdogs and who wanted desperately to rewrite history and prove all the doubters wrong just weren't playing with any motivation or urgency. We were going to lose.
When the Argos scored the touchdown to win the game to advance to the Grey Cup in Ottawa I got angry. It's really hard not to try to place blame. The refereeing was bad but it's been bad all season and whether or not roughing the passer happened or there was a bad block or unsportsmanlike penalties at the end of the day the Riders just weren't prepared enough. People spouted off about quarterbacks and conspiracies...then I thought about Corey Chamblin and how much he and Tyron Brackenridge might like to really stick to the Riders for being fired and released. I thought about how cool as a cucumber Marc Trestman is and how to me he'll always be "that" Head Coach from the 2009 - 10 Grey Cup games and how much 09 hurt especially. I really wanted to write all those feelings down but I was so upset I couldn't put anything down on paper and went to the grocery store instead where I shared a knowing glance with a fellow Rider fan. The trouble has always been that I care so much and often too much and end up being hurt.
OK...sucking it all up....life goes on....
There is no one to blame. The Roughriders just didn't play well enough to win this playoff game. They came close but the defence just couldn't hold them. Let's face it...Rider Nation got two extra games this season! We haven't had a play off game in 2 season and now here in only the second year of a massive rebuild under the Chris Jones regime we got within 1 game...30 seconds really...of going to the 2017 Grey Cup. I had said back in June or maybe it was Training Camp that if this team went 9-9 I'd be happy. The Riders ended the season 10-8, won the East Semi-Final and was competitive enough in the East Final to make Ricky Ray really work for it. I was a first time season ticket holder and getting to experience my favourite team during the Inaugural Season at new Mosaic Stadium was amazing! We couldn't be happier with our seats and the friends we made around us and getting to be on the field during pregame was mind blowing. How blessed are we to have a General Manager/Head Coach (plus VP & DC) of Chris Jones and his whole staff. Because of him we have the team we do with the character and family feeling that we do.
Hope. No matter how we feel or that it took me two entire days to reach this point I know that 2018 looks very promising for Rider fans. I've scrolled through Twitter looking at all the terrific posts from Rider players who are saying their goodbyes and thanking Rider fans. When I thanked them in return they often "liked" my post. I wonder if fans of other teams in the CFL have that happen too or if we are indeed special in this province. I watched on the news as players cleaned out their lockers and offered things up to fans. They're looking forward to going home wherever that might be and celebrating the holidays while this loss gets put to the backs of their minds. Coach Jones is already working on next year and starting to firm up contracts. We've spent a lot of time in Riderville thinking of "next year" but I truly bel13ve the 2018 Roughriders team will be a force to be reckoned with.
As we turn to the Grey Cup this weekend I have to admit I've lost interest. My only hope is that Calgary is redeemed for their loss last year. That's how the football Gods seem to work in the CFL... if you came close one year - you'll make it the next. Without the downs we'd never have the happiness of the ups.
If you are American and reading this have a Happy Thanksgiving! If you are Canadian enjoy the Grey Cup festivities and I hope that this little blog which so many of you have helped support over 2017 has brought a little sunshine into your day.
As always - GO RIDERS.
When the Argos scored the touchdown to win the game to advance to the Grey Cup in Ottawa I got angry. It's really hard not to try to place blame. The refereeing was bad but it's been bad all season and whether or not roughing the passer happened or there was a bad block or unsportsmanlike penalties at the end of the day the Riders just weren't prepared enough. People spouted off about quarterbacks and conspiracies...then I thought about Corey Chamblin and how much he and Tyron Brackenridge might like to really stick to the Riders for being fired and released. I thought about how cool as a cucumber Marc Trestman is and how to me he'll always be "that" Head Coach from the 2009 - 10 Grey Cup games and how much 09 hurt especially. I really wanted to write all those feelings down but I was so upset I couldn't put anything down on paper and went to the grocery store instead where I shared a knowing glance with a fellow Rider fan. The trouble has always been that I care so much and often too much and end up being hurt.
OK...sucking it all up....life goes on....
There is no one to blame. The Roughriders just didn't play well enough to win this playoff game. They came close but the defence just couldn't hold them. Let's face it...Rider Nation got two extra games this season! We haven't had a play off game in 2 season and now here in only the second year of a massive rebuild under the Chris Jones regime we got within 1 game...30 seconds really...of going to the 2017 Grey Cup. I had said back in June or maybe it was Training Camp that if this team went 9-9 I'd be happy. The Riders ended the season 10-8, won the East Semi-Final and was competitive enough in the East Final to make Ricky Ray really work for it. I was a first time season ticket holder and getting to experience my favourite team during the Inaugural Season at new Mosaic Stadium was amazing! We couldn't be happier with our seats and the friends we made around us and getting to be on the field during pregame was mind blowing. How blessed are we to have a General Manager/Head Coach (plus VP & DC) of Chris Jones and his whole staff. Because of him we have the team we do with the character and family feeling that we do.
Hope. No matter how we feel or that it took me two entire days to reach this point I know that 2018 looks very promising for Rider fans. I've scrolled through Twitter looking at all the terrific posts from Rider players who are saying their goodbyes and thanking Rider fans. When I thanked them in return they often "liked" my post. I wonder if fans of other teams in the CFL have that happen too or if we are indeed special in this province. I watched on the news as players cleaned out their lockers and offered things up to fans. They're looking forward to going home wherever that might be and celebrating the holidays while this loss gets put to the backs of their minds. Coach Jones is already working on next year and starting to firm up contracts. We've spent a lot of time in Riderville thinking of "next year" but I truly bel13ve the 2018 Roughriders team will be a force to be reckoned with.
As we turn to the Grey Cup this weekend I have to admit I've lost interest. My only hope is that Calgary is redeemed for their loss last year. That's how the football Gods seem to work in the CFL... if you came close one year - you'll make it the next. Without the downs we'd never have the happiness of the ups.
If you are American and reading this have a Happy Thanksgiving! If you are Canadian enjoy the Grey Cup festivities and I hope that this little blog which so many of you have helped support over 2017 has brought a little sunshine into your day.
As always - GO RIDERS.
Tuesday, November 7, 2017
Go East Young Man!
The Hamilton TigerCats, BC Lions and Montreal Alouettes will all be cleaning out their lockers this week as their seasons are over. This time last year my Saskatchewan Roughriders were doing the same...the last couple of years for that matter. Not this year! With the deciding factor being the loss to the Edmonton Eskimos in Week 20 Chris Jones and crew are heading to Ottawa to invade the Eastern Division.
A lot of sports media enjoy the topic of the Roughriders quarterback tandem of Kevin Glenn and Brandon Bridge or maybe they just can't wrap their minds around the concept. Who should Jones start? Jones names Glenn starter. How short of a leash should Jones give Glenn? Kevin still starts the game. I don't understand why this discussion keeps going on in spite of what's happened this last half of the season. Against the Alouettes, Jones played Glenn, Bridge and Adams Jr. What I think it comes down to is that Kevin Glenn has never lead a team and won a Grey Cup. He's been close (Blue Bombers in 2007) but because of never winning he doesn't get the respect and praise that others do. I also think this is why Jones is adamant about naming him starter every week. For one thing, it shuts up the talkers and debaters but for another, when the Riders make it (and I bel13ve they will) Kevin Glenn will be the starting quarterback who gets his name on the Grey Cup. Finally. I love the mentor that Kevin Glenn is; I love his comradery with fellow team mates and perhaps Kevin Glenn is the glue that keeps the Roughriders together.
The topic I don't hear discussed much is Chris Jones himself. People and fans have an obvious dislike for the man. They hollered for his head through most of last year and the start of the 2017 season as well...until the Riders started winning. I remember one of the Piffles Podcast members putting out a scathing blog just before they started winning. Where is the love now that the Roughriders are 10 - 8? *crickets* I'll tell you what the pundits do enjoy chatting about though. Why does Jones wear all black? Why won't Jones wear Rider colours? Why won't Jones wear a jacket? Why won't Jones wear a poppy? What would they do if they found out he lives at a hotel? GASP! This is all they've got to complain about now in November. I honestly could not care less about how Jones dresses on the sidelines as long as he is dressed. I care about how he coaches the team I am passionate about. I care that the players love him. I care that we win.
Canada's Team is off to the nations capital to play the Redblacks for the first time in post season since 1976. Let's all give a collective aRg as we think of Tony Gabriel together. *wince* Okay, so I was only 4 years old and don't recall anything about the match up at all except for The Catch. That might seem like ancient history so let's move on to present day. The Roughriders have played IN the home of the Ottawa Redblacks 4 times since they re-entered the CFL. The Roughriders are 3-1 against them. The last game in Regina the Redblacks were victorious by 1 point while on the Riders Eastern road trip the Riders were victors by 1 point. But let's talk about that Eastern swing... The Roughriders played in Ottawa and got the W then stayed out east to play the Toronto aRgonauts where they also got the win. Since this play off run could be a redo of that road trip the Saskatchewan Roughriders could possibly stay East for 21 days.
So my theory in my previous blog was incorrect. I have a new idea! If the Riders were to win the East (which I agree is likely a tall order) and the Blue Bombers (also a tall order with Matt Nichols injured) were to win the West we could see a scenario such as a Labour Day Classic Grey Cup. How crazy would that be? If Kevin Glenn lead the Roughriders to a victory over the Blue Bombers in the Grey Cup TEN years after they lost because Glenn was injured (they played Ryan Dinwiddie) Blue Bomber fans would go berserk.
I like it. :)
There's nothing Rider fans love more than tying the present to the past with stats and trivia. I love to pull out things that happened on previous teams and seasons to try to predict how this season will end. The Roughriders used quarterback tandems in 1983 with Barnes & Hufnagel and more successfully in 1989 with another set of 5 & 16 numbers aka Austin and Burgess. It would only seem fitting that the 2017 combo of #5 Kevin Glenn and #16 Brandon Bridge would provide us with some sort of karma. In that same way one should note that the Riders lost the final games of the season in the years 1989, 2007 and 2013 and went on to win the Grey Cup. Does it mean anything now? We just have to wait and see.
Hasn't this season gone by quickly? The funny thing is I still have a line on my right leg from the wicked sun burn I received at Training Camp the first time I attended back in June. In June all the hype was about Vince Young. I remember Chad Owens running back a punt and the crowd reacting at the scrimmage game. I recall Duron Carter's wide happy smile making me smile too. Aren't we blessed to have one more game to look forward to? The Eastern Semi-Final starts at noon Sunday. Go Riders!
A lot of sports media enjoy the topic of the Roughriders quarterback tandem of Kevin Glenn and Brandon Bridge or maybe they just can't wrap their minds around the concept. Who should Jones start? Jones names Glenn starter. How short of a leash should Jones give Glenn? Kevin still starts the game. I don't understand why this discussion keeps going on in spite of what's happened this last half of the season. Against the Alouettes, Jones played Glenn, Bridge and Adams Jr. What I think it comes down to is that Kevin Glenn has never lead a team and won a Grey Cup. He's been close (Blue Bombers in 2007) but because of never winning he doesn't get the respect and praise that others do. I also think this is why Jones is adamant about naming him starter every week. For one thing, it shuts up the talkers and debaters but for another, when the Riders make it (and I bel13ve they will) Kevin Glenn will be the starting quarterback who gets his name on the Grey Cup. Finally. I love the mentor that Kevin Glenn is; I love his comradery with fellow team mates and perhaps Kevin Glenn is the glue that keeps the Roughriders together.
The topic I don't hear discussed much is Chris Jones himself. People and fans have an obvious dislike for the man. They hollered for his head through most of last year and the start of the 2017 season as well...until the Riders started winning. I remember one of the Piffles Podcast members putting out a scathing blog just before they started winning. Where is the love now that the Roughriders are 10 - 8? *crickets* I'll tell you what the pundits do enjoy chatting about though. Why does Jones wear all black? Why won't Jones wear Rider colours? Why won't Jones wear a jacket? Why won't Jones wear a poppy? What would they do if they found out he lives at a hotel? GASP! This is all they've got to complain about now in November. I honestly could not care less about how Jones dresses on the sidelines as long as he is dressed. I care about how he coaches the team I am passionate about. I care that the players love him. I care that we win.
Canada's Team is off to the nations capital to play the Redblacks for the first time in post season since 1976. Let's all give a collective aRg as we think of Tony Gabriel together. *wince* Okay, so I was only 4 years old and don't recall anything about the match up at all except for The Catch. That might seem like ancient history so let's move on to present day. The Roughriders have played IN the home of the Ottawa Redblacks 4 times since they re-entered the CFL. The Roughriders are 3-1 against them. The last game in Regina the Redblacks were victorious by 1 point while on the Riders Eastern road trip the Riders were victors by 1 point. But let's talk about that Eastern swing... The Roughriders played in Ottawa and got the W then stayed out east to play the Toronto aRgonauts where they also got the win. Since this play off run could be a redo of that road trip the Saskatchewan Roughriders could possibly stay East for 21 days.
So my theory in my previous blog was incorrect. I have a new idea! If the Riders were to win the East (which I agree is likely a tall order) and the Blue Bombers (also a tall order with Matt Nichols injured) were to win the West we could see a scenario such as a Labour Day Classic Grey Cup. How crazy would that be? If Kevin Glenn lead the Roughriders to a victory over the Blue Bombers in the Grey Cup TEN years after they lost because Glenn was injured (they played Ryan Dinwiddie) Blue Bomber fans would go berserk.
I like it. :)
There's nothing Rider fans love more than tying the present to the past with stats and trivia. I love to pull out things that happened on previous teams and seasons to try to predict how this season will end. The Roughriders used quarterback tandems in 1983 with Barnes & Hufnagel and more successfully in 1989 with another set of 5 & 16 numbers aka Austin and Burgess. It would only seem fitting that the 2017 combo of #5 Kevin Glenn and #16 Brandon Bridge would provide us with some sort of karma. In that same way one should note that the Riders lost the final games of the season in the years 1989, 2007 and 2013 and went on to win the Grey Cup. Does it mean anything now? We just have to wait and see.
Hasn't this season gone by quickly? The funny thing is I still have a line on my right leg from the wicked sun burn I received at Training Camp the first time I attended back in June. In June all the hype was about Vince Young. I remember Chad Owens running back a punt and the crowd reacting at the scrimmage game. I recall Duron Carter's wide happy smile making me smile too. Aren't we blessed to have one more game to look forward to? The Eastern Semi-Final starts at noon Sunday. Go Riders!
Monday, October 30, 2017
We're Talking Play Offs. PLAY OFFS!
Phew! I'm glad Week 19 is over. Our Saskatchewan Roughriders won 37-12 over the Montreal Alouettes at home in glorious Mosaic Stadium. The storylines were aplenty.
October 27th marked the first time ex-Rider quarterback not only returned to Regina for the first time but set foot in the stadium some believe Darian Durant helped bring to fruition. Rider fans learned Darian will be a father in the next few months. We saw him be somewhat gracious while receiving fans at the game. What didn't sit with some members of Rider Nation was Doubles pregame interviews where he said he deserved recognition. It's tough. Over the past 11 years I've been a big Durant supporter and I've written about that here. I'll admit that I've had hard feelings since Game One in Montreal. I'll also admit that there likely were emotions on his side as well and he "may" be excused for some of his behaviour. I don't honestly know if I would have stood for an ovation prior to Fridays game or how I would have felt but I know I do not think of Darian the way I did prior to his trade.
Maybe some day I'll be over the break up.
Rider Nation isn't known for getting over things easily and as a proud member I sadly am no different.
October 27th was also the date set to see the Wes Cates...er, West Gates of Taylor Field be demolished. Living in Saskatoon makes seeing these things challenging so at 12:55pm I tuned in to cjme radio's facebook page where it was being streamed live. It didn't happen on time and it kept being pushed back but then shortly after 2pm the horns sounded and with a creaking thud and a cloud of dust down it came...bowing for the last time. My blue eyes clad in green eyeliner may have teared up just a little. Rider Nation couldn't help but think of all the great things that have happened there. Seeing Paul McCartney's concert in 2013 was an amazing experience while it may be shadowed by that other big event in 2013. Things move on, life changes and while it's sad to see Taylor Field go it will also be exciting to see a new neighbourhood spring up. Will houses be built on the 55 yard line? What will the name of that street be? And how cool would it be to tell that story!
The Riders find themselves at 10-7 and even though I am the supporter that I am - I only pegged it as a 9-9 season so man, am I happy! We do seem to find ourselves thanking our high school math teacher because all the football math scenarios boggle the mind and make those blue eyes glaze over.
1) If Bombers win and Riders win - Bombers secure 2nd & Riders get 3rd & Eskimos head east
2) If Bombers win and Eskimos win - Bombers finish 2nd & Eskimos 3rd & Riders head east
3) If Bombers lose and Eskimos win - Eskimos finish 2nd & Bombers 3rd & Riders head east.
October 27th marked the first time ex-Rider quarterback not only returned to Regina for the first time but set foot in the stadium some believe Darian Durant helped bring to fruition. Rider fans learned Darian will be a father in the next few months. We saw him be somewhat gracious while receiving fans at the game. What didn't sit with some members of Rider Nation was Doubles pregame interviews where he said he deserved recognition. It's tough. Over the past 11 years I've been a big Durant supporter and I've written about that here. I'll admit that I've had hard feelings since Game One in Montreal. I'll also admit that there likely were emotions on his side as well and he "may" be excused for some of his behaviour. I don't honestly know if I would have stood for an ovation prior to Fridays game or how I would have felt but I know I do not think of Darian the way I did prior to his trade.
Maybe some day I'll be over the break up.
Rider Nation isn't known for getting over things easily and as a proud member I sadly am no different.
October 27th was also the date set to see the Wes Cates...er, West Gates of Taylor Field be demolished. Living in Saskatoon makes seeing these things challenging so at 12:55pm I tuned in to cjme radio's facebook page where it was being streamed live. It didn't happen on time and it kept being pushed back but then shortly after 2pm the horns sounded and with a creaking thud and a cloud of dust down it came...bowing for the last time. My blue eyes clad in green eyeliner may have teared up just a little. Rider Nation couldn't help but think of all the great things that have happened there. Seeing Paul McCartney's concert in 2013 was an amazing experience while it may be shadowed by that other big event in 2013. Things move on, life changes and while it's sad to see Taylor Field go it will also be exciting to see a new neighbourhood spring up. Will houses be built on the 55 yard line? What will the name of that street be? And how cool would it be to tell that story!
The Riders find themselves at 10-7 and even though I am the supporter that I am - I only pegged it as a 9-9 season so man, am I happy! We do seem to find ourselves thanking our high school math teacher because all the football math scenarios boggle the mind and make those blue eyes glaze over.
Here are the different ways Week 20 in the West may play out:
2) If Bombers win and Eskimos win - Bombers finish 2nd & Eskimos 3rd & Riders head east
3) If Bombers lose and Eskimos win - Eskimos finish 2nd & Bombers 3rd & Riders head east.
I was remiss in mentioning in last weeks Conspiracy Theory blog that there is a contingent of fans who believe the CFL wants it to be a Redblacks and Roughriders Grey Cup in Ottawa in Canada's 150th year. Had you told me this in July or even August I would have rolled my eyes...but here at the end of the season it doesn't seem so far fetched! Does the CFL want it? Well, there's no denying that would be one heck of a story. In order for my Riders to make it to the Grey Cup they'd have to secure 3rd Saturday Nov 4th then beat both the Blue Bombers and Stampeders to win the West. The same thing goes here and a month ago I wouldn't want that scenario but it seems both teams are faltering and well...it could totally play out that way! OR once again, my watermelon is on too tight. At any rate, no one can deny Saturday's game against the Edmonton Eskimo's in Regina will be a BIG one.
I have renewed my season tickets. It seems section 126 Row 5 is stuck with me and my cowbell. I love the sight lines. I love being 5 rows removed from the field. I love being so close to the Riders tunnel. I love everything about my seats and the people who sit around me. I'll love being there one last time in the 2017 CFL season to cheer my Saskatchewan Roughriders to victory in the house Rider Nation built.
As Always - Go Riders!
I BEL13VE
Monday, October 23, 2017
Conspiracy Theory
On a very dull and dreary November day in 2009 I woke up to remember...well, you know what I remembered. Today, October 21st 2017 I woke up to a very similar dreary day and as my thoughts cleared I realized that October 20th wasn't a dream and my Saskatchewan Roughriders had not only beat the Calgary Stampeders (the number one team in the league) on their own turf but had blown them out 30 - 7. Oh how sweet it is!
A few weeks ago Cameron Judge went on a twitter tirade of sorts which left many of us scratching our heads and others speculating. Then he said it was all an experiment and it had worked. Curious, right? Some had him on pain meds or mentally ill but I think it's possible he was testing the waters for how his story would be picked up. Let's face it, fans and media bite on any little tidbit of Roughrider news and when the news is bad they bite especially hard.
A few weeks ago Cameron Judge went on a twitter tirade of sorts which left many of us scratching our heads and others speculating. Then he said it was all an experiment and it had worked. Curious, right? Some had him on pain meds or mentally ill but I think it's possible he was testing the waters for how his story would be picked up. Let's face it, fans and media bite on any little tidbit of Roughrider news and when the news is bad they bite especially hard.
Last Monday there was a small skirmish at Roughrider practice. It was so small reporters and media in attendance didn't notice anything happened. It wasn't until Duron Carter made the tweet "It's been fun...see y'all" that all heck seemed to break loose. Arash Madani and Justin Dunk were spewing out articles condemning the Roughriders left and right. There was a post saying three Riders had been released...one of which couldn't have been in the altercation because he wasn't at practice! Another story said a coach had spurred the fight on. I believe all of that was smoke and mirrors. Let's say the Riders came up with an idea to lead the media away from what they were doing last week. No one was talking about who the starting quarterback was going to be, that Cameron Marshall was back and Trent Richardson who? All anyone wanted to know was what happened. What *if* all of that was an elaborate rouse? That would account for a coach saying it's go time, that would account for the tweet that fed into the media's hands and that would account for why no one saw how prepared the team was to take on Calgary at McCarter...um, McMahon Stadium. Let's not forget that the Riders controlled the entire narrative by having a closed practice Tuesday but no matter what the smoke didn't clear until everyone was jaw droppingly shocked as Duron Carter picked off Bo Levi Mitchell and returned it for a touchdown in a game winning play.
I admit that's a pretty elaborate thing to pull off and my watermelon may be a little too tight on the ol' noggin' but no matter what it did unite the team whether it was to pull it off or to come together to refute the allegations...it worked. Bo Levi Mitchell did not score a touchdown against the Roughriders in TWO games with the only TD pass being thrown to...Duron Carter who was playing as a starting CB for the first time ever in a CFL game. He'd just come off a 200+ game the week prior which put him over 1000 yards on the season. He'd gotten in a "fight". He went bowling with team mates and scored 202. He started as a DB and he got his first career interception. Hey, Bo, next time you decide to take to twitter to taunt a player...you better make sure you can back it up.
Winning in a decisive 30 - 7 game against the number one team in the league moved the Saskatchewan Roughriders into a play off spot. The only question is, will the team stay in the west by staying ahead then beating the Edmonton Eskimo's on November 4th OR will they be relegated to going the eastern route. No doubt this will be debated at length by all the pundits for the next two weeks.
But first, on October 27th the Roughriders host the lowly Montreal Alouettes who are fighting more demons than just football games. None of that really matters because since Week One in the CFL back when the Als beat the Riders this game was circled on the schedule as Darian Durant's return to Regina and new Mosaic Stadium. Nothing stirs up more feelings than the topic of ex-Riders QB. I'm not going to talk about what he did for us in the past because I've beaten that horse to death. Let's take off the green goggles and see him exactly for what he is now. He is a man, who endured 9 seasons as a Roughrider starting Quarterback with the last 3 injury prone. He is a man who in the end wasn't loyal to the organization or fan base and left for money. He was a man who burnt his Bridge by shouting at the Roughriders bench and making rude gestures when he won by 1 point. He is a man who hasn't played much football in the last month and has found himself pulled in the last game against the Hamilton TigerCats. He is a man who is getting paid reportedly $400,000 on a team that is now 3 - 13 where his future is in question.
I wonder how Darian will feel when he see's what's left of Taylor Field. I know it's hard on me to see it all dismantled. I wonder how he'll feel when he visits Mosaic Stadium for the first time. I know how I felt and it was amazing but I also suspect it could be overwhelming for him considering what's been said of how he isn't over the trade. Then again...some think he's not even going to make the trip.
If you'd like to read my past thoughts on Durant check out these posts:
What do you think of Chris Jones now? It's no secret that I was on board since the Riders made him GM, HC, VP & DC shortly after the 2015 Grey Cup. Lot's of fans don't like him for how he released fan favourites and I even have seen a few fans switch alliances due to it. I think it's very admirable that some have now come out and said they were wrong about Jones. It takes a lot of guts to admit your impressions were wrong and I applaud those who've done it. No matter your stance, I firmly believe 2016 had to happen in order to start the foundation for the success we are now seeing in 2017. I've often said it takes two to three years to rebuild a CFL team and here we are nearing the end of the second year and heading to the play offs for the first time since 2014. Imagine winning so much that we take it for granted! That's part of what's happening in Calgary with the Stampeders and their attendance. The team isn't making news anymore because all they do is win! I'd sure like to try that feeling out for size and maybe, just maybe, Jones is the coach to make that happen for Rider Nation.
Who made this years CFL schedule? Don't they know Rider Nation travels from near and far for all games? Friday evening games in October on the prairies is nutso! I've had to sell my tickets because of my teaching schedule and while I could have gotten a substitute I decided maybe someone else could enjoy my seats for me. I hope they have fun and make lots of noise! Ring that cowbell and come home hoarse.
9 - 7 sure is fun...I'll see you on the flip side. Here's to 10 - 7!
Go Riders!
Tuesday, September 19, 2017
The Elephant In The Room
There's a subject posted around social media, fan forums and Facebook groups. Rider Nation is easy to get emotional and irrational on the subject and there are a very wide difference in opinions and views. It's okay, that's how we are and that's what makes us one of the most passionate fan bases in the CFL. The comments range on a scale of "Jones got rid of our favourite players" to "Jones is a genius." This one subject though gets debated in circles every week and Week 13 in the CFL was no different.
What do you think of Darian Durant now.
Before you click away you need to know a few things about me. I LOVED Darian Durant. I got in family arguments defending him. I got in social media arguments defending him. I met the man several times at training camp and other engagements. I did this for his entire career with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Stu Gooden had me gaze lovingly at Doubles picture in last years CTV story. I was All In. But let me also tell you this - It was Exhausting.
There is an idea out there that when Rider fans or CFL fans place criticism on a player that they don't respect that player. That is simply not true. Darian Durant was a true warrior and leader for the Roughriders through several seasons and no one else but him carried the team on his back like he did in 2013. I appreciate everything he did and bringing us that Grey Cup in our home stadium was momentous. The fact is - Darian Durant is no longer a Saskatchewan Roughrider. He made the decision to not be a part of this team and we can debate the how's and why's until the cows come home but it doesn't change that fact that in the end DD did not choose us. He chose money, his own ego and other emotions over loyalty to being a Roughrider. That's my bottom line. If anyone else did that, that player would be ridiculed and haunted by Rider Nation the rest of his career. Instead, members of Rider Nation still have him on that pedestal and will choose to cheer for him over our entire team. I don't get it.
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| My comment moments after Durant was traded January 13th. |
Watching Darian Durant as a Montreal Alouette is odd. First of all given what transpired in the 2009 Grey Cup one has to wonder how exactly one arrives at the desire to make that transition. I never wished ill on Durant but my opinion of him has certainly changed. In Week 1, I saw the man who I had idolized taunt and jeer my Head Coach, the man who apparently didn't like Darian Durant because he 'wasn't his guy.' Could it be that it was Durant himself who didn't like Jones? Could it be that Jones didn't coddle Durant like he was used to and expected him to be able to do his job? Could it be that Jones wanted to build a team so that our QB no matter who that was had support and protection around him instead of having an aging, injury prone, highly paid player weighing the team down and holding them back? In that instance when Durant shouted "How do you like me now" in French I lost all respect for the person and player who I thought he was and it made me question if he ever was the person I had built him up to be in my own mind.
Meanwhile, Kevin Glenn is on his third stint as a Roughrider. When Glenn was a Rider in 2015 I had thought prior to Durant's injury that we'd end up with a QB controversy on our hands. That didn't happen and KG ended up being traded away. This season KG stepped in as starting quarterback. He didn't try to carry the team. Instead I see him as part of the team. Kevin Glenn is always with team members, providing support, friendship, brotherhood and leading the celebration conga line. He's been having a terrific year and even while sidelined he is being the example and mentoring Brandon Bridge, Vernon Adams Jr and Marquise Williams. All of these quarterbacks for what Montreal is paying Darian Durant.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders have evolved. I've often asked that Riders fans get on board and learn players names because they are future legends. How about that receiving corps? How about that secondary? How about that offensive line? How about that defense? There are so many names to know! It's looking more and more like the Chris Jones regime not only knows what they're doing in rebuilding/building our beloved team but always had a plan. The team is 6-5. The team is above .500 for the first time since 2015.
The Montreal Alouettes are in disarray. Kavis Reed is the General Manager for a reason that is not known to me since he has no experience in that area at all. Last week the head coach Jacques Chapdelaine and defensive coordinator Noel Thorpe were fired. Kavis named himself HC. Anthony Calvillo was added to the CFL Hall of Fame Friday but was named offensive coordinator in the Alouettes shuffle. The play calls are baffling. They have good players who they don't seem to implement like RB Sutton or WR Jackson. Even Nik Lewis seems to be absent since breaking the all time reception record. Then Darian Durant got pulled in last weekends game for back up Drew Willy. The Montreal Alouettes are 3-9.
This week everyone is wondering what's wrong with Darian Durant. They've brought in Ken Miller to help out and I sincerely hope he can. It feels to me that the Alouettes have tried to recreate a previous Roughrider team and if we can learn from history you simply cannot hold on to the past. Players change and age and become injured. You can't go back again. Fans and media are questioning if this is the end for Durant. I searched his name on social media and waded through the vitriol of "retire" comments. There's no way I'm going to shoot a man while he's down but I can't help but put the question out there...
"Darian...how do you like US now?"
Unfortunately, I cannot be at the October 27th rematch between the Roughriders and Alouettes at incredible Mosaic Stadium but I will be at this Sunday's game where we host the Calgary Stampeders. Bo Levi Mitchell is already trying to stir things up and I wish he'd just keep his mouth closed. Those things have a way of biting you in the butt. This will be a huge test for our Riders who sustained 9 injuries in the win against the Hamilton TigerCats. Can we emerge victorious? I guess that's why we play the games.
I'll be there Sunday in my section 126 seat with cowbell in hand. I am first and foremost a fan of the team who's name is across the front of my jersey not the back. A Saskatchewan Roughriders fan I remain.
Go Riders!
Sunday, August 20, 2017
Origin Story
This week - week nine in the CFL, was the Roughriders second bye week of the 2017 season. It got me to thinking about how I became a fan and how that has shaped how I cheer for the team and show my Rider Pride. We all have stories. This is mine.
My first Roughrider memory was from the early 1980's when a player came to my elementary school in Prince Albert,
Saskatchewan. I have no idea what he spoke about or if other players were with him and until a few years ago I had his trading card. He wasn't a big name Roughrider (Lawrie Skolrood) but was a Rider for several years. Interesting enough, none of my classmates remember this happening and all recall the yo-yo guy instead. I wonder what it was that left an impression on me and no one else. In 1980 the Roughriders went 2-15 and yet these Roughrider players were out interacting with the communities in the province like my class at Arthur Pechey Elementry School.
Then I was busy getting married and starting a career and football wasn't even on the radar. Hubby and I moved to Saskatoon and while our lives evolved changes were happening in Riderville too. The Shivers/Barrett era was over and in came Jim Hopson, Eric Tillman and Kent Austin. Everything changed. Everything. Suddenly it was cool to be a Saskatchewan Roughriders football fan. The team was winning and everyone far and wide was clamouring for Rider gear. One time on game day we were at the Co-Op and another fan stopped us in the isle to ask where we got our cool Rider shirts. People started to take game day very seriously and would dress up even if staying home, fly flags from their cars and merchandise flew off the racks. We ate Fantuz Flakes, Dario's and All Dressler Chips. Rider Nation went nuts.
Now why wasn't I at the 2013 Grey Cup? I still don't know what I was thinking. I tried to make up for by being at several important Farewell Season games last year. I saw the 1966 team, the 1989 kick re-inacted, and I saw Darian Durant send off the ol' lady in a storm of fireworks. It still bothers me that I wasn't at the biggest game in the Roughriders organization history.
This year, the Inaugural Season of Mosaic Stadium, we do have season tickets. On August 13th we had pregame on field passes. For one hour prior to kick off we got to stand in the end zone of this magnificent new stadium and talk to other fans, players who came out to shake hands and create more memories. Duron Carter chatted with players and signed the football of a young fan. He went along the railing and greeted all the kids. Rob Bagg came over as did Cameron Marshall and Willie Jefferson. It was awesome. It was military appreciation day and I watched as players thanked all the personal who came out onto the field.
Waiting in line at the Gate 2 entrance I met a woman from Weyburn who told me she was so glad she had family to stay with so she could attend games. We stood in the shade and talked about how great the facilities are. I met a man who travelled from Ottawa just to see his team, our Saskatchewan Roughriders play in person. I asked him if he attends Redblacks games and he said, "No, I'm a Roughriders fan." We met another couple who lectured my Hubby on Rider Pride when he said the Lions were going to beat us by 15 points. * smile * If you know who you are...I'm pretty sure my husband owes you twenty bucks!
What's your Origin Story?
My first Roughrider memory was from the early 1980's when a player came to my elementary school in Prince Albert,
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| My Dad (2nd from right) with his 3 brothers @ Taylor Field |
Being a Roughrider fan back then wasn't popular. There weren't Roughrider stores and of course no internet so next to zero fan interaction except for "guy on the street" contact. Tickets were easy to get and didn't cost a lot. As a teenager, the last thing I'd ever do was profess my love for the Roughriders. I remember my Dad being excited in 1989 and saying how he thought the Riders were good that year. So when I was in Regina in about 1991 I bought him a Roughrider tee shirt from the hotel gift shop. Even then and only a couple years removed from being Grey Cup champions, the cashier thought I was crazy. Why on earth would I want to spend $20 on that?
Then I was busy getting married and starting a career and football wasn't even on the radar. Hubby and I moved to Saskatoon and while our lives evolved changes were happening in Riderville too. The Shivers/Barrett era was over and in came Jim Hopson, Eric Tillman and Kent Austin. Everything changed. Everything. Suddenly it was cool to be a Saskatchewan Roughriders football fan. The team was winning and everyone far and wide was clamouring for Rider gear. One time on game day we were at the Co-Op and another fan stopped us in the isle to ask where we got our cool Rider shirts. People started to take game day very seriously and would dress up even if staying home, fly flags from their cars and merchandise flew off the racks. We ate Fantuz Flakes, Dario's and All Dressler Chips. Rider Nation went nuts.
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| My favourite chips |
The life we lived then was different from now. It wasn't even a thought that we'd attend a game never mind purchase season tickets. Hubby had been to Rider games having grown up farther south, but me...I had never been to Taylor Field for a football game until 2014 when the Ottawa Redblacks came for their preseason game. We sat in the first row of section 25 and Hubby told everyone it was my first time...which was so embarrassing! I mean here I was a HUGE fan and had never been to a game there before. (I had been there in 2013 for the Paul McCartney concert) What I've realized since is that it doesn't matter how big your fandom is - it's always someone's first. That game the Roughriders were the visitors while the Redblacks were the home team. Bizarre right? When the Redblacks came on the field Hubby shouted "Welcome to the league boys!" and the experience grew greater from there.
This year, the Inaugural Season of Mosaic Stadium, we do have season tickets. On August 13th we had pregame on field passes. For one hour prior to kick off we got to stand in the end zone of this magnificent new stadium and talk to other fans, players who came out to shake hands and create more memories. Duron Carter chatted with players and signed the football of a young fan. He went along the railing and greeted all the kids. Rob Bagg came over as did Cameron Marshall and Willie Jefferson. It was awesome. It was military appreciation day and I watched as players thanked all the personal who came out onto the field.
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My photos from pre-game August 13th
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| Hubby & I @ Taylor Field 2016 |
Seeing Taylor Field being slowly dismantled makes me wish I had more memories there but right next door I'm creating amazing new ones. Lawrie Skolrood's playing days may be in the rear view mirror but I am so thankful I have that connection because it's shaped who @smilingsandra is today. Rider Nation is a terrific (crazy) fan base and I'd not want to be a part of any other no matter how much you make me shake my head and roll my eyes. How and when we became fans changes our perspective on every issue. Were you a fan in the aching 80's? 70's? 00's? It's been awfully easy being a fan over the last 10 years and I think sometimes we need to reflect to appreciate just how far the Saskatchewan Roughriders have come.
What's your Origin Story?
Sunday, August 6, 2017
Rout the Riders
In Week 6 the Saskatchewan Roughriders beat the Toronto Argonauts 38 - 27 at home under scorching skies. It was a pretty quiet up week with the only complaint being a lack of water provided at Mosaic Stadium. That's how happy Ridernation was because no one complained at all about game points or coaching or quarterbacking. In Week 7 though, it's a different story and Ridernation has an insatiable thirst to chase someone out of town and they don't even care who it is or why.
I am well aware that I, too, in fact am a member of Ridernation, but it is times like these where I hang my head in shame as other fan bases...especially the Bombers...point and laugh at us. Do you know how you sound on the radio? Do you know what your words look like hanging out there on the Facebook pages, Fan forums & Twitter posts? They're right because we are not the best fans in the CFL. We are however, the brunt of the jokes of the CFL.
When will they figure out Glenn isn't good anymore. Well let's see. During the game in BC against the Lions Roughriders starting Veteran Quarterback crossed the milestone of being the 6th All Time in CFL Passing Yards. It took Roughrider legend Ron Lancaster 19 years to set the record and it took Kevin Glenn 17 to check that box off his career stats list. It's rather fitting because just as it was known the Little General would inevitably throw a few interceptions so will Kevin Glenn. This doesn't mean he's not good at his job...it just means that he's human. It means he had a bad day at work. We all have those! I've had days where all I can do is laugh because of the messes I've made for myself. Do I get fired though? Nope. Not even when I single handily broke a piano! All you can do is get home, regroup, plan and pick yourself up for the next work day. I have no doubt that once the Riders offence has a chance to watch game film that they will learn and regroup as well.
The most popular guy in the province is the backup quarterback. Seeing quarterback Brandon Bridge in the dying minutes of the game setting the Riders up to score two touchdowns has created a bit of an uproar. He played against the Lions 2nd and 3rd stringers and probably executed a set of package plays designed just for him. For some reason this now means that within Ridernation Bridge should be anointed the starter and march us on to victory. I could see giving him and Marquise Williams a look if we were at the tail end of the season...which, thankfully we aren't, so at this point unless something were to happen to Kevin Glenn (knock on wood) we stick with the guy who has already won us 2 games.
How long until we shake up the coaching and administration. That statement along with "Jones wears too many hats" or "we need a defensive coordinator" is ludicrous. Remember! We just finished Week Seven! When I look around the league these statements aren't being said by fans of other teams. Jacques Chapdelaine is the Head Coach of the Montreal Alouettes and their record is 2-4. Should Jacques be fired? Rick Campbell is the Head Coach of the Ottawa Redblacks who are coming off a 2016 Grey Cup victory yet seem to find themselves with only 1 win so far in 2017. Should he be fired? Lastly, let's look at Kent Austin who has had more than plenty of time to prove himself as Hamilton Tiger-Cats Head Coach. Fans of the Ticats would have the best case for this argument since they are winless in 2017. But no, here are the Rider fans trying to march Chris Jones out of town.
The reason Chris Jones will never be good enough for some fans (not me!) is because of how he came in and made drastic changes and didn't give a rats patootie what Ridernation thought of it. For that I applaud him! If it were up to Ridernation all the favourites would be here forever, no one would ever get traded and we'd bankrupt the organization to pay them whatever they wanted. The fact is this 2017 team is already better and surging but with any growing also comes growing pains. You win some and you lose some. By August 4th 2016 the Riders only had 1 win and didn't go on to get another until the end of September and finally finished 5-13. This same time period in 2017 and we already have 2 wins. Could the team be better? Of course and they will be the first to admit it, but should anyone lose a job over it? No way.
Where would we be without social media. It's so easy to post what you think you think. Then someone "likes" it. Then someone comments. It's a conversation and sometimes more often than not, it's piling on. I have to hold my tongue and restrain myself from commenting at the best of times for fear of 'starting something up.' It shouldn't be that way. We are all passionate fans. Sometimes we are fans of the same team and sometimes we're just fans of teams in the same league. Twice in the last week I've had the pleasure of being acquainted with new CFL fans through Twitter. They live in the US and enjoy CFL football. How amazing is that?! Lot's of games have been carried on ESPN3. While after an upsetting loss like Saturday is maddening, bringing new fans into the mix is exciting!
Is Rider Pride alive and well? I don't know about you but it is in me. This mornings message in church was about new beginnings. Let's put this game behind us and start anew. The BC Lions visit our glorious new home Sunday August 13th 6pm, new CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie will be on hand and I'm full of excitement because I've got pregame sideline passes. Let's show those Leo's what Ridernation and Rider Pride is really about. The Rider Store has fabulous new noise makers...you're going to need one.
I am well aware that I, too, in fact am a member of Ridernation, but it is times like these where I hang my head in shame as other fan bases...especially the Bombers...point and laugh at us. Do you know how you sound on the radio? Do you know what your words look like hanging out there on the Facebook pages, Fan forums & Twitter posts? They're right because we are not the best fans in the CFL. We are however, the brunt of the jokes of the CFL.
When will they figure out Glenn isn't good anymore. Well let's see. During the game in BC against the Lions Roughriders starting Veteran Quarterback crossed the milestone of being the 6th All Time in CFL Passing Yards. It took Roughrider legend Ron Lancaster 19 years to set the record and it took Kevin Glenn 17 to check that box off his career stats list. It's rather fitting because just as it was known the Little General would inevitably throw a few interceptions so will Kevin Glenn. This doesn't mean he's not good at his job...it just means that he's human. It means he had a bad day at work. We all have those! I've had days where all I can do is laugh because of the messes I've made for myself. Do I get fired though? Nope. Not even when I single handily broke a piano! All you can do is get home, regroup, plan and pick yourself up for the next work day. I have no doubt that once the Riders offence has a chance to watch game film that they will learn and regroup as well.
The most popular guy in the province is the backup quarterback. Seeing quarterback Brandon Bridge in the dying minutes of the game setting the Riders up to score two touchdowns has created a bit of an uproar. He played against the Lions 2nd and 3rd stringers and probably executed a set of package plays designed just for him. For some reason this now means that within Ridernation Bridge should be anointed the starter and march us on to victory. I could see giving him and Marquise Williams a look if we were at the tail end of the season...which, thankfully we aren't, so at this point unless something were to happen to Kevin Glenn (knock on wood) we stick with the guy who has already won us 2 games.
How long until we shake up the coaching and administration. That statement along with "Jones wears too many hats" or "we need a defensive coordinator" is ludicrous. Remember! We just finished Week Seven! When I look around the league these statements aren't being said by fans of other teams. Jacques Chapdelaine is the Head Coach of the Montreal Alouettes and their record is 2-4. Should Jacques be fired? Rick Campbell is the Head Coach of the Ottawa Redblacks who are coming off a 2016 Grey Cup victory yet seem to find themselves with only 1 win so far in 2017. Should he be fired? Lastly, let's look at Kent Austin who has had more than plenty of time to prove himself as Hamilton Tiger-Cats Head Coach. Fans of the Ticats would have the best case for this argument since they are winless in 2017. But no, here are the Rider fans trying to march Chris Jones out of town.
The reason Chris Jones will never be good enough for some fans (not me!) is because of how he came in and made drastic changes and didn't give a rats patootie what Ridernation thought of it. For that I applaud him! If it were up to Ridernation all the favourites would be here forever, no one would ever get traded and we'd bankrupt the organization to pay them whatever they wanted. The fact is this 2017 team is already better and surging but with any growing also comes growing pains. You win some and you lose some. By August 4th 2016 the Riders only had 1 win and didn't go on to get another until the end of September and finally finished 5-13. This same time period in 2017 and we already have 2 wins. Could the team be better? Of course and they will be the first to admit it, but should anyone lose a job over it? No way.
Where would we be without social media. It's so easy to post what you think you think. Then someone "likes" it. Then someone comments. It's a conversation and sometimes more often than not, it's piling on. I have to hold my tongue and restrain myself from commenting at the best of times for fear of 'starting something up.' It shouldn't be that way. We are all passionate fans. Sometimes we are fans of the same team and sometimes we're just fans of teams in the same league. Twice in the last week I've had the pleasure of being acquainted with new CFL fans through Twitter. They live in the US and enjoy CFL football. How amazing is that?! Lot's of games have been carried on ESPN3. While after an upsetting loss like Saturday is maddening, bringing new fans into the mix is exciting!
Is Rider Pride alive and well? I don't know about you but it is in me. This mornings message in church was about new beginnings. Let's put this game behind us and start anew. The BC Lions visit our glorious new home Sunday August 13th 6pm, new CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie will be on hand and I'm full of excitement because I've got pregame sideline passes. Let's show those Leo's what Ridernation and Rider Pride is really about. The Rider Store has fabulous new noise makers...you're going to need one.
Monday, July 24, 2017
10 Thoughts About Week 5 in the CFL
In 2010 Hubby and I holidayed in Calgary sight seeing with the week culminating in a football game at McMahon. My Roughriders versus the very dominant Stampeders. The week was fun. We went to the zoo, shopped & hung out in Hubby's old stomping grounds since he lived there for a time after high school. It was all great except for the actual football game which I don't remember much of except that Darian Durant (his 2nd year as starter) spent a lot of time admiring the Alberta skies while Ken Miller was the coach who consoled us over the '09 Grey Cup.
So flash forward to 2017...how did we do?
1) We Lost. Again. The last time the Riders won a regular season game in Calgary was 2009 but what many have forgotten including Rod Black is that the Riders won at McMahon in the West Final in 2013. It can be done. It just wasn't going to happen Saturday night.
2) The starting quarterback for our Saskatchewan Roughriders, Kevin Glenn, was sacked 3 times in less than the first quarter. There's several reasons this occurred with the biggest reason being the offensive line. I don't know if they were slow or unmotivated or unprepared but whatever it was there wasn't enough time for anyone to make a decision never mind go through reads and decide where to throw the ball. In the second half the O Line finally was able to give a few seconds more and Glenn was able to move the ball more effectively. Now I did say at halftime that maybe we should see Brandon Bridge in the second half. Before you freak out, listen to my thinking...Glenn could barely take a step back before running for his life and what we needed was to move the pocket or try some play action. When they came back in the second quarter and tried these things the Riders were able to get more first downs and move down the field. What bothers me now that I think about is - why did the Riders wait until half time to make that adjustment? Coaches need to do a better job of analyzing the issues in game and correcting throughout because no other team in the CFL will sit back waiting for us to figure it out.
Tree) Officiating * insert facepalm * We want them to throw the flag & we don't want them to throw the flag and we want them to have the knowledge to know the circumstances which warrant the difference! I've watched as the referee's look around at each other in wonderment before throwing a flag. Or better yet...is it a touchdown? Who knows? But if I look over at the other guy maybe he knows. It is beyond frustrating to watch a game for these reasons. Then if a flag wasn't thrown the coach has to use his challenge and more times than not it's for something obvious which should have been called in the first place. Or what about the fishing expeditions? You know, the ones where it should be 3rd down but someone saw a thing on the other side of the field so let's challenge that because it'll extend our drive. It's a mess. Aaaand don't get me started on the Incidental Contact rule, you know, the one where a receiver "accidentally" runs into a DB to draw a flag. * eyeroll * Do I know how to fix these things? No not really but I'd sure try hard if someone were willing to give me the job!
Turd & Tree) On second thought ~ we fix the challenge issue like this - each team is given 2 challenges but once they use them that's it. No more for the entire game. Also if a challenge takes more than 30 seconds to review it's void. Done. Kaput. I'd also make it so you can't challenge things away from the play...if that receiver wasn't the intended target then that's not challengeable.
Turd & Tree) On second thought ~ we fix the challenge issue like this - each team is given 2 challenges but once they use them that's it. No more for the entire game. Also if a challenge takes more than 30 seconds to review it's void. Done. Kaput. I'd also make it so you can't challenge things away from the play...if that receiver wasn't the intended target then that's not challengeable.
4) Darian Durant and every other ex-Rider ever seems to beat us when we play them...or at least that's the argument I've heard. Due to this argument we also should have never "gotten rid" of them. Why can't Rider Nation ever move on? I know, you - YOU * points finger * are going to accuse me of not moving on either but hear me out. The Riders cannot hold on to players forever just because people like them and they also cannot pay them the exorbitant amounts they want while still building a team. Here's the thing: most players in the CFL unless drafted have come from other teams! GASP! Bakari Grant was a Stampeder. Eddie Steele was an Eskimo. It isn't only the Riders who choose to move on from players. Every team in the CFL has players that once played elsewhere.
5) Lay off Kevin Glenn. Is Kevin Glenn a hall of famer? You bet he is. I don't know of any other man who would be willing to be a back up on every single team he's played for except the Edmonton Eskimo's. Glenn comes in and does his job and does it well in every way he can. Does it matter he doesn't have a Grey Cup ring? No and the fact that he doesn't is another reason why he should be a HOFer. A Grey Cup ring doesn't mean you are a great player...it just means you won a contest. Throwing for over 50,000 yards in your career?! That milestone is incredibly meaningful and every fan should applaud him. One other thing...instead of criticizing his age remember a 41 year old won the Grey Cup last year, Henry Burris who also was an ex-Rider.
6) When things don't go the way we want them to we always want to blame someone and Rider Nation is very good at blaming Coach Chris Jones. Fire Chris Jones! I see it all over social media. Those of you who are saying this have to really think this statement through. Chris Jones holds 4 titles so essentially you'd be firing 4 people. He's General Manager, Vice President of Personal, Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator. There's little chance he'd give just one title up either. Jones came to Saskatchewan because of this opportunity and because of that you also have to consider those who followed him...his entire coaching staff. Back in 2015 when everyone was chasing Corey Chamblin out of town I did some research and I found out that in Rider history every time a coach was fired it took 2 to 3 years for the team to be viable again. I've heard this exact same stat from NFL broadcasters. If Jones was gone now, are you willing to wait another three years? Are you willing to throw out the 2017 season after week 5? A new regime will start all over building from the ground up. I refuse to have that happen again. Jones is on year two of a three year contract. This team has gotten better. Every rebuild has its ups and downs and I am one fan who wants to see this out because my loyal green heart can't start all over again. I beg you that before you grab your pitch fork that you really REALLY think this through.
7) Willie Jefferson > Weston Dressler
8) I've noticed a trend. Right before the Riders are supposed to play the Stampeders, some kind of controversy comes up. Last season it was the pre-practice squad that Bo Levi tweeted about. This year all the talk was about spies at practice and let's not forget about the chirping between Derek Dennis and Charleston Hughes. Much was also made of a skirmish between Duron Carter and Joshua Bell. The media sure loves to make Carter look bad by over reacting to this incident but I found it to be karma when Bell had to leave the game. Is all of this some kind of tactic? Let's remember this for when Calgary visits our glorious new sold out castle September 24th.
9) What is the dealio with the Redblacks schedule? I remember hearing a backlash when the CFL schedule was released but never gave it much thought because as a Rider fan I was pretty happy with ours. Who thought having the Redblacks play 3 times in 17 days was a good idea? They actually play twice in week 5. These aren't baseball players these are athletic guys who need rest from practice & game action to rehab tired muscles, bodies and injuries. If they lose it'll be blamed on the short week and if they win it'll be called overcoming adversity. At any rate, it sucks for them and has renewed calls for a tenth CFL team which would definitely help out in a myriad of ways.
10) I've been having a ton of fun creating and posting CFL Power Rankings each week. I started it because I disagreed with other rankings I was seeing and decided not only to compose my own but to have some fun with it as well. That's what watching football and following the league should be...entertaining. We are all much too serious lately. In my Week 5 edition you can look to see an all new ranking system. I hope you enjoy it as much as I love to craft it. Look for it on my twitter account @smilingsandra Tuesday.
On to week 6! Bring on the Argo's! And no matter what... Go Riders Go!
6) When things don't go the way we want them to we always want to blame someone and Rider Nation is very good at blaming Coach Chris Jones. Fire Chris Jones! I see it all over social media. Those of you who are saying this have to really think this statement through. Chris Jones holds 4 titles so essentially you'd be firing 4 people. He's General Manager, Vice President of Personal, Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator. There's little chance he'd give just one title up either. Jones came to Saskatchewan because of this opportunity and because of that you also have to consider those who followed him...his entire coaching staff. Back in 2015 when everyone was chasing Corey Chamblin out of town I did some research and I found out that in Rider history every time a coach was fired it took 2 to 3 years for the team to be viable again. I've heard this exact same stat from NFL broadcasters. If Jones was gone now, are you willing to wait another three years? Are you willing to throw out the 2017 season after week 5? A new regime will start all over building from the ground up. I refuse to have that happen again. Jones is on year two of a three year contract. This team has gotten better. Every rebuild has its ups and downs and I am one fan who wants to see this out because my loyal green heart can't start all over again. I beg you that before you grab your pitch fork that you really REALLY think this through.
7) Willie Jefferson > Weston Dressler
8) I've noticed a trend. Right before the Riders are supposed to play the Stampeders, some kind of controversy comes up. Last season it was the pre-practice squad that Bo Levi tweeted about. This year all the talk was about spies at practice and let's not forget about the chirping between Derek Dennis and Charleston Hughes. Much was also made of a skirmish between Duron Carter and Joshua Bell. The media sure loves to make Carter look bad by over reacting to this incident but I found it to be karma when Bell had to leave the game. Is all of this some kind of tactic? Let's remember this for when Calgary visits our glorious new sold out castle September 24th.
9) What is the dealio with the Redblacks schedule? I remember hearing a backlash when the CFL schedule was released but never gave it much thought because as a Rider fan I was pretty happy with ours. Who thought having the Redblacks play 3 times in 17 days was a good idea? They actually play twice in week 5. These aren't baseball players these are athletic guys who need rest from practice & game action to rehab tired muscles, bodies and injuries. If they lose it'll be blamed on the short week and if they win it'll be called overcoming adversity. At any rate, it sucks for them and has renewed calls for a tenth CFL team which would definitely help out in a myriad of ways.
10) I've been having a ton of fun creating and posting CFL Power Rankings each week. I started it because I disagreed with other rankings I was seeing and decided not only to compose my own but to have some fun with it as well. That's what watching football and following the league should be...entertaining. We are all much too serious lately. In my Week 5 edition you can look to see an all new ranking system. I hope you enjoy it as much as I love to craft it. Look for it on my twitter account @smilingsandra Tuesday.
On to week 6! Bring on the Argo's! And no matter what... Go Riders Go!
Monday, July 10, 2017
First Win Down
How refreshing is it to see our Saskatchewan Roughriders march down the field? How awesome is it to see every receiver catching what's being thrown? How nice is it to see a Quarterback play with heart and responsibility? There's a culture change happening in our hard to say easy to draw province and it's appearing before our very hopeful eyes.
On July 1st, our nations 150th birthday Rider Nation gathered for the official grand opening of Mosaic Stadium. The amount of anticipation and giddiness could only compare to that of the week preceding the 2013 Grey Cup. Our opponent? Our biggest rival and arch enemy - the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. I sat in section 126 cowbell in hand.
There's a thing that tends to happen for us Rider fans. When there's a huge game or one with ultimate meaning things don't seem to go all that well for us. It happened when we said farewell to Taylor Field and it happened on Canada Day as well. So when we were defeated by the Matt Nichol's led Bombers it didn't matter much to me. I celebrated when Dave Ridgeway kicked a commemorative field goal. I shook my cowbell until my arms ached. I yelled until my voice was hoarse. Then when I woke up Sunday morning...the day after...I was mad.
I was angry because the 'bumblers' could say they won the first game in our new home. I was ticked off because our secondary should have known better than to not contain Weston Dressler. I was disappointed that I again had to drive 2 hours home after another loss. What did it feel like to win? I don't know. It's been so long I can't remember.
If you know one thing about me though, it's that no matter what the circumstances I try really hard to see positive things. I know situations can always be worse. So when we headed to Regina on Saturday to see the Riders take on the Hamilton Tiger Cats I had a bit of hesitation. I knew the TiCats didn't have a very good showing in week one but they were also coming off their bye week. It had been a similar story with the Bombers.
Yes, there was a very disappointing interception after Kevin Glenn marched down the field but I saw something happen that I haven't seen in this new age of Roughriders. I saw them fight back and when I saw that from the players - that not giving up attitude, well, I didn't give up either. I saw a team that was communicating, I saw everyone fighting for every yard and I saw us playing our game no matter what the opposition was attempting to do. I saw a brotherhood of team mates and I loved every moment of it.
Guess what else I found out? The Montreal Alouettes won the first game at IGF in Winnipeg. I found out John Chick & Justin Cappicciotti couldn't keep us down. I found out Kevin Glenn is a tremendous professional and answered questions with a decorum that I'd not seen before. Durant who?
I. Am. Excited. For. THIS. Team.
I am not delirious. I know we beat a very poor team. I know we have the bye week and then travel to Calgary. I also know Calgary has some demons of their own they're fighting. I think it's totally possible for this Riders team to go into McMahon and pull out a win. The Stampeders play the Alouettes while we have two weeks to prepare. In the meantime, what do Rider fans do in the bye week? Let's revel in the first win of the Inaugural Season.
On July 1st, our nations 150th birthday Rider Nation gathered for the official grand opening of Mosaic Stadium. The amount of anticipation and giddiness could only compare to that of the week preceding the 2013 Grey Cup. Our opponent? Our biggest rival and arch enemy - the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. I sat in section 126 cowbell in hand.
There's a thing that tends to happen for us Rider fans. When there's a huge game or one with ultimate meaning things don't seem to go all that well for us. It happened when we said farewell to Taylor Field and it happened on Canada Day as well. So when we were defeated by the Matt Nichol's led Bombers it didn't matter much to me. I celebrated when Dave Ridgeway kicked a commemorative field goal. I shook my cowbell until my arms ached. I yelled until my voice was hoarse. Then when I woke up Sunday morning...the day after...I was mad.
I was angry because the 'bumblers' could say they won the first game in our new home. I was ticked off because our secondary should have known better than to not contain Weston Dressler. I was disappointed that I again had to drive 2 hours home after another loss. What did it feel like to win? I don't know. It's been so long I can't remember.
If you know one thing about me though, it's that no matter what the circumstances I try really hard to see positive things. I know situations can always be worse. So when we headed to Regina on Saturday to see the Riders take on the Hamilton Tiger Cats I had a bit of hesitation. I knew the TiCats didn't have a very good showing in week one but they were also coming off their bye week. It had been a similar story with the Bombers.
Yes, there was a very disappointing interception after Kevin Glenn marched down the field but I saw something happen that I haven't seen in this new age of Roughriders. I saw them fight back and when I saw that from the players - that not giving up attitude, well, I didn't give up either. I saw a team that was communicating, I saw everyone fighting for every yard and I saw us playing our game no matter what the opposition was attempting to do. I saw a brotherhood of team mates and I loved every moment of it.
Guess what else I found out? The Montreal Alouettes won the first game at IGF in Winnipeg. I found out John Chick & Justin Cappicciotti couldn't keep us down. I found out Kevin Glenn is a tremendous professional and answered questions with a decorum that I'd not seen before. Durant who?
I. Am. Excited. For. THIS. Team.
I am not delirious. I know we beat a very poor team. I know we have the bye week and then travel to Calgary. I also know Calgary has some demons of their own they're fighting. I think it's totally possible for this Riders team to go into McMahon and pull out a win. The Stampeders play the Alouettes while we have two weeks to prepare. In the meantime, what do Rider fans do in the bye week? Let's revel in the first win of the Inaugural Season.
Wednesday, June 14, 2017
Harps & Angels
Saturday June 10th was the first ever CFL Preseason game held at new Mosaic Stadium. Hubby and I left Saskatoon and arrived in Regina at 5:30. We stuck to our normal game day routine of eating at either A&W or Wendy's...choosing Wendy's this time...and heading to Northgate Mall to catch the Football Express to the game an hour before game time.
We anticipated more people taking the bus shuttles for two reasons: they are now free and there are next to no public parking spots at the new stadium. As new season ticket holders we received an email informing us that limited parking spots were available for the season for $300 and were first come first serve. They sold out quickly, but we decided for the traffic hassle and money we were better off to stick with the Football Express.
We arrived at Northgate Mall at 6pm to a very busy parking lot. I pitty the people who were just trying to go to Lowe's to pick up a few things because the parking was full of Rider fans. We had to park near the bank, walk through a maze of cars and people and waited in line down the first isle of vehicles. We didn't have to wait in line for long as the buses were coming frequently. I thought back to 2013 and how we stood in line at Southland Mall to get to the Paul McCartney concert. This was a far better experience bus wise, yet the excitement and butterflies were still certainly there. I call those "yay it's football season" feelings.
The bus stopped right at the main entrance of Mosaic Stadium and directly in front of the fancy new Rider Store and Office. Our gate was Number 2 which was directly to the right. Going through security was quick and easy. We walked on to the concourse to see the field open up before our eyes. We stood against the railing...
...and I swear I heard the plucking of harps and angels singing.
I have never seen anything so amazing before in my life. Okay, well I've seen Niagara Falls and that's pretty impressive too but this football stadium...Mosaic Stadium...it sparkled and twinkled in anticipation. It's been there waiting for us to give it personality and here we were to open it up for the first time. My eyes may have leaked a little. I thought about last year how the confetti canon went off at Taylor Field plunging everything into darkness and how over yonder Mosaic Stadium was all lit up in it's glory. I also noted that in the Fan Code of Conduct confetti canons are now banned.
We strolled around the concourse noting the locations of restrooms and concessions. Hubby went to the upper level and much to his delight found the seats of Roughrider legendary running back George Reed and his wife. I'm sure he probably got first pick of best seat in the house, however I expect every seat in this house is a good one. Gone are the days of lugging in seat cushions for the metal planks or wooden bleachers. Gone are the giant concrete steps of the East Side. Instead, there are spacious seats complete with cup holders and enough room for spectators to come and go without spilling their wares on you.
We found our way to our seats in end zone section 126 easily although we had two separate couples try to convince us we were in their seats when they were meant for section 127. I just sat in full awe watching players warm up and stretch but looking around at the wide open space. "It's really real." I kept telling myself.
It's real and it's spectacular.
Just to the right is the Riders tunnel. I had no idea when I chose our season ticket seats. We could see them standing and waiting. It wasn't the full on Bring 'Em Out but it was still pretty amazing to see it up close. I loved how Willie Jefferson came "flying" out with his arms outstretched. "This is all for us" I thought, "We built this."
It was very disappointing that fans decided to leave early. The couple beside us said "We've seen how this ends before." as they passed by. We stayed. The game ended in a 25-25 tie against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers after rookie QB Marquise Williams got us the yards needed for Quinn Van Gylswyk to kick the field goal for the tie. I laughed as the kids behind us shouted "Go Home!" We start them young around here. Since there is no over time in preseason the game was over. Riders still undefeated at Mosaic Stadium!
It was quick to exit the stadium and we chose to go through Gate 3 to our bus. We did have to wait in line for a time but it wasn't bad. We chatted with a few others during that time. Some people came from Winnipeg for the preseason game. One fellow was wearing a Bomber jersey and a Rider hat.
The Football Express rolled slowly passed old Taylor Field at Mosaic Stadium. I had a quiet feeling of sadness as it stood completely empty and deserted. It too had been a place of sparkle and glory only 4 years ago in the 2013 Grey Cup. It felt like we should be quiet and give it a moment of silence out of respect but that didn't happen.
The Beast on Piffles will always hold great memories but we have a new home and new memories will be made. It's where we can cheer, laugh at Gainer, do the wave and enjoy the game of CFL football together as one big family. Canada Day is the official home opener when Canada's Team...our Saskatchewan Roughriders...will take to the field and christen Mosaic Stadium properly. I'll be there to celebrate Canada's 150th. It's going to be a party. I hope to see you there.
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