Off Season Purgatory

Somewhere between the Superbowl and the start of the CFL season lies Off Season Purgatory.  Is it June yet?  No.  No it really isn't.  A quick glance out the window will tell you that sad news.  Oh it felt like spring until that blizzard rolled through Saskatchewan last week and well...here we are.  How do you handle off season?  Some of you are already ripping up your brackets for March Madness while some of us are still chuckling over last weeks fight in Nascar.  However you handle it one thing is for sure - we cling to every shred of football news like the sleet clinging to the side of my house.

A huge complaint last season was fans saying they didn't know the guys on our team.  After "those" guys were released fans had a hard time keeping track of who was who.  Fans couldn't recognize the faces, numbers or names of our future franchise players.  The Saskatchewan Roughriders had some really great players emerge and what's more important is that they really wanted to remain with the Riders.  Like every team, the Riders let some guys go in free agency but also signed some stars away from other CFL teams.  Now is the time to get to know them and engage with them.  Follow them on Twitter or Instagram to gain some insight and connection.  Learn who craves chicken fries and who wants to visit New York.  What's so special about our league is that these players are within our reach.  Share with them!  Give them the hugs!

Some of you may roll your eyes at me and mutter the name Vince Young.  That signing sure caused a big stir didn't it?  I am of the belief to not put too much faith and time into rumours so I just watched all the events unfold.  I didn't feel surprised because it seemed if Young wasn't serious he wouldn't have an agent like Leigh Steinberg representing him.  FYI, he looks nothing like Tom Cruise.  Now, I am fully aware we have some other QB's on our roster who we shouldn't discredit.  Kevin Glenn when healthy is terrific.  I remember back in 2015 thinking in Training Camp that we'd have a quarterback controversy on our hands because he looked better than Durant.  Don't go getting on my case because I have been a tremendous fan and support of Durant's since 2008 but even I can see the differences in accuracy.  When Young came to Regina and brought his family I couldn't help myself.  I felt so excited and encouraged for the first time in forever.  His press conference started shaky and nervous but as it progressed he revealed himself to be very educated and highly motivated to play football again.  To the Chris Jones critics and haters I say this:  Since 2008 no one bothered to look for "the next QB" and look where that got us.  Now that someone is willing to leave no stone unturned and bring in every option possible to create a winning team...y'all are mad.  I don't get it.  That's why I want more than anything for Young to shock and amaze everyone in camp and blow the opposition away.  Aaaaand, to Justin Dunk I say this - Vince Young is a funny way to spell Johnny Manziel.

CFL Week starts next week.  At least I think it does.  I honestly had to check the graphic I saved on my phone from a couple weeks back.  It doesn't matter because I can't go to any of the events anyway due to my teaching schedule and believe it or not I am a responsible adult.  The thing is I live 2 hours (give or take any RCMP speed traps) away from Regina.  I am right here and totally invested in CFL news.  There is zero hype.  No one is talking about it outside of social media.  I wonder if anyone in 3D even knows this is happening.  I've followed Twitter people who are supposedly in charge of sharing the information.  It would seem to me that Regina and Saskatchewan are the centre of the football universe and unless you've gone out of your way to find out on your own - pin drops - crickets - clock ticks.  Why isn't this being advertised everywhere?  Why isn't it on the local news?  Why do I have to go back two weeks to find anything about it on Saskatchewan sports radio?  SHRUGS.  The ball has been dropped like a hot potato on St Patrick's Day.  If you are going, Bravo!  I hope it's a raging success, but I just know it could be so SO much more.

For the first time since 2013 the Roughriders are issuing season tickets.  GASP!  I am lucky 3357 on the waiting list.  Maybe not so lucky because I have yet to hear from the club.  I was so hopeful when Jenny Sarich (@JennySarich) obtained tickets and shouted from the roof tops but then I learned she was 157 on the list.  * sigh *  So here I wait.  And wait.  And wait.  Surely, with the new stadium everyone on the list would have a crack at it to score tickets?  There's the strong likelihood not everyone on the list wants tickets anymore.  As Coworker Jeff quoted 'so you say there's a chance.'  * eyeroll *  Keep your fingers and toes crossed for me (not your eyes though - Don't want to give those Bombers ammunition!)  It would be nice to have a valid opinion like all the other season tickets holders...or is that still a thing?

Tomorrow is St. Paddy's Day.  Finally Rider fans are able to Paint the Whole World Green.  We are almost there, spring is around the corner...be safe, Happy CFL Week and Go Riders Go!