I planned all week (Friday Football Five) what to wear as we were warned of how cold the weather was going to be for the Western Semi Final game between the Roughriders and Blue Bombers. I saw the updates on social media from the Riders about the players in the cold and as much as the weather should never be the story for some reason it was. Some of the sports media talked about the "real" football players and how they don't wear sleeves in the cold. One even went as far as to say the players who wore the sleeves weren't going to win. I have no idea if there's any truth to that and as the girl who wore two pairs of pants, 3 shirts, winter coat, thermal socks and plastered Hot Hands in her mittens and boots...since when is trying to stay warm a sin? I've lived in Saskatchewan my whole life...born and raised...and I've never adjusted to winter. Why on earth do we expect guys from Florida, California or any southern states to adjust better than us? All that being said, both teams had to play in the same conditions and only one of the two were truly prepared to play.
We were so hopeful all week long. Collaros was practicing. We stood a chance. Then Friday Brandon Bridge took first team reps. Fans started to chatter. It's all good we thought...just prep. Of course he needs reps we tried to tell ourselves. Then late Saturday, TSN's Dave Naylor broke the news that Collaros was not only not starting but he wasn't even dressing. Rider Nation flipped out. It was a strange report. Dave Naylor tweeted the breaking news and then used the tweet in his article which seemed to me like he was using himself as his source. The Riders not only lost the game Saturday night but lost the West Semi the week before when Odell Willis took out the Riders starting quarterback. No amount of rationalization was going to change it.
This was my very first play off game experience. I've only been able to be a season ticket holder for 2 years. I live in Saskatoon and have mentioned several times that it's a time commitment as well as a money commitment in the form of gas and food dollars. There were moments sitting in section 126 where it felt absolutely magical. The snow would come float down around us and sparkled in the lights of beautiful Mosaic Stadium. The trumpeter performing for the Remembrance Day ceremony and moment of silence afterwards was breath taking. The halftime act was an interesting mix of heavy metal and celtic music which I didn't even know what a possibility but thoroughly enjoyed their performance. The only thing missing was the legendary story of how the QB coined Air Canada would lead us to the first ever play off win at home...and the Riders 13th man flag which failed to unfurl. As my Hubby pointed out - The Riders never win when the flag isn't flown.
No. Instead, all the news after the game and for a few days now has been centred around player safety. I know the Riders were not winning that game. The Bombers took control of the line of scrimmage at the end of the first quarter and it wasn't getting better from there. I just think it's interesting that a guy would deliver such a violent blow to a player with only 8 seconds left in a game that the Riders weren't in control of winning anyway. I had someone tell me that we should all know danger and injuries are a part of the game and how there wasn't a penalty and on and on. I tried to explain that it's all fine and dandy until it's your quarterback laying prone on the field. Every player knows that injuries happen but I'm pretty sure none of them play with the expectation of being knocked out. I think what's even more awful is when you find out that Jackson Jeffcoat did the same thing to Mike Reilly in 2017. Where does the CFL draw the line? Why do the Riders have to have this happen to not only one quarterback but both starting quarterbacks within 3 weeks? Why is this the story instead of how the Bombers came in and executed a great game plan to win them their first play off game in many years? It's sickening and the CFL and Commissioner Randy Ambrosie (also from Winnipeg) needs to stand up and do something before someone is seriously and devastatingly injured.
Meanwhile, fans of other teams say we are making excuses for losing.
If that's what makes you feel better for supporting your own team then so be it.
The Roughriders lost for the same reasons that plagued the team throughout 2018. The offence couldn't execute. There wasn't a running game. Our receivers were scrambling and it seemed only one could get open. Because the Bombers game plan included running the ball and very few throwing opportunities the Riders defence couldn't do what they do and force fumbles, strip the ball or gain interceptions. The Riders had found ways to win by using the defence when the offence couldn't score. On Sunday, neither was put in a position to do anything but kick field goals and thank goodness for Brett Lauther. This is where the Riders need to spend their focus this off season. With Collaros, Bridge and Tate being free agents one has to think none of them will be back and mostly for the health of Zach Collaros. Conversation on ABC Rider Fans has quickly turned to which quarterback do we go after for 2019? Bo Levi Mitchell, Mike Reilly and Trevor Harris are all free agents. Will we end up seeing one of those guys sporting green? Before you say "oh hell no" - it's funny how likable hated players become when they're wearing the right colours.
So the Riders fell to the Winnipeg Football Club 23 - 18 and it's the Bombers who move on to Calgary in the West Final. Calgary has faced their own set of challenges but are hungry after losing in back to back Grey Cup games. Did the Bombers game plan to teach the Riders a lesson? Have they planned for Bo Levi and the Stamps? The Stampeders had the bye and it sure would be fun to see them annihilate the Riders arch rivals...but I'm not hitching my horse to that wagon.
My Saskatchewan Roughriders have cleared out their lockers. Players are heading home. There's plenty of free agents but Marcus Thigpen isn't one of them. He re-signed quickly. It's possible some of the players will head to the NFL or want to even test out the new American league. Chris Jones is having to give coaches their walking papers as the new cap comes into place in 2019. The CFLPA is heading in to negotiations. There are 3 clubs wanting to bid on the 2020 Grey Cup including the Riders. This off season will give us plenty to talk about.
Thank you as always for indulging me in this little blog. I appreciate everyone who comments and follows along with me. I believe this isn't a wrap on 2018 - it's the beginning of 2019.
BEL13VE
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