A couple weeks ago, a students parent stopped in my classroom and looked at my 2013 Roughriders Championship sign. "Are you a fan of this team?" She asked. Yes. "Oh, they've only won 4 times...that's not very good." 😐 Blue Bomber fans are quick to also point this out. The Roughriders, after playing them three times this season and winning the season series, will be playing them one more time at home in beautiful Mosaic Stadium. It's been 28 years since the Blue Bombers have won a Grey Cup and this will be the first time since 2007 the two teams have met in the play offs.
The Riders are now finding themselves in a similar situation. Odell Willis "sacked" Zach Collaros in the Riders final game of the regular season and after a few plays was removed from the game. It's true that there hasn't been an official announcement on Collaros' health but I'd like to think that if he were in question for the Sunday play off game the Riders wouldn't have allowed him out on the weekend making an appearance at Capitol Ford to sign autographs and engage fans. I also think that Zach is the kind of player who might have to be seeing blue birds and have broken legs before not committing to play. At any rate this is a question which is in the back of all the minds of Rider Nation.
The Roughriders did cause a stir by coaxing ex-Rider, ex-Stampeder, ex-Bomber, ex-Redblack, Drew Tate out of retirement. They also signed Quinn van Gylswyk at the same time but that virtually went un-noticed. What could this mean? Speculation was rampant on social media. Firstly, I don't think anyone is completely or even slightly convinced that Brandon Bridge could relieve Zach Collaros and effectively command the offence. After having a great showing in 2017, Bridge just has not been that guy and as much as he seems liked the coaching staff has restricted his plays this season...some would even say handcuffed. Even in short yardage, the Riders have elected to use DB Nick Marshall and QB (3rd Stringer) David Watford instead of a taller and more experienced Bridge. It would not hurt to have the expertise of someone like Drew Tate. Secondly, and lastly, to me the play offs aka Second Season are a "no holds barred" and "win at all costs" type of scenario. You use whatever tools you can. If that means signing players who can and willingly give intel on their previous teams...especially teams who you know you will meet in your play off run, well, you do it. You go all out. I think this is also why we've seen a few other signings which for the most part have flown under the radar. Jones, you green wearing sly devil you!
Still us Rider fans are having to ward off the usual smack talk from other fans. The most common one is the reminder of how the Winnipeg Football Club (the official CFL name by the way) forced the Riders to lay a giant goose egg in their last meeting of the season. I'll also remind those people of another game back in 2012 where the Riders beat their team 52-0. I've also had to endure the ribbing of Stampeder fans who told me it wasn't mathematically possible that the Stamps wouldn't finish first and yet there we saw them on Saturday having to play Bo Levi and as many starters as they could muster (those who aren't still on IR) to secure their spot. It's okay...we all know how their play off runs usually end anyway.
So there's plenty of stuff being flung in all directions. Isn't it fun! Isn't this what makes the CFL so cool and appealing?! I know I can hardly wait for this Remembrance Day play off match up. I've got my play off ticket. I've planned what to wear. I've printed and laminated my signs. This will be my first ever Second Season game and the first for Mosaic Stadium. If you don't have your ticket yet, why the heck not? Get out there. The 13th Man needs to be out in full force. Let's paint the world green. Again.
I'll be in 126. Cowbell in hand. Go Riders!
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