In random un-numbered order this is my Friday Football 5.
Monday the CFL's first ever draft occurred in the Mexican football league. It would seem that this would be all the talk of the week. Some General Managers bowed out and teams only sent representatives. The Saskatchewan Roughriders had Jeremy O'Day and Stephen McAdoo in attendance. We drafted an offensive lineman (Rene Brasser), a Wide Receiver (Sebastian Olverr) and Defensive Back (Francisco Gracia). I know there are mixed feelings over this experimental CFL 2.0. I've come to believe that if all avenues of the CFL market are exhausted in Canada then it makes sense to look elsewhere to expand viewership and participation. The LFA draft was shown live on Facebook and at one point I saw the pure excitement on players faces as their names were called and they stood on stage wearing their new teams colours. Imagine being able to make a dream come true and have an opportunity that wasn't there a week ago! I'll admit that the very thought made me a bit emotional.
It's important to note that Chris Jones was not at the Mexican draft because he was holding Rider try outs. Or that's what we were told. Many General Managers didn't make the trip to Mexico so none of us thought anything of Jones not making the trip either.
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| Screenshot via Twitter of CFL News |
Tuesday brought the breaking news via a CFL News tweet that Chris Jones had resigned from the Saskatchewan Roughriders to pursue an NFL opportunity with the Cleveland Browns. As news unfolded, it seemed the whole process was a whirlwind. It happened over a matter of days from being phoned, interviewed and hired. Let's all remember it was only a week ago that Chris Jones had signed a contract extension and the Roughriders coaching staff was announced. Now what? Official Press Release. According to the new cap on coaching staffs, there can only be 11 coaches. Chris Jones held 4 different titles. This means that the Roughriders need either a Head Coach who is also a Defensive Coordinator to just step into that roll OR Stephen McAdoo is relieved of his position and the new HC is an Offensive Coordinator and then a DC would need to be hired. Another kink is that prior to Jones leaving all coaching staff members were signed to 1 year contracts so any dismissal would mean a salary cap hit. My personal preference and belief is that the Riders President Craig Reynolds and incoming General Manager Jeremy O'Day will promote from within and that could leave Rider fans reeling more than the news of Jones departure. They will be looking for continuity and that's not only important for landing unsigned free agents but also bringing in a badly needed quarterback. In my last blog post there was a poll about who the next Roughriders quarterback should be and the majority voted for Jonathon Jennings. Will the new Head Coach make the decision that the team needs? Keep your popcorn ready.
As I've said numerous times before, I was on the Jones bandwagon since day one. I think our Roughriders were blessed to have someone of his calibre in the organization. Yes, he made some very unpopular decisions but I have always believed those things were done to propel the green and white forward because keeping aging players and fan favourites wasn't getting them where they needed to be. Some fans going on 4 season later still hold on to anger from Dressler and Durant being released and traded. We are all entitled to our feelings and opinions. A portion of fans wished for Chris Jones dismissal and in fact are happy that he's now gone. Why would you wish for someone to lose their job? For them, Jones could not do anything right. 3 minutes from the Grey Cup in 2017 and hosting a play off game in 2018 was still not anything someone in the anti-Jones camp will listen to as well as how the Roughriders record steadily improved every year Chris Jones was under contract. Sometimes you have to be careful what you wish for because now that he's gone do you see the predicament our beloved team is in? Is that what you wanted? I hope you also realize that it doesn't change anything. Dressler is still a Blue Bomber and Darian Durant is still retired.
Wednesday, when we were all trying to make sense of the Chris Jones era being over after 3 seasons the news dropped that Rod Pedersen has resigned not only as Voice of the Riders but from CKRM altogether. I'm floored. For me Roughriders game days and Rod Pedersen goes hand in hand. It's been the way for the last 20 years. Training camp meant listening to Rod on location at Griffiths Stadium laughing about the track meet and moaning how their feed cuts in and out. Summers for me are getting to listen to Sportscage live while I listen to podcasts during my teaching season. Whether Roddy knows or not, he has been an institution in this province just as much as football has been. Pedersen is the reason we say Winnipegish and Whaaaampeders. He's the reason there are Lynchisms. He's the reason we shout THAT. JUST. HAPPENED. He was the reason to tune in at 4pm every weekday to CKRM. Rod Pedersen is going on to a new venture just as our free agent players are and Chris Jones is and Darian Durant did when he went off to Montreal. We are all replaceable in our professions but some people make impressions on us far deeper than they know. We have to take 100% of the shots we get. No regrets. Good luck Rod in all you do. Thank you.
All week long I've been reminiscing on my blog and posting on ABC Football Facebook about Darian Durant. Last Sunday was the 2 year anniversary of his trade to the Montreal Alouettes. He believed in himself and after a moderately successful experience in 2016 decided he had to take the opportunity to prove himself elsewhere. We know that he was released and then signed by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and then took his signing bonus and scampered off in early 2018. Darian did return to Saskatchewan and had spots on CKRM's Rider Game Day broadcasts called Double's Take. This Saturday in Saskatoon Darian Durant is an honourable member of the Saskatchewan Rush. He's been signed to a one day deal and will be on hand for the Saskatchewan Rush lacrosse game at SaskTel Centre Saturday January 19th against the Rochester Nighthawks. It seems he does still have deep feelings for our province.
Times change. People move on. It's how the world works. As of Friday January 18th the Roughriders announced Jeremy O'Day is the new General Manager and Vice President of Operations. His first and biggest task will be finding a Head Coach. It'll be interesting what transpires next.
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