Sandra's WK7 CFL Power Grouping

I had a mind blowing experience while drawing this weeks Power Grouping graphic.  The 8 Track tape is called 8 because if you turn an eight sideways it's the infinity symbol and an 8 Track plays forever aka infinity.  * gasp *

I gifted myself a new pack of 36 Staedtler Double Ended markers especially for Power Grouping!

OK.  Fine.  On with Week 7 in the Canadian Football League

A - For the Record

These days vinyl is the cream of the music listening crop.  Scratch that! Cancel the parade in Winnipeg!  The two best teams in the league took on each other and only one could come out victorious and that team was the Hamilton Tigercats.  The Blue Bombers who had a slow start in week 6 came out with a similar mind set and just never got going but also when you have 6 turnovers in a game it's next to impossible to pull out a win.  There's only one team in the CFL who is capable of making multiple mistakes and recovering and that team is the Calgary Stampeders.  Bo Levi remains on the sidelines with Nick Arbuckle under Quarterback.  One thing I've learned is that you can never count out the Calgary Stampeders.  They just find a way to win.

B - Cassette Tape

B Group is a mixed tape that's been wound tight with a number 8 pencil.  The thing about mixed tapes are that they are songs put together from different artists and genres but together make the best tape ever.  These 3 teams are working together like that mixed tape.  They are finding ways to limit the mistakes and work together striving for the same goal.  The Eskimos keep plugging along with Trevor Harris at the helm and as it stands, besides the Lions $700,000 Mike Reilly and the Bombers Matt Nichols, is the only veteran who hasn't missed game time.  The Roughriders won back to back meetings against the BC Lions and Cody Fajardo is looking better each week.  After dismissing their defensive line coach last week we were all wondering if the defense would stutter but if that were to happen it's wouldn't be against the Lions whose offensive woes continue.  Their only set back was special teams play which I'm sure will be much more in line in Week 8 against the Ticats.  The Alouettes haven't missed a beat since Vernon Adams Jr took over leading the team and Krazy Kavis was sent packing.  Interesting how one change can have such a huge impact.  How will they respond after their Bye Week?

C - 8 Track

If Group B has a tightly wound tape then Group C's tape is caught in the machine between tracks and spewing out all over.  What's happened to the Ottawa Redblacks?  If it weren't for a head scratching decision by Head Coach Rick Campbell they may have eeked out a win against the Stampeders.  When they seem to have a chance they shoot themselves in the foot.  The BC Lions are still searching for the track.  As I mentioned above their offensive line is just dismal.  If you are going to spend the moola on an "elite" quarterback you better have the hoggies to protect him and the Lions just do not.  Ryan Lankford did prove himself with two big special teams plays but he was the only player who showed up.  Ufdah.  The Argonauts are at the bottom of the heap again.  They desperately need a quarterback and every time I watch this team I am reminded of 2015 where the Riders kept saying we had the talent but just couldn't win.  When teams start having these types of issues and at this point in the season have losing records do we see firings?  In this age of the coaching cap is that something that can even happen?  If they did decide to cut a coach loose, who is available to take over?  These 3 teams may be stuck for the long haul.

5 Ways to Affordably Attend a Riders Game

Over the last couple of weeks talk around the water coolers aka social media has been about dwindling attendance across the Canadian Football League.  Even my Saskatchewan Roughriders who usually boast sell out crowds during the toughest of schedules have seen a slump.  Lot's of people say that it's just gotten too expensive to attend a game. I'm here to tell you that there are ways that anyone can go to a Roughrider game in Regina Saskatchewan and not break the bank in doing so.  You may not like what I'm going to tell you but it is all the truth.  We have to make choices and sometimes we can't have all the things we want.  If our committment is to the game and the GAME is the experience then we have to make certain concessions (no pun intended) in our life to make it possible. 

In this blog post I will tell you how you can do it and do it easily with a little planning.

1.  You need to secure your tickets to the game.  If you are already a season ticket holder like I am you've already gotten them and paid for them too.  If not then you either need to phone the Roughrider Ticket office (1-888-474-3377) or book them online Game Day Tickets.  Before you do this you should look at a map of the stadium and decide how important it is to you to sit in certain sections.  If you have a family I'd suggest the end zone.  There is easy access to entry/exit with the Rider Transit right out side.  The washrooms are close by as well.   A ticket will likely cost around $50 per adult with youth pricing also available.  Be aware that some games cost more to attend than others.  The Labour Day Classic is one of those popular games and a ticket will cost more.

There isn't a lot a person can do for $50.  Concert tickets are far more than that depending on the act you're seeing.  The last concert I attended was Alabama and my front row tickets were $300 each but again it was a once in a life time opportunity and I jumped at it.  $50 for an evening of Roughrider football is a pretty good time in my opinion.  $50 x 4 for a family = $200 approx.  My own season tickets are priced around the $85 mark per ticket in section 118.

Gone are the days where you can decide spur of the moment to attend a CFL game.

2.  How will I get to the game?  Regina has Rider Transit to and from every game.  Do not pay for parking.  Park for free at any of the drop points in the city and all you have to do is show your ticket and you ride to the game for free.  No need to battle parking lot rage or the blocked streets or park in someone's yard only to find out you can't get out for 2 other vehicles that pulled in behind you.  Find all the details at City of Regina.  I park at the Northgate Mall because I drive from Saskatoon.  It's the easiest place for me to get in and out of the city quickly...and after a loss we want out - right - now.

3.  Fine, but what about fuel to get to the game?  If you live close to Regina bravo!  If you are like me and drive 2 or more hours to every Roughrider home game start looking for discounts on fuel.  At Save On Foods you can link your More card to Petro-Canada and get points/rebates.  That's all fine and dandy but I can do better.  During the months of July and August when you purchase groceries at a Saskatoon Co-Op store or items at the Agro Store you are presented with a receipt which you can take directly to the gas station to redeem for up to 15 cents a litre off gas depending on how much is spent in store.  Plus when shopping at the Co-Op you get equity which translates directly to savings in your pocket when they send out their membership reports.  I just received mine this month.  Cha-ching!  In my Honda Civic I get to Regina and back on a tank of gas with a few spins around the city to spare.

I have an alternative if you don't want to drive to Regina.  How about riding with a bus load of other rowdy and rabid Roughrider fans? Engleheim has chartered buses that leave Saskatoon at the Circle Centre Mall by the Co-Op store.  For $50 you can ride the Game Day Express.  It leaves 3.5 hours before kick off arriving 1 hour prior to the game.  

4.  But I have to eat at the game.  Do you?  I am not a drinker so I've never partaken in purchasing beer at a game.  That's on you.  If you decide to have a beer you simply have to pay the price.  So that's why I ask if you really need it.  You also don't need to eat at Mosaic Stadium either.  A&W is a Game Day sponsor.  EVERY Roughrider home game day they have special pricing.  Mama burgers are $2.99.  Breakfast sandwiches are on sale and guess what?  A family of 4 can get the family combo for $24.99.  Four burgers, four French fries and four drinks.  That's a good deal.  Last Saturday July 20th it was free root beer day.  I took advantage of that and stopped on the Albert Street location.  We each had a burger and root beer and it cost us $6.  If you plan ahead in your travels then why not plan to eat before the football game?  You avoid the prices and line ups at the stadium.

5.  My kids need snacks and water.  Sure!  So do I!  Remember back in number 3 I said when you shop at the Co-Op they pass that saving on to you in fuel?  Head to the Co-Op and stock up on fun treats for the game.  We typically take Cheezies, granola bars, fruit gummies & cookies.  We also buy flats of sealed water specifically for football games.  Mosaic Stadium security allows you to take in sealed water and your own snacks.  I put mine in clear baggies just as I would if I were going through airport security.  I've never ever had an issue going into Mosaic Stadium.  I pack these things in the clear bag which came with my season tickets.  Security has told me they love these bags because searching them is a breeze.  You can also buy these bags in every Rider Store for $8.  The bag is a sturdy clear plastic with the Roughrider logo on it.  It's lightweight and super easy to tote to the game.

Well I've given you a list of great ways to be able to take in a game and support our Riders.  Now that I've given away all my secrets I hope to see more of you taking in these fantastic offers!  I'd also be curious to see what promotions there are in other cities and if similar things are offered in other CFL destinations in Canada.  If you know of any let me know and I'll share the information with the CFL Family.  Don't forget to check out my previous posts including Power Grouping, thanks for reading and Go Riders!

Sandra's WK6 CFL Power Grouping

If you've been following along you know how this all works so let's get after it!

This is how I saw Week 6 in the Canadian Football League.

Group A - The Nanaimo Bar

Kind of ironic in choice as group A has nothing to do with British Columbia where this delicious treat hails from.  The Winnipeg Blue Bombers remain the only unbeaten team in the league.  They had a slow start against Ottawa and at first that had me thinking maybe this was the game they'd lose but that theory was soon squashed as they annihilated the Redblacks.  The Hamilton TigerCats held their ranking from last week and were on bye.  The only news here was the upheld suspension of Simoni Lawrence which we can all applaud.  He'll start serving that suspension in Week 7 and miss their match up with the Roughriders August 1st.  The Calgary Stampeders have always been a team good enough to make mistakes and keep winning.  This was somewhat true against a horrendous Argonauts team.  With Nick Arbuckle at the helm this team needs to clean up their ball security issues and stop giving other teams a chance...then again it was Toronto.

Group B - The Butter Tart

Does it have raisins?  Does it have pecans?  These teams will leave you guessing and in some cases that's pretty exciting as to which team will show up.  In a shocking loss against the Alouettes the Eskimos move down from A group to B group.  It seems the Trevor Harris of old may have showed up this game and really couldn't get an offence moving.  As told to me by Twitters @RBeesFan the Montreal team executed a brilliant flea flicker that included running a reverse.  I wish I'd seen it but was once again en route to Regina.  Good on the Als for sorting out their business on field while the front office seems to be such a mess.  Also good on Vernon Adams Jr.  It's nice to see a team that's struggled for so long finally coming together.  We also have the Saskatchewan Roughriders with their first appearance in B group.  Yay!  It would seem the bye week served everyone well as we saw a defence and Charleston Hughes who was on fire and an improved Cody Fajardo leading the offence.  I came home excited and with a hoarse voice from shouting so much...exactly how every football fan should return home.  The key for me for this convincing win against the BC Lions was a much improved Offensive Line including Dakota Shepley.  In my opinion, the OL controlled the game.

Group C - The Cookie

Is it raisin?  Please let those be chocolate chips.  At any rate, let the chips fall where they may.  Ottawa...what happened to you?  You scored 1 point on a Rouge which is a play so many CFL fans despise but a play which this fan thinks makes the game unique and strategic.  There's some things to figure out and Dom Davis needs to return to the team quickly.  The BC Lions continue to have team woes.  Maybe spending $700,000 on a quarterback wasn't the best decision ever?  They have a team that can't pass block or run protect.  How will they respond in this back to back meeting against the Roughriders?  Will they drop the double team on Micah Johnson to stop Hughes?  I know how they can get their offence scoring but I'm going to keep it to myself.  I don't get paid to be their OC.  Toronto * shakes head * What are we going to do with you?  Week 6 saw Corey Chamblin absolutely losing it on one of his players.  Frustration is paramount.  One has to wonder if Jim Popp's trigger finger is itchy.  He has been known to cut coaches and take over the reigns himself.

Thanks for reading and following ABC Football as always!  Because it's summer the next Power Grouping may be published late.  We all have lives outside of football (really?) and weekend vacations with family are wonderful to refresh the spirit.  Don't forget to check out past posts and I do have a special article coming on how to attend a game in Regina and not break the bank.  Now, on to Week 7 and as always Go Riders Go!

Sandra's WK5 CFL Power Grouping

Here we are with Week 5 complete in the Canadian Football League and we are still awaiting Simoni Lawrence's punishment...oh wait, that's not why we're here.  This is my weekly Power Grouping.  Remember it's a grouping and not a numerical ranking like many others except for that new bacon one that's out there.  This week we've got iconic band logo's.

Group A - The Rolling Stones (these teams are on a Roll!)

The Blue Bombers are the only unbeaten team in the CFL and even though it leaves a sour taste in my mouth to admit it - I think they are a Grey Cup bound team as long as Nichols stays healthy and they can keep this momentum up.  Some are quick to point out that the organization often falls off after labour day.  They were one win short of the Grey Cup last year and I think that was all in the plan.  Still it's only week 5 and far too early to call them victorious so early in the season.  If there was a team in the east for the Bombers to match up against I'd dare say it's the Hamilton TigerCats.  They met up with Calgary and sadly I don't have any definite insight because I was at a neighbourhood party.  The Edmonton Eskimos seem like another for real team.  Trevor Harris has been playing very well and leading the Esks in a way that makes Ottawa wonder where this guy was the whole time.

Group B - The Beatles

What better group to support B group than the fab 4?  The Stampeders seem to be falling fast.  Under the leadership of Arbuckle they seem to be missing the injured Bo Levi Mitchell.  The Ottawa Redblacks had a curious offensive play call which some believe led to their demise.  Rider fans mused whether McAdoo was suddenly over there (haha).  A few fans also had wanted to sign Jonathon Jennings but are now thanking their lucky stars that the powers that be know more than Rider Nation.  For the first time in a LONG time we have the Montreal Alouettes making an appearance in B Group.  They've garnered 2 wins under Kahri Jones and Vernon Adams Jr is quickly becoming the quarterback many of us enjoyed back in Oregon days.  Even I find myself cheering for them.  Sunday news was that the organization had FINALLY relieved Krazy Kavis of his duties...my only question is why did it take so long?  This blogger thinks he was never GM material (ahem, 2009 13th man ring any bells?).  Maybe he was one of those guys who kept getting promoted so he's someone else's problem?

Group C - Punks

Some of you might be thinking Nirvana are you crazy?  Yes, but, they were one of the leaders in new age punk music and well, this does seem to be a group of "punks".  I've got my own Saskatchewan Roughriders in this group even though they were on bye week.  I'm hoping we see a drastically different team (one who remembers how to block and tackle) when they return to Mosaic Stadium on the 20th against the BC Lions.  Speaking of the Lions, I think they have a very fixable team, that is, if Mike Reilly manages to stay upright and uninjured.  Was spending $700,000 on Reilly the right thing to do when it seems the rest of the offence may have been neglected?  Even Glenn Suitor was down this week on Duron Carter not pulling his weight.  Perhaps some changes of their own will be coming down the pipe.  Speaking of changes, the Argonauts are the only winless team in the CFL.  I don't even remember my 2015 Riders being this bad under coach Corey Chamblin when he and Brendan Taman were relieved of their duties.  It seems there's just no motivation on the team but even worse than that they look totally confused on the field.  Does anyone know the play book?  When the Argos play in a market like Toronto they can't wait long to get on the winning side.  Will heads roll soon or how long is the leash?  Some are already thinking Jim Popp is itching to take over the reigns.

Get your popcorn ready!  There's lot's to look forward to in Week 6 of the Canadian Football League!

A Feel Good Story

Many of you likely saw my Gong Show article.  It was an account of a Roughrider Game Day experience gone wrong.  I want to be clear - I love the Riders and the actual End Zone experience was great and something everyone should do at least once.  Any time you get to field level it's pretty exciting so that's not where my "beef" was, instead it was with the process of redeeming the rewards, what followed and my disappointment.

I want to give the Roughriders top kudos and high fives all around for how they responded to me.  An organization of their calibre really didn't have to do anything and could have swept it under the rug.  I'm just one crazy fan who shares her thoughts on a little blog page and in ABC Rider Fans.  When they reached out to my Twitter Direct Messages on Wednesday I had immediate thoughts of "whoops I screwed up here".  They asked for my email address for a further conversation.  I obliged.  It's not every day the Riders show up in your DM's.

Let's not discuss what does usually show up in your DM's.....

Late Thursday morning I received an email from Andrew Craig (apologies because in my email I called you Craig *blush*).  Andrew is the Community Relations Manager for the Roughriders.  The Rider Rewards are one thing that he manages in his job.  He related to me the following which I totally appreciate:

For some reason I received an email when I redeemed my points that's no longer in use.  They are looking into how that happened.  From conversations I've had on the Facebook pages and Twitterverse other people received emails which had waiver forms attached.  My email had nothing of the sort and if you recall from my previous blog all it said was that my passes were now ready for pick up.  I was the lucky one to get the wrong email.  Had I received the correct email it would have had details for the experience and the needed waivers that everyone attending with me would have to sign.

They've all reviewed the redemption process and agreed that it was too complicated.  They've made changes - YAY CHANGE!  Going forward they've simplified the process and in Andrew's words it'll be "efficient and easy".  I think this is huge.  This means it'll not only be easier for the Volunteers and Ticket Office people to understand and relate to us but us fans will have a better understanding about what is expected.  For me this means the disconnect I seemed to experience going from the office to the concourse has been fixed and everyone involved will know procedures and therefore all game day reward experiences really will be as awesome as promised.

Some people around the social media feeds viewed Gong Show as whining.  I was told a lot of things like I should just get over it.  The thing is that we live in a world where it's far too easy to be complacent.  Yes, I could have kept my thoughts to myself but when I didn't I also learned that other people had similar problems surrounding Game Day.  A fan travelling from Calgary in search of the Ticket Office stopped to inquire with Security and Security didn't know where it was located.  Another was nearly escorted from the stadium after their experience due to a different kind of mix up.  Let's not disregard the New Gainer in this conversation either.  My good friend Maria Vincente launched a one woman campaign/petition and while social media wasn't exactly kind to her either she did get lot's of real media coverage from CTV, CBC, CityTV, Regina Leaderpost, CKOM/CJME, Huffington Post and the Globe and Mail.  I'm not sure if she single handedly got Gainer's eyes to change colour but if she'd just sat back and accepted it like many would have liked her to we'd perhaps still be subject to his strung out crazy eyes.  

To rectify the situation, Andrew and the Riders have given me two End Zone Experience passes for July 20th.  From the bottom of my Rider green heart I thank them.  This is one reason I love this CFL team more than any other.  They saw an issue and they've done their very best to fix it.  * applause *  I can't wait for that game when we take on the BC Lions who are coming off their first win due to a very controversial Rouge.  Emerson Drive is performing at the half time show and as per the email I received as a season ticket holder there are various Rewards available including a meet and greet with the band.  How cool is that!

I can't wait.

But first - Week 5.

Is Bye Week over yet?

Gong Show

What a gong show.  I wish I was only talking about the product on the field during Saturday's late (8pm) tilt between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Calgary Stampeders.  Instead, I'm going to relate to you a different story.  This is a fans perspective and has little to do with the game but perhaps gives us some behind the scenes insight of some kind and a warning of expectations.

View from the End Zone Field level

I am a Roughriders season ticket holder and as such accumulate Rider Rewards from various things including purchases and attending games.  You redeem the rewards for different "experiences" on game day.  I redeemed 1000 rewards for two pregame end zone experiences.  I received an email confirmation stating I would receive another email regarding details.

The confirmation email came Saturday.  Remember it was a Saturday game.  I also live in Saskatoon so that means it's a travel day.  The email stated the passes were now available to pick up and that I would need to provide photo ID and it gave office hours.  That's it.

I replied to the email and asked for more details such as what time do I need to be there?  Which to me if of the utmost important part of the whole experience.  What if I was coming from Nipawin?  What if I was coming from out of province?  I got the response below:

Did you see instructions?  Because I don't see instructions.

OK.  Fine.  Whatever.

We set off from Saskatoon to Regina.  I arrive at 6:30 and go directly to the Ticket Office (Hubby entered the stadium) where I was directed to the game experience desk.  There was a huddle of people - fans and volunteers.  The Volunteers smiled and said I'd have an amazing time.  I talk to the Desk Person and checks the list of people who have redeemed rewards and my name is not on the list.  Great.  Another Desk Person checks and there's an envelope there with my passes in them.  Great!  They add my name to the list, oh but first I and everyone in my party needs to sign a waiver.  Wha?  It's in case I get hurt or they want to use my image on the Maxtron.  Ok.  Weird but I sign the thing.  I mean I could get hurt at any point in the stadium just sitting in the stands couldn't I? NO ONE CHECKED ID NOR ASKED FOR MY TEAM CARD. Remember my Husband had already gone inside?  So they tell me to talk to the Volunteers inside and he can sign a waiver there.  They stamp my hand and I leave with my passes.

Good grief.

Inside Mosaic Stadium I hunt down my Husband and we go find the Volunteers to escort us down to the field.  They check my pass and check my stamped hand but I'm not on the list.... Then I mention (and I shouldn't have) that Hubby had not signed a waiver....  Mass confusion.  They didn't know what to do.  One person said go down.  Another said to wait and they'd ask another guy.  Finally the guy says screw it and let's us go down.

Now once safely in the end zone the experience was pretty cool.  Naaman Roosevelt came along slapping everyone's hands and I was amazed how sticky his gloves were.  I saw Manny Arceneaux greeting fans.  I saw Zach Evans with fans.  It was pretty need to stick my toes on Mosaic Stadium turf.  We took a ton of photos.  

We loved it.

The getting there not so much.

Will this prevent me from wanting to redeem rewards for other things?  No.  I expect better though.  The email wasn't straight forward.  The people in the office didn't know what was what.  The volunteers were confused.  This is the jewel of the CFL.  Everyone should know what's going on and be in control the whole time.

Then there was the game...

If you missed the game these were the highlights - Gainer's eyes returned to black, the St Louis Blues were there with the Stanley Cup, Tenille Arts sang a cool rendition of Oh Canada and our offensive star was the little girl in sparkly sneakers running out to retrieve the kick off tee.

Around the league attendance is down and on July 6th 29000 were in the seats.  It was a super late game and frankly, Rider Nation is tired of turning up.  We've typically been the fans who show up no matter what and what I'm seeing has nothing to do with ticket prices or game day experiences.  We are fed up with always being the ones who are the example and for what?  To get slaughtered 37-10 in our own house.  It's embarrassing.  It's shades of 2015.  

Let's hope we see a different organization when the Saskatchewan Roughriders host the BC Lions in Week 6.

Sandra's WK4 CFL Power Groupings

Here we are with Week 4 in the CFL complete.  How did your team fair?  Before I give you my perspective let me catch you up on how my Power Groupings are different from other rankings.  Typically sports people do Power Ranking which numerically ranks teams from 1 to 9 (or more depending how bad they stink).  Instead of this traditional ranking I started doing a Grouping instead.  There are three groups labelled A, B & C.  This means there is no official number 1 team and instead the A group is the best in my opinion for that week.  Cool right?  The other thing is, I really don't take any of this very seriously and I don't think you should either.  I mean, sports is fun right?  The drawing is cathartic...especially after another Rider loss... *gag*.   So please with all this in mind, don't get upset if what I have doesn't match what you may think a ranking should look like.  

Week 3 can be found here: Sandra's WK 3 Power Groupings

If all you want to see is my fancy schmancy drawings then you can find them under the 2019 Garfunkel's page heading.

Group A - Magicians Hat

You might be thinking I've lost all my marbles and you wouldn't be the first.  As much as it leaves a horrific taste in my mouth to admit it - the Blue Bombers look awesome.  For the love of meatloaf, Nicholls needs to learn to hook slide and not dive head first!  It's careless for his own health but also for the rest of the team.  They are in good hands with Streveler BUT they are at their best with Nicholls.  It's pretty bad when a commentator like Matt Dunigan has to explain to fans and kids why that's not a good move and to protect yourself.

Group B - Pulled a Rabbit Out of the Hat

These teams can be terrific and can also be bad all at once.  Penalties seem to plague them all.  The Hamilton TigerCats have appeared like the eastern team to beat except against the Montreal Alouettes we learned they can't stop the run.  The Eskimos were on bye week in week 4.  The Redblacks were plagued with untimely and costly penalties.  The Stampeders did have their way with the Roughriders and are at an injury deficit yet seemed to pull out a terrific win by coming up with a game plan and executing it with intensity and physicality.

Group C - (Smoke &) Mirrors

The Lions are progressing every week and acheived their first win against the Toronto Aronauts by a missed field goal.  I didn't get to watch this game because I was enroute to the Riders game.  As I said earlier, the Alouettes pulled out a big win against Hamilton by using their run game.  Stanback was masterful and a lot of fans were wondering where this guy came from.  Ufdah on the Roughriders.  They failed in all facets of the game.  The Offensive Line couldn't block a blimp and the Defensive Line which is supposedly our strength were running around like headless chickens.  No tackling.  Fajardo couldn't see the field.  This was an entire team failure from the top down.  This isn't how you want to leave things heading into a bye week.  At the bottom of the heap we find the Toronto Argonauts who are the only CFL team to remain winless.  Will it come in Week 5?

Special thanks to @jcobraRR (Twitter & ABC Rider Fans member) for suggesting this weeks theme. If you have an idea let me know and it could pop up on ABC Football!

Sandra's WK 3 CFL Power Grouping

So by now you get the idea of how my Power Groupings work.  If you're unsure just look back and the last two weeks for clear descriptions.  In the meantime...

WHAT THE HELL DID THEY DO TO GAINER?

...oh wait...that's not it.

Here is how a rather soggy and rain delayed SmilingSandra worked out the Grouping in Week 3.

Group A - The Queens of the CFL

I may have caught myself saying nice things about the Blue Bombers this week.  It sure seem that they are on track for a play off run and while it's only week 3 things just *feel* like they're working in their favour.  Lucky Whitehead was a marvelous find for Winnipeg.   The TigerCats find themselves in this group this week too.  Brandan Banks had a great game.  The Ottawa Redblacks are still in this grouping however they were on bye week this week.

Group B - Take a (Mic) Stand

The Edmonton Eskimos killed themselves with penalties against Winnipeg.  We were all looking to see if Harris would repeat his recent play and no...he didn't but the undisciplined play is what really killed them... also who kicks a Field Goal on 1st down?  Jason Mass apparently.  Had this worked for him we'd all be calling him a genius but instead...  The Calgary Stampeders find themselves in B group although I'd previously had them ranked higher.  Things were not working in their favour until Bo Levi suffered a non-contact injury and Arbuckle entered the game.  He lit the fire in the team and they launched a huge comeback to win the game.  Do I hear a QB controversy in Calgary?  Let's wait and see what Mitchell's MRI shows this week.  The Roughriders have moved up into B group having gained Craig Dickenson's first win and Gatorade shower.  There's no QB controversy in Saskie - Cody Fajardo is the guy.  He had looked shaky in game 1 but has controlled the offence perfectly and found open receivers as well as finding escapability that I've not seen since Doubles graced Taylor Field.  How will the Roughriders manage a short turn around in Week 4 against the visiting Stampeders?

Group C - I Mustache You a Question...

...will these teams ever win?  The BC Lions looked like they were going to take the game against Calgary and they let it slip away.  The Montreal Alouettes need to find some protection for their Quarterback among many things.  The Toronto Argonauts are out there looking for an identity.  Will they find it when they match up against the Lions in Week 4?

Thanks for following along this week in the Canadian Football League!  On to Week 4!

Go Riders!