What do you do on a very snowy and cold Sunday afternoon when you find yourself with a couple extra hours? You get out your fancy double ended markers and set to doodling. That's right folks...you've got yourself a Garfunkel for Week 20 in the CFL.
The way I saw things in Week 20 was as you can see in the above Halloween graphic was the league divided into not an A, B and C but more of an Us versus Them.
Pumpkin (Group A) - Hamilton TigerCats/Saskatchewan Roughriders/Calgary Stampeders/Winnipeg Blue Bombers/Montreal Alouettes
Headstone (Group B) - Edmonton Eskimos/Toronto Argonauts/BC Lions/Ottawa Redblacks
The Hamilton TigerCats might be grinning ear to ear like Mr Jack O'Lantern sitting atop the whole CFL with 14 wins under their belt however, I've heard discussion about how easy it is for them in the east with how dismal their division opponents are. It's been a while since they've had to play a strong western team. They finish their season against Toronto so now doubt this record setting season will end at 15 wins for Hamilton.
My Saskatchewan Roughriders were on the road to Edmonton and as some people put it "nothing good happens in Edmonton". Well many were ready to stop believing at half time and I even remarked that if I believed social media I'd be in the back yard burning my jersey. Thank God things turned around in the second half as the Riders took gradual control of the game and ended with a walk off Field Goal on the leg of Brett Lauther for the second time this season. They find a way to win. Isn't that what I said was always so admirable about the Stampeders? Well one thing if one can admire them... because I find it so hard to like Bo Levi Mitchell. He is very quick to call out his team mates. Contrast that to Cody Fajardo who says he can't do with without the support of everyone else. There is just so much to admire about Cody and it's not just the sprinkles.
Not football related but while the Riders versus Eskimo game was playing out in Edmonton, Regina was hosting it's first NHL game with the Heritage Classic at Mosaic Stadium. The stadium looked absolutely glorious on tv and the aerial shots were awe inspiring reminding me of what Taylor Field had looked like at the 2013 Grey Cup. Imagine how sparkly Mosaic will be when hosting in 2020. Before all that happened though there was a fellow on Twitter who posted something about how people shouldn't wear Rider gear to other sporting events and of course people rebelled but then the best thing happened - Don Cherry himself appeared on TV wearing a beautifully tailored Roughrider blazer. Anyone going to tell Grapes he can't don Rider gear for a hockey game? Look the bottom line is - wear whatever the hell you want and stop looking around judging other people. We spend $200+ on jerseys and it's a shame to hide them in a closet. Wear your fandom with pride no matter what team you support.
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| Photo c/o Twitter post |
Zach Collaros started for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and many have said "he's back". While it might appear so there is next to zero film on Collaros in 2019 and it seemed the Stampeders hadn't really game planned for him at all. With the protection of the Bomber O Line and running back Andrew Harris they were able to come out victorious. Many Rider fans were cheering for the Bombers to help out in the west division standings or were they cheering AGAINST the Stampeders? ABC!
I did tune in for the Hamilton Montreal game but honestly as entertaining as it was the game was meaningless as the stage is set for the eastern playoffs. Vernon Adams was pulled after orchestrating two touchdowns. A lot of starters also sat out the game but even so a team of back ups nearly beat the division champs. Let's think about what's going to happen in the east final if Montreal turns out to be their opponent.
Even though I did lump the Edmonton Eskimos into the "other" group I did think that they should have come out victorious against my Roughriders Saturday. At times the Edmonton sidelines looked confused at what was transpiring on the field. The Esks have a great offensive and defensive line and with the return of Trevor Harris are a much improved team. They come into Regina for the rematch in Week 21 and then head off to the east as the cross over team where I think they stand a good chance of beating the Als.
The seasons are pretty much done for the Argos, Lions and Redblacks. Fans at ABC Rider Fans area already discussing which coaches will be fired or who will be the first to go. Another discussion is who the MOP's and Coaches of the Year should be. It's fun when your team is involved in those but not so much when you're team is already in next year mode. I'll let you know that times do get better and sometimes things are a blessing in disguise. When Chris Jones left the Riders in February or even when Collaros went down after 3 plays no one would have thought the Riders would be battling for first in the west. Things can change quickly in the CFL. Just don't stop believing.
The news broke on Monday Oct 21st that the Saskatchewan Roughriders had signed Cody Fajardo through 2021 and essentially making him the franchise quarterback. Thank goodness for football and having something positive to relate to on Canadian election Monday.
One way to get Saskatchewan to turn blue is to have the province vote Conservative.
Anyway, thank you Cody "Sprinkles" Fajardo. I watched the Riders Live press conference and continue to be wowed by the words and philosophies that come from this man. One phrase that stuck with me was one he borrowed from coach Craig Dickenson "Be Where Your Feet Are".
Another hot topic had all the football mathematicians dig out their high school calculus adding machines - what are the CFL play off scenarios. Now if this doesn't make your head ache I don't know what will. We know that the Roughriders will likely host a play off game but we don't know which one; the west semi or west final. There's a super slim chance that they don't host a play off game but I'm not going to entertain that idea at all. I BEL13VE.
If you haven't already guessed, yes, I do have the Riders in A Group. My break down is as follows.
Group A - Hamilton TigerCats/Saskatchewan Roughriders/Calgary Stampeders
Group B - Montreal Alouettes/Winnipeg Blue Bombers/Edmonton Eskimos
Group C - BC Lions/Toronto Argonauts/Ottawa Redblacks
Who would have pegged Hamilton to be the best team in the CFL when Masoli went down? Certainly not me since we've seen first hand and around the league that you require a starting quarterback and a competent back up. Good for you Cats for finding that talent. Your team just keeps winning and congrats on obtaining 13 wins this season which is a franchise record. As we know, the regular season is one thing and the play offs a completely other beast. Is this team built for regular season wins or a play off run? We will see come November.
The Calgary Stampeders need to win out to stay atop the CFL west. They play the Bombers and Lions to end their season so it seems completely plausible especially with Streveler getting so beaten up in their match last week. Tuesday morning they announced the signing of Dextor McCoil. As usual the Stamps have their share of injuries but also as usual they keep finding talent.
I did not see the Alouettes and Argonauts game because I was busy teaching future rock stars.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers. I honestly had them pegged to be champs this year and if you look back at previous posts you'd see that. There are some things I don't understand. As soon as Nichol's was injured why didn't you go out and get yourself a quarterback? When Streveler was obviously injured in week 19 why on earth did you let him continue to play? Watching him hobble around the field was awful. There's a difference between gutting it out and stupidity. Word on the street is Zach Collaros is taking first team reps this week so it's likely he'll see time against the Stamps. We all know that one good bop on the head will finish him off. Why sign someone so fragile? Crazier things have happened but I just don't see this going well.
Another player back this week is Trevor Harris. Nice timing since it's a home and home with my Riders. Without Harris I'd say the Riders could take the series but now... If it ends in a split I will be happy.
There's not much to say about C group. There's things I could say but none of it will make a difference and out of respect for their fans they don't deserve someone else dishing on them. Enjoy the remaining games and look forward to the changes the off season will bring.
For the rest of us - on to week 20. Can you believe how fast this season has gone?
Did everyone survive Thanksgiving? Are you enjoying Turkey leftovers? I know we had a great weekend and even though I roasted a great turkey an even bigger turkey has emerged. Bo Levi stated in his mid game interview that the CFL referee's were biased towards the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
* cue raucous Rider Nation laughter *
Bo, there isn't a Rider fan in the world who would agree with you especially when Bradbury is the head official. Let's face it, the Calgary Stampeders were playing dirty and got caught trying to injure Cody Fajardo by twisting his legs. Is this the best strategy to win?
Nice guys finish last or at least they lose. The Riders kept their composure during the game which could have solidified first place in the west. It's ok, we will meet again in the play offs and we all know how that tends to end.
Winnipeg had a massive blizzard dump snow on them and surrounding areas which knocked out power. Saskatchewan is sending SaskPower employees to help get things up and running. Very neighbourly. I don't think it's far that some people felt it necessary to criticize attendance at the Bombers Alouettes game. While attendance seems to be declining in CFL stadiums this was not the time to draw attention to it. Word has it Zach Collaros is practicing this week. I wonder if we see him take to the field in week 19 AND if he can stay unharmed.
The last standing starting quarterback left the game this week as Mike Reilly finally went down with a broken wrist. How tough is this guy? The Lions have brought in Air Canada and have Danny O'Brien as back up. How is this team going to fare going up against the Riders this week? While we'd like to think the Roughriders should easily take this one the team also tends to play down to lesser teams. It should be another great Friday night game.
Now honestly I didn't see many of the games with family visiting and such so maybe you just want me to get to the breakdown?
Group A - Hamilton TigerCats/Calgary Stampeders/Winnipeg Blue Bombers/Saskatchewan Roughriders
Group B - Montreal Alouettes/Edmonton Eskimos
Group C - Toronto Argonauts/BC Lions/Ottawa Redblacks
One last thought about Thanksgiving - I'm grateful for the CFL and that I've had so many opportunities to get close to Roughrider players at Training Camps and other events. Lot's of people believe there should have been a Thanksgiving Monday CFL game. There were several other sporting events taking place on this day and even though it was a holiday for us fans I know the Riders were busy at practice and partaking of a feast afterwards. This is the CFL and don't our players deserve a day to be thankful too? I have no issues with there not being a game on a long weekend. I'm pretty sure the original meaning of Thanksgiving had nothing to do with slothing in front of the TV in a turkey coma. I know I'd rather spend it with family instead of being on the road to and from a game. In this day and age of connectivity it's even more important that we take the time and spend it with those we love when we can.
The last month has been a race to get my Power Grouping done and this week is no exception. As many of you know, the upcoming weekend is Thanksgiving and likewise I am preparing for company. The race is on, if you will, to get things ready for Turkey Day. On top of that tragedy struck the household yesterday afternoon when the coffee maker broke. No amount of McGyver-ing was going to fix it this time so...Happy October 6th to me - I bought a new Keurig.
So we all have lots going on. Who has time to draw pictures? * shrugs *
Group A - Hamilton TigerCats/Saskatchewan Roughriders
Group B - Winnipeg Blue Bombers/Calgary Stampeders/Montreal Alouettes
Group C - BC Lions/Edmonton Eskimos/Ottawa Redblacks/Toronto Argonauts
One Twitter person says "book it", it'll be the TiCats and Riders in the 2019 Grey Cup. What that person doesn't know is <adjusts tinfoil hat> the conspiracy theory for some time now is that it's supposed to be the Montreal Alouettes and Riders in the Grey Cup because it's the 10th anniversary of the 13th man debacle in Calgary and this year the Grey Cup is indeed once again being held in McMahon Stadium.
The Hamilton team sure is looking good these days and haven't they been blessed with finding Dane Evans. Masoli who? There's still a lot of controversy over Simoni Lawrence but apparently he doesn't care what anyone thinks of him and I heard someone say we aren't supposed to like him or the TiCats anyway. Maybe that's true. They're being talked about either way. Regardless, we can't discount them like next weeks pumpkin pies because they do indeed have the best record in the CFL right now.
Hot on their turkey tails are the Roughriders who keep finding ways to win. In week 17 they battled in the defensive trenches and came up with a 2nd win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to take the season series and move into 1st place in the west division. Early in the game it looked like Cody Fajardo was struggling but things worked out in the 4th quarter when the offence started to click. If you read last weeks blog I mentions that's how the Als beat the Bombers last week yet I didn't want my Riders to use that strategy. Well they might not have planned it but waiting until late in the game to stick the knife in and put the game away worked. Contrats to Shaq Evans who went over 1000 yards receiving on the season and standing ovation to LJ McCray for the circus catch interception. I'm pretty sure arms don't bend that way but his did preventing what seemed like an inevitable Bomber TD.
Now if I had to choose a team in that B group to be wary of it would be the Alouettes because they are surging while Winnipeg is floundering and we're not really sure anymore what the Stampeders are doing. There is no way the Blue Bombers can succeed with the current lineup no matter how dominant their defence appears to be. Green was Streveler's favourite colour on Saturday after all. Speculation is that they will make a move with Toronto on the trade deadline of October 9th.
Where was Willie Jefferson? For a player who has been dominant he sure was quiet in the match up at Mosaic. As I've said for a while now, it's never about personal accomplishments and while Charleston Hughes should get some pats on the back he and everyone else knows that it's meaningless if you don't end up with your name on the trophy in November.
My Roughriders take on the Calgary Stampeders Friday and the battle for first place in the west is once again on the line. They play the Lions and then Eskimos back to back to finish the season. Can the Riders win out the season?
The good news for Group C? The Redblacks didn't lose this week. They were on bye week. The Argonauts on the other hand...YIKES. I didn't see the game as I was on my way home from Regina but I saw the social media comments and lots of people expected Popp or Chamblin or both to be fired immediately. The problem is in this day and age teams just can't do that anymore. The coaching cap pretty much prevents it. Chamblin has trouble bringing out talent in rookies and I've never really believed in Popp's strategies. Is it a lack of talent? A lack of athletes? Meddling from the GM? Why they'd ever choose Franklin over Bethel-Thompson is beyond me.
That's all I've got for week 17 in the CFL. Enjoy the long weekend and spend time being thankful and telling those you love how you feel about them. Life is too short not to.
Happy Thanksgiving.
