How Sweet It Is

Six and Four!

A few weeks ago when the Montreal Alouettes beat a struggling Roughriders team everyone was ready to throw McAdoo and Jones to the wolves but suddenly in week 12 of the CFL pitch fork and torch sales have plummeted in the wheat province.  We find our Saskatchewan Roughriders on a three game winning streak with the last win coming on another Labour Day Classic against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers which moves them into second place in the western conference after the Edmonton Eskimos fell to the first place Calgary Stampeders.  How sweet it is!

Chris Jones is now three-for-three wearing the green "Diversity is Strength" tee shirt.  When asked about it in a media scrum last week he said wearing it had been mandated by the players after an apparent vote was taken.  He said it gets put in his locker and he puts it on.  It would appear to me that our Saskatchewan spirit has permeated to Chris Jones black shirt wearing core.  I've always been a Jones supporter and as hard as some of his decisions have been to accept I have been so happy that we have someone in place to make them.  I've never been concerned with what his wardrobe was because in spite of my own superstitions I've been told what I wear has no bearings on whether the Riders win or lose.  And yet...here we are, while Jones has been wearing green I am three-for-three wearing my Giant Tiger Rider shirt, denim capris, green shoes, Hillberg & Berk earrings, The Balm eye shadow and the most important - 306 Chad Owens signed hat.  The combo seems to be working and I'll be sporting the look until our next loss which hopefully is not in the Labour Day rematch aka the Banjo Bowl.

While my Riders are sporting this record which moves them higher in the standings I'm not planning any parades yet.  What I know is that this Riders team has an amazing defence.  Charleston Hughes who was the best pick up of the off season has 13 sacks.  If he's not chasing down quarterbacks then Willie Jefferson is and if he's not then you've got the likes of Tobi Antigha, Sam Eguaven, Matt Elam,  Nick Marshall and Ed Gainey to contend with just to name a few.  In the LDC, the defence wasn't putting out their best performance and yet were able to get pressures and cause enough issues for the Blue Bomber offence to knock them off their game plan.  Special Teams are really putting together some special performances.  Christion Jones banged up?  No problem we'll just have Kyran Moore in only his second CFL appearance run back a punt for a touchdown.  The offence is the part of the three phases that can cause some concern.  On Sunday the offence did just enough to win.  We all know offense wins hearts and I feel like we are just begging to see some razzle dazzle or explosive plays.  The Zach Collaros led offence shows flashes of that brilliance and I feel like they are so close to finding that groove.  We didn't know who Jordan Williams-Lambert was coming out of camp.  We do now!  Naaman Roosevelt continues to play with incredible heart, mind and body.  We aren't missing Duron Carter at all, but that's a whole other subject.

Two weeks ago Matt Nichols was upset that Blue Bomber fans were booing at the end of their game against the Ottawa Redblacks.  Nichols had been shaken up and for some unknown reason was allowed back into the game.  The crowd not liking the coaching decision boo'd the coaching staff but Matt took it to heart and spoke out about it in the media.  The following week in the Bomber loss to Calgary he seemingly threw his receivers under the bus by saying he couldn't find any open receivers.  Matt, I know you seem to be an emotional player as most football players are but for the love of meatloaf stop talking to the media.  Your team needs leadership.  Even though Mike O'Shea has said he * thinks * Nichols is his quarterback there's already murmurs to put in Streveler and you can bet those shouts will only get louder in the Banjo Bowl if the fans don't see that Nichols is getting the job done.  Just imagine if Darian Durant had been their back up.  He's not and I'm sure he's enjoying his family and retirement to the fullest thanks to the Bombers signing bonus.

I think it's also an interesting theory that the Blue Bombers were winning when they were using trick plays to get the job done.  When they moved away from the tricks they started losing.  Was it that they showed their cards too early in the season?  Was it that other teams are now expecting them to try trick plays, are anticipating them and shutting them down?  Is it that they decided they had to be able to learn to play fundamentally sound football instead of resorting to those style of plays?

Saturday the Roughriders are at Investors Group Field where the fans are apparently the loudest in the CFL.  I can see the Bomber fans being restless and if they find their team faltering in any way they likely won't be as loud or even still sticking around the stadium to see the end of the game.  I know I'm sounding pretty sure of myself but trust me I'm not drinking the green Kool-Aid.  I know how hard it is to play the same team back to back and come out victorious however the Roughriders were able to pull it off against the Hamilton Tigercats.  They can use that experience to gut it out and get their seventh win of the 2018 season.  This Roughriders team is learning to play with confidence and play the full 60 minutes of every game.  They are believing in each other and that leads me to BEL13VE in them too.

A Roll of the Dyce

Many a blog has been composed at my dining room table coffee cup in hand. At 3pm Thursday afternoon my two year old Keurig moaned and groaned but did not product any coffee.

I'm not sure life can go on as we know it.

* * * * *

How great was the Labour Day Classic? I was again in section 14 but got moved up to row 13 and I have to say, WOW, what an interesting (crazy) and fun (drunk) group of people. Someone actually brought a massive jar of pickled eggs and was serving them to seat mates with a spaghetti ladle. Sunflower seeds were shared as were touchdown high fives. It was great. I have to say any Bomber fans near us were good sports in spite of my Hubby's incessant yelling of BOMBERS SUCK!!! One turned around and motioned as if to say 'yeah, well, you're right.' Still these fans make the pilgrimage every year and help make the day into the event that it is.

This has been a season of rumours. Going back to the story by Gary Lawless, which we now pretty much know was leaked by Brendan Taman himself, we all said at the time it was hogwash only then a couple weeks later and after the outcry of fans what he said became truth. Knowing now that Lawless and Taman are friends is interesting and has made me think of two scenario’s.....one being that BT was just wondering out loud and Lawless took it and ran with it OR two, that it was a publicity stunt of sorts where Taman was trying to drum up Chamblin support and squash the firing rumours. That's all water under the bridge because then Jeremy O'Day and Bob Dyce were named as interim GM and Head Coach. Rider Nation was high after the Labour Day win. It seemed like the team was the one we remembered. It kind of seamed like everything was fixed. It's a new O'day! Then a new rumour emerged saying John Hufnagel was going to leave the Calgary Stampeders to become the Roughriders new GM and Head Coach.

Wait, wha?

I don't know where this story started but I know for sure it did not start in good old Saskie.

Before the firings, while everyone was speculating, call in show hosts talked about how the position of head coach would be a difficult one to replace and that it would pretty much be career suicide because when the season is over they'd be relieved of the position as well. Then, once the names O'Day and Dyce were put out there it seems like all of what I just stated went out the window. Suddenly everyone is on board with the hiring. What I can honestly say is that besides knowing that Jeremy O'Day was a previous player and was Taman's assistant, I know nothing else about him which would make him ready to not only right our Rider ship but make it the premier team that we all want it to be. I also ask this question.....if Bob Dyce wasn't good enough to be named Head Coach in 2012 after being Rider Offensive Coordinator and now Special Teams Coordinator, what makes him ready for the job going forward?

I'm not saying I don't like these men because that simply isn't true. The players certainly seem to like them and want to play for them. Just consider the inexperienced coaching staff we currently have.....who could possibly fix it? Not only fix it but completely turn it around into a winning team next year? And that's why whether there may be any truth to the Hufnagel rumour or not....it actually could be considered because you cannot deny how successful he's made the Stampeder franchise.

I know what you're saying.

ABC – Anyone But Calgary.

Since I'm on the topic of ex Roughrider quarterbacks.....how about that little skirmish Kent Austin got himself into? In case you missed it, he gave Dave Stala a bit of a shoulder shove on the Tiger Cats sidelines during the game the other night. This whole thing is so amusing to me. First of all we all know that Kent has sideline antics from eye rolling to arms flailing so much so a Twitter account was created called Angry Kent. Taking that into consideration, it doesn't surprise me that a hot headed Kent would shove a player in this fashion. But really...was it a thing? I mean, a big enough deal for Austin to issue an apology and then be fined $5000 by the league?

:)

By the way, word on the street is that Kent Austin's contract in Hamilton is up at the end of this season. Would we want him back?

Why is another teams cast off supposed to make the Riders pearl necklace?

Shrugs

Remember that time the Roughriders were favoured to thrash the Blue Bombers in the Banjo Bowl? I'm not going to rehash a game where we saw our 3^rd string quarterback run for his life as our mostly veteran offensive line failed repeatedly. In my opinion the game ended exactly the same as the Ottawa game where Brett Smith was pulled and we saw Sunseri get sacked again and again as our offensive line failed.

The questions this week are all about who starts at quarterback as Kevin Glenn comes off the injured list. Since our O line can't seem to protect anyone for three quarters never mind four.....does it really matter who the starter is? Playing armchair coach, I think you have to go with the veteran in this case. He has the experience in seeing the defences. Glenn put up great numbers prior to his injury. The choice is simple for me. The goal even though the play offs aren't even a consideration at this point is to win games. We still have to play games and try to win and by playing anyone else you are waving the white flag.

The stats say that typically teams who fire their head coach tend to win the following game, however, the season usually finishes the way it starts. If you read my last blog I went back in Roughriders history and looked at the coach firings two to three years before Grey Cup wins and the season records.

1964 9-7

1986 6-11

2005 9-9

2011 5-13

Even though in two of those seasons the Riders made it to play offs, they still weren't successful winning teams until two or three seasons later. Are you ready for that Rider Nation?

* * * * *

Some good news. I McGyvered my Keurig by using a steak knife and vinegar and gave it a second life.

Coffee cup in hand, I ask you, can the Saskatchewan Roughriders gain some W's in these last 7 games? My guess is as good as yours.

It's a roll of the Dyce.

Double Double Toil & Trouble

Oh crap no.

Crap.  Crap.  Crap.

Oh Gawd.

Not my picture but thanks to who took it.

Just a few plays earlier in the game Sunday, we saw the beast that Darian Durant is, run in the pocket with a lineman on his back.  

I heard the whistle.  Hubby heard the whistle.  The play.....the play that apparently didn't happen and yet happened for every Roughrider fan across the nation.....went on.  I think Hubby was even yelling "free play - free play!"

Friday night I watched as Travis Lulay got hit and I cried as he left the field once again.  To see someone fight back through surgery and work hard and then have it happen immediately again.....well, ugh.....it's sickening.  Then it happened to Doubles too.

When are the refs and the league going to wake up and do something?  

Let's face it.  Darian has never gotten the roughing the passer calls that he should.  I'm not looking through green goggles either.  Anyone so much as wink at Ricky Ray and penalty flags fly.  Why do they let all this stuff go for different players?  That's not fair!

I know this is all a part of football and injuries and things happen.  But honestly, Monday morning when I heard the news and along with the dull dreary weather we are enduring, it felt a little like the morning after 09.  Were all our repeat hopes dashed?  Naw.  I don't think so.  I think the Riders are an extremely well coached team.  I believe in the genius of George Cortez.  I know with every pen click he is dreaming up schemes for whoever is next up.  I also believe in Tino Sunseri.  He comes from a football family.  It's in his blood as much as we bleed green.  

What I couldn't believe the most was the ridiculous things people are saying.  Fans are the craziest people around.  Someone started a rumor about trading for Burris and people ran away with it.  Laughable.  Could you imagine?  *shakes head*



I am so thankful the Dressler signing was already a done deal.  I remember in 2008, the year we had 3 quarterbacks and the year most of the receivers had broken legs.  I'd much rather take a full set of healthy receivers and a room of running backs in 2014 over that year.  I believe in 2008 we lost in the western semi final to the Lions.  Ack.  Yes.  I'll go with our chances this year thank you very much.

So this Sunday we meet up with the TiCats again.  I don't feel it's a must win game BUT if we do win, it will be the first time in history that the Roughriders win 8 games straight.  I also know that this team is a family and families stick together in the face of adversity.  Adversity makes you stronger.  There is no bigger test than beating the 2013 Eastern Champs with our back up quarterback.  I think it can be done.  Tino will do it for Darian and Rider Nation.

In other news, last Saturday The Hubs and I went to Rider Girl.  It was great!  It's a great story for any CFL fan but special just for us Rider fans.  I won't give anything away, except that if you go you will laugh and you will cry.  It's also fun to connect with other fans.  Please go see the fabulous Colleen Sutton when she is in your town/city.

Are you superstitious?  I am a little.  A little stitious.  Every game day I wear a pair of glitter watermelon earrings.  Well, over the last year I have had the pleasure of cultivating a fun friendship with Maria aka Gainerette.  She has sent me the most fabulous watermelon headband that there ever was.  A thousand thank you's!

My birthday isn't until the 22nd.  I will be *cough cough* years old.  My Hubby, who is so patient to be married to me for going on 23 years gave me my present early.  What would any rabid Rider fan girl want?  Why a beautiful pair of the most glittery glitter ball earrings and necklace from Hillberg & Berk of course!!!!  He really is the best isn't he?!

But I still have to wear the watermelon earrings on game day ;)

Ban Joe "Mack" Bowl

I've never written a Banjo Bowl blog before.  [Say that 10 times fast!]

At this time last year, Andy Fantuz was returning from the Chicago Bears.  We fired Greg Marshall and Ken Miller returned to coaching.  We were losing big time.  We were 1-7.  Everyone was in turmoil.  Fans were enraged.  

Last year the Winnipeg Blue Bombers under coach Paul LaPolice were pretty good.  They were 7-1.  They made fun of us.  I remember seeing Odell Willis with his Mayor tee shirt on and it made me angry.

Oh how the tables have turned.

I think every Rider fan has been wishing for a good old fashioned beat down.  I know I've wanted for a game where we were just purely dominant.  It finally happened in the 52-0 thrashing over the Blue Bombers in the Labour Day Classic.  I've become a big Odell Willis fan.  There's nothing better than when he hoists Weston Dressler like a rag doll when a touchdown is scored.  Finally, it feels like the team is firing on all cylinders.

Would I love to see another beating at this Sunday's Banjo Bowl?  Of course I would!  Yet, I can't help but feel just a tiny bit sorry for the Bombers.  Their team is turned upside down.  Their coaching staff appears in chaos.  And their General Manager?  Joe Mack?  Well, let's just say that Bomber fans want him fired so badly they've coined this weekends rematch the "Ban Joe Mack Bowl."

But don't get me wrong.  Even though I feel bad for them.....I don't feel bad enough to let them win.