Report Card ~ The Commish ~

Commissioner Randy Ambrosie has instituted CFL 2.0 in an attempt to promote the CFL around the world.  During different discussions on ABC Rider Fans and other social media pages it would seem that fans have a less than average rating of how Ambrosie is handling the affairs of this league we love so much.  With that in mind I revisited The Commish, a blog I published in May of 2017 and asked fans to tell me their thoughts on whether I had it right or the CFL got it right.

✅First and foremost the new Commish needs to be someone who knows and understands the league in all it's glory and issues.  They either need to be Canadian or someone who has played/coached/worked for the league.  They need to be fair in all judgements by treating all the teams equally and at the same time reserving judgement of issues covered by law up to the law makers.  None of this 'grey' rules for you while black and white rules for others.  They need to be in the public promoting the brand and attending games regularly so that fans see that he/she has our best interests at heart...which of course they must have always.

Randy Ambrosie, the 14th commissioner of the CFL, played offensive guard for Calgary, Toronto and Edmonton.  He hails from Winnipeg, Manitoba and played for the Manitoba Bison.  After retiring from the CFL mostly due to injury he became secretary for the CFLPA and gained a degree in commerce.  He was head of sales for HSBC Securities and worked for AGF Management Ltd. as head of sales and marketing.  He was promoted to AGF Funds and was reportedly praised for his ability to shake things up.  He became CEO of Accretive 360 Inc. and then went on to the investment firm MacDougall, MacDougall and  MacTier as president and CEO.  It would seem that Ambrosie not only has the knowledge of the Canadian Football League but also a better than firm grasp of business know how as well.  

✅This is the Canadian Football League.  Let's make it truly Canadian...really show What We're Made of...by having football teams located coast to coast.  The fan base is already in the Maritimes, willing and waiting.

Last season the story broke that the league was looking at expanding to a 10th team to be located in the Maritimes.  Hallelujah!  A contest was held to name the proposed team and in my opinion there was no other name that could possibly ever be used than the Atlantic Schooners.  For years I've followed a fan who's Twitter account had a Schooners emblem and was a huge CFL fan.  Even at Grey Cup fans showed up to all the parties.  The name won the contest and was registered with the CFL.  Soon after, and without a stadium to play in, season tickets were being sold and merchandise was marketed.  While I think this is a huge win there are big hurdles to overcome as the question of a home and place to play games looms.  When the 2019 CFL season schedule was released on December 20th it was also announced that two teams would be participating in a Touchdown Atlantic game.  It seems like it's all really happening.  If you want to stay up to date on the latest Schooners news then visit their website Atlantic Schooners.

✖Player safety is incredibly important and with new research coming out constantly on concussions then this has to be something the new commissioner supports.

If I had a buzzer I'd be pressing it right now.  It would have appeared early in Ambrosie's tenure that he might be the guy to set things straight.  One of the first things he did was change the coaches challenge rules not only mid season but mid week.  As time has gone on though other issues have become apparent.  Player safety should be Randy's first concern.  Without healthy players to play in the CFL we don't have a CFL.  Quarterbacks seem to take the brunt of this lack of attention while their assaulters barely get a slap on the wrist.  Only after Zach Collaros was removed from a game and there was a blatant hit to Brandon Bridge was a band aid applied.  Was it to change a rule or discipline the offending player?  No.  Instead another official was added to the field.  I'm not only complaining because this directly affected my Saskatchewan Roughriders but when we live in a time where talent is getting harder to find and lure to Canada we don't want to be losing our starting players to head injuries.  This problem is two-fold.  The referee's in the CFL need to be better educated and I don't believe for a second that they aren't intelligent because to evaluate on your feet and within seconds that something is or isn't a penalty is a job I'd not want.  Fans become irate when told "I didn't see it because I wasn't looking" or "someone was standing in front of me."  No.  CFL fans deserve better and Randy Ambrosie, the fans and players demand better.

✔...they should be developing a video game and online streaming for fans as well.

My statement may have been a big short sighted.  I realize these two things are likely out of the control of the CFL commissioner.  Every once and a while someone brings up the idea of a video game.  The CFL did come out with a video game app for tablets and smart phones called CFL Football Frenzy.  No I am not the best person to play a game like this because I can't even succeed at Crossy Roads!  However for a time it seemed like fans were having fun with it and at Christmas there was a release of a holiday version.  Next up on the agenda is online streaming.  As it stands, if you currently have a cable provider subscription you can stream games on the TSN site.  They've also brought out a subscription service for people who have cut the cable cords.  What I believe fans are really looking for though is for a game to be streamed on Facebook or Twitter or even by the CFL themselves.  Many people depend on streaming services like Netflix for entertainment and why not?  It's less expensive than a cable provider.  This is the way of the future and I believe if it's made easier to watch then fans and prospective fans will tune in.

✖The fans of this league have high expectations...please don't let us down.

When I asked CFL fans for input on how Randy Ambrosie is doing as commissioner they didn't hold back.

John Strutt's (ABC Rider Fans Moderator) assessment of the Commissioner

Jeff Scoggin (loyal football fan) lists his many concerns

Kerry Etter from recent podcast fame uses a Jones coined quote

Kerry (@kerette45) has it exactly correct.  Randy Ambrosie has made strides in some areas of the league that needed direction and help while in other areas the things implemented appear rushed into action with little detail being provided to media and fans.  Will CFL 2.0 actually work out?  Many fans are skeptical.  How will the coaching cap effect coaching development and luring new coaches to the CFL?  Can Ambrosie work with the CFLPA and strike a deal in the CBA negotiations?  These are all questions among others that require answers in the coming months.  So far...the jury is out.

~ Friday Football Five ~

The Saskatchewan Roughriders came out victorious after a back to back series against the Hamilton TigerCats.  Wahoo! 3-2!  Here's how I see things:

1.  The turning point of the game was when Brendan LaBatte was injured and returned to the game to gut it out in the trenches.  What tremendous character, athleticism and leadership all wrapped up in one guy nicknamed Blue.  I believe this one thing is what pulled the team together.  At the same time, I don't want to hear about why the Riders only back up was Eddie Steele.  Eddie Steele himself must be amazing to be able to play both ways even if it was only a short time. Sure there are depth problems on the offensive line but this one single storyline was the difference.

2.  I am so exhausted of hearing about the so called quarterback carousel. We heard it from Glen Suitor and we hear it from all the sports media/pundits who by the way all counted us out in this game.  The bottom line here is that one guy, whether it was Branden Bridge or David Watford, had to make a move to step forward and show that he wanted that spot.  The reward?  You play well and you get more playing time.  You falter and out you come from the game.  That seems pretty motivational to me.  Not only that, but we also saw these two quarterbacks come together to help each other out.  It wasn't that Chris Jones finally heard everyone complaining...no, it was that Air Canada was doing the right things and earned the time.  You can pat yourselves on the back if you want for thinking Chris Jones finally saw the light but you will be very wrong because he doesn't care what you think and he doesn't care what I think.  That's how a 4 Grey Cup winning coach operates and I applaud that.

3.  The play calling is boring.  Is it?  The whole first half was a set up for what was going to happen in the second half.  It became apparent to me in the end of the second quarter when the Riders kept running the ball and even instead of taking a knee on the last play, they ran once more.  This whole scheme was to set up for the second half of the game when the Ticats were keying on the run and we were able to take to the air.  The short throws from side to side are also to set up the run game.  Football is like a chess game.  If this one thing works then the next thing can work.  Instead of calling out the offensive coach let's take a step back and think about these things. Play calling is one thing and execution of the play is another.  In the game last night the Riders executed.

4.  Torches and pitch forks.  After the game when I took a cruise through the various fan pages I was surprised to see Ticats fans very upset with their team and coach.  It's surprising to see people wanting Johnny Manziel in the game.  Why?  For a few weeks those of us in the west have viewed Masoli as the hottest quarterback in the league...that was until he played the Riders.  What has Manziel proved?  These same fans are the people who also didn't like what the Riders were doing with our quarterbacks.  What do you want?  Do you want the next guy when the starter isn't doing what you want?  Do you want a guy to find a rhythm?  You can't have it both ways.  Be happy with what you do have.  Ultimately, I think Hamilton's downfall was that they game planned for the team they played two weeks ago and not the refreshed and tuned in team that was coming in.  That would explain why they tried a trick play...and, well, we know how that went for them.

5.  Funny - no one is talking about Duron Carter this week.  You remember him right?  Bo Levi Mitchell's favourite receiver?  Next week the Stampeders roll into Mosaic Stadium.  They are without doubt the best team in the league right now.  Bo Levi had a leg injury in Week 5 but has been named starter in their tilt against the Montreal Alouettes.  Will Carter get a chance to pick him off again?  We'll all have to wait to see!  I'll be in my seat in section 126 as usual.  

Thanks for reading as always.  Don't forget to look for my Power "Groupings" at the end of each week and join us on ABC Rider Fans to continue the conversation!

Forever in Rider Nation

I was happily strolling the isles of Costco Saturday and completely oblivious to the Roughrider roster releases.  That was until I returned home and saw the post on the ABC Rider Fan Facebook page. 

What the.....

Rob Bagg?  Bakari Grant?  Chad Owens too?

Man, cut down day SUCKS!

It doesn't matter how much a fan prepares or rationalizes the changes to their beloved football team - these changes shock you.  Sure, the Riders *had* to cut players to get down to the regulation 46 man roster and the Riders brass have far more expertise as my own and far more tools in hand to make these decisions than I do and for that I am thankful because it has to be the hardest job in sports.  I cannot imagine how hard it must have been to tell Rob Bagg he was no longer a Roughrider - the only CFL team he'd ever played with in his career.  The same goes for Chad Owens whose off season training had been featured on The Grind.  Bakari Grant may be the hardest one to swallow since he was coming off a 1000 yard year.

We love these guys.  We feel like we have a relationship with them.  They play for our favourite team and they've entertained us.  So why can't we be happy for them?  Be happy and celebrate that they were on OUR team in the first place instead of relishing in their demise.

Thank you for one of the Most fun years of football Rider Nation! Every good thing must come to an end... ~ Bakari Grant

THANK YOU RIDER NATION. ~ Rob Bagg

Last week at Green and White Day I am ashamed to admit when Chad Owens came over to sign my BEL13VE tee shirt I felt a bit weak in the knees.  He looked me in the eyes and smiled.  Maybe he recognized me from one of the other 2 times I'd been lucky enough to meet him.  Aren't we blessed as CFL fans to be able to meet these athletic idols! 

Some other tidbits from Green and White Day.  It was pretty hysterical when Charleston Hughes set down his helmet to sign autographs and Caleb Holley thinking it was a fans signed it.  That still makes me chuckle.  The more I see of Charleston Hughes the more I am appreciating that he came to be on the Green and White this year.  He told me he's looking forward to sacking Bo Levi and I told him to hit him hard.  He quipped "I might even take a fine." 

As most of the players met with fans they asked how we are and said thanks for coming out.  When Ed Gainey came to me along the fence line of SMF Field I said "So you're going to get 10 interceptions this year?"  "No", he stated. "Sixteen".  I LOVE IT!

So we get to have all these amazing experiences with these CFL players and it totally and completely endears us to them.  Does that relationship mean they should get to play forever?  

“We certainly are appreciative of all the people who watch our games,” Jones said. “You have to have fans in order to have a league. At the same time, you have to be willing to make hard decisions. If you start letting the media or somebody else’s opinion on the decision that you made affect you, you end up being weak.” ~ Chris Jones

In an interview with the Leader-posts Murray McCormick Rob Bagg talked about an ankle injury he had at Training Camp in Saskatoon and he decided to continue on instead of resting up.  He said that probably wasn't a smart thing to do.  We only do what we think is best at the time, right?  I'm in no way saying his career was over but sometimes these decisions of when not to play have to come from other people.  Is Chris Jones at fault for having a role in which he's paid to put a viable team on the field in order to try to win the fans a championship?   

Some people (when scrolling through the Twitter pages) appear to be fans of the players and seem to prefer their favourite players be kept over the betterment of the Saskatchewan Roughriders.  I just fail to understand that mentality and I feel like I've been preaching this same story since 2015/16.  When Chris Jones arrived in Riderville he cut an enormous amount of players and while some did go on to be signed with other teams many did not and when you look around the league the ONLY player still on a roster is Weston Dressler who has also spent every season banged up.  There is a time to move on and if you don't evolve and continue to want to improve you will end up being weak and you will not win and there will not be any championship dreams.

The 2017 Roughriders football season ended in the East Division final losing to the team, the Toronto Argonauts, who would go on to win the Grey Cup.  For some that still equals no wins so what difference does it make.  Well for this fan it makes a world of difference to play into the post season or miss it completely.  It's the difference of a 3-15 season or 10-8 with Eastern Semi-final and Eastern Final games.  Of course I want to win it all!  But, I can also see that we aka The Riders, always need to be adding faster talent and often that means younger talent and that also means bidding some of our favourites adieu.  While our team is doing this, every CFL team is doing it and the Riders have to keep up or surpass with what is going on around the league.

I am a fan of the team with the name across the front of the jersey...not the back.  It's not about individuals.  It's about a team and putting the BEST team on field for 2018.

I wish all the players leaving their respective teams well.  To Chad Owens, Bakari Grant and especially Rob Bagg, we will not forget what you've sacrificed for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.  Even though you won't be on the field for us any longer - you will be forever in our hearts and an integral part of Rider Nation.

 

 

Winnipegish

It started with a dream...

No no no, not the one where Darian Durant dreamt about winning the 2013 Grey Cup in front of Rider Nation at Taylor Field. I'm talking about the dream I had about 2 weeks ago and only 3 people know about. I texted my friend Maria...

I had the most bizarre dream that Darian Durant signed up for piano lessons 🤣🤣🤣 that’s a long commute for lessons!

It's odd that I'd have a dream like that on May 3rd and seemingly out of the blue. Granted I was not feeling well at the time and I do tend to dream bizarre things when I'm sick.  At any rate, what transpired early Friday morning, also out of the blue, had a lot of Blue Bomber fans also feeling sick.

Darian Durant announced his retirement from the CFL on his own terms and by himself through social media in the early morning of Friday May 11th.  I myself saw it on his Instagram.   
When Doubles was traded to Montreal it never sat well with me and I wrote a few very honest blog posts about that and my feelings.  I loved this man.  I never understood how he could go work for Kavis Reed the very man who cost him his 2009 Grey Cup ring.  Then he seemingly showed the Riders he still had some gas left in the tank but that quickly faded as did everything in Montreal. In January of this year just before Durant was due a big playing bonus he was released.  Screwed again by the same man.

Then the Winnipeg Football Club (the Bombers CFL registered name) signed Darian awarding him a 70K bonus and relegated him to back up behind Matt Nichols. GAG.  I never could imagine DD in a Bomber uniform and although I really don't know him at all, I also couldn't envision him in a back up role either. I always suspected that's why he and Chris Jones didn't get along.  I mean, he did his time as back up didn't he?  Darian Durant came into the league via the negotiation list of the Hamilton Tiger Cats. His rights were obtained by the Roughriders at the same time Kerry Joseph came over in the Renegades dispersal draft.  That was 2006 and he was 3rd string QB in 2007 behind Kerry Joseph in that championship against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers - the same team which Kevin Glenn has led to the cup but then became injured and thusly Ryan Dinwiddie took over sealing the Riders winning fate.  That off season Joseph was traded (as then GM Eric Tillman likes to do) and in 2008 the Roughriders went through Marcus Crandell, Steven Jyles and even the likes of Michael Bishop before the South Carolina native Darian Durant was given the reigns.  He did his time holding the clip board.  I don't think he was going to go back to that without a fight especially after being sidelined with injuries over 2014 and 2015 as well as a mediocre season in 2016.

Yes, I said mediocre.  That's an honest perspective. Lot's of fans like to think that by being honest and stating that opinion it's okay to label me a hater. Nothing could be farther from the truth. There are several factors that went into how Darian Durant performed that year and Montreal had similar issues with their team in 2017.  He had a job to do and as much as we all loved him, he didn't perform up to the standard required. I'm sorry if that appears like a harsh statement but if any of us fans under perform in our jobs we will also likely lose our jobs.  That's my logical unbiased opinion.

Over shadowed by the announcement Friday was the realization from the Bombers that Darian Durant was not giving back his signing bonus. The complaining, out cry and hatred that poured out from social media from all corners of the nation was cruel and embarrassing.  Lot's of Rider fans rejoiced for Darian sticking it to the Bombers one last time by making off with their money and leaving them in a lurch with a week to go until Training Camp opens.  After listening to the terrific and candid interview on the Sportscage podcast my 83 year old Dad and Rider fan came to the conclusion that DD4 made the decision that he didn't want to go to Winnipeg without his family and I quipped "Dad, no one *wants* to go to Winnipeg".  Ultimately that was the defining factor it seems.  When it comes to that signing bonus my Facebook pal Dale Dowson said it best "If you receive a Christmas bonus and then quit in January you don't give the Christmas bonus back".  He is so correct. Nor would any of us return our vacation pay or any other employee perks.  Moreover, Darian was not the first player to do this and he won't be the last.  We all recall how Bomber fans ridiculed Rider fans when Maurice Price made off with his signing bonus in 2016. Not so much fun when the tables are turned eh?

What none of us can deny is that Darian Durant had a heck of a CFL career.  He was only one of 4 Roughrider quarterbacks to lead the team to a championship title and only second in quarterbacks with the most Grey Cup appearances. While he has 2 rings with the Riders we all know he left everything on the field in '09.  He did it all for Ridernation there is no doubt in that.  The memories of these last years will fade and by the time Durant is inducted in to the Plaza of Honour we will once again get to celebrate his career. 

Thank you Darian for everything you did for us. We will not forget you.  Good luck in all your future endeavors.  Enjoy this time with your family.  Come visit us soon.

Conspiracy Theory

On a very dull and dreary November day in 2009 I woke up to remember...well, you know what I remembered. Today, October 21st 2017 I woke up to a very similar dreary day and as my thoughts cleared I realized that October 20th wasn't a dream and my Saskatchewan Roughriders had not only beat the Calgary Stampeders (the number one team in the league) on their own turf but had blown them out 30 - 7. Oh how sweet it is!

A few weeks ago Cameron Judge went on a twitter tirade of sorts which left many of us scratching our heads and others speculating. Then he said it was all an experiment and it had worked.  Curious, right?  Some had him on pain meds or mentally ill but I think it's possible he was testing the waters for how his story would be picked up. Let's face it, fans and media bite on any little tidbit of Roughrider news and when the news is bad they bite especially hard.

Last Monday there was a small skirmish at Roughrider practice. It was so small reporters and media in attendance didn't notice anything happened.  It wasn't until Duron Carter made the tweet "It's been fun...see y'all" that all heck seemed to break loose.  Arash Madani and Justin Dunk were spewing out articles condemning the Roughriders left and right.  There was a post saying three Riders had been released...one of which couldn't have been in the altercation because he wasn't at practice! Another story said a coach had spurred the fight on. I believe all of that was smoke and mirrors.  Let's say the Riders came up with an idea to lead the media away from what they were doing last week.  No one was talking about who the starting quarterback was going to be, that Cameron Marshall was back and Trent Richardson who?  All anyone wanted to know was what happened.  What *if* all of that was an elaborate rouse?  That would account for a coach saying it's go time, that would account for the tweet that fed into the media's hands and that would account for why no one saw how prepared the team was to take on Calgary at McCarter...um, McMahon Stadium.  Let's not forget that the Riders controlled the entire narrative by having a closed practice Tuesday but no matter what the smoke didn't clear until everyone was jaw droppingly shocked as Duron Carter picked off Bo Levi Mitchell and returned it for a touchdown in a game winning play.

I admit that's a pretty elaborate thing to pull off and my watermelon may be a little too tight on the ol' noggin' but no matter what it did unite the team whether it was to pull it off or to come together to refute the allegations...it worked.  Bo Levi Mitchell did not score a touchdown against the Roughriders in TWO games with the only TD pass being thrown to...Duron Carter who was playing as a starting CB for the first time ever in a CFL game.  He'd just come off a 200+ game the week prior which put him over 1000 yards on the season.  He'd gotten in a "fight".  He went bowling with team mates and scored 202.  He started as a DB and he got his first career interception.  Hey, Bo, next time you decide to take to twitter to taunt a player...you better make sure you can back it up.

Winning in a decisive 30 - 7 game against the number one team in the league moved the Saskatchewan Roughriders into a play off spot.  The only question is, will the team stay in the west by staying ahead then beating the Edmonton Eskimo's on November 4th OR will they be relegated to going the eastern route.  No doubt this will be debated at length by all the pundits for the next two weeks. 

But first, on October 27th the Roughriders host the lowly Montreal Alouettes who are fighting more demons than just football games.  None of that really matters because since Week One in the CFL back when the Als beat the Riders this game was circled on the schedule as Darian Durant's return to Regina and new Mosaic Stadium.  Nothing stirs up more feelings than the topic of ex-Riders QB.  I'm not going to talk about what he did for us in the past because I've beaten that horse to death.  Let's take off the green goggles and see him exactly for what he is now.  He is a man, who endured 9 seasons as a Roughrider starting Quarterback with the last 3 injury prone.  He is a man who in the end wasn't loyal to the organization or fan base and left for money.  He was a man who burnt his Bridge by shouting at the Roughriders bench and making rude gestures when he won by 1 point.  He is a man who hasn't played much football in the last month and has found himself pulled in the last game against the Hamilton TigerCats.  He is a man who is getting paid reportedly $400,000 on a team that is now 3 - 13 where his future is in question.

I wonder how Darian will feel when he see's what's left of Taylor Field.  I know it's hard on me to see it all dismantled.  I wonder how he'll feel when he visits Mosaic Stadium for the first time.  I know how I felt and it was amazing but I also suspect it could be overwhelming for him considering what's been said of how he isn't over the trade. Then again...some think he's not even going to make the trip.

If you'd like to read my past thoughts on Durant check out these posts:

D U R A N T

The Elephant in the Room

What do you think of Chris Jones now?  It's no secret that I was on board since the Riders made him GM, HC, VP & DC shortly after the 2015 Grey Cup.  Lot's of fans don't like him for how he released fan favourites and I even have seen a few fans switch alliances due to it.  I think it's very admirable that some have now come out and said they were wrong about Jones.  It takes a lot of guts to admit your impressions were wrong and I applaud those who've done it.  No matter your stance, I firmly believe 2016 had to happen in order to start the foundation for the success we are now seeing in 2017.  I've often said it takes two to three years to rebuild a CFL team and here we are nearing the end of the second year and heading to the play offs for the first time since 2014.  Imagine winning so much that we take it for granted! That's part of what's happening in Calgary with the Stampeders and their attendance.  The team isn't making news anymore because all they do is win!  I'd sure like to try that feeling out for size and maybe, just maybe, Jones is the coach to make that happen for Rider Nation.

Who made this years CFL schedule? Don't they know Rider Nation travels from near and far for all games?  Friday evening games in October on the prairies is nutso!  I've had to sell my tickets because of my teaching schedule and while I could have gotten a substitute I decided maybe someone else could enjoy my seats for me. I hope they have fun and make lots of noise! Ring that cowbell and come home hoarse.

9 - 7 sure is fun...I'll see you on the flip side.  Here's to 10 - 7!

Go Riders! 

The Elephant In The Room

There's a subject posted around social media, fan forums and Facebook groups.  Rider Nation is easy to get emotional and irrational on the subject and there are a very wide difference in opinions and views.  It's okay, that's how we are and that's what makes us one of the most passionate fan bases in the CFL.  The comments range on a scale of "Jones got rid of our favourite players" to "Jones is a genius."  This one subject though gets debated in circles every week and Week 13 in the CFL was no different.

What do you think of Darian Durant now.

Before you click away you need to know a few things about me. I LOVED Darian Durant.  I got in family arguments defending him.  I got in social media arguments defending him. I met the man several times at training camp and other engagements. I did this for his entire career with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Stu Gooden had me gaze lovingly at Doubles picture in last years CTV story.  I was All In.  But let me also tell you this - It was Exhausting.

There is an idea out there that when Rider fans or CFL fans place criticism on a player that they don't respect that player.  That is simply not true.  Darian Durant was a true warrior and leader for the Roughriders through several seasons and no one else but him carried the team on his back like he did in 2013. I appreciate everything he did and bringing us that Grey Cup in our home stadium was momentous.  The fact is - Darian Durant is no longer a Saskatchewan Roughrider.  He made the decision to not be a part of this team and we can debate the how's and why's until the cows come home but it doesn't change that fact that in the end DD did not choose us.  He chose money, his own ego and other emotions over loyalty to being a Roughrider.  That's my bottom line. If anyone else did that, that player would be ridiculed and haunted by Rider Nation the rest of his career.  Instead, members of Rider Nation still have him on that pedestal and will choose to cheer for him over our entire team. I don't get it.

My comment moments after Durant was traded January 13th.

Watching Darian Durant as a Montreal Alouette is odd. First of all given what transpired in the 2009 Grey Cup one has to wonder how exactly one arrives at the desire to make that transition. I never wished ill on Durant but my opinion of him has certainly changed.  In Week 1, I saw the man who I had idolized taunt and jeer my Head Coach, the man who apparently didn't like Darian Durant because he 'wasn't his guy.'  Could it be that it was Durant himself who didn't like Jones?  Could it be that Jones didn't coddle Durant like he was used to and expected him to be able to do his job?  Could it be that Jones wanted to build a team so that our QB no matter who that was had support and protection around him instead of having an aging, injury prone, highly paid player weighing the team down and holding them back?  In that instance when Durant shouted "How do you like me now" in French I lost all respect for the person and player who I thought he was and it made me question if he ever was the person I had built him up to be in my own mind. 

Meanwhile, Kevin Glenn is on his third stint as a Roughrider. When Glenn was a Rider in 2015 I had thought prior to Durant's injury that we'd end up with a QB controversy on our hands.  That didn't happen and KG ended up being traded away.  This season KG stepped in as starting quarterback. He didn't try to carry the team.  Instead I see him as part of the team.  Kevin Glenn is always with team members, providing support, friendship, brotherhood and leading the celebration conga line.  He's been having a terrific year and even while sidelined he is being the example and mentoring Brandon Bridge, Vernon Adams Jr and Marquise Williams.  All of these quarterbacks for what Montreal is paying Darian Durant.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have evolved.  I've often asked that Riders fans get on board and learn players names because they are future legends.  How about that receiving corps? How about that secondary? How about that offensive line? How about that defense?  There are so many names to know!  It's looking more and more like the Chris Jones regime not only knows what they're doing in rebuilding/building our beloved team but always had a plan.  The team is 6-5. The team is above .500 for the first time since 2015.

The Montreal Alouettes are in disarray.  Kavis Reed is the General Manager for a reason that is not known to me since he has no experience in that area at all.  Last week the head coach Jacques Chapdelaine and defensive coordinator Noel Thorpe were fired. Kavis named himself HC.  Anthony Calvillo was added to the CFL Hall of Fame Friday but was named offensive coordinator in the Alouettes shuffle.  The play calls are baffling.  They have good players who they don't seem to implement like RB Sutton or WR Jackson.  Even Nik Lewis seems to be absent since breaking the all time reception record.  Then Darian Durant got pulled in last weekends game for back up Drew Willy.  The Montreal Alouettes are 3-9.

This week everyone is wondering what's wrong with Darian Durant.  They've brought in Ken Miller to help out and I sincerely hope he can.  It feels to me that the Alouettes have tried to recreate a previous Roughrider team and if we can learn from history you simply cannot hold on to the past.  Players change and age and become injured.  You can't go back again.  Fans and media are questioning if this is the end for Durant.  I searched his name on social media and waded through the vitriol of "retire" comments.  There's no way I'm going to shoot a man while he's down but I can't help but put the question out there...

"Darian...how do you like US now?"

Unfortunately, I cannot be at the October 27th rematch between the Roughriders and Alouettes at incredible Mosaic Stadium but I will be at this Sunday's game where we host the Calgary Stampeders.  Bo Levi Mitchell is already trying to stir things up and I wish he'd just keep his mouth closed.  Those things have a way of biting you in the butt.  This will be a huge test for our Riders who sustained 9 injuries in the win against the Hamilton TigerCats.  Can we emerge victorious? I guess that's why we play the games.

I'll be there Sunday in my section 126 seat with cowbell in hand.  I am first and foremost a fan of the team who's name is across the front of my jersey not the back. A Saskatchewan Roughriders fan I remain.

Go Riders!

First Win Down

How refreshing is it to see our Saskatchewan Roughriders march down the field? How awesome is it to see every receiver catching what's being thrown? How nice is it to see a Quarterback play with heart and responsibility?  There's a culture change happening in our hard to say easy to draw province and it's appearing before our very hopeful eyes.


On July 1st, our nations 150th birthday Rider Nation gathered for the official grand opening of Mosaic Stadium.  The amount of anticipation and giddiness could only compare to that of the week preceding the 2013 Grey Cup.  Our opponent? Our biggest rival and arch enemy - the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.  I sat in section 126 cowbell in hand.


There's a thing that tends to happen for us Rider fans.  When there's a huge game or one with ultimate meaning things don't seem to go all that well for us. It happened when we said farewell to Taylor Field and it happened on Canada Day as well.  So when we were defeated by the Matt Nichol's led Bombers it didn't matter much to me.  I celebrated when Dave Ridgeway kicked a commemorative field goal. I shook my cowbell until my arms ached. I yelled until my voice was hoarse.  Then when I woke up Sunday morning...the day after...I was mad.

I was angry because the 'bumblers' could say they won the first game in our new home. I was ticked off because our secondary should have known better than to not contain Weston Dressler.  I was disappointed that I again had to drive 2 hours home after another loss.  What did it feel like to win? I don't know. It's been so long I can't remember.


If you know one thing about me though, it's that no matter what the circumstances I try really hard to see positive things.  I know situations can always be worse.  So when we headed to Regina on Saturday to see the Riders take on the Hamilton Tiger Cats I had a bit of hesitation.  I knew the TiCats didn't have a very good showing in week one but they were also coming off their bye week.  It had been a similar story with the Bombers.


Yes, there was a very disappointing interception after Kevin Glenn marched down the field but I saw something happen that I haven't seen in this new age of Roughriders.  I saw them fight back and when I saw that from the players - that not giving up attitude, well, I didn't give up either.  I saw a team that was communicating, I saw everyone fighting for every yard and I saw us playing our game no matter what the opposition was attempting to do.  I saw a brotherhood of team mates and I loved every moment of it.

Guess what else I found out? The Montreal Alouettes won the first game at IGF in Winnipeg.  I found out John Chick & Justin Cappicciotti couldn't keep us down.  I found out Kevin Glenn is a tremendous professional and answered questions with a decorum that I'd not seen before. Durant who?


I. Am. Excited. For. THIS. Team.


I am not delirious.  I know we beat a very poor team.  I know we have the bye week and then travel to Calgary.  I also know Calgary has some demons of their own they're fighting.  I think it's totally possible for this Riders team to go into McMahon and pull out a win.  The Stampeders play the Alouettes while we have two weeks to prepare. In the meantime, what do Rider fans do in the bye week?  Let's revel in the first win of the Inaugural Season.

The Commish

Congratulations to me!  I've been made the new Commissioner of the CFL!  My first order of business is to refund the Riders for all their fines and issue a statement saying they are in fact the envy of the league.  I'd immediately expand the CFL and put a team in the Maritime's.  Their team colours cannot be red or black...we've got enough confusion there, nor should their name contain 'rider' in any form.  I'd fine Wally Buono for always being in the refs ear.  I'd ban the Lions from wearing the all black uniforms because OUCH my eyes.  I'd hire an incredible marketing person and put up billboards across Canada and outside every stadium peddling our Canadian game.  I'd ban the Eskimo's Punter mascot because it looks like a damn angry potato.  I'd have a meeting with the Bombers and tell them to get their stadium fixed properly once and for all because their fans (ick) deserve better.  I'd get rid of all the new contact rules and let our players play football or at the very least institute the Dressler rule where a receiver cannot intentionally run into a DB to draw a penalty.  I'd hire a song writer and get the TiCats a new fight song because what is "oskee wee wee" anyway?   For the sanity of @RBeesFan I'd prevent any Redblack player from signing with the "stinky" Argo's.  I'd have to do something to the Stampeders for just being the Stamps. Oh yes...and I'd make sure people knew punters/kickers are players too.

Okay, so maybe it's not a good idea to hand over the reigns of the Canadian football league to a rabid Saskatchewan Roughrider fan.  However, when it was announced that Jeffrey Orridge would be stepping down from CFL Commissioner on June 30th, it got me to thinking about the qualities we really need at this position.

First and foremost the new Commish needs to be someone who knows and understands the league in all it's glory and issues.  They either need to be Canadian or someone who has played/coached/worked for the league.  They need to be fair in all judgements by treating all the teams equally and at the same time reserving judgement of issues covered by law up to the law makers.  None of this 'grey' rules for you while black and white rules for others.  They need to be in the public promoting the brand and attending games regularly so that fans see that he/she has our best interests at heart...which of course they must have always.

Names like Michael Clemons, Duane Forde and Glen Suitor have been thrown around in conversation when fans and media discuss who should hold office next. We always like to provide names of people we are familiar with even though the CFL usually chooses names of people we don't know at all.  It's a tough line to walk.  We need someone who has a dynamic personality but who knows how to reign himself in and apply business rules and technique at the same time.  He/She should be logical, supportive and inspirational in their comments.  I don't think holding a designation for the CBC would be helpful while perhaps owning your own chain of stores or restaurants might better apply.

This is the Canadian Football League.  Let's make it truly Canadian...really show What We're Made Of... by having football teams located coast to coast.  The fan base is already in the Maritimes, willing and waiting.  The new Commissioner and his board needs to get the ball rolling on this.  It will unite fans from across the nation and bring everyone together in a great big CFL family.  I know this kind of thing takes time but I believe we are passed ready for a 10 team league.  Having 10 teams also makes us look better across the border, if that's an image we should be concerned with.  I personally have trouble following the NFL because there's so many teams...but the CFL?  Well, 10 is a really nice number for people unfamiliar with our funky 3 down game to follow.  This is the best way to #BringItIn and grow appeal everywhere.

Player safety is incredibly important and with new research coming out constantly on concussions and this has to be something the new commissioner supports.  We've seen over the last few years players who are still in their prime deciding to retire because of concussion issues.  We've also seen outgoing Jeffrey Orridge provide statements where he denies concussion issues exist.  We've reached the time where we just can't do that anymore.  CFL players deserve someone who understands the research and...excuse the pun...is willing to face it head on.

Just as that candidate needs to know about health they should be developing a video game and online streaming for fans as well.  Is there a better way to appeal to young people than provide a way for them to play or watch games right on their phones or tablets?  "I can be Chad Owens in this cool new CFL game on my ipod".  Now how awesome would that be?  This season the NLL let fans stream a game on social media.  This is the way of the future.  We aren't always plugged in front of our televisions anymore...we're busy, sometimes we pvr (especially to ffwd through the nasal drainage commercials) and sometimes we are traveling and want to watch the game and many people don't even have cable packages anymore.  These idea's alone would catapult the league to another level.  This is the next relationship the commissioner needs to foster.  How can we bring these ideas to fruition?  I hope the next Commish knows!

These are a few of the items I've compiled about the qualities the new Commissioner of the CFL should have, how they should operate and things they should do.  After scouring the interweb, wondering what the actual duties entail I found a few pages in the CFL Constitution found here ---> CFL Bylaws & scroll to page 30.  Jeffrey Orridge is still commissioner until the beginning of the 2017 season June 30th.  Good luck to him in his future endeavors and good luck to the people searching for his replacement. The fans of this league have high expectations...please don't let us down.

First World Football Problems

Part-time fan.

Band wagon-er.

Terms used to describe a persons love or lack-there-of for a certain sports team. I used to say these things myself, but I've taken strides to refrain from doing so any longer. I want to be a Rider fan who not only supports her team but helps elevate the entire CFL. But what does being a fan look like?

In Saskatchewan, and particularly being a Roughriders fan, it looks green. You wear green and the team logo not only on game day but any other day of the week as well. You cheer for them through wins and losses (and God knows there are far more losses than wins.) It's trips to the Rider Store to see what's new and buying another “thing” that you really don't need because you have several other “things” already at home. It's standing in line in the pouring rain to greet players and get autographs. It's time spent in front of the TV enduring yet another commentary by Rod Black. It's game tickets, tanks of gas, hotel rooms, time off work and countless other things.

Some fans travel from far distances which involve plane tickets and finding accommodations. One fan, Devin Heroux, went to every single home and away game one year. Imagine the price tag that racks up! I'm relatively lucky because going to a game is only a day trip. Living in Saskatoon isn't ideal for football games and it means not being able to get to Thursday or Friday games. There's only so much time your boss will allow you to take off while using “football” as the reason. As much as I would love season tickets, it's just not feasible...money wise or for the fact that the waiting list is more than hundreds long.

Do you need or require season tickets to be a fan?

That sounds just plain wrong. Of course not. Can I appreciate the long career of Henry Burris while living in the United States? Can I love George Strait but never see him in concert? Can I adore paintings but never see a Vincent van Gogh? Can I cheer for Dale Jr and never see a Nascar race in person? Can I be a blogger and Rider fan while choosing to go to 5 games over 11?

Yes.

Hell yes.

Last week, the Saskatchewan Roughriders unveiled the new pricing structure for the new Mosaic Stadium. The stadium is 77% completed and is going to look amazing and I suspect there won't be a bad sight line in the entire place. Having just spent $800+ on a 5 game (10 ticket) Flex Pack, I can say it looked pretty good to me since that was close to the silver tier of pricing for 2017 season tickets.

So I got myself in a bit of a dust up. In the transition from Old Mosaic to New Mosaic Stadium season ticket seating will be moved around. Remember, this is the fan base who always wants change but never wants to see it to fruition. It's possible depending on where one is situated now that they might have to move to a less desirable local in the new stadium seated with people they don't have a report with from an angle they didn't bargain for. I've seen a few people say they'd even give up their season tickets than take end zone seats. And here's where I stuck my foot in my mouth...I said something like “that's not showing support for the team and the future.” What I really meant was...it's a new stadium and the beginning of an incredible future for this team we bleed for and you'd fold all your cards because of your seat? I never meant that support or loyalty isn't there. I never meant to question being a fan. I didn't mean that you spend your Rider Store money differently than anyone else. Yet, somehow, I am told that this is exactly what I did.

Then...

...THEN, I was told I can't have an opinion because I'm not a season ticket holder.

Huh.

SO typical, Rider Nation. You are loved as long as you think like me but as soon as your beliefs are challenged you are dead to me. This over reaction is what other CFL fans hate most about us and what they love to make fun of us for.

“ I cannot keep calm, I am a Roughriders fan.”

Le sigh.

If someone wants to give up their season tickets (and lose their opinion) because of the seating transition at New Mosaic Stadium then I'm sure an opinion-less fan on the waiting list would LOVE to be elevated to the status of season ticket holder. It all seems very silly though to be completely honest. I suspect the transition will end up being fine and the hard feelings will blow over in time.

I'm going to be gone for a while. Out. Of. The. Country. I'm visiting the Big Apple and Washington DC over the Easter holiday. Soon after it's music festival season, then training camp and before we know it...the first game of the CFL season will be here. Riders play the Toronto Argonauts on the evening of June 30^th. I'll be in section 25 Row 35 if you want to come say hi. I'll be the one in green.

Vert et Blanc

Coming up with a new and fresh blog every week is hard. It's certainly complicates things when your team is struggling or are win-less in the Riders case. I've maintained the theory that I'm not about stats because you can get that information from anywhere and everywhere else. I promise you that I will always have a unique view and often the female fan view of the game of football and this Saskatchewan Roughrider community owned team that I love and support with all my heart.

The only thing fans and media seem to be discussing is the Randy Richards hit on the Stampeders Tim Brown. I was holding down seat 8 in section 14 at that football game. What a unfortunate chain of events. However, from my seat and vantage point not only did I not know what had transpired but no one around me did either. We cheered as soon as we saw the stop. We had no idea who the player was. All we saw was Brown laying on the field. There was no replay shown on the Sasktel Maxtron. Then the refs announced the penalty and ejection and the wrong player number. THE FANS HAD NO IDEA WHAT HAPPENED. When Randy Richards was escorted from the bench I stood and cheered again. I don't feel bad and I don't care what others think of me. Know this - I would never cheer if I knew someone was injured.  We knew at that point Tim Brown was not injured despite his dramatics on the field. I felt what happened in front of my eyes did not deserve anyone to be booted from the game. Richards was asked to do a job and he did it.

I know, what if that hit had been on a Rider player like Dressler? First, because I've seen too many missed calls on Roughrider players, I highly doubt there would have been a penalty resulting in an ejection. Secondly, Dressler would never have layed splayed out on the ground milking it for all its worth. No, he would have sprung up right away because that is the beast of a player that he is.

Then we find out Richards was fined the maximum penalty in a CFL hearing! The maximum penalty being half a game cheque?  

OH COME ON!

Shockingly, I agree with Arash Madani on Thursday's Sportscage. There is no consistency in the officiating in the CFL. I feel like CFL football fans have been shouting this from the rooftops forever. When will they listen to us?

Shrugs.

All we wanted was a pure definition of pass interference. The CFL's answer was to give us reviewable calls in 2014 while in 2015 they come up with a new contact rule. Did it make the referee’s any better? No. It gave them a way out instead because now they can just throw a flag without even really knowing if an offence was made. Sure teams have adjusted but it hasn't made the officials any more accountable. How ridiculous is it that every time you see a big play you have to look around to see if flags were thrown? It doesn't make CFL games a good product and it surely doesn't make it marketable in the US.

Have you seen the new goal posts in the NFL, by the way? Some of our kickers would never stand a chance making it through those narrow uprights. Yikes.

I'm not much of an NFL watcher at all. Collage football hasn't started yet. I tend to follow the Oregon Ducks and Boise State because I have family who live there. So...with this lull in activity...I started watching Friday Night Lights. I never watched it on TV, mostly because of my teaching lifestyle.....I miss a lot because of it. Here's what I have to say – I'm addicted and by the end of episode one I was in tears. If you watched it years ago, I'd urge you to go back and watch it again. Matt Saracen sure reminds me of Drew Willy, there is no debating Smash Williams is Kory Sheets and Buddy Garrity could sum up all of Ridernation's media sources in a car salesman nutshell.

So the Green Whites play the RedBlacks on Sunday in Ottawa. A couple weeks back Rnation was all in a tizzy over a billboard that was put up by the Roughriders organization. These billboards aren't anything new as the Riders have been putting them up in CFL cities for years but those in the Rouge Noir were sure offended. Meh. These days people are offended by pretty much anything and everything if you try hard enough to be. What I'm counting on in Sunday's match up is a good penalty free stupid mistake free Rider team and Bad Hank showing up.

HEEEEEEENNNNRRRYYYYYYYYYY.

It never gets old.

I never count this team out unlike some members of the media. It may seem I have a hate on for some of them but I really don't. I just want them to be better. Instead of using their voice, talent & position to condemn a team, why not use them to boost morale?! The season is not over. It won't be until the final whistle sounds on November 8^th. There's a lot of games to be played and this is the CFL where nothing is for sure and no lead is safe.

The most dangerous team is the one who has lost everything, has nothing left to risk and has the most to gain.

Clear eyes. Full hearts. Can't lose.