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.

If We Make It Through December

Snow is falling at my house today - sometimes it's great big giant snow globe flakes gently falling and other times it's small rapidly blowing pellets. It's enjoyable to sit and watch with the glow of the LED lit Christmas tree...until one focusses on that one green ornament with the //=S=// engraved across it.  The Grey Cup was held a week ago Sunday and the Toronto Argonauts were crowned champions over the Calgary Stampeders...the Stamps losing in heartbreak for the second year in a row.

Scrolling through social media feeds it was clear the majority of Rider Nation was on the Argos side.  It was a bit of 2009 revenge since it's widely known how Rider fans had to withstand all the ribbing from Stamps fans after that 13th Man debacle in Calgary eight years ago.  I understand how some Rider fans felt under those circumstances but I'd never wish that on anyone else so I held myself back from posting much in relation to that. At the same time how can one deny that while the Argos played like they deserved to be champions under Marc Trestmans leadership it was also fate they were going to win.  I know that's not a popular idea that the CFL might have wanted a particular team to win but it seems somewhat true to me.  The ramifications of the Argonaut win means tickets and merchandise sold to oblivious Torontonians throughout the year. Sure that does make for a healthier CFL but can that attitude hold until training camp starts in May?  I'm not sure.  Toronto has won before and not all that long ago and many fans still looked the other way.

My Saskatchewan Roughriders were one game away from the big dance.  They lost to the champs in the east division final.  When you phrase things in that way I don't feel badly about it anymore.  As hard as it is for any CFL fan to close the doors on the season I think I'd rather do it in a divisional final than in heartbreak during a Cup game. Unfortunately though, because my team lost, I found myself with little interest about the actual Grey Cup game itself.  Sure I still watched it but I also decorated my house for Christmas at the same time.  It didn't get my total attention until half time when rhinestone clad Shania Twain came out on dog sled and entertained me...which I fully enjoyed.

The Riders have 22 free agents. At this time last year we were all consumed with wanting Darian Durant to re-sign with the Riders - oh how things have changed!  This year there are some big names on this free agent list and with the exception of a couple...Rider fans want them all back.  The team was close and evolving with every game and while sometimes they'd take a step back they had all the puzzle pieces.  There's questions about the Quarterback position and Canuck Brandon Bridge is a free agent.  It's been said that his agent had already approached Jones about a contract but we are waiting not so patiently to find out if he'll be back.  3 Down Nation had reported that Willie Jefferson signed a contract prior to Grey Cup yet nothing official has been reported by the Riders.  We are starved for Rider news and every time I get a little alert on my phone my heart leaps...only to find out it's the weather network informing me that more snow is on the way.

Still I'd far rather be a fan of the Riders this off season than a few other teams in the league.  Krazy Kavis is out looking for a head coach.  Corey Chamblin was on the list and removed himself which just might be the smartest thing he's ever done.  I know there's no way I'd ever want to work for Reed since Montreal seems to have coaches on short leashes.  In BC, Wally Buono is taking a step back and will only be coaching in his final year while Ed Hervey was named GM.  There's a lot of speculation how that will all turn out.  Both of those teams also have question marks around their quarterbacking position. I'd think the Stampeders will be examining why they are so dominant during the regular season but can't seem to win post season.  June Jones was given full title of head coach of the Hamilton TigerCats and they seemed to rebound with him in charge so I'd look for them to continue that momentum in 2018.  These things are just the beginnings of CFL news in the off season.

What do we have to look forward to for 2018? The Eagles are playing Mosaic Stadium in May.  I've seen them twice and they're worth far more than the ticket prices.  If the concert wasn't planned for a Thursday during my teaching week before our major festival I'd be there in a heartbeat.  For me, the Eagles set the standard for what all concerts should be.  Don't miss out on this one.  Trust me no matter what your musical tastes are - you will love this. To those who love to hate this announcement...the Eagles are on tour and the last time they played Saskatoon they were here for 3 sold out concerts. Stop criticizing what you don't know. 

That goes for your football knowledge too. * grin *

In the new year I plan on working on this very site and giving it a facelift. In case you didn't know the background which I know can give some googly eyes after reading was inspired by the coloured seats at Taylor Field which we saw demolished this autumn.  Next year I plan on integrating Power Rankings as well as continuing my blogs which so many of you have supported with your (mostly) kind comments through 2017.  With three weeks to go until Rider Claus breaks and enters into all our humble abodes it's not likely I'll get to post again unless something big comes up.  I wish all of you warm fuzzies through the holiday season and I hope Santa brings you your hearts desire on Christmas morning. 

...and remember - don't stop BEL18VING - we have a cup to get in 18.

DURANT

* wind chimes *

I pick up my phone.  It's probably just Environment Canada with another wind chill warning.  No, wait.  That didn't sound the same.  Maybe I should look at it.  Naw, never mind, go back to sleep.  No.  That wasn't the same alert.

* heart pounding *

Saskatchewan Roughriders announce......Darian Durant....trade rights......Montreal Allouettes....

Oh crap.  Is that for real?  * blink blink *  What time is it anyway?  7:36am  Why is it so cold in my house?  Ugh.  Friday the 13th.

Warning on my furnace thermostat

It was 16 degrees in my house because for the two hours previous the sensor in the furnace quit working.  Luckily, I knew how to replace it.  While my house slowly warmed up and coffee started to course through my body it really began to sink in.

Darian Durant traded to the Montreal Allouettes for two draft picks.

It was hard to put into words.  My Rider green heart said that's it, I'm done, I can't do this anymore.  My thawed brain said you knew this was going to happen because it was taking too long.  Anything past Christmas was going to mean a trade. Something had been said or commented on just prior to the Newsome re-signing and I got a gut feeling that it wasn't going to turn out in Ridernations favour.  It was then I stopped using the hashtag SignDurant.  I started to realize it wasn't Chris Jones who was the hold up and that it was in fact something going on with Durant's side.  My hope faded but just didn't think of the consequences.

Consequences.  * shakes head *  Darian Durant is now the Quarterback for the Montreal Allouettes where Kavis Reed...aka Krazy Kavis...is the GM.  How is that even possible?  GROSS!  The Als of all teams.  I mean.  2009.  Period. 

Myself & Darian Duran at Green & White Day 2008

The first time I met Darian Durant was at Green and White Day at Griffiths Stadium here in Saskatoon.  He was by himself and just standing around.  No one was paying him any attention.  Hubby said to me "That's going to be our starting quarterback."  So I went over and he graciously let us take a picture and he signed my football. 

Myself & Durant at the Coop Saskatoon

The next time I was able to see Doubles was at the Co-Op on 8th Street when he came during the bye week of 2014.  It was the week before he got the shoulder/arm injury.   Darian signed my Dari-O's cereal boxes which I had framed.  I kept one and the other I gave to my Dad for Christmas.

The last time I saw Darian Durant up close was during training camp in Saskatoon at the downtown street fair.  I shook his hand and said something that made him smile.  I never would have thought at that point that the Riders team was ever going to be different.  No Durant at QB? pfft!

When Hubby and I went to the football game Oct 15th in Toronto it had the feel of a game which hadn't been there in a very long time.  It felt like a 2013 game.  There was a running game.  Darian was on top of his game and played like the monkey was off his back.  Everyone stepped up and we beat the stinky Argo's.  Two weeks later at the Farewell game it was a totally different story.  Not to mention there was the air of it being the final game at Taylor Field but it felt like the end in other ways as well.  There was the split second thought that Darian was going to announce his contract in front of all of us but as we know that didn't happen.  Looking back Darian already knew it was the end of his legacy with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.  No, I don't know that for sure but in retrospect, it seems that way.

Screen grab from the TSN Farewell broadcast

As I've said many many times before, I have believed in Darian Durant all the way.  I've prayed for touchdown passes and scrambles.  Here is what I know, Darian has always been more successful when surrounded by "his guys".  He likes to throw to players he knows and trusts and if that isn't there he just won't throw to them.  We've been lucky to have guys like Dressler, Getzlaf, Bagg and even Taj Smith but take them out of the equation and the ball just doesn't get spread around.  Another aspect is very much like another legendary Rider quarterback, Ron Lancaster.  When he was hot he was on fire but when he wasn't he totally stunk up the place.  Darian is/was very much the same way.  How successful will he be in Montreal?  I guess it depends on how quickly he finds chemistry with their receivers who at this point all we know of is Nik Lewis and SJ Green.

Anyone remember in 2008 when Kerry Joseph was traded to Toronto?  I do and I also recall shortly after when he was traded to Edmonton and then was released and he just faded away until we used up his heart in 2014.  There's also Henry Burris who was traded from Calgary and later from Hamilton.  Of course we know that he led Ottawa to winning the Grey Cup in 2016.  I see two ways Darian Durant's career will play out...he will either use the emotion from how this played out for fire to propel that Allouettes team forward or he won't be the answer to what's going on in Montreal and it will be the end.  I wish Darian Durant all the best in his future and thank him for all he's done for Ridernation and the province of Saskatchewan but I've got a gut feeling and my guts as it turns out aren't often wrong.

Photo saved from a Google search

Friday the 13th 7:37am Stu Gooden of Global News Saskatoon messaged me about the trade.  It wasn't until after I changed the furnace flame sensor in my pajamas that I actually told my husband what had transpired in Riderville.  Heat was slightly more important than football at that point.  Hubby is excited.  "Let's use those draft picks and get some O Linemen from Laval!"  You know what?  He's right.  I'm on the waiting list to get Roughrider season tickets.  I'm number 3357 so if you want to give up your tickets over this I will gladly take them.  I am a Saskatchewan Roughrider fan.  I've seen players traded before.  We've lost a lot but we've also seen incredible emotional wins.  Players get released, traded & retire.  It is the circle of football.  We've survived more than any other club in the CFL could endure.  This too shall pass.....

.....and I hope it's a long touchdown pass to win the game. 

 

 

Ba-Bye!

Since my last blog the Roughriders have gone five and oh, top of the CFL, Drew Willy and zip.....that means five glorious green victories while losing zip, zilch, nada times.

The last time the team has achieved such a feat was in 2008 under Coach Ken Miller.  The starting quarterback was Marcus Crandell, then Stephen Jyles, and Darian Durant before the Michael Bishop experiment happened.  I vaguely recall a stat about a team going 6-0 while using 4 different starting quarterbacks.  Through several setbacks and broken legs the team ended the season 12-6.

Reminiscing about the 2008 season, makes me wonder where DJ Flick is now.  It makes me recall the famous beer tossing incident in the BC Lions game.  It also reminds me that it was the year we lost Ron Lancaster.  It also reminds me of the West Semi-Final and even though we knew we weren't going to win because of all the injuries we were hopeful and then Stu Foord scored a touchdown, tore off his helmet and let his hair flow as he ran along the sidelines.

Time travel to 2013.

Through the first five games of this season our beloved Riders seem to be able to crush any opponent.  Okay, fine, we've had relatively easy teams to play so far.  I mean, the Eskimos seem in shambles especially after the Krazy Kavis remarks and then there's Kent Austin's anger from the sidelines of the Hamilton.....er, Guelph.....er, TiCats bench.  It would seem the power is in the west.  Then I have to remind myself that we've really only played 5 games.  Five isn't very much at all.  Lot's can change, and will change through the rest of the season.  The true test is the next game against the Stampeders and then later on in September when we finally play the BC Lions.

Who makes up the schedules anyway?

The Roughriders advanced their record to 5-0 against the 1989 Grey Cup winning quarterback #5 Kent Austin with a back up quarterback #5 of Drew Willy.  How much do you love that?!

In the meantime.....is the bye week over yet?......let's revel in our success.

• Darian Durant has had an incredible start with zero interceptions. 
• We found out Drew Willy is better than capable as a back up.
• Kory Sheets has set the record for rushing for 100+ yards in 5 consecutive games for a total of 712.
• Rob Bagg is back and better than ever and might make me cry every time he gets a TD
• Weston Dressler is one tough little dude.
• It is totally awesome to see Geroy Simon strike his Superman poise in green & white.
• Rey Williams is a beast.  Thank you Kent Austin.
• John Chick makes a girls heart flutter
• Keith Shologan was drafted in 2008 and this week he became a dad.  *insert warm fuzzies here*
• Chris Getzlaf has gotten married.  Tons of congrats from Rider Nation.
• Finally, Dan Clark.

The Story So Far

I don't think I really have to inform any Rider fan out there that the team is currently the only team in the CFL who remains undefeated.  I'm pretty sure everyone knows the Roughriders are 3-0.  Did you know that no CFL player has started the season with as many yards as Kory Sheets?

See?

You knew it already.

Rod Pederson said Rider Nation is swinging from chandeliers.  This might be the one!

In the first game of the season we played the Edmonton Eskimo's.  The score was 39-18.  Lot's of people said that, well, the Eskimo's aren't a very good team and we'd have to wait and find out how the Riders play against a more worthy opponent.  The high/low-light of this game was what I saw as an interfering Greg Marshall chirping at Dwayne Anderson and then saw DA get all fired up crazy and got himself a few penalties.  It also caused a bit of a controversy because tons of fans were split on whether he should even remain on the team.  Now, two games later.....meh, DA is an okay guy *if* he doesn't do it again.  Then it turns out the real crazy is the Eskimo's coach, "Krazy" Kavis Reed who could barely contain himself after their most recent loss.  My own personal opinion is.....his counting mistake caused us a Grey Cup even though I can't prove it.  His contract was just extended but how could you possibly have respect for a raving lunatic of a coach?  Edmonton is indeed in trouble.  THERE HAS TO BE CONSEQUENCES!!!

Moving on to week two and we played the Calgary Stampeders or the Stumps as I've heard a few refer to them as.  I felt a little bit bad for them because they had that horrific storm and severe flooding.....but not bad enough to let them win.  The Stamps were a more worthy opponent but we still beat them 36-21.  Of course we had Skater Dude aka Rod Black for a commentator.  Throughout the almost the entire first half all we heard was how much in control Drew Tate was and how calm he was and blah blah blah.  I shouldn't expect any less from Skater Dude.  I really thought "Kernal" Jock Sanders was going to break loose and return a punt for a touchdown.  I think he was just one tackle away.....and it could still happen in any game.  Getzlaf seemed to recover from the dropsies which plagued him last year but ohmygawd how awesome was the play calling?!  I was singing George Cortez's praises after this game.  What a catch he was! 

On to the most recent game against the defending 2012 Grey Cup champs, the Toronto Argonauts.  You know, I googled argonaut before because I had absolutely no idea what it was.  If there was ever a case for REDBLACKS, this might be it.  No confusion as to what that name means.  But I digress.....  We beat them!  39-28 was the score. I'm not a huge stats person but who can ignore Darian Durant's performance this year?!  He's thrown 8 touchdown passes already with ZERO interceptions (unless you count that one that got called back).  This is a huge improvement on previous seasons.  The witty Rob Vanstone told me that his previous season best was 25 TD's and he's on pace this year for 46!  Well, that was until his 'lower body' ankle injury.  I have complete faith in our O-line.  I'm sure Drew Willy will perform just fine this week if he is called to duty.  I know Kory Sheets has faith in them too because he's keeping them fed with BonBurgers just for blocking for him.  It's working, and hey, burgers are a huge motivator, because Kory has rushed for an incredible 442 yards in just these  three games.

So where do we go from here?  This coming Sunday we meet what some people are calling the "old Riders", the Kent Austin coached, Hhheeeeennnrryyyyy Burris quarterbacked, Andy Fantuz'd Hamilton TigerCats in front of a home town crowd at Taylor Field, er Mosaic Stadium.  I don't like to make predictions, but I have a feeling Cortez has a special offensive playbook just for the occasion of meeting his ex-team.  After all, he is what I've coined The Quarterback Whisperer.

Let's make it 4-0.  Go Riders Go!