Sandra's WK21 CFL Power Grouping

Week 21.  If I didn't know better I'd swear the season just started however the cooler temps and skiff of snow on the ground (along with Christmas décor in all the stores) tells me different.  We have indeed reached the end of the regular CFL season.

Before we look at how the season ended let's flashback to Week 1 and what my power grouping looked like then.

Flashback to Week 1

Let's have a moment of silence for the Redblacks who were in the forefront of Monday morning news with the departure of Rick Campbell.  For weeks it's been speculated upon that he'd be making a move in the off season but I don't think anyone could predict that he'd take it upon himself to resign.  What truly is sad about the situation is that most fans firmly believe the Redblacks GM is to blame for how far the team fell this season.  Will there be repercussions?  Rick Campbell was guarded in his words and for the most part as I watched his press conference streamed on Twitter he was emotionally distraught about having to come to this decision.  Players and coaches bailing on the organization should be a huge wake up call.

Moving on.  Here is how the season finished.

How the season wrapped up

Saturday was another CFL triple header and while some football fans might enjoy planting themselves in front of the television for that long I do not.  I don't understand why the CFL or TSN bothers to get us all involved in Thursday night football only to abolish it once September hits OR to avoid Sunday's like the plague only to have all play off games AND the Grey Cup held on Sundays.  It's perplexing and for the casual fan it's probably a bit hard to follow.  I was en route to Regina and of course a return jubilant drive home ensued so I missed everything but the last play of the triple header.

Conversation about declining attendance is becoming an annoyance.  There was only 29,000 fans at Mosaic Stadium.  "ONLY".  Now it's being said that once the Roughriders secured first place in the west that the Western Final better be a sell out.  I'm a season ticket holder so by hell or high water (or a blizzard) I will be there but I don't blame anyone else who decides not to attend.  It's warmer at home, the bathroom is right there and snacks are just a trot to the fridge.  How people and fans consume entertainment of any kind has drastically changed in recent years and we shouldn't begrudge anyone for making a choice to support from afar.  

I also read a commentary from a fan complaining about the entertainment at the football games and saying there's a lack of halftime shows.  Isn't the football supposed to be the entertainment and all the other stuff is a plus?  Also there were several halftime concerts throughout this season and on Saturday at the Rider game someone won a brand new Cadillac.  It was fun watching that go down.  What other entertainment do we need?  Have our attention spans become so warped we can't even watch football now?

Put down your phone!  After you finish reading this...

So I think my "ranking" speaks for itself.  Hamilton has the best record in the league.  The Roughriders eked one out with a last minute pick 6 from Cameron Judge.  What do we have to do to get his dad to a game?  Winnipeg was on bye week so they just sat back watching and wondering who they are going to be playing next week in the West Semi Final.  The Edmonton Eskimos are crossing over to the East to visit the Montreal Alouettes who have had a heck of a season after Kavis was relieved.  Talk on ABC Rider Fans has been about who we'd rather play in the West Final and while that's up in the air we all agree we hope they annihilate each other before the Riders play either Winnipeg or Calgary.  Personally, I don't care for the Collaros versus Fajardo storyline and would far rather we play the Stampeders.  Only time will tell how that all plays out.  One thing is for certain, it's possibly now viewed as the single thing that changed the Roughriders season for the better...Zach Collaros being injured 3 plays in to Game 1.  I don't mean that maliciously at all, but because of that Cody Fajardo emerged as a leader and fan favourite eating corndogs and creating a belief system with his Sprinkles of Jesus that the club and fans haven't felt for years.

I don't do post season rankings so this will be the last one from me but you can certainly look forward to other posts following the playoffs and off season.  This Rider fan isn't planning on the off season coming soon.

Sandra's WK20 CFL Power Grouping

What do you do on a very snowy and cold Sunday afternoon when you find yourself with a couple extra hours?  You get out your fancy double ended markers and set to doodling.  That's right folks...you've got yourself a Garfunkel for Week 20 in the CFL.

The way I saw things in Week 20 was as you can see in the above Halloween graphic was the league divided into not an A, B and C but more of an Us versus Them.

Pumpkin (Group A) - Hamilton TigerCats/Saskatchewan Roughriders/Calgary Stampeders/Winnipeg Blue Bombers/Montreal Alouettes

Headstone (Group B) - Edmonton Eskimos/Toronto Argonauts/BC Lions/Ottawa Redblacks

The Hamilton TigerCats might be grinning ear to ear like Mr Jack O'Lantern sitting atop the whole CFL with 14 wins under their belt however, I've heard discussion about how easy it is for them in the east with how dismal their division opponents are.  It's been a while since they've had to play a strong western team.  They finish their season against Toronto so now doubt this record setting season will end at 15 wins for Hamilton.

My Saskatchewan Roughriders were on the road to Edmonton and as some people put it "nothing good happens in Edmonton".  Well many were ready to stop believing at half time and I even remarked that if I believed social media I'd be in the back yard burning my jersey.  Thank God things turned around in the second half as the Riders took gradual control of the game and ended with a walk off Field Goal on the leg of Brett Lauther for the second time this season.  They find a way to win.  Isn't that what I said was always so admirable about the Stampeders?  Well one thing if one can admire them...  because I find it so hard to like Bo Levi Mitchell.  He is very quick to call out his team mates.  Contrast that to Cody Fajardo who says he can't do with without the support of everyone else.  There is just so much to admire about Cody and it's not just the sprinkles.

Not football related but while the Riders versus Eskimo game was playing out in Edmonton, Regina was hosting it's first NHL game with the Heritage Classic at Mosaic Stadium.  The stadium looked absolutely glorious on tv and the aerial shots were awe inspiring reminding me of what Taylor Field had looked like at the 2013 Grey Cup.  Imagine how sparkly Mosaic will be when hosting in 2020.  Before all that happened though there was a fellow on Twitter who posted something about how people shouldn't wear Rider gear to other sporting events and of course people rebelled but then the best thing happened - Don Cherry himself appeared on TV wearing a beautifully tailored Roughrider blazer.  Anyone going to tell Grapes he can't don Rider gear for a hockey game?  Look the bottom line is - wear whatever the hell you want and stop looking around judging other people.  We spend $200+ on jerseys and it's a shame to hide them in a closet.  Wear your fandom with pride no matter what team you support.

Photo c/o Twitter post

Zach Collaros started for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and many have said "he's back".  While it might appear so there is next to zero film on Collaros in 2019 and it seemed the Stampeders hadn't really game planned for him at all.  With the protection of the Bomber O Line and running back Andrew Harris they were able to come out victorious.  Many Rider fans were cheering for the Bombers to help out in the west division standings or were they cheering AGAINST the Stampeders?  ABC!

I did tune in for the Hamilton Montreal game but honestly as entertaining as it was the game was meaningless as the stage is set for the eastern playoffs.  Vernon Adams was pulled after orchestrating two touchdowns.  A lot of starters also sat out the game but even so a team of back ups nearly beat the division champs.  Let's think about what's going to happen in the east final if Montreal turns out to be their opponent.

Even though I did lump the Edmonton Eskimos into the "other" group I did think that they should have come out victorious against my Roughriders Saturday.  At times the Edmonton sidelines looked confused at what was transpiring on the field.  The Esks have a great offensive and defensive line and with the return of Trevor Harris are a much improved team.  They come into Regina for the rematch in Week 21 and then head off to the east as the cross over team where I think they stand a good chance of beating the Als.

The seasons are pretty much done for the Argos, Lions and Redblacks.  Fans at ABC Rider Fans area already discussing which coaches will be fired or who will be the first to go.  Another discussion is who the MOP's and Coaches of the Year should be.  It's fun when your team is involved in those but not so much when you're team is already in next year mode.  I'll let you know that times do get better and sometimes things are a blessing in disguise.  When Chris Jones left the Riders in February or even when Collaros went down after 3 plays no one would have thought the Riders would be battling for first in the west.  Things can change quickly in the CFL.  Just don't stop believing.

Sandra's WK19 CFL Power Grouping

The news broke on Monday Oct 21st that the Saskatchewan Roughriders had signed Cody Fajardo through 2021 and essentially making him the franchise quarterback.  Thank goodness for football and having something positive to relate to on Canadian election Monday. 

One way to get Saskatchewan to turn blue is to have the province vote Conservative.

Anyway, thank you Cody "Sprinkles" Fajardo.  I watched the Riders Live press conference and continue to be wowed by the words and philosophies that come from this man.  One phrase that stuck with me was one he borrowed from coach Craig Dickenson "Be Where Your Feet Are".  

Another hot topic had all the football mathematicians dig out their high school calculus adding machines - what are the CFL play off scenarios.  Now if this doesn't make your head ache I don't know what will.  We know that the Roughriders will likely host a play off game but we don't know which one; the west semi or west final.  There's a super slim chance that they don't host a play off game but I'm not going to entertain that idea at all.  I BEL13VE.  

If you haven't already guessed, yes, I do have the Riders in A Group.  My break down is as follows.

Group A - Hamilton TigerCats/Saskatchewan Roughriders/Calgary Stampeders

Group B - Montreal Alouettes/Winnipeg Blue Bombers/Edmonton Eskimos

Group C - BC Lions/Toronto Argonauts/Ottawa Redblacks

Who would have pegged Hamilton to be the best team in the CFL when Masoli went down?  Certainly not me since we've seen first hand and around the league that you require a starting quarterback and a competent back up.  Good for you Cats for finding that talent.  Your team just keeps winning and congrats on obtaining 13 wins this season which is a franchise record.  As we know, the regular season is one thing and the play offs a completely other beast.  Is this team built for regular season wins or a play off run?  We will see come November.

The Calgary Stampeders need to win out to stay atop the CFL west.  They play the Bombers and Lions to end their season so it seems completely plausible especially with Streveler getting so beaten up in their match last week.  Tuesday morning they announced the signing of Dextor McCoil.  As usual the Stamps have their share of injuries but also as usual they keep finding talent.

I did not see the Alouettes and Argonauts game because I was busy teaching future rock stars.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers.  I honestly had them pegged to be champs this year and if you look back at previous posts you'd see that.  There are some things I don't understand.  As soon as Nichol's was injured why didn't you go out and get yourself a quarterback?  When Streveler was obviously injured in week 19 why on earth did you let him continue to play?  Watching him hobble around the field was awful.  There's a difference between gutting it out and stupidity.  Word on the street is Zach Collaros is taking first team reps this week so it's likely he'll see time against the Stamps.  We all know that one good bop on the head will finish him off.  Why sign someone so fragile?  Crazier things have happened but I just don't see this going well.

Another player back this week is Trevor Harris.  Nice timing since it's a home and home with my Riders.  Without Harris I'd say the Riders could take the series but now... If it ends in a split I will be happy.

There's not much to say about C group.  There's things I could say but none of it will make a difference and out of respect for their fans they don't deserve someone else dishing on them.  Enjoy the remaining games and look forward to the changes the off season will bring.  

For the rest of us - on to week 20.  Can you believe how fast this season has gone?

Sandra's WK18 CFL Power Grouping

Did everyone survive Thanksgiving?  Are you enjoying Turkey leftovers?  I know we had a great weekend and even though I roasted a great turkey an even bigger turkey has emerged.  Bo Levi stated in his mid game interview that the CFL referee's were biased towards the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

* cue raucous Rider Nation laughter *

Bo, there isn't a Rider fan in the world who would agree with you especially when Bradbury is the head official.  Let's face it, the Calgary Stampeders were playing dirty and got caught trying to injure Cody Fajardo by twisting his legs.  Is this the best strategy to win?

Nice guys finish last or at least they lose.  The Riders kept their composure during the game which could have solidified first place in the west.  It's ok, we will meet again in the play offs and we all know how that tends to end.

Winnipeg had a massive blizzard dump snow on them and surrounding areas which knocked out power.  Saskatchewan is sending SaskPower employees to help get things up and running.  Very neighbourly.  I don't think it's far that some people felt it necessary to criticize attendance at the Bombers Alouettes game.  While attendance seems to be declining in CFL stadiums this was not the time to draw attention to it.  Word has it Zach Collaros is practicing this week.  I wonder if we see him take to the field in week 19 AND if he can stay unharmed.

The last standing starting quarterback left the game this week as Mike Reilly finally went down with a broken wrist.  How tough is this guy?  The Lions have brought in Air Canada and have Danny O'Brien as back up.  How is this team going to fare going up against the Riders this week?  While we'd like to think the Roughriders should easily take this one the team also tends to play down to lesser teams.  It should be another great Friday night game.

Now honestly I didn't see many of the games with family visiting and such so maybe you just want me to get to the breakdown?

Group A - Hamilton TigerCats/Calgary Stampeders/Winnipeg Blue Bombers/Saskatchewan Roughriders

Group B - Montreal Alouettes/Edmonton Eskimos

Group C - Toronto Argonauts/BC Lions/Ottawa Redblacks

One last thought about Thanksgiving - I'm grateful for the CFL and that I've had so many opportunities to get close to Roughrider players at Training Camps and other events.  Lot's of people believe there should have been a Thanksgiving Monday CFL game.  There were several other sporting events taking place on this day and even though it was a holiday for us fans I know the Riders were busy at practice and partaking of a feast afterwards.  This is the CFL and don't our players deserve a day to be thankful too?  I have no issues with there not being a game on a long weekend.  I'm pretty sure the original meaning of Thanksgiving had nothing to do with slothing in front of the TV in a turkey coma.  I know I'd rather spend it with family instead of being on the road to and from a game.  In this day and age of connectivity it's even more important that we take the time and spend it with those we love when we can.

Sandra's WK17 CFL Power Grouping

The last month has been a race to get my Power Grouping done and this week is no exception.  As many of you know, the upcoming weekend is Thanksgiving and likewise I am preparing for company.  The race is on, if you will, to get things ready for Turkey Day.  On top of that tragedy struck the household yesterday afternoon when the coffee maker broke.  No amount of McGyver-ing was going to fix it this time so...Happy October 6th to me - I bought a new Keurig.

So we all have lots going on.  Who has time to draw pictures?  * shrugs *

Group A - Hamilton TigerCats/Saskatchewan Roughriders

Group B - Winnipeg Blue Bombers/Calgary Stampeders/Montreal Alouettes

Group C - BC Lions/Edmonton Eskimos/Ottawa Redblacks/Toronto Argonauts

One Twitter person says "book it", it'll be the TiCats and Riders in the 2019 Grey Cup.  What that person doesn't know is <adjusts tinfoil hat> the conspiracy theory for some time now is that it's supposed to be the Montreal Alouettes and Riders in the Grey Cup because it's the 10th anniversary of the 13th man debacle in Calgary and this year the Grey Cup is indeed once again being held in McMahon Stadium.  

The Hamilton team sure is looking good these days and haven't they been blessed with finding Dane Evans.  Masoli who?  There's still a lot of controversy over Simoni Lawrence but apparently he doesn't care what anyone thinks of him and I heard someone say we aren't supposed to like him or the TiCats anyway.  Maybe that's true.  They're being talked about either way.  Regardless, we can't discount them like next weeks pumpkin pies because they do indeed  have the best record in the CFL right now.

Hot on their turkey tails are the Roughriders who keep finding ways to win.  In week 17 they battled in the defensive trenches and came up with a 2nd win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to take the season series and move into 1st place in the west division.  Early in the game it looked like Cody Fajardo was struggling but things worked out in the 4th quarter when the offence started to click.  If you read last weeks blog I mentions that's how the Als beat the Bombers last week yet I didn't want my Riders to use that strategy.  Well they might not have planned it but waiting until late in the game to stick the knife in and put the game away worked.  Contrats to Shaq Evans who went over 1000 yards receiving on the season and standing ovation to LJ McCray for the circus catch interception.  I'm pretty sure arms don't bend that way but his did preventing what seemed like an inevitable Bomber TD.

Now if I had to choose a team in that B group to be wary of it would be the Alouettes because they are surging while Winnipeg is floundering and we're not really sure anymore what the Stampeders are doing.  There is no way the Blue Bombers can succeed with the current lineup no matter how dominant their defence appears to be.  Green was Streveler's favourite colour on Saturday after all.  Speculation is that they will make a move with Toronto on the trade deadline of October 9th.

Where was Willie Jefferson?  For a player who has been dominant he sure was quiet in the match up at Mosaic.  As I've said for a while now, it's never about personal accomplishments and while Charleston Hughes should get some pats on the back he and everyone else knows that it's meaningless if you don't end up with your name on the trophy in November.  

My Roughriders take on the Calgary Stampeders Friday and the battle for first place in the west is once again on the line.  They play the Lions and then Eskimos back to back to finish the season.  Can the Riders win out the season?

The good news for Group C?  The Redblacks didn't lose this week.  They were on bye week.  The Argonauts on the other hand...YIKES.  I didn't see the game as I was on my way home from Regina but I saw the social media comments and lots of people expected Popp or Chamblin or both to be fired immediately.  The problem is in this day and age teams just can't do that anymore.  The coaching cap pretty much prevents it.  Chamblin has trouble bringing out talent in rookies and I've never really believed in Popp's strategies.  Is it a lack of talent?  A lack of athletes?  Meddling from the GM?  Why they'd ever choose Franklin over Bethel-Thompson is beyond me.

That's all I've got for week 17 in the CFL.  Enjoy the long weekend and spend time being thankful and telling those you love how you feel about them.  Life is too short not to. 

Happy Thanksgiving.

Sandra's WK16 CFL Power Grouping

The title of this blog could be "How Sandra Avoids Putting Laundry Away" but here I am with a fresh cup of Pumpkin Vanilla coffee and the laundry can wait.  There is nothing more serious than football.

Poor Art is going to think I abandoned him as there are no Garfunkel's for a 3rd week in a row.  

Group A - Saskatchewan Roughriders, Calgary Stampeders, Hamilton TigerCats

Group B - Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Montreal Alouettes, Edmonton Eskimos

Group C - BC Lions, Toronto Argonauts, Ottawa Redblacks

As the snow has fallen in several parts of the country I find myself yearning for my fuzzy leggings which are stashed at the back of the closet for cool autumn days or winter which I guess it is now.  The weather people assure me that all this white stuff will melt by the weekend and we will have double digit temps for the only October Roughrider home game this month.

Did you know the Rider Store has leggings?  

We don't really need them because if there is a team that's hotter than the Roughriders I don't know who they are.  Sure some will say Hamilton but what I'm seeing happen with the Riders is special and I'm not the only one saying that because Cody "Fudge" Fajardo is saying it himself.  These guys are working for each other.  They are playing for hearts and brother hood.  It's not just the sprinkles anymore.

Hamilton might have that.  * hides yellow/grey plaid leggings bought at Walmart * I wouldn't be able to tell you for sure except that it seems something special was found in Dane Evans.  And look - any day a team beats my arch rivals aka the Bombers, it's a good day.

If the Riders have a brother hood then what I see from the Blue Bombers is the exact opposite.  I see guys who have talent and stats but care more about those individual accomplishments than the greater good of the team.  All you have to do is sit back and wait until the Bombers feel confident and then hit them with your plays because they don't respond.  Is that what I hope the Riders game plan is for Saturday?  no way but it seems to be working for a lot of teams lately.

Conversation over on ABC Rider Fans has been about the return of Jordan Williams-Lambert and who will be let go as a result of getting him on the roster.  What's lost in the scuffle is - when was the last time the Riders had this much depth?  Isn't it a wonderful thing?  Since when does someone have to be released.  It's possible the Riders will see some injuries down the stretch and when that happens we will have guys waiting in the wings.

Also, Rod Pederson, what the heck are you saying on your show about "letting the Bombers have this one".  Dude, we don't let anyone have anything.  You come into our house and you better believe we are going to defend it.  No one plays to lose.  We want to win now AND in 2020.

The Montreal Alouettes were soooo close but a last minute guffaw led to the BC Lions taking the win.  I'm betting Khari Jones will be thinking about that decision for a long time.  I'm not sold on it being a bad decision because had it been executed correctly we'd be talking about them winning right now.

Attention Argos - Chapdelaine is never going to use the run game.  Some were of the opinion that the Toronto Argonauts were shopping James Franklin on Saturday.  Why I have no idea.  It wasn't that long ago lots of Rider fans were thinking he was the quarterback ex Coach Jones wanted in Riderville but I always said that if that were true he'd have been here.  Well aren't we thanking our lucky stars?!  Another quarterback in that conversation had been Jonathon Jennings but as we've seen he's not working out for the Redblacks.

By the way, the Ottawa Redblacks are the coolest team in the league.  They don't sell leggings at all.  Coincidence?

Come to the dark side!  The bandwagon has leg room and Rider Nation is a welcoming bunch.  Plus we have the leggings for your winter wearing pleasure.  See you at the game October 5th!

Apparently we are ALL IN on this Pumpkin thing...

Sandra's WK15 CFL Power Grouping

So a weird thing happened this week.  

a) I had a birthday so there are once again no doodles to share & 

b) Teams didn't sort themselves out into 3 groups.

How dare they?  Who am I to force them into a category they don't fit into?  No one wants that.  So today for the first time ever, except for my preseason joking around, we have the teams at the top of the league and teams at the bottom of the league.

Top - Stampeders, Blue Bombers, Roughriders, TigerCats, Alouettes

Bottom - Eskimos, Argonauts, Lions, Redblacks

The theme this week seems to be "pedal to the metal".  Some of the top teams know how to surge back from an early game slumber.  Some teams know how to keep the pressure on and not let up until the final whistle.  Some teams just have a certain something special that propels them to the win when they need it most.  They find a way to win.  The Calgary Stampeders have always had this ingredient.  I've always said you can't count them out.  I don't know what it is but they just always find a way and they have always been the one team good enough to have penalties and meltdowns and find ways to overcome them to win.  Just as the Stamps have this, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers do not.  Lot's of people seem to think the Bombers were too busy thinking they won the game and let the Montreal Alouettes come back but I choose to look at it differently.  I think the Als sat back and waited until the Bombers let up on the gas and then they took full advantage of it.  My Roughriders were on bye week in Week 15 of the CFL however I believe they belong in this group as well because they've had 2 games come down to last minute winning field goals.  Some might say those games shouldn't be so close and maybe they shouldn't be but having a kicker who can come through in one game to clinch the win is cool but doing it twice is awesome.  I only saw bits of the Hamilton game so I don't feel that I can totally comment BUT I did see and hear the outrage over another Simoni Lawrence incident which I am sure *sarcasm alert* he's SO sorry for.  This player needs to be taught a lesson and it's apparent that what happened in game 1 of the season wasn't enough to do it.

It seems some Winnipeg fans and players are also upset that Vernon Adams seemingly ripped off the helmet of Adam Bighill and hit him with it.  Some even called it a weapon.  Well, you know, sometimes a player is just ticked off.  We know RTP calls are iffy at the best of times.  I know some Quarterbacks seem to get them far easier than others.  If a QB fights back then good on him.  Now, I'm not condoning what happened but I can totally see a different side of it.  Will VA get a fine for it?  Who knows.  

As I stated previously I didn't see the Hamilton/Edmonton game closely.  Some are saying Edmonton will be the cross over team and I think it all depends on who is at the helm.  Harris is still out with a hand injury and Logan Kilgore has the reigns.  At times he has flashes of Tino Sunseri and other times he's got flashes of Ricky Ray.  I did see the halftime where number 15 Ricky Ray was honoured and I thought it was really well done and maybe choked up a little when Ray did.  Whether we like him or not we can't deny the CFL legend he is.  I don't know how the Argonauts played because I was at work for that game.  They've named James Franklin Quarterback for the Saturday match up against my Riders.  The BC Lions thumped the Ottawa Redblacks in the Saturday double header.  I heard one Twitter person say their team got beat by the worst in the league.  Dude, I hate to break it to you but, the Redblacks are indeed the worst in the league.  I watched a bit of the post game show with Coach Campbell and I've never seen a coach in such a low state of mind.  They are making a QB change of their own for week 16 and going with Arndt.  Let's hope they can eek out a few more wins to make the season somewhat respectable.  

Sandra's WK14 CFL Power Grouping & Other Stuff

Week 14 is in the books and my team the Saskatchewan Roughriders are on bye week.  * sigh *  It's been reported that some members of the team are staying around Regina and the province instead of going home.  While I think it's important that they all rest up and heal up for the remainder of the season, the fan in me kind of loves it.  It harkens back to when we heard Darian Durant stayed back on a bye week.  I digress though.  You aren't here to read my rambling on about days gone bye.

No Garfunkel this week.

Group A - Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Calgary Stampeders, Saskatchewan Roughriders

Group B - Hamilton TigerCats, Montreal Alouettes, Edmonton Eskimos

Group C - Toronto Argonauts, BC Lions, Ottawa Redblacks

If I did have a doodle, Group A would most definitely be a Big Mac or Whopper or in Winnipeg's case, the Walby Burger.  The Winnipeg Blue Bombers were on bye week so I didn't feel like they deserved to be moved.  The Calgary Stampeders just always find a way to win.  No one calls their wins lucky or undeserving.  I did not see this game but as I've been told it was a close one as was the Roughrider Alouettes game at Mosaic Stadium...which is where I was Saturday.  There was no rain delay.  Once again the Riders won on the leg of kicker Brett Lauther but come Monday morning that's not what fans are caring about.  No because in Rider Nation if the Riders win you have to complain about something.  I got my drum taken away.  Curmudgeons behind me won't let me stand.  Or how about that A&W commercial.  Guys, WE WON THE GAME.  Let's talk about how the secondary needs to tighten up.  Let's talk about the moxy Cody Fajardo shows on and off the field.  Let's talk about the camaraderie the team has with coach Craig Dickenson.  How about how amazing it was to honour the 1989 Grey Cup team. But no...

Never mind that in 2018 there were several A&W social media spots with actual Roughrider players (Duron Carter one of them) trying the Beyond Meat burger.  A&W has been a game day sponsor for a long time.  There are no players in the actual commercial and just fans who happen to be wearing the logo.  Look - eat beef or don't.  We can make choices.  

Group B - Where's the Beef?  Who remembers that commercial from the 80's?  Hamilton and Montreal have the recipe but don't have the secret sauce to pull out the wins when it counts.  No one can blame the rain delay on this one!  I'm looking at you Al's fans!  I also have to say I really like Vernon Adams Jr.  Their offence is doing great things and getting Chris Williams on the roster was brilliant.  It's really hard to dislike them.  Anyone else see flashes of Darian Durant in Adams Jr?   The Eskimos were on bye week.  What will we see from their offence?  I know us Rider fans are looking down the schedule and wondering how that back to back series to finish the season will turn out.

It's Beyond Belief that Toronto got their second win only last week and the Lions did this week as they thrashed the Ottawa Redblacks.  Ottawa fans are left wondering what's going on and how far they've fallen from Grey Cup contender in 2018 to bottom of the heap in 2019.  This is my insight - management is scared of the future and success and of what's happened to the team in the past.  In an attempt to keep the team viable the don't pay large contracts and either don't re-sign players or let them go in free agency.  Where's Ernest Jackson?  That leaves them with no heart, no veteran presence and as we see also no wins.  It's like prevent defence except in this case it's preventing them from having a successful season at all.  I feel for you Redblacks fans.  Us Rider fans remember 2015 and Tino Time all too well.  Let's hope some changes happen quickly and you can be redeemed for the rest of the season.

So is Rider bye week over yet?

Sandra's WK13 CFL Power Grouping...or not.

Three seasons ago when I started doing ranking and grouping there wasn't a lot of people doing it.  The media people did ranking and of course the Nissan sponsored people did it.  Time have changed.  In 2019 EVERYONE does a power ranking.  It's the answer to not arguing over what team gets put in what spot.  Because of this, I believe, the purpose has been lost.

I put in a lot of time and effort each week into what I do.  First I need to watch every game.  Last week I wasn't able to do that.  The fall term at the music school I teach piano for started.  While I love Roughriders football, music is my profession and that's where my attention and efforts must lie.  We all have other ambitions and hobbies.  Everything competes for our attention.  Last weekend family was of the utmost of importance.  I just don't have it in me to sit and doodle for a couple hours and then edit and post and analyze while life passes me by.  I don't have it in me when it really doesn't matter to anyone anymore.  My team didn't even show up for Week 13 so why should I?

OK maybe that's a poor attitude.

Group A - Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Calgary Stampeders, Hamilton TigerCats*

Group B - Montreal Alouettes, Saskatchewan Roughriders, Edmonton Eskimos

Group C - Toronto Argonauts, Ottawa Redblacks, BC Lions

A few weeks ago I recieved some hurtful comments on my page.  Of course she's stupid - she's a Roughriders fan...or something like that.  I've never blogged with the intention of gaining likes or follows or friends or views or clicks.  I've always done it for fun.  I think when the fun is gone perhaps it's time to move on.  Those words never bothered me but I am very much over the entire social media combative drama.  It's one major reason I started ABC Rider Fans.  I will finish this season with power grouping.  I might post Garfunkel's and I might not.  I hope that you've enjoyed what I've done so far.  Thank you for sharing with me.  

Go Riders!

Sandra's WK12 CFL Power Grouping

Well, there went summer!  Like so many, I return to my "real" job Tuesday after having summer somewhat free to indulge in football games.  So this weeks theme for power groupings is *drumroll* Back to School.

Group A - Backpack

I'm not going to lie.  I'm totally biased here.  How exciting was the Roughriders win on Sunday in beautiful sold out Mosaic Stadium?  A walk off field goal on the leg of Brett Lauther who then ran 100 yards to Pilsner Country to celebrate with Rider Nation.  It almost doesn't get better than that.  The Roughriders had no business winning that game.  Interceptions and defensive battles were on Winnipeg's side.  For me it came down to the Bombers out coaching themselves.  Had they kicked the field goal instead of faking one could have made the difference in the game.  Take the points guys!  I still think the Bombers are a good team and they should act like it.  A loss in the Labour Day classic shouldn't have you throwing things on the sidelines.  There will be more heartbreaking losses in your career than this one.  I've got the TigerCats in this group this week because I had them counted out at halftime.  I don't know what was said but the team that emerged from the dressing room for the 3rd quarter was not the same team, nor was Dane Evans the same quarterback.  They launched a comeback to win in front of what was reported to be a record attendance crowd at Tim Hortons Field.

Group B - Get Ready to Take Notes

Bo Levi Mitchell was cleared to play and the team responded by gaining a win in the Battle of Alberta.  Just like Henry Burris, fans tend to refer to Trevor Harris as hot or cold, on or off, good or bad.  Well, it seemed the cold-off-bad Harris showed up.  Everyone has a bad game, right?  Can they rebound for the rematch?  The Alouettes were on bye week but made news by signing Chris Williams who had only 2 days earlier been released by the Blue Bombers.  Injured or not, having a vet like that in the locker room will help out on this reborn Montreal team.  

Group C - Wake Up Call

It was oh so close for the Toronto Argonauts who I've found myself "pulling for" in the east.  They got the early lead against Hamilton but just couldn't keep up the momentum after half time.  McBeth as some have started calling McLeod Bethel-Thompson looked much improved over just a few weeks ago.  Whatever was going right for the Argos in that first half, they have to find a way to harness that and keep it up through 60 minutes.  Both the Redblacks and Lions were on bye week in Week 12.  The Lions did make some coaching moves.  Will that make a difference for the team in Week 13?  We will have to wait and see.

Sandra's WK11 CFL Power Grouping

Welcome to ABC Football and my Week 11 CFL Power Grouping.  If you've never visited before let me tell you how my "ranking" differs from others.  It's not a ranking from 1-9.  Instead teams are given a grade and grouped according to A, B or C.  I started doing Power Grouping after disagreeing with one Belton Johnson about his own ranking.  The doodles or Garfunkel's as I've come to call them evolved over time as a fun addition.  Sports is fun and football is fun so why not have a little fun when it comes to grading out our CFL teams, right?

Week 11 Garfunkel

Check the Garfunkel tab for passed weeks!

Group A - Frappucino

Treat yourself to the expensive $5 fancy whipped topping with sprinkles coffee treat Group A!  The Blue Bombers without Matt Nichols found a way to win against the Edmonton Eskimos.  I hope they give Willie Jefferson all the kudos because it certainly wasn't due to the Streveler led offence.  Over at ABC Rider Fans we were all poking jokes about the debacle the NFL preseason game was and now with the news that Andrew Harris has been suspended for 2 games, will the defence continue to step up?  Can the team shake off adversity? Is the run game the same threat?  What happened to the Streveler we saw early in the season?  All will be answered at the Labour Day Classic in Regina.  Speaking of the Riders, how about that Cody Fajardo?!  He continues to evolve, see the field, throw a great spiral and it's so easy to jump on the #7 bandwagon.  Who wore that number again?  Thank you defence for those 3 turnovers.  I wish I could provide analysis for the Hamilton Tigercats but because I was enroute from Regina to Saskatoon I cannot except that it sounded like a boring game...or was it a defensive battle too?

Group B - The Double Double

How much fun is it to watch this Montreal Alouettes team right now?  Double the pleasure double the fun or something like that.  Vernon Adams Jr sure has risen to the occasion and had me jumping out of my chair on that double reverse play.  As an ex Oregon Duck he's used to running plays like that and it's so much fun to watch for us fans too.  He reminded me a bit of another "doubles" in the way he carried himself.  The Edmonton Eskimos saw a bad Trevor Harris show up along with what appears bad offensive calls.  You can't win games on field goals alone.  The Stampeders were on Bye Week this week.  How will they emerge in the Battle of Alberta?  That's actually in Alberta, right?  Not Winnipeg?

Group C - Home Brew

The Argonauts seem so close to being a winning team.  McBLT has really come along these last two games and I think that's the influence of Zach Collaros on the sidelines, who by the way, we have yet to see in an Argo's uniform.  The Touchdown Atlantic game was a great one and both the Argos and Als put on a great show.  Let's hope their influence and excitement was felt.  The Ottawa Redblacks had some issues on Saturday.  I was thinking it was going to be a much closer game against the Greenwhites but when Davis turned the ball over 3 times early in the game and the team had to resort to putting Jennings in you knew things were not going to go their way.  The BC Lions.  What can be said?  They are just brutal right now.

Sandra's WK10 CFL Power Grouping

Grab a beverage and find a comfy chair.  Let's taco 'bout Week 10 in the Canadian Football League with my Power Grouping.  Remember it's a grouping with no numbers involved.  You may wonder how I come up with which team belongs where.  Well I do keep a list of sorts and move teams up or down according to whether they win or lose or how dominant their play was in that week.  I do keep their previous record in mind too.  So if a team totally stinks they don't fall to C group immediately but if they stink week after week they will find themselves there eventually.  

Okey dokey.  Here we go!

Group A - Burrito

Who doesn't like a burrito?  It's everything all wrapped up in a neat little package.  It doesn't crack and break although it might leak down your shirt if you aren't careful.  The Winnipeg Blue Bombers seem to have 1st place in the CFL all wrapped up tight but Matt Nichols left the game with an upper body injury of some unknown description.  He has always seemed to be a QB to me who looks broken one week and returns the following seemingly fine.  Is this a flashback to their 2007 season?  Yes, I have my Saskatchewan Roughriders in A Group.  They were on bye week and as such I rarely move a team unless someone else outplays them.  No one did that in Week 10.  How will the team play in Week 11 at home against the Ottawa Redblacks?  I'm thinking the Riders are going to be healthy and raring to go.

Group B - Hard Shell Taco

The Hard Shell Taco always seems like a good idea until you bite into it and the shell breaks scattering it's innards all over your football jersey.  These teams in B Group have what it takes to be delicious but still seem to crack under pressure occasionally.  The Hamilton TigerCats under Dane Evans are right on the cusp.  Perhaps they're more of a Gordita.  How much fun is the duo of Harris to Ellingson to watch in Edmonton? It makes one wonder why these players were ever allowed to leave Ottawa.  Or is it that under the Jason Maas direction they are flourishing?  That does happen and is the case with Vernon Adams and Head Coach Khari Jones.  By the way, what a magical comeback in double over time against the Stampeders!  ABC!  It was fun to see Nick Arbuckle's offense run the flea flicker.  Who doesn't like a trick play?  I've always said you have to watch for the Stamps because they always find a way to win.  Well not in Week 10 when the Alouettes finally ended their 10 year drought in Calgary.  We won't talk about 2009.

Group C - Guacamole & Chips

While the chips might be nice, if you've forgotten the lemon juice in the guac you've got a nasty brown mess no one wants.  Did someone forget to add the lemons to these teams?  The Ottawa Redblacks are having major quarterbacking woes.  Dom Davis was in someone else's words "stinking up the place" and Jon Jennings didn't seem to be much more successful.  It would appear having Zach Collaros on the sidelines is helpful as the QB with 3 last names aka McLoed Bethel-Thompson was spurred on to be better.  I keep seeing this team progressing under Corey Chamblin but those wins are as elusive as that last bit of tomato salsa you've been chasing around the bowl.  The BC Lions - what more can be said?  I'm shocked that Mike Reilly is only one of two remaining starting Quarterbacks.  I'm shocked that he keeps taking a pounding.  It's embarrassing the amount of sacks that O Line has allowed already this season.  They did sign a Lemon but unless he's converted to an offensive lineman that's not the help the team needed.

Hope you enjoyed this weeks Power Grouping.  As always, let me know your thoughts, what next weeks theme should be or just let me know what kind of taco you enjoy most.  Don't forget to join in this discussion and all the fun at ABC Rider Fans where you'll find an exciting game thread for Saturday August 24th.  Go Riders!