My First CFL Game

"Write about your very first CFL game", he said.

"It was Calgary.  Darian spent the game looking at the sky.  The end."  I said.

Ok.  So maybe it wasn't quit like that but it sure seemed a lot like that.

Picture it.  The year was 2010 and we had decided to go on a road trip to Calgary.  Hubby lived there for a while and jumped at the chance to see his old 'stomping grounds'.  

Here is a major issue.  It was 2010 July 24th to be exact and even though that was only 10 years ago I didn't have a smart phone and if I took pictures they aren't on any computer I own now.  I have zero proof of this trip.  I'm sure there's a USB stick somewhere I haven't checked...

We had borrowed my dad's GPS which took us on a tour of Acme Alberta.  I'll never forget.  This is the point at which we realized the GPS was of no use to us at all.  The highway goes straight passed Acme but the GPS decided we should drive through it instead.

* face palm *

Just outside Calgary the sky grew very dark and before you knew it us and all other traffic was pulled into ditches as hellish hail plummeted around us.  My car was fairly new.  I don't know how it came out unscathed but it did.  Cars in Calgary didn't fair as well.  The car lots located near our hotel and McMahon Stadium had giant dents in them.

We spent the week taking in all the sights of Calgree - we went to the zoo where my favourite attraction was the dinosaurs and not actual animals.  We went shopping because stores like Sephora weren't in Saskatchewan yet. We ate at Big T's. One thing was apparent, Rider fans wore their colours everywhere which seemed to bewilder Calgarians because we were asked everywhere we went if there was a game or something.

We stayed in a hotel across the street from McMahon stadium and we had really only booked for 3 days so when we went to extend our stay there were no rooms available however the staff said they'd work something out.  We were upgraded to a suite.  Wow,  and at no additional charge to us.  There was a continental breakfast and every morning Hubby would go down and return with waffles or "wobbles" as we've since coined them.  You see the machine to make them had to be rotated hence the wobbling part.  It's weird how some things stick with you.

So here's the thing.  I really had no idea that tail gating was a real thing.  I hadn't given it much thought.  I guess I figured it was something you saw on tv because...well, tv.  So when we treaded over the walkway to McMahon Stadium and I saw what was going on I was flabbergasted...shocked...amazed...thrilled.

It was a super hot cloudless day.  It was so hot in the stands that the fellow sitting in the next row with all the body paint gradually sweating down his body had to leave and shower.  I don't remember the score but the Riders lost.  Darian did indeed get sacked a lot.  There was no relief.  That was until a miniscule cloud floated over the stadium and for a few brief seconds we were shaded.  We trudged back over the pedestrian walk way.

But wait there was evidence.  I've found a very bad video which I had posted on my old youtube channel. Here it is with brand new commentary...

Friday Football 5 ~ Grey Cup Edition ~

Is there any Canadian Football League event more anticipated than the week leading up to and including the Grey Cup?

1.  Admittedly it would be 1000 times more exciting if our own home team was participating in the Grey Cup and I don't mean just my Saskatchewan Roughriders but if you are reading this and are a fan of any other CFL team, especially the Eskimos, you'd be wishing your team was included too.  Here we are with the match up of the Ottawa REDBLACKS versus the Calgary blackreds...er, Stampeders.  What a feast for the eyes this TSN broadcast will be.  The Stampeders elected to drive by bus to Edmonton.  They made quite an entrance in their "western" attire. (Alex Singleton 😍😍) I thought this

Who wore it better? Bo Levi Mitchell or Pharell Williams?

was a brilliant move...the bus not the clothing.  By this time in the season the team building should be done but much has been to-do about how this isn't the same Stamps team we've seen in the passed.  Just like hockey teams travel by bus, the Stampeders arrived under horse power and as a complete unit.  Of course this wasn't an option for our plaid clad friends from the east and their arrival shouldn't be diminished.  A good portion of Rider Nation (ABC!) is rooting for the Rough Riders/Renegades/Redblacks.  It also shouldn't be over looked how well this Rick Campbell coached team has done since rejoining the CFL in 2014.

2.   What We're Made Of. Alex Dormuth of Piffles Podcast sums up the sentiments of CFL week perfectly in his article. "It’s about making lifelong friends that you may only see once a year. I can’t wait to get to Edmonton and enjoy Grey Cup this week and see some of the great CFL Family that I haven’t seen in a year."  The CFL Family puts rivalries aside for a massive celebration.  What I've learned is that when you need to count on help and support from a community of people no one steps up more than fans of the Canadian Football League.  Case in point of how members of Rider Nation banded together to send New York native Joe Lozito (@joe_lozito/Twitter) to Mosaic Stadium for the Labour Day Classic.  I've personally experienced something similar when fans reached out to us in 2016 when we were in Ontario for medical appointments.  I don't know of any other community with such heart.

3.  I've watched on Twitter this week as fans tweeted their excitement about packing and hitting the road or flying to Edmonton for the 106th Grey Cup festivities.  While, as I said above, it's amazing, those of us at home are feeling a little left out.  Sure, the best way to remedy this is to ensure we are all there, but sadly responsibilities and the cost of it all get in the way as well as the apprehension of desire to sit outside in frigid prairie temperatures.  Talk is snowballing about moving the season up and this blogger (@smilingriderfan/Facebook) thinks the CFL better think strongly about it.  If each team only played each other twice the season would already be two weeks shorter.  I think if the Grey Cup was held closer to the beginning of November instead of the end, attendance at Grey Cups would skyrocket and by the way, I've heard there are still approximately 300 tickets left for this years game plus all the others being advertised for sale around social media.

4. "It ain't about me"  Those were the words Thursday night when Saskatchewan Roughriders General Manager, Vice President of Operations, Defensive Coordinator and Head Coach Chris Jones was presented with the Coach of the Year award by Henry Burris.  I remember that it was only days after the 2015 Grey Cup when it was announced that Chris Jones was hired by Riders President Craig Reynolds.  I

Merry Christmas 2015

had seconds earlier turned on my Christmas lights which I had wrapped around my Roughrider bear and reindeer which was handcrafted by my father several years ago.  It was a Merry CHRISmas and a "new era" in Rider football began.  Social media is such an interesting place and while I was always on board with everything Jones has done many fans have held grudges and gone to the extreme of cheering on ex-players and their teams against us which I could never fully comprehend.  Saskatchewan sports media often commented "he wears too many hats".  This season we saw him adopt our Rider green by wearing the Strength is Diversity tee shirt every game as mandated by his group of players who it's apparent love him tremendously.   2016 was a massive gutting and rebuild which saw many fan favourites leave for bluer pastures.  In 2017, CJ brought the Riders within 3 minutes of a Grey Cup birth. In 2018, Jones and company brought Rider Nation a home play off game, the first since 2013 and the very first at new Mosaic Stadium. I can't wait to see what Chris Jones has in store for Rider Nation in 2019.  

5.  BOLD PREDICTION.  The majority of the CFL talk this Grey Cup week has been around the subject of the Jonathon Rose suspension due to events during the Eastern Conference Final and whether or not he'll play in the big game.  In case you missed it, Rose was ejected from the game after bumping into a referee. It turns out that while he's appealing his suspension he's allowed to play.  Something doesn't seem quite right with that rule if you ask me.  My belief is that this controversy will overshadow the Redblacks team.  It's often happened where this sort of thing occurs and the team just isn't able to fight through the adversity to come out with a win on the other side.  The Calgary Stampeders, twice the bridesmaids never the bride, will come out victorious as the 106th Grey Cup Champions.  With so many changes possible for this Stamps team in 2019, with all the talk of Bo Levi Mitchell trying out for the NFL among others and Devone Claybrooks possibly moving on to the BC Lions, this might be their last chance to win it all.  Is the 3rd time a charm?  Will the CFL's Most Outstanding Rookie and Special Teams Player Lewis Ward be called on in the dying seconds to kick the game winner?  Can Trevor Harris have another game of his life or will the CFL's Most Outstanding Player Bo Levi Mitchell reign supreme? That's why we'll all be watching at home on TSN (or following ABC Rider Fans Facebook Groups game thread) Sunday at 5:30 Saskatchewan time to see what transpires in this Canadian Football League we all adore.  Whichever way the cookie crumbles...this year a team wearing red and black will be winning the 2018 Grey Cup.

My favourite kind of CHRISmas cookie.

It's a Wrap

I said last week that I wasn't ready for the season to be over.  Well, it doesn't matter how I feel or felt at the time because now I've just got to suck it up and move on because it is indeed all over.  Second Season was short in Rider Nation.

I planned all week (Friday Football Five) what to wear as we were warned of how cold the weather was going to be for the Western Semi Final game between the Roughriders and Blue Bombers.  I saw the updates on social media from the Riders about the players in the cold and as much as the weather should never be the story for some reason it was.  Some of the sports media talked about the "real" football players and how they don't wear sleeves in the cold.  One even went as far as to say the players who wore the sleeves weren't going to win.  I have no idea if there's any truth to that and as the girl who wore two pairs of pants, 3 shirts, winter coat, thermal socks and plastered Hot Hands in her mittens and boots...since when is trying to stay warm a sin?  I've lived in Saskatchewan my whole life...born and raised...and I've never adjusted to winter.  Why on earth do we expect guys from Florida, California or any southern states to adjust better than us?  All that being said, both teams had to play in the same conditions and only one of the two were truly prepared to play.

We were so hopeful all week long.   Collaros was practicing.  We stood a chance.  Then Friday Brandon Bridge took first team reps.  Fans started to chatter.  It's all good we thought...just prep.  Of course he needs reps we tried to tell ourselves.  Then late Saturday, TSN's Dave Naylor broke the news that Collaros was not only not starting but he wasn't even dressing.  Rider Nation flipped out.  It was a strange report.  Dave Naylor tweeted the breaking news and then used the tweet in his article which seemed to me like he was using himself as his source.  The Riders not only lost the game Saturday night but lost the West Semi the week before when Odell Willis took out the Riders starting quarterback.  No amount of rationalization was going to change it.

This was my very first play off game experience.  I've only been able to be a season ticket holder for 2 years.  I live in Saskatoon and have mentioned several times that it's a time commitment as well as a money commitment in the form of gas and food dollars.  There were moments sitting in section 126 where it felt absolutely magical.  The snow would come float down around us and sparkled in the lights of beautiful Mosaic Stadium.  The trumpeter performing for the Remembrance Day ceremony and moment of silence afterwards was breath taking.  The halftime act was an interesting mix of heavy metal and celtic music which I didn't even know what a possibility but thoroughly enjoyed their performance.  The only thing missing was the legendary story of how the QB coined Air Canada would lead us to the first ever play off win at home...and the Riders 13th man flag which failed to unfurl.  As my Hubby pointed out - The Riders never win when the flag isn't flown.

No.  Instead, all the news after the game and for a few days now has been centred around player safety.  I know the Riders were not winning that game.  The Bombers took control of the line of scrimmage at the end of the first quarter and it wasn't getting better from there.  I just think it's interesting that a guy would deliver such a violent blow to a player with only 8 seconds left in a game that the Riders weren't in control of winning anyway.  I had someone tell me that we should all know danger and injuries are a part of the game and how there wasn't a penalty and on and on.  I tried to explain that it's all fine and dandy until it's your quarterback laying prone on the field.  Every player knows that injuries happen but I'm pretty sure none of them play with the expectation of being knocked out.  I think what's even more awful is when you find out that Jackson Jeffcoat did the same thing to Mike Reilly in 2017.  Where does the CFL draw the line?  Why do the Riders have to have this happen to not only one quarterback but both starting quarterbacks within 3 weeks?  Why is this the story instead of how the Bombers came in and executed a great game plan to win them their first play off game in many years?  It's sickening and the CFL and Commissioner Randy Ambrosie (also from Winnipeg) needs to stand up and do something before someone is seriously and devastatingly injured.  

Meanwhile, fans of other teams say we are making excuses for losing.

If that's what makes you feel better for supporting your own team then so be it.

The Roughriders lost for the same reasons that plagued the team throughout 2018.  The offence couldn't execute.  There wasn't a running game.  Our receivers were scrambling and it seemed only one could get open.  Because the Bombers game plan included running the ball and very few throwing opportunities the Riders defence couldn't do what they do and force fumbles, strip the ball or gain interceptions.  The Riders had found ways to win by using the defence when the offence couldn't score.  On Sunday, neither was put in a position to do anything but kick field goals and thank goodness for Brett Lauther.  This is where the Riders need to spend their focus this off season.  With Collaros, Bridge and Tate being free agents one has to think none of them will be back and mostly for the health of Zach Collaros.  Conversation on ABC Rider Fans has quickly turned to which quarterback do we go after for 2019?  Bo Levi Mitchell, Mike Reilly and Trevor Harris are all free agents.  Will we end up seeing one of those guys sporting green?  Before you say "oh hell no" - it's funny how likable hated players become when they're wearing the right colours.

So the Riders fell to the Winnipeg Football Club 23 - 18 and it's the Bombers who move on to Calgary in the West Final.  Calgary has faced their own set of challenges but are hungry after losing in back to back Grey Cup games.  Did the Bombers game plan to teach the Riders a lesson?  Have they planned for Bo Levi and the Stamps?  The Stampeders had the bye and it sure would be fun to see them annihilate the Riders arch rivals...but I'm not hitching my horse to that wagon.  

My Saskatchewan Roughriders have cleared out their lockers.  Players are heading home.  There's plenty of free agents but Marcus Thigpen isn't one of them.  He re-signed quickly.  It's possible some of the players will head to the NFL or want to even test out the new American league.  Chris Jones is having to give coaches their walking papers as the new cap comes into place in 2019.  The CFLPA is heading in to negotiations.  There are 3 clubs wanting to bid on the 2020 Grey Cup including the Riders.  This off season will give us plenty to talk about.

Thank you as always for indulging me in this little blog.  I appreciate everyone who comments and follows along with me.  I believe this isn't a wrap on 2018 - it's the beginning of 2019.  

BEL13VE

The Big Goose Egg

The Big Goose Egg...the blow out...the zip - nada - no cigar for you game.

Delete the depth chart.  Drive over it with your car.  Burn it - flush it.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers having been defeated at the hands of the Saskatchewan Roughriders in back to back match ups over Labour Day put together a game plan and executed it to their full potential.  Good on them.  Kudos.  The Roughriders on the other hand?  Well, I think my team went into IGF a little full of themselves and over confident that since we did beat them twice that this rematch was going to be a piece of cake.  One only needs to reflect on the passed two very close wins to realize it was only a matter of time until this team and fan base plummeted back to earth with a deaf defying thud.

All season long the Roughriders defence and special teams have produced wins.  We all watched wondering what would happen if they had a bad game or what would happen if our offence put a game together for once.  Then injuries started to happen.  Holley, Roosevelt, Williams-Lambert and then the latest injury to Dan Clark all made us question if we could keep up to our counterparts in the West.  More goes into it than just some injured players, after all teams like the Calgary Stampeders who barely have a receiving corps left manage to keep winning...well, except for last week.  In no way is this paragraph an excuse but it is one of the question marks.  If these players are ready to return they certainly help out the confidence level of our quarterback.

Our quarterback.  Historically, when you look at Roughriders quarterbacks they've been notorious for having up/down games.  Lancaster who we've put on pedestals in Rider Nation would stink up Taylor Field when he was off.  Darian Durant would have terribly off games.  I'm not comparing them to Collaros but when this is what our quarterbacking has been like previously why do we insist on expecting someone to light it up?  Maybe we are just a wishful hopeful bunch and a bit jealous - why can't we have that?  None of that is on Collaros.  Neither are the drops by receivers.  When a ball hits you in the numbers you need to catch it.  Collaros can only throw the ball - he can't catch it too!  

Don't forget the back up aka the most popular player in Rider Nation.  Or is he?  Last year Brandon Bridge looked very promising and we all expected that he'd take the next step this year.  What happened?  This year he can't seem to make a read and is too quick to give up and scramble.  According to ex players I've listened to this makes the O Lineman panic and scramble too because they don't know where to protect anymore.  I'll take their word for it.  

This leads me to trust.  I know I keep harping on our O Line.  Remarkably, they do a good job and haven't allowed many sacks this season.  However, when you look at the time our QB has in the pocket...1 Mississippi 2 Mississippi etc there isn't a lot of time to go through your reads and make a decision.  Teams like the Blue Bombers and Eskimos have great offensive lines and it shows in the production of their quarterbacks.  When you can stand back there, go through your reads, file your nails, order pizza and then decide who to throw to...you're going to be far more successful.  Instead, you have to decide or run for your life.  Someone like Collaros should be able to get the ball out quicker but someone like Bridge is doomed.

So who is responsible for this?  I don't know how many times I've yelled "move the pocket" this season.  It's happened a couple times or there's been a play action call and it's worked.  Why don't we run these plays more often?  It sets defenses off and allows more time to make throws.  Instead we've been treated to screens and outs and our receivers are never near the yard markers so they almost always go 2 and out.  Stephen McAdoo is the guy in charge.  He's the Offensive Coordinator and Assistant Head Coach.  I don't understand why last year we saw more variety in our play call and this year we have less.  Was it the experience of Kevin Glenn?  Is it some sort of Grey Cup game plan where you don't show your cards unless you have to?  Mr McAdoo, please help us out here!  Design something to help us succeed!  We know you can do it!

There's also been some criticism that Roughriders Head Coach Chris Jones is preoccupied with his defence and puts his trust in Stephen McAdoo.  Of course he should!  Chris Jones should be applauded for building the defence that he has.  It's so fun to watch!  Wouldn't be fun to watch the offence score too?!  I personally don't think he's ignoring it or oblivious to the fact our offence hasn't produced this year.  I think that he's believed in them.  Just like we keep believing in the team, Jones believes this offence can do it and on a good day they can but on a bad day like Saturday we couldn't.  I know that Jones is likely busy evaluating the team and watching the film to digest exactly what happened and what this team needs to do.

For us fans?  It's time to shake it off.  Move on.  It's a new week and a new opponent.  The Saskatchewan Roughriders visit Calgary to take on the Stampeders in week 19 of the CFL.  It sure would be nice to get this win.

Don't forget to check out my "Power Grouping" for Week 18 and join in the conversation on ABC Rider Fans on Facebook.

As always, Go Riders!

How Sweet It Is

Six and Four!

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Drive Home

For those who don't know, I live in Saskatoon and am a Saskatchewan Roughrider season ticket holder.  This means that we drive 3 hours to every home game as well as 3 hours return trip.  Lot's of fans drive farther.  The drive to the game is usually filled with nervous anticipation, strategy talk and excitement.  The drive home? Well, it varies depending on how the game went.  One thing that is for certain - 3 hours gives you a long time to think especially after a loss.

Let's start with the Riders Offensive Line.  Every play the line back pedals and while that is expected a certain amount that leaves next to nothing for a pocket for the quarterback.  I don't know what the problem is here.  Are they under sized?  Are they old?  Are they not athletic enough?  Are they not smart enough?  I've heard fans say that their performance was better in the last few games but this is a problem that plagues us and this Roughriders team and has for several seasons now.  It doesn't matter who the quarterback is - they need to protect and if they don't no QB will be productive.  People also talk about whether the O Line knows what the QB is doing or not and that's why plays collapse but to me they should be able to do their jobs and do them well regardless of who is standing in the pocket.  Once I saw a Calgary defender drive Thad Coleman into Brandon Bridge.  I'm not laying blame and certainly the Stamps deserve credit, but should it be that easy?  Every team knows that all you have to do is apply a little bit of pressure and the O Line collapses faster than a flip up tent from Canadian Tire.  Brendan LaBatte was the unsung hero in Week 6 but the man can't do it alone.  This team needs improvement on the line first and foremost.

We all know that since Week 2 when Zach Collaros was taken out of the game due to concussion the Roughriders have had to go with back ups Brandon Bridge and David Watford.  There's been the carousel much to the chagrin of Riders media, which also worked effectively by the way.  Brandon Bridge himself is a curious subject.  He has such tremendous arm strength but to me he's a bit like Bam Bam from the Flintstones because he doesn't realize the strength he possesses.  Sure he can over throw a missile down field but then he also launches missiles when attempting screen passes.  When I re-watched Saturday's game ( I know I'm a glutton for punishment) I again noticed the mechanics of a Bridge throw.  It's awkward, he releases and there's no follow through.  I wonder if this is something that is being worked on with his Quarterback Coach?  Now, if you are a receiver how do you catch balls throw in this fashion?  They more often than not go through the hands and hit you in the chest with great force.  We often say things like "the receiver should have had that" but are they actually catch-able balls?  So I've thought long and hard (about 2 hours worth of driving) that the coaches are trying to teach him how to adjust his throwing pressure.  They are only giving him plays in which he can succeed.  He will keep getting these plays until he learns them.  I'm sure it's a similar situation for Watford however this is his first year in the CFL and less would be expected from him whereas Bridge has been in the league 4 seasons now.  

On this same subject, I was trying to relate the situation to something in my own life.  I am a piano teacher of students aged 4 - 84.  Every student walks in wanting to play Fur Elise by Beethoven.  It's not going to happen at least for 3 years.  I have to teach and instruct in layers of knowledge and give songs and pieces which gets them to the next level so eventually they can play the things they want.  When they don't accomplish the skill, they get asked to do it over and over again until they can prove to me they know it.  This also describes the Roughriders offense.  They can't play Moonlight Sonata yet because they haven't learned how to perform Alouette, Gentille Alouette.

We're an hour away from home and now I'm thinking about the O Line and Quarterback combined.  The play is off...you're trying to make the read...your O Line is collapsing...dump the ball off.  Ball security is of number one priority so the next play instead of throwing you're going to relieve some pressure and hand off to your running back.  Maybe you have to do that several times because things are just moving so fast your can't go through your progressions.  Do you run?  Do you force a play?  The crowd is booing the decisions.  It's gotten really messy really quickly.  You can't execute the plays because everything is moving so fast.  Some points you just have to run to try to make something happen.  It's not good.  Not good at all.  

We usually arrive home by 1am after a 7pm game.  It's exhausting and all my thoughts continue to roll around in my head all night long.  I know we are all frustrated with the production of the offense on the Saskatchewan Roughriders and I also know that the coaches are doing everything they can as well.  Rider fans are known for extreme emotions and often it's polarizing.  "Plan the parade" or "Fire Jones".  None of us are very rational during trying times but I personally try to be logical.  We did lose against the number one CFL team.  The Calgary Stampeders were indeed the best team in the league going into the game being 6 - 0 now 7 - 0.  What did we think was going to happen?  I actually thought the game was going to be far worse! If we take away the fumbles in the first quarter the Riders are right there competing for the win.  I know we can't change how that quarter played out but we can give the team total credit for not giving up.  The Riders did have momentum going into the second half and they kept chipping away at the deficit.  

Today, Zach Collaros was able to practice and whether he'll be playing in Thursday's game against the Edmonton Eskimos at Commonwealth Stadium is another question but these are mine...  Can our Offensive Line protect him?  Can Zach get time in the pocket?  Can they pass protect AND run block?  Can our offense execute plays competently enough to put us/the Riders in a position to win? 

The devastating news of the day was the release and criminal charges of Jerome Messam.  This is so upsetting, shocking and disappointing.  I'm not going to go into detail because the news can be found everywhere on the internet as well as the ABC Rider Fans Facebook page.  The Roughriders aren't commenting and that's fine with me.  With the charge being voyeurism I've decided I don't want to know further details.  

The bright spot for Monday was that the Riders signed streaker tackler Marcell Young, that Nick Marshall was practicing and that Duron Carter was back on offense.  We will all have to tune in to the game on Thursday to see how these changes shake out.  This will be the Riders 4th Thursday night game for those keeping track.  Edmonton is often a difficult city for our Riders to play in.  I'm hoping for a competitive game.

As always, and in spite of everything - Go Riders.

~ 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!

Making the Grade

If you know me, you'll know I'm really stressed this week because in real life I'm a piano teacher and it's our music school's major music festival this week. I've found myself struggling with how to justify the senior classes adjudication. At one point the adjudicator said that the students themselves know how they did and it doesn't really matter what place or mark he gives them.  If only that medal didn't mean anything.  That single performance doesn't show all the hard work, learning and practice that goes into that 4 minute performance and single judgment. I wish everyone could see how students persevere, how they overcome fear, how far they've come since they started learning their pieces in January.  Then it dawned on me, perhaps grading your football team is similar.  How do you figure out which players deserve a roster spot? How do you figure out who gets sent home? It's a quandary...and they're all working towards the biggest medal of all - The Grey Cup.

One thing that came out of Sunday's preseason game between the Riders and Eskimos was that it seemed the fans looked at these two teams very differently.  Most Roughrider fans looked to evaluate the players.  We wanted to see how certain players in certain positions reacted and played in a real time game situation. Because of this there was a long long list of starters who stayed back in Saskatoon.  The Edmonton Eskimos played many starters which made sense since their game was at home and didn't have to transport a plane load of players to another city.  Eskimo fans were quick to rub it in Rider fans faces that they won.  Rider fans were quick to point out it was a meaningless game.  Why do fans put so much stock into winning in preseason?  In recent years, 2013 for example, the Saskatchewan Roughriders lost one game and won the other preseason game. Did this predict how the regular season would finish or the play off run ending in a Grey Cup Championship? The Eskimos in that same year finished the preseason with that same record.  

Marquise Williams was brought in last season and there was plenty of hype surrounding his arrival. All it took the phrase "he broke Darian Durant's records in college" and we were all hooked not really knowing anything else about him. In Sunday's preseason game Williams had all the same body language too.  It would be sooooo easy for Ridernation to fall in love with him - that is, if he wasn't running around, not seeing the field and pretty much failing in all facets.  It was pretty disappointing considering he's had that year of being on the practice roster under his belt. He should have shown the most poise after a year, not the least. It must be hard to end your career in this way. You've played football most of your life and after a quarter of football you're done. 

Very thankfully teaching piano lessons and helping to mould young pianists is not the same as crafting the next batch of football players.  Music is and can be a life long interest.  For a very select few retirement from the CFL game doesn't necessarily mean the end of their career and it could just be a launching point into another phase of their football life.  For example Darian Durant announced his retirement one day and a short time later CKRM announced he would be joining the Rider Radio pregame broadcast with a segment called Doubles Take.  How cool is that?!  I'm sure DD has a wealth of knowledge to share with us.  There is a similar story for the newly retired Nik Lewis who has made his home in Regina for some time now.  Nik not only got to be in Roughrider camp as a guest coach but he as well will have a segment on the Rider Radio pregame show.  I will look forward to all their insights.

Camp opened on May 20th and while I did attend on the holiday Monday I haven't been able to get out there otherwise.  What I did notice is there is a big void of CFL media while all the regulars are there, the media circus has found a home in Hamilton instead following Johnny Manziel.  Last year that was the Roughrider story with Vince Young being in camp and well, this year, things in Rider camp are relatively quiet.  There has been so much discussion about Johnny Football coming to the CFL for what feels like EVER.  Other American players come to the CFL thinking they're going to blow up the league and often usually end up slinking away.  The CFL is not a joke.  You have to be athletic to play the CFL.  No one takes a down off.  If Manziel is indeed serious and he works hard then he might have a chance.  Good luck to him and the Hamilton Tiger Cats...just not too much *wink*  

The Riders time in Saskatoon is soon coming to an end and I know I've been waiting for Josiah St John to step up.  It was so disappointing for him to come up injured at the start of camp but even more so to see him leave Thursday's practice "injured" on a mental practice day.  From my understanding the day was much like a walk through.  I think this is a situation to keep an eye on.  Pulling from my teaching experience, when a student doesn't seem to show motivation or drive during lessons or practice then the rest of the situation doesn't work out very successfully.  Of course I don't know the man, but it sure doesn't bode well to me when he held out of his first CFL camp for contract negotiations and then really doesn't show up at his next camp.  In 2017 he only dressed for one game and was a scratch for most of the season.  This was very much a make or break season for St John and I'm sad that once again our draft pick seems to not pan out. How are we to know? We simply can't know.  We will all continue to watch what happens and assess the situation.

Tomorrow is the yearly Green and White day at SMF.  The forecast is for rain.  In 2013 I dragged my husband to Griffiths Stadium for Green and White day because I was hell bent on meeting all these guys who were brought in to stack our team.  I didn't get to meet Geroy Simon.  We did have to stand in the rain for what must have been an hour in the rain.  I recall the day following the 2013 Grey Cup win my husband said "remember standing in the rain at Green and White day?  Was it worth it?"  OMG A THOUSAND YESES IT WAS WORTH IT!!!  You may also know that there is no fan base as superstitious as Rider Nation.  If that experience in 2013 means anything - then I predict we are in for one heck of a ride in 2018.

It was brought to my attention that at this time of year many CFL fans are restocking their closets with gear and I was also reminded of my blog criticizing the sizing of CFL merchandise.  While I did get a response nothing has been addressed.  There is a new line of clothing in my Rider Store which I did check out.  In the email I received advertising it the clothing was touted as being comfortable and a new fabric.  This did appear true and the sizing went to a 3X in ladies however, it was still not the standard size.  I don't want to discourage anyone from supporting their team BUT I did also recently purchase a very comfortable tee shirt from Giant Tiger for $15.  I personally refuse to be uncomfortable in over priced clothing.  Once this is changed I will once again support the Riders and CFL by purchasing their clothing.  In the meantime, it's all about the accessories!

I wish that I could end this blog with saying I'll see you at the game when in fact I cannot say that.  The same responsibilities that have kept me from Training Camp will also keep me from the home preseason Rider game against the Calgary Stampeders as well as the Home Opener.  Who thought the home opener on a Friday night in June was a good idea?  I mean we have the largest travelling fan base in the nation and a 7:30 start on a Friday is less than ideal.  I will be teaching my piano students and wishing I was there.  My tickets are for sale through the Rider Ticket Exchange if you are wanting some great seats.  The end zone is one of the most fun places to be for a Rider Game.

Instead.  I will leave you with this MAJOR announcement.  I have created a fan page on Facebook.  It's for readers of this blog, Twitter followers, friends, family to go to discuss CFL news and while it will obviously be Rider fan friendly all other fans are also welcome.  Join the discussion at ABC Rider Fan page.  Just search for it and wait for approval.  I look forward to sharing even more content with all of you!  Even you Bomber fans *smile*

Happy June.  Happy CFL season 2018!

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.

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!