I said the Saskatchewan Roughriders would beat the Calgary Stampeders and I was right. However, I didn't think the script would have the twists and turns in it that it did and I'm guessing either did you. The Riders won 43-37 in overtime. Its a game that may go down as the turning point of the season much like the team's win in Calgary last year on that last second Chris Getzlaf touchdown catch from Darian Durant.
While this game had many things, it will be remembered for what Rider coach Ken Miller did. Instead of having Luca Congi kick a 35 yard field goal for the win, Miller pulled Congi off the field and had the coolest human being on the earth(punter Eddie Johnson) try to kick the ball through the endzone. As I sat by the Rider dressing room in a state of disbelief wondering what the hell Miller was up to, I couldn't help but flashback a few years to when Wally Buono asked Paul McCallum to do the same thing. McCallum's punt was woefully short allowing the Riders to run the ball out of the endzone and so was Johnson's punt taking what was a sure win away making the team go to overtime.
As much as I like Ken Miller, I simply can't endorse this decision
1) You are asking Johnson to kick the ball 58 yards
2) You haven't done anything for the confidence of Luca Congi
3) Had Calgary won, the cries for Miller's head would have been loud and I think this team would have been broken for the end of the year.
Miller escaped the gaffe, the team gets the win and now we will see if this explosion of Riders football the way we know it will continue or if what we saw was a mirage. Back to back games in southern Ontario starting next Saturday in Hamilton will be big. The team must capitalize on what happened Friday night and turn it into another positive at Ivor Wynne Stadium.
As I said, this could be the game we look back on in late November and say it was the catalyst to turning things around.
As I have also said before. This is why I hate the single point! The CFL can make rule change after rule change after rule change, but the one change I think they need to do is abolish the rouge. If Johnson had kicked the ball through the endzone, it would have been the cheeziest win of all. Rider fans would have taken it, but still.
The decision also overshadows many things
1)The performance of Andy Fantuz--2nd best receiving day in Rider history
2)The performance of Darian Durant--first Rider QB since Kent Austin in 93 to throw for over 500 yards
3)The emergence of Jason Clermont
4)The inability of Weston Dressler to do anything on punts. Do you still blame Dorsey?
5)The depth of the Rider D-Adams, Hawkins and Francis all go down, but guys like Williams and Stewart shine--although Shomari was guilty of a bad illegal contact play in the 2nd half.
As I lay my head to sleep, I can only say this
1)Its never boring at Mosaic Stadium
2)What do Americans think of the Riders and the home games they play. This one was on the NFL network as was the Montreal game at the start of the year. What one was the better game in your mind. Vote for that on the poll if you don't mind. You can also comment on "The Decision". I eagerly await your thoughts and comments.
Over and out!
11 comments:
A terrible decision, made worse by the fact that Miller insists that it was the right call. Good thing he wasn't coaching us in '89.
Dorsey couldn't catch a cold - Dressler is not a returner (in the CFL) - Let's see what Grice-Mullen can do back their, and if the answer is F**k all, then it's CLEARLY Daly's fault.
my wife who knows very little football,knew that was a bad call ! i would have kicked it cause even if you miss you still go to overtime ! i just wonder if the 2 missed field goals ran back for td's earlier in the year had any play in his decsion!!
Firstly I really don't care what Americans think of either game.Why do we have to feel we need their blessing?
The "Decison" was unbelievable and stupid. Thank goodness the Riders still won or the Rider Nation would be howling for dismissals all around.Speaking of poor coaching decisions, why do they keep Clermont on the sidelines. He is a playmaker. Look at his contribution last night. Awesome.
Koch was valuable as well. Replacing PR and Dorsey was the right move as Charles saw some action and scored.Why? Because instead of plowing into the line like Cates would have he changed dirction and walked into the endzone.
Ummm, send Miller two tapes, there was this game in late November, 1989, and another one in late November, 2009. Both those coaches had confidence in there field goal unit. Both those coaches have Grey Cup rings...nuff said, that is a no brainer decision, don't get fancy.
Miller gave the entire Rider Nation a heart attack. He would have had to go had they lost. I can't believe he did something that dumb and I can't believe he said he would do it again. I hope a good nights sleep makes him realize he made a major mistake.
Richard
If Johnson kicks that ball out of the endzone the way he was supposed to, everyone would be praising Miller today. Blame this on Eddie. Why didn't he try to angle it out of bounds?
perry
Imagine this scenario. Congi goes to kick FG and either
1)It gets blocked and goes back for TD
2)He misses and Calgary returns it for a score.
What would the fallout on Miller have been? Would all the armchair coaches be calling for Miller's head because he didn't try to punt for the single point.
Make no mistake, it was a bad call, but just think of what else could have happened. I simply think Miller overthought the situation and put too many what ifs into the equation. This from the man who said the offence had to be more relaxed.
Barry
Leave the 'Rouge" right where it's at. It's another variable which makes the CFL as exciting as it is. Why would anyone want to downscale the Canadian game to NFL levels? American worship? You must have an Rcalf membership.
Tracy
Miller didn't make the mistake. Johnson did! Why aren't you trying to angle that ball out of bounds in the endzone.
Garry
Ken Miller is a very good football coach. He is the head coach and must accept responsibility for all coaching decisions good or bad. However, it would be interesting to know if he made the decision or if Special Teams coach Jim Daley made it. Jim Daley is responsible for Special Teams this includes Place kicking/punting and punt/kickoff return teams.
The blame for the anemic punt/kick off return results so far this year can be placed squarely on the shoulders of Daley and I'm sure if Dorsey ends up on another teams roster that he will do well because he is a good returner. Daley was one of the worst head coaches the Roughriders ever had and I would venture to say that he is one of the worst special teams coaches we've ever had and I think that if he didn't make the decision to punt that he at least made the suggestion.
Send Daley back to Winnipeg asap.
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