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Saturday, August 6, 2011

SIGHHHHH!!!!!





The sand is running through the hourglass and the impatience grows larger. The Saskatchewan Roughriders did nothing to appease an already angry fan-base as they give B-C their first win of the year as the Lions win 24-11 meaning BC, Toronto and Saskatchewan are tied for the league's worst record at 1-5. Are the Riders the worst team in the league? I still say that honour goes to Toronto, but is there a lot separating the Argos from the Riders right now.

Here are some random thoughts from what I saw...

--Its been proven again that Darian Durant is not a stand in the pocket passer. He just isn't as dynamic when he stands back and fires away. He needs to roll out, he needs to improvise, he needs to create some space with his legs. We saw what he can do on the touchdown drive and more of that is needed. However, there were times tonight when I thought Darian could have run and he didn't. Why? I don't think Darian has lost his confidence, but he just doesn't seem to be the same. Yes, not having Fantuz, Bagg and Koch is a big reason for that but that excuse has to be thrown out the window now as we are six games in. Get over it!

--Luca Congi needs to return and return soon. Eddie Johnson just can't consistently give us solid punting and placekicking for whatever reason. That was painfully evident on this night with his punts which looked more like lame ducks than the missiles we are used to.

--Jerrell Freeman just gets better and better. Keith Shologan could be a candidate for the league's top defensive player if it wasn't for the record. Who would you vote for right now as the Riders top defensive player. I'd probably go with Freeman and give Shologan top Canadian nod. (FWIW, I no longer vote for year-end awards).

--Chris Getzlaf is turning into a mystery. You never know what is going to happen when you throw him the football. He had a couple of great catches (one taken away by a rather bizarre offensive pass interference call late), but he also had some big drops that just can't be tolerated. What do you do?

--What do you do? That's going to be a question uttered to many members of the Riders organization this week as they get ready for another visit by Calgary. (Who made that schedule anyhow?) I get the feeling that for some, Friday night may have been their last night wearing the /=S=/ . We will see. All I know is the heat has  been turned up another few degrees on this team and they have no one to blame but themselves. They really aren't worse than the Argos are they? Are they?

One other note. Like many of you, I wondered why TSN had given Farhan Lalji the play by play assignment, but we were quickly told that Chris Cuthbert had to leave Vancouver because his father had died. Farhan was put in a tough spot and while he struggled early, I thought he did a commendable job and  under the circumstances, he gets a passing grade from me even though he did say "The city of Saskatchewan".

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

It is time for Doug Berry to go. It is time for Brendan Taman to go. It is time for Andy Fantuz to come back.

Anonymous said...

What is Greg Marshall doing? At the end of the game, he praises Darian who was horseshit for 90 percent of the game and then proceeds to throw Eddie Johnson under the bus? Eddie wasn't great, but you took Milo with you to Vancouver so you knew he wasn't 100 percent. CMON GREG!!!


Kevin

Anonymous said...

That 13th man debacle looks pretty good now considering doesn't it.

Anonymous said...

I hate to say I told you so but way back when the Riders hired Richie and retained Doug Berry I predicted a 5/13 season. It's sad to say, but unless they fire Doug Berry today I overestimated them because we can't possibly win four more games the way we're headed.

Veeseven

Anonymous said...

Darian has regressed. I don't know if its Berry or what it is, but a lot of his throws just aren't there anymore. The TD drive was outstanding because that was the way our offence should roll, but there were a few passes last nite that he was just terrible on.

Mike

Anonymous said...

Mack and LaPolice had to undo the carnage that Taman and Berry left, and they are now a championship calibre team. Those two are now doing it to us and I would call it carnage because what else is it. Would ET or any credible manager like ET put up with this garbage happening at the 1/3 point in the season? Hopson better get out the dynamite and start looking for a REAL general Mgr. Based on the talent and how they are playing 4-14 or 5-13 would be a coup.

Anonymous said...

Darian is being hampered by poor playcalling and lack of receiving talent. If anyone has regressed, its Getzlaf.

Clay said...

U R right Freeman is easily top defensive player and Shologan top Canadian. Getzlaf has all kinds of talent. He'll get thru this just like Fantuz got thru his dropsy period. No worries

Anonymous said...

I am old enough to remember the good ole days of Bobby Hughes and Drinnan writing "Chaos by the Creek" columns about the Riders in the 80's .... They never held back a damn thing, why doesn't someone have the gonads to do that today ???

Anonymous said...

@CFL_News: Early projections have Andy Fantuz not making Bears roster with undrafted WR Sanzenbacher standing out http://is.gd/jZ1igg