I knew Drew Willy couldn't do what Darian Durant has done. With Willy behind center, the Riders had a season low 32 points scored. PFFFFFTT!!! OK, sarcasm off!
What can you say about the Riders that you haven't been able to say before after their 12 point win over Hamilton on Saturday night. I guess the only thing is that Willy can run the offence pretty well also as he shook off what I thought was a slow start to help the Riders to victory. Just some other thoughts on what transpired on the University Stadium at Guelph turf.
--While its been said before, the kudos have to keep going to the offensive line and Weyburn's Brendon Labatte in particular. He has been phenomenal and he perhaps had his best game in Guelph protecting Willy and opening holes for Sheets.
--I know we are only five weeks in and I know I might be highly biased, but is there any reason to think that if they handed out awards in July that Sheets would be the MOP, Rey Williams would be the top defensive player and Labatte the best lineman? Who has been better?
--Kent Austin looks like a frustrated man only five weeks in. One needs only to see his press conference after the game to see that.
--Who said Geroy Simon was done? I bet he brought a very calming influence into the huddle with a young quarterback who was struggling and he also brought that quarterback some confidence by saying throw the ball to me.
--Michael Ball brought it up on "Roughrider Gameday" and he was 100 percent correct. Taj Smith is an outstanding blocker. He made a couple of key blocks on some of Sheets' runs and he also threw a nice block on Chris Getzlaf's TD.
--What was thought to be a major weakness going into training camp is now a huge strength as there can't be any complaints about the play of the defensive line. Foley, Chick. George and Shologan with McElveen and an impressive looking Hilee Taylor are an impressive and formidable group.
--I'm sure a lot of you saw this on the weekend, but if not. Its absolute gold from the TiCats. Just remember where you heard "GOPHERNADO" first though...
Other little tidbits
--Someone needs to explain to me how the worst team in baseball --the Houston Astros--can attract 113-thousand people to Rogers Centre for a four game series against the highly disappointing Blue Jays, yet the Argos struggle to get 20-thousand and they are the defending champs of their league. Is the Toronto sports fan that spoiled when it comes to the CFL? Are they that focussed on the pipe dream of the NFL coming? The Toronto football fan needs to change his or her thought process.
--I love the Western Major Baseball League, but they need to go out and find themselves a communications person. There is nothing wrong with the quality of the play, but its sometimes a little tough to find things out. For instance, who is playing who in the playoffs? Some teams get the importance of their website while others depend on a league website to get all the information out, It reminds me a lot of the SJHL and the attitudes of some teams when it comes to the website and maintaining it properly. In this day and age, you need to have a successful website to be successful and you need a social media aspect to your club or league as well. If you don't have that, you have problems and the WMBL has some.
--Working the morning shift in July threw a real monkeywrench into plans to go to Currie Field for Red Sox games. I had planned to get out to a lot more. Here's hoping the playoffs mean a few home dates.
--I have no problem with Hunter Mahan pulling out of the Canadian Open to be with his wife as she gave birth. I had wondered why Mahan would play the event so close to his wife's due day, but I found out she went into labor a month early so that would explain that. The question has been brought up though---and its a good one. Would Mahan have done the same thing if he was in a major? Would he give up the chance at wearing a green jacket and immortalizing himself?
--Nice job by Global's Derek Meyers in hosting the network's coverage of the RBC Canadian Open as well.
--I'd like to see the Canadian Open play Banff Springs or Kananaskis or perhaps Paradise Canyon in Lethbridge. I'm sure there are courses in B-C as well that could host the event.
--Very sad stories coming out of Lloydminster and Winnipeg. It would appear as if emotional issues were the root of the Winnipeg tragedy, but questions will be asked for a long time what six kids between 13 and 17 are doing driving on the road at 415 in the morning. I hope there was a good reason and that we don't find out these kids were doing something they weren't supposed to be doing. That would make what already is a tragic story ever more tragic.
--Josh Johnson has basically come what Ricky Romero was last year.
--The NFL fantasy magazines out there are all out of whack this year because of the Aaron Hernandez situation. A lot of these books should be trashed and made over again. They lose some credibility when discussing the former New England tight end who has caught his last pass in the NFL by the sounds of it.
Lastly, the CFL simply embarrasses themselves by allowing the Rene Paredes record for consecutive field goals. The record of consecutive field goals was snapped when Montreal's John Bowman blocked an attempt during their game in Calgary. It was an attempt and you can't tell me otherwise. Let me ask you this. If a quarterback drops back to pass and his throw is batted down by a defensive player, his statline still counts the throw as an attempt. How does that differ from a kicker who kicks the ball only to have it blocked. There is no difference. Put an asterisk besides it or something. That's a record I'm not recognizing. Agree or disagree and if its the latter, please explain.
That is all! Enjoy the day!
15 comments:
Rene Paredes record will never be accepted in my mind.
A blocked FG is an attempt thus the streak was snapped. I would say the same if this happened to Milo. This has to be changed.
Wayne
Couldn't agree more on Smith's blocking. I heard you and Ballsy talking about that on Saturday and he did make a couple of big blocks downfield. I hadn't noticed that before. Perhaps another reason why he stayed and Carr left.
No way Mahan leaves if he is chasing a Masters or US Open. He likely wouldn't get back at the British Open. I could see him doing it at PGA or Players Champship though.
Jason
Very good point on a QB attempt getting knocked down. Shouldn't be any different for a FG. That isn't a record in my books.
Kyle
Hey everybody don't let FG streak ruin your day.
Riders not doing bad and that's important...besides,
..as long as the league still gives Points for mistakes (i.e. the Rouge) punting travelling into end zone instead of inside the 10 & FG wide right--bigger issue than glitch in kicking record rulebook.
Can't wait for the GC to be awarded to the team with the game winning Rouge.
That will be the big embarrassment.
#kickouttherouge
Blair,
I read that apparently Paul had one blocked in BC when he set the record. Should his have a star beside it too? How come no one mentions this is it true?
Kananaskis won't be holding anything for awhile, you don't have to look far on the internet to see that the course is pretty much now a river, Banff Springs even had some damage. Good dialogue on the Paredes record. Should be a barnburner on the 9th with Riders and Stamps. 5-0 looks great let's move it up to 6.
Curt
I have lost a bunch of respect for the Ti-Cats, and Austin. They continually moan about player loss by injury and how it's impacting their team. They had the entire off season to rebuild their team and add depth.
A few seasons back when the Riders were decimated by injuries, we didn't say anything. Instead we went out and kept finding a way to win. Nobody else gives a darn when it happens to us. When any other team goes through it some broadcasters and others bemoan the fact. No coaching staff and others down east are whining about the injuries being why they lost. Maybe they should take a look at Kent's NCAA overall record????
Also Smith has showed real hustle and speed. Not only on his successful catches but on that pass that was knocked down when it was under thrown and he had to wait for it. Give Willy some more game time reps and look out.
While I agree that the rules need to be changed regarding Parades' "non-attempt", full credit to the man for being humble about it (from everything I've seen). At the end of the day, the record doesn't mean anything, so letting an absolute class act enjoy some recognition doesn't upset me one bit.
Kent said in his press conference- "injuries r not an excuse!" that was his mantra here
Good call on WMBL. They want to be big-time, but they don't want to act on it. A website is a conduit between fan and the product you are trying to promote. Living in an SJHL and WMBL city, it is very difficult getting info on either that I need. At least I can get some ansers on the SJ site.
Gordon
I don't mind pareedes having the record, but there should be an asterisk besides it indicating the block. What a ridiculous rule.
Rob
The Lloydminster story tears my heart apart. Its so sad to have six promising lives snuffed out in a heartbeat. Can someone please tell me though what six kids are doing driving the backroads at 430 in the morning though?! The parents while devastated should be taking some blame in this should they not. There is no way I would let my kid (19 now) have been out past 130 or 2 o'clock and that was in Saskatoon.
CT
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