--The last I looked the sky wasn't falling, but all it took was one loss--one ugly loss to an Eastern Division opponent to get Rider Nation riled up. So much for the good created in the four-game win streak.
I won't even try to sugarcoat that one because the green-and-white were god-awful Saturday night against the Ottawa Redblacks, but as Chris Jones said in his post-game news conference they are still a good football team.
Jones said they weren't physically or mentally prepared and that falls on him. Why is that though? I said earlier in the week that after beating four straight Western Division opponents, a game against an Eastern Division club was not what you wanted to see. Would the same type of focus and intensity be there? We found out the answer!
Marcus Thigpen gave the team a huge spark with his opening play kick return, but that spark soon fizzled out. It was a horrible night for the offence. Receivers dropped passes, Zach Collaros missed on a couple of passes, the o-line was shaky. You saw the end result.
Defensively, the team just could not do what it has been doing over the first two-thirds of the season. That was evident when Trevor Harris took Ottawa 109 yards down the field and without much resistance either. Good defences will struggle from time-to-time and when that happens, the offence needs to bail them out.. That didn't happen on this night
Teams are going to have bad football games and on this night it did. Some of the problems this football team have had were magnified and yes, they do have to be corrected. At the end of the day, I think all will agree the team is in better shape at the 2/3 pole than they were at the 1/3 mark. They have winnable games in Toronto and Montreal before returning home to face Edmonton in what likely is a winner gets home-field for West semi game on Thanksgiving Monday.
--What now in B.C? It's obvious the Lions have lost faith in Jonathan Jennings, but its his show again after the latest injury to Travis Lulay. Will that be it for Lulay? He's not getting any younger. The last year of the Wally era appears to be fading to black.
--Why is it Regina just won't come out for Rams or Thunder games? If we are such a "football-crazed" city, than supporting both should be an automatic. Nope! The "if it isn't the Riders, we aren't interested" crowd has its nose up in the air refusing to watch the future of the game on display. This just in, Regina's win over UBC Friday night was wayyyyyyyy better than the Rider game. Those who think its beneath them should really check it out and learn a thing or two. $25 for an adult ticket is a reasonable price to pay. You pay more and grumble about it to see the Riders so what's the rationale for not coming out?
--Week 2 of the NFL was symbolized by big offensive outputs and lousy kickers. Cleveland's Zane Gonzalez just flat out blew it for the 2nd week in a row and Minnesota's Daniel Carlson might be the second coming of Blair Walsh. YEESH!! Meanwhile, Patrick Mahomes tossed six TD passes in a 42-37 win over Pittsburgh and Tampa's Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for 400 yards and four TD's in a win over the Eagles. Who said there was no offence in the NFL?
--If you are a Packers fan (and sadly I know many), you should be angered with the roughing the passer call on Clay Matthews that cost your team a win. That was one of the worst calls I've seen. The NFL brass need to re-visit that rule as some of the roughing the passer calls have been an absolute joke. I've said it once and I'll say it again. If this continues, just give the QB a flag.
--Just when you think you have heard it all, you go nope! Vontae Davis had had enough of the Buffalo Bills after six quarters of play this season and said that's it, I retire. He didn't come out of the tunnel for the 2nd half. ????? Give the guy credit for not faking an injury and being honest, but DUDE??? WTH??
--Red Sox and Mets fans at Fenway in harmony chanting "Yankees Suck" was a sight to see. At least, the two fan bases were united in something together. The Red Sox could meet the Yankees in one American League Divisional Series. If the Yankees were to bounce Boston in that series, the fallout would be immense in Beantown.
--John Tavares scored his first goal as a Leaf during a training camp session Saturday afternoon and it was widely broadcast that he had done so.. It is going to be a long, long winter for those who hate the Leafs.
--I still am not entirely sure what the h-e double hockeysticks Senators owner Eugene Melnyk was trying to do with that video last week. Does anyone? I know they are a Canadian team, but how much longer can that gong-show go on before they leave?
--The Moose Jaw Warriors announced a profit of $704,000 dollars this past season. I am guessing the Pats didn't make similar numbers. One has to imagine the bottom line was not good for the Pats in their 100th anniversary season.
--I don't care what you say, pineapple does NOT belong on pizza. Either does a lot of other things, but pineapple is at or near the top of the list.
--That's all I got. I am sure I will be yelling at the Seahawks offensive line tonight as they try to "protect" Russell Wilson from Khalil Mack and the Bears defence. SIGHHHHH!!!
18 comments:
You didn't mention the "Hugh Campbell 1966 stat" Probably because it doesn't look good on Stephen McAdoo.
Very accurate on your comments about "fans" going to Rams/Thunder games.
Regina isn't a football city. Its a Riders city. Been saying that for years.
Rams should get at least 5000 to home games.
Winning covers up warts. Those warts were exposed big-time. Collaros is not worth the money we are paying him.
What makes me laugh is Rider fans are laughing at Bomber fans for booing their team at the Banjo Bowl and then they do the same thing! Who's laughing now! The so-called "intelligent" fan-base we supposedly have really need to give their head a shake sometimes or push the reset button.
As far as Rams/Thunder go. This is a prime example as to why their home games should be played at Leibel Field. Imagine the environment in that place for Rams/Huskies or Thunder/Hilltops.
You can't play University/junior games in CFL stadiums. Calgary and Manitoba have their stadiums on the University, but Regina doesn't. Get those two teams to Leibel asap.
Scott
What is the Hugh Campbell stat? I did notice Vanstone mention something about Duron getting 234 yards receiving in one game which was just about as much total offence as Saturday.
704 grand profit for a small market team that has its fans get called out for not supporting the team!! Warriors have more season ticket sales this year then last year. I know it will be a tough rebuild but I don’t think anyone should call out Moose Jaw fans.
Sighhh... Duron Carter how we miss thee on offense... #89 Electric All World Superstar for the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Those clueless hillbilly hicks of Saskatchewan (Board of directors) ran him out of that hamlet called Regina.
Carter ran himself outta town as he has with every team on which he's ever played...
And yes pineapple most certainly belongs on pizza...
The Campbell stat was that he had more TDs himself as a receiver in 1966 after eleven games than our offence has this year...
Yer welcome
Can't disagree with what Scott says.
Disagree with Bunyawk. If you were a reciever with emense playing talent, wouldnt you be unhappy if the team played you out of position on defense? Anyone who has the talent on offensive side of the ball would be unhappy.
Did all coach/team asked, played out of position on defense. Frustration must have set in for a All Wotld Athlete such as offense reciever the likes of Duron Carter. Now he's gone and the fanbase b*tching continues with the local yokals who know absoloutly nothing of professional football. Let the season play out and see where it ends then b*tch all you want thereafter.
Who the heck wants to watch junior football in an empty stadium, there is zero for emotion and excitement.
Hear! Hear! Scott.
In regards to pizza, anchovies are the # 1 item that DON'T belong on a pizza. They taste worse than they smell and that is pretty bad. In regards to pineapple, Hawaiian Pizza is GREAT !!
Those wanting pineapple on their pizza are those who are suffering from some kind of issue I don't want to be a part of. #pineappledoesnotbelongonpizza
I am guessing Chad Owens would hate pineapple on a pizza! Why ruin pizza by putting pineapple on it?
Collaros has not lived up to the $$$ that he is being paid. I don't expect him to put up Reilly-like numbers because they aren't the same type of player, but I do expect the team to move the ball and score some touchdowns. That isn't happening. What was the time of possession on Saturday? You can't expect the "D" to keep going out there when the offence can't move the ball.
Nick
Well quit b*tching about the current crop of Roughrider recievers. Duron Carter brought a whole new demension to that playing position that produced results when properly utilized, bottom line... Duron Carter produced on offense. Duron Carter's absence has nothing to do with the 4-1 record since he left, that's all on the defensive side of the ball. Roughriders offense, qb Collaros along with its coordinator Steve McAdoo stink to high hell.
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