20 THOUGHTS FROM LABOUR DAY CLASSIC WEEKEND

1 – CFL fans can take a bow. The stadiums were packed for the 3 Labour Day Classics across the land. 33,356 in Saskatchewan, 25,093 in Hamilton and 32,350 in Calgary. The league is in good shape.

2 – If you foolishly believe the CFL season kicked off on Labour Day, here’s what you missed: Simoni Lawrence’s hit/suspension/appeal/suspension, the BC Lions season, Khari Jones and Vernon Adams Jr. bringing the Montreal Alouettes back to life, likely the end of Zach Collaros’s career, Cody Fajardo’s Coming Out Party and the birth of the next generation of star CFL QBs.

3 – The Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ complaints over dirty play in Labour Day Classic LVI isn’t a good look on their club. Their 3rd-down snapper Chad Rempel was knocked out of the game. However the Bombers are conveniently forgetting last year’s Western Semifinal when they knocked out Rider QB Brandon Bridge with a blatant headshot. Coach Mike O’Shea backed his player Jackson Jeffcoat at the time.

4 – Four of the nine CFL teams have a black head coach. That represents 44% of the league. By comparison, the NFL only has three black head coaches (the Steelers’ Mike Tomlin, the Dolphins Brian Flores and the Chargers’ Anthony Lynn), or 9%. Diversity Is Strength.

5 – The Calgary Stampeders defense makes some good/great QBs look very average. (Backwards) hats off to Stamps defensive coordinator Brent Monson. His unit doesn’t get the credit they deserve.

6 – $55 for a CFL retro snapback cap is outrageous. Yet I paid it, it fits perfectly, and I love it!

7 – Fans are complaining about how boring the Eskimos/Stampeders game was. 3 things to remember: 1) Your ticket doesn’t guarantee an entertaining game in the fine print, 2) The NFL is no better, and 3) Did you have a good time? It appeared everyone did.

8 – Richie Hall’s Bend-But-Don’t-Break Defense (he loathes that term), allows yards between the 25’s but stands up in the redzone. That’s where he brings the heat and leads the league in takeaways. But apparently it doesn’t account for a game-winning FIELD GOAL drive, like the one which cost the Bombers the LDC.

9 – Edmonton QB Trevor Harris is 0-8-2 career against Calgary. That doesn’t bode well for the playoffs. Conversely, Stamps QB Bo Levi Mitchell is 6-0 in Labour Day Classics. He really looked rusty on Monday didn’t he? NOT!

10 – Argo fans are lamenting the One That Got Away in Cody Fajardo. However Toronto – and BC – had the Next One right under their nose and let him slip away. Even his old teammates are surprised by Cody’s heroics in his first chance as a starter. Rider GM Jeremy O’Day should be lauded for such an astute signing. There’s no such thing as luck.

11 – Calgary’s McMahon Stadium is still a magnificent facility. A classic CFL stadium. It’s just old.

12 – Rider fans are wondering if the club gave up too soon on WR Ricky Collins Jr., who’s currently shining with Edmonton. I love Ricky, I really do, but his hands weren’t sticky enough during his stint in Saskatchewan, nor BC.

13 – The Argos should’ve won their past two games. Monday’s loss was a particularly golden opportunity, with Ticats DBs Frankie Williams and Tunde Adeleke getting tossed for rough-housing. Toronto’s playing uptight, afraid to make a mistake, and QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson just isn’t consistent enough.

14 – It’s nice to see a player finally disciplined for abusing an official. It can’t be open season on the zebras.

15 – Since childhood, the Toronto Argonauts have always been my #2 team. Mainly because of their double-blue colour scheme. Monday’s power blue retros made me weak in the knees. However did Argos Head Coach Corey Chamblin get away with NOT wearing the gear? He favoured instead an MLB-style windbreaker with the Argos “A” logo.

16 – We predicted someone with the 1-9 BC Lions would walk the plank. It ended up being OL Coach Bryan Chiu. As Rider Hall of Famer and Sask Party MLA Gene Makowsky said on our Sunday pregame show, “It may not be right, but it’s easier to fire one coach than all the players”.

17 – Thrice I’ve written this season that the only thing that’ll beat the Winnipeg Blue Bombers is themselves. They appear to be right on schedule. Exhibit A: Andrew Harris.

18 – LOVE it when CFL teams honour and recognize the military. Hug a soldier! They put their lives on the line everyday to allow you to do the things you want to do.

19 – ZERO apologies are necessary from the Saskatchewan Roughriders for beating weaker or under-manned opponents this season. They’ve beaten whomever’s been on the schedule for 6 straight weeks and have built up much-needed confidence along the way.

20 – Four In One: 1) I hold my breath each time Chris Streveler drops to pass … 2) TSN’s Live Mics screw up the flow of the announcing crew … 3) Milt Stegall’s flashy red blazer couldn’t have been purchased in Canada … 4) The first-ever Grey Cup rodeo is to be held this November in Calgary? Sign me up!

Y’er welcome,
RP

(Photo: Ryan Varty)

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Hank Jones
Hank Jones
4 years ago

Dickenson and much of the Riders staff didn’t wear retros either. NBD. McMahon is great for alot of reasons and terrible for many others. A new facility won’t be coming anytime soon…time to do some serious upgrades. Get rid of the thousands of backless bench seats and put in actual seats. And I still think it’s a disgrace you can’t make out the replays on the screens when sitting in the sections closest to the scoreboard. Do something useful in the north end zone…like a 2nd video screen. And a much better gathering place than the “Telus Patio.” Sitting field… Read more »

Ted
Ted
4 years ago

10 – astute signing? Cody Fajardo was just a afterthought-filler space for the Saskatchewan Roughriders Football Club. The current Rider gm surprisingly brought back and put all his faith on a oft concussed, oft injured Zack Collaros (astute?) as his starting qb at a ridiculous money contract even though a majority of astute football minds didn’t want him anywhere near a football. Collaros, Fajardo signed after highly sought after free agents Harris, Mitchell, Reilly thumbed their nose at playing for the Roughriders of Saskatchewan, (desperation ensued, what to do now?) Hence, Collaros Fajardo two last minute desperation signings. Thank God… Read more »

Lenn Dovell
Lenn Dovell
4 years ago
Reply to  Ted

Very true Ted. Stars aligned for Cody and he performed. Had the top brass had their way he wouldn’t have had the chance.

RogerT
RogerT
4 years ago

Isn’t it always a bit about luck and opportunity? BC didn’t offer Fajardo a contract. Toronto let him walk away. The Riders felt he was worth enough to sign him. Darian Durant was a throw in on a trade in 2005. He was cut in 2006 and then asked to come back the next day when another QB decided to go home. The Ottawa Rough Riders let Ron Lancaster walk. Weston Dressler was once on the Blue Bombers negotiation list. And the list goes on … Oh yeah, and let’s not forget, the “lucky” O’Day was able to flip that… Read more »

Tim
Tim
4 years ago
Reply to  RogerT

Agreed on Cody, and now there aren’t many quarterbacks I’d rather have on my team. Nicholls-No. Harris-No, Reilly-no because of age (36) and his stratospheric contract limits the amount of other players we can sign. Cody is starting to remind me of our last great quarterback by the name of Austin, and he is only 27. Leadership ability, decision making, arm strength, last minute drives, ability to run, the guy seems to have it.