10 THINGS FOR FAMOSO NEAPOLITAN PIZZERIA

1 – FAST TIMES: The hysteria around the Saskatchewan Roughriders right now is a little hard to comprehend. At 1-2 and on a 2-game losing streak, it’s not a positive hysteria. Why are people jumping off buildings and demanding Coach Chris Jones be fired so early in the season? Likely because so much more was expected, and because the Riders lost to previously-winless Montreal in Week 3. But so far in 2018, a lot of things have happened beyond the team’s control. They are in “regroup” mode right now.

2 – MAYBERRY: I’m still trying to figure out why there’s such an intense dislike for Chris Jones in the 306. Some say it’s because he isn’t “folksy” enough for them, and maybe they’re miffed that he didn’t come speak at their BBQ or sports dinner. The ironic thing is that Chris Jones is more folksy than Andy Griffith and Barney Fife put together. Unfortunately no one ever gets to see that side of him.

3 – THE WAY I SEE IT: Jones would rather spend those off-season weekends holding free agent camps across the USA rather than crisscross Saskatchewan, speaking at banquets in the dead of winter. (That’s okay. I’m happy to do it). The problem for the Riders right now is that they aren’t winning, so for the time being, Jones’s M.O. has backfired. Honestly I thought this franchise was built to withstand the loss of the #1 QB and/or a rookie boundary corner. However without the services of Zach Collaros and Nick Marshall, the roof has collapsed. For now.

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4 – TWO WAYS: This is why we see Jones use so many players in all three facets of the game during training camp. He wants to see who has versatility in the event that the team is in a bind, like 1000-yard WR Duron Carter playing CB. And, as of Tuesday, Jones continued to defend his flamboyant superstar.

“Duron’s only played 4 games at DB. He’s not Superman,” Jones snickered. “They talk bad about him when he gives up a play to a very, very good football player in both Ottawa (Diontae Spencer) and most recently Chris Williams. Those are good players. Anybody would struggle against those guys. (People) only question it simply because it’s Duron.”

I admire Jones’ refusal to give up on people.

5 – THIS WEEK: The Riders only had two practices on this short week and one was a mild jog-through and the other was closed to the media and public. So we don’t know who’s lining up where or when. But if Carter is lost to the offense again, expect another steady diet of Naaman Roosevelt. The President was targeted 13 times last week, one shy of his career high. At least two of those targets – maybe three – went for interceptions.

6 – NUMBERS: CFL Game Notes for Week 4 had some delicious facts. The last time the Riders started 3 different QBs in 3 weeks was in the fall of 2014. They were Tino Sunseri, Seth Doege and Kerry Joseph. *shudder* That’s why I’m scratching my head at the furor in the Rider Nation right now. We’ve been through MUCH worse than this 1-2 start over the years.

7 – MORE NOTES: RB Jerome Messam dressed, but didn’t have a single carry last week and that hasn’t happened since 2014 (59 games ago) … KR/PR Christion Jones is on pace for 3,000 combined yards this year and the only other Rider to ever do that is Corey Holmes (aka C-Murder) … K Brett Lauther leads the CFL with 8 FGs and has made his last 8 in a row.

8 – D-FENCE: The Roughriders’ defense held Montreal to thirteen 2-and-outs last week which is by far the most by any CFL club over the past five years. Could it be there is a method to Defensive Coordinator Chris Jones’ madness?

9 – MASSOLI OIL: The QB of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats is a remarkable story. Having looked pedestrian for much of his CFL career, he has now thrown for 300+ yards in each of his last 8 games. One more will tie a CFL record held by Sam “The Rifle” Etcheverry and Kent Austin. The reason for his turnaround? “June Jones,” says the Voice of the Ticats Marshall Ferguson, alluding to the Head Coach of the Tabbies.

10 – JUST NOTES: Run, don’t walk, to the movie Uncle Drew at your local theatre. Kyrie Irving should get an Academy Award for his portrayal of a senior citizen hoops star. His supporting cast of Shaquille O’Neal, Reggie Miller, Nate Robinson et al had my jaw on the floor. Two thumbs up from the MMG. We’ll probably go again … God speed to new Humboldt Broncos Head Coach Nathan Oystrick of Regina. He’s got a tough job up there. We are anxiously awaiting the announcement of his coaching staff … World Cup. Can’t get into it … NHL Free Agent Frenzy. Can’t get into it … We have Gluten Free pizza crust at Famoso. Ask for it … Go Riders!

Y’er welcome
RP
@rodpedersen