10 WEEKEND THINGS FOR TITAN AUTO

1 – UP WEEK: The collective sigh of relief from the Roughriders and their fans may cause wind hazards across the prairies. Saturday’s impressive 38-25 home victory over the BC Lions came in a true must-win game and the Green & White delivered. Now they’re in position to sweep the Lions in this back-to-back set and potentially throw dirt on the Lions long before the Labour Day turn.

2 – THE GOOD: Cody Fajardo probably won’t last long playing *this* reckless but dang, he’s fun to watch. He hobbled into the endzone to cap a drive in which he moved the sticks a lot with his legs. But, he’s been pinpoint accurate when he’s had time to set up in the pocket. Hats off to Riders QB coach Steve Walsh and OC Stephen McAdoo for maximizing Cody’s potential. He’s already displayed more this season than I thought was there. … Also, Charleston Hughes had a field day against the Lions’ offensive front, racking up his league-leading sack total to 8. His forced fumble on Lions QB Mike Reilly was timely as well. … LB Solomon Elimimian was a presence too, and he’s clearly shed the rust which hindered his Sask debut in Week 4.

3 – THE BAD: How do you fake yourself out on a fake? Had the Riders lost the game, the coaching staff would’ve been roasted on a spit for forgetting to declare Kienan LaFrance as an eligible receiver on the fake field goal attempt. The penalty squandered a nifty play by punter/holder Jon Ryan, and now all CFL teams are aware of the potential for this fake. … Still no sacks for prized free agent DT Micah Johnson. Granted, he wasn’t signed for his sacks (and he’s getting lots of attention from opposition linemen) but I thought this game was supposed to be a field day for the Riders Front 4.

4 – THE UGLY: Referee Al Bradbury’s crew had a rough day. The plus, for the Riders, is that they overcame some bad calls and still won. That’s the sign of a good, maybe even great, team. … Much, much more was expected out of the BC Lions. QB Mike Reilly is the highest-paid player in the CFL but he looks average with this unit. Their frustration at 1-5 appears to be at a boiling point. … Why would *some* Rider fans boo Duron Carter? What did he ever do to Saskatchewan? People like this amaze me sometimes.

5 – NOW WHAT?: Lions greats like Geroy Simon and Travis Lulay have joked on the The Rod Pedersen Show this summer that BC is on “Grey Cup pace” given the fact they won the 2011 Grey Cup after starting 1-5. BUT those jokes will stop if BC doesn’t rally to beat the Riders this upcoming Saturday in Vancouver. Do you remember what changed for the Lions back in 2011? GM Wally Buono signed vets Arland Bruce III and Tad Kornegay – who were on the street – and the veteran savvy and talent seemed to put the Lions over the top. Who will be this year’s Bruce and Kornegay for BC GM Ed Hervey?

6 – BREAK UP THE ALS: How can you not be happy for the Khari Jones-led Montreal Alouettes, who are on a 3-game win streak following Saturday’s 20-10 home win over Edmonton? Clearly all that was needed to halt the 3-ring circus and restore respectability in that outfit was to show GM Kavis Reed the door. Now, the Als are on the cusp of new ownership, Khari Jones is an early candidate for Coach of the Year and QB Vernon Adams Jr. looks like Most Outstanding Player material. Viva Montreal!

7 – CHAMB BLAME GAME: It’s painful to see the media lining up to kick Toronto Argonauts head coach Corey Chamblin while he’s down, pointing out he’s lost 14 consecutive games dating back to 2015 in Saskatchewan. Did you watch Toronto’s 26-16 loss in Calgary on Thursday? It was Grey Cup champs like James Wilder Jr. and Armanti Edwards who fumbled the ball, and QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson was the one who threw 4 interceptions. Chamblin is an outstanding coach and an outstanding person. If anyone can turnaround the travesty that has become the Argos, it’s Corey Chamblin. And don’t forget, they won the Grey Cup just two years ago.

8 – SAVE A HORSE: The Bo Levi Trade Rumour we floated on Thursday’s RP Show was designed to spice things up on an otherwise dull week. Perhaps we could’ve gotten the Stampeders on the front cover of the Calgary Sun but, alas, no dice. However my sources tell me something is going on with the BLM injury and the team’s ability to hide his whopping salary while he’s on the 6-game Injured List. GM John Hufnagel reportedly winces at the thought of paying more than 10% of your salary cap dollars to one guy, even if it’s the league MVP. Stay tuned. We haven’t heard the end of this.

9 – WE LOVE SASK BEEF: Beyond Meat? Ya right. At The Rod Pedersen Show, we support Sask cattle ranchers and all Canadian beef producers. I WAS RAISED ON CATTLE/GRAIN FARM!

10 – RANDOM THOUGHTS: Have you heard from Johnny Football lately? Maybe this current exile will force him to look at himself, and change his ways. … If you’re one of the nincompoops who’s celebrating the opening of NFL training camps because it’s “real football”, then you’re not really a fan of football at all. For instance, I follow hockey throughout the NHL, WHL, SJHL, AHL, ECHL and PJHL. It’s about the game. … Summer’s short. Enjoy it. … The Northern Pikes were simply outstanding performing at halftime of Thursday Night Football in Calgary. Their big hit She Ain’t Pretty was popular when I was going to college in Cowtown. … Emerson Drive was great Saturday at Mosaic Stadium too, but a bathroom visit interrupted my enjoying their set. Did they sing I Should Be Sleeping? … Ticats returner Brandon Banks was rightfully fined for calling out Commissioner Randy Ambrosie with profanity on Twitter this week. The world is missing respect, but you can get it back quick by dropping the hammer. … Whomever’s in charge of the Rider game day production, hats off to you. I absolutely love the atmosphere and goings-on. Nice job! …  4 rounds of golf for yours truly, and counting. This is the most since 1998. GREAT!!! … If you believe “the CFL season begins at Labour Day”, you’re missing a lot!

Y’er welcome,
RP
@rodpedersen