Comment: Canada Rouge
(Listen daily for the RP Commentary on the All New Hits 98 CKHD & LTD Radio)
A coupla three or more thoughts entering the weekend, but they all pertain to Thursday night’s 20-19 Roughriders loss at Toronto …
#1 – Chaos and calamity reign in the Wheat Province after the Riders’ winless skid hit five games with this loss. They’ve won just once in seven games yet remarkably, they’re still in first place in the CFL West.
This is the kookiest of seasons in the history of a league that prides itself on being kooky.
#2 – If you didn’t hear, Toronto won the game on a missed field goal rouge with 0:00 on the clock. For our American audience, that’s single point scored for a dead ball in the end zone.
The Rider Nation is howling that the rule needs to be amended because it’s rewarding failure.
Meanwhile the Argonauts and their fans are lauding the rule this morning.
It’s the Justin Trudeau of football rules; the West wants it removed, yet it remains because of the East.
#3 – I’ve seen the calls for the dismissal of rookie head coach Corey Mace in the wake of this loss. Once the toast of the town, he’s now catching heat for perceived rookie coaching mistakes.
But he shouldn’t be. Like a player, he’s learning too and should be allowed some grace. A month ago, he was achieving records set by Rider greats Ken Miller and Corey Chamblin.
Peaks and valleys. They’re still in first place.
But make no mistake: if this isn’t turned around pronto, their season is going in the gutter.
#4 – On a Montreal Alouettes podcast last week the hosts asked me why the Riders have stuck with quarterback Trevor Harris despite the 38-year old’s injury problems.
I said, “Because he’s excellent.”
And last night he outplayed his counterpart Chad Kelly but only won because of the rouge, and the fact his defense committed three goalline takeaways.
The Riders likely flew home wondering how in the world they lost?
Those are the defeats that hurt the most.
That’s today’s Rod Pedersen Commentary.
(The Rod Pedersen Show airs daily at 12 pm & 4 pm ET on Game+TV, WQEE Radio, Podcast & YouTube Live)
I was at the game. They lost because Harris and Mueller refused to throw the ball downfield and stretch the Argos out. AND, because on third and 15, they played prevent defence and let Chad Kelly and the Argos off the hook. Anyone could see that was what NOT to do! Keep they’re receivers in FRONT of you, force them to throw deep or under…….and BLITZ Kelly!!
Not to mention the offensive debacle in the last 30 seconds…….unbelievable
Except they did throw the ball from their own one yard line at the end of BOTH halves, when the smart play was to sneak two yards so you have space to kneel down. Idiotic clock management completely unbecoming for a professional team. It cost them points each time, and ultimately the game. Amateur.
Warren Moon and Doug Flutie have both stated for decades the CFL is so much fun just based on how many ways you can score to win a game. Marc Trestman summed it up best. It’s a 57 minute game and then a 3 minute game. The 3 minute game is where Coaching will make or break you. Here’s a pro-tip – when John Hugnagel/Dave Dickenson could careless if you walk – that might be a signal that it’s time to go back to U of R/Divsion 3 Football where a guy belongs. As for the Head Coach – to… Read more »