DAYTONA HOMES MONDAY MORNING GOALIE
MONDAY HIGH FIVE!
1 – The Saskatchewan Roughriders have won four straight games and are a game out of first-place in the CFL West at 5-2. Everybody should be over the moon, right?
No, WRONG!
Listening to the CKRM postgame call-in show after Saturday’s 16-11 win over Montreal, and scouring the message boards and social media on Sunday, the Rider Nation is currently fighting amongst itself. Reading the comments section in the post-game story gives you a pretty good cross-section of what people are thinking.
On one side you’ve got the positive thinkers like me who see a club who’s navigated through significant early-season turmoil to stand amongst the league heavyweights. On the other side you’ve got those who hate the new third jerseys, are once again down on the quarterback and now the kicker, and somebody even described the Riders’ offense as “high school”. Let’s examine all sides today…
2 – CKRM Rider Radio analyst Carm Carteri was so worked up after the game he had a bead of sweat running across his forehead. Clearly, he wasn’t enamoured with the play of the offense for a second straight game.
“I don’t know. I don’t think it’s an identity thing,” Carm said on CKRM’s 5th Quarter. “I don’t like the thought of having Will Ford as a first half running back and then, it looks like, Jerome Messam will be our second half running back. There was some opportunities in this game like when the Riders were 2nd-and-2 at about the Rider 40, I’m sorry but if I have a 245 lb back in Jerome Messam, I’m getting him into the game in the first quarter, the first series, I don’t care. When I need that tough yard, I’m going after it.
“That’s the only thing that gets me going. As a former linebacker, you hate to hit guys like that and he’s a guy that can control the game for your offense and that was what was hurting the Riders. They couldn’t get first downs in the first half. They only had 13 yards rushing at halftime. You can’t be a good football team in the CFL if you can’t run the ball and sustain drives. That was disappointing because we had a big crowd and we expect more out of this football team. I know I’m being semi-hard on them but this is a game they had control of and allowed Montreal to get back in. They almost let it slip.”
To back Carm up, Rider coach Corey Chamblin said on our postgame show that the offense is “a concern” but they’ll work to make the necessary corrections. Honestly I don’t think offensive coordinator George Cortez can hear the criticism. He’s got his five Grey Cup rings plugging his ears!
And as Rider GM Brendan Taman pointed out on our pregame show, “If we can win games when our offense isn’t clicking, wait until it does!”
It should be noted the Riders are 10-0 in the turnover ratio in their last two wins.
3 – Veteran Rider wide receiver Rob Bagg has emerged as the team’s top ball-catcher through the opening seven games. The Queen’s product seems to be as healthy as ever before and when he runs, he just floats or glides, but is going at top speed. I’d still like to see a race between Bagg and Weston Dressler. And Bagg has Darian Durant’s back.
“I think he’s the best quarterback in the league,” Bagg asserted on CKRM after Saturday’s game. “Sometimes numbers don’t tell everything but just his leadership in the locker room and his ability to make the play when it most matters. I think that speaks volumes about him. I would rather play for him than anyone else in the league so I’m not really complaining about our offense and as long as we’re winning games I don’t think anyone else should either.”
Strong words but for the naysayers, they’ll go in one ear and out the other.
However like Rob also said after the game, “Would you rather us throw for 500 yards and lose?” That was the case in 2011 when the team started 1-7 under Greg Marshall and Doug Berry. Some people are just downright angry right now and the team has won four games in a row. I don’t get it!
4 – Random thoughts from the weekend:
* Saturday was the first sellout of the year and hopefully it touches off a string of sellouts the rest of the way. The team is on pace to sellout the Labour Day Classic, but there are still tickets available.
* Everyone’s awake now! The Grey Cup hangover is officially over. Everyone’s into the games and everyone has an opinion on the Green & White. It took awhile, but we’re back to normal. That’s great for guys like me! Blog hits are through the roof.
* One interesting tidbit we learned about veteran Rider defensive back Paul Woldu during an interview on the SaskTel Maxtron during the game: he plays the guitar.
* Having the practice roster players in neon green t-shirts actually IN the crowd during the game to work fans into a frenzy was an innovative touch. I’ve never seen that before in pro football! RB Anthony Allen and DL Markus White were the ones who got the crowd into it the most.
* Kicker Chris Milo missed two field goals and one was returned 122 yards for a touchdown by Montreal’s Duron Carter. Coach Chamblin noted on the postgame show that Milo is struggling right now but all players go through phases like this and he’ll work himself out of it under the guidance of Special Teams Coordinator Bobby Dyce. At least the misses didn’t cost the Riders the game.
* Alouettes coach Tom Higgins, reportedly, suffered a backlash from his players for not going for a two-point conversion after the Carter return. That was the word from CKRM sideline reporter Dave Thomas although a Montreal Gazette story said the Montreal players back Higgins. If a two-point conversion was successful, it would’ve tied the game however if it was no good, they still would have been down by two points which was immaterial. You have to wonder if Tom lost the faith of his team with that move.
* Curious comment by new Regina Pats coach John Paddock on CKRM’s pregame show. When asked about the game, Paddock said dryly, “I’m not much of a CFL fan”. Whoops!
* The voice of the Pats, Phil Andrews, and I will take the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge Monday afternoon in the Brandt Centre Monday afternoon. Then, hopefully this fad goes away and people simply donate to www.als.net.
* Regina Pats training camp opens Thursday at the Cooperators Centre. Are you excited?
* Congratulations to the PFC’s Regina Thunder who opened the new season with a 16-13 win over the Saskatoon Hilltops at Mosaic Stadium. The summary is a few posts below.
* I don’t know where/when Weston Dressler got on the field for Kansas City in Carolina last night but if he did, it wasn’t for long. I saw one report that he was on the field once with 3:00 remaining but I never saw him and I paused the screen on all offensive and special teams players with high definition to check the numbers. Kansas City Star reporter Terez Paylor told me after the game Dressler never showed up on the stats sheet and he didn’t see him on the field. So what now for Weston? Keep working and hope to survive the cuts I suppose.
5 – So now the Roughriders face the B.C. Lions in Week 9 next Sunday (5:00 pm, TSN, CKRM Rider Radio Network). The Lions upped their record to 5-3 with a 33-17 win at Toronto Sunday evening. The Argos should be flagged for having a big “A” on the chest of their new Signature Reebok jerseys. What a nightmare for broadcasters!
As a matter of fact – as of this morning – CFL broadcasters are petitioning the league that these new jerseys be stopped or altered so that we can better pick up the numbers. It’s virtually impossible to call some of these games and if you watched last night’s match, you know what I’m talking about.
In typical fashion the Roughriders have the nicest jerseys of the new line and also boast the easiest numbers to read. Nice job guys!
Regardless the West continues its mastery over the East but the Riders now face West Division opponents in the next three weeks. This is where we’ll separate the men from the boys.
—
THAT’S ALL! TRY TO ENJOY UP WEEK
RP
@sportscage
So many people knocking the Riders new look uniforms , but I really thought B.C's were the worst I have ever seen. That does not include Winnipeg's Gold Army looking uniforms of course.
While watching the game, the better half saw the new uniforms on TV and wondered where the old ones were. After explaining that these were the new 3rd jersey, she asked why are those lizard scales on the uniforms and helmet. After advising her that those were wheat sheaves, she said OK but they still look like lizard scales on TV.
I love the jerseys. I think we look like storm troopers from Star Wars!
A few things: 1) That lineup Montreal put out that's what the Riders used to have. Pure junk, and no hope. The Riders are 5-2 and most importantly are winning at home. You better be very careful criticizing wins because if anyone had a clue how hard it is to do they'd keep quiet. 2) Anyone who complains about a WIN I want them to go to a Psychologist and explore the concept of where, when, how, and who along the way stole their joy in turn making them such miserable human beings. 3) Gotta be honest. When the SportsCage… Read more »
The BC Lions uniforms look as if the players had crawled out of an oil slick off the west coast! Its tough on the fans too who cannot make out the numbers.
I agree with Ballsy. Would you have faith in Milo kicking a 40 yard field goal for the win. I wouldn't? Not right now! Where's Congi?
Regarding Paddock's comment on the CFL, I am sure if Chamblin was to speak openly if asked, he would say that he is "not much of a fan of the WHL". Head coaches are pretty much fully rapped up in the sport they are coaching.
Is Phil going to hold your hand today? LOL
lots of flack about new jersey and i was skeptical at first. However, come game day I thought they looked outstanding!
Most of the people in the fan base are part time fans and don't even know these are a 'special'or extra uniform. Read forum posts – over half think theses are the actual new jerseys.
Intelligence reigns supreme!
In regard to the Roughriders; you're paid to be positive. I'm neither paid nor positive and with the Labour Day game still not sold out you are in the minority.
Aw come on Rod this fad is for a good cause and it's raising a lot of awareness about this awful disease. Everyone has to remember to donate along with doing the bucket challenge. Don't be cheap!
Dubya
I can't take anything Ballsy says seriously. He makes a good point about Milo, but for me it's the Messenger delivering the message. It's like listening to a trio and that's the one voice that isn't helping the harmony.
Luc would be an able replacement for Carm when he is ready to retire to the beach. It would be a good way to revitalize the broadcast with the younger demographic.
May I speak the truth? Age has nothing to do with it, and demographics have nothing to do with it. Pat Summerall and John Madden went to the end of times. It's being able to dig down to the fine details and provide the analysis as to what his happening and most importantly why is it happening. If I want to hear complaining I'll listen to Michael Ball. The Colour Guy is to break it down and analyze what is happening. He's not doing this. I'm at the point where when I weigh them all equally Luc Mullinder is putting… Read more »
Obama listen up. No one and I mean no one is complaining about the Victory. Your smart enough to know what the fans are concerned about. When the Riders start playing their Western opponents the struggling offence is not going to be enough to win games. Combine that with our kicking game and look out. They say most games are won and lost in 5 or 6 plays. If your field goal kicker is not an instant 3 points under 40 yards that is a huge concern going forward. If Darian dosent have enough faith with some of the receivers… Read more »
@Proactive 101 Not a single thing you said was true. First of all I'll take Darian Durant and John Chick anyday of the week and twice on Sunday when it comes to playing Edm, Cal, and B.C. The Riders have won FIVE GAMES!!!!! I'm going to help you. I want you to go to the Library and take out a book by Dr. Henry Cloud called The Laws of Happiness. Here are a few of them: 1) Happy People Don't Compare Themselves2) Happy People Think Well3) Happy People are Grateful4) Happy People Connect …you will not allow mediocrity to creep… Read more »
Rod, why isn't Scruffy doing the pre and post-game shows? He would be much better in that role IMHO.
Rod. I don't think the fad needs to go away. They're doing a beautiful job of raising awareness. That said, I wish everyone who takes the challenge would donate minimum $25 while they're at it.
Scruffy must have peed someone off. Hard as that is to imagine.
You are 100% correct and I am wrong! It has been a fun thing this summer. And I will be donating today to http://www.als.net.
RP