THROWIN’ ELBOWS WITH BRENDAN MCGUIRE

1. RIDERS SHOULD FOCUS ON CROSSOVER: I probably sound like captain obvious to some but this could help the Riders change the way they do things. By abandoning the idea of catching Calgary, BC or even god forbid Winnipeg, the Riders could pace themselves. Sit guys who aren’t 100% week-to-week (including Cody Fajardo) and just think specifically about making sure they finish ahead of the 2 bottom-feeders in the east (probably Ottawa and Montreal). There used to be shame in going through the crossover but since it’s been happening for 25 seasons now and not once has anyone got to the Grey Cup that way, the Riders could make history and should be proud to do so.

2. MARINO SHOULD’VE FACED THE MUSIC: Now that we’ve had 3 weeks to reflect, it is clear to me the one do-over the Riders should’ve done is to trot Garrett Marino in front of the media the same way they did with Loucheiz Purifoy after his run-in at a Regina restaurant late last season. In that case, the story ended before it really began. It seems like Craig Dickenson is always facing the music and just about no-one else.

3. ELKS GAME SHOULD TELL US IF DARK CLOUD HAS LIFTED: It has felt like ominous clouds have been swirling since the Ottawa game when the Garrett Marino fiasco happened. The Roughriders haven’t won since but maybe a trip to Edmonton after a bye week is what the doctor ordered. But in some ways, this feels like a must-win. If the Riders can’t beat a weak sister like the Elks, they’ve really got problems. And losing to Chris Jones will always feel like a double-whammy.

4. CORNELIUS NOT A CFL CALIBRE QB: I can see why the Elks had him locked up for $65,000/year. Yet somehow the last regime in Edmonton got it in their minds that he could be their guy. If something seems too good to be true then it probably is.

5. REGINA RED SOX ELIMINATED: Hit a wall in Medicine Hat, getting swept in 2 games by the Mavericks, bowing out with a 3-2 loss Tuesday night in the hat. With no less than 10 regulars out of the lineup, this was nowhere near the same crew that finished 12 games above .500 during the regular season and finished first. A bitter ending but a fantastic season. I think attendance is up again and after missing two years from the pandemic, that’s a pretty big deal.  

6. DOWN ERA OF CFL QUARTERBACKS: I have high hopes for Caleb Evans but he’s been disappointing me. So has Dane Evans. Bo Levi Mitchell isn’t what he was. Cody Fajardo and McLeod Bethel-Thompson are good QBs in a bad era. Zach Collaros is steady but not the reason Winnipeg is Winnipeg and Trevor Harris is never a sure thing. Nathan Rourke has to be the runaway first half MOP and it’s not even close.

7. GARY STERN’S TWEETS: Not bush league at all. The CFL needs more owners who care enough to shoot their mouths off. The Montreal Alouette chairman is a breath of fresh air.

8. KRAFT DINNER: The box says you can get 4 servings out of it. No way is there 4 servings in one box of KD!

9. PICK FROM THE DOC COLLECTION: Don’t waste your time with The Tuck Rule 30 for 30. Boooring.  

10. IN-THE-HUDDLE THIS WEEK: CJME sports guy Jaime Nye joins us to kick around the bye week and whether the Riders are right to bring back Garett Marino after the suspension ends. Watch us Tuesday nights at 7 with replays on Thursdays on Access Now TV and the Access Now app.

(Follow Brendan on Twitter at @brendanhowardmc)