OUT OF THE TUNNEL: THE WEEK THAT WAS

The second thing is where some teams are putting their emphasis. Most will have more coaches on offence just because there are four separate units (quarterbacks, running backs, linemen and receivers) along with the coordinator and the defence has the three separate units (linemen, linebacker, defensive backs) and their coordinator.

Overall, it sure looks thin on some fronts and when there is a need for more coaching and scouting it will be interesting to see the quality of coaching the players will get. Most players will go almost 18 months without playing a game. For a veteran it might be easier to bounce back but for what will be two full rookie classes coming into training camps, they will need all the coaching they can get. 

Next was the announcement of the 2021 CFL Draft order. Most interesting from that is the Hamilton Tiger-Cats winning the first overall pick. With that draw, as well as having Montreal’s first round pick, the Ticats will have four of the top 19 picks. 

The snakes and ladders draft is about as fair as it comes and there were not many folks complaining about this process. At least there will be a little bit of football to talk about as we work our way through the long cold winter.

The schedule release was weird timing. We get that the CFL wanted to give the individual teams a chance to have some news of their own but it is incredibly presumptuous to think that all will be normal and there will be a season like the CFL has planned.

At least wait until February to see how potential vaccines are moving forward as well as waiting to see how the provinces are dealing with this incredible second wave throughout the winter.

It won’t hurt anything and will also give a little press to a league who will be way out of people’s minds come mid-winter.

GREY CUP ’95

While everyone was thinking about the past ten years with games of the decade and all-decade teams, we were thinking a lot about the 1995 Grey Cup in Regina and how that changed the landscape of the CFL.

The 83rd Grey Cup played at Taylor Field saw the Baltimore Stallions knock off the Calgary Stampeders 37-20 to win their first and only title. More importantly than the game on the field was the show that Saskatchewan put on during the week leading up to that cold and blustery afternoon.

It was proof that cities like Regina, Hamilton the following year and even Winnipeg when they hosted their first ever Grey Cup in 1991, that the smaller centres in the country can be good hosts and in some cases even better hosts than Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver.

Since Saskatchewan hosted the Grey Cup in 1995 they have hosted two other times with another coming in 2022 with Hamilton hosting the big game next season.

That week in 1995 also laid the roots of the Roughrider renaissance that culminated in great seasons on and off the field throughout the 2000’s.

It was again motivation to show that the little guy could be successful in the CFL and that Saskatchewan can be a power in the league. Fans came out in force, a lot of money was made and football could be front and centre in a province that was starving to be represented by anything on a national level.

Just think how much has changed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders over the past 25 years. Two Grey cup wins to go along with multiple visits to the Big Game, a fan base that has grown to stretch from coast to coast to coast, attending a game where Hemorrhoid Hill has turned into the wonderful Pil Place and new Mosaic Stadium as a whole.

It’s an incredible transformation that is proof of what a province, its leaders and hundreds of thousands of fans can do.

Now in the most dire of times it will be these same people that will have to not only help a franchise get back on its feet but also lead the way in getting a league back in business. Stay strong Rider fans and let’s weather this storm so we can come back together stronger than ever.

Canadian To Watch In The NCAA

Samuel Emilus (Jr.)
Receiver – Massachusetts
6’1” 195
Montreal, Quebec
High school – Vanier College (Cégep)  

The top returning receiver for the Minutemen in 2019 is leading the way for an offence that has had a difficult start to the season. Emilus picked up 273 yards and a pair of touchdowns in 2019 and is also an outstanding punt returner.

Emilus has seen the field since his true freshman year in 2018 that includes nine starts in 18 games.

It’s been a long wait for UMass to get on the field, they played their first game of 2020 just a few weeks ago and because of the late start it’s been tough sledding for the Minutemen. They will play just four games this season because they are no longer playing within a NCAA conference.

So far in 2020 Emilus has 13 catches for 83-yards and the Minutemen’s only receiving touchdown.

(RODPEDERSEN.COM STAFF)