THE MONDAY MORNING GOALIE FOR CAMECO
MAKING MEMORIES
1 – Saturday was an unforgettable night in the history of the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the Rider Nation.
However as far as football goes, the 24-6 loss to the B.C. Lions in the last-ever Rider game at Taylor Field left more questions than answers for your friendly neighbourhood Roughriders. We’ll examine that further down in the column.
First, let’s look back at some of the memorable photos from the Farewell Game:
Saturday began with a capacity crowd brunch at the Hotel Saskatchewan honouring the Farewell Game …
Rider Hall of Famers Bill Baker and Roger Aldag …
The Grey Cup made an appearance, as did former Rider President Fred Wagman! …
Craig and Lisa Reynolds along with Walt Precourt from Mosaic …
Jim Hopson with Mosaic CEO James O’Rourke. Mr. O’Rourke mentioned during his speech that Mosaic was only one year old when they purchased the naming rights to Taylor Field in 2006 …
Steve Mazurak and Paul Hill ..
The Past Presidents table, and John Lynch. Lynch heard they were going to announce a contract extension for Darian at the brunch. Apparently, he heard wrong.
Carm Carteri bends the ear of CFL Commissioner Jeffrey Orridge …
Former Rider kicker Paul McCallum flew in from Vancouver for the game …
Gene Makowsky poses with members of the Taylor family, descendants of Piffles Taylor, who came in from Cochrane, AB for the game ..
The last practice field pregame party …
Michael Ball hosts the halftime show on 620 CKRM with guests Paul McCallum and Premier Brad Wall ..
A final farewell …
One last shot of our radio broadcast booth before leaving for the last time. I didn’t shed a tear.
2 – That’s all the good news. The bad news is the Roughriders were obliterated in “the box” against B.C. Saturday, giving up seven sacks while registering none and being out-rushed 146-to-53 yards.
The Riders were building some nice momentum during their 4-game winning streak but over the past two weeks, they’ve looked dreadful. They took 10 penalties for 90 yards Saturday too, but miraculously the Lions took 11 for 84. B.C. was just so much better in other phases that penalties didn’t affect them.
The Riders need to pulverize the Lions this Saturday at B.C. Place because if they carry a 3-game losing streak into the off-season and a 5-13 record, they’re going to be a very tough sell to the Rider Nation this winter.
3 – Chris Jones’ postgame news conference had as many fireworks as the postgame ceremony. He called the team’s performance “concerning,” referred to the Lions as a “good football team but not great” and referred to the play of rookie QB Jake Waters Saturday night as “boneheaded” at times.
It would’ve been nice to carry that news conference live but it was going on simultaneously during the postgame light show.
Either way, Jones seemed very unimpressed with the play of his team.
So were the fans!
Again, this team really needs to show something in the final game of the year this Saturday. They cannot go out with a whimper.
4 – Jones confirmed during his press conference that he expects quarterback Darian Durant will be back next season. He also said John Elway wouldn’t have looked good behind that O-line Saturday night.
That’s another thing — the Riders are getting somewhat of a pass along the offensive line due to the season-long injuries to All Stars Brendon Labatte and Chris Best. Their absence has felled the production of the offense, along with an ever-rotating stable of receivers and a different starting tailback every week.
Durant is poised to become the first Rider quarterback since Nealon Greene in 2003 to lead the team in rushing over a season.
It’s doubtful that lack of depth will be tolerated by the Rider Nation in 2017 and beyond.
5 – Ticket prices have jumped mightily. In fact in some cases they’ve doubled. That will ramp up the pressure on the team even more.
Calgary broadcaster Peter Loubardias told us last week that the pressure on rookie Flames coach Glen Gulatzan is almost unbearable and some fans have already questioned if they should’ve kept Bob Hartley. That’s the fans’ right, especially when they’re paying hundreds and thousands of dollars for tickets.
As prices go up, the pressure goes up exponentially. Chris Jones is the highest paid Head Coach and GM in Saskatchewan Roughriders history.
So far, he’s gotten off pretty easy IMO.
Agree or disagree?
6 – As far as Saturday’s postgame ceremony goes, it was sensational. When I think back, it was the light show that made it that way more than anything else. The “oooo’s” and “ahhhhh’s” from the soldout crowd were amusing as the LED wristbands they were given lit up and changed colour. It looked pretty amazing from the broadcast booth. I can’t imagine the cost of the whole display.
The video history of Taylor Field was long but worth it.
And the ceremony involving Reed, Aldag, Makowsky and Durant was one of the finest things I’ve ever seen. The kind of scene that gives you tingles all over.
What a night!
7 – On the flipside, my skin crawled when Carm Carteri kissed me on the cheek when we were featured on the Kiss Cam on the big screen. My phone blew up right after that surprise in the first half. Funny move, Riders.
8 – As you saw in the photos, CFL Commissioner Jeffrey Orridge was in attendance on Saturday at the brunch, and I assume at the game as well. Did they show him on the MaxTron?
Carm chastised Orridge for not delivering a speech on behalf of the CFL at the brunch but he said he’d brought a speech, however he wasn’t asked to say anything.
According to Carteri, Orridge was adamant that Glen Johnson was his hire as CFL V.P. of Football.
I think it would be great if BOTH Orridge and Johnson addressed the media together at State of the League news conference on the Friday morning of Grey Cup week.
9 – A soldout Brandt Centre watched the Pats spank the Seattle Thunderbirds 6-3 on Sunday to improve to 10-0-3 and they remain the only club in the CHL without a regulation loss.
#1-ranked Shawinigan has now lost twice in regulation time, so I suspect when the CHL Top 10 comes out on Wednesday, the Regina Pats will indeed be #1 in the country.
Take a bow QCSEG.
People ARE sitting up and taking note of the Queen City Kids. They are home on Wednesday to the Kootenay Ice on 620 CKRM and it should be another huge crowd.
10 – With the World Series, NFL, NHL and Curling on the tube on Sunday – and the Pats on home ice – I spent the day in Milestone, SK having a family day. We watched it all on television and got caught up while also enjoying an old school brunch at Mary’s Place. That’s a restaurant where they still offer toast on the buffet and there’s a picture of the Queen on the wall.
What a great day it was.
 |
| Pumpkin by Bradford Kruger |
THAT’S IT! SEE YOU ON THE RADIO AT 4:00
RP
@rodpedersen
How does Jones expect anything more out of his players when he quotes: his back up quarter back Waters made some "Bonehead" plays.
You watch next weekend the Lions will Kick Butts again because of Bonehead coaches remarks of his own players.
If it makes you feel any better, the crowd loved the Kiss Cam with you and Carm.
It was a great event, but a lousy game!
Rod,
Great MMG as usual. Awesome photos. Any idea when the Riders will make the prints of George, Aldag, Geno and Doubles available for sale? Put me down for 2 and maybe more!!
Terrible game, but fantastic conclusion the Grand 'ol Lady. The late and great Bob Hughes of the LP coined that phrase and it sure has stuck over the years. The new digs though will be even more incredible!
Aaron Anderson
With all the planning that went into the farewell no one could think of something for George Reed to hold onto? The poor man almost fell over taking that silly coat off and then standing there forever. Not a dignified way to treat a legend and it isn't his job to ask for the help. Be better!
Boy I haven't laughed that hard in a long time when you guys were up on the kiss cam. Good job on the closing ceremony by the Riders, the place is a dump but it's our dump.
Dubya
Jones and DD gave us a good indication of what the first game will look like in the new stadium.
You didn't shed ONE tear at all???? Rod, you ol' softie, you……
I did on Friday.
Great Column this morning again Rod. I was fortunate enough to be in attendance on Sat night to witness the final chapter in the long history of this stadium. My first game was that 1970 Cal-Riders snow bowl when the impossible field goal was somehow made. Although I did not expect a win on Saturday as BC had a lot to play for while the Riders , with the exception of next years jobs did not.I have much concern for this club heading into 2017.Yes there are key offensive deletions on the O Line and a few very good receivers… Read more »
jones took all the "pressure" off the team and raised the white flag by inserting waters!
For Jones to say that Jake Waters did some bone head things at time, he should take a look in the mirror. Putting in a Rookie QB on your own 3 or 5 yard line and expecting what? You have a BC Lion Defensive Line that made our O Line a complete joke all game.
This season cannot end soon enough, are we further ahead from last year's mess we can only hope. Really expected more from this management and coaching staff this year.
Rod wrote; "He also said John Elway wouldn't have looked good behind that O-line Saturday night."
I hate seeing DD bashed by those who don't see the whole picture.
But I also think that anyone who believes the return of Best and LaBatte is the answer are delusional. The entire line needs fixing, not just 2 spots.
As for all the outstanding receivers on our injury list. They were available because they're not durable. We need some "TOUGH".
SWC
There's a seven and a half minute tape of George, Roger, Gene and Darian with the Grey Cup on cfl.ca. Well worth watching.
SWC
Nice coverage and pics. As for the team, havent won since Fulton was traded. Worst oline in the league and to count on Labatte and Best next year isn't that solid. When was last time Best played 18 games? If the oline isn't fixed they will be last again next year.
Jones got a free pass this year because fans were well aware of the mess left by the previous regime.
There have been enough glimpses of what could be next year that he will not have the same slack on the rope come the 2017 season.
It is quite clear that there is way more talent on this years team than the previous 2. Given another year to get more talent in, and the new players getting a year of cfl football under their belt, I am confident that the heat won't be that hot for the next couple years.
My interactive wristband was a dud, but so was the game. On east concourse they pretty much were out of everything by halftime. Had to leave for son's hockey game at 3/4 time and sadly missed the sendoff, but was so disgusted by the Rider's play leaving was't actually that hard. Can't wait for new stadium with the nice seats and beautiful new concessions. Hopefully the product on the field will be as solid as it is off. I have faith in the Jones plan, Go Riders 2017…
The sacks were frustrating to watch. With all the changes at receiver and rb, the new guys were not experienced enough at recognizing the blitzes so DD could not hit any hot patterns. Bagg was covered very well. Holley and Collins are rookies. There will be an improvement in BC. I'd like to see DD re-signed before then.
The ghost was here!!
There have been a number of bonehead decisions made this year:* Hiring Jones at a high dollar figure while giving him complete control.* The Hiring of the complete Edmonton coaching staff (surely there had to be a coach or two in the group who didn't make the grade). For example, the offensive Coordinator who didn't know how to establish plays to move the pocket, so the defensive opposition couldn't pin back their ears and put pressure on our quarterback consistently.* The dismantling of virtually the entire team (unprecedented)and the revolving door syndrome of players.* The addition of Lemon with a… Read more »
Good to see the Riders celebrating their 2013 Grey Cup win. The way things seem to be going, they'll be celebrating that one for a long, long time.