The Saskatchewan Roughriders just got creamed by the Edmonton Eskimos and whether or not you think coaching is the problem, the effort I saw tonight indicates the players have decided to mail it in.
Week after week I have watched this team squander a tremendous opportunity. On paper, they are the best in the league. A league that is not strong at all this year. For whatever reason, they could not translate paper to field.
The broken record that is the special teams doomed this team again tonight. Ryan Grice-Mullen put the football on the ground on the game's opening kick-off. For those needing an education on Grice-Mullen, rewind to the season opener a year ago when Buck Pierce (or was it Jarious Jackson?) had a wide open Grice-Mullen in the end zone to defeat the Riders. If you remember that play, you are not surprised to see Grice-Mullen fumble. Seven minutes later, former Rider return man Jason Armstead victimized the special teams for a punt return touchdown.
Say what you want, but if you are on offense and defense and you watch your special teams foul it up again in the first seven minutes of the game, your spirit is gone.
The defense gave up another 160 yards on the ground, which directly resulted in Darian Durant staying on the sidelines. Alarm bells should sound everywhere when Glen Suitor announced tonight that defense co-ordinator Gary Etchevarry said he didn't care about run defense because this is a passing league.
I can't help but think what a complete failure Brendan Taman has been when I look at the bad run defense and then see Stevie Baggs and Ricky Foley on other teams. The Riders have the financial funds equivalent of the New York Yankees in MLB to outspend any CFL team they want. Don't whine to me about the salary cap. There are ways around it if you try hard enough. Even if the Riders have to give up a first round pick, who cares?
So, who fires Taman? Ken Miller? But, shouldn't Taman fire Miller? Someone explain to me how that works. And, is there another professional sports team anywhere that has a lame duck head coach with more power than the general manager?
Saskatchewan is a place that can't change the clock. So, I don't expect them to change anything for next year. After all, they haven't changed a thing week to week this year. I have lived in this province for about ten years and couldn't figure out how this franchise was the laughing stock for so many seasons. I now, understand, why. I find myself laughing 3-4 times a game now.
Well said Mike, well said,although, I still beleive that if there was a coaching change, be it special teams, head coach whatever. If there was some sort of shakeup in this regard, maybe the players would pick it up? Maybe a fresh coach would give the players more room or freedom?
ReplyDeleteThe men in the locker room did not show good character....and special teams were mixed!
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