Anyone in management that built a game plan around Andy Fantuz and/or John Chick coming back from the NFL should be fired. You don't bank on what 'might be'. What 'might be', could also be what 'might never be'.
For the most part, I'm okay with the play of Darian Durant. He's had a couple of games where receivers have really let him down. The 117-yard interception return for a touchdown against Calgary last week was one that he took a lot of heat for, but the reality is that there were 12 players on the field that could've made a tackle over the course of the 117 yards. To me, if your quarterback passes for 384 yards and a couple of majors, then you should win. Leave Durant alone.
I'm not one of these people saying fire Doug Berry. Berry's offense has put up some pretty good numbers the last two weeks. In fact, you could convince me that Berry might be an okay choice as a head coach. I loved the hard ball he played with Troy Westwood when Westwood couldn't kick a football from his front step to the sidewalk. What a number of these players need right now is some real tough love. Sit or else. I think Berry would do that. Still, I'm in the minority on this and I don't expect anyone to agree with me. But, consider the dropped passes are the biggest problem when it comes to offense. That's not an offensive co-ordinator's fault. Further, the offensive line hasn't exactly been stellar for Durant either. It got old in a hurry.
Weston Dressler deserves a raise. This is a mess, but Dressler isn't part of it. He should be excused from any of the criticism leveled against this team. He hustles on every play, makes big catches, and has adapted nicely in the absence of Fantuz.
Whether you point the finger at Ken Miller, Brendan Taman, or Jeremy O'Day is not important; but the depth on this team has disappeared. Look around the league at the former Riders who are decent players. From Renauld Williams to Daniel Francis to Jamel Richardson to Joe Sykes to Kevin Glenn. A lot of the starters on this Rider team became starters after serving time as a back-up.
There is talk that there are no leaders on this team. Well, Chris Szarka was told to take a walk. Luc Mullinder spoke up and he's out of town. It appears as though Tad Kornegay was a stronger personality and he's been ordered to pack his bags. Anymore volunteers to be a leader?
Fans should not stand for this. Stop going to games, stop buying the overpriced merchandise, and demand accountability. From where I am watching, I see no accountability. If the New York Yankees were in last place, they'd make some huge changes. And, the Roughriders are the Yankees of the CFL. No matter what anyone tells you about the salary cap. Money buys a lot of things, including a way around the cap.
My good friend Ron Irvine of Access 7 says the best solution is to fire Greg Marshall and tell Ken Miller he's going back to his old job. After all, this is mainly Miller's mess so he can clean it up. Give him until the end of the year to do it. If he can't, then he's gone too. I couldn't agree more.
This also speaks volumes of what Tillman did to make this team what it was, and get the personnel for the job, and the depth.But thats gone, and I think Marshall thought he was walking into a cushy job with a good team. It takes more then rolling your eyes and chewing your gum,yelling at the ref.
ReplyDeleteMaybe the guys will play for Miller,but at this point,its just sad to watch
Tough Tough call. But something has to be done. Every station in the city is saying "Berry" some say "Marshall" now some say "hall" Fact of the matter is if you are a coach in this Province you are always under the scope. Like the Yankees. 101 years in this league, 3 grey cups. 6 million in the bank to date and counting I dont think 3 grey cup appearances is to much to ask in 4 years. Montreal seems to do ok with there 22,000 person fan base within a 100 mile radius of the stadium. Why can't our successful organization who has been waiting for a minor dynasty do it in 101 years? Hopsons not the problem, so people who think that is? We can go back to the Debt filled 90's where moving this team or the tax payers saving was the only option. Marshall's a rookie head coach but veteran in the league, Ritchies been a DC for years and his schemes have never really changed (not hard to beat if your John H or Hank burris in Calgary as we seen) Doug Berry can mix it up, questionable at times, but if your questioning it than maybe so is a defense. The results are not what we want and a shake up is in the midst. Cause something has to happen. Just like something happened in Week 4 against montreal, and something happened in the last 7 minutes of the game tonight. And if the coaches dont know what that was? Maybe they are being left out and last years leaders are leading on the field.
ReplyDeleteI agree Mike, on the Yankee comment...fire Marshall, the coach is first to go in any other sport, and accountability is key...they might have a ton of dough in the bank, but what good is it at 1-7, over priced mechandise as you say and not seel outs all the time...Rider Pride and all, you still have to have a decent product...
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