The Saskatchewan Roughriders snapped a four game losing streak with a 31-23 win over the Edmonton Eskimos last night.
For a change, the opposition did not get a touchdown from its special teams and Darian Durant did not turn the ball over. That, in essence, was the difference as the other glaring weakness (run defense) did not shore up anything as they allowed 199 rushing yards.
The other concern with the special teams is that in the wake of Luca Cogi's season ending injury a few weeks ago, the Riders are now in a position where you can not have any confidence in the ability of Warren Keen or Eddie Johnson to kick a field goal beyond 30 yards.
The playoff match up next week is favorable for Saskatchewan. Jamal Robertson isn't likely to do a lot of damage on the ground, simply because he isn't given the ball enough. Inexperienced QB Travis Lulay isn't likely to put up 400 yards passing either. The Riders will have to guard against turnovers and junk play from their special teams. Their talent is good enough that they can, probably, overcome one of those two issues; but not both.
Fans were again a disappointment for me as a drunken idiot had to be removed from the game by Regina City Police in Section 27 before the game was two minutes old. Another dingbat ran onto the field six minutes later before getting an escort off. Hopefully he spent the night in jail and gets some additional punishment, although he didn't look like the type of guy that will be able to pay off a hefty fine. At half-time, there was a fight in the men's bathroom. Before the game, Matt Dominguez talked about getting cat calls from frustrated fans who didn't like how frequently he was out of the line-up. Earlier this year, Darian Durant got negative comments from 'friends' on his Facebook page.
The post game show last night revealed some paranoia amongst fans and analysts that Eric Tillman may find a way to lure Kent Austin out of Cornell and back to the CFL to coach the Eskimos next year. Frankly, I don't think this will happen. Austin has full football control at Cornell and it looks like he's doing a good job there. Returning to the CFL in Edmonton would be a step back. Having said that, if there is any thought of Austin coming back to this league, then whoever is the boss in Saskatchewan (Ken Miller, Brendan Taman, Jim Hopson?) when it comes to hiring and firing coaches needs to be networking and making sure Austin knows that he's welcome to return to this team at any time. The point should be clear to Austin that if he wants to come back, he can pretty much name his price and job description. The days of Edmonton outbidding Saskatchewan are over. The Riders have more money than any team in the league, so John Lynch's assertion that Tillman will make Austin an offer he can't refuse is one I have to disagree with. Saskatchewan can offer Austin a position whereby he becomes the Tillman in Saskatchewan. Tillman can't do that in Edmonton. And, if it's money he wants then it's money he can have. The only drawback I see for anyone coming to Saskatchewan would be dealing with the few loons who call themselves fans (see above paragraph) that ruin it for the wide majority.
What happens with the coaching staff if Saskatchewan if the Riders recover and advance to the Grey Cup? I think you'll see very little change. So, if you want a coaching turnover, you better hope for a BC win next week.
Hey Mikey you think you can bring up any more negatives from the game. I think you are one of the few that likes it when the riders lose so you can complain. The rider offence moved the ball all game and played very well. The defence played well to and the fact Barrin Simpson missed 3 quarters probably played a part in the rushing yards. And when you get 30,000 people together where liquor is being served you should expect shit like this. I guess stay home if you don't like it.
ReplyDeleteI understand the 30 000 fans, liquor being served, etc. But I never hear of some of the stuff that goes on at Rider games at other venues. I would not want my kids to see a lot of the stuff that goes on in the crowd. Rider games should be family entertainment. Plus, the first two incidents occured within the first six minutes of the game. Are people that drunk that quick? I saw two Bon Jovi concerts this summer where a combined 80 000 people were at venues with liquor being served and not one incident from what I saw. That's not to say there wasn't an incident, but I never saw one. Eventually, I may have to take you up on that notion to stay home because I wouldn't want my son hit with beer cans, snow balls, etc. For me, I'm an adult and I'll take my chances understanding the risks, although I don't think those are risks one should assume at a football game.
ReplyDeleteThe offense was good, no question. But it's good most games. I have no issue with the offense for the most part.
Defense, yes Simpson missed. But Simpson has been very much a part of a bad run defense up until yesterday so you can't honestly say that if he played four quarters, the Esks would have been held in check.
I'm not disagreeing with you but why negative when there were so many positives. Murphy, Wright, and Kornegay all played pretty well among others. Porter may be the best back in the league. So Mike are you a Rider Fan or just somebody who likes to watch football live. You prefer the Millionaires over the Terriers as well so you must not like home teams.
ReplyDeleteYour comments remind me of a couple of things that are definitely worth mentioning. Fantuz as the league's leading receiver is worthy of big praise.
ReplyDeleteI, too, was impressed with Wright. Murphy, to me, is up and down and he was decent last night. Kornegay is a guy I like every game and he was his usual self yesterday.
Perhaps my expectations are too high. I figured they'd go 14-and-4. To me, Durant is the best in the league (this is up for debate, but I felt that way at the end of last year and still do despite what the numbers may say). The receiving corps is also best in the league. I like Cates more than others do, and I also think the Riders have the resources to replace anybody they may lose to the NFL. So, I am disappointed with the 10-and-8 finish.
As far as your Terrier-Millionaire comment, I would say that Jamie Fiesel is a friend of mine and I definitely want them to do well. I also got to know a few of their players fairly well in recent years, so yes I have a like for them. They've also never won a championship, so I think it would be great for them to finally win at some point. However, I have known Trent Cassan since he was 15 and nobody was happier for him than I was watching him take last year's team, completely turn it around, and almost win the whole thing. I am also on the record quite clearly as saying this team will do just fine this year despite what others in the community have thought due to all of the futures that were required to be moved from last year's trades.
Last season, I hoped the Terriers would beat Melville. I wanted Trent to succeed. This year, I think Yorkton has the better chance to win the league, so I would probably root for them again. Next year, Melville should be in their new arena and they will be out to try and ice a really good team, so I may cheer for them more next year.
I appreciate your critique. Thanks for reading.
Fair enough. Everybody's got their opinions and reasons. I love Cates, but I wish they would use Charles more because he gives them another element. Cates is a better receiver out of the backfield and a better blocker but Charles givesthem more speed and cutback ability. Either way they will be in the Grey Cup this year to make up for last year. Anyways, I enjoy reading your blog.
ReplyDeleteMike:
ReplyDeleteWe will always have to deal with individuals who will trash what we say...FINE! As long as you're comfortable with your position, who gives a rat's butt what anyone else thinks. Keep up the good work!
I don't think anyone was trashing what he said. I think if you're going to be vocal about your opinion on a public blog, you should expect--no--you should welcome feedback..and not just puppies and rainbows praise. I found it refreshing to hear a few positives on this blog today.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't be so sure on next years Coaching assumptions Mike. I have a feeling there will be changes regardless if the Riders make it to the Show and Win. Then again I could be wrong. Ha ha!
ReplyDeleteThe Terriers only lost one player due to the futures trade you talk about, so I can't see that being an issue in Yorkton or is it? One player can't make that much of a difference?
ReplyDeleteHahaha Stackhouse you big Melville fan! I had a lady at the Terrier banquet last year (which I MC'd) ask, "oh, aren't you that guy who hopes for MELVILLE?!"
ReplyDeleteI said "I do games for both teams, I'm one of the few who pulls for both."
She said, "Well I know that Stackhouse is a Melville fan!"
The year before, WHILE MC'ing Melville's banquet, after THEY went to the final, Trevor Sanfleben yelled from his seat that I'm a Terrier homer.
Can't win!
Ummmmm, to the person who said Terriers only lost 1 player....
ReplyDeleteAlex Vandenameele is 5th dman or so for La Ronge.
Drew McDermott is gone
Clark Byczynski is gone
At least 1 prospect is gone off the list and may play for another team eventually
Not to mention the 'futures' that we all know never amounts to a player but is something else ($$).
Had the team not turned it around in playoffs and lost to Melville again (as many figured) those trades would have been a huge disaster.
Furthermore, had Vandane, Bourhis, and Neibrandt not made the WHL....the player losses could have been much worse.
ReplyDeleteYes the Terriers only lost one player in the Smukowhich trade, Mcdernott quit and he was going to quit trade or not.Vandemelle was a different trade and only played Harvest, he hasn't played SJ much with Terriers.
ReplyDelete