The Green and White put forth a valiant effort in the final battle of the season. They came up just shy losing 23-20 to the second place Edmonton Eskimos. With that a season that has left many a fan, player and coach scarred emotionally comes to and end for Canada’s team.

Sasky Shake Up! As Ken Miller rides off into the sunset where will the team go from here? Jim Hopson will remain as President and CEO, this we know for sure. How will the rest to the front office and coaching staff shake out? The jury’s still out on whether Brendan Taman will remain as GM. Personally I think he stays and hopefully gets a chance to run the team like a conventional GM should, unlike the handcuffing structure of 2011. The next order of business will be to get a Head Coach in place and the sooner the better as this organization has their work cut out for them in the offseason. I am also of the mindset that the new bench boss should have the power to hire the coaching staff of his choosing. Hiring assistants that compliment the head coach’s philosophies is key to a winning organization. Once the coaching staff is in place then it’s time to decide on what the spring training player roster will look like.

Should I Stay or Should I Go Now! It’s decision time for a few of the Rider fan favorites. Most notably Jason Clermont, Barrin Simpson and Gene Makowsky. These gladiators have fought many a battle throughout their careers and now they have to decide if it’s time to hang up the cleats…….no easy decision for men that thrive off competition. What makes it even tougher is to go out on a low note. Out of these fierce competitors the one I feel for the most is the Minister of Defense Barrin Simpson. The 34 year old middle linebacker has been grinding it out in the CFL for 11 years and has never hoisted the Grey Cup.

As Rider Nation we may complain, question and muse over what went wrong in 2011……it’s our right as the best fans in the CFL. One thing is for certain, come June 2012 we will be just as amped up as we have been for each and every one of the past 10 seasons. I’ve got chills already with anticipation of Gang Green rushing out of the helmet to the roar of the crowd and the fire works as Rider Nation greets the 2012 edition of “Your Saskatchewan Roughriders”.

Be Loud and Proud!
Odog

For more football updates, opinion and commentary, or to make comments visit odogsblog.com or follow me on twitter @odog_media

 

This past Saturday brought an end to CFL football for 2011 in the house that Ronnie and George built, Mosaic Stadium. The Riders played spoiler and came away with a 19-3 victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the final home game for Green and White.

Defense Wins Games! That’s been said by many a coach and it is a philosophy every defensive player lives by. In gale force winds the Rider “D” came up with their best performance of the 2011 campaign. The mixture of cagy veterans and rookies implemented the bend but don’t break strategy that included 3 sacks and 4 interceptions, 2 of which were highlight real pics in the end zone keeping the Tabby’s from scoring. It was that combination of pressure on the quarterbacks as well as good downfield coverage that held the Black and Gold to only 3 points.

Time to Shine! As Rider Nation looks ahead to 2012 it was good to see a spark from some players getting their opportunity to play in “Garbage Time”. Ryan Dinwiddie played a solid game with good ball control and possibly redeemed himself following his previous 2 outings. Brandon West showed us some of those ankle breaking moves we grew accustomed to when watching a young Kenton Keith. A strong performance from Michigan Wolverine product Chris Graham at middle linebacker gave a possible glimpse into the future. Several others got their opportunity and played well giving the Green and White their 5th win of the season.

Next up in the final game of the regular season…the Riders face the squad from the “Evil Empire” the Edmonton Eskimos. The Green and White will be looking to impact the West playoff standings and evaluate more of their young talent.

Be Loud and Proud!
Odog

For more football updates, opinion and commentary, or to make comments visit odogsblog.com or follow me on twitter @odog_media

 

The Roughriders ended the drought on Friday Night Football versus the Calgary Stampeders. No they didn't win the game; actually the final score was 25-13 in favour of the Stamps. The Green and White did, however, end the touchdown drought by scoring their first major in 5 games.

Turnabout is Fair Play! In 2007 the Riders signed free agent quarterback Drew Tate, a graduate from the University of Iowa who had been recently released from the St. Louis Rams. Fast forward 4 years and the Riders faced that same Drew Tate in his first CFL start now wearing Stampeder red. In a game that saw two 2007 Rider protégés face each other Tate looked sharp as he notched his first win over rival Darian Durant. Very exciting as far as the CFL is concerned to see these two “youngsters” step into their own in this league.

Hierarchy of the Head Honchos! It has been stated the remainder of Darian Durant’s season will be decided by a committee of head coach Ken Miller, President & CEO Jim Hopson and GM Brendan Taman. In order for the Rider organization to right the “Last Saskatchewan Pirate Ship” they need to figure out who the true Captain of the boat is. The current unorthodox management scheme is obviously not the ticket to landing a long term head coach or a winning team.

Up in the Air! That is exactly what the Rider roster is going into Saturday’s game against the TiCats. One can only assume Darant is hanging up the cleats for the remainder of the year. Is it possible Cole Bergquist will get his first CFL start? Hopefully the game will showcase some more of the Riders’ up and coming stars and provide opportunity to evaluate players in a game situation.

Log Jam! With only two weeks left in the regular season the playoff picture isn’t any clearer. In the west Edmonton sits alone in 1st place at 10-6 with both Calgary and BC right behind them at 9-7. In the east Winnipeg and Montreal sit tied for 1st at 10-6 with Hamilton close behind at 8-8. Buckle up CFL fans the road to the grey cup is going to be a thriller.

Be Loud and Proud!
Odog

For more football updates, opinion and commentary, or to make comments visit odogsblog.com or follow me on twitter @odog_media

 

The Roughriders dropped a heart breaker at home to the BC Lions on Saturday 29-18. The loss puts an end to Rider’s playoff hopes and brings out the all too familiar Saskatchewan saying “Maybe Next Year”.

The End of an Era! 2011 now marks the first time the Riders have missed the playoffs since 2001. A trip through the past decade starts in the Roy and Danny era where the club crawled out of the basement to hover around the .500 mark year after year and found ways to make the playoffs. Move ahead to the pinnacle of the past 10 years when the Green and White won the 3rd Grey Cup of the team’s history in Toronto with Eric Tillman and Kent Austin at the helm. 2008 saw a bit of a hiccup under Ken Miller and way too many broken legs! Next Gang Green rebounded to make Grey Cup appearances in both 2009 and 2010 both times falling short to the Alouettes. 2011 sees the Green and White fall back down the stairs into that same basement, leaving all of Rider Nation scratching their heads and wondering what went wrong. When you take a bird’s eye view it’s been good times in Riderville over the past decade and we can only wonder what is to come in 2012 and beyond.

Casting Call! In Coach Miller’s post game press conference he mentioned that whole sale changes can’t be made at this point due to the salary cap implications. Even so it begs the question who is in and who is out for 2012. Some of the names mentioned already for possible exit are Gene Makowsky, Baron Simpson, Wes Cates and Dario Romero among others. Not to say their play hasn’t been good, but a lot may come down to age, retirement and the direction the team chooses to go. The remaining games of 2011 bring a perfect stage to test some of talent already here and give them some more reps. There are several receivers and linemen already in Riderville waiting for their opportunity. Brandon West has brought some electricity to the stage and should be given some more touches at running back to see what he’s made of. This could definitely provide the organization with some extra evaluation time in preparation for “Next Year”.

Colour Blind! Staring through the green tinted glasses of Rider Nation it will be a tough pill to swallow come November when there is no green to be found in the CFL playoffs. However, Roughriders and Argos aside, it has been an exciting year around the league and with all the talk of parody in the sport today the CFL has found just that. We now know which six teams will be in the playoffs, but the order in how they finish is completely up in the air with 3 weeks to go. This still leaves us with 6 quality weeks of CFL football leading up to the battle for Earl Grey’s coveted trophy!

Be Loud and Proud!
Odog

For more football updates, opinion and commentary, or to make comments visit odogsblog.com or follow me on twitter @odog_media

 

The Saskatchewan Roughriders gave up their third loss in a row in Edmonton at Commonwealth Stadium on Sunday. Not only did they lose the game they have now gone more than 13 quarters without scoring a touch down and have been outscored 99-9 in the past 3 games.

On a Wing and a Prayer! The playoff door in the West Division was slammed shut on the Riders with the loss to the Eskimos. The only way Canada's Team can now make it into the postseason is via the East Division.  The Green and White need to win all 4 remaining regular season games while relying on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats to lose their next 4 games to earn the crossover playoff spot. There is still hope for a playoff berth, but they way it sits right now that's about all it is……hope.

Wild Wild West! The Riders are out of the West playoff race, but for the 3 teams remaining what a race it is! Calgary, Edmonton and BC all currently sit with a piece of the 1st place pie and a record of 8-6. With 4 games remaining it is set to be a sprint to see who gets the 1st place and a ticket to the West Final. Add in the fact that that Montreal and Winnipeg are tied for 1st in the East with records of 9-6 its set to be a heck of a ride heading into the CFL playoffs.

Seize the Moment! With only a glimmer of a playoff hope left for the Riders, opportunity may come knocking for some second stringers and practice rooster guys. Most notably with Darian Durant suffering from a broken foot one can only think it will be a tandem of Ryan Dinwiddie and Cole Bergquist handling the quarterback duties for the remainder of the season. A lot of the key personnel will remain the same, but should that playoff glimmer fade out it might be a chance to try out some other young talent, like Nick Hutchins or Dan Clark on the O-line and give some of the seasoned old boys a rest. For those that do see playing time due to this ill-fated situation they must capitalize on the opportunity and seize the moment with 2012 looming in the distance.

Let's hope the Riders find focus, determination, and luck with their 2011 playoff lives on the line. CFL post season without the Green and White just isn't right!

Be Loud and Proud!
Odog

For more football updates, opinion and commentary, or to make comments visit odogsblog.com or follow me on twitter @odog_media

 

Another week is in the books and with that another sub par performance by the Green and White with a 40-3 loss to the Stamps. How quickly Ken Miller goes from genius to the leader of the west's worst team. All of Rider Nation, much like the play of Gang Green, is floundering and grasping for a way to stay positive.

By the Numbers! With Saturdays ugly performance the Riders need to look deep inside themselves, conjure up any remaining courage, resiliency and pride and  pay homage to the football gods if they hope to see post season action. The Green and White find themselves, mathematically, still in a chase for playoff spot. However it is a long shot, here's how it shakes out; a combination of 1 Rider loss and 1 win by each of the Western foes knocks the Riders out of a West Division playoff spot. The East Division crossover battle is a little more complicated in that if the Riders and the TiCats are tied in the standings come October 29, the contest between the two could be the decider. If so the Riders would need to beat the Tabbies by more than 30 points. This would put the Green and White into the crossover contention with 1 game remaining. Keep in mind the Riders need to win the next 3 games and Hamilton needs to lose the next 3 games to get into that scenario.

Catch a Wave! It appears the Riders 3 game win streak was merely a swell created by the coaching change. That wave crashed ashore 2 games in a row with the Riders getting blown out of the water in back to back games. Football is a game of emotions! The squad that chooses to put everything on the line and play cohesively as a team with great heart and intensity will come out on top. Coaching can only take you so far, the responsibility is then on the players themselves to pull together as a unit and do the little things right.

Put Me in Coach! Two games in a row I have found myself looking for a quarterback change. Against the Stamps it should have happened as early as the 2nd quarter. When Darian Durant struggles the entire offence struggles. Possibly a different look from a backup QB could turn the game around before it is out of reach. Edmonton tried it early in Friday nights contest against BC by pulling Ricky Ray in favour of Kerry Joseph. BC still won the game, but Joseph marched the ball and put some points on the board. I understand, Durant is our guy, the Riders have made that quite clear and I agree. I also realize there are other factors such as the play of the offensive line,  but getting blown out and not scoring a major in two consecutive games tells me you have to shake it up.

The Riders have the talent, the coaching ability and the experience to win. It will be interesting to see how these last 5 weeks play out in the CFL.

Be Loud and Proud!
Odog

For more football updates, opinion and commentary, or to make comments visit odogsblog.com or follow me on twitter @odog_media

 

The road to the Grey Cup took a dramatic detour for Canada's Team following the horrific 42-5 loss to the BC Lions on Saturday at Mosaic stadium. The loss finds the Saskatchewan Roughriders two games back of the Lions for the last playoff spot in the west with only 6 games to go.

Cooler Heads Prevail! The Riders played quite possibly their most undisciplined game to date under the Ken Miller regime. Major fouls, an ejection from the game and a inexcusable number of return yards called back because of penalties killed the Green and White. Add in half a dozen turnovers and it's not hard to put your finger on what went wrong…….Discipline and Focus that's what went wrong!

Rough Day at the Office! Darian Durant had a tough day versus the Lions. He looked uncomfortable behind center and often stepped up in the pocket only to fire the ball out of bounds. When your leader is struggling it is contagious, so why not get him out of there? It seems to go against some kind of code of ethics to even consider pulling your starting QB. Tell me what's wrong with pulling the starting pivot at some point in the game? Let him have a look from the sidelines at what is developing on the field and then slide him back in after a few series. I am still a fan of Durant and he is our guy, but everybody has a bad day. It just so happens that Durant had a bad day in a very crucial game and a change should have been made earlier.

Cagy Veterans! Experienced players bring something extra when they are on the field. They play the part of on-field coach, and in the defensive secondary this is especially key. We go back through recent years where the Riders had Omar Morgan and Eddie Davis directing traffic in the secondary. In Saturday's loss the Riders were missing that leadership and the Lions took full advantage. Lance Frazier was a scratch late in the week with a leg injury. Frazier is not only a solid defensive half back, he's the Defensive Captain, he's a coach on the field, and he's injured. Without Frazier there to keep the secondary on track, poor coverage and undisciplined play allowed Travis Lulay to pick them apart.

Exit Stage Right! The road to the playoffs may take a big detour if the Riders can pull it together. As the Green and White make their playoff bid they need to focus their sights not only on their western opponents, but on the Hamilton Ticats as well. The Ticats are also two games up on the Riders and should the Beasts from the East falter the Riders could make it to the playoffs via an eastern swing.  However to have any hope they need to put the BC game behind them and right the ship as they battle through a very tough last six games. Those last six games do include one game versus the Ticats and the other five against tough western opponents. The Riders have to string together some wins and hope all the cards play out in their favour or their season could be done early.

Be Loud and Proud!
Odog

For more football updates, opinion and commentary, or to make comments visit odogsblog.com or follow me on twitter @odog_media

 

The Ken Miller undefeated streak continues with his Riders pulling off a 30–20 victory over the visiting Argos Saturday afternoon at Mosaic Stadium. The Riders now sit at a record of 4-7 and still last in the West, but they are looking better than their record shows over the past three games and are gunning for a playoff spot.

I Want the Ball! Winning the turnover battle is crucial to any win and the Riders came out ahead in that category Saturday. Key interceptions by James Patrick and Chris McKenzie played an integral part in the win.  The pick six by McKenzie in the dying minutes sealed the victory when the Riders failed to run the clock down on their own possession. Dario Romero also recorded a fumble recovery in the game, that if not for a quick whistle could have also gone for a touchdown.

Bend but Don’t Break! This was not the best performance of the year by the Rider “D”, but they got the job done. On four different occasions the Argos made their way downfield and into Rider territory only to come away with field goals on each opportunity. The defense seemed soft over the middle of the field, but tightened it up when their backs were against the wall. They will have to be stronger next week if they hope to beat the Leos, who are also showing some of the leagues best they know how to play ball too.

Touchdown Getzlaf! Chris Getzlaf is playing up to his potential after starting off the season a little slow. The homegrown receiver has six touchdowns over the last four games and seems to be money every time he touches the rock. Rider Nation has been looking to Andy Fantuz to draw double coverage and free up receivers since returning to the Green and White, but if Getzlaf keeps it up the opposition will have to key in on him. This just adds to the new excitement in the Rider receiving corps over the past couple weeks including the return of Fantuz and Cary Koch.

The Road to the Grey Cup Starts Now! If the Green and White have any hope of a return trip to the Grey Cup it starts next Saturday with a must win game versus the BC Lions. The Lions are 2 points up on the Riders for the last playoff spot in the West and have won their last four games. It will be no easy task for Miller and company when Wally and the boys come to town.

Be Loud and Proud!
Odog

For more football updates, opinion and commentary, or to make comments visit odogsblog.com or follow me on twitter @odog_media

 

The Banjo Bowl saw the highly touted Blue Bombers looking to exact revenge on the 2-7 Roughriders following the events of Labour Day. The Riders would not let it happen as they came to play for the second week in a row and have all of Rider Nation excited once again.

Relax, Focus and Play Your Game! Words to live by according to any football coach. In the case of the Riders it’s Head Coach Ken Miller who has the entire team relaxed, focused and ready to win. Players who looked to be under achieving early in the season have now found their groove, so much so that they look like the Green and White franchise that has gone to the Grey Cup three out of the past four years. Clearly these boys were not happy under Greg Marshall’s watch, that’s the only explanation for a team that has been able to turn the corner so quickly after changing the bench boss.

The Butler Did It! The Rookie Canadian Rider safety has shown signs all year that he can play ball, but the Banjo Bowl had to be Craig Butler’s breakout game. Butler recorded two interceptions and a helmet rattling sack on Buck Pierce. This performance coming from a kid fresh out of college, he will be the face of the Riders at safety for years to come if he can sustain this level of play.

Lost and Found! It appears as if the Bombers defense has lost its swagger and it landed firmly in the lap of the Riders defenders. With a total of 3 sacks and 5 interceptions and a fumble recovery the Rider “D” made it a very long day at the office for the Bomber offence. Epic performances by James Patrick, Jerrell Freeman and Craig Butler paved the way for the Rider win.

He’s Back! Andy Fantuz made his return to the Green and White on Sunday. Did he steal the show? My first reaction is; No he didn’t. However even though Fantuz only had two catches on the day he drew the attention of more than one Winnipeg defensive back on several occasions. This equates to Weston Dressler being wide open on the 5 yard line or Chris Getzlaf easily getting in behind coverage for the big catch. The shear presence of the big slotback on the field changes the complexion of the Riders offence and is a huge lift to the team. Add in the stellar performance of Darian Durant and the high flying Green and White attack is back.

Be Loud and Proud!
Odog

For more football updates, opinion and commentary, or to make comments visit odogsblog.com or follow me on twitter @odog_media

 

The Riders recorded win #2 in the Labour Day Classic against the Bombers. The boys in green united with an epic performance from Rider Nation in the stands to steal the “swagger” away from the Blue and Gold.

Lighting a Fire! The Riders came away with a decisive win over the league’s best team. They played well in all facets of the game with the offence, defense and special teams all showing their best performance of the year. Under the direction of Ken Miller they seemed like a changed team and the men we expected to take the field in Week 1 of the season. The playbook didn’t appear to have changed but motivation, drive and intensity sure did. Miller found a way to light a fire in the bellies of these gladiators to play like he believed they could.

Epic Performance! To win football games you have to play as a team and the Riders did just that. The defense didn’t allow a touchdown, the offence put points on the board and special teams won the field position battle. Miller had so much faith in his starting pivot that he gave Darian Durant the freedom to call a majority of his own plays and he looked the best we’ve seem him all year. Chris Milo atoned for his performance in Toronto with some booming punts and sending both field goal attempts through the uprights. Chris Getzlaf put both his receptions in the end zone and Weston Dressler had a tremendous diving one handed grab for another TD. New comer Dallas Baker looked good in his debut with the most receiving yards on the day. The defense brought pure intensity as a group forcing turnovers and bringing pressure all day long.

Battle Scars! The intensity of the game mixed with the atmosphere of the Labour Day Classic resulted in some heated tempers in the latter stages of the game. The two teams let their emotions get away on them with three altercations that included two Bomber players, defensive back Brandon Stewart and slotback Cory Watson, being ejected from the game. The two teams combined for a total of 251 yards in penalties and are set to face each other in a rematch on Sunday afternoon in the Banjo Bowl. Will cooler heads prevail as the Riders try to prove they can right the ship and take down one the leagues best for a second time? It will be a game you don’t want to miss.

Be Loud and Proud!
Odog

For more football updates, opinion and commentary, or to make comments visit odogsblog.com or follow me on twitter @odog_media

 

Week two of the CFL bye weeks is in the books and all teams are getting back at it to get ready for their Labour Day weekend matchups.

Bye Bye…Bye Week. As a fan I've never really liked the bye week. The CFL season is short enough and typically a week without a Rider game to watch is painful. However we haven't been through a season like this in Riderville for a while and I think the bye week was a welcome sight for all. Some well needed down time for coaches and players to breathe and heal from the wounds of the first 8 games. For fans its time to cool the heated tempers and criticism even if just for a few days. With all that said I'm ready for some more Rider football!

Cinderella Story? We've seen it before in a league of only eight teams, of which six make the playoffs, at least two post season spots are still up for grabs even though the season is close to the halfway point. Even in the past few years certain teams have been able to turn things around and go from dud to stud heading into the playoffs. The question remains; Will Ken Miller be able to turn around a team that appears to be underachieving? No one can answer that for sure, but there is an air of excitement surrounding the changes to the Green and White.

Anything can happen on Labour Day! This year's edition of the Labour Day Classic at Mosaic Stadium features the 1-7 Riders versus the 7-1 Blue Bombers. History of the clash between these two clubs tells us to throw away the records and get ready to be entertained. All of Rider Nation will remember the Rocky Butler show with an epic win for the Green and White in 2002 or the Kerry Joseph's late game heroics to run for a game winning touchdown in 2007. Get your popcorn ready and see what happens this year when Canada's team hosts the boys from Swaggerville! 

If you're going to be in the stands prepare to get loud and show TSN's Sara Orlesky the Bomber fans have nothing on Rider Nation.

Be Loud and Proud!
Odog

For more football updates, opinion and commentary, or to make comments visit odogsblog.com

 

What a difference a week makes. Another horrific loss, this time to the Toronto Argonauts, has brought about huge change to the 1-7 Saskatchewan Roughriders. Let's look back at an eventful week; first the game, then the change.

Ready or Not! A Rider team that had there backs against the wall came out flat and played a game full of errors and penalties. Right from the first offensive play mistakes reared their ugly head with a lame duck, backward pass by Darian Durant that hit the turf and ended up being recovered by the Argos for the first Rider turnover of the game. That was just the start of things to come in a brutal first half for the Green and White. To me that speaks to mental preparedness of individuals and the team as a whole and not players abilities.

Secure the Rock! The turnover bug has plagued the Green and White all year long. They can now boast that they are leading the league in points given up off turnovers. You hear it time and time again that if you win the turnover battle you will win the game. The Riders are simply coughing the ball up too many times this season to win games. Unless they can secure the ball and go back to the Kent Austin philosophy of zero tolerance for turnovers they will have a tough time winning games.

Shaking It Up! The Rider organization, not noted for making hasty or rash decisions, shook the Canadian sporting world last Friday by announcing the firing of head coach Greg Marshall and offensive coordinator Doug Berry. Many in Rider Nation were calling for change, however I'm not sure many thought something this drastic would occur. Personally I really wasn't expected anything to change, but it was definitely needed. Best of luck to both coaches in the future, they just didn't have what was required to motivate this group of gladiators.

What's Old is New Again! The new man at the helm will now be the same man that helped the Riders win the 2007 Grey Cup as offensive coordinator and led the team to the last 2 Grey Cups as head coach. Ken Miller, who stepped back from coaching following last season, will now be tasked with rejuvenating a beat down Rider locker room, that seems to be void of leadership, and bringing this team back to life. You have to take a peek forward and wonder if this move was made in order to turn things around so that Miller would not be celebrating his 70th birthday in October on a losing note. That's right at 69 years old Miller appears to be up to the challenge and understands the task at hand based on last weeks press conference. Miller, along with the current offensive assistant coaches, will also take over control of the Rider offence and attempt to turn things around for Durant and his crew. This has made for interesting times in Riderville and already has lifted the spirits of many fans which means they are already on a winning track.

Be Loud and Proud!
Odog

For more football updates, opinion and commentary, or to make comments visit odogsblog.com

 

Week 8 in the CFL marks the start of two bye weeks in the CFL. The two games this week feature all three so called “Cellar Dwellers”. To kick off the week the Roughriders travel to Toronto to take on the Argos in the battle of two 1-6 teams. Here’s what I’m looking for.

On the Rider side of the ball:

To Be the Man, You’ve Gotta Beat the Man! Ric Flair’s legendary quote holds true for rookie Rider running back Brandon West, who gets his first start tonight. Look for a tandem of youngsters with West and, fan favorite, Stu Foord carrying the mail for the Green and White. West will have the opportunity to showcase his ability after having a full week of taking first team reps. Backing up the two will be new comer Yvenson Bernard who may see a few carries and some special teams assignments. It will be interesting to see how the Rider running game plays out.

Start Strong, Finish Strong! There is a saying that has been used by every coach in the game at some point; “You must play a full 60 minutes to win”. That holds true for a Rider team that has been known for shooting themselves in the foot this season. They have been their own worst enemy so far in 2011 finding ways to lose on both sides of the ball. For the Green and White to beat the Boatmen the offence, defense and special teams need to show up to play for a full 60 minutes with their heads on straight. If the Riders do this I predict they will come out on top.

On the Argo side of the ball:

Keep the Momentum Going! It seems funny to even mention the word momentum when you’re talking about a 1-6 team, but for Argos’ starting pivot Cleo Lemon it’s key. Lemon is coming off two back to back 300 plus yard passing games. If Cleo can keep the passing attack going and get out in front early on the Riders it could result in victory number two for the Double Blue. If he falters it could mean the bench for him after the bye week.

Battle in the Trenches! Argos’ bench boss Jim Barker focused on the Roughrider defense a lot in his press conference. Barker is apparently not taking the Rider D lightly. The success of the Argo offence could come down to the hoggies on the line. If the Argo offensive line can control the line of scrimmage and keep the Rider D-linemen and linebackers at bay Cleo Lemon and his receiving corps could have a very successful night.

For a “Battle of the Basement” it could prove to be a very exciting game with both teams up against the wall.

Be Loud and Proud!
Odog

For more football updates, opinion and commentary, or to make comments visit odogsblog.com

 

Some describe it as magic, some call it an advantage, but however you describe it, it has alluded the Saskatchewan Roughriders this year. Playing at home hasn’t been kind to the Green and White. They lost their 4th straight home game this past weekend. Losing to Stampeders for the 2nd time in 3 weeks to fall to 1-6 leads to another week of speculating “What’s wrong in Riderville?”

You’re Getting Warmer! The Riders definitely put up much better numbers this week with over 500 yards total offence, but they are still plagued by inconsistency. Botched snaps, dropped passes and interceptions stifled an otherwise fiery offence. The hot and cold scenario is indicative of any struggling team, however this is a talented group of players and they are showing signs of leaving their struggles behind. If the Green and White can keep it up they could move one step out of the CFL basement against the Argos.

Read and React! Something spurred some confidence in me that the coaching staff is working hard to turn this ship around. The Rider defense, in particular the secondary, let Henry Burris and the Stamp’s receivers pick them apart in the first half of Friday night’s tilt. Shift to the second half where Henry Burris was only able to throw for 40 yards. You always here talk of making adjustments at halftime, rarely does that actually work. It sure worked for coach Hall and the Riders in this case. Their key to winning is now being able to put that together for a full 60 minutes each and every game.

Stand Up and be Counted! Some key standouts against the Stamps also raised my spirits regarding “Canada’s Team”. With a tremendous total of 177 yards receiving, Efrem Hill was Darian Durant’s favorite target. Hugh Charles, in his second start at tail back this season, put up 94 yards rushing and danced more than a few Horseman defenders out of their boots. Finally Shomari Williams, 1st overall pick in the 2010 draft, got his chance to start at defensive end. Williams recorded 4 tackles and a sack not to mention his always solid performance on special teams. These three play makers have made Rider Nation raise their eyebrows just a bit knowing that we do have some exciting young talent on the Rider roster.

Firing Line! The question I’m hearing the most around Riderville is “Who are the Riders going to fire, something has to change?” The thought is if a team goes 1-6 someone has to go. My answer is; unless there is a conflict with coaching philosophies you don’t fire anyone. Football is a team sport and that coaching staff is just as much a part of the team as the players. These coaches have been working together as a team since long before training camp even opened. Who would you fire? Doug Berry whose offence amassed over 500 yards and 35 points and if not for an ill timed interception the potential for over 40 points? Richie Hall whose defense, although weak in the first half, only allowed Smilin’ Hank to throw for 40 yards in the second half? Head coach Greg Marshall who is respected around the league and is only seven games into his head coaching career? I say leave the coaching staff intact, a coaching change part way through a season rarely amounts to a positive result anyway.

The Riders might just turn things around this Thursday in Toronto!

Be Loud and Proud!
Odog

For more football updates, opinion and commentary, or to make comments visit odogsblog.com

 

The Rider's are set for set to host the Stampeders in the second of four meetings between the two clubs in 2011. The Stamps came away with a marginal win at Mosaic Stadium in Week 5. Here's what I'll be looking for when the two western rivals collide:

From Rider side of the ball:
Wounded Dogs Bite Hard! Don't kid yourself there is still a lot of talent in Riderville in 2011. Some new blood was brought in this week, but it's the ones that already carry the pride of being a Rider, on a team that has been used to winning, that the Stampeders should be weary of.  To say the team is under achieving is an understatement and their backs are against the wall.  Just like an injured dog the Stamps need to approach the Riders with caution. The players that already hold positions in the starting lineup have now seen their potential replacements come into the locker room. If that doesn't light a fire under them to take a piece out of the Stamps Brendan Taman may be justified in bringing in the new talent.

Pressure Cooker! Any fan of the CFL has witnessed the damage Henry Burris can unleash on the opposition.  The Riders, much like in their first meeting, need to make Henry Burris uncomfortable in the pocket. Between the defensive line and the linebacking corps they need to put the pressure on the Stamps pivot and keep him contained to keep his running ways in check. Keith Schologan and Dario Romero have been doing a very solid job as the heavy weights in the middle of the defensive line. They may see a few different faces at defensive end on either side of them this week. With Luc Mullinder gone to the Als, look for a combination of Remond Willis, Shomari Williams and Tearrius George to play the two defensive end spots.

From the Stamps side of the ball:
First Blood! Rambo.....Ken-Yon Rambo that is.....returns to the line up to bolster and already strong receiving corps led by Nik Lewis and Rombi Bryant. Rambo leads the team in catches even though he missed Week 6 due to injury. Look for Burris to get the aerial game going early with his key slotbacks; Rambo and the always tough to bring down Lewis. The Stamps are also taking a page out of the Riders book boasting their own version of the "Canadian Air Force" with Jabari Arthur, Johnny Forzani and Anthony Parker.

Smilin" Hank! Just as the Stampeders take to the Taylor Field turf to the chants of "Henry! Henry! Henry!", Burris is hitting his stride. The usually steady QB had a bit of a shaky start, which showed up as weak offensive production from the Horsemen. Henry looked much better in the Stamps 32 - 20 win over the TiCats last week. If Hank continues along that path against the Riders it could lead to the Stampeders' 5th victory of the year.

Be Loud and Proud!
Odog

 

We all knew it would be a tough game going into Empire Field to face the winless BC Lions, but to return home tied for last in the league has Rider Nation up in arms. With a record of 1-5 time is of the essence if the Green and White are going to turn this season around:

Wielding the Axe! Last in the league simply isn’t good enough in Riderville when the team and fans alike are used to the success of the past four seasons. Jobs may not be on the line this week, but when you’re a team that was expected to return to the Grey Cup in 2011 and you find yourself in the situation the Riders are in the axe could be lurking around any corner. Tad Kornegay found himself victim to that proverbial axe a few weeks ago and if Riders can’t come up with a win this week against the Stamps anybody’s job could be on the line from players right through to GM Brendan Taman. As fans it’s easy for us to kick back and say who should go, but unless you know the inside scoop it’s hard to know for sure where to place the blame; player performance or coaching schemes.

It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s Geroy Simon! The Lions veteran receiver always seems to find a way to hurt the Riders. You can ask any fan of the Green and White and they will all agree that they cringe every time they see the “Geroy Superman Pose” in the end zone. Simon provided a consistent target for Travis Lulay catching 7 passes for 134 yards and a touchdown in the Lions win over the Riders and was instrumental in BC getting their first win. Some players just seem to have a team’s number and Geroy definitely has the Riders’.

Hamstrung! One key factor in the Riders’ loss was they also lost the battle of field position. Kicker Eddie Johnson had a bad day at the office last Friday night. Johnson, usually the bright spot in Riders lineup, was battling a sore muscle which resulted in a punt average of just 36 yards and poor field position. Add in a field goal attempt with no holder to be found when Weston Dressler forgot an assignment created a night that I’m sure Eddie would rather forget, only making good on one of three field goal attempts. 

Message Marked Urgent! It’s time for players and coaches to step up. You here it many times in the sporting world and this is the classic case; the Riders need to play with a “Sense of Urgency”. Veteran players need to step up and inspire their teammates. Coaches need to come up with plays that will lead to success. The blown assignments, dropped passes, missed tackles and poor decisions need to be put behind them. Every player needs to step on the field like it may be the last game they ever play and walk off, hopefully with arms raised in victory, knowing they gave 110%.

Be Loud and Proud!
Odog

 

Tonight the 1-4 Saskatchewan Roughriders enter Empire Field in Vancouver to take on the 0-5 BC Lions. It’s been a very poor start to the season for both these twoclubs that are rich with talent. Here’s what I’ll be looking for:

On the Rider Side of the Ball:

Can the Green & White offence overcome their struggles to make catches in dire situations? Darian Durant looks to have settled a bit more after a very shaky start. However the dropsy problem he had to start the season has transferred over to his receiving corps. From my vantage point the Rider receivers need to run cleaner routes and secure the catch when the ball is within reach. To take the words out of Jason Clermont’s mouth they receivers need to be willing to sacrifice themselves to make the catch. The biggest change to the Rider receiving corps tonight is that 6’3” 213lb James Robinson who will get the start at slot back to give Durant a big solid target over the middle.

How will the rider defense stand up? Last week against the Stamps the Rider defense held up well with the notables being Jerrell Freeman and Tristan Jackson. Even though they were standouts last week to be successful a defense has to play as a cohesive unit. They appeared to be a little soft against the run. Look for them to tighten it up in that area against BC running back Jamal Robertson, who is looking more explosive each week.

On the Lions Side of the Ball:

How long can the slump last? With a wealth of veteran talent including Geroy Simon, Paris Jackson and Korey Banks, coupled with a strong quarterback in Travis Lulay, they could explode at any time. They are facing a Rider team that is in a very similar situation to their own and they could quite easily move up to tie the Green and White in the standings.

Friend or Foe? Tad Kornegay’s release from the Riders has landed him with the Leos. Look for him at starting halfback tonight as he faces the same receivers he has faced day after day for the past couple months in practice. Watch to see if he is up for the challenge against his old team mates who are also hungry to prove themselves.

If both teams show up and play to their potential it could be a great way to spend your Friday night, watching CFL football.

Be Loud and Proud!
Odog

 

The Stampeders set the Riders back even further in their bid to return to the Grey Cup. This week they travel to Empire Field to take on the winless Lions. Here we go:

Meat and Potatoes! The Saskatchewan Roughriders offence failed to move the ball, especially when they needed it most, in the team’s 22-18 loss to the Calgary Stampeders. Two things are being lamented this week; the inability to make the big play and the struggle with getting the fundamentals right, the meat and potatoes. In my opinion the failure to execute the routine plays is the biggest factor. Plain and simple there were too many dropped passes and missed assignments on Saturday night for the Riders to come out on top. In order for the Green and White to have success against The BC Lions in Week 6 they need to make the routine plays and focus on methodically moving the ball downfield.

Stronger! Greg Marshall has stated that the Riders will not make personnel changes with the intention of shaking things up, if the club makes changes it will only be to strengthen the team. I realize one player can not change a team and that this group of Riders is one of the oldest squads in the league, but former Rider and cagy CFL veteran receiver Derek Armstrong is just waiting in the wings for someone to snap him up. A play maker like Armstrong would provide some added veteran leadership, along side Jason Clermont, to a fairly young receiving corps. It would also add another guy that has play making ability to steal some of the focus of opposing defenders.

Isn’t That Special! The brightest spot for the Riders in Week 5 was the special teams. On an unusually calm Saskatchewan night Eddie Johnson hammered the ball for an average of 44.6 yards on 10 punts with his longest travelling 64 yards. Meanwhile the rookie returner, from Western Michigan, Brandon West averaged 21.7 yards per kick return and 22 yards per punt return. Special teams have been a struggle for the Green and White over the past couple seasons, but it appears coach Craig Dickenson and some key players have turned things around.

Put Your Money Where Your Mouth is? A defense that resembled swiss cheese in the first three games of the season has solidified over the past two games. One of the most vocal defensive players during this transition is Luc Mullinder. Mullinder has called upon his teammates to step up their play and called out the fair weather fans for jumping off the band wagon, stating their not welcome back. There’s nothing worse than making strong comments like these and not backing them up. However the boisterous defensive tackle has stepped up his play in the wake of his comments with solid games against both the Alouettes and Stampeders, recording a sack on Henry Burris last weekend. Mullinder just might be one of the sparks that has ignited the Rider “D”. They need to keep that fire burning if they hope to turn this season around.

Be Loud and Proud!
Odog

 

Win #1 is in the books with Calgary coming in to MSTF on Saturday. Here we go:

Man up! The defense stepped it up against the Als. Jerrell Freeman was flying all over the field making tackles. Remond Willis was key in getting more pressure on the Montreal pivots. Add in the Rider defensive backs who went toe to toe with the Als' receivers and won. The Rider defense has muffled the critics for now, but not completely silenced them just yet. They need to keep the heat on Burris and the Stamps to be successful in Week 5.

Shades of Schultzy! Dario Remero provided the most devastating hit on a QB Rider Nation has seen since the blockbuster hit by Scott Schultz on Spurgeon Wynn. The shot by Romero knocked Anthony Calvillo out of the game. Without their key QB, Montreal went on to lose to the Riders, but keep in mind the Green & White was giving the Als fits prior to them losing AC.
Now We're Really Rollin'! Darian Durant was on the move all game last Sunday. The Riders threw a wrinkle at the Als defense by going back to a DD style game with Durant rolling out and running with a sense of urgency. A key to success is to play to your players strengths, the Riders need to continue playing to Durant's strength but letting him use his legs.

Need for Speed! Hugh Charles is predicted to get the start against Calgary with Wes Cates nicked up. Charles brings a different dimension to the running game. He's the faster of the two backs and a little more elusive. Charles is not the hard nosed runner Cates is so it should be interesting to watch the running game shake out.

Etch-a-Sketch! Another aspect of the Riders' defensive success against the Als was some new, or should I say old, wrinkles. Ritchie Hall put a package on the field that appeared to be a blend of Gary Etcheverry's unorthodox sets and conventional Ritchie Hall schemes. Was I a big fan of Coach Etcheverry's schemes? Not really, I found myself wishing for a conventional smash mouth defense. With that said the combination of styles proved very successful against the leagues strongest offense. Coach Hall needs to keep offenses guessing and his squad will have success.

Be Loud and Proud!
Odog

 

The Southern Sting! Whether you agree or not the Riders and the CFL are victims of  players testing the waters in the NFL. Over the course of the past 3 years the Green & White has lost John Chick, Stevie Baggs and most recently Andy Fantuz to the juggernaut south of the border. If you go back further some other recent notables are Kenton Keith and Jamel Richardson. Fantuz's future is yet to be determined, but more often than not these guys end up returning back to the CFL. Unfortunately for the Rider Nation by the time these guys decide to make the trip back north their contracts have expired and they ended up elsewhere in the league. Don't kid yourself this is not the same team without two all-star defensive ends and their all epic slot back.

Runnin', Runnin', Runnin'! Where's the run game. I'm a firm believer that when things aren't clicking it's time to get back to basics. To take some of the heat off a struggling QB you need to get things going on the ground. Give him some more 2nd and short situations to work with. Wes Cates has an average of 5.5 yds per carry so far this season. Let him carry the mail. Along with that turn Durant loose, he can do a lot with his legs assuming he's not injured. Don't fall victim to the Argo scenario where I believe they blew it with Kerry Joseph, they tried to turned a guy with great running ability into a pocket passer. It doesn't work, don't take your QB out of his comfort zone.

Dial it in! Darian Durant has been erratic over the first 3 games of 2011. Take away 2 of his go to guys in Fantuz and Bagg, add in some new comers to the Canadian game, factor in more than their share of dropped passes and you get a QB that is trying to force the ball in a lot of situations which leads to misses and interceptions. Let's not forget that DD, although being labelled one of the elite in the league, is still pretty young as far as CFL quarterbacks go. He is bound to go through slumps. He's a winner and he will pull out of it as things start to gel on offense. Let's hope that it starts Sunday in Montreal so the offence can give the "D" a rest once in a while.

Headin' Down the Highway! Tad Kornegay spent seven seasons with the Green and White and was very consistent over that period of time. Unfortunately for him football is just business and he was off to a slow start on a struggling team that was looking to make changes in the secondary during an era where salary cap is key. Good luck to Tad where ever the road through CFL takes him, I'm sure there are a lot of Rider fans that will be keeping tabs on him.

Be Loud and Proud!
Odog