Well, the Saskatchewan Roughriders have devolved from potential Grey Cup champs, to the cure for what ails other teams. For the second straight week, the Riders' opponents snapped a three-game losing skid by beating the hapless green gang.
This week, the Edmonton Eskimos were the recipients of some uninspired play from the Riders (and some questionable calls from the officials) on the way to a 24-18 victory.
Here's the poop:
1) Kerry Joseph threw the ball with all the accuracy of Nealon Greene. Is there some reason Marcus Crandell couldn't take over for a clearly injured (and clearly ineffective) starting quarterback?
2) The defense couldn't shut down the Eskimos when the game was on the line in the fourth quarter. Troy Davis rumbled for a series of key first downs en route to a game-clinching field goal.
3) Luca Congi's punting wouldn't be good enough for some high school teams. But apparently it's adequate for a CFL team. Go figure.
4) Dwan Epps. Make a play. Just one. Please.
So now the Riders and Schmoes are tied for third (or last) in the West with identical 3-5 records. Next up - the struggling Hamilton Tiger Cats invade Mosaic Stadium. Methinks the fans will have short fuses Saturday night. Don't be surprised to hear the home team booed enthusiastically if the green gang continues to stumble around like a wino on a three-day bender.
Saturday, August 12, 2006
Friday, August 11, 2006
Friday night football!
After some fancy footwork, I've managed to secure a vantage point for tonight's tilt between the Riders and Schmoes. TSN isn't on basic cable out here in Southern Ontario, so that made it a little challenging. Especially since the average person here could really give a rat's ass about the CFL. Sad, really.
But, I've lined up the necessary tv coverage, thanks to the technical know-how of the legendary Muggs - a motly crew of degenerates if ever there was one. Unfortunately I won't be able to tune in to Rod and Carm (no high speed internet at Mama Paczko's), but I'll make do. Just waiting for the world-famous panzerotti (note to Regina pizza joints - get panzerotti on the menu!) from Tony's Pizza to arrive, and I'll be all set. Wish I was watching the game with Jacob - last week he was more entertaining than the game - but I did manage to snag him a limited edition Andy Fantuz Western Mustang bobblehead doll today. So that's a plus.
Enjoy the game!
But, I've lined up the necessary tv coverage, thanks to the technical know-how of the legendary Muggs - a motly crew of degenerates if ever there was one. Unfortunately I won't be able to tune in to Rod and Carm (no high speed internet at Mama Paczko's), but I'll make do. Just waiting for the world-famous panzerotti (note to Regina pizza joints - get panzerotti on the menu!) from Tony's Pizza to arrive, and I'll be all set. Wish I was watching the game with Jacob - last week he was more entertaining than the game - but I did manage to snag him a limited edition Andy Fantuz Western Mustang bobblehead doll today. So that's a plus.
Enjoy the game!
Saturday, August 05, 2006
Pretty weak, boys!
Idle thoughts on the Saskatchewan Roughriders' 23-7 loss in Calgary tonight:
1) The offensive line isn't getting the job done. Granted, the Riders throw the ball further down the field this year, requiring longer blocking assignments, but Kerry Joseph is going to get killed!
2) Speaking of which - Joseph was clearly playing hurt, and was ineffective throwing the ball. Any reason Marcus Crandell didn't see the field?
3) The Riders defense recovered from a bad start to hold the team in the game, but the offense was......offensive.
4) Calgary's offensive line gave Henry Burris time to find his receivers tonight - what a novel concept!
5) Luca Congi's punting was putrid until the late stages of the game.
6) Joffrey Reynolds is a horse, but it appears Kenton Keith can still run the ball as well.
7) Dominique Dorsey makes me miss the kick-returning abilities of Corey Holmes - a lot.
8) Steve Armitage is a gawdawful play-by-play man. I gagged when he gave former Rider Scott Gordon credit for a Roughrider tackle in the first half.
So, the win one/lose one pattern continues for the Grim Green Machine. And the band played on...
1) The offensive line isn't getting the job done. Granted, the Riders throw the ball further down the field this year, requiring longer blocking assignments, but Kerry Joseph is going to get killed!
2) Speaking of which - Joseph was clearly playing hurt, and was ineffective throwing the ball. Any reason Marcus Crandell didn't see the field?
3) The Riders defense recovered from a bad start to hold the team in the game, but the offense was......offensive.
4) Calgary's offensive line gave Henry Burris time to find his receivers tonight - what a novel concept!
5) Luca Congi's punting was putrid until the late stages of the game.
6) Joffrey Reynolds is a horse, but it appears Kenton Keith can still run the ball as well.
7) Dominique Dorsey makes me miss the kick-returning abilities of Corey Holmes - a lot.
8) Steve Armitage is a gawdawful play-by-play man. I gagged when he gave former Rider Scott Gordon credit for a Roughrider tackle in the first half.
So, the win one/lose one pattern continues for the Grim Green Machine. And the band played on...
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Frequent flyer
I'm off to see my Mom in London again next week. She's pretty freaked out about starting chemo (response: who the hell wouldn't be?), so I'll do what I can to brighten her spirits. Much easier if Jacob was tagging along, but I'm flying solo on this trip.
In the meantime, the Riders will hopefully be revelling in their first two-game winning streak of the year, and gearing up for their first head-to-head battle with the defending Grey Cup champs in Edmonton. Hopefully I'll be able to watch that game somewhere (TSN isn't on my mom's cable package with Rogers. What the hell?).
And, with any luck the Regina Red Sox will have knocked off Swift Current on their way to the WMBL championship. I sure hope so, so I can actually get to a game this year! In the meantime, pack the park Sunday and Monday night people, and cheer on our Sox!
In the meantime, the Riders will hopefully be revelling in their first two-game winning streak of the year, and gearing up for their first head-to-head battle with the defending Grey Cup champs in Edmonton. Hopefully I'll be able to watch that game somewhere (TSN isn't on my mom's cable package with Rogers. What the hell?).
And, with any luck the Regina Red Sox will have knocked off Swift Current on their way to the WMBL championship. I sure hope so, so I can actually get to a game this year! In the meantime, pack the park Sunday and Monday night people, and cheer on our Sox!
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
They can talk the talk, but can they walk the walk?
I'm actually enjoying the war of words between the Calgary Stampeders and Saskatchewan Roughriders. As often happens in these home-and-home scenarios, lips start flapping and the media hungrily devours each juicy quote (where have you gone, Colin Scrivener?).
Henry Burris and Jermaine Copeland got the ball rolling in the aftermath of the Stamps 19-9 loss on the Taylor turf. Fred Perry jumped into the fray on behalf of the Riders. For his part, soft-spoken Davin Bush basically shrugged off Copeland's suggestion that Bush would become the football version of his prison b$&#@ in the rematch.
In this politically correct, sanitized world we live in a little trash-talk is a welcome change of pace. As long as those doing the talking have the stones to back it up on the field of course.
Henry Burris and Jermaine Copeland got the ball rolling in the aftermath of the Stamps 19-9 loss on the Taylor turf. Fred Perry jumped into the fray on behalf of the Riders. For his part, soft-spoken Davin Bush basically shrugged off Copeland's suggestion that Bush would become the football version of his prison b$&#@ in the rematch.
In this politically correct, sanitized world we live in a little trash-talk is a welcome change of pace. As long as those doing the talking have the stones to back it up on the field of course.
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