Cfl 2017

[Mowich]

Naaman gets his 9th catch of the night for a good gain but it is wiped out by another penalty.

10th of the night for Naaman and he gets us the 1rst down in Hamilton territory. He's well over a hundred receiving yards now.

Flag down but Marshall should have the first down - holding Sask........this is getting old guys

Crappy will have to try and get us 3 and he hits it

30 - 20 Riders with just over 10 minutes left in the 4th. Time to suck it up, play clean and get this one in the record books, guys - preferably on the winning side of the ledger.

Chris challenging a completion call - good one Chris, the player clearly used the turf to help secure the ball. We should win this one hands down.

Well that is total BS.............in what Universe don't they see the ball on the turf!!!!!!!!!!!

The Green Wall prevails!!!!!!!!

Riders will start around their own 28..........drive that ball, guys.........all the way to the Hamilton goal line

..........then over it.

Hamilton's Davis came within a whisker of intercepting Kev's first pass........Marshall comes close to the first.......and gets it the second time.........flag on the play........Hamilton gifts us 5 yards. Grant gets us 3..........Roosevelt comes up with his first in-completion of the game...Hamilton gifts us another 10 yards.........187 yards of penaltys on Hamilton tonight..........Grant gets us close to a 1rst D.....Roosevelt with another highlight reel catch gets us to the Hamilton 10 yard line.........Bakari to the 1 and it's a TD for the Riders on the next push.................! Crappy with the extra point just as the 3-minute warning is issued........and I have a good feeling that we are actually going to win our first game of the season! It took us 10 attempts before we put our first W on the board last year.

37 - 20 Riders

Actually, it was on the 11th attempt that we finally got a win.

We're still taking stupid penalties but the Green Wall keeps stepping back up...... Hamilton manages to get a 1rst D with just over a minute left...............Hamilton 3rd and 2 with under :50 left............and Zach's pass is tipped by a Rider defender.....turn-over on downs and the Riders get the ball in the dieing seconds of the final Q............Get ready for the ice bath, Chris hah..........Nissan Player of the Game - Naaman Roosevelt - over 160 yards receiving. Rider Nation is rising to salute their team. We won.................how sweet it is to say that.

 

[Mowich]

The Saskatchewan Roughriders, paranoiacs that they are, closed a practice leading up to Saturday’s CFL game against the Calgary Stampeders.

Although fans, media types and suspected spies were barred from publicly owned, $278-million Mosaic Stadium on Thursday, we now have a pretty good idea of what the Roughriders worked on so diligently during that secret session.

Not defending the run.

Not covering Marquay McDaniel, Lemar Durant, et al.

Not protecting Kevin Glenn.

Not being in the same postal code as Bo Levi Mitchell.

It all worked out masterfully. Bravo!

After two weeks of positivism, engendered by a 37-20 victory over the visiting Hamilton Tiger-Cats on July 8, the Roughriders emerged from a bye week while watching McDaniel and Durant say “bye” to would-be defenders while catching ridiculously easy touchdown passes from Mitchell in a 27-10 Stampeders victory at McMahon Stadium.

Does it ever stop? On July 1, the Roughriders couldn’t be bothered to cover Weston Dressler — twice — during a 43-40 overtime loss to the visiting Winnipeg Blue Bombers. After the game, the Roughriders lamented coverage busts and vowed to rectify the situation.

The Roughriders rolled over a depleted Tiger-Cats squad a week later, creating a rare — and, as it turned out, unfounded — spirit of optimism.

In hindsight, the Roughriders feasted upon the still-winless Tiger-Cats before being rudely reintroduced to reality in Calgary, where the Green and White was subjected to the traditional McMahon-handling.

Back home, it was Soccer Day in Saskatchewan. Scoring-wise, the Roughriders certainly observed the occasion during Saturday’s first half.

Points: Calgary 17, Saskatchewan 0.

First downs: Calgary 15, Saskatchewan 3.

Net offence: Calgary 272, Saskatchewan 34.

How can a professional football team — even against a formidable opponent such as Calgary — be so feckless for an entire half of football/futbol?

The only reasonable explanation: These are the Roughriders … and it never changes.

A year ago at this juncture, the Roughriders had a 1-3 record. But now, they have improved to, uh, 1-3. Cough.

The 2016 Roughriders were a team in transition under head coach, etc., Chris Jones, who was hired the previous December.

With another year to put his people and preferred pieces in place, it is hardly unreasonable to expect more than more of the same.

Subtract Saturday’s sorry showing and the offence, with Glenn handling the quarterbacking, does look better. And there are times when the defence, co-ordinated by Jones, does look like it has the makings of an effective unit.

The record, however, does not lie. They are 1-3, again, and not even remotely comparable to the West Division’s elite clubs — Calgary, the B.C. Lions and the Edmonton Eskimos.

At best, the Roughriders look like a team that could challenge Winnipeg (2-2) for fourth place and a crossover berth in the East Division playoffs. Thanks to the sideline strategies of Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea, there is always a modicum of hope for Saskatchewan.

So this is what it has come to?

Roughriders president-CEO Craig Reynolds keeps talking about sustained success. It is to laugh, when you look at the results.

If not for a bye week, the Roughriders wouldn’t have been able to sustain their most-recent success for more than a week.

The minimum standard used to be a home playoff game. Now the only realistic aspiration is for the Roughriders to squeak into the playoffs, somehow, maybe.

That is not a tolerable state of affairs in light of the fact that Reynolds threw hundreds of thousands of dollars and an elongated job description at Jones while wooing him away from the Cup-winning Eskimos shortly after the 2015 campaign.

For good measure, the Roughriders also added player-personnel guru John Murphy, who played a key role in stocking the perennially powerful Stampeders.

Those moves were made boldly, and not inexpensively.

Also costly are the continued on-field breakdowns (see: McDaniel, Durant).

It never changes — unless, of course, the opponent is a soup can.

Eventually, the Jones-led Roughriders must take an emphatic step forward and engineer an eyebrow-raising victory that electrifies the fans and validates the regime.

Saturday’s showdown with Calgary presented such an opportunity. It could have been a statement game for the Roughriders.

Well, they did make a statement, but …

rvanstone@postmedia.com
twitter.com/robvanstone
Roughriders rudely reintroduced to reality | Regina Leader-Post

Pathetic, really.

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[Mowich]

The Hoovers are quickly becoming the team I most want to watch in the CFL and last nights thrilling finish to a game that seemed all but out of hand, is just one reason why. Down 40 to 28 with a minute forty left in the game, the Hoovers just wouldn't quit. On their next possession, Matt Nichols marched the team downfield to the red zone then found Ryan Lankford for a 4-yard TD with :48 left on the clock.

An perfect onside kick by Justin Medlock ably nabbed by Brandon Alexander set-up what was to be one helluva of a finish for the Blue Bombers. The Al's didn't help their cause as they took two costly penalties which moved the Bombers into Al's territory. A gutsy 15-yard run by QB Matt Nichols to the 1 yard line set-up the final play for Andrew Harris who took the ball over the goal line as the clock ran out and Winnipeg won by a point. Final: 41 - 40.

 

[petros]

I was surprised to see the Hoovers pull that off.

2 missed field goals, weird turnovers that set the Als up big time but sack after sack on Durant kept them in scoring reach and ultimately gave them the edge.

 

[Mowich]

I was surprised to see the Hoovers pull that off.

2 missed field goals, weird turnovers that set the Als up big time but sack after sack on Durant kept them in scoring reach and ultimately gave them the edge.

I've learned that when things aren't going so well with the Bombers, somehow Mike O'Shea - the most creative coach in the CFL - comes up with a play that takes the other team by surprise or right out of the play.

I'll never forget the fury on Buono's face when Mike pulled that sneaky false FG play against the Lions. It was perfectly legal and absolutely inspiring. The Bombers lost that game but only by a single point. Had a feeling that tonight things might be different.

 

[petros]

I'm calling Esqimauxs by a FG.

 

[Mowich]

I'm calling Esqimauxs by a FG.

37 - 26 final. A wee bit more than a FG, pete and the Eskies remain the only unbeaten team in the CFL with a perfect 5 and 0 record. Reilly had a great night - Lulay.........not so much.

 

[Mowich]

Toronto Argonauts vs. Saskatchewan Roughriders

Today at 6:30PM ET / 3:30PM PT on TSN 2, 3 and 4

Ahead of today's game, I thought I'd post this article which concerns the ever-increasing use of coach's challenges and the harm it is doing to the CFL.

"I never thought this would happen to me, but I’m considering a divorce.

It’s been a long relationship and I have a lot invested in it. But I just can’t take it. I’m not happy. In fact, I can barely stand to be in the same room as the CFL anymore.

The league I used to love has changed so much I don’t recognize it. It started with the challenge flag. If a coach disagrees with certain types of rulings on the field, he can challenge them. Let’s say a pass is ruled incomplete but the coach thinks the ball was caught. He can challenge it. The play is examined by video review and a determination made if there’s enough evidence.

On paper, it’s a sensible thing to do. Referees are not perfect. A missed ruling can change the outcome of a game. Let’s build a safety net.

But at the same time, the league changed the rules to prevent low-scoring games. You can’t hit a quarterback low or high. You can’t touch a receiver beyond the first five yards of the line of scrimmage. This has led to the following absurdity which occurred in the last Roughriders game against Calgary: The Calgary receiver catches a 31-yard pass. The Rider coach thinks it’s incomplete. He challenges the call and wins; the pass wasn’t caught. Then the Stampeders coach throws his tantrum-challenge flag claiming that there was pass interference on the same play. Another review is launched while every beer in the stadium gets a little warmer and little more flat. The challenge is successful.

It’s become a league of time-outs, commercial breaks and TV close-ups of the head referee reporting the slowly-breaking news from the “Command Centre.”

The CFL’s challenge flag has done nothing to improve the officiating, which has to rank as the most incompetent of any professional sport. CFL refs are terrible. They’re not sure what a fumble is. They’re so flag-happy that a defender can be penalized for merely scaring a quarterback.

You’d think the ever-growing list of challengeable plays would eliminate human error and give CFL referees more time to, I don’t know, finally notice that three receivers are crossing the line of scrimmage five seconds before the ball is snapped ON EVERY PLAY.

But instead of CFL referee incompetence determining the game, you have coaches creating opportunities to draw penalties.

As noted by Roughriders coach Chris Jones this week, Calgary is really good at it. They set up plays where receivers do stop-and-go routes, colliding intentionally with the defender. This allows them to cry about pass interference, throw their stupid little challenge flags, stop the game in its tracks and gain a first down they didn’t earn the old fashioned way, which was through the means of athletic endeavour.

But the challenge thing and the wimpy, touch-football rules are really just the start of it. The turnover from year to year and even game to game is another deal breaker. I honestly can’t name a single player on Riders’ defence other than Willie (Offside) Jefferson. And forgive me but I will never, ever get over the numbskull exiling of Weston Dressler.

I guess I’ve fallen out of love with the CFL. As a kid, I used to listen to every blacked-out Rider game on the radio, visualizing The Little General throwing passes and the offensive line opening up gaping holes for George Reed. It’s been a lifelong commitment. But the thrill is gone and if the CFL doesn’t stop being so stupid, I’m going to throw myself into the arms of another league. Hello NFL, wanna go steady?"

Cam Fuller: Dear CFL: I'm thinking of leaving you and it's all your fault

Though I am nowhere near considering a divorce from the league and will never become a consistent viewer of the one south of our border, I am very concerned about the steady increase in the number of challenges per game. In the contest between the Lions and the Esks last night there were so many flags thrown including a back-to-back toss from each coach, that my patience was sorely tried.

I'll be closely watching the challenges today and there are sure to be a few.

GO RIDERS............GO!
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[petros]

Holy f-ck Carter!

17-17

 

[Mowich]

Holy f-ck Carter!

And we thought Roosevelt's was a beaut............Carter's is something else altogether.

I was getting pretty grumpy there for awhile when the D seemed to be doing all it could to gift the opposing team multi-yardage whilst the O was languishing. Nothing like back-to-back high-light reel TDs to chase the blues away.

I forgot to mention and am a tad leery of saying so, but there has been nary a flag thrown tonight. For that, I credit the refs and the coaches. The game has been so much more enjoyable without the distraction of video review and the players don't have that down time which I truly think does affect their performance - maybe not a lot but enough to be less than on their game.

Oh heck........first challenge of the game.........from Jones..........for illegal contact. Well we better win it or we lose a time-out.

We won.........but I think it is yet another in a long line of really iffy IC calls.

6:04 into the 3rd P, Rider's put 3 on the board to take the lead by 2 points.

Argos find the end zone but come up short on the 2-pt convert and the Riders trail by 3 with just over a minute left in the 3rd

 

[petros]

I'm call it Riders by 1.

 

[Mowich]

Holy double ****, Carter

14:00 Riders regain the lead by 3 points.

Good............Jones just took a play out of Mike O'Shea's book and called for an offside kick that the Riders executed to perfection

2nd challenge of the game............again from Sask, again IC on a receiver..........Roosevelt........who drew an objectionable conduct penalty of his own after forgetting the correct signal for a challenge..........he immediately took responsibility.

Well, well, well........if appears that Chris Jones was against throwing the challenge which the Riders lost along with a time-out, but was talked into throwing the flag but his obviously over zealous coaching staff.

Holy shitdoodles.............this has turned into a one-man game...........and Carter appears to be Da Man.

9:19 left in the 4th, Riders can't find the end zone but Crappy puts 3 more on the board to increase the lead by an unconverted TD.

Riders come up with a great end zone wall to prevent the Argos from scoring a major but give up the 3-point FG and now lead by 3 with just over 3 minutes left in the 4th.

Well, I'd have to say that we have at the very least 3 very fine receivers in Grant, Roosevelt and of course, Carter - they are really showing their worth tonight.

OMG...........OML ............with :59 left in the Q............the Riders found the end zone ..........again. Kevin Glenn, bless his old heart..........came through for us. He had a connection with his receivers tonight. It was almost as if the ball was on a string. that I haven't seen in as consistent a manner in previous games.

:04 left ...............one more play for Rickie Ray but not enough time to make up an 11 point deficit............and the Riders put another W on the board........Gaia love em. They not only win the game but thanks to Duron Carter, the team and his contributions will be the talk of CFL for the week to come. I am so happy for the team.

 

[Curious Cdn]

Holy double ****, Carter

14:00 Riders regain the lead by 3 points.

Good............Jones just took a play out of Mike O'Shea's book and called for an offside kick that the Riders executed to perfection

2nd challenge of the game............again from Sask, again IC on a receiver..........Roosevelt........who drew an objectionable conduct penalty of his own after forgetting the correct signal for a challenge..........he immediately took responsibility.

Well, well, well........if appears that Chris Jones was against throwing the challenge which the Riders lost along with a time-out, but was talked into throwing the flag but his obviously over zealous coaching staff.

Holy shitdoodles.............this has turned into a one-man game...........and Carter appears to be Da Man.

9:19 left in the 4th, Riders can't find the end zone but Crappy puts 3 more on the board to increase the lead by an unconverted TD.

Riders come up with a great end zone wall to prevent the Argos from scoring a major but give up the 3-point FG and now lead by 3 with just over 3 minutes left in the 4th.

Well, I'd have to say that we have at the very least 3 very fine receivers in Grant, Roosevelt and of course, Carter - they are really showing their worth tonight.

OMG...........OML ............with :59 left in the Q............the Riders found the end zone ..........again. Kevin Glenn, bless his old heart..........came through for us. He had a connection with his receivers tonight. It was almost as if the ball was on a string. that I haven't seen in as consistent a manner in previous games.

... just ate watermelon for desert.

 

[Mowich]

... just ate watermelon for desert.

Tell me you saved the rind for a helmet and I'll give you a greenie..................only kidding. Sure feels good to see my Riders actually looking like a team that can win some games.

I'm call it Riders by 1.

Prescient you are not my dear. LOL It was a lot - for the Riders - better than that and now my faith is returning.

 

[petros]

They have potential

 

[Mowich]

They have potential

They do.

The Cats are taking a stomping from the Stamps so far. Late in the 2nd, Calgary has a 25 to zip lead and Hamilton can't seem to get anything going right at all.

The photo doesn't go it justice, but here it is Duron Carter's TD - a definite candidate for catch of the year.


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[petros]

The Die Cats

60-1. I would be shocked to see 70-4 at game's end. Oi vey.

 

[Mowich]

The Die Cats

60-1. I would be shocked to see 70-4 at game's end. Oi vey.

Kent Austin looked poleaxed when interviewed post-game, pete. Zach didn't look much different and cut the interview short.........probably so he could go and throw up. What a frickin' debacle.

 

[petros]

I couldn't watch past mid 3Rd 1/4 It was like watching a fatal car crash in slow motion.

 

[Mowich]

I couldn't watch past mid 3Rd 1/4 It was like watching a fatal car crash in slow motion.

I stayed tuned to the game but was busy posting about our game in another forum so wasn't paying that much attention.