Cfl 2019

Mowich

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Commander Cody - Best in the West!

25-of-35 passing for 429 yards and two touchdowns​
 

Mowich

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Saskatchewan Roughriders nominees announced for CFL Awards

Six players from the Saskatchewan Roughriders have been nominated for the 2019 CFL Awards.

The team announced the nominees on Wednesday.

First-year starting quarterback Cody Fajardo, 27, was chosen unanimously for most outstanding player.

The California native made his first CFL start on June 20 against the Ottawa Redblacks with Saskatchewan. He has played in 17 games so far this season, helping lead the Riders to a 12-5 record.

Fajardo leads the league with 4,302 passing yards. He has also thrown 18 touchdowns and added 611 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns.

Charleston Hughes, 35, was given the nod as the team’s most outstanding defensive player.

The Saginaw, Mich., native has a league-leading 15 sacks in 16 games. The defensive lineman is ranked eighth all-time for sacks in the CFL with 129.

Hughes was previously nominated for this award in 2012, 2013 and 2016 with the Calgary Stampeders, and was the west finalist in 2013.

Saskatchewan’s most outstanding special-teams player is punter Jon Ryan.

After his career in the NFL, the 37-year-old Regina native signed with the Roughriders this year to make 104 punts with a 49 yards-per-punt average. His longest punt this season was 77 yards.

Running back Corey Holmes was the last Rider to win CFL’s most outstanding special-teams player in 2005.

Montreal-born Cameron Judge was a unanimous selection for most outstanding Canadian.

The 24-year-old linebacker established a career-high 59 tackles, 12 special teams tackles, five sacks, one interception and a forced fumble in 16 games.

The last time the CFL named a Rider winner of the outstanding Canadian category was receiver Andy Fantuz in 2010.

Dan Clark, 31, was unanimously nominated for most outstanding offensive lineman.

After overcoming injuries from a serious car crash just before the start of 2019 training camp, the Regina native went on to play in every contest so far this season, including his 100th CFL game on July 27 against the BC Lions.

The club said the veteran leader for the offensive line anchored a fierce group this season that allowed just 35 sack and also opened holes for their run game, which has a league-high 25 rushing touchdowns.

Dakoda Shepley, 24, was a unanimous decision most outstanding rookie.

He made his CFL debut on June 13 and has played in all 17 games so far this season.

Shepley has worked hard for his place as a rookie on the established offensive line and continues to impress on a line full of CFL veterans that has the third-best rushing average in the league, according to the club.

The East and West Division winners will be decided on Nov. 7. The CFL Awards will be determined in a third round of voting and will be announced on Nov. 21 in Calgary.

Saskatchewan hosts its last regular-season game on Nov. 2 against the Edmonton Eskimos.

globalnews.ca/news/6103665/saskatchewan-roughriders-cfl-awards/
 

Twin_Moose

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Bad back could keep Riders QB out of Saturday's game against Eskimos

The Saskatchewan Roughriders may be without their starting quarterback on Saturday as they attempt to lock up first place and a bye into the Western Final.
Cody Fajardo pulled a back muscle in practice on Wednesday and did not practice on Thursday.
He's considered questionable to play on Saturday when the Riders host the Edmonton Eskimos at 2 p.m. at Mosaic Stadium.
If Fajardo can't go, 24-year-old Isaac Harker is expected to make his first CFL start.
But Riders head coach Craig Dickenson isn't ruling out Fajardo just yet.
"We don't even know the severity of it," Dickenson said of the injury. "I'm not so sure it's that bad, so we'll have to wait and see.
"If it is (that bad) we will go from there, but we're certainly going to be optimistic." Dickenson said
Harker said right now he's just hoping Fajardo can play, but will be ready if called upon.
"I didn't get a good look at anything, but I just saw him on the ground," he said of Fajardo's injury.
"When your best friend on the team gets hurt, you get concerned, obviously. Now, I just hope he's alright."
Harker said the coaches have not told him anything about starting the game.
"I don't have any news yet so I'm just on pins and needles like you guys."
If the Riders win tomorrow, they will finish with a 13-win season for the first time in 49 years.
Dickenson said if Fajardo can't play, third-stringer Brian Bennett will back up Harker and could also see action.

Rider fans ready for historic regular-season finale in Saskatchewan

There was no way for Saskatchewan Roughrider fans to know in the spring warmth of the pre-season that a relatively unknown player would help lead the team into the cold November days of the post-season.
Cody Fajardo took the reins as quarterback after then-starting QB Zach Collaros was injured June 13 on the third play of the regular season.
While Fajardo's presence in the Riders final game of the regular season this Saturday is questionable, the 27-year-old has won the hearts of many lifelong fans who watched open practice on Thursday.
© Sean Stetner / Global News Rider fans watch at an open practice in Regina on Oct. 31, 2019.
There was no way for Saskatchewan Roughrider fans to know in the spring warmth of the pre-season that a relatively unknown player would help lead the team into the cold November days of the post-season.
Cody Fajardo took the reins as quarterback after then-starting QB Zach Collaros was injured June 13 on the third play of the regular season.
While Fajardo's presence in the Riders final game of the regular season this Saturday is questionable, the 27-year-old has won the hearts of many lifelong fans who watched open practice on Thursday.


READ MORE: Cody Fajardo signs two-year extension with Saskatchewan Roughriders

“He's a keeper. He's really shown a lot of confidence and just what he instils in the team and brings to the team. You can see that it's a family,” fan Sharron Baldry said.
Rider fans can attest it sometimes takes a familial love to stay committed.
“Your job is to support the team through thick and thin,” said Cheryl Viala, who along with husband Paul has been a season ticket holder since 1986.
"We’re surprised, for sure," Paul said. "Cody Fajardo was really a terrific player and he’s surprising us how well he’s done the entire season."

READ MORE: Saskatchewan Roughriders nominees announced for CFL Awards

The team is 12-5 heading into the final regular-season game against the Edmonton Eskimos at Mosaic Stadium.
It marks the seventh time in Rider history that the team can clinch first in the West Division with a win on the final weekend of regular-season play.
The game is also only the second time the team will vie for the top spot at home.
“It just happens so infrequently. And far less frequently than it should when you consider the history of this franchise and the degree to which it’s supported by everyone,” said Rob Vanstone, sports columnist for the Regina Leader-Post.
Vanstone has been following the team since the 1960s, and said he remembers when just getting a home playoff game was an event. Not to mention the 11 years they went without making playoffs at all.
"So to make the playoffs, have a home playoff game, and then for it to be a West Division Final and an opportunity to punch a ticket to the Grey Cup — that’s historic and rare and something to savour," Vanstone said.
Rider momentum spills over to store
The team's on-field success is moving merchandise at the Riders Store inside Mosaic Stadium.
Mark Habicht, director of retail operations, said the team's rising stars are helping fuel sales.
"To have people like Shaq Evans and Cody Fajardo, kind of out of nowhere, and Kyran Moore, and you get some of the great veterans like Naaman Roosevelt or adding a Jon Ryan, it’s been a really interesting and fun season," he said.

READ MORE: Roughriders move closer to clinching West with comeback win in Edmonton

The store is fully stocked with Rider winter wear, as Mosaic Stadium will host either the West Division semifinal, Nov. 10, or final on Nov. 17.
The stadium Rider Store opens at 9 a.m. Saturday, with kick-off against the Eskimos at 2 p.m.
 

Mowich

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Much as I would like to see us beat the Esks again..................I don't want Cody to be in any less than 100% condition. If there is any doubt, Harker can take the reigns. We have even more important games ahead of us and a healthy Cody is a must.
 
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Mowich

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We Rider fans are so very lucky to have Craig as our coach. He exemplifies everything we hope for as the mainstay of our team.

Rob Vanstone: Saskatchewan Roughriders head coach Craig Dickenson scores points with his honesty

Craig Dickenson was honest when asked about his penchant for honesty.

“I’m not a good BS’er, I guess,” the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ first-year head coach said.

“I just feel like when people ask you a question, you do your best to answer it truthfully and honestly, and if you don’t feel comfortable answering it, you just tell them so.

“I don’t really know why I’m that way. I just am.”

Thank goodness for that. In a day and age when so many football coaches opt for obfuscation or obstinacy, Dickenson is a refreshing change. Ask him a question and you shall receive a forthright, informative response, with more than a sprinkle of humanity.

Dickenson is not a dispenser of pigskin pablum such as “we’re on to Cincinnati” or “our goal is to go 1-and-0 this week.” He understands that the media is a conduit to the fans — the lifeblood of a community-owned franchise — and strives to keep the paying public informed.

Sure, there are times when sensitive information is withheld, but it is done respectfully. And he isn’t going to give away the playbook, simply because some ink-stained scribbler poses a question relating to strategy.

However, Dickenson will peel back some layers and provide as much insight as possible without compromising preparations for the upcoming game.

If a player has a concussion, Dickenson isn’t inclined to resort to “upper-body injury.” When quarterback Zach Collaros was concussed early this season, it was Dickenson who provided confirmation, as was the case after linebacker Cameron Judge sustained a blow to the head on Saturday.

Dickenson’s candour is not reserved for the media. It is part of his modus operandi when dealing with the players.

“Even kids, but especially grown men, they just want the truth,” Dickenson said. “If you’re honest with people and tell them up-front how you feel and what you see, I think they can live with good news and bad news. That’s just my style and so far it has worked OK.”

Has it ever. The Roughriders’ double-digit victory total is especially impressive when you consider what has transpired during the 2019 calendar year.

Only one week after signing a contract extension, Chris Jones stepped down in January to join the Cleveland Browns’ coaching staff.

Suddenly, the Roughriders were without a head coach, defensive co-ordinator, general manager and vice-president of football operations.

Jeremy O’Day was quickly promoted to fill the latter two positions. His first major move as the GM was to hire Dickenson as the head coach.

The Roughriders were unexpectedly shifting gears in the middle of the winter, while attempting to address the one major void that Jones had left behind.

Who was going to play quarterback?

Collaros was re-signed on Feb. 11, after O’Day unsuccessfully tried to woo marquee signal-caller Bo Levi Mitchell away from Calgary, and there were yawns.

O’Day also added a quarterback named Cody Fajardo, who had been a short-yardage specialist for most of his first three full CFL seasons. Fajardo was thrust into front-line duty much earlier than anyone had expected, after Collaros suffered a concussion on just the third play of the regular season.



Saskatchewan Roughriders head coach Craig Dickenson talks with Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Cody Fajardo​

leaderpost.com/sports/football/cfl/rob-vanstone-saskatchewan-roughriders-head-coach-craig-dickenson-scores-points-with-his-honesty
 

Mowich

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OK, I'm in for the Riders. Especially since ESPN has not put the playoffs behind a paywall.

And I already have the jerseys.


Welcome to the Rider fold, Tec. I am sorry about the Redblack's poor performance this year - knowing all too well how tough it is when your team fails to live up to expectations.



One of the biggest things in our favor tomorrow is that the game will be played in Mosaic stadium and you can be darn sure that our fans are going to give the Eskies a warm Saskatchewan welcome.............all game long. :lol:
 

Mowich

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It appears that for some reason I missed the final part of Rob's article on our coach.

To continue:

"In came Fajardo, whose passing prowess didn’t initially lead to victories.

The Roughriders had records of 0-2 and 1-3 before going on a 9-1 roll that enabled them to nail down a playoff berth during what appeared at one point to be a transitional year.

“Coach Dickenson is so positive, and it creates a positive energy,” said Fajardo, himself a beacon of honesty. “Guys want to be here.

“Guys don’t think of this as work. They think of this as football, which it should be. It’s a sport. We’re playing a game for money, which is incredible. We’re very blessed to do so and a lot of guys realize that.”

Dickenson echoed those sentiments when asked about his openness to publicly critiquing, and even lamenting, some of his own tactical decisions. Many head coaches would rather attend a Kevin James film festival than second-guess themselves in front of the jackals of the media. But Dickenson, as you have likely ascertained by now, isn’t a typical football field boss — simply an excellent one.

“I think you have to be honest with yourself,” the down-to-earth Montanan said. “I’m not afraid of failure.

“I feel very fortunate to be able to coach the Saskatchewan Roughriders. I felt very fortunate to be able to coach when I was an assistant coach. I felt very fortunate when I was a student coach.

“I’ve got a good life, I’ve got a good job, and I want to be the best I can. Being honest with yourself is a good way to start.”

leaderpost.com/sports/football/cfl/rob-vanstone-saskatchewan-roughriders-head-coach-craig-dickenson-scores-points-with-his-honesty

Not too early to be talking about Coach of the Year and it is clear where my vote lies. Go Craig. Go Riders. Heal well Cody.
 

Tecumsehsbones

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So. . . I wore my John Chick jersey to the grocery store today, and somebody called "Go Riders!" I turned around and a quite attractive young lady (with 2 kids) was grinning at me. She said "I'm from Regina."

In the suburbs of Washington. Go figure.
 

Mowich

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Well, if Rider Nation looks as good in leggings as she did, they're welcome here!


I remember waaaay back when my Riders won their last Grey Cup - back when I looked good in leggings - CBC who still does sports coverage well and did back then showed piece on Rider fans watching the game from all corners of the world - dressed in their Green and White duds no less. It was pretty cool.
 

petros

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Nov 21, 2008
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I remember waaaay back when my Riders won their last Grey Cup - back when I looked good in leggings - CBC who still does sports coverage well and did back then showed piece on Rider fans watching the game from all corners of the world - dressed in their Green and White duds no less. It was pretty cool.
I remember it well.

I wonder if this guy at Albert and Victoria on the Green Mile does?



CFL doesn't get any better than a Rider Grey Cup win at home.
 

Mowich

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Dec 25, 2005
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Hoping that the Lions will defeat the stumps later today is not an option I wish to entertain so best we control our own destiny. Give it all you got guys. Get behind Issac and let him have the chances he needs to be successful. Contain the Edmonton offense on every play. DO NOT COMMIT SELFISH PENALTIES. Pull together and play as the successful unit you have proven to be all season long. And have a great time out there today.


GO RIDERS!!!!!!!!