Saskatchewan Roughriders 2015

[Mowich]

Some but still have 16 on the injured list.

If they can't beat the Hoovers with a broken Willy, there is no hope.

As of 40 minutes ago Tino Sunstarei was sent packing.

I was just on Riderville and read about Tino. I think he might actually stay gone this time. Have nothing against the guy but he never showed me that he was really worth his paycheck. I also read that for the first time this season we have a real honest-to-god defensive coordinator - maybe that will make a difference on our D-line. I don't think an HC should wear more than one hat - no matter who he is or what he's done.

Rider fans are all a twitter after the announcements - seems like everyone and their gramma has something to say about it. Nice to see comments thanking CC for the Cup he helped us win. He did well by us till he let hubris grab hold of his psyche.

 

[petros]

Sunstarei. Stands there with zero spatial awareness staring at the sun.

 

[Mowich]

Sunstarei. Stands there with zero spatial awareness staring at the sun.

He's called the Statue of Liberty by many on the forum...........after last week's game, I gotta say it's pretty apt. I'm of two minds about Tino - I don't like what I saw of him on the field but I also wonder how much of that was coaching or non-coaching. I don't know how much of the blame for his lack of production should be laid at his doorstop as prior to coming to us he had some pretty impressive stats - so what the heck happened?

 

[Mowich]

Winless Roughriders look for fresh start when they host Blue Bombers

Halfway through the CFL season, the Saskatchewan Roughriders are in need of a restart.

In the wake of a winless first half of their 2015 campaign, the Roughriders wiped the slate clean this week in advance of their Labour Day Classic match up with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Gone are general manager Brendan Taman and head coach Corey Chamblin, two men who teamed up to help bring a 2013 Grey Cup championship to the franchise.

So is Tino Sunseri, the backup quarterback who was pressed into action last week as part of the team's poor effort in Ottawa. He quickly drew the ire of thousands of fans from across the province and was let go by the team for the second time this season.

Bob Dyce has taken on the head-coaching job, while former player Jeremy O'Day was assigned the general manager duties — both on an interim basis.

New chapter

The 0-9 Roughriders hope to start a new chapter Sunday when they host the Bombers in what has always been a spirited Labour Day Classic.

"There's not a whole lot that needs to be added or that needed to go down earlier this week to make this a big game for everyone," said veteran defensive end John Chick.

"I don't care if you're the 0-9 Roughriders or one of the league leaders, this is pro football and every team is dangerous and hungry for a win. We just happen to be the team that wants it more right now."

Chick wouldn't go as far as to say a change needed to be made within the team's front office. Instead, he said the players could have done more to prevent the team's lacklustre start to the season.

"(The Roughriders executives) made the decisions that they felt had to be done and now it's on us as a collective unit to go and get that thing we still haven't done yet — get a win," said Chick. "Until we do that, we're no better off than we were last week or the week before.

"At the end of the day, it's the players that play the games. You can say it was this call or that call that has us in this position, but it's the players that play the game. We're still 0-9 and it's on us to find a way to use this and respond to it and get a spark going."

'Ready to move forward'

The Riders feel they can turn the negative news of personnel changes into something positive — a much-needed win. This past week of practice has allowed the team to push the reset button and start fresh.

One of the first calls made by Dyce was to appoint Brett Smith the starting quarterback versus the Blue Bombers.

"That meant a lot," Smith said. "Confidence-wise, it only helps. With the rest of the team, now it's just about continuing to polish things up and earning their confidence so we can go out and get a win."

Smith would like to put everything else in the rearview mirror.

"Everybody is just ready to move forward," he said. "We don't put too much emphasis on what happened.

"The task at hand is to win this weekend, so that's what everybody's mindset is."

A possible playoff berth hasn't been ruled out, at least mathematically. The Riders trail the Blue Bombers, who have lost three straight, by just six points in the West Division standings.

"Right now, we're just thinking one at a time and to go undefeated this week," said Chick. "We haven't done that yet. Instead of thinking we need to go 9-0, we're thinking of going 1-0 and winning this week.

"We have a good opportunity to still turn things around," he added.

"We have nine games left and we have things left to do that we haven't done yet. And everyone's mentality right now is finding a way to get that first win and get things moving in the right direction."

Winless Roughriders look for fresh start when they host Blue Bombers - Manitoba - CBC News

 

[Mowich]

What to watch for at the Labour Day Classic:

1. The quarterback battle. With both teams' starters on the six-game injured list, the game is in the hands of a pair of young quarterbacks. Worry less about trying to win the game and focus on not doing those things that will lose the game.
2. Bounce back game for the offensive line. The Rider o-line had a terrible game last week giving up ten sacks and not being able to run the ball.They need to have a good game for the Riders to succeed.
3. Don’t take penalties. With just five against the Stampeders two weeks ago, the penalty woes came back when they took 18 in their loss to Ottawa last week.
4. Rain, rain, go away. Here's hoping Mother Nature shows us a little mercy tomorrow afternoon and eases up on the wind and rain. If not, this game will turn into a battle of running games.
5. Bobby Dyce. The 15 year assistant coach will appear as Head Coach for the first time in his career and it is in the biggest game of the year. Let’s see how he deals with the fishbowl that is Rider Nation. Good luck, Coach Dyce.
   

Game Day Preview- Bombers at Riders | Saskatchewan Roughriders

GO RIDERS, GO!


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[IdRatherBeSkiing]

I was thinking I would miss the game because it conflicted with the Jays game but thank God for timezones. 6 hours of vegging on the couch watching sports. My wife will be so pleased.

 

[Mowich]

I was thinking I would miss the game because it conflicted with the Jays game but thank God for timezones. 6 hours of vegging on the couch watching sports. My wife will be so pleased.

Yeah, I was worried about that too till I checked the sched and breathed a happy sigh of relief.

I don't do selfies but be assured that I am wearing it right now.
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[Mowich]

Wind could definitely be a factor in the game today - 40 mph gusting to 60 and the flag is at full mast. Bombers make the board first with a boot from LirimHajrullahu.

Nothing much from our offense. They are trying to get Messam going but no luck so far. Defense is playing better though.

Bombers 3 - 0 in the 1rst.

Messam fumbled a direct snap and then fumbled the ball. Winnipeg on our 16 and just got a 1rst down in the red zone.

TD for the Bombers.............ah well.

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

Just switched over from the Jays ... given where they are in the season and the wind, did Winnipeg win the toss and take the field direction? Or was it our choice to go against the wind first? I would want to give the offense the wind to start off the game and try to get kickstarted.

 

[Mowich]

Just switched over from the Jays ... given where they are in the season and the wind, did Winnipeg win the toss and take the field direction? Or was it our choice to go against the wind first? I would want to give the offense the wind to start off the game and try to get kickstarted.

Winnipeg won the toss, IRBS. What was the final score?

Good news is that we actually got a couple of first downs and started to move the ball..........bad news is that we didn't come away with any points.

End of 1rst - Bombers 10 - 0

Good news is that we actually got a couple of first downs and started to move the ball..........bad news is that we didn't come away with any points.

End of 1rst - Bombers 10 - 0

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

Winnipeg won the toss, IRBS. What was the final score?

Good news is that we actually got a couple of first downs and started to move the ball..........bad news is that we didn't come away with any points.

End of 1rst - Bombers 10 - 0

Good news is that we actually got a couple of first downs and started to move the ball..........bad news is that we didn't come away with any points.

End of 1rst - Bombers 10 - 0

It was 10-4. Yes last drive looked impressive until the last set. Surprised with the do-over after sack, it still wound up with a sack. Should have tried something different.

 

[Mowich]

Saskatchewan TD................YEE HAW

UH...............take that back........penalty against Riders wipes it off the board.

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

Saskatchewan TD................YEE HAW

Ummn. no. Penalty. The more things change, the more things stay the same.

 

[Mowich]

Well that was impressive.........for awhile. Now it's up to Paul to get us some points on this drive and he comes through........we are on the board with 3 after all that.

I wonder how Bob is going to handle the penalty situation compared to CC. He has to do something. We've had way too many TDs knocked off the board due to them.

Demski...........60 yard TD and not a flag in sight.............I might just faint now.

And just like that, we are tied.

Special teams doing their bit for the team.

Good to see Anthony Allen playing again.

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

For what its worth, they seem to be playing with more spunk, not just going through the motions. Hope it lasts all 4 quarters.

 

[Mowich]

Bag and Weston with a couple of good catches and we are in scoring territory again..........must say this is the best we have done in awhile.

For what its worth, they seem to be playing with more spunk, not just going through the motions. Hope it lasts all 4 quarters.

I do do too, IRBS. There's going to be glitches but I am happier with the team all ready.

Off-side Winnipeg on FG kick, Bob smart to let the 3 points stand - good decision by our new HC. Sask 13 - Bombers 10 with just over a minute and a half left in the 2nd.

Adams ruled down by contact on 3 and.........Mike challenges the ruling and should win but the ruling is confirmed - incomplete pass.........whoooo Riders got real lucky on that call.

Riders get the ball back with 35 seconds left in the half.

We will kill the clock to end the half and come away up 3 points on the Hoovers. Not bad...........not bad at all.

First quarter - not so good for Riders. Second quarter better. Rookie mistakes by Brett. Veteran mistakes by Messam. Defense good but a little inconsistent. Offense needs some work. All in all, considering the score........an improved team from last week.

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

Bag and Weston with a couple of good catches and we are in scoring territory again..........must say this is the best we have done in awhile.



I do do too, IRBS. There's going to be glitches but I am happier with the team all ready.

Off-side Winnipeg on FG kick, Bob smart to let the 3 points stand - good decision by our new HC. Sask 13 - Bombers 10 with just over a minute and a half left in the 2nd.

Adams ruled down by contact on 3 and.........Mike challenges the ruling and should win but the ruling is confirmed - incomplete pass.........whoooo Riders got real lucky on that call.

Riders get the ball back with 35 seconds left in the half.

We will kill the clock to end the half and come away up 3 points on the Hoovers. Not bad...........not bad at all.

First quarter - not so good for Riders. Second quarter better. Rookie mistakes by Brett. Veteran mistakes by Messam. Defense good but a little inconsistent. Offense needs some work. All in all, considering the score........an improved team from last week.

Big question is can they keep it up over the whole game. Maybe this time they got their bad quarter out of the way in the 1st.

 

[Mowich]

Another TD taken off the board by a Rider penalty. Paul gives us another 3 points so we are up by 6 now.

TDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD! AND NOT A FLAG IN SITE! GO RIDERS! Missed on the 2-point convert but come away with a 12 point advantage. Oh, and thank you Bombers for the penalties.

Jerome is going his mojo working.

Ok Jerome............you are totally forgiven for those earlier misses. You Rock.

Pretty good drive so far by the Riders from their own 20 and into the red zone. Jerome the biggest factor on this drive.

Bagg with a catch out at the 1 yard line...........or maybe not........looks like he may have been over the white stripe. O'shea is challenging.

Wow.............another ruling in our favor and Winnipeg loses their last time-out.

TD Riders............................Yee Frickin' Hoosie............................Rock on Riders.

Oh that was a pretty play by Bagg.

19 point lead for Sask with just over 8 minutes left in the game. Now I start getting real nervous.

Monroe with the first sack of the game for Sask.

2 and out Winnipeg and we are getting the ball back.

Not..........Demski out of bounds come back in to play the ball and it ends up as a TO for Winnipeg on our 33......oh Monroe sacks Brohm on the first play............for loss of 18.

Bombers get nowhere fast and once again we have a chance to get the ball back - Lirim tries a FG, misses and we give the Hoovers a single. 29 - 11 Sask with 6:01 left in the game.

Game held up while they massage an officials thigh on the sideline.

Riders come up short on 2nd down and are looking at 3rd down but the Hoovers get another obj con call and we have another set of downs with under 4 minutes to play.

I sure hope rockman is at the game today.

Rider drive comes up short. Paul misses a 33 yarder against the wind but gets a single. 30 - 11 Riders with 1:48 left in the game.

Bombers in scoring territory.

TD Bombers.

Bomber TD and 2-point convert and now down by 11. Hoovers try an on-side kick but ball out of bounds and Riders have the ball around midfield with 1:20 left.

:40 Icing on the cake for my guys as a Hoover receiver is stripped of the ball and it is run in for a Rider TD.

Standing ovation for the team and coaches. There's gonna be some big celebrations in Regina tonight.

37 - 19 for the Green and White

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

Good win. And on Labour Day against the hated Blue Bombers. Doesn't get much better. They win next week too, and they may actually be back into this.

 

[Mowich]

Good win. And on Labour Day against the hated Blue Bombers. Doesn't get much better. They win next week too, and they may actually be back into this.

The Jays win. The Riders get their first win. Hey, it's all good IRBS. I'm not looking ahead at all. The Banjo Bowl has been our downfall with a great team at hand............and the Bombers might have taken this one - bad penalties on top of bad penalties at important moments in the game cost them dearly. I can't see Mike O'shea not addressing that this week. Investor's Field is just as loud and proud as Mosaic too. For now, I am just happy we finally made it to the positive side of the board.