By Riderville

Riderville Report – Turkey Edition

Oct 11, 2011 | 9:15 AM

99-9.

It takes talent to be able to be so offensively inept for three games. Not even when the Riders started at ground zero under Ron Lancaster has there been a Rider team that has been so unable to move the ball, never mind score.

But back then, in 1979-1980, the Riders had an excuse, and there was promise for the future. Those of us who sat through those games understood the young players would take their lumps, but hopefully would get better. The other thing was that they had heart.

The offensive line took its role in the futility spotlight by allowing Edmonton to rush first Ryan Dinwiddie, then Darian Durant, seemingly at will. The Eskimos game plan was putting pressure on the quarterback and the Rider offensive line obliged them.

Ryan Dinwiddie was demolished by the Edmonton defensive line, but also served notice that he has lost whatever mojo he might have had as a quarterback. Putting Durant was a move that didn't really change anything and just added the cherry on the futility cake. Cole Bergquist by comparison looked good on the sidelines and was probably the best of the quarterbacks on Thanksgiving.

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BE CAREFUL ON THE ROADS

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NO GO FOR BUSES

School bus routes outside P.A. canceled due to spring snowstorm

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Wes Cates is no longer a threat at running back. The Riders used Neal Hughes more, we saw a bit more of Hugh Charles, but our running game is non-existent. Saying goodbye to Cates is probably on the horizon in the off-season.

Andy Fantuz looked like he was either exceptionally rusty, or thinking of moving on as a free-agent, or realizing he had blown another shot as an NFL receiver with his performance Monday. The Rider receivers had their usual drops, but the question I have is by game 14, the quarterbacks and the receivers should be on the same page. Weston Dressler has been effectively silenced and Chris Getzlaf maintains his streak as a streaky receiver.

Other than some sloppy tackling by the defense, they actually did pretty well, just allowing one touchdown. The problem of course is when the offense doesn't score, one touchdown is enough to beat the Riders.

The Riders still have an outside shot at the playoffs, winning all their games while hoping Hamilton loses all of theirs. The Riders next game is at home against BC next week. Want to bet the Rider touchdown drought extends to four games?

While Rider Head Coach Ken Miller will play the players he insists will give the Riders the best chance to win, the fans are realistic and would prefer the Riders to start playing back-ups and see who can play and who can't. The Rider players should be on notice the 2012 training camp starts now, and the question I have is whether the Riders should trade Andy Fantuz now before he becomes a free agent.

The Riders are in good position to draft Ben Heenan of the University of Saskatchewan, who is an exception offensive lineman. The Riders have some other offensive linemen who might as well get on the field and get the reps they need.

If the Riders trade Fantuz to Toronto, they would likely end up with the first two draft picks for the 2012 draft, and those picks would go a long way to filling holes. If the Riders pick up some o-linemen, then the Riders can tinker with the offense, like getting a running back, then tinkering with the wide receivers.

If Ken Miller returns, then he should not return as the vice-president of football operations. And Miller may not be the best choice because the Riders are stinking worse now than what they did under Greg Marshall.

The Riders should look at an offensive coordinator and a quarterback coach to work with Durant or whoever. I saw whoever because Dinwiddie is now past his best before date. He may work as a quarterback coach and as a sounding board, but the Riders need some fresh arms who can provide either a quick release or quick legs.

I won't belabor the need for a defensive end or two, and let's end the hoping for return of John Chick from the NFL. Barrin Simpson may have passed his best before date, but the Riders depth at linebacker is kind of questionable.

The Riders can shed some salary at defensive back and let some of the younger guys get on the field. Chris McKenzie is not impressing me, but then again, who in the defensive secondary is impressing, other than Craig Butler, or perhaps James Patrick.

In trying to come up with things to write about on this game, the futility is first and foremost, and the Rider post game hosts are mostly aggravating because their ignorance is astounding. Then again, maybe that is a shrewd business strategy in making the fans so tired of listening to the post game show hosts talk among themselves, that they forget what they are so angry about anyway.

On the bright side, at least there was Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy to provide some intentional laughs.