The Week Which Lies Ahead

I suppose it isn’t often a man can go 1-3 in his CFL pool and still be smiling Monday. But even with a questionable interference call for Toronto, Jebus loves them. Hamilton, getting the best of the CFL catfight, the plucky Ottawa Redblacks getting sparking liquor sales and incidental human sacrifice in Winnipeg, the city only outdone in glamour by Chernobyl, all seemed to turn out relatively well for Saskatchewan.

Here in Riderville, the pitchforks and torches have been put away somewhat as the Henry Burris trade rumors seem to have floated away.

Ottawa wanted Weston Dressler for Henry. Really? In the words of the great philosopher Buddy Holly, “That’ll be the Day”.

Rider Head Coach, Cory Chamblin, was beating himself for a fourth quarter loss of heart in punting on third and a yard and a half considering the Riders just set a record for three two-point converts in one game. However, the illegal substitution by Brian Peters who wandered onto the field one play after being taken off by a trainer and ending up in a Calgary TD instead of field goal was the bigger faux pas.

Peters is a gamer and I am not going to knock anyone who wants to win, just please, read a rule book in the team washroom now and then.

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The Riders should be getting some players back, in particular punter, Josh Bartel, which should take some of the pressure off of Chris Milo who’s only kicking practice it seems was punting over the last few games. Milo can save his legs for field goals and the double clutch leading to Calgary’s first touchdown should be a thing of the past. Of course that means he should be working with new Rider long snapper Chad Rempel, but hopefully this is a smooth process.

So, all things considered, not a totally awful weekend for the Riders which sets this week up as we in the west cheer for Toronto to break 16K in attendance. Hopefully, they are all paid attendance.

Hamilton at Toronto – A month ago this would be a (yawn) game of limited local interest. But now with the East emerging from the tyranny of a Rogers imposed 46 day exile (seriously?) and with first place on the line, this is a test of whether the Hamilton MOJO can be translated from the safe confines of your local Timmy’s to the cold inhumanity of the worlds largest indoor parking garage. This is where it makes me wonder. The lack of touchdown proficiency by Hamilton brought back painful reminders of the nearly seven quarters the Riders wandered aimlessly looking for even a rouge to take the pain off.  Edmonton is a good team, but not that good as I like to remind the rabid Schmoe fans with whom we are tied for second, so on that basis, I have to think Toronto takes this because they are more offensive.

Ottawa at BC – Like the kid in the John Hughes film who finally gets a date with the hot cheerleader, you couldn’t help but be moved by Ottawa’s win over Winnipeg. Also, did I mention it was a win over Winnipeg? John Williams showed the type of running game that every CFL teams needs to balance off what could be a pass only offense that eventually degenerates into a two and out routine. This time they take their show on the road to BC where Mike Benevides this week has already downplayed suggestions of a rift between the offense and defense, an offense that has gone 0-3 with receiver Courtney Taylor out and now relying on three unproven Canadians to try to help out Emmanuel. I don’t know if that is the spark that lights the Lions fire, but at 7-7, the risk of having their 17 year playoff streak snapped in the year they host the Grey Cup should be motivation enough for a team that is teetering on the brink of elimination. BC by a bit.

Saskatchewan at Montreal – Early Monday morning, Saskatchewan time, many Pilsner will be lodged securely in the fridge, many chicken wings ready for consumption to mark the Thanksgiving. This is a game where Montreal is retiring Anthony Calvillo’s jersey (of course it would be against Saskatchewan) and they are coming off a bye week.

 Meanwhile we on the flatlands will ensure Chamblin saying he has no idea who the starting quarterback is going to be, and the panic button motions of the previous game and week do give one pause for thought. Montreal plays better on home than on the road, they have a great defense that will go after the Rider quarterback, but the Riders snap their losing streak on this day. Calgary was lucky to hang on last week, the Riders served notice that they will play hard, and the way the offense operated in the second half is a sign that progress is on the way. Go Riders!

Winnipeg at Edmonton – Winnipeg may have cost the Riders the services of Darian Durant in the banjo bowl, but the Riders can take heart in launching Winnipeg head first in the slough of despair they currently occupy.

 Gary Etcheverry’s defense has been found full of holes and Winnipeg’s offensive and defensive line are manned by hobos who fell of the train somewhere en route to Vancouver.

Winnipeg’s slide is not unexpected; they had more personnel question marks than the Eskimos and a poorer scouting system, so the holes showing up now are understandable. The problem for Winnipeg is can they stop the run of Edmonton while keeping Drew Willy upright and not looking like Kramer in the Seinfeld episode where he smeared butter all over himself and Newman thought he resembled a giant turkey?

Since I am gambling on a Rider win to send my endorphins rocketing to the heavens in the morning, I need some laughs in the afternoon and I am going to say no. Edmonton takes this one to set up nicely a return match with the Riders where we have a particular goose egg we want to discuss with them.