2008 Canadian Football League Commentary

In 2007, the Saskatchewan Roughriders brought together a province so desperate for winning, desperate for positive vibes, a province that had a team consistently putting together as bad a performance( in the 80's and 90's in particular) as the fans performance on the crop field during the drought years. The '07 edition was the epitome of what Saskatchewan wants to be and is ultimately becoming. The little engine that could, a train fueled by its naysayers, yet supported and kept together by those who shun them when they fall.

So now the question herein lies....

Can the Green machine repeat and match the Cinderella season of yesteryear?

Ironically, it is after a season of magical proportions that the Rider brass will have to brace themselves for the biggest onslaught of negativity and outrage this team has ever seen. Lose, and Eric Tillman's head will be wanted at the guillotine, win and he'll be next in line for Premier. Everything will be scrutinized, analyzed, pointed out and celebrated at even a higher level than it was before. There's only one good reason for that....

Before 2007 Rider Nation was driven by desperation
In 2008 Rider Nation will be driven by expectation.

If I were to look at the two and choose, the first one may be a whole lot easier to take. Saskatchewan is laden with fans who go by a certain formula when cheering on the team. If they win, that fan is right in there slapping hands, singing songs and drinking all the beer, with the occasional wisecrack of "they actually won for once, that's a first." If they lose the reaction is stone faced. Change of emotions after a loss on the prairies is 'SO ten years ago'. Pre 2007, fans would just shrug and say "tell me something I can't predict." This is what was so sweet about 2007. It took the nonchalance out of that lukewarm fan and got them thinking "hey we might actually have something going here"

2008 is the year where all the Rider jokes can be made history, all the guffaws about three Grey Cups in 90 odd years can be put on the back burner. Many fans (Rider fans included) are quick to conclude that it will be another 18 years at least before they get another chance at glory, but deep down they know that this team, as Tillman put it, may very well be "a better team than last year's." It has more depth, more talent and even more character. This team could be the mirror image of those geeky schoolgirls you avoided at all costs during your high school years, they may not look pretty , but give them time and you'll be filled with regret of what you thought before.

The Riders have what it takes to be crowned the first defending champions since the '96-'97 Argo teams(no this is not a prediction) and if you look into each position, it makes it more clear to see that they may just pull it off (Yes, EVEN without aging vets' Hunt, Holmes, Perry and Joseph).

The QB position which we've already gone over extensively in a previous post in backed by former Grey Cup MVP Marcus Crandell, vastly criticized and vastly underrated, Marcus has done nothing to condone the bashing and has the ability to still play and play great in this league.

The Receiver position brings in fresh blood with the acquisition of Oklohoma State product Adarius Bowman, who turned heads in both training camp workouts and preseason games with his explosive speed and reliably soft hands. Fellow NFL draft pick Weston Dressler is expected to step into a starting role...keep in mind that these two are slated to replace the likes of notorious butterfingers Jason French and Corey Grant. Judging by the performances of those two it may not be tough act to follow.

The Rushing game looks exactly the same as six months ago, but with a stronger and even more motivated group, consisting of a surprising Neil Hughes, Chris Szarka with healed fingers and Wes Cates on the 'right' foot. The kicking game also looks the same. Get the picture? The sign of a winner in the making is a team that can make changes while not tinkering with the quality of depth. The offense looks to be in great shape.

The Defense may have seen a great one go in Reggie Hunt but the Riders have a plethora of players that can step into the defensive backfield and take control. Combine that with the stingy play of defensive backs James Johnson, Eddie Davis and the second coming of Omarr Morgan the secondary looks as strong as ever. Look for John Chick to become the dominant force he displayed at the Grey Cup and Ronald Flemons(acquired in Joseph trade) to replace stalwart Fred Perry adequately.

Rider teams of the past have elected to go with what's popular in keeping golden oldies Dan Farthing, Don Narcisse, Curtis Mayfield etc. who stayed far longer than they should have. Eric Tillman lives by and works by this one saying "what is popular is not always right, and what is right is not always popular." History is chalk full of people who have gone against the odds, gone against the masses, gone against the better judgement, and came out some of the most popular people this province has ever known.

In November 2008, Saskatchewan have the potential of having another great one added to that list.

His name is etched deep in every naysayer's sights today.


Saskatchewan vs. Edmonton Friday June 27th 5:30pm kickoff BE THERE!

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