Eskimoes-Riders Game #1 Commentary

As Ken Miller, Marcus Crandell, Eric Tillman and the rest of the Rider contingent basked in the glory of their first victory of the 2008 season, another ex- Rider was going deep into his post game 'meal'.

Somewhere out there Fred Perry was eating crow.

The gold teethed defensive line cog who had previously been sent out of Riderville to the shagrin of rider priders all over, decided unwisely to add fuel to the ever burning fire of motivation started ,ironically by fans of the green and white who had doubts heading into the season.

"He doesn't have a strong arm, he's not very fast, I just think he's a second string QB"

The man Perry was referring to was none other than former Grey Cup MVP and former teammate no less Marcus Crandell, and as fast as you can say Saskatchewan, the love felt for the cast-off was no longer deep within the depths of prairie lore.

Backtrack my friends to many other players fans have come to love in the past.

Henry Burris was one of the most lovable, popular and vibrant players this franchise had come across. His gurantees and promises, the heart and soul he put into the organization for the short time he was here became endearing. Then he stuck his foot into the mouth he so subtly smiled with and walked. Fans became angered and the Riders used it as motivation to knock 'Smilin' Hank' and the Stamps from post-season play two years in a row.

Paul McCallum was the longest serving Roughrider up to the 2005 season and had kicked many winning field goals through the years, winning the hearts of many fans along the way. Due to an infraction at the end of the season, when BC came calling he gladly went. Whether deserved or not, Rider fans sparked an outrage. It would be two years later that the Green Machine would get the revenge they wanted in defeating the Lions in the West Final.

If Freddy had only known what he had done...

Perhaps it was when Crandell put one up over the outstretched arms of Perry into the hands of Wes Cates for the go-ahead major in the 4th quarter, or the severely weak arm he used to bomb a 73 yard strike to newcomer Adarius Bowman to seal the win, one thing was apparent, his attempt to rattle the pivot backfired worse than Hilary Clinton's speech on her Afghanistan exploration.

The team was not spectacular, but got it done when they needed to, as was apparent when former Grey Cup MVP James Johnson set off the fireworks with a 2nd quarter Interception...wait a minute...Grey Cup MVP?

oh and Fred one more thing?...

James Johnson...pretty darn good 2nd stringer too...isn't he?