Arnold_Palmer

2016 Saskatchewan Rough Riders are reminding me a lot of the 2009 Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Arrogant head coach, constant revolving door in players, and a new controversy every week. At least Mike Kelly's 09 squad won 7 games. I don't see the Riders winning that many

I think this is Connor Hellebuyck's break out season. as a 22 year old rookie he posted a 9.18 save percentage in 26 games with the Jets. Hopefully he's ready this year to take the reigns. If Pavelec is our starting goalie this season we're in big trouble.

http://www.vikings.com/news/article-1/5-Things-to-Know-about-Vikings-WR-Troy-Stoudermire/9ca6b2dc-0833-4979-a8aa-d30a0af9d1cd Good luck buddy!

With the poor Quarterback play we've had over the past two decades I thought we as fans would understand how important the QB position is and how having stability at the position is important to compete in this league. Nichols has been a nice surprise. I like Nichols. Can he stay healthy for 18 games? Can he keep up his play? The jury is still out. I also don't think Willy is done in this league, how ever he may not be that franchise quarterback we envisioned. I wouldn't make any decisions on Willy until the off season. Too many unknown's going forward, quite frankly it would be foolish to let Willy go at this point and time.

Great player, but complete tool on the field..

This is a bombe Forum. It's no different on the rider board. It's all in good fun. Lighten up!

Agreed. Not this year anyways. Matt Nichols has been a nice surprise, but it's a long season and we need stability if Nichols goes down, or falters.

Classic Saskatchewan fans. Souring on Demski when he is literally the LEAST of their problems. The kid has a lot of talent. He should get some reps at Running Back his natural position. God know's the Riders have zero running game right now.

Do you know what the red zone is? They actually went 4/4 in the end zone including 3 touchdowns, and one field goal. Please stop this non sense of "leaving points" off the board. They were a hundred percent in the red zone with a 75 percent touchdown rate. Doesn't get much more efficient then that.

Please read the following bolded. I agreed I wish the play calling in the second half was more aggressive. Yes no game is over in the CFL but Winnipeg never had to worry about Hamilton coming back. Point is Nichols took advantage of his opportunities in the first half when the game was ON THE LINE.

The game was over. I wish we had more of a killer instinct, but Lapo was more concerned about running out the clock. I'll take 37 points any night. If Hamilton bothered showing up i'm sure our second half production would have been better.

I don't think so. The difference in the second half was our passive play calling. We were running the ball, Hamilton was stacking the box. You don't have to keep the defense honest when you know Lapo is just trying to run down the clock. If we were more aggressive with our play calling Hamilton wouldn't stack the line, we'd still shred their secondary and Harris would have more room to run.

We scored 3 first half touchdowns, two field goals, punted once, and ran out the clock on 6 first half possessions. Not too sure how we left "tons of points on the field." Nichols was efficient when he needed to be. If we don't score those touchdowns and come away with field goals instead it's a game going into the second half instead of being up 34-0. I put zero stock into our second half defense. Hamilton was defeated, they stacked the line and we ran out the clock.

Fun fact. McDuffie actually has a better return average then Brandon Banks.

McDuffie is a good returner.. Fogg is simply just better.

Don't look now, but if we can manage to beat Toronto we'll be looking at 4-4 heading into the bye. This is a HUGE game for the Bombers. Who would of thought at 1-4 we had a chance

I think this warrants its own thread but wow were the special teams great last night! Banks was completely contained last night. 3.8 yards per punt return. Banks is the player who could completely swing the momentum of a game with a big return but he was a non factor all game. It's great seeing a starter like Ian Wild lead the charge with 3 ST tackles. Some players think special teams are beneath them but Wild continues to bring it on every play no matter the circumstances. On the other hand. Kevin Fogg take a bow. 19.1 yards per punt return. Robbed of a touch down! Not the fastest guy but he has really good vision and is super shifty. Huge reason for the great field position we had in the first half. That punt block was well executed, and really put the dagger in the Ti-Cats. Seeing Austins face was priceless. Medlock. Ok he's worth every penny. 3/3 on field goals, no missed PAT's this year, and 44 yards per punt. Glad to see some consistency with our kicking game after years of it hurting us.

I haven't seen a Blue Bombers team with this much depth front to end in years. In years previously once a guy who was performing went down we were in trouble. We've had a lot of players stepping up and showing they below once they get their chance.

Riders try to grab Stampeders’ OL off practice roster Another player who doesn't want to play in Saskatchewan. Love it.

Watching the riders lose is ALMOST as satisfying as watching the bombers win

Castillo and Macho Harris should do the trick. ( Carter isn't going anywhere ) Actually surprised he couldn't stick down south.

There is some deep rooted problems with this football team and there is no easy fix. Out of the 9 teams in the league the mental pysche of this team is by far the worst. Having problems with slow starts, making first downs, getting to the red zone, executing in the red zone. We seem so content on picking up what the defense gives us on offense. On second and long they will give the five yard pass every time. I'm tired of constantly seeing 3rd and 3. I'm tired of the slow starts, i'm tired of seeing us being so painfully bad at home. I want us to come out hungry like a team that wants to it more then the other team. On defence I want us to capitalize on errand throws, and not drop easy interceptions, to play inspired all the time and not just in the second half. The mental toughness of this team is weak. The difference between us and teams like Calgary and Edmonton is when the game was still on the line they executed and delivered. There is no simple fix. It's not just the quarterback, it's the mentality. How come a previously win less team like Saskatchewan can play with more energy, and more passion then us?

I remember when Brad Richards, Vincent Lecavalier, and MSL were up and coming stars and they won the cup.. That was now 12 years ago.. and they're all retired now. I feel old.

No it seems like the Bombers are content on being mediocre this season. No sense of urgency from O'shea to Walters to Miller. Anything less then a playoff birth from the bombers should be the kiss of death but I feel like another 5-13 year will be acceptable. But don't worry. Next year will be different. *sarcasm

I don't think Gale, Tate, or Franklin are better then Drew Willy. Also Lulay, Jennings, Glenn and Willy are probably sandwiched into the same group depending on who you like better. He's certainly a step below the Mitchell,Harris, Durant, Reilly, and Burris's of the league.