Tracker

Running backs about the same? Last year we relied on a guy who couldn't do any of the basics well and our offense was basically one dimensional, leading to our quarterback getting killed because teams didn't have to respect the run at all. This is a huge difference coming into this season. We had no boundary wideout last season and relied on Aaron Kelly and Romby Bryant for stretches last season. Maybe you don't like Darvin Adams, but the receivers are better. Moving Watson out doesn't have much impact because he basically became a glorified tight end who could barely move around the field. Feoli-Gudino is probably better at this point. The caveat is that we haven't seen any of these newcomers in action yet. Last year, we thought that Moore, Kelly and Grigsby would really spark the offense, so I looked at how the team measured up now VS this point last season.

I am not as hopeful coming out of training camp as I was going into it. Most of the players I thought would impress are either gone or on the PR, and some of the weaknesses we had last year are still there or still question marks. Quarterbacks- same as last year Running backs- about the same Receivers- about the same O-line- vastly improved D-line- marginally better Linebackers- a big question mark and a real concern considering Sask's willingnes to run and run effectively D-backs- about the same Special Teams- about the same Coaching- damned well ought to be better All this said, we still should be able to beat the Riders today, and I can't imagine how devastating a lop-sided loss would be to team confidence.

Where can I purchase some of this Cato Check with Britt Reid.

Wow! The Alouettes are in big trouble and many here predicted that they would go into a tailspin as soon as Calvillo pulled the plug. When Calvillo signed in Montreal he'd already had his baptism of fire with other teams and Popp got very, very lucky. There was no succession plan here so Popp deserves what he gets. This train was coming for years and Popp did not get out of the way. Don't think Mr. Popp is going to be sleeping well for awhile.

Say what? Mea culpa. Mea maxima culpa.

The worst complaint of them all. Actually, for Regina this is a good thing. The closer that you get to the city limits, the better.

Why do you feel that the coaches don't like JFG? My impression is that O'Shea loves him and I believe JFG is slated to start this week. 'Cause he so rarely gets on the field despite producing when he does.

Well, there goes his strength.

That'll make the interview much more entertaining! I nominate you for the interview (10 beer minimum prior though). Last time I got interviewed in Regina it didn't go so well.. I've heard that the guys with the rubber gloves are surprisingly gentle .Next time, ask for the oldest ones- sometimes their hands are a little shaky.

I do wonder what the coaches do not like in JFG's game. He does seem to produce on the field.

It would be a lot more entertaining if the games were Edmonton-Montreal and Ottawa-Toronto. Much closer that way, I think.

They've got just as much depth as most other teams. If you're comparing them to the Alouettes, Ticats or Stampeders, yeah they're worse and they got a worse ranking. But if you compare them to the teams below them, including BC and Winnipeg, I think it's a fair ranking. Unless you think the Bombers have fantastic depth all of a sudden But I'm not quite ready to believe that.... I think the Bombers absolutely have more depth in terms of guys that are actual CFL level players. Inexperience is a factor. Beyond their starters the Riders don't have much, and many of their starters have lost entire seasons or nearly entire seasons to injuries already in their careers. Come on! We're looking at starting Hurl, JFG, and Bucknor, now which one of those guys would start on any other team? And our depth is totally raw. Goossen, Briggs, Waggonner, D. Jones, Sherman, Bastien. These guys are "actual CFL level players" and the Riders don't have that? The Riders have their own group of players like that. Watman, Demski, Haidara, MacDougall, Vonk, Steinhauer. Equal depth and better starters means a higher grade. Everyone who thinks the Riders are going to take a dive this season are going to be pretty disappointed. Ummmm....weren't Haidara and Vonk cut by the Riders?

Are you sure that was a football? anything else he would be gripping would be way bigger than a football Where's Jacquie? Maybe she has too much class to comment on the direction the content of this thread has taken

Are you sure that was a football?

Plus be subjected to merciless tormenting.

Trying to rate the home-grown talent at this point is about as accurate as using goat entrails. A fair number of them have moved to other teams and some of them were barely serviceable last season, so I would wait until the end of July (at least) before the picture becomes clear enough to see.

Is the team that desperate?

Are these non-imports (nationals) who are on the "taxi" squad?

Oddly enough, the name of Paul Randolph has not come up, and he was as good as they get.

My kids complained when I took them to an evening of Gregorian chants, but they also complained that the singalongs at the Buddhist camps were boring.

Jade Etienne wouldn't be any worse at linebacker than Kuale was.

Kackert ought to be good for Toronto, who will need all the help they can get until Ray gets back, if/when he does. Competitive games are always good for the league and ratings.

Off our meds again, are we?

Brohm looks like one of those players who look like they ought to be able to break out into "starter status" any day now but never quite seem to do it. Marve looks like a QB who will win ugly but win and may well be uncoachable to look to pass first, then consider the run. If Marve didn't have bad knees, I would be a lot more comfortable in seeing him take off a dozen times or so every game. If the coaches can work him into a rolling pocket offense, he might be what we need if Willy doesn't evolve into a premier quarterback this year. Regardless of whether its Marve, Portis or Brohm, none seem to have progressed into a pivot who could challenge Willy or replace him without losing a lot of team momentum, so I hope McManus and Co. are still beating the bushes.

Not a chance the Riders are letting that guy get away. Even if they handle their PR a little differently the message is the same, "hands off". If that were true they wouldn't have cut him. Rider fans are pissed off at Taman for this move. I think that the Rider faithful will have many more opportunities to get ticked at Taman this year unless they go something like 14-4 and into the western final. Rider fans seem to think that once they win the Grey Cup, they ought to do it at least every second year.