I hate to give myself a pat on the back, but the post written two hours prior to kick off on Sunday is basically a carbon copy of what transpired on the field. Hopefully my ideas for the remainder of the season also turn out to be true. Here are my thoughts two days after arguably the most complete game the Riders have played in the last three years:
* Darian Durant played a whale of a game, and I have yet to see him as emotional this year as he was on Sunday. Following his first quarter touchdown connection with Chris Getzlaf, DD was jumping around like he was twelve years old again. In addition, he got to call most of the game himself and low and behold he used his legs when necessary. Can't help but think he is thrilled to have the shackle that was Doug Berry cut loose.
* Dallas Baker looks like a keeper. In his first game as a Rider he hauled in four receptions for eighty yards plus. This included a third quarter catch when he just flat out used his size to beat the defender to the ball. He reminds me a lot of Prechae Rodriguez, only he isn't scared to get hit and go after the ball.
* The defence was tenacious and ferocious like never before. Dario Romero and the boys up front literally fought in the trenches all day long. Not that I like to see the melees that took place, but this intensity was not there under Marshall. Jerryl Freeman continues to get better as the season goes on..seven tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and an interception...can you say player of the week?
* The special teams have not been that good for years. They essentially eliminated Winnipeg's return game with flat out hustle. On four seperate plays, Shomari Williams (2x) and James Patrick (2x) just simply beat everyone down field and held the Bombers to next to no return.
* The Blue Bombers showed absolutely no class in the end. Two ejections which should have been three if you ask me as I have no idea how Chris Carr stays in the game after laying Freeman into a DDT ala Jake the Snake Roberts in the early 90's. I feel sorry for Paul LaPolice as I know he doesn't condone this type of garbage. And to be honest, all I think they did was inspire the Riders to go kick their ass again next week.
* Could you help but not get goose bumps when Andy Fantuz was shown on the Jumbotron and 30, 000 people stood up and went crazy. Clearly we love you Andy and want nothing more than to see you in Rider green this week, next week and for years to come. Taman, Hopson, Miller...open the vault and give this guy what he needs to stay here. This offence can only get better with #83 out there.
* As Matt Dominguez said on the post game show, Labour Day is easy to get up for. This week in Winnipeg will tell us if Miller truly has this team turned around, and my gut tells me he does. These guys had fun out there on Sunday like they haven't all year. That excitement carried into the stands and out after the game. Call me crazy but reminding all those Bomber fans how badly they just got bombed was a lot of fun for me.
Here's to hoping the Riders go into Swaggerville and once again prove the power of Rider Nation is greater than any other force this league has to offer.
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