No Witty Title

For the third week in a row, the spirits amongst Rider Nation are high. The Riders were victorious for the third week in a row, and in the process improved their record to 4 - 7. All this after Saturday's less than thrilling 30 - 20 victory over the Toronto Argonauts. My observations of this past weekend are as follows:

I knew this game could be slow and somewhat boring at times based on the entrance of the teams. The Argo's literally walked out of the tunnel and showed very little excitement and emotion. In a way when you are 2 - 8 this is to be expected. However, the entrance of the Riders was less than exciting. Sean Lucas and Remond Willis were the only two who seemed remotely interesting in the game as they raced out of the tunnel, followed slowly by the remaining 44. I know, a win is a win but in hindsight, why were the green and white not chomping at the bit to get out there and continue their dominance of the past two weeks? All I will say is I would hope to see a different team this weekend, and not only on the field, but also coming out of the tunnel. That will tell me and the other 30, 000 plus in attendance where the intensity and desire is at, and in a game as important as Saturday's against BC, the intensity and desire NEEDS to be at a season high.

Clearly the player making the most out of the return of Andy Fantuz is Chris Getzlaf. Following a two touchdown performance in the Banjo Bowl, Getz went for 170 and a score in what was one of his best games as a Rider. The only better game I remember him having was las year's 200 yard performance against the Stamps. While Andy hasn't put up impressive numbers in his two games since returning, well one and a quarter and a half, he sure has made an impression. He obviously demands extra attention which is freeing up guys like Getzlaf and Baker who are starting to become more effective contributors to the offence.

Every June I have the same thought, Wes Cates is too slow, too old and needs to be cut. And every year I am disgruntled when he stays and starts at TB. I am not sure why this thought arrives each year because all Wes does is make plays. Sure he might not put up 1000 yards rushing as he did a couple seasons ago, but seriously, is there a better blocking back in the league? Also, he makes plays when we need them; case in point, 3rd quarter of Saturday's game, 2nd and six or so, he catches a pass in the backfield and is instantly converged on by an Argo defender...done, end of drive, no points, time to punt, right? Nope...Wes makes the first defender look really bad and then jukes and jives for the required yardage. The drive ended in a field goal. Milo made the kick, but Wes made sure he was given that opportunity.

Chris McKenzie is getting better and better every week. In fact I have been really impressed with the secondary since Labour Day. I remember after the season opener, driving home thinking we had the worst secondary in the league. Since then they have slowly improved. A month ago I threw Nick Graham under the bus calling him the worst DB in the league. I doubt Nick Graham read this blog, or if he did, I doubt it really bothered him, but Jesus has he been good since. He along with Tristan Jackson and Craig Butler have totally stepped up their game during this win streak.

The CFL announced their players of the week today. Not surprised to see Chris Mackenzie get the nod on defence after a three tackle, one sack and INT for a TD performance, but Chris Getzlaf totally got snubbed. Buck Pierce won Offensive POW and Jerome Messam was Top Canadian. Sure they had good numbers but to not recognize Getzlaf for at least one of these honors for the game he had is in my opinion, shameful. Honestly, I am starting to think that TSN and other prominent eastern media types are so against the Riders that they do shit like this. I can see why they would dislike the Riders...the smallest market in the league, and at the moment the best team in the league.

Speaking of the east, how on earth does Jim Barker still have a job. That football team is awful. If they had any sort of offense that game would have been out of touch for the Riders by the half. However, they have no QB, marginal receivers at best and just can't put points on the board. I know what you are saying, Barker is the coach, it is the GM who needs to take the blame. Guess what, Jim Barker is also the GM. Seriously, can you fire yourself? That is the only way I see things turning around for the boatmen in the future.

Remember Adam Braidwood, the dominant DE of the Edmonton Eskimos from a few years ago. This guy broke into the league and was a force to be reckoned with from the get go. Where is he now you ask? All he has done in the last year is get in trouble with the law. After spending time in jail for assault and forcible confinement, news today that he has been picked up on weapons possession charges. Good on the Eskimos to see the writing on the wall and let him walk in April. If not for the Eskimos we can only assume he would have been in jail earlier. What a waste of talent...a million dollars worth of talent but only a nickel's worth of intelligence.

Speaking of intelligence, you would expect members of the media to be moderately intelligent. However, too many media members are knobs. Case in point, Bob Hughes. From time to time Bob Hughes writes a column that Rod Pederson posts on his blog. Anyways, in his latest installment Hughes talks about the need for the Riders to trade Andy Fantuz because he is just going to leave them to play down east, if not in the NFL in the future. Were you dropped on your head at birth Bob? Why would we trade the reigning Most Outstanding Canadian and leading reciever? Why would we trade a guy who despite having three catches in two games has made such a huge impact on the fortunes of this club? Why would we trade him as a rental when we are trying to make the post season? Who is going to give us much of anything for a player who in all honesty if free to choose where he plays next year? Nobody is going to give you much just to see him walk away in the off season. Bob, you may have been a good columnist in the past, however all you are now is a naive, and out of scope imbecile past his prime as a member of the media.

I wanted to talk more about the NHL and other topics, but that will have to wait until tomorrow.