What's that....Common Sense???

In the wake of Friday night's fifth consecutive loss, a game in which Darian Durant needlessly started, something positive appears to be emanating from Mosaic Stadium. This time, the smell is somewhat pleasant and refreshing as opposed to the foul stench of absurdness that has been the case the last few weeks. Upon arriving back in Regina from Calgary, both Darian Durant and Ken Miller stated that it is more than likely that Durant will shut it down for the final two games on the schedule; Saturday against Hamilton and next week in Edmonton.

Why Durant started in the first place on Friday is beyond me....broken foot....nothing to gain....and a near concussion all add up to an awful decision by Ken Miller. You can't clump Brendam Taman into that equation because Miller obviously has veto power over Taman. The questions going through my head are the following:

We all know the current management system being utilized by the Riders is ridiculous. How many other organizations sees the Head Coach have more input than the General Manager. Was the decision to start Durant one to prove unequivocally that Ken Miller is in charge of this organization?

Was the decision to start Durant an indication that even Miller himself is perhaps questioning the decision to fire Greg Marshall and Doug Berry in mid August? It sounds like it was he who made that decision, obviously assuming he could do a better job. Well you know what, he didn't and perhaps Durant was in there trying to earn the team a couple of more victories to help justify the decisions made prior to Labour Day.

Or, as the conspiracist theory might say, was this a move to alleviate any debate as to whether or not Durant is indeed the best QB on the football team. While I certainly think he is a very good QB and Ryan Dinwiddie is not, why are the Riders so against giving Cole Berquist the ball. Is it possible that they fear he could move this offence and thus lead to a QB controversy which could last the entire off season? Only time will tell but I can tell you that if the decision is made to start Berquist, I will be excited to watch the Riders for the first time since BC crushed us at home in late September.

Regardless of why the decision was made, and my theories could be far off base, but at least they are finally doing the right thing in terms of the QB position.

One last final note, and this is directed at a lot of people. Why is it so wrong for somebody to choose not to attend the games when the team themselves have not been in attendance since September? This morning on Rod Pederson's blog he made a point of saying those who choose not to attend given the Rider's recent performance are not loyal and should more or less be ashmaed of themselves. Added to this unnecessary remarks are comments on this blog who call the loyalty of fans choosing to stay home into question.
Let me say this once, being a fan is not a marriage, it is a choice. As a season ticket holder, I can choose to attend, or skip, any game of my pleasing. Put it this way, why would I go and spend more money, on top of the ticket I have already paid for, to support a team who has given up not only on themselves, but on the fans who help to keep this organization afloat, and as such, provide them with employment?
Seriously, packing Mosaic Stadium this weekend does nothing to let the management, coaches and players of this organization know that the last year and a half have been unacceptable. I say the last year and a half because let's face it, we didn't exactly light the world on fire the last six weeks of last season. I understand we are not going to win each and every week, and a berth in the Grey Cup is not a right, but a privilege.
However, when the team on the field appears to be putting forth a minimal effort, that is just wrong. This team has done relatively nothing to change the face of this team over the last four years. Yes, I know we have been to Grey Cup three of the last four years, success doesn't mean you can remain static and not look to make changes. Case in point, our offensive line were past their prime in 2007. Did we get any younger? No. Has this hurt our football team? You bet your ass it has.
I guess what I am trying to say is that even though there are thousands of Rider fans out there, who will continue to be fans today, tomorrow, next year and so on, the Riders of 2011 haven't done much to continue to earn our support. The only way for we, the fans to let them see this is to exercise our right to stay home. I might go, I might not...I don't care what YOU say.

Enough with the Riders.

With football still and last night the New Orleans Saints manhandled the Indianapolis Colts 62 - 7. What stands out for me from this game is how poor an analyst Cris Collinsworth is. In the second quarter, Collinsworth talked about how happy the Saints should be with their team. At this point the Saints had scored on all four possessions and were up 28 - 0. What was Collinsworth so impressed with that he felt like telling an international audience? He was really impressed with the Saints defence? Are you kidding me? Curtis Painter is behind centre for the Colts! Who is Curtis Painter? He is no Peyton Manning that is for sure. It wasn't so much the Saints defence dominating as it was the Colts offence resembling a young Hollywood vixen trying to make it big...ANEMIC! Honestly Cris Collinsworth, every defense in the league has looked good against Curtis Painter this year, and there is only one common factor there...Curis Painter.

The Edmonton Oilers put forth a very complete game on Saturday night, shutting out the New York Rangers 2 - 0. Ryan Nugent - Hopkins once again impressed, scoring the game winning goal midway through the second period. There is NO way the Oilers can send this kid down to Red Deer. He has been their best player thus far in the season. At the same time, sending him down would split their best line right down the middle. He has more than proven that he is capable of playing at this level, so those wo say he isn't ready for the grind of an NHL schedule, he is going to have to get used to it sooner or later; may as well be now.

That's all..Talk to you tomorrow.