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Riders 31 – Loserpeg 23
Well
in what has become a Labour Day tradition I awoke Monday to a pounding
head and both my voice and pants were nowhere to be found. In what has
become a tradition that likely care a bit more about, the Riders won yet
again on Labour Day. It was their 3rd straight win, 3rd
straight victory over a west opponent and shoots them right up into the
mix for second in the west. It was admittedly an ugly win (unless we
are using the Manitoba scale of rating in which case it would rank only
behind cousin in attractiveness) but it was a win.
In
the first half we were massively outplayed but 3 big plays kept us in
it (pick, blocked FG, punt return). We were not playing great on either
side of the ball but Winnipeg was unable to capitalize. In the second
half we flipped the script a bit. Defense tightened up, allowing just 6
points. Offense finally managed to do something useful and strung some
actual scoring drives together. I will tell you that if we only manage
to play this well next week in Winnipeg it damn sure won’t be enough but
on Sunday it was just enough.
Defense
was made to look human for the first time in a while. Andrew Harris was
ripping off monster runs with ease in the first half. I get that he is
one of the best RBs in the League but I would have thought we would have
focused a lot more on shutting down the run than we did. With Mic’hael
Brooks out we curiously ran a lot of 3-man front especially on first
down. I didn’t care for it. Harris did. Fortunately for us we were able
to exploit a big Bomber weakness: Matt Nichols. Dude just is not playing
very good football. Even if you take away that first pick (which was a
tip ball) he still put up numbers that would have made you think he was
playing for Steve McAdoo. Credit to our D-line for getting 3 sacks
against a very good O-line (even though they clearly miss Hardrick).
Certainly wasn’t their best outing but they got the turnovers, sacks and
key stops needed. For the record Gainey was very lucky on that last
INT. He was nowhere near in position as the D was too busy celebrating
at midfield. Hell of a run and jump but it was a lucky play not skilled
defense.
Early
in the game I was ready to give up on our offense. Our offense also
seemed ready to give up on the idea of moving the ball. It was not good.
To their credit they came up with some legit scoring drives in the
second half when we needed them. What really got things going is when
they finally realized that Thigpen should be the focal point of the O.
Use that man’s speed! The other thing we finally did was make a
conscious effort to feed Roosevelt the ball. In a tight game there is no
one’s hands we should be trusting more. Actually getting him more than a
token couple catches a game was greatly needed. I love Kyran Moore.
That Punt TD was awesome but even in the offense, he’s a guy I want to
see a lot more of. If we can complement the size of our receivers with
the speed of Moore and Thiggy good things will happen. I hate Josh
Stanford. He consistently shows zero desire or ability to run north
south after the catch. He’s always dancing sideways and costing us
yards. Can’t tell me we lose anything inserting Bagg for him. I will say
this, we trust our receivers. When that ball went up for Lambert late I
thought it was an awful idea. Guess that’s why the rye drinking guy in a
robe and beard does not call the plays.
It
was the second consecutive “gutsy” win. Two weeks now, we haven’t
played great and been outplayed at times but still found ways to win.
That kind of perseverance will be needed down the stretch.
No matter how they come, I love me Labour Day wins.
Other random thoughts:
- When we have guys like Moore and Thiggy who have actual speed why on earth did we think running the sweep to Evans was a good idea?
- Seriously? No fly by on Labour Day?
- Nick Marshall is lucky we won. All the goodwill he has built up being out TD guy almost disappeared with his untimely big mouth. Shut the F up and get off the field.
- Loved seeing how jacked up all the new guys were during introductions. Mason was jawing across the field. Elam and Blackmon were up in Winnipeg’s face.
- I knew it was going to be a good day when they played “Experience Regina” over the PA system during pre-game. That needs to become a new tradition.
3 comments:
Marshall has been the cure for our 3rd/Goal & short follies. You'd think the 6'5, 230 Bridge would trump 6'1, 207 Marshall but not so. We officially have 2 clipboard carriers in Bridge & Watford. You hit the nail on the head - somewhat lucky in this game. Why did Bombers go away from Harris in the 2nd half with the lead? Our offence got 3 TD's for the 1st time this year but one was a 1 yard drive. There's still a long ways to go but I think our offence has to pick it up. When you top out at 2 TD's per game you only need to look at Reilly who averages close to 3 TD's a game on his own. The Edmonton offence has been seriously out of sync in the 2nd half of the last 3 losses scoring a total of 6 points but I expect them to come around. They've played well vs good teams. This was their 1st loss vs a team with a .500 or better record but they keep getting in their own way. I expect that to change so Riders may need that offence in the West semi & final should they be playing in those games. Who knows how it will end up but Calgary has a good lead on 1st & it sure looks like the Riders will have to play 2 games vs the Alberta squads & all 3 parts of their game have to be clicking if you ask me. But, time to be positive in Riderville. They're rolling right now. Winnipeg pretty much has to win the 2 remaining games at home with the Riders I would think. WIth BC on a stretch heavy with Eastern opponents, the Bombers might find themselves in last place.
Almost bang on with the spread you called. I was thinking the same thing on Rob Bagg vs Stanford. Does Stanford have more physical skill? Yes. But if we are lacking anything right now it's that vet who knows where to find the hole on 2nd down to move the chains and block on the bubble screens. Stanford does try on those blocks but seems to be horrible for the most part at it
For Anon above, Harris looked to get dinged up when Hughes smoked him early in the 2nd half. He was on the bench a lot more than you would expect after that.
Anon - O needs to keep progressing. They aren't there yet but they showed two solid drives when it mattered most. Just need to prove they can do that consistently.
Gov - Yeah Stanford has more physical tools as a receiver but when your job is mainly blocking and turning a 3 yard catch into 5 yards by putting your head down that really doesn't matter.
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