Monday Morning Sentimonies: Taking Take Of Business

Riders 39 – Lions 8

I can’t remember a meaningful game that was that stress free in a long, long time.  Not only did the Riders take care of business, they mercilessly stomped the Lions. Basically from the moment the ball bounced 17 times and then directly in the hands of AJ Allen, BC’s chances of victory were on par with my sexy Andre Proulx halloween costume being a hit at work. As someone who over the years has seen the Riders blow many opportunities like this (or at least take years off my life in the effort) I’m still in a bit of disbelief.   

Defense came out firing. Six turnovers and almost a seventh on that Williams INT that was overturned. What I definitely noticed is that we were hitting angry. We went out there looking to impose our will on the Lions and did. BC was just never really able to get anything going. They managed one score in an entire game of football. This is an offense featuring Stanback, Hollins, Hatcher, McInnis and the supposed saviour of the CFL, Rourke. What I find most impressive about the defensive performance is that it was not the big name guys making the plays. It was the depth guys. Colonel Sanders had a sack. CJ Avery had a pick and 2 special teams tackles. AJ Allen got a TD (good things happen when you hustle to the ball). Somehow Lokombo recorded a useful stat. 

BC was clearly not having a good day but they compounded their issues with some very questionable decision making. For example, on 3^rd and 2 in the redzone they lined up in shotgun and proceeded to hand off to the fullback. Every time a team fails to convert because they stupidly lined up in shotgun in short yardage, an angel gets its wings. Also, to not put Vernon Adams in the game at any point with a home playoff game on the line is insanity. Rourke clearly did not have it in this one. Its fine, good players have bad days (or months in Rourke’s case). But to have a QB with a winning record sitting on the bench and not even give him a series to see if he can ignite the offense. That’s worse decision making than the person who bid 1499 in the Price is Right contest.

For the record I thought the onside kick attempt to start the second half was a good call. It was just executed horrendously and much like the Allen TD did in the first half it snuffed out any life that was left in the Lions. 

Offensively, its about time we start putting some respect on Trevor Harris’ name. No turnovers, 83% completion, 2 TDs. Yes there were yet again many more FGs settled for than we’d like but given that we were totally dominating the Lions there was no need to be more aggressive. Had he not been injured I think Harris would be squarely in the MOP discussion. Since returning from injury he is completing 72% of his passes, averaging 297 yards per game and has thrown multiple TDs in all but 2 games. With due credit to the O-line in front of him, Ouelette had a good return. I’m still convinced that hip is ticking time bomb that will need surgery the second the season ends but he ran hard and chewed up yards. Receivers were a real team effort with pretty much every chipping in important catches at some point. I almost hate to jinx it by mentioning it but we are seeing good Emilus a lot more consistently now.

So we now have a home playoff game locked down. I find it funny how it seems like its been so long since we’d hade one. It’s been 3 years. For those of you who may be newer to cheering for the Riders, there was literally a period in my lifetime where we went decades (plural) without one and that was just the way it was. It’s amazing how much expectations have been raised that 2 seasons without a home playoff game is suddenly cause for panic. Fittingly the 2 men we honoured at halftime were instrumental in raising those expectations.

But as awesome as is it to lock down a home playoff game, we aren’t done yet. Thanks to Bombers choking against the Argos, first place is still possible, not probable but possible. And just like that we are all massive Alouette fans and take back all the bad things we ever said about Fajardo, Maas and Maccioccia. It’s a testament to how weird this CFL season has been (even by CFL standards) that a team that did not win a game for 2 calendar months could finish in first. Go Als! 

Other random thoughts:

-        Roy Shivers was clearly cold and counting the seconds until he could return to a heated room. That said, when Roy says something he means it. So that simple line “Its good to be back” was heartfelt and very meaningful.

-        For the record I did not like the call to attempt a 53 yarder. Lauther proved me wrong… but 53 yards was his range going that way, not 53.5.