Posts
Its not often that the hiring of a running backs coach will be big news. For the older readers amongst you we might call that page 4 news. For the younger crowd who have no concept of newspapers I had to ask my son to give me a relevant comparison. He came up with “It is definitely not sigma”. He also shook his head at me for my lame attempts at connecting with a younger audience.
Anyway, the Riders’ choice of RB
coach was front page, trending, etc… Longtime Rider enemy Andrew Harris now an
employee. You might remember Andrew Harris from such things as being a hated member
of the Bombers for 5 years, ripping a Rider player’s helmet off and not getting
penalized, and being suspended for a failed drug test. This wasn’t just a “we
don’t like him because he’s good and beats us” scenario. That was definitely part
of it but there was some general hatred above and beyond that and I’m sure it went
both ways. So its certainly weird to see Harris in Green and White.
That said, I think it’s a great hire. He’s one of the best to ever do it and he’s proven winner at ever step of his football career. That’s the kind of people we want leading our team. When the hiring was announced some people commented that Rider fans must be scrubbing their timelines of all the awful things they said. Not me. I’m doubling down. Being a Rider doesn’t absolve him from my snarky commentary. In fact, I will go so far as to allege that Harris is only here as part of his ongoing investigation into who tainted his supplement. He’s going undercover to find the evidence he needs to finally prove the Riders did it. OJ never finished his investigation, but Harris just may.
On the player front, the Riders
have been keeping steadily busy as free agency approaches:
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On the negative side, we released Ajou squared so he
could sign with the Indy Colts. Great opportunity for him and I hope he crushes
it but another loss for us.
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Can you recall the last time that two Rider rookies
got NFL looks? Our scouting is bringing in talent. Also, the success of Reid
and Ajou should further help our scouts sell other players on trying their luck
here.
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On a more positive note, we re-signed Trevon Tate. I
was honestly not expecting much when we signed a Stampeder castoff midseason.
But Tate was very solid to the point that despite losing Reid, I feel OK with Tate
and Hardrick on the tackles. After bouncing around most of the East Division in
addition to the Stampeders, Tate may have finally found place where he fits
perfectly. We’ve certainly come a long way from the days of Na’ty Rogers.
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Speaking of Hardrick both he and Ouelette had their
contracts reworked this past week. I imagine it resulted in a reduction (though
likely a small one) or a shifting of guaranteed money to incentives. Either way
I think it’s positive that both opted to stay. I believe both had an impact on
the culture in the locker room that goes far beyond what the stat sheet would
tell you.
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On a less positive note, Nelson Lokombo was extended.
Look, I get why. We need Canadian depth and he is a starter… in theory. Now you
can choose to side with Coach Mace on this. He is a noted defensive genius who
is actually employed in the business of football at a pro level. He obviously
sees something in Lokombo and believes he will continue to improve. Of you can
side with the guy making smart ass commentary from his couch while hiding
behind a robe and beard. I think Lokombo may have his uses in run stopping but
in the pass defense he’s always late and stress inducing… so much so that my
new nickname for him is Unplanned Pregnancy. I guess my hope now is that we
find someone better who can win the starting job in camp and move him to a
back-up.
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Is it wrong that I would OK with Harris giving Lokombo
some “nutritional” coaching?
