New year, new season!

So my little green friends. This is my blog. Welcome! Hope you like the new digs. Grab your favourite beverage, bring your friends and let's talk FOOTBALL!

At long last our six football-free months are about to end. Oh I know, the pre-season started a couple of weeks ago, but all that did was kick the rust off the wheels and whet the appetite of every red-blooded football fan from coast-to-coast.

It's time for some real football!

I. Can't. Wait.

We're down to less than 24 hours and I'm giddy and nervous like on the first day at a brand new school. Can we find our way to the lunch room? Are the cool kids gonna like us? Are the bullies gonna be meaner and tougher? And just what obstacles are we gonna encounter on our way to Grey Cup 2011?

We've got a few people missing in the line up to start things off. Of course, Andy is gone... off to become a Bear. Rob Bagg re-injured his knee just as he was getting back into things after his knee surgery in the off season. And Congi... it hurts to even type it... is gone for at least the first part of the season.

Brent Hawkins, a rising star from last year, is also on the 9-game injured list. His loss on defense could be huge.

But there are few new faces in the crowd. Greg Marshall has been handed the reins. While I will always have a soft spot in my little green heart for Papa Ken Miller, I like the spunk and confidence I see in Coach Marshall. And I'm eager to see what him in action on the sidelines. So far he seems to have taken a "No Excuses" mentality and I love that. Excuses don't win championships.

As well, a old familiar face in Richie Hall is back coordinating things on defense. Say what you will about what happened in E-town... I say he didn't get a fair shake... and I couldn't be happier. Because he's back with us, ready to make the Green and White the feared defensive machine they once were. No more of this stinkin'"We don't need a defense playbook" crap we've had the last couple of years.

New names to watch:
Ernie Wheelright. Wide receiver, originally signed by the Baltimore Ravens. Got excited watching him in the pre-season. Lots of buzz coming out of training camp for this guy. I'm keeping my eye out for #85.

Terrence Nunn. Didn't do much in the first pre-season game, but got a little more of the highlight reel on the second. I liked what I saw. Furthermore, I like what I heard. This guy has got his head screwed on straight. Humbled, dedicated and talented. I hope we keep him. I only hope he can live up to the big number he's wearing - #88. Still miss ya, Matt D!

Alexander Krausnick-Groh. Heavens. I hope I never have to say his name when I'm in a hurry. Anyway, this 6'3" 290 pound offensive lineman might just be what we need out there protecting our quarterback. Me likey.

Returning class:
The Double D. Dariant Durant. Had a tough pre-season game against B.C., but I think he knocked out some of the cobwebs and he'll be ready to rock and roll! As an unrelated aside: Dinwiddie was downright impressive in his pre-season showing and I'm loath to admit I may have been wrong about him. I'm less worried about Darian getting hurt this season than I was last season. So there ya go. I was wrong.

Weston Dressler. I can not stand it. I can't wait to see him scooting down the field. I can't wait to see that long bomb from the Double D fall into the waiting arms of Dressy as he gets in behind coverage and finds the end zone. These guys have great chemistry and I've waited all winter to see it in action again. Dressy just signed an extension with us for three years and it's not near enough!

Hugh Charles. Oh. My. Word. During the first pre-season game, Hugh Charles returned a punt 60 yards for a TD. You could be forgiven for thinking it was against the rules. Saskatchewan has so carefully avoided doing such a thing for very long time. In fact, last season saw almost every team in the league return multiple punts for a touchdown, but not the Roughriders. Nope. Then again, considering the "very special" status of our special teams unit last year, returning the ball 10 yards was enough to make a highlight reel. Never mind a return for a touchdown.

Barin Simpson. The minister of defense returns. Love this guy so much. Love the passion he with which plays the game. With Brent Hawkins out, Simpson will again be mentoring some new guys. But like always, I know he'll be a leader both on and off the field.

Eddie Johnson. We all got to know Eddie and his famous mustache last season, after the horrid injury to our beloved kicker Congi. Eddie is awesome. The off-the-cuff former bartender gives the most hilarious interviews! He might not completely fill Congi's cleats, but he'll put on a good show trying. And I have to say it's been a while since a football personality has been so bloody entertaining!

Getzlaf and Clermont. I love both of these guys and I'm psyched to see them get more touches to the ball with Fantuz and Bagg gone. It's their time to shine and I expect they will step up.

So that sets the scene for tomorrow afternoon's season premier of Roughrider football. I'll put up a pre-game post closer to kick off!

For now... cheer long. Cheer loud! GO GREEN!