This post is a little late, but, you know, here it is. I also have a confession to make at the end.
So like... have you stopped grinning yet?
Me either.
Rider Nation was all smiles last Friday as we walked and sang our way out of Mosaic Stadium. The game, against what we all thought was the CFL's hottest team, seems to have proven the Riders may just be as good as hyped.
The game was so amazing and even included our favourite ex-Rider Jarrell Freeman leading the "Bring 'em out!" How awesome was that? The fly-past was just perfect.
And then the game was spectacular. Despite the early stumble on the opening drive when Calgary scored a touch down, there a was sense that the Riders were going to handle it. And by the third quarter, the Riders were clearly in control.
One thing I thought was truly remarkable: there is such a sense of confidence with this group. I hate to say it, but the Riders got a bit of swagger in their step right now. Maybe swagger isn't the right word. More like... confidence. Even when there's a blown play, like Prince Miller getting beat by by Joe West for a 64-yard bomb on the opening drive. Or like Darian getting sacked in the third quarter.
These kinds of minor setbacks used to bring Riders to near panic. You could feel it. This year it's like there's a collective breath on the sidelines and "That's all right, we'll make 'em pay on the next play."
And make 'em pay is exactly what we did.
The injury list for Calgary this week is long. Tate is out with a strained ego. Maurice Price is also out. Other guys are dinged up.
It's easy to understand why. Doubles tossed 258 yards and Kory Sheets made the Stumps eat 133 yards of turf. Sheets seemed to completely confuse the Stumps' defence actually. They just didn't seem to know what to do with him.
Meanwhile, Getzlaf and Dressler piled up the yards - snagging over 200 receiving yards between the two of them.
Seriously, the Stumps' defence was out-manned, out-played and out-gunned. By the end of the game they didn't know what hit them. To be fair, Calgary's defence was on the field for most of the second half.
Boo-yahs of the game:
Kory Sheets. When Sheet was tackled on the four yard line we all thought he was down and the play would be whistled dead. Turns out his knee never did touch and the feisty running back took it to the end zone for his second TD of the year. Then he payed homage to Geroy Simon (still sidelined with a leg injury) with the Superman pose. And the place went nuts.
Dressler. Ten receptions for 108 yards and one TD. He and Getzlaf were the living nightmare for the Calgary Defensive Coordinator.
Our entire offensive line. For the most part, Doubles had all the time he needed to let the play develop and get the ball to the play makers. They made room for Sheets when needed and protected the quarterback. So big ups to the big guys.
Boos of the game:
Juwan Simpson. I can't even find words to say about Simpson pile driving Dressler. If Dressler had been hurt, I was concerned Simpson might not make it to the dressing room alive. Dude, that move isn't cool anywhere, but in Mosaic Stadium surrounded by 35,000 rabid fans trying to injure the star receiver is having a death wish. He was penalized (15 yards) and fined by the league. He deserved a suspension as well, but that might be hoping for too much.
John Gott. For holding down Jermaine McElveen while ripping his helmet off and then pounding on his head. All while an official tried to pull him off. Yeah, buddy. You can't do that. Gott was fined as well. (McElveen was fined, too, but I'm thinking it was probably like $1.50)
Now I have a confession to make and some shameless self-promotion.
I am a writer by day. I write and edit special features for The StarPhoenix. This blog is completely my own.
As part of my work, I also write a column for Inside Green. You'll find Inside Green inside the Leader-Post before Rider home games. The StarPhoenix will also carry a shortened version of Inside Green before selected home games. There I write as The Rider Chick. So if you're looking for more of this chick, watch for Inside Green.
There. Shameless self-promotion is complete.
Cheer long. Cheer loud! Go GREEN!
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