Week 3: Holy Sheets!

When everyone knows you're going to run the ball and you're still able to run the ball, that says a lot about your team.

As the minutes ticked down in the fourth quarter last night, quarterback Drew Willy handed the ball to Kory Sheets for what should have been a couple of yards. A simple play to get a first down and run some time off the clock.

I mean everyone in the stadium knew he was going to run the ball. I knew they were going to run the ball. Little old grandmas watching TSN on the tellie in Saskatchewan knew they were going to run the ball. And yet Sheets busts through the seam and scampers - not just for a first down - but 37 yards into the end zone for his second major of the night.

That's when you know your O-line is freaking unreal and your running back is a bloody rockstar!

Throughout the game it was clear the Argos decided to blanket slot backs Chris Getzlaf and Weston Dressler, but it was also clear that in the mind of offensive coordinator George Cortez, it really didn't matter. The wide receivers - Taj Smith and Rob Bagg - stepped up with the former catching two long bombs for 141 yards and two TDs and the latter grabbing his first major score since being sidelined by injury for two season.

Not to mention our blazing run game.We rolled over the Argos with a final score of 39-28 to come home remaining undefeated at 3-0.

The only down side to the contest was the collective gasp, heard throughout Rider Nation when Darian limped to the sidelines after getting sacked in the third quarter. Back up Willy finished out the fourth quarter. Even after icing his ankle, Doubles said it was still tender. Hopefully, the 10 days before our next battle will allow our fearless leader enough time to bounce back.

Booyahs to... 

Darian Durant. I haven't said much about Doubles on my blog. I love this guy. He is our best hope at a Grey Cup, but I've been saying for years he can't carry the team all by himself. This year he has become the leader we all knew he could be. Further, he is showing a maturity and poise on the field to a level I don't think we've ever seen from him. He is patient and cycling through his reads efficiently and without panic. And let it be said, our quarterback is one tough nut. He take a hit and in fact, against Toronto last night he was even making hits! Our quarterback was out there throwing blocks for the run game.

Kory Sheets. Seriously. I know! I can't stop talking about his guy. No one can! Each game he's played this season he's gotten better. In the first three games of the season, he's rushed for 131, 134 and 178 yards respectively. I don't know how high he can go! He scored two touchdowns last night and looked like there was no stopping him. If his blistering pace of yard accumulation continues, I have no doubt that he will surpass his stated goal of reaching 2000 rushing yards this year! Holy Sheets!

The Defense. I was going to call out an individual, but there's no separating Rey Williams, Weldon Brown, Craig Butler, Tyron Brackenridge, Diamond Ferri, Ricky Foley, John Chick or even Dwight Anderson. From those on the line to the secondary, they are functioning as a unit. They are like one big bad fist out there. Trust me, Toronto players woke up this morning feeling like they'd just lost an MMA match. Kudos to Richie Hall for bringing different attacks throughout the game. With five sacks (FIVE!) they disrupted Ricky Ray enough that he never could get into a rhythm. After the game Ray commented, "They did a lot of things that we saw on film but they did a lot of bringing guys and pressure . . . and I didn't have time for a good enough look (downfield)." I've always said if you sack Ricky a couple of times he'll crumble. 

Special mentions to the entire O-line for busting open lanes for Sheets to hit all night. The Roughriders really do put the team in team, you know? These guys are all willing to go to war for each other and it shows.

Boos to... 

I got none. That was just four quarters of great football on both sides, really. I don't think Toronto has anything to be ashamed of. They proved they are a very good team. Last night they just couldn't quite match the physical play of the Riders.

What they should be embarrassed about is the lousy turn out! Beautiful night for football in Toronto and they only manage to scrape together 18,000 people to see it? What makes it worse is Rogers Centre always looks like a deserted cavern without 30,000 or more filling the seats. Kudos to those who were there, because they did seem quite loud (with the exception of the fourth quarter when I could clearly here the crowd yelling, "Let's go Riders!" Nice.)

In other markets they are building bigger and better stadiums and in Toronto they might need to build a smaller facility to house their pathetic crowds. For shame! C'mon Argos, get your marketing department to get their poop in group. That's a disaster!

Meanwhile... Rider Nation can continue grinning and basking in the 3-0 start to the season. I know there's a long way to go and there's a lot of football to be play, but this is just plain fun!

Cheer long. Cheer loud! Go GREEN!