Riders vs. Eskimos: Preseason Game 1

Months of agonizing football-less months will mercifully come to an end Friday when the Riders open up the 2013 preseason in Edmonton. Sure the game is likely to feature spot appearances by the actual talented players, a couple quarters of the future back-ups and a quarter or so worth of play from people who will soon be unemployed… but I don’t care. It’s Rider football!! It’s like the Simpsons’ quote “I’m so hungry I could eat at Arby’s”.

Predictably a number of vets will not be dressing (which I hope means they won’t be playing as opposed to won’t be wearing clothes). Out are Dressler, Shologan, Simon, Russ, Rey Williams, Picard and Foley. Also appears as though Ricky Schmitt won’t be playing which is odd considering he is actually competing for a roster spot. Coaches must have determined they are comfortable with his punting and want to give the game reps to Milo and McKnight who they are not so comfortable with.

Even though the quality of football might make Bomber football seem palatable by comparison and I could care less if we win here are a few things I will specifically be watching for in this game.

 - Durant will get limited action (rightly so) and will not be opening up the new Cortez playbook too much. I hope they use his time to work on some quick hitters and timing routes so Durant can start to get in a grove with his receivers and their routes. As long as he doesn’t pull a Buck Pierce and go 0-5 while getting hit twice, throwing a pick and scaring the coaches so much about your durability that they refuse to play him in the next preseason game, it will be considered a success.

- With Picard resting and Neufeld in a cast, Taman’s last 2 top draft picks will take centre stage. Cory Watman at C and Heenan at tackle. Be interested to see how they fair with live bullets. The plan is clearly for Watman to take over from Picard next year and if Heenan can make the transition to tackle it would be a huge plus.

- I'll be curious to see how John Chick looks in his first taste of CFL action since '09. Doubt he plays much but will still be watching.

- I'll be watching intently what in the blue hell we will be doing with our LBs and secondary. We have been trying people all over the place (Butler and Brown at LB, Brackenridge and Ferri in the secondary). I'm honestly not sure if we are just building versatility or if we plan on randomly moving people between positions on every down just to mess with our opponents. 

- Special teams will also be worth watching... but no the returners (I'm assuming Sanders and someone else will fill that role). I'm talking about the blockers and cover guys. With Bell on the 9-game and McCullough headed there that leaves 2 big opportunities for young Cdn talent to make this team based on ST play. Guys like Spencer Moore, Kevin Regimbald-Gagne, Tristan Black (though he doesn't appear to be on tomorrow's roster), etc.. have a chance to make an impression.

- Lastly here are a fee specific new recruits I will be watching LB Brian Peters, DB Ramzee Robinson, DL WIll Davis and the Rider Prophet Endorsed Jose Valdez.

I strongly recommend a nice strong beverage or three to help improve the entertainment value of this game. Its Friday, Its the first Rider game... What not eh?

Monday Morning Sentimonies: Training Camp Thoughts

 

Friday can’t come soon enough. “Football season” started over a week ago and I still haven’t actually witnessed any football. It’s killing me. I’m getting so desperate that if the Riders were to advertise a one hour session that featured only Ryan Dinwiddie throwing 7 yard outs to Jordan Sisco at Mosaic Stadium… I would be there. The wait is (mercifully) almost over and I will have a full preview on Friday’s pre-season opener on Thursday.

For now let’s talk about what’s been going down at training camp so far. I’ll put a caveat on my commentary. Since camp is in Saskatoon, all I know about what has been going on is based on what other people have written. As someone who has a general distrust of pretty much everyone, it’s not a position I’m particularly happy about but it’s all I’ve got.

In a move that clearly provides positive re-enforcement to my chronic procrastination, by not posting this morning I am able to talk about the big news coming out of camp this morning: reports are that Patrick Neufeld has a broken fibula and will be out 6-8 weeks.  This has gotten a lot of people very worried… I am not one of them. I don’t like seeing players get hurt (particularly Canadian ones) but Neufeld is hardly a devastating loss. I have been quite vocal in my dislike of him. He was the weak link on the OL last year so I don’t consider this a massive loss. Might Neufeld be improved after a year more of development? Maybe. But I’m far from convinced. Plus reports are that Rider Prophet Endorsed and heir to the Valdez family coffee fortune, Jose Valdez is looking really good in that spot (though word is Ben Heenan will also get a look). So a loss? Yes. A massive one? No.

The other big news that my procrastination allowed me to comment on is word that in January Kory Sheets was charged with battery domestic violence back in January. I'm still shocked that a cult with spies in every corner of this world did not pick up on the news a long time ago. A rare miss. As for the charge, while I don't condone the behaviour it seems to be a non-issue. He went through a program and the case was dismissed. Anyone at this point who is shocked that all football players aren't angels off the field may be interested my ocean-front property in Arizona.

Back to actual football news...
Some players who by all accounts are doing their best to earn a roster spot are WR Kierre Johnson, DB Ramzee Robinson, LB Brian Peters, P Ricky Schmitt and DB Carlo Thomas. Spots are scarce but they are making a case for themselves.

Some guys who may be on the bubble unless they have a good showing on Friday: Mick Williams (I like him but he's hurt and guys like McElveen are making him replaceable), Tristan Black (he was a notable free agent signing but appears to be doing nothing but special teams work, guys like Hurl, Newman etc.. can already do that, struggling to see where Black fits in on a roster) and my prediction for a surprise cut Eddie Russ (be advised though, this is based on nothing but a gut feeling).

 

Monday Morning Season: Training Camp Opens

Unlike the players who probably loathe the opening of training camp, I am jacked up! Even though I've had to settle for simply reading about camp, it doesn't matter at this point... football is back!

Training camp is not just a chance for players to back in game shape, its also a chance for us fans to get back in game shape. For me that means gradually increasing my rye intake and practicing yelling DDDDDDDDDDDDDD!!!!! at the top of my lungs ... needless to say Mrs. Prophet is not enjoying this as much as me.

The big news to open camp was of course John Chick. I have been telling you for weeks that he was coming here. All that talk about him talking to 3 other teams was just his agent doing his job to ensure we were paying fair market value for Chick. Publicly stating you will only sign with one team tends to negatively affect your value. Go figure. Anyway, the important think is that Chick is back. He was the centre of attention at camp today, even among the players. Word is that Chick's presence got Willy excited and made him stand at attention. Personally I'm not expecting him to dominate off the start, he'll need some time to adjust back to the CFL but give him a few games and watch out. Seriously even at half capacity, the combo of Chick and Foley would be an improvement over some of the crap we've tried to pass off as a pass rush over the years.

Graeme Bell has already been 9-gamed with some sort of hand injury. That may open an opportunity for rookie Spencer Moore but more likely it means Scott McHenry takes the spout due his versatility. Time will tell I guess. Also, it seems Limas Sweed's stay will be short-lived. He was added to the suspended list. From what I read he made to Saskatoon and decided he didn't want to do this. Kinda like Dwayne Jarrett last year except with half the hype and half the drama. Oh well, opens things up for the people who actually care.

One other interesting thing coming out of camp is word that Butler was playing LB and Brackenridge at safety. While personally I don't like this idea, I don't mind experimenting with it. Plus I'm still convinced this is just a way to build in versatility to our packages and allow us to throw some messed up coverages at the opposition. (i.e. Butler safety blitzes like normal and QB reads that the middle is open only to have Brackenridge drop back, or have them switch back and forth randomly to make it harder to read the defense). 

I'll have more as the first week of camp unfolds but here are a few guys I'm keeping my eye on as I like their potential: Kierre Johnson, Will Davis, Rashard Langford and the Rider Prophet endorsed Jose Valdez (wonder if he would be offended if I asked him to pose for a picture beside a donkey wearing a poncho and sombrero?). Quite frankly for me, the players added pale in comparison to the impact George Cortez will have on this team. So pumped to see what he can transform our offense into.

Here are a few guys I see having very short stays in Riderville: Milt Collins (good fill in last year but not good enough to be a permanent starter), Aaron Hargreaves (same as Collins) and Dede Dorsey (can scarcely fathom why we are wasting a spot on him).