Labour Day

"Green is the colour, football is the game...."

Never more than today do I want to hear that song. Today is the Riders' Labour Day game against the hated Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Without question this is the most hyped game of the year and one everyone expects the Riders to win... no matter what the record.

As a teenager I remember finding ways to get to this game. It didn't matter that we would be in the middle of harvest, or my Dad's business would be busy.... This was "the" game to attend. There are all these anecdotes of "people would get off their combines and go this game"....and I can attest that there is a lot of truth to that statement. I was one of them.

Back in the 80's and 90's, when the team was out of the playoff race by the middle of August, it didn't matter. We had to go to the Labour Day game, and sometimes that the crappy record would be forgotten if we won that game. Perhaps the same will happen this year. Crappy record; but lots of anticipation and an expectation of a Rider win. Even against the best team in the league right now.

The same is true today. The old coach is the new coach -- highly respected Ken Miller's return is bringing high expectations. This is the first game after the bye week -- a time for the team to retool and get things in order to have a strong finish to make a playoff run. And although he won't play today, Andy Fantuz is expected to be back with the team next week....in fact, already one reporter has indicated that Fantuz in already in Regina, just waiting to clear waivers from the NFL. Fans (myself included) want to believe that the second half of the year will be significantly better than the first. Then again it probably couldn't get much worse than last in the league.

So today is the day that the Riders turn the season around. I am predicting a Rider win. My guess - 33-27.... and that Darian Durant will have a great game and will "will" the team to victory.

Miller time returns

When the Riders announced that Head Coach Greg Marshall and Offensive Coordinator Doug Berry were fired after the loss to Toronto, I have to admit that I wasn't surprised. In fact, after watching the game I was already envisioning what changes they were going to make. Going into the bye-week, it seemed to me that would be the perfect time to pull the string. And it happened and happened quickly...as soon as team returned back to Regina.

Something had to be done as 1-7 is just not acceptable in the new Riderville. The fans wanted blood. The team's leadership (and many fans) believed that the players there were better than their record indicated. So a coaching change had to be made. But my surprise was that it was Berry and Marshall

Coaching changes, no doubt, are hard on the people involved and this one is no different. Fans have never warmed to Doug Berry and he seemed like the easy fall guy. Marshall, who had an impressive resume as an assistant coach for the past 19 years, finally got his shot and perhaps he would live to fight another day. He didn't.

What really struck me about Marshall was how quick he was to throw players under the bus after a loss. Additionally, comments made about players lack of motivation not being his job and team discipline didn't help him at all. It was clear that he lost the dressing room....and when I saw his bitterness at his press conference the following day, immediately my thoughts were that the Rider's made the right decision.

So today was the first day of practice with Ken Miller back in charge. The comments from players such as Darian Durant, Sean Lucas and Lance Frazier indicate that these guys love Ken Miller's coaching style. Frazier even said that the players are willing to go through a wall for Miller. There also was a new sense of optimism in the room as well.

So it seems the change is being well received by the players (and most fans!) so far. That's great, but the players have run out of excuses now and they need to perform on the field. The season is not over yet, but they still have a long road ahead of them and it won't be easy.

0-3? Not good, but not over yet

It has been an interesting week with a lot of my fellow Rider fans breaking their ankles as they jump off the bandwagon. Yes, the Riders are 0-3, and the team hasn't played that great in any of the first three games, but I still believe that they have the talent to make the playoffs.

It doesn't hurt that B.C. and Calgary aren't setting the world on fire either. Its better to be looking forward instead of backward, but with B.C. still winless and Calgary not that far away (with the Stamps up next week) there is no reason to believe that the season is over. Yet.

I admit that everytime I watch the Riders play I want everything to work. I want to see the offense dominate and put up lots of points; the defense force turnover after turnover and the special teams be a threat on both sides of the ball. Of course, this may happen only once in a while...but isn't it wrong not to want this?

In the Riders first game Edmonton coach Kavis Reed told his players that nobody expects them to win. And now they are a surprising 4-0. I think that nobody expects the Riders to beat the Alouettes, so I am predicting they will. And if they do, today's game will be the turning point for the season.

Riders are back in it

I haven't been able to take in the Grey Cup festivities as it has been a busy week with work. I was in Edmonton for one day this week, but I had to get back to the office as I was needed there. That's what usually happens to me this time of year and maybe I should learn. Well, there is always next year.

I did get to the Grey Cup game last year in Calgary, and it was an emotional rollercoaster. The too many men penalty did bug for a few days, but I did get over it. I think the players have as well, even though the media has reminded everybody about it every 5 minutes!

I am looking forward to great game and I know the Riders will give the Alouettes a run for their money. Last year I was just hoping they would keep it close. This year, I want them to take it.... and I believe they will.

Me at the Grey Cup

Okay, the game had an awful ending. Yes, it has been hard to take. What a way to lose. I won't forget the game (especially the ending) for a long time.

This was the best thing about the game...me sitting with Matt Dominguez. He's a class act and took the time to take pictures with everyone.

The Riders will be back in 2010. Selecting Taman as GM was a smart hire, and promoting Ken Miller was an astute move.

An Albatross

It is now the first of week of April and I already have three rounds of golf under my belt. Not bad, though none of these took place in Calgary. I had two in Phoenix and one in Vancouver in March. As I look out the window today, I know I am not going to be golfing here for some time yet.

My third round of the year was in Vancouver at the Fraserview Golf Course. This public course was redesigned a few years ago and is a nice track. A little up and down, and most of the fairways are lined by old trees.

On the 460 yard par 5 4th hole, I made one of the rarest shots. I scored a "2" on that par 5. Such a score is known as either a double eagle or an albatross. The tee shot was uphill, and I used my driver to get it out about 220 yards; which I was quite pleased with because of the elevation change. I used a three wood with my second shot, and hoped to get it close.

The green was below the fairway, and I could only see the top of the flag. I figured I was short of the hole, but in the middle of the fairway. I hopped into the car with my playing partner and we went to play his ball. As I came up to the green, I couldn't see my ball anywhere....and that made me mad. So I started searching, walking back towards where I hit it, looking in the first cut and rough...nowhere to be found. I was pissed.

Then all of a sudden one of my playing partners says, "what are you playing?" I said, Titleist ProV, #3. He said; its in the hole!

I was in shock! My three partners were speechless! We just saw an albatross...no wait, we didn't see it go in...but it was in. It was surreal and we were not sure what just happened!

So we went to the next tee, and guess what...I had the honours. So I teed off using the same ball. Immediately, I realized that I should not be using that ball. But it was too late....I had already hooked into the bush.

I spent the next 10 minutes looking for it, and I found it to great relief.

At the conclusion of the round, I ended up shooting an 86. Not all that great when you score a 2. But I'll take it. One of my playing partners sent me an email the next day with some interesting stats from an article he saw in Golf Digest. An albatross is the rarest shot in golf. You have a 1 in 13,000 chance of scoring a hole in one; a one in 6 million chance of scoring an albatross. They had some other stats; in the past 20 years on the PGA Tour, there was 632 aces, and only 56 double eagles in the same 20 year period.

I wish I could say that I was intending to do that, but I admit it was a lucky shot. My only regret is not seeing it go in, but a minor disappointment to a major accomplishment for sure!

We're off to the Grey Cup

It was the perfect setting for the western final. Two teams that don't like each other, a rematch of last year's blow out and the two best teams in the league playing in a meaningful game. I live and die on the fortunes of the Riders so was I going to miss this one?

Not on your life.

I flew into Vancouver this morning and got to B.C. Place just in time as the doors opened. I was dressed in my rider gear from head to toe (including my brand new "retro-logo" hat). I had a great seat; on the 50 yard line behind the Lions' bench. The sight lines in B.C. Place are outstanding, so I had a superb view on every play.

I had a personal win streak of three going into this game. Over the last 7 seven years I have seen three Rider games at B.C. Place, and they were all Rider victories. But well aware of what happened in the past western finals, I hoped the Riders would at least made a good game of it, and hopefully pull it off. I was on edge of my seat the whole time, and with every play I had a range of emotions going though me...Stop him! Sack him! Go! Why can't Joseph hit that open receiver?!

At the end of the day the Riders prevailed in a really good game. Their defense was outstanding as they had only a few let-downs, but that can be expected against the top team in the league. The offense, though not spectacular, did enough to get the job done. After last week's game against Calgary, I know they were concerned about their inability to get the ball in the end zone. They were a little better today, and with the sure fire place kicking of Luci Congi they converted every scoring opportunity.

Although it was very loud in B.C. Place, I listened to the broadcast from The Team 1040. At the start of the 4th Quarter, the sideline reporter stated that the Lions had a confidence problem. With two key injuries on their offensive line, they were demoralized; more so with every sack.

The Rider defense was so strong the Lions couldn't get anything going with either Jarius Jackson or Dave Dickenson. Dickenson was sacked 6 times in the second half alone. Gotta wonder if his career is over. Kerry Joseph did a great job in moving the offense when he needed to. Was it his best game? No. But don't criticize a win is a good rule of thumb. He did what he had to do to get the Riders to the big game.

Next up is Winnipeg in the Grey Cup. Yes...the Riders are going to the Grey Cup! I'll be there with my buddy Sparky who is coming up from Philadelphia. I had the chance to go to the game in 1989, and didn't, and there is no way I am going to miss this one. If I can come out to Vancouver for the western final, I may as well go to Toronto for the big one.

My ears are still ringing, and my heart is still pounding, but being there makes it oh so special.