Rider's trim roster

Today the Rider's announced the release of a number of players:

Import DL Jay Alford
Import OL Johan Asiata
Non-Import WR Ismael Bamba
Non-Import K Chris Bodnar
Non-Import FB Mathieu Boulay
Import WR Patrick Brown
Non-Import OL Dan Clark
Import LB Chris Francis
Import DB Lance Frazier
Import DB Macho Harris
Non-Import OL Nick Hutchins
Import DB Talmadge Jackson
Import DB Jalil Johnson
Import LB Karl Paymah
Non-Import LB Kevin Regimbald-Gagne
Import DL Kenny Rowe
Import WR Jock Sanders
Import LB Davonte Shannon
Import LB Daniel Sheffield
Import WR Taj Smith
Import DL David Veikune
Import RB DeShawn Wynn

The following players have been added to the injury list:
Non-Import FB Graeme Bell
Non-Import OL Chris Best

The following players have been added to the 9 game injury list:
Import WR Dallas Baker
Import OL Dan Goodspeed
Import QB Levi Brown

I was at the game on Friday night. It was my first game at Taylor Field...err Mosaic Stadium since 1995. Can't believe it has been that long. Worst part though, was that the stadium hasn't changed that much for the better...even though the recent renovations and bowl seating does look good.

Of the changes above, based on what I saw on Friday, I can't say there are many surprises. Lance Frazier being cut was perhaps the one that raises the most eyebrows. A classy, long time vet, it looks like coaching or an administration position may be in store for him in the near future. Same thing with Dan Goodspeed. Looks like his time on the 9-game list will give him some time to consider if he wants to get involved in coaching.

The other surprise to me as that Brandon West wasn't cut. With the play of Kory Sheets on Friday I thought that West would be released. I guess they have found the room to keep a couple of extra RB's around incase Sheets doesn't pan out.

The practise roster hasn't been announced yet, but 7 of those released will make it onto that list. There is no doubt that there will be some roster moves before the first game against Hamilton. Notice how there's no fooling around with Chamblin like in years past. A good example is Jay Alford. I guess they wanted him to show up to camp earlier. Chamblin has made it clear that you have to show up and try to make the team, instead of resting on your laurels. 

If that mindset carries through the season the Riders should do well.

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.