The demise of the Riders...Dickenson fired...GM extended.

[The Zipp]

Realistically Dickenson should have been fired after last season...he must be fired on Monday and his brother Dave who has never missed the playoffs as HC will maybe hire him as an assistant to the assistant position coach. 

That team is clearly not coached well and hasn't been for a while.  Looks good on that fanbase who like to whine about being hard done by.

Maas and Farjardo will likely have an interesting chat about that situation.

Enjoy the off-season Riders !!

[John T.]

I blame Brendan Taman.

If I remember correctly, to make the Bombers a powerhouse for a few years he pretty much gave away years of draft picks, resulting in the Bombers having virtually no good Canadian talent for years and years after Taman left. He gave away the farm for immediate success, which never translated into a Grey Cup.

Similarly, in exchange for a few winning years, it seems that he's left behind a mess of an organization. I don't know the details, because quite frankly, I don't care that much, but it's interesting that the one common feature both the terrible Bombers of yesteryear and the terrible Riders of today have is that they let Brendan Taman run the team.

[The Zipp]

He last worked for the riders in 2015...that is a while ago, not saying bad decisions can't impact for years to come but teams have recovered in a shorter time than that. 

I think Craig isn't a very good HC and they don't have a QB...

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Realistically Dickenson should have been fired after last season...he must be fired on Monday and his brother Dave who has never missed the playoffs as HC will maybe hire him as an assistant to the assistant position coach. 

That team is clearly not coached well and hasn't been for a while.  Looks good on that fanbase who like to whine about being hard done by.

Maas and Farjardo will likely have an interesting chat about that situation.

Enjoy the off-season Riders !!

I wouldn't be surprised if Dickie #2 finds work as a STC again fairly soon, it's his area of expertise, he's well respected around the league and he's good at that job.  Like many many co-ordinators before him, such as LaPo, Richie Hall and Jeff Reinebold he's not well suited for the HC position.

[Ridermania]

Riders need to retool big time, were stuck in a bad financial place due to Chris Jones.

Shake things up big time across the CFL...... Kyle Walters President, Danny McManus General Manager, Buck Pierce Head Coach, all from the Bombers.

Don't blast me, the sun hasn't risen yet today!

[Cool Spot]

There's a lot of disagreement between Blue Bomber fans and Rider fans, but I think what most agree on is their head coach has to go. Back-to-back 6-12 records, and what I think is a continuous downhill slide, indicates the need for change.

They did catch a tough break when QB Trevor Harris went down, but he will be 38 at the start of next season. It's not that starting QBs can't have success when they are older (Henry Burris, Ricky Ray, and Damon Allen all had success in their late 30's [not to mention Tom Brady]), but it is a question mark for 1, 2, or 3 years beyond that.

[dd]

I dunno. The riders have done relatively well since their #1 and #2 Qb went down and have been decent with their #3 Qb for most part of the season. I think Dickie the lesser stays.... he?s very well spoken and connects with the fan base. They could do worse if they decide to clean house.

[Pete]

their hc and gm are toast, I'd bet they'd love to get Walters and would out bid us to get him, but a couple of questions
1. Does he want to sign elsewhere for bigger bucks? Sask would out bid us for sure, and hire a newer coach for less money.
2. Does he want to go back out east?
3. That he's not signed yet is it a OShea move where he wants to wait til the end and increase his bargaining power as bids for his services up the price?
4. Does wade miller retire and Walters move into that role?

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

their hc and gm are toast, I'd bet they'd love to get Walters and would out bid us to get him, but a couple of questions
1. Does he want to sign elsewhere for bigger bucks? Sask would out bid us for sure, and hire a newer coach for less money.
2. Does he want to go back out east?
3. That he's not signed yet is it a OShea move where he wants to wait til the end and increase his bargaining power as bids for his services up the price?
4. Does wade miller retire and Walters move into that role?

Not too worried about Walters but he did not give a late season update after the trading deadline as he has done in the past, so maybe his status is in more flux than we can tell.  Whatever he decides to do will be his decision, as most would be happy to see him sign on for another 10 years.  Taking on the Rider challenge and committing to that franchise and city for 5 years of his life may not be appealing to him at all.  If he's happy living in Wpg. I can't see him moving on unless he's looking for more of a challenge, even though keeping a football team near the top of the heap would be a never-ending challenge.

[ModAdmin]

Dickensen took over a 2018 12 and 6 team in 2019.

He led the team to a 13 and 5 record in 2019 (his first year as HC).

2020 season was cancelled due to COVID.

The Riders record under his coaching has progressed downhill since 2021.

They need a head coaching change first and foremost.

[TecnoGenius]

he?s very well spoken and connects with the fan base. They could do worse if they decide to clean house.

Uh, is this sarcasm?  The fans haaaaaaaaaaaate Craig.  They hate Craig more than they hated Cody, and that's major levels of hate.  Right or wrong, Craig's fault or not.  The witches must be burned, so burn they will.  Go read the Ridersforum and observe the attendance at the Saturday game...

SSK had the post-season in the bag and they let it slip away to a team that looked even worse than them for half the year.

[TecnoGenius]

It's a rare moment when every fan of the league, regardless of city, is in agreement that a HC needs to be fired.  Craig is such a case.  There's no way he survives this.  His brother won't help him.  I doubt even his ST experience will help him.  There's a good chance he "pulls a Claybrooks" and disappears completely in disgrace.

It's a great case of "death by promotion", or I guess the Peter Principle, because he was ok as STC, but now will be neither STC nor anything else.

[The Zipp]

Ha ha...

Injured QB Trevor Harris trending toward ?miraculous? playoff return prior to Riders? elimination: Franchise quarterback Trevor Harris was trending towards a postseason return to the lineup prior to the Saskatchewan Roughriders?

https://3downnation.com/2023/10/22/injured-qb-trevor-harris-trending-toward-miraculous-playoff-return-prior-to-riders-elimination/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

[TecnoGenius]

From Riderfans forum (I cannot vouch for accuracy):

From Jamie Nye;

24,158 is tickets distributed for todays game. That?s the lowest attended regular season game I can find since August 19th, 2006. (And there are much fewer actually here)

That's reeeeaaaaly bad for Riderville, and it's the fans sending a message that they want the whole org gutted.

Remember, this was a home game to have a good chance at securing a playoff appearance!!  In what world do the greenies not show up in massive numbers for a playoff-critical home game?  It's actually unthinkable.

[TecnoGenius]

Can't resist reposting this gem from "ship" on Riderfans:

I left my game tickets on the console of my truck yesterday. Someone broke the window and left 4 more.

[Horseman]

I dunno. The riders have done relatively well since their #1 and #2 Qb went down and have been decent with their #3 Qb for most part of the season. I think Dickie the lesser stays.... he?s very well spoken and connects with the fan base. They could do worse if they decide to clean house.

CD does not connect with the fan base, if you have ever gone onto Riderfans forum, they have the pitch forks and truckload of manure ready for both CD and JOD.

[Waffler]

It's not just Walters that makes us successful. It's the relationships in the entire front office. If they think they can hire one piece and see instant results they are sadly mistaken. It took the Bombers years to win a playoff game. We stayed the course and kept working patiently with the same group.  I hope we can keep Walters but I don't have a crystal ball to know what he thinks and what his options may be. You are talking a lateral move to Sask though. The money would have to be huge and that hamstrings them in hiring coaches.

What about Lapo? I thought his dream job was HC in Regina.

[dd]

I can't see Walters going to Regina, for any amount of money. Why would he leave the situation he's currently in, just to start over again with another team and spend another 5+ years building it back to respectability, in Regina of all places?? Its not exactly a huge attraction for coaches or players. If he gets more money, he may go east though, to be with family and friends

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I can't see Walters going to Regina, for any amount of money. Why would he leave the situation he's currently in, just to start over again with another team and spend another 5+ years building it back to respectability, in Regina of all places?? Its not exactly a huge attraction for coaches or players. If he gets more money, he may go east though, to be with family and friends

You have to wonder if Walters still has ties out East, like O'Shea he's been in Wpg. for so long now, it might feel more like home than his original home.  I read a while ago that he recently got remarried, so he might also now have spousal ties to Wpg.

[Blue In BC]

The Riders potential free agent list showed up today on CFL.CA. Virtually the entire roster is on the list. Aside from Management and coaching there are going to be lots of roster changes. I'd expect them to be big players in free agency.

[blue_gold_84]

The Riders potential free agent list showed up today on CFL.CA. Virtually the entire roster is on the list. Aside from Management and coaching there are going to be lots of roster changes. I'd expect them to be big players in free agency.

A full rebuild in SK wouldn't shock me in the slightest with the full blown rot on the current regime.

[Ridermania]

Riders - Massive Free Agent List

Quarterbacks
Jake Dolegala (A)
Mason Fine (A)
Antonio Pipkin (A)

Running Backs
Frankie Hickson (A)
Jamal Morrow (A)

Fullbacks
Albert Awachie (N)

Receivers
Mario Alford (A)
Shawn Bane Jr. (A)
Juwan Brescacin (N)
Tevin Jones (A)
Brayden Lenius (N)

Offensive Lineman
Philip Blake (N)
Logan Ferland (N)
Evan Johnson (N)
Colin Kelly (A)
Eric Lofton (A)

Defensive Linemen
Miles Brown (A)
DeMarcus Christmas (A)
Charbel Dabire (N)
Micah Johnson (N)
Anthony Lanier II (A)
Pete Robertson (A)

Linebackers
Larry Dean (A)
Brian Harelimana (N)
Justin Herdman-Reed (N)
Derrick Moncrief (A)
Micah Teitz (N)

Defensive Backs
Jeremy Clark (A)
Amari Henderson (A)
Nelson Lokombo (N)
Nic Marshall (A)
Godfrey Onyeka (N)
C.J. Reavis (A)
Trumaine Washington (A)

Specialists
LS Jorgen Hus (N)
K Brett Lauther (N)

[theaardvark]

Can't resist reposting this gem from "ship" on Riderfans:

Its not long ago that we saw:

Bomber ticket contest:

First prize 2 tickets
2nd prize 4 tickets...

Winning changes everything.  Riders don't really seem to be convincing their fans that they are trying to win.  Crapping all over Fajardo when it was the porous Oline causing the issue, and then dismissing him without having a replacement... not great optics or GMing.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

From Jamie Nye;

24,158 is tickets distributed for todays game. That?s the lowest attended regular season game I can find since August 19th, 2006. (And there are much fewer actually here)

That sucks! As lifelong Bombers fans we know the pain of going through down times for the franchise. I want to beat the Riders on the field every year but I want them to be strong otherwise. It's more fun beating them when they have sold out crowds and a motivated fan base.

[Blue In BC]

There might be a few Canadians on their roster worth taking a look at in free agency depending on SMS.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

There might be a few Canadians on their roster worth taking a look at in free agency depending on SMS.

Don't see much on that list worth taking, except maybe Import Nose Tackle Miles Brown at 320 lbs., and Brett Lauther. I can only think of a handful of players they've locked up for another year, which reflects poorly on their GM.  That being said, every team including the Bombers is going to have a huge F.A. list to deal with every year with the standard one year contracts. 

[The Zipp]

The Saskatchewan Roughriders announced Monday that Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager Jeremy O?Day has agreed to a new contract and Craig Dickenson will not return as head coach


The Saskatchewan Roughriders announced Monday that Craig Dickenson will not return as head coach.

The team did renew the contract of general manager Jeremy O'Day, who has held the role since 2019.

?I want to thank Coach Dickenson for everything he has given to the Saskatchewan Roughriders over his ten years in Green and White. From his time as Special Teams Coordinator to his five seasons as a head coach, he gave all he had to the team and did it with kindness and respect,? said O?Day. ?We appreciate his hard work and dedication and wish him all the best moving forward.? 
The Roughriders were eliminated from playoff contention with a 29-26 loss to the Toronto Argonauts on Saturday, their seventh straight defeat.

With a Week 21 bye, Saskatchewan finished with a 6-12 record thanks to the loss. The team finished 6-12 last season as well, with an identical seven-game losing streak to end the season.

Dickenson's best season with the Riders came in his first season, when the team went 13-5 in 2019 before losing in the West Final.

More details to follow.

https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/roughriders-expected-to-announce-dickenson-won-t-return-as-head-coach-1.2024798

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

The Saskatchewan Roughriders announced Monday that Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager Jeremy O?Day has agreed to a new contract and Craig Dickenson will not return as head coach


The Saskatchewan Roughriders announced Monday that Craig Dickenson will not return as head coach.

The team did renew the contract of general manager Jeremy O'Day, who has held the role since 2019.

?I want to thank Coach Dickenson for everything he has given to the Saskatchewan Roughriders over his ten years in Green and White. From his time as Special Teams Coordinator to his five seasons as a head coach, he gave all he had to the team and did it with kindness and respect,? said O?Day. ?We appreciate his hard work and dedication and wish him all the best moving forward.? 
The Roughriders were eliminated from playoff contention with a 29-26 loss to the Toronto Argonauts on Saturday, their seventh straight defeat.

With a Week 21 bye, Saskatchewan finished with a 6-12 record thanks to the loss. The team finished 6-12 last season as well, with an identical seven-game losing streak to end the season.

Dickenson's best season with the Riders came in his first season, when the team went 13-5 in 2019 before losing in the West Final.

More details to follow.

https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/roughriders-expected-to-announce-dickenson-won-t-return-as-head-coach-1.2024798

Dickenson takes the fall, but he's not to blame for the swath of empty seats, they should have cleaned house right to the top.

[The Zipp]

Dickenson takes the fall, but he's not to blame for the swath of empty seats, they should have cleaned house right to the top.

Hard to argue with that...also this should have been done this time last year...we all knew it and were surprised Craig was retained.  Failure looks good in green..

Green is the color of failure and mediocrity.

[blue_gold_84]

Keeping O'Day is a terrible decision.

[theaardvark]

This was not unexpected after he took the blame for the failure... wonder where he ends up.  

At least keeping ODay means one less competitor for Walters...

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

This was not unexpected after he took the blame for the failure... wonder where he ends up.  

At least keeping ODay means one less competitor for Walters...

Don't know if the Bombers would ever shake up ST but if they did, he would be a candidate.  His resume is thick, he owns 2 GC rings and he's been STC on every Western team except the Lions since 2005, he held that job with the Bombers in 2013.

[BLUEBOMBER]

Dickenson is not a bad HC by any stretch of the imagination. Any team will sink if they don't have a good QB and OC. If anybody should be fired, it should be their DC. The Riders defence can't stop anything. I would expect Dickenson to be picked up by another team pretty soon.

[TecnoGenius]

Dickenson takes the fall, but he's not to blame for the swath of empty seats, they should have cleaned house right to the top.

Keeping O'Day is a terrible decision.

Yes, I'm a bit surprised JOD survives, actually.  Or maybe this is a move by the Pres/board to save their own skin by pretending the incompetence was limited to Craig.  (Pro tip: it wasn't.)  If they fired JOD too, then it also reflects poorly on the ones above them.

I expect the same stinky-level roster in SSK next year... or worse!

This was not unexpected after he took the blame for the failure... wonder where he ends up.  

At least keeping ODay means one less competitor for Walters...

You said it.  Though why Walters would walk to have a lateral move for similar capped $$ in Regina to inherit a tire fire is beyond me.  I think talk of that was just pipedreaming by greenie fans wishing they were really all Bombers.

[TecnoGenius]

Dickenson is not a bad HC by any stretch of the imagination. Any team will sink if they don't have a good QB and OC. If anybody should be fired, it should be their DC. The Riders defence can't stop anything. I would expect Dickenson to be picked up by another team pretty soon.

Yes he is bad.  He has no fire whatsoever and the rough & tumble players in football don't respect that.  There's a reason he's known as the "awww shucks, the boys tried hard" coach.  Just contrast with the fire his brother shows on and off field, or any other coach for that matter.

There are times when you need to be Kavis.  SSK had many such moments in the last 2 seasons, and yet Craig never pulled a Kavis.  They didn't need "awww shucks", they needed "there will be consequences".

I would bet money Craig will never be a HC in the CFL again.  Maybe a 30% chance he can even be a STC again somewhere.

[TecnoGenius]

Does this mean Shivers is safe??  Or can the new HC pick his coordinators?  I can see them giving that new-ish OC some more rope -- I wouldn't, but I can see how they might.  But Shivers oversaw one of the worst D's in the league, and this after a couple seasons ago they were near the top.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Does this mean Shivers is safe??  Or can the new HC pick his coordinators?  I can see them giving that new-ish OC some more rope -- I wouldn't, but I can see how they might.  But Shivers oversaw one of the worst D's in the league, and this after a couple seasons ago they were near the top.

Unless the new HC is hired from within, I'd think he's going to insist on bringing in his own assistants.

O'Day received a 3 year extension to fix the mess.  Success rewards performance!

[Waffler]

Yes he is bad.  He has no fire whatsoever and the rough & tumble players in football don't respect that.  There's a reason he's known as the "awww shucks, the boys tried hard" coach.  Just contrast with the fire his brother shows on and off field, or any other coach for that matter.

Fire as you call it does not make a good coach. Discipline, yes. and Sask did not have it. I can name a very long list of successful coaches that barely spoke during a game. Also some that have been successful with fire but I feel the brainy ones that win year after year don't react like that. Prime example here and in the NFL. Bud Grant. Never said a word to an official during a game, never changed expression. He was busy thinking 3 plays ahead.  He did command the player's respect, he knew how to get that.

I feel for Dickenson in a way because he was a fill in when Jones bailed. I still think he would be good on special teams. But the penalties they took there and the down right dirty play he condoned.... nope.

[dd]

Riders were so undisciplined it was pathetic. Robertsons headbutt was a reflection of exactly how undisciplined they are and dickensons comments after the game almost supported the headbutt. Sorry don?t need spineless coaches anywhere

[TecnoGenius]

O'Day received a 3 year extension to fix the mess.  Success rewards performance!

Ya, I'm watching the CR presser and he said 3 years... wow, just wow.  Unbelievable.  That means they are stuck with him for the actual 3 years even if he brings in the worst roster in the history of the CFL next season.  Because of the office cap they literally are stuck with him for 3 years come hell or high water.  To fire him after next season would be cap suicide.

Why not just give JOD 1 year?  What on earth do they gain by giving him 3?  It actually makes no sense whatsoever.  Please, make it make sense!!

Haha, CR saying the have a "very talented roster"!  And that HC's will like working for JOD.  And even worse things.  He's living in lala land and they are all doomed, but only after another 3 years, I guess.

I feel sorry for the green fans.  This gives them basically zero hope for next season.  Cue the exodus.  How can a pres and BoD be so blind?

[TecnoGenius]

Fire as you call it does not make a good coach. Discipline, yes. and Sask did not have it. I can name a very long list of successful coaches that barely spoke during a game.

Then I need to qualify "fire".  To me fire is discipline.  Watch Dinwiddie and Dickenson (the red one) instantly handle players who are costing the team.  MOS does it too, but in a different way: he's more "closed doors".  But you know he's not putting up with bunk that costs the team.  That's why I brought up Kavis.

I don't mean "fire" like Austin or Maas losing their marbles on the field at the refs and the headsets.  That's not fire, that's general insanity and petulance.

Players knew that if they did something dumb (say Marino, or Robertson) that Craig was going to "aww shucks" them, both on and off field.  That's how you end up with that Mess At Mosaic(TM).

[BLUEBOMBER]

Guess $hit happens when you build a stadium that looks like a toilet seat.. 

[bunker]

Ya, I'm watching the CR presser and he said 3 years... wow, just wow.  Unbelievable.  That means they are stuck with him for the actual 3 years even if he brings in the worst roster in the history of the CFL next season.  Because of the office cap they literally are stuck with him for 3 years come hell or high water.  To fire him after next season would be cap suicide.

Why not just give JOD 1 year?  What on earth do they gain by giving him 3?  It actually makes no sense whatsoever.  Please, make it make sense!!

Haha, CR saying the have a "very talented roster"!  And that HC's will like working for JOD.  And even worse things.  He's living in lala land and they are all doomed, but only after another 3 years, I guess.

I feel sorry for the green fans.  This gives them basically zero hope for next season.  Cue the exodus.  How can a pres and BoD be so blind?

I will try. It would be tough to bring back a GM for one year. He's a lame duck, and it would make it hard to convince a coach to come there (harder than it is already). The new HC might be O'Day's guy, but in 12 months, O'Day is gone and the coach is left hanging in the wind under a new GM who may never have wanted him as a HC in the first place. (See Khari in Montreal for example).

Having said that, I agree it was insane to bring O'Day back for 3 years. He's the one who decided to hire Dickenson, who is not meant to be a HC. He also put together a pretty mediocre roster. Even Rider's own fans agree that not many of their players would be starters on other CFL teams, and they had very few impact players. Riders organization now reminds me of us under Mack and Buchko. Its great for us in terms of less competition in the division, but pretty awful for their fans.

[TecnoGenius]

Riders organization now reminds me of us under Mack and Buchko. Its great for us in terms of less competition in the division, but pretty awful for their fans.

I don't know... I think having, in the west, 3 strong-ish teams, 1 middling team, and only 1 tire fire team (like many of the last few years, but not this one) helped us in many ways.  The main one being it evens out the W/L's for the 2nd best team when we are the 1st best team.  BC was able to keep up with us because the other 3 divisional teams stunk.

If there was a stronger CGY or SSK this year they would have shaved more W's off of BC and we could have clinched 1st sooner as in previous years.

Guess **** happens when you build a stadium that looks like a toilet seat.. 

Hehehe. 

[TecnoGenius]

Oh no!  Daniella Ponticelli on CKRM Regina radio announced in the post-game that she's leaving the station after the GC.  I know few here will care, but man I'll miss that voice, it's half the reason why I tuned into the greenie post-gamers.  Maybe she just couldn't take the heartbreak anymore, or got some even better job offers for that buttery voice.

Maybe she's coming to WPG to take on my 3-hour post-game CJOB show idea!    One can dream...

[Sec223]

I blame Brendan Taman.

If I remember correctly, to make the Bombers a powerhouse for a few years he pretty much gave away years of draft picks, resulting in the Bombers having virtually no good Canadian talent for years and years after Taman left. He gave away the farm for immediate success, which never translated into a Grey Cup.

Similarly, in exchange for a few winning years, it seems that he's left behind a mess of an organization. I don't know the details, because quite frankly, I don't care that much, but it's interesting that the one common feature both the terrible Bombers of yesteryear and the terrible Riders of today have is that they let Brendan Taman run the team.

More blame goes to Joe Mack.

[blue_gold_84]

Yes, I'm a bit surprised JOD survives, actually.

I can only surmise he's safe due to losing Harris and 2024 is his last chance. It has to be.

But seven straight losses to end another season, finish 6-12 yet again, and miss the playoffs in such inept fashing should've been all the proof needed to move on from him as GM.

Guess $hit happens when you build a stadium that looks like a toilet seat.. 

This is your best post ever.

[blue_or_die]

Oh no!  Daniella Ponticelli on CKRM Regina radio announced in the post-game that she's leaving the station after the GC.  I know few here will care, but man I'll miss that voice, it's half the reason why I tuned into the greenie post-gamers.  Maybe she just couldn't take the heartbreak anymore, or got some even better job offers for that buttery voice.

Maybe she's coming to WPG to take on my 3-hour post-game CJOB show idea!    One can dream...

I've listened to their postgame show a few times and agree she's extremely talented and has a relaxing voice to listen to! I see she's going to be doing play-by-play for the Pats. Good for her! Great talent.

[blue_or_die]

Also, I couldn't believe it when I read that O'Day was extended.

Not a popular opinion but I'm of the mind that even though the head coach absolutely plays a crucial role, it all starts with the foundation of talent and fit you put together and so is far more a determining factor of team success. I will put it out there and say that JOD's roster was more of a problem for the Riders than CD was trying (and failing) to control it.

[BBRT]

More blame goes to Joe Mack.

I blame Nasty Nate! (Wonder if he postes anywhere these days)?

[Jesse]

Also, I couldn't believe it when I read that O'Day was extended.

Not a popular opinion but I'm of the mind that even though the head coach absolutely plays a crucial role, it all starts with the foundation of talent and fit you put together and so is far more a determining factor of team success. I will put it out there and say that JOD's roster was more of a problem for the Riders than CD was trying (and failing) to control it.

Agreed and thought this should have been a clean sweep last year.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Also, I couldn't believe it when I read that O'Day was extended.

Not a popular opinion but I'm of the mind that even though the head coach absolutely plays a crucial role, it all starts with the foundation of talent and fit you put together and so is far more a determining factor of team success. I will put it out there and say that JOD's roster was more of a problem for the Riders than CD was trying (and failing) to control it.

Some outstanding talent has gone through Sask. and ended up playing elsewhere, O'Day failed to stem the exodus and build continuity.  He attempted to put a bandage on the wound by signing CFL retreads well past their shelf-life.

[Bomber Diehard]

That is an Oldie. ? Nasty Nate?
I hope he has retired from going in here.

[Pete]

I don't get the O'day extension, the number one shortfall Sask has had in the past 4 years has been their offensive line.
They tried to blame Fajardo and Maas but look how they are doing now.
One of the keys to the bombers rebuild was the offensive line, spending big bucks to get Bryant, drafting, and making it a focus.
Going into 2023 everyone knew the riders oline was terrible, yet it still is a major issue at the end.
They spent 250 k on Lanier,  spent on Wienike as well both of whom didn't perform well enough,  They did bring in Godber who BC thought wasn't good enough and a 37 yr old Blake, not nearly good enough.
Bringing in talent is a gm priority, and their gm failed badly.

[blue_or_die]

Some outstanding talent has gone through Sask. and ended up playing elsewhere, O'Day failed to stem the exodus and build continuity.  He attempted to put a bandage on the wound by signing CFL retreads well past their shelf-life.

They had some good players but every team does. I never thought they had the critical mass of good players who were also good culturally as a fit. HC has the job of cultivating that but there's only so much you can do with cancers like Gainey and Marshall and the clown show.

[TecnoGenius]

Going into 2023 everyone knew the riders oline was terrible, yet it still is a major issue at the end.

JOD needs to look at KW and switch to a 3-IMP OL when you don't yet have a good unit.  We played Bond at guard for 2(?) seasons when we didn't have the depth or talent.  SSK needs to do the same until smart OL drafting can start to pay off, as well as some shrewd FA pickups.

SSK has two of the league-best NAT WRs: Emilus and KSB.  That should allow them to go 3-IMP OL without problem.

[TecnoGenius]

only so much you can do with cancers like Gainey and Marshall and the clown show.

In the off-season they need to drop all the joggers and half-rumpers, and #1 in that club is Marshall.  After they go down 1 score Marshall just tunes out and saunters down the field and doesn't even try to tackle.  And he lets through every explosion trying to get the INT.

If Marshall is back that will be a huge sign that JOD has no idea what he is doing.  There are plenty of guys on that team with real heart and you need guys that universally buy in.  As WFC says: FIFO.

I wonder what unfortunate team is dumb enough to pick him up... hopefully none.  It's a shame, as he has talent.

[ichabod_crane]

I blame Brendan Taman.

If I remember correctly, to make the Bombers a powerhouse for a few years he pretty much gave away years of draft picks, resulting in the Bombers having virtually no good Canadian talent for years and years after Taman left. He gave away the farm for immediate success, which never translated into a Grey Cup.

Similarly, in exchange for a few winning years, it seems that he's left behind a mess of an organization. I don't know the details, because quite frankly, I don't care that much, but it's interesting that the one common feature both the terrible Bombers of yesteryear and the terrible Riders of today have is that they let Brendan Taman run the team.

Taman pushed all his chips in for that 2013 grey cup win in Regina.

[TecnoGenius]

Taman pushed all his chips in for that 2013 grey cup win in Regina.

Which may be the correct approach if your team is looking at losing a ton of players and years of losing anyhow...

If SSK doesn't go all-in in that year, do they win that cup?  They sold the next 5 years of that franchise in order to get that win.  And it was the greatest win in SSK history and one that every fan will remember and love forever.  Would those SSK fans have traded making but losing the WSF every year for 5 years for that one single GC win followed by years of sucking?

We may be faced with a similar situation in the near future... We all think we know what The Mafia will do; but do we really?

[TecnoGenius]

Vibrating Sheldon called in to CKRM if you want a good laugh

https://open.spotify.com/show/4cJeQqJewWwNEeqEzevV4s
SportsCage - October 23rd, 2023

starts around 14 mins; a wild 7 mins.... "Ya"

[theaardvark]

JOD needs to look at KW and switch to a 3-IMP OL when you don't yet have a good unit.  We played Bond at guard for 2(?) seasons when we didn't have the depth or talent.  SSK needs to do the same until smart OL drafting can start to pay off, as well as some shrewd FA pickups.

SSK has two of the league-best NAT WRs: Emilus and KSB.  That should allow them to go 3-IMP OL without problem.

There are a plethora of Good Nat Oline coming up this year.  The key is, getting good ones with upside, and not mortgaging the farm for them.  And making it attractive, with a good Oline coach.

No reason he can't assemble a 3 Nat interior Oline as long as he doesn't waste money signing American starters to crazy contracts. Their scouting needs to come through with some quality competition across the board... and hope for some rookies to shine

[blue_gold_84]

O'Day was fortunate to inherit whatever Jones left behind when he bailed after the 2018 season. Outside of a strong 2019 season, which seems like pure dumb luck in retrospect, things have only worsened under his tenure as GM.

He isn't the answer.

[wpg#1]

Oh no!  Daniella Ponticelli on CKRM Regina radio announced in the post-game that she's leaving the station after the GC.  I know few here will care, but man I'll miss that voice, it's half the reason why I tuned into the greenie post-gamers.  Maybe she just couldn't take the heartbreak anymore, or got some even better job offers for that buttery voice.

Maybe she's coming to WPG to take on my 3-hour post-game CJOB show idea!    One can dream...

She's probably tired of doing 3 hour post game shows that's why she's leaving !   

[TecnoGenius]

There are a plethora of Good Nat Oline coming up this year.  The key is, getting good ones with upside, and not mortgaging the farm for them.  And making it attractive, with a good Oline coach.

No reason he can't assemble a 3 Nat interior Oline as long as he doesn't waste money signing American starters to crazy contracts. Their scouting needs to come through with some quality competition across the board... and hope for some rookies to shine

But that's the other big advantage to 3 IMP OL... that IMP G should be major cheap.  Talented NAT OL are rare-ish, talented IMP guards in theory should be a dime a dozen.  Bond was never paid that much, compared to other Gs like Neufeld or Desjar.

The only reason more teams don't do more IMP OL is because it's the easiest way to make the ratio.  If SSK makes the ratio in other ways (top NAT WRs) then the money/talent aspect of an IMP G should override the thinking.

If it was a bad move, why did WPG do it for a few/many years?  It instantly made our team better until we could draft and entice better NAT OL here.

[TecnoGenius]

She's probably tired of doing 3 hour post game shows that's why she's leaving !   

Haha!  Maybe!  But she said on air she loves it and will miss it!   

[theaardvark]

But that's the other big advantage to 3 IMP OL... that IMP G should be major cheap.  Talented NAT OL are rare-ish, talented IMP guards in theory should be a dime a dozen.  Bond was never paid that much, compared to other Gs like Neufeld or Desjar.

The only reason more teams don't do more IMP OL is because it's the easiest way to make the ratio.  If SSK makes the ratio in other ways (top NAT WRs) then the money/talent aspect of an IMP G should override the thinking.

If it was a bad move, why did WPG do it for a few/many years?  It instantly made our team better until we could draft and entice better NAT OL here.

Does a NAT Olineman cost more than a starting NAT RB/WR.LB?  I don't think there is a lot of difference.

A NAT Olineman should play more games, per year, and over a career. 

That's one of the reasons a NAT OT is the holy grail.

Now, NAT skilled players are becoming more numerous. And the premium is coming down for them.  So, sure, if you need to use an American OG, and have a surplus of skilled position players to cover, and backup depth in case one or more get injured, use a American OG.  Heck, have an all American OL for that matter.  We started 9  NATs last week, did we not?

The days of Nats "being hidden" on rosters are not totally behind us, but when multiple NAT players get nominated for more than MOC, it says a lot about the talent level our NAT players are attaining.

[TecnoGenius]

Does a NAT Olineman cost more than a starting NAT RB/WR.LB?  I don't think there is a lot of difference.

Good ones, yes.  A "very good" NAT OL will be close to $200k.  They are almost always vets as (like with our system) most take 3+ seasons to become "good".  Desjar and Chung notwithstanding.

Good NAT WR are often on ELC, or working in the $100-$125k range.  Look at KSB and Emilus.  Ya, I guess KSB will be off ELC in FA, but probably won't get over $125k... yet.  And solid guys like Cottoy, Woli, Philpot, etc aren't earning a ton.  Far less than their comparably-ranked OL team-mates.

My point is, if you can field a bunch of KSBs for under $125k then you don't need to pay $200k+ for a good NAT guard (Desjar, Neufeld, etc.).  A lot of this is luck: if you've lucked into good WR DPs, or stolen some FA NAT WRs.  SSK seems to have done very well in NAT WR DPing lately.

Bottom line: SSK needs OL help and they can't afford to steal away 2 or 3 $200k+ NAT OL in FA.  So why not just use IMP like KW did early on when we faced the exact same problem?

[Pete]

One of the issues is that even with import.quality olinemen are hard to find. Sask tackles are subpar and they haven't been able sign any better ones. At the beginning of the year we had 2 import olinemen on pr, because it is do hard to find replacements.

[BBRT]

O'Day was fortunate to inherit whatever Jones left behind when he bailed after the 2018 season. Outside of a strong 2019 season, which seems like pure dumb luck in retrospect, things have only worsened under his tenure as GM.

He isn't the answer.

Amen! I agree with your thoughts O'Day is not the answer but the Riders are stuck with him for another 3 years. Lots of folks over on their site agree that he is not the answer but it woul appear they are stuck with him.

[wpg#1]

Amen! I agree with your thoughts O'Day is not the answer but the Riders are stuck with him for another 3 years. Lots of folks over on their site agree that he is not the answer but it woul appear they are stuck with him.

Yes, but only because they extended him 3 more years. It's their own fault. I just don't understand why they would do that.

[TecnoGenius]

One of the issues is that even with import.quality olinemen are hard to find. Sask tackles are subpar and they haven't been able sign any better ones. At the beginning of the year we had 2 import olinemen on pr, because it is do hard to find replacements.

Why is this?  You'd think good IMP OL would be a dime a dozen: like IMP DB.  Shouldn't there be a zillion of these guys coming up through the schools?  Or does the NFL hog 15 good OL each team or something?

Weird how Canada U sports seems to produce proportionally more CFL-ready OL than the USA does.