Als at Riders GDT

[Rouge2019]

Right after the half the Riders went to their old max-hold scheme.  Every single run success was due to excessive holding by SSK.  I'm kind of glad to see Shivers isn't letting me down this year with the cheatin' holds.  SSK going back to old form because they have zero air threat.

And the refs, as usual, just ignore it.  I wonder if SSK got a ref wink & nod at halftime.  We're talking holds right at the point of attack.  It's astounding how good SSK is at this year after year.

They are going to use this run/hold game all season.  This will be their plan against us.  Since the refs won't call it, we'll just have to out-physical them and/or plan to stop the run.  Make Cody throw to no one.  The only threat is KSB.  Duke is worthless, gets hurt every diving non-catch, just like '21.

I am glad that you posted this because I also saw the holding, but thought that maybe my concern might be just sour grapes about a Rider win in a game where I was expecting the ALS to do better.  I remember seeing a run to the endzone where the Rider O-Lineman had the AL D-Lineman in a chokehold from behind and other blatant holds, not to mention Duke Williams pass blocking with his hands up the DB's sleeve into his armpits.  I get that the Riders are desperate to get their team into the Grey Cup that they are hosting (it was fun watching some of them fearing that they would have to cross over from the east after last week's loss - LOL), but the officials can't turn a blind eye to that crap or to the Riders O-Line (#51) roughing other players to incite them to take misconduct penalties.  There are two teams on the field - call it both ways!

[GOLDMEMBER]

I am glad that you posted this because I also saw the holding, but thought that maybe my concern might be just sour grapes about a Rider win in a game where I was expecting the ALS to do better.  I remember seeing a run to the endzone where the Rider O-Lineman had the AL D-Lineman in a chokehold from behind and other blatant holds, not to mention Duke Williams pass blocking with his hands up the DB's sleeve into his armpits.  I get that the Riders are desperate to get their team into the Grey Cup that they are hosting (it was fun watching some of them fearing that they would have to cross over from the east after last week's loss - LOL), but the officials can't turn a blind eye to that crap or to the Riders O-Line (#51) roughing other players to incite them to take misconduct penalties.  There are two teams on the field - call it both ways!

Well stated and welcome Rouge

[BBRT]

I've said it every year: we need to coach up SSK level of O (and ST) holding.  If we held as much as SSK then BO/JA would look as good as Morrow.  You really gotta hand it to SSK coaching to hold up to the level the refs will tolerate.

It's precisely what they did that one year ('18?) where Powell destroyed us in the 4th with non-stop running plays and the holds were just disgusting.

If the league is going to permit this, then we need to be doing it too.

I'm just glad we got to see mega-hold SSK in advance of our games with them.  Let's us plan what we'll need to do to stop/counter it.

If you stop SSK's run game, they have nothing on O.

Pure sour grapes IMHO. Sure there was holding by the OL. You could call that on any play in any game. If you take off your blue tinted glasses and look at things objectively at least IMHO the Riders are getting better on offense and the defense is pretty dang good. You can not push this off on the OL holding by the riders as their reason for the win at least IMHO.

[bluebeard]

The Riders do have their problems.  One is called Naty Rogers, their RT.  He would not make any other team in the CFL.  Play calling is not the Riders strong suit until the last half of this game.  Injuries are having an effect on them also.  Outside of there D We will not have any trouble beating them.

[kkc60]

The Riders do have their problems.  One is called Naty Rogers, their RT.  He would not make any other team in the CFL.  Play calling is not the Riders strong suit until the last half of this game.  Injuries are having an effect on them also.  Outside of there D We will not have any trouble beating them.

he?s bounced around a fair bit. never understood why he couldn?t stick on a team nor why teams kept signing him. now i just don?t understand why teams keep signing him.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Pure sour grapes IMHO. Sure there was holding by the OL. You could call that on any play in any game. If you take off your blue tinted glasses and look at things objectively at least IMHO the Riders are getting better on offense and the defense is pretty dang good. You can not push this off on the OL holding by the riders as their reason for the win at least IMHO.

It's not so much the holding by the O-line that is being pointed out, it's the obvious holding by their receivers on sideline plays that the officials are ignoring.  Shut that down and the Riders have little, Fajardo can't move the ball downfield with his arm.

[DM83]

Their right tackle sucks
Worse than Grey
Fajardo one trick pony isn?t going to produce many wins.
They should be 500 at best.

[TecnoGenius]

Pure sour grapes IMHO. Sure there was holding by the OL. You could call that on any play in any game. If you take off your blue tinted glasses and look at things objectively at least IMHO the Riders are getting better on offense and the defense is pretty dang good. You can not push this off on the OL holding by the riders as their reason for the win at least IMHO.

It's not so much the holding by the O-line that is being pointed out, it's the obvious holding by their receivers on sideline plays that the officials are ignoring.  Shut that down and the Riders have little, Fajardo can't move the ball downfield with his arm.

First, no sour grapes as I have no dog in the MTL/SSK fight.  I don't mind seeing SSK win when they do it legit, like weeks 1 & 2.  Look at SSK in the 1st half when they played a traditional (not much running) Maas O.  They were outplayed by MTL, who looked like they were going to be walking away with a win.  Then after haltime they just go run after run down the weak side.

TLB is right: the holding is by everyone: OL, receivers, ST.  Everyone.  It's one big mega hold fest.  You can tell they coach this up year after year.  It's beyond "blocking".  Literally compare with any other team on the field.

And this is the problem for refs: they see every single SSK player doing this holding simultaneously and they just don't call any of it because then it's "normal" and/or who do they single out?

Before you saw "just normal holding"... I watched every single "big" run play 5+ times on my computer PVR focussing on a different OL each time.  Almost every big play has a callable hold or four.  Same with any receivers the carrier passes.  If you do this on even 1 or 2 plays, you'll see what I mean.

They weren't doing this in the other weeks.  It's literally like they just got the green light.  Or maybe it's a "playing at home - must win" thing.  I don't know the cause, but it's painfully obvious when you look at it.  Like I said before, it's like that game a few years ago where they did the same thing to us to steal a win when they literally stunk.

Maybe it's the reffing crew.  I'm making a note here: Foxcroft.  We'll see if this max-hold shenanigans coincides with Foxcroft.  I'm pretty sure Proulx wouldn't put up with this garbage.

Man, I'm rewatching some of the runs right after halftime right now and it's freakin' crackback block, illegal block, defender-tackling, holding crazy town.  So much cheatin' going on.  And the refs are blind.

The other big tactic that SSK coaches is to hold and then when it gets untenable to push/trip down the defender.  I'm not sure on the legality of that, but nearly every guy shedding his SSK blocker ends up face down on the turf.  In just the 1st (TD) drive of the 2nd half for SSK I could screenshot you at least 6 (basically every play) egregious affected-the-play holds and illegal blocks.

The alternative is you think Morrow is the best RB the CFL has ever seen -- almost single-handedly marching 70y on 6ish plays for a walk in untouched TD against a decent MTL D... because he's just. that. good.  Pfffft.

[Stats Junkie]

TLB is right: the holding is by everyone: OL, receivers, ST, Everyone. It's one big mega hold fest. You can tell they coach this up year after year. It's beyond "blocking". Literally compare with any other team on the field.

And this is the problem for refs: they see every single SSK player doing this holding simultaneously and they just don't call any of it because then it's "normal" and/or who do they single out?

There have been 12 holding penalties called in the CFL this season. 8 of those penalties were against Saskatchewan (4 charged to Rodgers).

[blue_gold_84]

There have been 12 holding penalties called in the CFL this season. 8 of those penalties were against Saskatchewan (4 charged to Rodgers).

SoUr GrApEs!

Thanks for posting the stats. That's pretty telling.

[dd]

There have been 12 holding penalties called in the CFL this season. 8 of those penalties were against Saskatchewan (4 charged to Rodgers).

Wow, there have only been 12 holding calls in 4 weeks of play??!? That?s less than 1 holding call per game. That?s waaaay light and maybe the cheating teams are onto something. If the refs aren?t going to call it, hold, hold, hold as you?re only going to get called once in a blue moon. It?s sad that that is the current state of affairs. The refs would rather not call a foul that directly leads to a big play. Talk about having no integrity.

[The Zipp]

Wow, there have only been 12 holding calls in 4 weeks of play??!? That?s less than 1 holding call per game. That?s waaaay light and maybe the cheating teams are onto something. If the refs aren?t going to call it, hold, hold, hold as you?re only going to get called once in a blue moon. It?s sad that that is the current state of affairs. The refs would rather not call a foul that directly leads to a big play. Talk about having no integrity.

that is a low number...the games have been moving along at a good rate...perhaps this is why.

[dd]

No doubt, there?s pressure to keep,the games moving and not to slow things down with holding calls. But something has to be done. You can?t just let the holding go. If it affects the play and is the primary reason there has been a score, it?s got to come back. The Saskatchewan game was the perfect example where there was 3 TDs scored as a direct result of holding. They should come back and if the on field officials don?t have the stones to do it, command centre as part of its review on every scoring play, should call it. All you?re doing is rewarding the cheaters of the game.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

First, no sour grapes as I have no dog in the MTL/SSK fight.  I don't mind seeing SSK win when they do it legit, like weeks 1 & 2.  Look at SSK in the 1st half when they played a traditional (not much running) Maas O.  They were outplayed by MTL, who looked like they were going to be walking away with a win.  Then after haltime they just go run after run down the weak side.

TLB is right: the holding is by everyone: OL, receivers, ST.  Everyone.  It's one big mega hold fest.  You can tell they coach this up year after year.  It's beyond "blocking".  Literally compare with any other team on the field.

And this is the problem for refs: they see every single SSK player doing this holding simultaneously and they just don't call any of it because then it's "normal" and/or who do they single out?

Before you saw "just normal holding"... I watched every single "big" run play 5+ times on my computer PVR focussing on a different OL each time.  Almost every big play has a callable hold or four.  Same with any receivers the carrier passes.  If you do this on even 1 or 2 plays, you'll see what I mean.

They weren't doing this in the other weeks.  It's literally like they just got the green light.  Or maybe it's a "playing at home - must win" thing.  I don't know the cause, but it's painfully obvious when you look at it.  Like I said before, it's like that game a few years ago where they did the same thing to us to steal a win when they literally stunk.

Maybe it's the reffing crew.  I'm making a note here: Foxcroft.  We'll see if this max-hold shenanigans coincides with Foxcroft.  I'm pretty sure Proulx wouldn't put up with this garbage.

Man, I'm rewatching some of the runs right after halftime right now and it's freakin' crackback block, illegal block, defender-tackling, holding crazy town.  So much cheatin' going on.  And the refs are blind.

The other big tactic that SSK coaches is to hold and then when it gets untenable to push/trip down the defender.  I'm not sure on the legality of that, but nearly every guy shedding his SSK blocker ends up face down on the turf.  In just the 1st (TD) drive of the 2nd half for SSK I could screenshot you at least 6 (basically every play) egregious affected-the-play holds and illegal blocks.

The alternative is you think Morrow is the best RB the CFL has ever seen -- almost single-handedly marching 70y on 6ish plays for a walk in untouched TD against a decent MTL D... because he's just. that. good.  Pfffft.

If you only re-watch only the highlight reel, you will see #5 Duke Williams holding at 1:15, 4:29, 4:38 and 5:50.  His favoured technique is grabbing hold of the defenders face mask and steering his head, best illustrated at 4:29 and 4:38.

https://www.cfl.ca/games/6225/montreal-alouettes-vs-saskatchewan-roughriders/#videos

BTW Techno, Bradbury reffed this game, not Foxcroft.

[TecnoGenius]

If you only re-watch only the highlight reel, you will see #5 Duke Williams holding at 1:15, 4:29, 4:38 and 5:50.  His favoured technique is grabbing hold of the defenders face mask and steering his head, best illustrated at 4:29 and 4:38.

BTW Techno, Bradbury reffed this game, not Foxcroft.

Thanks for the correction!  Yes, it was "Big Bradbury", not "First Down Foxcroft".  I do want to try to see if there is a correlation between holds called on SSK and who is reffing.  Best to get it right!

In that highlights vid at 4:49 is a great slow-mo of a completely illegal hold by Duke on the left side of the screen.  Point of attack, shoulder pads lifting up like crazy, then the patented throw-down after the carrier passes.

I guess when you can't catch anything anymore and are always getting injured, you need to beat up on guys with illegal blocks and holds to maintain your job.  Douche Duke fits right into the SSK culture.  Now I know why they got & stuck with him.

What a lame highlight reel: all the highlights are literally the same run play.  Ya, they alternate between handoff and hitch pass, but it's all the same play.  What you do when your QB can't throw downfield and your OL/WR got the green light to hold.