The eminent show-down between the best in the West and the self-declared second-best will be a study in frustration for the fans.*
Well, the fans at the Ranch, that is.
On one side we have Grey Cup quarterback Marcus Crandel starting as quarter-back. On the other we have Henry Burris who. . .well, I guess he did throw for 300+ yards last game. Course, that wasn’t against the best and stingiest defence in the league.
Sure, apparently the Stamps are “good” against the run. I suppose some might assume that means that Mr. Cates might have a hard time running. The fat and sissies haven’t gone up against our front four, they’ll wish they hadn’t. The Stamp defence is ripe for the picking. They’re good against the run in the stats because no one has to run against them. Why bother with the run when you can just throw for 450 yards or so. I mean, that’s never happened to the Stumps against a rookie QB, or anything . . . has it? [cough] Let alone against a Grey Cup Champion quarter-back?
The Stampeder secondary is craptaculous. Marcus (Yeah, I’ve two GC rings, what of it?) Crandel will Darwinize the weak Horseman, leading them to the slaughter so richly deserved. No worries though, we’ll be merciful. We’ll use bullets rather than a bolt for the slaughter.
Stamps are going so down in another home-town win . . . huh? Yeah, I know it’s in Calgary, that’s what I meant.
*err, or are the Stamps the best this week? are the Stamps still undefeated?
Leary would I be to offer a blog-banner bet on SDA, but is there another option? Stump fans?
Cheers,
lance
Let it never be said that ‘craptaculous’ is not a perfectly cromulent word.
I’ll take that bet. How long is my banner going to be posted at SDA?
I’m going to be at a family reunion north of Stettler on Saturday night. I hope there’s a radio station covering the game we can tune into or there may be a van full of people driving to the nearest bar with TSN.
Richard, note the sentence beginning with the word “Leary”. As in, no . . . definitely not . . . she’d kill me . . . couldn’t do it, uh uh. No way.
I’d (cough)never(cough) “willingly” deface the pre-eminent SDA banner.
Something else, perhaps?
Two years ago, when I stomped the former Olaf over a Western Semi-Final bet, we ended up on agreeing to a post about the best team in the CFL.
As I recall, it shamed him into quiting his blog.*
Now then, a “bet” should be equal risk, yes? Here I am, a guest blogger, risking the wrath of Kate . . . what are you putting up? I know you’re well used to the Stumps losing now, so I don’t count that as a risk.
*Actual events may not coincide with reality.
Cheers,
lance
Piper, not sure if you were having fun or not, but on the off-chance you were being critical; there isn’t a single person reading who didn’t understand what I meant when I wrote ‘craptaculous’. (Well, maybe Isam.)
The beauty of English, it evolves. The goal of writing, communication. The two are not always running the same path. I’m sure that would be a shame if I gave a damn.
Wes Cates and Crandell are the BOMB. I remember these guys in their prime when they played for another team. Hmmm,what team was that anyways? Oh well,they were put out to the flat wide pasture years ago. Stamps by 8.
wow Lance, that is an almost unbelievable rant.
I don’t even know where to start with this… thickness.
ok, in the spirit of the upcoming Olympics meet (meat?) in the people’s republic… (just like Kate did, bring your own Kraft Dinner type dinners.)
firstly, are you “on” anything? ’cause now is your chance to back out gracefully.
I don’t hear anything??? ok here ’tis.
obviously you’re a bit banged up from the last few squeakers your team has accumulated, in the hope that at some date in the future, drug testing is introduced to the CFL, I’d like to offer a half a litre or so of my finest, fresh and CLEAN, pee. In any container you’d prefer, just so you don’t get the boot for such an outlandish statement again.
and, you’re welcome to it.
just keep it in a sandwich bag next to your stomach and nobody will suspect anything…
wow. just pure loco-loco!
just tell me this, you’re not operating any motor vehicle or heavy equipment during the day are you…?
Leary as in Timothy Leary???
note, I’m not selling this, I’m giving this pint away in the spirit of western friendship, is that such a crime?
note 2.
it would be kinda cool to see them go 6-0 but its got to stop then and there. no 7-0… just split the series and let it go… I’m sure you’ll all be back in Calgary for the Grey Cup anyway. there, I said it.
Cheers,
marc.
craptacular…
and in the higher elevation of Calgary, there’s a good chance of a monumental fold occuring in the 4th quarter. I know the 4th has done them well this year… but again they’re playing at elevation now.
It’s a new game now… oxygen debt could be a factor here.
haha, I thought that maybe craptaculous was related to my kids favorite, “craptacular” (and it is in its 9th degree of mediocrity) but when I looked at urbandictionary.com oh wonders of wonder, it included a random photo of Che!
Gawd you folks do get excited about “tier three” football, (behind NCAA). But given the paucity if “major league” activity in Green Rider country, I suppose it’s understandable, Luv you guys, particularly since you turfed the dippers!
Go Riders!
Wallyj, Mr. Cates sums it so better than I could:
“”It’s something you cherish and pull out and wear sometimes to remind yourself of a great accomplishment and all the hard work that went into it. I think some of my friends in Calgary might want to see it.”
And that’s the most “me” he is in the article.
Your loss, our gain.
Cheers,
lance
With Crandell at QB, the Riders will be 5-1 after this week.
Stamps- over rated under achievers.
Riders- under rated over achievers.
Riders by 3.
Rider Pride in Cowtown!
here we go bombers here we go! thump, thump,
here we go bombers here we go! thump, thump,
D’arcy – I respect your opinions re: NFL and NCAA, but honestly, I have tried to watch NFL several times, but I always either get distracted and do something else, or I fall asleep. Sorry, but to me it is an overhyped snorefest. The NFL reminds me of Paul Martin (or to be more current, Obama). So much hype and so little substance.
djb – I live 45 min east of Stettler. Maybe you should come over and watch it at my place upstairs on the projector screen that we normally watch movies on. No beers, though – I have 3 kids 12 and under. Your best bet is Boston Pizza in Stettler to watch the game.
As to the actual game, I sorry to say it, but I feel that you Riders fans are kind of delusional and that your bubble will be burst this weekend. Crandell has a serious problem with losing the big games. That is why both Edmonton and Calgary got rid of him. (Henry still has not proved that he is over the same problem yet.) I also really think that you are underestimating the Calgary defence. They are somewhat inexperienced, but one of the best (except for when the game is on the line during the last minute!)
One of the best defenses Eric?
As Lance pointed out many teams throw for big yards against the Calgary defense….. only once has a team bothered to run more than 10 running plays (that includes the QB taking it)
The problem most teams have faced with Calgary is turnovers. If we keep fumbles and interceptions to a minimum (and we have this year so far)…. And Burris throws his usual 2 per game… then the game is no contest.
This week is all about ball control.
Go Riders.
I wish I had time to argue with you, Barcs, but we are checking out this morning at Fairmont – the last day of holidays. We will be driving all day.
How many times has Burris been sacked this year?
So, SDA is a sport site now?
John V, I think most the readers here agree this is a “whatever Kate wants to write about” site. Besides, think of this as more of a Canadian unity thing for souls who have neither a NHL or MLB team. I just wish there was a team in the maritimes so I might get to watch a game or two without showing up for work after the 4th quarter.
FYI, when I lived out west I cheered for the home team, then the Riders, and then any team that wasn’t from the east unless it was the Bombers.
tonight . . BC Lions in Commonwealth Stadium to take on the Esks.
I’m saying BC 37, Esks 27.
Hear the Roar.
There is a stadium being built in Moncton New Brunswick that has potential to field a CFL team. I’d be interesting to see this occur while there is still not a football team in “the nation’s capital”.
An “EMINENT” showdown ??
Not so much …. even if you meant “imminent’ …
I’d just say it was ‘inevitable’ …. also not something I’m going to waste a moment of outdoors summer time weather to sit in front of a TV for….
Cheers!
Eric,
No beers? While watching the CFL? Sigh…
Thanks for the BP tip, though.
This just in:
TSN and the Canadian Football League lost a great friend on Thursday with the passing of Leif Pettersen.
Pettersen joined TSN as a game analyst for the CFL in 1986, the first year the network began televising CFL games.
***********
Rest in peace.
First off to John V, Kate has for the last few years sprinked in a bit of CFL. You can’t always be head down nose to the grind stone. (BTW Thanks Kate et al for the CFL posts!!)
As for Lance, two of your best recievers down with broken anckles/legs plus your best QB out with broken ribs. Do you realy believe you can keep up this pace?
MC has all the tools but no tool box.
Yes he came up with one good game to win the Grey Cup. but that is all. Notice he didn’t stay in Edmonton? Notice he didn’t stay in Calgary?
And he is your number one??
Cates right now is probably the best running back in the leage, but you sure need him at his best if you are leaning on Crandell as your QB.
I will be at the game with my 13 year old son.
It will be great fun, but look for 5-2 in two weeks.
Cheers
marc (calagary)
I’d love to see a team out in the maritimes too. But as for Ottawa…. They were granted conditional approval in the offseason for an expansion again in… I think it was 2010 or 12.
Hayseed… whil you are running down our QB… remember Burris didn’t stay in Sask, He didn’t stay in the NFL (after a couple weeks was on GB’s practice roster, dressed 6 games with Chicago.. started 1.. 18 for 51 oi…. did 4/5 of _ all with bERlin in NFL europe), Back to Sask: he didn’t stay in Sask (turfed the second time as I recall).
Burris is much improved from 4 years ago to be fair. And he finally seems to care about doing bad things like throwing interceptions. (He used to stand around with a stupid grin when he screwed up) Look for him to turn the football over 2 times on Saturday anyway.
As Eric says. He doesn’t get sacked much. But that doesn’t mean he is making completions either (tho he has done well this year despite the interceptions.)
Mmmmm, the Moncton Magnets or the Tidal Bore?
Actually, to recognize the dedicated football souls down east maybe the Atlantic X-Men, or Huskies.
*****It’s a new game now… oxygen debt could be a factor here*******
Oh that’s what Calgarian’s call it now.
Go Riders!
hey “the bear” I was pitching crap as fast as I could,
but I think that Lance is going to re-load here and I’d better “duck”.
Atlantic Schooners?
5 in the west and 5 in the east… Winnipeg and Ottawa in the cellars… life could always be this great?
>Hayseed… while you are running down our QB… remember…But that doesn’t mean he is making completions
marc in calgary:
Atlantic Schooners?
5 in the west and 5 in the east… Winnipeg and Ottawa in the cellars… life could always be this great?
Great idea. Long as they don’t call them the Atlantic RoughRider. Heh
There’s nothing like Rider fans showing up in Calgary for a game all full of vim, vigor, alcohol and covered in watermelon shells full of themselves talking up how wonderful they are in the first half, and then being quiet demoralized drunks as their team gets their asses kicked yet again. 5-0 is a nice start but who have they played yet? And we’ve seen Crandell before and for way too long in Calgary.
BTW, can any one explain to me what is with the water mellon hats???
I can understand the Pilsner case hats, but water melons?
What is next? Banjoes?