The Green and White put forth a valiant effort in the final battle of the season. They came up just shy losing 23-20 to the second place Edmonton Eskimos.
The Green and White put forth a valiant effort in the final battle of the season. They came up just shy losing 23-20 to the second place Edmonton Eskimos. With that a season that has left many a fan, player and coach scarred emotionally comes to and end for Canada's team.
Sasky Shake Up! As Ken Miller rides off into the sunset where will the team go from here? Jim Hopson will remain as President and CEO, this we know for sure. How will the rest to the front office and coaching staff shake out? The jury's still out on whether Brendan Taman will remain as GM. Personally I think he stays and hopefully gets a chance to run the team like a conventional GM should, unlike the handcuffing structure of 2011. The next order of business will be to get a Head Coach in place and the sooner the better as this organization has their work cut out for them in the offseason. I am also of the mindset that the new bench boss should have the power to hire the coaching staff of his choosing. Hiring assistants that compliment the head coach's philosophies is key to a winning organization. Once the coaching staff is in place then it's time to decide on what the spring training player roster will look like.
Should I Stay or Should I Go Now! It's decision time for a few of the Rider fan favourites. Most notably Jason Clermont, Barrin Simpson and Gene Makowsky. These gladiators have fought many a battle throughout their careers and now they have to decide if it's time to hang up the cleats - no easy decision for men that thrive off competition. What makes it even tougher is to go out on a low note. Out of these fierce competitors the one I feel for the most is the Minister of Defense Barrin Simpson. The 34-year-old middle linebacker has been grinding it out in the CFL for 11 years and has never hoisted the Grey Cup.
As Rider Nation we may complain, question and muse over what went wrong in 2011 it's our right as the best fans in the CFL. One thing is for certain, come June 2012 we will be just as amped up as we have been for each and every one of the past 10 seasons. I've got chills already with anticipation of Gang Green rushing out of the helmet to the roar of the crowd and the fire works as Rider Nation greets the 2012 edition of "Your Saskatchewan Roughriders".
Be Loud and Proud!
Odog
For more football updates, opinion and commentary, or to make a comment visit www.odogsblog.com or follow me on twitter @odog_media.
