Back in the saddle

It's been over a month since I posted anything, but what a better way to come back than with this.

The 2008 Canadian Football Season is underway, and the Saskatchewan Roughriders are large and in charge. There were a lot of questions about this team in the offseason. Trading Fred Perry, the teams leader on defense, to Edmonton. Trading Kerry Joseph, the CFL MVP and the number one quarterback to the Toronto Argonauts. The release of versitile player Corey Holmes. And, of course, the departure of Kent Austin, winner of a Grey Cup in his rookie season as head coach.

All of that was answered last night with the Riders' home opener against division rivals the Edmonton Eskimos. All eyes were on Marcus Crandell. Could he be the pivot to lead the Riders? Would he be able to step up and answer the critics? Well, it's only one game, but he did enough last night to at least silence the critics for a while.

The game started close, with the Riders and Eskimos exchanging the lead until the last quarter. Crandell tossed some excellent passes to Rider veteran DJ Flick, and Grey Cup MVP James Johnson picked up right where he left off in 2007, picking off Edmonton pivot Ricky Ray once.

At the half, the score was a close 9 to 7 affair with the edge going to the Riders. Second half, the Riders blew open the doors. With strikes to Wes Cates, who had 85 yards rushing, Andy Fantuz and a touchdown strike to Rider rookie Adarius Bowman, the final ended up much more convincing than the game showed. The Riders won 34-13.

Here's hoping that the other 17 games go just as well for the Riders as they are one step on the road to defending the 2007 Grey Cup.

Until next time...

...keep 'em flyin'.