10 THINGS ON A MONDAY

1 - WHAT, ME WORRY?: The headline at CBC.ca blared RIDER NATION IN UGLY MOOD after Saturday's 34-22 loss to Calgary. Was the soldout house just waiting to pounce on their club? The boo birds were justified after the Stamps raced out to a 24-0 lead after the opening quarter, but the Jolly Green Giants rallied to outscore the visitors 24-10 the rest of the way. Small consolation? Yes. But the Riders put a mild scare into the unbeaten Stampeders, and this is the time of year for lesson-learning and moral victories.

2 - SAME OLD, SAME OLD: It's July, the Stampeders are winning, and their players are acting like the second coming of the '72 Dolphins. Groundhog's Day. Calgary players were taunting the Mosaic Stadium crowd on Saturday night, and linebacker Alex Singleton was blowing kisses at the final gun. It must've been fun for them to finally play in front of people who care! It's like the Stamps have completely forgotten blowing the last two Grey Cups. July Champions. Paper tigers.

3 - WEST COAST OFFENSE: I don't know why I look at Social Media during Rider games, but I do. It's not Twitter's fault. It's mine. However fans were roasting offensive coordinator Stephen McAdoo for his conservative game plan (and the media was too, judging by that CBC.ca article). That's what has me scratching head today. Fans have been screaming for the Riders to run the ball and they did 26 times the other night. You want coaches to put players in position to be successful. This is the best strategy for Brandon Bridge's skillset. The Riders outgained the Stampeders offensively in this game. Again, are fans just looking for any reason to pounce on this regime?

4 - JONES: Chris Jones was not in a surly mood after Saturday's game. At least, he didn't appear that way in our one-on-one interview on CKRM's postgame show, nor in his postgame news conference which we always carry live. Why? Because as much as they blew that game by falling down 24-0 early, he knows he has a very good football team. There were plays missed that, if made, could've tilted the outcome in Saskatchewan's favour. Again, this is the time of year for lesson-learning and Saskatchewan learned a lot about themselves in that game.

5 - BRIDGE: It wasn't Brandon Bridge's best game, but it wasn't his worst either. It was the vets who put the ball on the ground (Marcus Thigpen and Jerome Messam) and although this outing might've been a small step back for Bridge, he was going against potentially the greatest defense in CFL history. He's got one more crack at it before Zach Collaros returns and it's this Thursday in Edmonton. Bridge is getting better, incrementally, and it's fun to watch.

6 - THE OPENING THIRD: The opening six games of the season are behind the Riders and they are afloat in the tough CFL West Division at 3-3. That has them in 4th spot and - as of this week - the crossover is in play. To be where they are considering the adversity they've faced is admirable. Their errors have been self-inflicted which is actually comforting. Hopefully they are learning from them.

7 - ZACH ATTACK: That's right. Chris Jones casually mentioned at the end of his postgame news conference that Zach Collaros will be ready to return in Week 10 when Saskatchewan hosts Calgary (again). Will he make that much of a difference? Absolutely he will. Collaros didn't last long enough this season for Rider fans to make a firm judgment on him but getting to know him shows me why Jones put faith in Zach to lead the club to the promised land. Again, the Riders have weathered the storm without their marquee pivot. When he returns, things should be different.

8 - LAUTHER'D UP: What a story Rider kicker Brett Lauther is. The 27-year old from Truro, NS was drafted way back in 2013 but waited six long years to get the opportunity he finally has now. In the meantime, he worked odd jobs including bartending in the Maritimes while he kicked in his spare time. Clearly, the wait was worth it as he went 5/5 the other night including a career long 56-yarder. My Rider Radio analysts (former Roughriders) say they wouldn't have waited longer than one year for that chance. What a story!

9 - CFL NOTES: Johnny Manziel is the most talked-about CFL player in history who's never taken a snap. The pressure building for his first CFL start is enormous! And pressure busts pipes. The fact remains, he is an unproven pro QB and the fate of the Montreal Alouettes franchise rests on him. Big pressure. ... Is there anyone who doesn't think Marc Trestman will turn around the 1-5 Toronto Argonauts? But this seems to be a bigger challenge than last season for he and GM Jim Popp. ... The Blue Bombers are 4-3 and I'm happy for my good friends Paul Lapolice and Richie Hall. I'm just still not sold on Matt Nichols and, until he wins a playoff game, I won't be. ... Can't wait to get to Edmonton for Thursday Night Football where we are always treated with class and respect by the Eskimos staff.

10 - THANK YOU: The Memorial Service for my Dad Jim Pedersen on Friday in Milestone, SK went off as well as we could have hoped. The hockey rink was full of farmers, cowboys and hockey people which was my Dad's life. Delivering his eulogy was tougher than I'd hoped, but I feel he'd be happy with it. ... Thanks to all who attended and sent a note, and also a special thank you to the Saskatchewan Roughriders for Thursday's moment at practice where they dedicated that game ball to my Dad. I've never been so honoured in my life and it won't be forgotten!

RP
@rodpedersen

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