Simon sounds cautionary note
Geroy Simon can look back to underline the dangers of looking too far ahead.
Simon was a member of the 2008 B.C. Lions when they finished third in the CFL’s West Division but nonetheless downed the second-seeded Saskatchewan Roughriders 33-12 in a firstround playoff game on Taylor Field. Simon had four receptions for 61 yards and a touchdown in that game.
The future Hall of Famer is now a member of the Roughriders, who have secured second spot in the West. They are to play host to the third-place Lions in a semifinal on Nov. 10.
“The playoffs are very tricky,’’ Simon said on Sunday at Regina International Airport. “Just because we won the season series against B.C. and we played well and we beat them pretty good, you can’t just overlook them and think that you’re going to win.
“It’s one of those things where you have to respect them because they’re a very good team and they have very good players who have been in a lot of situations and have been successful in those situations. You’ve got to be careful.’’
Saskatchewan’s hopes of finishing any higher than second were dashed Saturday when they lost 29-25 to the host Calgary Stampeders.
Calgary (14-3) earned a bye to the West final and is to play host to that game on Nov. 17. Saskatchewan carries an 11-6 record into Saturday’s meaningless home date with the Edmonton Eskimos. B.C., which lost two of three regular-season meetings with Saskatchewan, is 10-7.
The Roughriders-Stampeders showdown on Saturday whetted appetites for a rematch in the division final, but Simon sounded a cautionary note.
“We’ve got Edmonton next week and then we have to play B.C. in the semifinal, which is going to be a tough game,’’ the veteran slotback said. “I think people should watch trying to put ourselves in the West final before we actually get there.
“The playoffs are tricky situations and we just can’t think that we’re just going to automatically get (to the division final). We’ve got to take the proper steps, and the first step is playing Edmonton next week.’’