Greed can be a good thing

I understand that this space has developed quite a loyal following over the years. So, by now, most of you should know how greedy I can be — especially when it comes to winning.

At the beginning of every season in which I ever played, I couldn’t find any logical reason why my team couldn’t go undefeated, which more times than not led to severe disappointment. Nevertheless, the fact remains that if there is something worth winning, I want and expect to win it. That is the mentality of a professional.

That being said, I wasn’t too concerned — perhaps somewhat relieved — at the outcome of Saturday night’s “Western final preview” between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the Calgary Stampeders. Calgary won that game, 29-25, at McMahon Stadium.

I understand that I am getting ahead of myself — or should I say the B.C. Lions (and Edmonton Eskimos) — but humour me for a moment and suppose the guys in green are focused a heck of a lot more than I am and will do the things they need to do to get back to Calgary on Nov. 17. And those “things” are the next two opponents — the Lions and Eskimos.

To quote the great football analyst R. Kelly: “My mind is telling me No, but my body, my body’s telling me Yes.”

My mind tells me there is no reason the Riders couldn’t win Saturday and then again in the potential rematch, but my body tells me that, yes, there is reason to doubt.

With the film study, gameplanning and the bump and grind on the practice field that goes into professional preparation, it is extremely hard to beat a team twice in a row, let alone twice in consecutive games in their own environment. This potential matchup will be Calgary’s next meaningful game.

That ’s not to say it couldn’t be done, but now it doesn’t have to be done, and my gut can rest at ease.

Besides, in the pre-season my gut predicted the Riders would finish 12-6 and in second place in the CFL’s West Division — and my gut likes being “right.’’ It’s almost like winning.

But there is nothing like winning, and only those who have become used to losing ever call a loss a “good loss.”

Let’s not mince words. The Roughriders did not accomplish their goal in Cowtown, but it’s not like they got blown out of McMahon Stadium.

The defence continues to hold no empathy for opposing offences, and the effort on offence was good enough to win.

I don’t really like “good enough,” but in the playoffs nothing else matters other than winning — not who rushes for more yards, who gave up more sacks, or who blew off more steam on the sidelines.

Sure, the Calgary pass rush was overbearing at times this past weekend, but the cure to that is simple: Don’t have your starting running back “go off ’’ on your offensive co-ordinator — the guy who decides who gets the rock. Kory Sheets is always a good option for coach George Cortez, but who can argue if he decides to call the number of Weston Dressler, Chris Getzlaf or Geroy Simon?

I don’t know the intricacies of the disagreement, but it’s tough for me (and, judging by his halftime comments on TSN, apparently Getzlaf as well) to have a problem with a player who wants the ball more — especially with what Kory can do when he is called upon.

Obviously, the sideline isn’t the place for an outburst of emotion, but it shows that the player cares and wants to win. The parent’s job … er, I mean, the coach’s job ... is to manage his child’s ... er, I mean his player’s ... outbursts. Head coach Corey Chamblin and his staff have been doing an outstanding job of managing distractions — and there have been lots of them this year.

“WHEN YOU HAVE A CHAMPIONSHIPCALIBRE TEAM, YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE GUYS WITH BIG PERSONALITIES WHO WANT THE BALL. YOU NEED THESE GUYS.”

When you have a championship-calibre team, you are going to have guys with big personalities who want the ball. You need these guys. But from the outside looking in, we can’t tell how these players are motivated.

Once again, let’s not mince words. There is no “I” in team, but there certainly is an “M’’ and an “E.’’ Every properly motivated person needs to know that they (the “ME’’) needs to do everything that they can within the context of the team for them AND the team to have success.

If you wish to call this selfishness, then I would want a whole team of selfish players — not “I” players, but “ME” players. These are guys who need the best from themselves, not only for themselves or their teammates, but also because they are greedy. They want to win. They need to win.

Win what? Win everything!

I am sure this situation has already been taken care of, and if the Riders are fortunate to be in the West final coach Cortez will be calling Kory’s number early and often in order to slow down the pass rush of Charleston Hughes and company, keep the Stampeders’ offence off the field, and ultimately earn the right to host one last Grey Cup-sized home game.

(I value your feedback at Mike.Abou-Mechrek@InvestorsGroup.