Real games begin after season-ending snoozer
Some 800 pricey seats at Mosaic (Snow-saic?) Stadium were vacated as a precaution and, by game’s end, a considerable void in the east-side grandstand was no longer evident.
A somniferous showing by the Saskatchewan Roughriders prompted an early exit Saturday, when the home side bowed 28-13 to the Edmonton Eskimos in the CFL regular-season finale for both teams.
Unless there is a distinct improvement by the Green and White, there will be another quick departure — that of the Roughriders from the playoffs.
The Roughriders could stop right here and their 2017 season would still be considered a success. After posting a 3-15 record in 2015 and going 5-13 in 2016, this year’s 10-8 performance is something to applaud. The same cannot be said for Saturday’s snoozer, during which the Roughriders and the snow appeared to be drifting.
Due to an accumulation of snow on the east-side roof, 800 spectators were relocated. The game wouldn’t have looked very good from any vantage point.
The offence showed some flashes once the compulsory quarterback change was made, but Brandon Bridge was unexceptional behind centre and therefore representative of the entire team’s performance.
The defence, which had been so robust in recent weeks, did little to bother the Mike Reilly-quarterbacked Eskimos.
As for the special teams, Greg Morris fumbled away a kickoff return and a convert attempt was botched. The lone highlight was a 53-yard kickoff return by Marcus Thigpen, who scored TDs on a run and a reception.
Thigpen was the highlight reel for a Saskatchewan side that was hardly in playoff form.
Blame it on the circumstances. Win or lose, the Roughriders knew they would be travelling for the playoffs — either as the thirdplace team in the West or as a crossover participant in the East. It was a coin-flip, really.
So, without the imperative of winning for either contestant, a lifeless event such as Saturday’s was entirely predictable.
Ditto for Roughriders boss Chris Jones’ post-game comment regarding the quarterbacking: “Kevin Glenn’s our starter and then we’ll just make adjustments as the game goes.”
The formula has worked quite well so far, so why change? There is little point in making a sudden quarterbacking switch for Week 1 of the playoffs. Such a distraction could lead to self-destruction.
The big question — and a 300-pounder at that — revolves around Roughriders lineman-ofthe-year Brendon LaBatte.
LaBatte injured his left foot during the second quarter and had to be helped off the field. LaBatte’s status? “Does not look good,” Jones said, gloomily. “Probably will be out.”
Given the limited stakes Saturday, the one thing the Roughriders absolutely needed to avoid was a significant injury. Now, in light of LaBatte’s situation, some roster and ratio gymnastics will likely be required leading up to the East Division semifinal against the Ottawa Redblacks.
LaBatte’s injury was unquestionably the biggest loss sustained by the Riders on Saturday.
Yes, it was a dreary display, but the proceedings were strictly for show once it became apparent the Roughriders and Eskimos were both destined to begin the playoffs on the road.
The defeat? Whatever. Of the Roughriders’ four Grey Cup championship teams, the past three — the 1989, 2007 and 2013 editions — lost the regular-season finale.
Now the playoffs loom and everything is on the line. But if LaBatte isn’t on the line, in his familiar guard spot, the challenge facing the Roughriders becomes considerably more daunting.