It is a true head scratcher that the Roughriders are not playing recently returned receiver Jordan Williams-Lambert Saturday evening in Toronto.
I need some Head and Shoulders.
Jordan was the team’s best receiver last season and re-signed with Saskatchewan back on Sept. 10.
The green team has not changed their offensive coordinator from 2018, Stephen McAdoo is still calling the shots, so to hear from head coach Craig Dickinson that Jordan is not ready is a stunner.
But can you really argue with Coach Craig? The Riders sit with an 8-4 record, which is a far better slate than most imagined come September’s end.
In my mind Coach Craig is a candidate for CFL coach of the year honours along with Montreal’s Khari Jones and Orlondo Steinauer of the Ti-Cats.
Calgary’s Dave Dickenson is likely the best head coach in the CFL, but he is clearly taken for granted by fans and media alike, so let’s just forget about him.
Winnipeg’s starting quarterback Matt Nichols is now out for the season with shoulder surgery, while Edmonton’s starting pivot Trevor Harris has been placed on the six game injury list.
What a golden opportunity for Saskatchewan to climb up the CFL West standings. A home playoff game is now a real possibility along with first place.
That’s why Saturday’s game in Toronto is so big. To get first place you can’t lose to a 2-10 team.
Reporter Justin Dunk of 3DownNation released TV ratings for the CFL on TSN and the Roughriders dominate. Here’s the numbers for 2019 Rider games so far;
Week 1: Saskatchewan at Hamilton — 522,100
Week 2: Saskatchewan at Ottawa — 521,400
Week 3 Toronto at Saskatchewan — 502,600 (part one) and 764,800 (part two)
Week 4: Calgary at Saskatchewan — 722,000
Week 5: Bye
Week 6: B.C. at Saskatchewan — 692,400
Week 7: Saskatchewan at B.C. — 546,500
Week 8: Hamilton at Saskatchewan — 618,900
Week 9: Saskatchewan at Montreal — 458,900 (+100,000 RDS)
Week 10: Bye
Week 11: Ottawa at Saskatchewan — 655,000
Week 12: Winnipeg at Saskatchewan — 854,400
Week 13: Saskatchewan at Winnipeg — 594,400
Week 14 Montreal at Saskatchewan — 794,700
Week 15: Bye
2019 Rider game average: 634,469
When Saskatchewan is not playing, only seven other CFL games to date have reached the 500,000 mark.
Last weekend on a Rider bye week, CFL ratings took a dive;
Calgary at Toronto — 321,600
Hamilton at Edmonton — 487,600
Winnipeg at Montreal — 385,000
B.C. at Ottawa — 314,700
There is no question that off the field the Riders are the marquee franchise of the CFL. Both the CFL and TSN need the Saskatchewan Roughriders, and they need them badly.
So to you the Saskatchewan fans, from coast to coast, and from all over the world, please take a bow!
I think I must have dandruff.
Don Hewitt started covering the Saskatchewan Roughriders for CKCK-TV in 1979.