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Being a Roughriders fan the last couple years has been tough. I know this first hand from the heartbreaking losses in two consecutive Grey Cup Finals, to the departure of stars south of the boarder (Fantuz, Baggs-who did return with Hamilton- and others), to the changes of coaching staff when it appeared the team was so close, and to the insults and taunts that have haunted this team since November 29, 2009.
However, like all CFL fans with a new season comes a renewed sense of optimism that this will finally be the year that the team clicks and that a 4th Grey Cup Championship is finally taken home to the province of Saskatchewan. Unlike many teams in the CFL we have not had great success in the Grey Cup games that we have played in (3-15 for a .167 winning percentage).
Despite all these issues the team has the unwavering support of the one million plus fans in the province and while this is great it does mean something more. Saskatchewan football is the sport of choice, little kids dream of growing up and one day putting on the green and white and getting to play on Taylor Field for the Riders. Fans live, and die with this team and as such are eager to support this team in any way imaginable even with their wallets. Last season Saskatchewan had a record breaking profit of $6.6 Million dollars. However, will this affect the play on the field enough to see a 4th Championship come to the 306?
Saskatchewan I believe plays in the toughest division in the CFL and as such will need to fight every week for their post-season lives. This is the mindset of the province and this should be the mindset of the teams as well.
Saskatchewan has a new head coach coming in that will undoubtedly do some changing to the offense and defensive schemes, but will he do more harm than good? The Rides lost Andy Fantuz this off-season to the Bears, will his absence hurt the club more than expected or is there someone ready to step in and fill the role? Will Darian Durant be able to build on the seasons he has had and finally limit turnovers, poor decision making while being pressured and lead the Riders to the Cup that has become so elusive? Will injuries haunt this team as it appears to every year? Will this finally be the year that the Riders win the Cup or will heartbreak occur again?
With the first pre-season game just around the corner (Friday) we may get a chance to see some of these answers, but the Riders still have a long season ahead of them, and the province of Saskatchewan has a long summer dreaming of Post Season glory that culminates in a green and White parade down Albert Street.
Only time will tell...
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