RIDERS NEED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF STRUGGLING STAMPEDERS

Saskatchewan Roughriders Mike McCullough #45 and Renauld Williams #48 during practice at The Credit Union EventPlex in Regina on Oct 15, 2009.
Photograph by: Don Healy, Regina Leader-Post

REGINA — The Calgary Stampeders’ emotional fragility is not what one would expect from a defending Grey Cup champion.

Or is that descending Grey Cup champion?

Unimaginably, the talent-laden Stampeders have gone two CFL games without a major. Lately, there is a greater likelihood of a meltdown than a touchdown — as evidenced by Monday’s post-game dispute between Calgary teammates Brandon Browner and Teyo Johnson.

Compounding matters, Browner versus Johnson erupted while the media was conducting interviews in the Stampeders’ dressing room following a 32-11 loss to the host Montreal Alouettes. How convenient. Not even the most gormless reporter could miss this one.

Since that Thanksgiving Day turkey, the state of the Stampeders’ psyche has been a recurrent storyline. Predictably, members of the organization have offered assurances that there is not even a hint of discord.
But you have to wonder. If the Stampeders were to encounter any additional adversity — especially at home, against a team they are battling for first place in the West Division — will they disintegrate in very public fashion?

The Saskatchewan Roughriders would welcome such an implosion by the Stampeders during this afternoon’s collision at McMahon Stadium. The visitors should do everything in their power to initiate such an unravelling.

The Stampeders are at the point where they could fold in the event of additional negative reinforcement. With that in mind, a scorching start by the Roughriders is recommended. Of course, that is infinitely easier said than done, but if ever there was a time . . .

Remember the 2007 West Division semifinal? On the Roughriders’ first offensive play, Kerry Joseph hit D.J. Flick with a 62-yard touchdown pass.

Shock and awe.

That play was reflective of the Kent Austin mindset. Although the Roughriders’ offensive scheme was largely choreographed by Austin, Ken Miller — the offensive co-ordinator at the time — was principally responsible for its execution. Miller succeeded Austin as the Roughriders’ head coach a few months after the team won the 2007 Grey Cup.

At a time like this, with first place being contested, the Roughriders’ chief strategists would be well-advised to ask themselves: “What would Kent do?’’

Austin was merciless when rival teams were reeling or vulnerable. Both descriptions apply to the Stampeders.

Of course, it could also go the other way. Given any positive reinforcement in the early stages, the Stampeders could regain their swagger — especially if quarterback Henry Burris returns to peak form, as he inevitably will.

“Certainly, he’s a tremendous athlete and he hasn’t been performing up to what his capabilities are and what he has performed to in the past,’’ Miller said. “I would expect them to rally up and I expect him to play well.’’

The Roughriders cannot afford to extend a life preserver to a floundering foe. In other words, the Roughriders must not adhere to recent tradition.

All too often this season, Saskatchewan has failed to bury a divisional rival when it appeared to be on the ropes. The Edmonton Eskimos appeared to be struggling leading up to both of their visits to Regina, only to prevail.

A similar scenario unfolded both times the Roughriders visited the B.C. Lions, who found home games against Saskatchewan to be a tonic after enduring some trauma.

Moreover, the 2009 Roughriders have had repeated opportunities to claim sole possession of first place in the West — a perch they have not occupied at season’s end since 1976 — only to falter.
Will this be the long-awaited breakthrough game? Or will there be more breakdowns and another squandered opportunity?

One trend is going to be interrupted today. If the Stampeders do not reverse their fortunes, the Roughriders will finally find themselves alone atop the West Division.

If the latter scenario materializes, the first-place race might be all over but the shouting — emanating from the Stampeders’ dressing room.

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