SIMPSON HITS HARDER AND STUDIES HARDER

Saskatchewan Roughriders middle linebacker Barrin Simpson practicing at the University of Regina on Thursday.
Photograph by: Roy Antal, Leader-Post

REGINA — Saskatchewan Roughriders middle linebacker Barrin Simpson appears to be getting better with age.

In his head coach's eyes, even one month has made a difference.

"Early on (this season), he was adequate," Saskatchewan bench boss Ken Miller said Thursday. "Last week (in a game against the Calgary Stampeders), he was better.

"He's becoming reacquainted with the defence he operated in in 2001. As he has become more accustomed and really fit into our scheme, he has done better and better. I think that we'll see his level of play continue to rise."

Simpson, 32, is in his first season with the Roughriders but his 10th in the CFL. As a rookie in 2001 with the B.C. Lions, his defensive co-ordinator was Gary Etcheverry — who now holds the same job with the Roughriders.

Etcheverry doesn't think a lot has changed with one of his star pupils.
"I considered him back in '01 a student of the game, but now he has really honed his studying techniques and he knows what he's looking at when he's studying video," Etcheverry said. "As a preparation week unfolds, he really knows how to go about his business."

"Ten years in the league, I definitely know what to expect, how to study film, how to break down opposing offences and what to look for when they come out on the field," said Simpson, who played five seasons with B.C. and four with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

"When a team comes out in a formation, I know the top three plays that they like to do out of that formation so it makes me that much more in tune and that much more faster to get into plays."

Simpson was the CFL's rookie of the year in '01 after registering 115 defensive tackles. He was named a West Division and a CFL all-star that season — his first of six career appearances on a division all-star team and on the league's dream team.

He entered Week 5 with a Roughriders-leading 19 defensive tackles, which tied him for eighth in the league. He's obviously still effective, roaming sideline to sideline to make tackles.

"I still feel fast, still doing the same things I've always done," said Simpson, a noted workout fanatic. "There's no difference in playing for me, but the recovery time is a lot different than it was five years ago."

"In his 10th year, a guy's not going to get faster," Etcheverry noted when asked if Simpson had lost a step. "But an old comment I heard — and I've shared it with him — is a guy says, 'Has he lost a step?' and I always say, 'A veteran knows where to step.' He definitely falls into that category."

Simpson is among the elder statesmen in terms of CFL middle linebackers. Shea Emry of the Montreal Alouettes is 24, Calgary's Juwan Simpson is 26, Jason Pottinger of the Toronto Argonauts, Maurice Lloyd of the Edmonton Eskimos and Joe Lobendahn of the Blue Bombers are each 27, and B.C.'s Anton McKenzie is 29.

Only Otis Floyd of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats — who played with Barrin Simpson in B.C. in 2004 and '05 — is older. He's 34.

"At least Otis is the oldest," said a chuckling Simpson, whose squad plays the Tiger-Cats on Saturday at Mosaic Stadium. "I'm still 25."

In Simpson's mind, he and Floyd have been able to survive in the league — when younger players haven't — largely because of the work they do during the weeks before games.
"That's been our niche: Being prepared," Simpson said. "The old saying is, 'If you fail to prepare, then prepare to fail.' We know how to prepare, we know what we're doing, we know how to study film and we know how to practise. It all runs together."

Miller admitted the Roughriders may have to make a decision at linebacker if Rey Williams — who signed an option-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the off-season — doesn't stick in the NFL and returns to Saskatchewan. In the meantime, the Roughriders will continue to rely on a player who doesn't act his age.

"Barrin has shown us that he's really athletic, he still has great quickness and he's able to capitalize on the experience that he has," Miller said. "I don't see his age being a detriment right now."

ihamilton@leaderpost.canwest.comRead more: http://www.leaderpost.com/sports/Riders+Barrin+Simpson+hits+hard+studies+harder/3339250/story.html#ixzz0vAZz9rv0

FANTUZ FLAKES FLYING OFF THE SHELVES

By IAN HAMILTON, Leader-Post July 30, 2010
REGINA — Fantuz Flakes were flying Thursday.

Vic Huard, the vice-president corporate affairs for Federated Co-operatives Ltd., said cereal boxes bearing the name and smiling face of Saskatchewan Roughriders slotback Andy Fantuz were big sellers on their first day on the shelves of Co-op food stores in Saskatchewan.

"Twenty-four thousand boxes are being sold," Huard said late Thursday afternoon. "By the time this (story) goes to print (today), I wouldn't be surprised if they're all sold."

Huard noted that the top-selling cereal at Co-op stores in Manitoba and Saskatchewan over the past four weeks generated about $30,000 in sales. When Fantuz Flakes sells out — which is expected to happen in just two days — it will have generated nearly $96,000 in sales.

A portion of the proceeds of the cereal's sales is to go to the Children's Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan. Each box also includes a coupon for $5 off any purchase of $50 or more at the Rider Stores.

Fantuz was at the Co-op store on Quance Street on Thursday to autograph boxes of the cereal. Huard estimated there were 150 people lined up for Fantuz's autograph at 2 p.m. — 30 minutes before Fantuz was to arrive.

"We had every expectation that we would sell out (during the campaign)," Huard said. "Did we expect to sell out this quickly? Probably not."

Asked if the demand for Fantuz Flakes would result in more boxes being produced, Huard replied: "Stay tuned. There are lots of conversations about what we're going to do next."

ihamilton@leaderpost.canwest.comRead more: http://www.leaderpost.com/sports/Rider+Nation+eats+Fantuz+Flakes/3339282/story.html#ixzz0vAYWhEaK

Bon Jovi in Rider hat

Fantuz flakes and now the Double D Burger !!!




JON BON JOVI in Rider hat

RIDER WEEKEND - 2010

IT SHOULD BE A GREAT WEEKEND....AND FOLLOWING A FEW INTERESTING PICTURES

HORROR GAME FILM SESSION

By Rob Vanstone,

REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders' most-recent game was uglier than, well, pick virtually any Adam Sandler movie.

Head coach Ken Miller watched footage of Saturday's 40-20 CFL loss to the Calgary Stampeders and could not suppress his emotions, even though he had already witnessed the horror in person.

"I can't look at it clinically yet,'' Miller said Tuesday when asked about the video session. "It's a hard thing to look at that and evaluate and to see your players not playing as well as they need to be playing. There isn't any way I can take emotion out of that.

"On the other hand, starting right now it's important for me to not dwell on that, but get the team focused. We tried to do that today — get the page turned and get focused. We just can't dwell on the past. We need to continue to make corrections. We can't dwell on the negativity as a result of that game.''

Oh, is there negativity!

Judging by some of the fan feedback received since Saturday's slaughter, the Roughriders need to improve in several aspects of the game. According to correspondence received since Saturday night, the offensive line provides less resistance than papier mache, the defensive linemen need GPS to locate the quarterback, Riders pivot Darian Durant needs more experience, the assortment of 30-something starters have too much experience, the term "special teams'' is a gross exaggeration, the hyperbolic media is complicit ...

Leading up to Saturday's game, the Roughriders had been portrayed in some reports as invincible, only to be invisible during the second half at McMahon Stadium. The Roughriders were built up so energetically, by fans and media types, that a letdown was almost inevitable.
But a complete meltdown? What's with that?

When asked Tuesday what needs to improve for Saturday's home game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Miller replied: "Just about every area.''

Or, just about everyone except Weston Dressler (at least in this assessment).

"We all have to be better, including myself,'' Durant declared.

Durant is always quick to point the finger at himself, which demonstrates his accountability and his excellence as a leader. But you have to wonder whether Ron Lancaster, Kent Austin, Frank Tripucka, Glenn Dobbs or Peyton Manning could have fared any better than Durant on Saturday, given the porous pass protection.

It is borderline miraculous that Durant was able to throw for 354 yards and leave the stadium without assistance, considering the pressure to which he was subjected. Entering Saturday's game, nothing is more important than upgrading the offensive line play.

"It wasn't the best game in the world, but that's over now,'' veteran offensive lineman Gene Makowsky said. "I've pretty much forgotten about it. I gave myself 24 hours to sulk and pout, and now we're on to Hamilton. I think that's the way you have to be during a long season.''
Makowsky can remember a lonnnnnnnnnnng season. He was a member of the 1999

Roughriders team that won a mere three games. The 2010 edition had equalled that victory total in July before losing in Calgary on Saturday. So, obviously, it could be much worse.
"I don't think we'll ever have a game like that again,'' Durant said. "It was just one of those days.''

The Roughriders did not resemble the Edmonton Eskimos, who seemingly sleepwalked through Saturday's 47-21 loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The subsequent Roughriders-Stampeders game was tied 7-7 at halftime before the hosts exacted a measure of revenge for having failed to defeat Saskatchewan in four meetings last season.

"Everyone's going to play us like it's their Grey Cup, so we have to make sure we match everybody's intensity,'' said Durant, who quarterbacked Saskatchewan to the 2009 West Division title. "For whatever reason, we didn't get it done. But we're going to get everyone's best shot, so you'd best believe we'll be ready.''

Precedent suggests that Durant is correct. The Roughriders' resilient nature is one reason why they have been one of the CFL's premier teams in recent years. When the Green and White (and Burgundy and Black) has experienced a headache-inducing game, it typically responds with an improved performance.

The Roughriders have established that they can block out the negativity, the distractions and any potentially irksome issues that may arise. Now they need to ensure that they can block, period.

rvanstone@leaderpost.canwest.comRead more: http://www.leaderpost.com/sports/VANSTONE+Horror+game+film+session/3330045/story.html#ixzz0uyxtiiQY

JAMES PATRICK TAKING CHARGE IN THE SECONDARY

By MURRAY McCORMICK, Leader-

REGINA — There is no standing pat for James Patrick.
Patrick is in his second season as the starting safety with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He has successfully made the conversion from cornerback to handling the demands of a different position in the secondary.

Defensive backs coach Nelson Martin has encouraged Patrick to take on more of a leadership role with the defensive backs. Martin feels that Patrick is in an ideal position to help fill the leadership void that was created by the off-season retirement of defensive halfback Eddie Davis.

"I'm picking up what Eddie used to do,'' Patrick said after the Riders completed Tuesday's practice at the University of Regina. "I want to direct the secondary and be aware of where everyone is supposed to be.''

That means being more vocal. Patrick, who is in his third CFL season with the Riders, doesn't have any problem with being a stronger voice among the defensive backs.
"It's my job, so it's what I have to do,'' Patrick said. "I wanted to take advantage of it and I feel good about doing it.''

Patrick and Martin spend a great deal of time together during practice. Martin, who was a safety for seven CFL seasons with the B.C. Lions, initiated the in-practice meetings in 2009. Martin felt the meetings were needed after a regular-season game on July 11, 2009, against the Toronto Argonauts.

"We'd had a couple of broken coverages in the secondary and I realized then that he had been a corner throughout his career,'' Martin said. "He wasn't accustomed to playing free safety and I needed to spend more time with him so he can understand the position because it's different than any other in the secondary. I've continued to do that in Eddie's absence because as the safety Patrick's right in the middle of the secondary. He's in the best spot to lead the defensive backs.''

Patrick has been doing that. He intercepted two Henry Burris passes in the end zone in Saturday's 40-20 loss to the Calgary Stampeders. Patrick also recorded eight defensive tackles and had one special-teams tackle.

Patrick's two interceptions lead the Riders and he's tied with six others for second in the CFL. He also recorded two interceptions in the Riders' 27-17 victory over the Stampeders in the 2009 West Division final.

"I don't know if he's improved because of my input or if he's just getting more comfortable with angles that he has to play,'' Martin said. "It's a different position from being on the corner where everything was on one side of you. I think he's better because he's just getting more familiar with the position.''

Patrick, 5-foot-11 and 175 pounds, plays the position like a cornerback. He's not going to deliver the knockout blow for which more physical safeties are renowned
"I can do it if I have to,'' said Patrick, who had two interceptions while dressing for 18 regular-season games in 2009. "But if I see the ball, I'm going after it. That's my primary goal.''
Riders head coach Ken Miller acknowledged Patrick's strong game Saturday. Miller also pointed out that Patrick, like all members of the Riders in the lopsided loss, suffered some breakdowns.
"He missed a couple of tackles on some long runs,'' Miller said "He played well but there is still room for improvement.''

Patrick has already turned his focus towards Saturday's game when the Riders play host to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

"I always take it a week at a time,'' said Patrick, who is third on the Riders with 16 defensive tackles. "The previous game is behind us and there isn't anything we can do about it. I'm just thinking about the game ahead of us.''

The Riders have been moved out of Mosaic Stadium because of tonight's Bon Jovi concert. The team is to be back on its home turf Friday.
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OFFENSIVE LINE HAS TO GET BETTER

Riders offensive line coach Tom Freeman watches over his O-lineman practicing on Tuesday at the University of Regina.
Photograph by: Roy Antal, Leader-Post

REGINA — Marc Parenteau feels Darian Durant's pain.

Parenteau, the Saskatchewan Roughriders' right guard, was still bothered Tuesday that his struggles during Saturday's 40-20 CFL loss in Calgary resulted at times in Durant — the Roughriders' starting quarterback — getting rocked by Stampeders pass-rushers.

"That's what pissed me off the most," Parenteau said after Saskatchewan practised at the University of Regina. "No one likes to lose, but to see your quarterback get hit three or four times that first half because of me, that's what hurts. It's like seeing your brother get hit in the face and you can't do anything about it. That was very disappointing."

"The worst thing in the world as an O-lineman," added left guard Chris Best, "is to look back and see your quarterback getting hit by the guy you're supposed to be blocking."
The Roughriders surrendered only two sacks to the Stampeders, but Calgary keeps track of what it calls "delivery sacks" — legal hits on a quarterback just as or right after he delivers the ball. The Stamps say they had 10 against Saskatchewan, with defensive tackle Tom Johnson responsible for five of them.

Johnson, who was a menace throughout the contest, did most of his damage against Parenteau.
"I always hate when we beat a team and they say, 'It was our fault,' and they never give credit," Parenteau said. "But I'll give credit to Johnson. He had a very good game against me."
Parenteau noted he did everything the same way leading up to Saturday's game, from watching extra video to working on his technique in practice. As he put it, "it just didn't click that game."
"It's hard to explain why," he continued. "I don't even know why. Looking at the tape, I know I did some stuff wrong that I didn't realize I was doing in the game and those are things that maybe I have to catch faster in the game.

"Usually if I've had a bad set, I'm pretty good at correcting things for the rest of the game. It just wasn't the case this game."

He wasn't alone.

Best admitted he has to play better, saying Saturday's showing "was a long way from my best game." Right tackle Dan Goodspeed noted "we just didn't feel like we were in synch," then added the video showed what the linemen did right and what they did wrong.

And that was ...?

"What we did wrong was we lost the game," Goodspeed said. "What did we do right? It's hard to say because when you lose, nothing feels right."

Roughriders head coach Ken Miller said his charges didn't have trouble with the Stampeders' scheme, noting instead that it was one-on-one matchups that were the problem. That must be addressed before the Hamilton Tiger-Cats visit Mosaic Stadium on Saturday.

"It does concern me a little bit that (Durant) got hit, but I feel really good about the fact that our offensive line is a veteran group and has proven that they have tremendous ability," Miller said.

"It wasn't so much scheme as we were just out of synch a little bit in that game (in Calgary) and I fully expect us to recover fully in that area."

Practice this week no doubt will focus on technique and assignments as the offensive linemen look to rebound. Asked if he bought Durant an extra doughnut or something this week, Best chuckled.

"What we can do for him is do our jobs better so that he doesn't get hit anymore," the guard said. "That's probably the best thing we can do for him."

"I bought him a lot of ice," Parenteau added, tongue in cheek. "After games, I never sleep well. I always think about the bad plays. Well, two nights in a row, I thought about those plays.
"They stick with you. That's extra motivation this week to make sure I get better and make sure my brother doesn't get hit again."

ihamilton@leaderpost.canwest.comRead more: http://www.leaderpost.com/sports/Riders+line+feeling+bruised+after+Stampeders+stomping/3329555/story.html#ixzz0uwW1mPkm