Quick Slants: In Jones We Waiver

Quick Slants: In Jones We Waiver

Published: Thursday, Jul 5th 2018, 3:07am

by: Greg McCulloch (@GregOnSports)

Quick Slants looks at some of the weekly stories in the CFL and beyond.

In Jones We Waiver

I had to miss Piffles Podcast 82 due to other commitments and I have yet to listen to it, but I do know Alex ranted about Chris Jones. So, I am sorry if I cover some of the ground that he probably put way more eloquently than I will.

When Jones was hired I was elated, I believed he would bring winning back to this team, especially considering how fast the previous regime pissed away any goodwill following the 2013 Grey Cup.

He quickly trimmed the fat, and not with a scalpel but a machete. Players he didn’t see value in got their immediate release. He made tough decisions cutting fan favourites Weston Dressler and John Chick because their salaries were just not economical. Then there was the year-long fallout with Darian Durant, but once Darian was gone Jones made the playoffs and the Alouettes lost 13 straight games.

I have been able to rationalize every move he has made in some fashion in a way that makes the Riders better, but I am running out of explanations.

There have been enough pixels, ink, and words written or spoken about Duron Carter at defensive back that at this point if I continue I am not beating a dead horse as much as I am kicking an indent of what used to be a horse.

This offensive line the past 2 games have earned the title “offensive”.  Say what you want about how bad the QBs looked it is hard to look good when the opposition is in the backfield more than the running back.

There are 2 offensive linemen in Alberta that were cut that would help us so much right now, but Jones cut Derek Dennis to pay Travis Bond. Then went and cut Travis Bond because… reasons… I guess.

The Riders have 5 Canadian middle linebackers on the roster but no backup Canadian O-lineman. Eddie Steele is the emergency guy if they lose Dariusz Bladek, Dan Clark, or Brendan Labatte. Peter Dyakowski is sitting at home tweeting about CFL games, when they could really use a veteran Canadian in the interior line, even if its just as depth helping a young guy like Bladek.

What was the point of signing Jerome Messam if you just aren’t going to play him? I understand the pitch count idea but Messam always picks up speed at the end of the game. You beat the other team over the head with power runs and they get tired and Messam gets the tough yards like he did in the Toronto game.

I just don’t get it.

If I didn’t know any better, I would say this team is angling for the crossover because in the competitive West division you can’t lose games to “weaker” Eastern opponents. Barring a miracle against Hamilton I could see this team being 1-3 versus the East this early in the season.

After the Toronto win, the Riders defence looked like they could carry this team on their back even in the offence struggled. Then they got torched by Jeff Matthews and Drew Willy last week. (Hey there’s that horse shaped indent again, one second while I kick it)

When I saw the depth chart this week, I tweeted out that this looks like a team that’s just rolling over and playing dead until the bye week. No substantial changes from the embarrassment from the week before. Fortunately, the bye week is next week and there could be sweeping changes to this roster and the team may surprise us.

But right now, the trust in “In Jones We Trust” needs to be earned.

*** Piffles Podcast is putting on a touch football event at Mosaic Stadium in Regina on Friday, August 10 to raise money for a great charity, Hope’s Home! We will play on the field for a few hours and then head off to Mr. Mike’s in Grasslands to celebrate and hold a silent auction with ALL the proceeds going to Hope’s Home in Regina! $60 gets you on the field for a fun evening, a shirt and more!

Also just announced, Jovon Johnson will be co-hosting the event with us.

Let us know if you are interested! Email pifflesbowl@gmail.com for more details! ***

*** Don’t forget to enter the 2018 Piffles Podcast Fan Contest! Running all season, we want to hear more about YOU, the GREAT Rider fans! What does Rider Pride mean to you? How did you become a fan? Who’s your favourite player? We would like to ask you these questions and more and share your story with ALL of Rider Nation! We have over $2,500 in prizes to give away and we would love to learn more about the passionate fans that make up Riderville! To enter, fill out the questionnaire and you are qualified! 20 Weekly Winners will be drawn throughout the season and EVERYONE that enters is put into the Grand Prize Draw to be made during the final week of the CFL regular season! ***