Quick Slants: Thank You Darian
Published: Thursday, May 17th 2018, 3:05am
by: Greg McCulloch (@GregOnSports)
Quick Slants looks at some of the weekly stories in the CFL and beyond.
Due to a previous engagement, I had to miss this week’s show and sure enough, we were lucky to land Darian Durant fresh off retirement. Not going to lie but I was a tad jealous that I couldn’t make it, but the guys didn’t disappoint me. If you haven’t had a chance yet to listen to the interview that Alex and Steve conducted with Darian, it may be one of the best in Piffles’ short history.
Go listen now, I’ll wait.
Ok, we’re back.
My first real memory of Durant was the 2008 preseason game versus the BC Lions. I remember the game for 2 reasons:
1) Regina born Quarterback Teale Orban got a chance to take a few snaps in the 4th quarter and at one point with him, Stu Foord and Neil Hughes the entire Rider offensive backfield was Regina born.
2) I left the game thinking the new #4 was pretty damn good.
Turns out a younger me was a better eye for talent than Ken Miller and Eric Tillman at the time because there was no way in hell I would have made the Michael Bishop trade.
Speaking of Bishop, I will also never forget the home playoff game that season. Deep in the 4th, the Riders go down 32-12 thanks to a pick-6 by Bishop. Miller finally yanks Bishop because that pick-6 was his 4th turnover. Durant trots onto the field to what would have been the biggest standing ovation I have ever witnessed at Mosaic Stadium, well until he hoisted the Grey Cup in 2013.
Maybe 2008 should have been an omen on how Durant’s time would play out in the CFL. No matter what he did, it always seemed like he wouldn’t get the respect he deserved.
Named as a West division all-star twice but never named a CFL all-star.
In 2010, he led the league in passing yards and wasn’t even a West All-star.
Took the Riders to 3 Grey Cups in 5 years, there were fans who wanted him run out of town.
Look up #DurantsFault on twitter sometime.
No wonder he played like he had a chip on his shoulder.
And when he played with that chip on his shoulder, there was nothing that was going to stop him. See 2013 West Semi-Final, hell watch the whole 2013 playoffs.
While it is a shame that Darian wasn’t a Rider for life on paper, however, all of Ridernation knows he is a Rider for life (Despite the trip out East).
But at least he got to own the Bombers one last time on his way into retirement.
Thank you, Darian, for all of the victories and the memories. I look forward to whatever your future holds, and I know that Ridernation will be there with you.
*** 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 questionaire 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! ***
*** Piffles Podcast is heading to the Banjo Bowl! Join us on the trip and let’s paint Winnipeg green! We will leave the Saturday morning of the game, tailgate at IGF for a little bit, watch the Riders beat the Bombers and then we will stay overnight in Winnipeg and come back to Regina on Sunday afternoon. ONLY A COUPLE OF TICKETS REMAINING!! If this is of interest to you, let us know ASAP!
It promises to be a fun time and we have some great prizes lined up to giveaway ***
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