CFL.ca
I have no idea what the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ marketing slogan will be for this monumental season but I have a suggestion.
How about, “It’s Time”?
It’s simplistic, apparently it’s also the title of a song by the band Imagine Dragons, and was once even used as a slogan by a federal political party for an ad campaign.
But this is no rip-off.
While perusing the Roughriders’ roster on their website for 2013 training camp in Saskatoon, the term “it’s time” kept popping up in my head as I scanned the list of names.
Why? Here let me show you:
IT’S TIME: Quarterback Darian Durant emerged as a starter in the 2009 season and led his team to two Grey Cup appearances (2009 and 2010). Both were losses. And now after the team’s struggles the past two seasons, it’s time to get back to the Grey Cup on Durant’s back, and to finally win it with #4 as the starter.
IT’S TIME: Slotback Chris Getzlaf was the top Canadian receiver in the CFL West last year and trailed only Andy Fantuz by 113 yards for tops in the league. Still, Getzlaf was afflicted with the dropsies and even got booed at home in an August home game. “I deserved it,” the humble Regina product said at the time. It’s time for Getzlaf to emerge from the shadows and take a shot at the league receiving title. He can do it and everybody knows it.
IT’S TIME: Speaking of receivers, Geroy Simon comes to Saskatchewan with a lot to prove after the BC Lions made the decision he is over-the-hill this winter. The CFL’s greatest receiver only wanted to end his career in one place; Saskatchewan. It’s time for him to redeem himself.
IT’S TIME: Sorry, but I like to talk offence so we’ll do one more receiver. It seems wideout Rob Bagg has been around forever but he’s still only 28 years old! The Queen’s product has huge-play potential but his career has been marred by blown-out knees and broken collarbones. It’s time he stays healthy and gets back to embarrassing defensive backs on a weekly basis. He agrees.
IT’S TIME: The Rider pass- rush has been much-maligned since the departure of the John Chick and Stevie Baggs pairing in 2009 when the duo wreaked havoc on the league. Oddly enough the pair didn’t even get along! However DE Tearrius George returns to the lineup in 2013 and as he said this week, “Hey I led the team in sacks last year!” Who knew? With newcomers Ricky Foley and Jermaine McElveen, along with George, it’s time the Riders’ front is feared again.
IT’S TIME: This is a simmering situation here in the 306 and likely not known, or cared about, anywhere else but it revolves around safety Craig Butler. The London, ON product started 13 games as a rookie at safety in 2011 and was a playmaking machine. Killing quarterbacks, scooping fumbles and picking off stray passes, he looked like a future Hall of Famer. However in 2012 he rarely saw the field and his frustration nearly bubbled over. It’s time he becomes the impact, regular player he knows he can be. He just needs a chance.
IT’S TIME: And lastly, here’s one for the pairing of head coach Corey Chamblin and GM Brendan Taman. Chamblin’s in his second year in charge but is still the youngest coach in the league. Players say they see a change in him, for the better, days away from his second training camp. He’s calmer, yet more in control. As for Taman, he’s been around this league since 1987 but by rotten luck, has never had the opportunity to raise the Grey Cup trophy. It’s time, finally, for these two to win a championship, together, as the men in charge.
It’s time! Enjoy the season CFL fans.
