The Premiers, Members of Parliament and Mayors all have bets but CBC News anchors? It’s insanity! The bet is simple loser wears the other teams jersey for a broadcast and will no doubt the lowest ratings of the year. BTW, CBC Saskatchewan News Anchor Costa Maragos’ has a pretty sharp Kerry Joseph jersey there, wonder how he got is hands on that?

How to beat the Riders:

On O: Throw it. When the Bombers played the Riders, and played them better than every other CFL team, they passed. With Kevin Glenn out, all the talk has been about Charles Roberts running the ball but Ryan Dinwiddie just has to get the ball near Milt and co. The Riders biggest weakness all year has been its defensive backfield. If the Bomber coaching staff is smart (and we believe they are) they’ll play action pass all night long. Terrence Edwards, Derick Armstrong and old Milty are all-stars and the Bomb Squad should be just that.

On D: Pressure Kerry Joseph and keep him in the pocket. The Riders are at their best when they have the defence guessing. That means keeping the defence on their toes with the run, pass option. If Kerry Joseph is made into a pocket passer, he’s not as effective. With Kyries Hebert and Barrin Simpson, the Bombers have the players to spy Joseph.

How to beat the Bombers:

On O: The Riders need to have to keep the Bombers fantastic d-line away from Kerry Joseph. Wes Cates will have to be effective. Joseph will need to be a thrower and a runner and play like the MOP. The Riders have been field goal happy in the playoffs but with an inexperienced QB on the other side they’ll need to score TD’s. More points = more pressure on Dinwiddie.

On D: Turn the Bombers over. The Riders beat the Lions by turning the ball over and turning it into points. Beyond that the Riders have to limit Charles Roberts along the ground and find a way to get through the tough Bomber o-line to Mr. Dinwiddie.

Who has the edge?

Offence

Riders – This seems obvious because of Glenn’s absence but it’s a lot closer. The Bombers have a better running back and better receivers. The Blue Bomber o-line is the stingiest in the league as well. The Riders get the edge because of the player getting the ball to his weapons is the league’s MOP.
Defence

Bombers – Barrin Simpson is a tackling machine ad the Bombers defensive line is very good. The Riders have a great front seven but only Eddie Davis to anchor an inexperienced backfield. The Riders shut B.C. down last week and need to repeat that performance.

Specialty Teams

Riders -Luca Congi has been the Riders scoring leader in the post season and Jamie Boreham was pretty good punting last week. Troy Westwood has had a rough season and this is no doubt his last game. Keith Stokes changed last week’s game and has the ability to go the distance every time. Corey Holmes is a solid but not spectacular returner.

Coaching

Tie – We’ll jam out here. Kent Austin has impressed everyone in the league this year and won coach of the year before the playoffs. Austin has one of the most experienced staff’s in the league to help him. Doug Berry has done a great job getting the Bombers to where the are and Greg Marshall is a very solid defensive coordinator.
Intangibles

Riders – Our guess is that the crowd is pro-Riders although that shouldn’t bother the Bombers too much. Saskatchewan has a 18 year Cup drought, Winnipeg has a 17 year Cup drought. The Bombers have motivation of being the underdog and winning it for Milt and Troy. The Riders saw the zaniness at the airport last week and seem like a very focused team.

Edge: Riders. Everyone is predicting a Rider grey Cup win and some are even saying it won’t be close – we strongly disagree. This is the Grey Cup! Two storied franchises with rabid fan-bases , the all-prairie Cup won’t be a blowout. The Bombers are a great team with weapons on both sides of the ball. If Ryan Dinwiddie can avoid mistakes the Bombers can win. The Riders have a solid all-around team and have had a great year from start to finish. They need to control the Bombers weapons and force Dinwiddie into a couple early mistakes. It will be a nail biter.

Score prediction: Saskatchewan 22, Winnipeg 17

With the “Who is Ryan Dinwiddie” talk dominating Grey Cup week we thought we’d post this video of a much younger Kerry Joseph. The Riders number 4 is wearing number 7 but throwing for six. Joseph was a standout QB at McNeese State where he set records and won awards. After watching the video we want to know who Terrence Davis is – the kid can play.

How in the world was this guy able to film the Riders inside the helmet? Someone was not doing their job. Regardless it’s a great NFL Films style look at the Roughrider players before their home playoff game against the Calgary Stampeders. Kitwana Jones is the one you can clearly hear and he wants to be let loose.

It was a west division sweep last night at the Rogers CFL Player Awards in Toronto. Kerry Joseph took home the night’s biggest prize as Most Outstanding Player. The B.C. Lions will not get the Grey Cup but they apparently have the best Rookie and Defensive player – Cameron Wake, Canadian – Jason Clermont, – Offensive lineman Rob Murphy and Special Teams Player – Ian Smart.

Joseph is the first Rider to win the award since Ron Lancaster in 1976, the year the Riders won errr… forget it. He is also the first ex-Renegade to win the award and the first ex-NFL safety to win.

-photo courtesy kerryjoseph.com

Today, we bring you Grey Cup unknown Ryan Dinwiddie. Is he a hero in waiting or will he be waiting tables? We’ve found 11 groups dedicated to Mr. Dinwiddie so far. Membership (is growing) in italics. Here’s a taste:

• The Ryan Dinwiddie Fan Club. 46.
• Quite few folks hoping Dinny can “Get’r Done”. 527.
• There’s room on the band wagon. 17.
• They’ve got Dinwiddie fever and the only prescription is…a cup. 10.
• We’re not familiar with this math equation: Dinwiddie = Grey Cup. 71.
• He “CAN” do it. 92.
• This wagon is filling up. 198.
• Everyone loves the backup QB. 43.
• Predicting some hardware. 124.
• More people who thing Ryan “can” do it. 15.
• Dinwiddie and an expletive. 272.

“Shucks, Saskatchewan, Winnipeg? Man, there’ll be so many cows and horses and I’m about to buy some stock in Molson because they’re not going to have enough beer out there.” Blue Bombers receiver Milt Stegall to The Canadian Press.

“In many ways this experience will shape his career depending on if he performs well on Sunday or he implodes.” TSN’s Chris Schultz on Bomber QB Ryan Dinwiddie.

“Winnipeg is known for its vibrant culture. Saskatchewan is known for Dick Assman and Brent Butt, a pair of celebrities only a proctologist could love.” Winnipeg Free Press columnist Bartley Kives.

“We could play the Sister of Mary’s School for the Blind . . . all I want is to get my ring.” Rider O-lineman and former Bomber Mike Abou-Mechrek  in the Regina Leader-Post.

“That’s the coolest thing in the world to me. For a Prairie boy, it’s a dream come true really. It’s such an honour. I feel so lucky to be part of the first Grey Cup that sees the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers facing each other. It’s such a neat thing, it’s something that people in Manitoba and Saskatchewan will remember forever and ever.” Bomber kicker Troy Westwood to CanWest.

“It should be a little bit like the Clampetts coming to town, so it should be good. I’m one of them, so I can say that.” Riders quote machine Scott Schultz in the National Post.

“If the Bombers end up losing, we’re never going to be able to forget it whenever we cross the border. And vice versa.” Former Bomber kicker Bob Cameron in the National Post.

and the last words to The Globe and Mail’s Stephen Brunt:

“To be in the company of ‘Rider fans is to be reminded why you ever gave a damn about a team, about a player, about a uniform, in the first place. Not sports marketing or game presentation or brand loyalty, but our guys versus their guys, joy and agony experienced in the company of those who share a place, a background, and a passion.”

This one is a little longer but it has some reaction from the players.

How to beat the Riders:

This is actually very cut and dry for the Stampeders – take out the crowd. If Henry Burris can get an early lead it will greatly increase his nteams chances of negating a blood thirsty Rider crowd. The Stamps have to attack the Riders with Joffrey and Henry along the ground to open up the pass against a weak Rider secondary. On D, the Stamps need to contain Kerry Joseph’s legs and take away Andy Fantuz.

How to beat the Stamps:

The Riders need to get in Henry’s head. He’s had two straight playoff meltdowns so he’ll be worried about faltering again. The Riders need to eat up the clock to keep the Stamps off the field. Using every weapon at KJ’s disposal will also help the Riders get a win.

Who has the edge?

Offence

Stamps – The Riders boast the odds on league MOP (sorry Hank) but KJ is without two major weapons in matt Dominguez and Wes Cates. Henry Burris has Joffrey Reynolds and a four dangerous receivers.

Defence

Riders – The Stamps d has been one of the league’s sloppiest crews and the Riders are near the bottom against the pass. The Riders get the nod based on experience and their linebackers. Calgary also changed its scheme to 4-3 only a few weeks ago.

Specialty Teams

Riders – Sandro DeAngelis gets the nod over Luca Congi and the punting is a saw off. The Riders hold the advantage in the return game with fan fav Corey Holmes.

Coaching

Riders – The Saskies have a rookie head coach but one of the most experienced staffs in the league. The Stamps fired their OC a few weeks ago. Tom Higgins has won a Cup but the Riders get the slight edge.

Intangibles

Riders – The best fans in the league have been waiting 19 years for this day. Nuff said.

Edge: Riders

Score prediction: Saskatchewan 20, Calgary 18