Mitchell Blair's blog

The Purolator Tackle Hunger Food Drive goes Saturday at Mosaic Stadium. Rider fans (and Alouette ones too) are being asked to bring a non-perishable food item with them to Saturday's game and drop them off or hand off a cash donation at one of the many drop-off points around the stadium. (Do not give your food to anyone who looks like Rob Vanstone!!)

Rider fans were the best in the CFL last year as they donated almost 44-thousand pounds of food that went to the Regina and District Food Bank. CMON RIDER FANS---REPEAT AS CHAMPS THIS YEAR.

Eric Tillman is not making any public comments on his $1000 fine issued today by the CFL but he is releasing the following statement

Saskatchewan Roughrider General Manager/VP of Football Operations Eric Tillman has released the following statement in response to his league imposed fine.

From the CFL office

Media Statement – Saskatchewan Roughriders GM Eric Tillman Fined

Toronto, ON - (September 26, 2007) - The Commissioner’s Office announced today that it has fined Saskatchewan Roughriders General Manager and VP of Football Operations Eric Tillman $1,000 for publicly making comments disparaging to the B.C. Lions Football Club.

No further comments will be made by the Canadian Football League on this matter.

Have you calmed down yet??? You have every right to be frustrated with your football team but in the moments and hours after a game, there is some venting that needs to be done and once again you have done it. There were plenty of goods and plenty of bads on Saturday.

The goods

Put this Matt Dominguez is out, we are done theory to bed. The Rider offence moved the football and put up 34 points against a good BC defence

I'm sure this will draw a tremendous amount of response---and most of the responses will  likely be of a distinctively negative tone but here goes. While you sit here and dump all over the quarterback, I am here to tell you that one missed pass does not a football game make. Yes, I am going to defend Kerry Joseph. Kerry Joseph had another solid night....he was 23 of 36 for 354 yards with two touchdowns while running for two others, 354 yards without the irreplacable Matt Dominguez...the one that many of you thought would spell the end of the offence when he went down with injury.

Is the two game losing streak a thing of the past?? Are the Riders a first place football team again?? Will this team get back to playing the kind of football we saw to start the season. We will find out Saturday afternoon when the Lions and Riders meet for the last time in the regular season--but likely not the last time this season. Here's what I'll be watching for on the Taylor Field turf

The Riders aren't making wholesale changes in the wake of last Saturday's defeat. In fact, there are only two changes to the 46 man roster for the game against the Lions. Nathan Hoffart and T-J Stancil are out. Sean Lucas and Anton McKenzie are in.

The Rider defence has been getting raked over the coals for their recent play. The guy who is in charge of the defence will be with me tonight on the Drew Remenda Sports Show. Defensive co-ordinator Richie Hall will join me at 605. As always, your calls are welcome

Its now official. The honeymoon is over. I sat down in front of my computer this morning to make sure my fantasy rosters are alright for Sunday's NFL action but decided first to check my e-mail. I knew the Rider nation was angry but I didn't expect to see the amount of mail in my inbox from fans who are disgusted. Here's a sample

In a game that could have very well cemented a home playoff game, the Riders simply looked pathetic for the 2nd straight week. Once again, it was not just one area but many including the work of head coach Kent Austin and assistants that contributed to this. Someone needs to explain why this team is so reluctant to call for challenges. I thought Andy Fantuz had a catch last week that wasn't challenged and two huge plays in the first five minutes went unchallenged which set the tone.