TrueBlue4ever

Well, they won with defence last year. Let's see how badly this hurts them.

I would think the better person wouldn't need to make any statement at all in an effort to prove that they are a better person,but whatever. But again, back to my original question in this segue: why does the trash talk get to people? It's only annoying if you let it be annoying, otherwise it's just empty noise. And all fan bases have segments who do it, so what makes the 'Rider priders intolerable where other fan bases are not. I don't need a recap of their behaviour, just trying to piece together why it seems so effective in pushing emotional buttons here.

So, someone who cheers loudly and proudly for their home team is by your definition an annoying person? Then why do you even bother posting on this fan site at all, since it's home to some of the loudest and proudest fans around? Or is it only fans of opposing teams that are annoying? And your statement "I know what kind of fan I am and don't need to throw it in anyone's faces" is essentially trying to throw it in other's faces that you are a better fan. It reads as "I know I'm better than them because I don't need to rah-rah in people's faces" and yet you complain openly about their in your face fandom even though you supposedly are above all that. You feel the need, it seems, to call out the "Canada's team" label, not because you've successfully argued that it's a bunch of B.S., but because it gets under your skin (which is precisely the reaction the most truly annoying are going for - don't take the bait because it exposes the very inferiority complex that gives them the justification to proclaim "we are the best fans because we are superior and those inferior fans know it"). I could tune it out, sure. I have no time for the Canada's Team label, but I'm not "desperate for them" to suffer miserably, "sick of it ad nauseum" or "annoyed to hell" about it, and just was originally wondering what causes that level of "hate with every fibre of my being", especially since it's fuelled by "having lived through a lot of **** as a Bomber fan" (not sure why one leads to the other, unless it's jealousy and inferiority). I was trying to understand why it gets under the skin of so many to such an extent, and if it's anything beyond the relative successes our teams have had in the last decade. And I agree, shoot down the hyperbole, but that's what's lacking here - a coherent argument to shoot down the hyperbole. The only argument against the anointment of them as the "best fans" is "it's annoying" and not "it's completely inaccurate". They have good fans who travel well across the nation, strong ticket base, are very profitable, the best merchandise sales in Canadian sport, and loyal players. Pretty good reasons to proclaim how great your fans are. But so what, we have great fans too. They've had lean times and have suffered with less support, so have we and any other struggling team. The response to it just reminds me of Homer Simpson's grumblings about Ned Flanders: "I don't hate him, I'm just happy to see him fall flat on his butt. He's usually so happy with life and his family and so content with how successful he is, and it makes me feel…what's the opposite of that schaudenfreude thing?" (Lisa) "Sour grapes." I guess, like 17's lack of tolerance with annoying people, I have a low tolerance for arrogance combined with ignorance, which often displays as hypocrisy, and I'd wish for more calmness and maturity from the masses than pettiness and spite. Bomber fans criticizing the way that "in your face" Rider fans act and pretending that they are better than them is the height of arrogance and ignorance. Saying "we don't need to parade our jerseys around and be in your face about it" and then saying "when they fail and everyones jumps off the bandwagon, we'll prove once again that we are TRULY the best fans and deserving of the title that has falsely been given to them" is so begging to be recognized that it reeks of insecurity and inferiority. And hypocritical too. I've been around long enough to see lean Bomber years, and make no mistake, there was an exodus of the bandwagon then too (take a look at the empty stands during the Reinbold years) and sudden resurgence and seeming arrogance (Swaggerville, anyone?) when times got good. We are no better than 'Rider fans during the good times and no worse during the bad, but as fan bases in the CFL go both are pretty rock solid. So for those who get irked by the "in your face" 'Rider fans, let it go and don't let the hype machine eat you up. And for those whose irritation is fuelled by the belief we are better than all that and need them to fail so we can prove it, get over yourselves, because you rent and it's kind of embarrassing to think that. Bu that's just my opinion, I could be wrong.

OK, extreme example to make a generalization from, but fair comment, that is over the top. Can be frustrating to see a fan base take a distinctly Canadian moment and turn it into self-promotion for their own sense of perceived importance. And Bomber fans would never do something that crass. Now let's all sing along to the National anthem - everyone say it with me: "Glorious and free Blue" And while we're at it, during the moment of silence at the Remembrance Day game, let's start the "Let's go Bombers!" chant. Because that's what our fallen soldiers fought for and would want us to do.

...And here's the Rider "fans" we all know and love. This is why I'm desperate for them to go through a bout of Al Ford Years. We'll test out this theory about "Best Fans".......Just curious - do you feel personally threatened by the level of fandom in Saskatachewan? Why does it bother you so much that they have the "best fans" label?Maybe he finds it an obnoxious, and subjective. As well, like most non Rider fans, gets sick of them endlessly telling anyone who will listen? So don't listen, problem solved. Not sure why it's worth getting in a twist over. Rise above, man.

So, inferiority complex basically?

One of the few who didn't pick Cornish last week (not that it helped me get a check mark!), so I'll try him this week.

...And here's the Rider "fans" we all know and love. This is why I'm desperate for them to go through a bout of Al Ford Years. We'll test out this theory about "Best Fans"....... Just curious - do you feel personally threatened by the level of fandom in Saskatachewan? Why does it bother you so much that they have the "best fans" label?

Here are the posts knocking the "classless" Durant and saying "karma": And here are the posts praising the Bombers for the same type of trash talk: I saw that too. What most people didn't see, because I doubt it was on TV, was at the game during player intros, there was a sort of stage area for the players to stand on the field. The rest of the Bombers were doing as they should and watching from their sideline, but Dom Picard was marching around on the field just inside their stage area on the field. Small thing but it looked like he was trying to show the Riders a little disrespect. I loved it! Love it!!

Have to kind of laugh at the posts where we claim that Durant's injury is "karma" for his trash-talking at the start of the game and how classless he is, but then we laud Picard and Moore for exactly the same behaviour when they disrupted the 'Rider introduction. Can't have not both ways, Bomber fans.

Maybe they have fans that are there but not in their seats, like all of the "rum hut" fans at Bomber games who leave their seats empty but clog up the end zone concourse or were down in the corner at the old stadium. I don't imagine that the 'Riders don't need to fudge their attendance stats.

Yeah, while kinda dumb, I could see how this was applied to the Demski catch. He didn't consciously catch the ball and run into his end zone, which is what a safety is really all about. That being said, had that been a Winnipeg player doing the exact same thing, like Veltung, I could see the Riders getting a safety, as the Bombers always seem to be on the wrong end of the grey area penalty/judgement calls. Watched the game tonight. The Demski play as a safety didn't really register with me at the time, but now I would say it was definitely a safety. He caught the ball and saw that his momentum was going to take him out at the 1, so he tiptoed around the pylon, deliberately changing his direction before going out in the end zone. Should have been called a safety based on the change in direction. As for the Adams interception, his knee touched down at the one yard line. Had he been untouched I'll bet they would have allowed his momentum to consider it an end zone INT and placed the ball at the 25, but the 'Rider player had contact when his knee hit. Correct call there. As for the Bombers "always" getting the wrong side of the close calls, that's pure just homerism talking - I hope you don't really believe that. Refs will miss calls, make calls, and make judgements you may not agree with, but they aren't deliberately biased against your team, whatever team your team is. Saskatchewan could have argued that the "close" non-pass interference challenge that didn't go their way was unfair (they'd be wrong, it was good defence) or that the rough play call on the Denmark hit was bogus (they'd have a case there, good shoulder to chest hit there, the lack of wrapping up the tackle with the arms probably cost him the benefit of the doubt). These plays exist in every game and will balance out in the long run. One play I'm curious about was the Willy fumble that Chick ran back for a TD (penalty wiped out the whole play, so not sure how that might have been ruled without the penalty). I know Willy went head first, and the broadcasters said he was touched (not sure about that part), but isn't the play always blown dead once the QB deliberately hits the ground, even if head first? Could have been a big turning point.

So Cornish's 2 point convert run doesn't count for anything, right?

Was #39 in central scouting at year's end. Up from #57 mid-season. The Jets know that there are hockey players from outside the USA, don't they?

Wouldn't be surprised if the Jets had pegged Barzal and Konecny as their picks before they got scooped.

The Wheaties Ryan Pilon is still on the board too. Big (6'2", 191 lbs.) left-handed scoring defenceman might be the ticket.

Again the pick before the Jets gets swapped. Cost us Barzal last time, wonder if Konecny, Harkins or Merkley go now?

Konecny still on the board. Was ranked #14 (right behind Connor). Too undersized right now? 5'10" and 175 lbs. Sportsnet talking him up a bit.

OK, scratch Svechnikov. I worry that if Detroit got him, he will be very good. They know how to draft quality Europeans.

OK, 2 names I have seen linked to the Jets on mock drafts are Nick Merkley and Svechnikov. Any opinions? Or do we push for that left-handed defence man?

And we did take Conner. Ranked as high as 6 at one point by Craig Button, think he hit #11 in central scouting..

There is a draft guy on nhl.com who said Brazal would have been in the top 5 discussion with Strome and Marner if not for his dislocated kneecap.

Boston now has the #13, 14 and 15 picks in the draft, plus a solid goalie in Jones they could move. Maybe a play to trade Jones and picks to the Leafs for #4?

You stay classy San Diego.

Way too much.That's what you call a rapin' right there...hell, any 2 of those 3 is too much....Just the picks from us would be a rapin' going the other way. It would never be enough. I wouldn't like to see both picks and Byfuglien go for #3, but it is probably the asking price for the deal to happen. If we gave up just the picks it would be a huge steal for us. Byfuglien and one pick, we still win the trade. Maybe Buff, Burmi and one pick? But if Buff goes, then pretty much a lock that we take Hanafin as we'd need a defensive replacement. I would love to see a play for Strome, maybe offer both picks (and Burmi?) for Carolina's #5, but Strome may go to the Leafs at #4. I also hear rumblings that Ivan Provorov may be the best d-man in the draft as a sleeper pick. We shall see.