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WE KNOW NOTHING!

Clueless..... no idea.

We have an excuse--  weren't able to see the game.

Didn't glean any value from traditional coverage or the spin dispensed by the Riders.


Pretty much, worthless, one-armed paper hangers-- out here in Dilke-- without access to video documentation.

No pre-season Calgary game to comment on? 

No worries.........  Let's rewind a week and windup on certain media football expert's counter opinions on the RT situation.

Tuned into The Green Zone Monday, June 17, 2013 on a value check. No blue light specials--- no unexpected bummer; just mind blowing buffoonery!

Jamie Nye:  "Is there a big question number 2 on Thursday Rob?"

Rob Vanstone:  "Right tackle, I think that's a huge question. Not only who's going to be that player but is it an import or a non-import and if it's an import and they go with Valdez how does that effect other situations that we've already referenced such as the excess of receivers and the wealth of talent in the defensive backfield and even the linebackers or if you look at the defensive line how to you work Jermaine McElveen in there as potentially an extra defensive lineman him being an American there's so many things that ratio-wise are issues and one of them is dependant upon who they choose as a right tackle."

JOEL GASSEN:  "Well there's certainly situations where we have to look at that there annna I know Ben Heenan didn't look superb in that game he wasn't as good there as he was at a guard but let's be fair that's the first time at a pro level he's ever played that position they still had him out there doing some right tackle again today so is clearly the coaching staff saw something in the film that we don't see 'cause ya know we're not coachesss so clearly there's something that they're happy with what Ben Heenan did that they're giving him another chance to try to work through it and I don't see why not the kid is probably capable of doing it ya gotta give him some time ta get comfortable andt maybe it'll work out at, the biggest winner of all this whole thing is now, a lotta people have been dumping on Paddy Neufeld saying he's the worst player on that offensive line well all of a sudden "GOLDEN CHILD" Ben Heenan comes in an' he can't handle it as well as Paddy could."

NYE:  "aaa Pat Neufeld UHHH well the way he worked an' there's one day where we were a allowed kinda into a, a meeting room because their schedule was all outta WHACK so they served the media lunch well guess who the LAST TWO GUYS outta the film room were uhhhh fer the offensive line it was Paddy Neufeld and Brendan Labatte were still sitting there uhhhh just goin' through film an' Pat Neufeld obviously leaning on Labatte for advise an' everything else but he works hard and he's smart and all the offensive linemen really RESPECT how smart he is an' how great of a player he's become since of course comin' down from the University of Saskatchewan as a FIFTH ROUNDER for the Riders that's payed off big time...."
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Value or not?........ Up to you kind readers to decide.

We thought Vanstone did a really nice job of raising relevant points and considerations. Well spoken, organized and brought the threads to a point. A+

After that.... and, we haven't actually seen the movie but best to lean on two Abraham Lincoln quotes. 

1st:   "How many legs does a dog have; if you call the tail a leg?
         Four. Calling a tail a leg doesn't make it a leg."

2nd:  "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove          all  doubt."
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In a related vein. 

We  enjoyed certain Sportscage luminaries jumping all over, shredding the amatuer and oblivious Mitchel Blair's, beyond clueless, suggestion on the CKRM pre-game show that #66 Chris Best could be on the bubble and outta Riderville. Refer to Honest Abe quote #2. As they  accurately pointed out-- #66 Best is an elite CFL guard.

The Society wishes to acknowledge and thank the microphone truth speaking and bonafide credible football experts, for sparing us the bother.

Who is it that selects the Players Of The Week, All-Star teams and the Most Outstanding Players, eneways? Casts a pall on the validity of that entire scene.

OK. Here's the heads up......Things are about to get "WESTERN" here.

Gonna separate the wheat from the chaff. Content from this point on, is intended for only those who wanna get hard core about one element of the RT debate and know what's what. 

Gonna further break it down about #53 Neufeld in terms even a C-circuit "Bozo The Clown" carnival barker can comprehend. 


Here's what's good.

 1.  Neufeld has the size, body length and a sufficient level of athleticism to play RT in the CFL. 

 2. He displayed enough courage, smarts, and the willingness to compete and improve last season to warrant further opportunity. 

 3. Not his fault, that prior to last season, he hadn't been exposed to how to play the position with adequate fundamentals and sufficient technique. 

4. Bonus points; Allegedly, Patrick took out Life Insurance. 

Here's what's not good.

1.  He stands accountable that he hadn't, previously, physically developed himself to the level where he could effectively compete. In this era of bigger, stronger and faster athletes; the opportunity to get it done is readily at hand.

Appeared at the end of last season to have a long row to hoe. Without achieving a quantum leap in FUNCTIONAL STRENGTH an extreme cap is placed on his CFL potential. For us, the jury remains out. Apparently, the media at training camp were either unaware of the gravity of the strength issue or they couldn't tell the difference.

2.  By the end of last year's campaign, he got to where he did an adequate job in 7 step drop back protection vs the upfield speed rush, but was too exposed to inside power moves. To be more than a liability-- gotta be able to handle both.

Exposed for three reasons.

1. Not strong enough.

2.  Unable to consistently operate from a leverage body position. (efficient upper body angle, knee bend, etc.)

3. An inadequate muscle memory bank to react efficiently to change direction and alter resistance in reaction to the defenders movement with proper footwork and hand placement with upper body torque.

4. four...four reasons.... not sure it's another reason.. think the hand placement thing had more to do with strength than hand placement.

All of these issues are rectifiable with an extreme, committed off season program and the proper support.

If "Microphone Marvels" want to tell us how hard he works, we want to hear examples of 1 on 1 performance, transcendental deadlifts, bag work, etc., etc., not about watching five extra minutes of film.

Give us a fuckin' break!

Ex EE-- Jed Roberts reported  seeing Sewell over in EE land, bench well over 6 bills last winter.THATS impressive! Not nearly as impressive as five extra minutes on the video monitor;  mind you, but still. 

The reason we chose to break down this particular play is that it reinforces our contention with graphic visual evidence. It wasn't an isolated incident, but a constant last season. 

Also, by this point in the season, #53 had significant opportunity to improve. No weather/ field condition compromises provides an accurate means of assessment.

Hopefully drives the point home regarding the razor thin MARGIN between a bust and a job well done. One late or wrong step, without the strength or savvy to compensate and recover-- and "that's all she wrote".

As of this day, appears it's game on for Ben at RT.  Hopefully we  provide a glimmer understanding of the mammoth challenge plunked down, in front of #65.  

CFL reality for homegrown Hogs. Being asked to perform at multiple positions is inevitable; especially for those down the pecking order who want to stick around.

DISSECTING A SACK VS BC WEEK 19, 2012

Situation-- 1st & 10/ rookie qb/ offense hadn't pissed a drop/ 6:00-- 2nd quarter

Stubler is one of the best DC's in the business when it comes to scheming it up-- to exploit match ups, disguising pressure and having his guys time it up to best advantage. Clearly, #53 and the rookie qb were the two targets of this scheme.

Pre-snap look. 6 vs 6

If it looks like a rat and smells like a rat; we might have us a RAT? 

Have 6 available to block.  W sugars up (think sugar coating on a donut) and Picard declares. Based on position prior to snap-- 5 vs 5. RB and M locked in their eternal tango.

Various vernacular  to describe the scheme; this is one. R to b, T to a, N to c,         Q to -b, W to - c. 

  

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Definitions for those not yet hip. 

(Wanna BAIL?... No worries!... No offence taken..... Gettin' too WESTERN?)

R= Rush End (End to Field, Wide or Strong side) 

     

T=  Tackle on strong side typically aligned in a 3 technique (outside shoulder of G)

  

N= Tackle on weak side typically aligned in a 1 technique (inside shoulder of G)

Q= Quick End (End to Boundary, Short or Weak side) 

(note: Steve Burratto created the terminology R, T, N, Q-- unique to and now universal, last I heard, in the CFL.)

a= gap between C and G on the strong side

b= gap between G and T on the strong side

c= gap outside T on the strong side

-a= gap between C and G on the weak side

-b= gap between G and T on the weak side

-c= gap outside T on the weak side

Great set by #53. The defender hasn't started his first step and #53 has already snapped up and getting his kick step. Can see the ball out, just over #53's shoulder. 

He's gained an advantage and should be in good shape.

Looks good for #53 except for the bend at his waist instead of more bend at the knees and effective upper body angle.(leveraged body position)

The group has 5 vs 5 with all eyes on assignment--  locked in. Check out the focus of the Hog helmets on the visual targets.

Assignments are clear. Up to individual battles and execution from here on out.

#53 is in great position to protect the edge. Unfortunately, the ground to foot relationship (moving feet keeping them close to the ground) is not good. When the eyes tell the feet to adjust the plan, if they are up in the air or the body is out of control it increases the probability of a fall from the tight rope margin of success/ failure.

Right now #53 needs to alter the plan. #99 is  not on an outside speed rush. #53 needs to change direction by weighting and launching off his outside instep and anchor the inside foot and keep it upfield of his outside foot. Then ensure his body is in good leverage position to punch and combat contact.

Oops. Over compensating to account for the upfield speed rush has caused him to drift. 

#53 has dug himself a big hole. The positive is that he got the inside foot back upfield and inside. But, is it too little too late? Some guys, using veteran savvy, strength, 6th sense/ whatever can salvage situations like this. #99 has gained significant advantage. He's taken advantage of #53's lack of body control, poor ground to foot relationship, and poor leverage body position to attack the inside third of #53's body with his outside foot in #53's crotch. With #53's right foot up in the air, his stiff left leg and bent waist; barring intervention from a sniper in the rafters, or possessing the extreme upper body strength to pull off a one hand clutch-- doesn't look good.

In the heat of battle, old bad habits die hard. #53 bends at the waist and drops his head instead of sinking his hips and striking a punch to gain whatever leverage he could based on whatever opportunity where his feet have landed provide. 

This is the truth baring moment. If he'd been quicker to adjust to the defender's movement, had better body control, reaction, and played with leverage (muscle memory) or extreme strength he still had a chance. He was trying to do the right thing and this alone showed amazing progress. The first few outings he'd open his hips to the qb and try to drive the defender toward the pocket, with predictably disastrous results. Instead he attempted to get his inside foot upfield to counter the defenders movement. Too little too late.

The result of catching with no leverage vs striking a punch with leverage. An omeaba block having given up the inside is a long shot. With no technique or mechanical advantage the feeding frenzy is about to begin.

Defender gains the lockout,  #53 gets trucked.

GET THE BALL OFF, KID!!!

Effectively playing Offensive Tackle in the CFL; is an extreme, high degree of difficulty job. 

Scott Schultz said words to the effect, "the further I find myself removed from the game the more I respect and appreciate what the players do"....   We concur! 

  

To those who insist Neufeld's return is the answer at RT; seems a stretch. If he fully accomplished the off season mission mentioned above; maybe in the future? The truth is funny that way-- always reveals itself, eventually. 

Must also point out-- EPIC FAIL at obtaining a viable import Tackle by the personnel crew. At least today. Hopefully they have an ace up their sleeve we haven't heard about in Dilke.

Looks to be game on with #65 Ben Heenan at RT.

GIVE'ER BEN. 

Betty says, " if she were the kind to lay the money down, she'd lay odds, George is gonna scheme it up so you aren't hung out to dry".