Outstanding CFL game on Saturday in Regina; too bad everyone’s talking about the rumble at the end of the second quarter instead of the Lions’ thrilling 37-34 win. Roughriders’ GM Eric Tillman not only took exception with the actions of B.C. linemen Rob Murphy and Sherko Haji-Rasouli, he also accused Wally Buono of fostering on-field thuggery. Here’s how I see it:
• Haji-Rasouli should be suspended for one game by the CFL. He threw two punches and at least one knee at the Riders’ Scott Schultz, who, according to Haji-Rasouli, was taking liberties with quarterback Jarious Jackson in the pile following a Jackson fumble. Haji-Rasouli normally plays the game the right way and has no history of such incidents, but he crossed the line on Saturday.
• At minimum, Rob Murphy should be fined for his role in the dustup because of his recent track record. Murphy now has four unnecessary roughness penalties and one ejection in twelve games this season and the CFL has to crack down on repeat offenders. If that league can prove that Murphy pinned John Chick by the throat (as Tillman claims) instead of the upper chest, the punishment should be a suspension. It might be permissible in UFC, but you can’t have guys trying to choke out their opponents in football.
• Let’s not forget about the officials. Refereeing is the toughest gig in sports, but the zebras handled the situation like Mark McGwire handled Congress. The referees didn’t penalize the main culprit (Haji-Rasouli) and threw Cory Rodgers out of the game for trying to police the pile. Not since the OJ trial has such overwhelming evidence been so publicly botched.
• As for Tillman’s claims that Buono promotes illegal actions from his o-line, it’s absurd. Coming into this contest, the Lions offensive line had a total of five unnecessary roughness penalties in 11 games. The Roughriders had five roughing the passer calls against them in the same number of contests, and that’s excluding the non-call on the Fred Perry hit that still has Dave Dickenson sidelined. Should Buono accuse Tillman and head coach Kent Austin of targeting the CFL’s top quarterbacks?
The Scott Rintoul: Mix equal parts college athlete, sports fan and broadcaster. Shake vigorously. Serve chilled Monday-Friday on the TEAM 1040 from 6-9 a.m. or online atthetoulbox.blogspot.com
• Got a beef? E-mail me at scott.rintoul@metronews.ca
