Despite Riders' latest loss, QB Brett Smith impresses fans
Saskatchewan now has 0-7 record, but some see hope in 23-year-old pivot
The Riders' terrible season continued on Saturday with their seventh straight loss, but if there was one silver lining, it might have been quarterback Brett Smith.
Fans of the Green and White were lambasting the team after the penalty-strewn 30-26 loss to the Toronto Argonauts. A fourth-quarter collapse left the Riders with an 0-7 record.
However, many people saw flickers of greatness in the team's new No. 1 quarterback Brett Smith, despite an interception that resulted in a touchdown for the Argos.
I can't tell you how privileged I am to play for you. Love y'all.- Brett Smith tweets out his thanks to fans
Smith, who took over as lead pivot after first Darian Durant and then Kevin Glenn were injured, said he has his teammates to thank for his generally well-received showing.
"I'm happy the guys rallied around me," he said following the game.
"It felt like everybody on the offence and the defence was just yelling saying 'Stay up, don't worry about that' and you know, 'Continue to play and we're behind you.'"
Brett Smith is well deserving of the starting QB job. Well done buddy! Love what I saw tonight! <a href="https://twitter.com/brettsmithqb">@brettsmithqb</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/riderpride?src=hash">#riderpride</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/roughriders?src=hash">#roughriders</a>
—@Melissa65200340#16 Brent Smith. Roughriders future QB. One hell of an athlete.
—@BadgerPatriotThanks Rider fans for all the kind words the last couple days. I can't tell you how privileged I am to play for you. Love y'all.
—@brettsmithqbHead coach Corey Chamblin said Smith is still doing "some rookie things out there" but had a generally positive assessment.
"For the most part he's doing some good things and we're pleased to have him," he said.
"He doesn't lack courage and you know that's the one thing about him, he's all out on every down and I think he'll continue to grow."
Plenty of fans have thrown in the towel on the Riders for 2015, but on Twitter, more than a few had kind words for Smith, who was making his second CFL start on the weekend.
"Brett Smith is well deserving of the starting QB job. Well done buddy! Love what I saw tonight!," Melissa Stewart said in a tweet.
Smith responded to the positive notes a day later.
"Thanks Rider fans for all the kind words the last couple days," he said on his Twitter account. "I can't tell you how privileged I am to play for you. Love y'all."
The Riders now have a bye week and next play at home against Calgary on Aug. 22.