Luc Mullinder’s ProPerspective- Adversity

There’s two ways one can learn how to swim.

First, one can get signed up for lessons and take the process slowly.  One can start in the shallow end where during times of adversity one knows to simply stand up and they’ll find themselves with their feet firmly implanted on the basin of the pool.

Many have taken this route.  The obvious benefits of learning at a deliberate pace and gradually building up enough confidence to jump into the deep end is a path that I was fortunate enough to take.  To this day I’m still impressed with myself that I passed the treading water component of my bronze cross test.

It is definitely the safest way and less stressful course.

The second way one develops the ability to swim is a technique that many of you are all to familiar with.  Sometimes one just gets shoved into the deep end with no life jacket and are left to fend for themselves.  #TrialByFire

It’s the method by which my friend was indoctrinated.  As a little boy, him and his father were at the lake and his dad looked at him and said, “Welp…Time to learn how to swim!” With that proclamation my friend was picked up and tossed into the water.

One learns to tread water at an alarming rate once one realizes that there’s no pool floor and their parental guardian is on the dock laughing hysterically.

This may seem cruel, however my buddy turned out to be a pretty dam good swimmer.

Such is the plight of the Dlinemen in Riderville.

Heading into Week 3, the young Saskatchewan Roughrider Defensive Line is being indoctrinated into the CFL via a learning curve that consists entirely of the second method regarding learning how to swim and includes ZERO benefits of the first!

During their first game against the Toronto Argonauts, the Green and White Defensive Front flashed some bright spots against an Oline that featured two of the best Offensive Tackles in the Eastern Conference.  It was an educational first outing that didn’t allow for any life-saving floatation devices.

Now, with Friday’s game on the horizon, Saskatchewan’s fledgling Defensive Line is getting tossed into the deep end against the big, mean, and experienced Offensive Linemen of the Defending Grey Cup Champions.  There are no life jackets, no instructors to hold them up, and no holding onto the edges of the pool…The Green and White wouldn’t want it any other way!!!

Learning how to swim the waters of professional football isn’t a process that affords one the opportunity to learn slowly.  The thirst for competition vastly outweighs the concern for whether one is “ready” or not.  Every game is a cannonball into the deep end because every team features the best athletes in the world.

In order for the Saskatchewan Roughriders to become serious contenders in the Western Division this team, especially its Defensive Linemen, needs to learn to swim quickly with the best that this league has to offer.  There is no better test than the Edmonton Eskimos and their guys upfront.

Going up against players like Matt O’Donnell and Simeon Rottier, one will quickly learn that TECHNIQUE is the breaststroke through an oncoming wave.  Guys like Corvey Irvin and AC Leonard need to experience what it’s like using one’s extreme athleticism as an added benefit rather than utilizing it as a first resort.  The opponents that they’re lining up against will require both, but with a harmonious balance.

Despite the waters depth at this point, this group does have one thing going for them.  They’re not alone.  They are going through this process together; as brothers.  Every time treading water becomes difficult there will be someone next to them going through the same adversity.  That in itself is a life preserver!

Friday’s game against the Edmonton Eskimos represents the toughest test in the CFL for the Defensive Front of the Saskatchewan Roughriders.  One may look at this as a harsh go-round so early in the season but this is going to reap huge benefits in the long run.

Learning to swim the toughest waters early creates the steeled-jaw mentality that teams need in the latter stages of the season.

It’s a process.  And one that every great team has to go through.