Riderville Monday Morning Quarterback Report February 21

So the offensive line will be looking something like Hudson at centre, Gene Makowsky and Chris Best at guard, Roger Goodspeed and Alex Gauthier at tackle. Well, something like that anyway because it is February and a lot can happen between now and training camp. Chris Parenteau will figure into the mix somewhere here, and the thing about football I love is that it is settled on the field, not on paper, so we will see who stands up in training camp.

Of course, to get to training camp, you have to next go through the CFL draft and the draft evaluation camp is coming up. Marc Mueller, Ron Lancaster's grandson and current quarterback of the University of Regina Rams, and Brenden Owens, slotback, will be at the camp along with a host of others.

The Riders have the sixth overall pick in the first round, the seventh pick in the second round, no picks in the third round, seventh in the fourth round, no fifth round pick and seventh in the sixth round.

I would think the Riders would go with an offensive lineman, although they have a lot of young prospects waiting like Nick Hutchins and Dan Clark. The Riders may also want to look at running back, but this years CFL draft is kind of light on quality running backs, at least from where the Riders are drafting. The Riders may also look at a wide receiver or another receiving prospect to help fill in for the absence of Andy Fantuz, or if they get lucky, uncover some receiver who might be good for filling in when the Ottawa CFL franchise conducts its draft a couple of years of now.

At first I thought the Riders would also look at a kicker, but it appears now the Riders will be going with Eddie Johnson handling all the duties until Luca Congi comes back from his leg injury, assuming of course that all goes well. Johnson was a bit reluctant handling the field goal duties last year, but presumably with an offseason to get into the swing of things, he will feel much more comfortable, especially as it becomes clear this won't be a full time thing until Congi comes back.

Which means the possibility of former Rider punter Jamie Boreham coming back is not there. Boreham was released by the Toronto Argonauts and Boreham, who was a football player masquerading as a punter, was noted for his hits and could do some placement kicking, but injuries seem to have taken their toll on him.

The Riders signed defensive end Terrarius George, formerly of the Calgary Stampeders, who may be the missing link to line up opposite Brent Hawkins at the other defensive line. The Riders definitely need a better pass rush, although considering they lost John Chick and Stevie Baggs, they did well to cover their rush with a variety of formations and blitzes.

John Chick is still in Indianapolis and may come back, depending on how the NFL lockout works and when the teams come back. Reading the opinions of those south of the border, the latest the NFL can start their season and have the games mean something would be November, which again would mean an abbreviated camp starting in October. So if we were to speculate on if/when John Chick or Andy Fantuz comes back, I'd say the last week of October, which may work out nicely for a playoff drive.

I don't know much about George, he seems to have been platooned and he has tried the NFL a few times, which seems like he has the ability to at least get a sniff there. I would like to see the Riders sign a few defensive ends prior to training camp, but I wouldn't expect much until after the NFL collective bargaining agreement falls apart in March.

There is a rumor former Rider QB Steven Jyles may be on the trading block by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Jyles may be going back to Edmonton, who will likely release Jason Maas this week and are trying to peddle their third string quarterback. Eskimo GM Eric Tillman likes Jyles and adding him would probably solidify Edmonton's quarterback situation, but you have to ask why Winnipeg would trade Jyles considering Buck Pearce's injury history. But apparently they were content with the play of their back up quarterbacks after Pearce and Jyles went down with injuries.

Edmonton has a mass of draft picks, and this would help Winnipeg build up its Canadian content if they can swing a deal. But the problem with Edmonton is they are also sorely lacking in draft picks.

The Rider schedule is out:

PRESEASON:
FRI JUNE 17, EDM @ SK 7 PM
WED JUNE 22, SK @ BC 8 PM
REGULAR SEASON:
SUN JULY 3, EDM @ SK 5 PM
SAT JULY 9 MTL @ SK 2 PM
SAT JULY 16 SK @ HAM 2 PM
SUN JULY 24 SK @ MTL 5 PM
SAT JULY 30 CGY @ SK 7:30 PM
FRI AUG 5 SK @ BC 8:30 PM
FRI AUG 12 CGY @ SK 7 PM
THURS AUG 18 SK @ TOR 5:30 PM
SUN SEPT 4 WPG @ SK 2 PM
SUN SEPT 11 SK @ WPG 2 PM
SAT SEPT 17 TOR @ SK 2 PM
SAT SEPT 24 BC @ SK 2 PM
SAT OCT 1 SK @ CGY 2 PM
MON OCT 10 SK @ EDM 2:30 PM
SUN OCT 16 BC @ SK 2 PM
FRI OCT 21 SK @ CGY 7:30 PM
SAT OCT 29 HAM @ SK 1 PM
FRI NOV 4 SK @ EDM 7 PM

So plan your weddings and family weekends accordingly!

by Riderville

Riderville Monday Morning Quarterback Report February 21

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