Riders Have the CFL Right Where They Want Them

The more I thought about it, the more it seemed both unlikely and likely. We all pondered if the Saskatchewan Roughriders, having lost any chance to host a home playoff game, would go into a cocoon to rebuild and emerge as a Grey Cup contender in time for the playoffs.

Having taken that approach, and knowing that Saskatchewan has the most rabid football fans outside of Texas, the Riders knew to sell this approach; they had to show there was demonstrable progress as the playoffs came closer. A win or two would be icing on the gravy, but would the real bottom line would be to evaluate the entire roster and determining which players was able to step up and contribute?

So the big step was bringing back Kerry Joseph after the Tino Sunseri/Seth Doege experiment was a resounding failure. It cannot be understated when I say how incredible Joseph’s performance at the age of 41 has been. Though he was not in complete game shape, had not seen a training camp and suddenly force learning the playbook, Joseph gave the Riders a credible half against Edmonton and three quarters against Calgary.

I looked at the replay of the game and you could see where Joseph was getting tired, his passes fell short of the target or were overthrown and intercepted. It could be argued in the fourth quarter the Riders got away from a promising running game by having Joseph throw but on further review, look at it like the Riders were taking Joseph on a test drive.

The Riders wanted to see if Joseph’s arm was up for four quarters, and the dictates of the game with Calgary coming back almost demanded more throwing, so having him continue to throw makes sense. But then if the Riders were looking to seal the win, going back to the running game to take time off the clock and slow down the Calgary momentum was definitely the way to go.

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This is where it gets interesting. The Riders have a bye week and a chance to heal up. The coaches will be shut off in a room reviewing film and player evaluations. If Darian Durant’s elbow continues to come around, he will dress and perhaps even start against Edmonton on November 8.

In the meantime, I expect Kerry Joseph to look at film, work out in the gym and throw the ball to any receiver or running back still around this week before the Riders return next week. At this point the scenario that makes the most sense to me is have Joseph start one half and then Durant the other.

The game will mean nothing, because the Riders are not going through the west for the playoffs, and the Riders will want to see Durant see some game time with his receivers and see how the team responds. Durant will need a complete offensive line operating at peak level in order to keep first Edmonton’s defense off his back, then Toronto and Montreal.

What Joseph has done in two games is show that the Rider receiving corps can be useful although the running game continues to be a work in progress. The starting backs seem to be Anthony Allen, with Jerome Messam contributing in stretches and at tight end. If the Riders can get some of their Canadians off the injury list like Neal Hughes and Levi Steinhauser, the Riders can improve their special team’s coverage.

The defense showed signs of further breaking down in their coverage and run defense, which is either a sign of being too tired from being out on the field for so long, or in some cases, just sloppy play. The Edmonton game should see a greater emphasis on run defense, but when the Riders go east, they will have to be at their absolute peak when it comes to pass defense.

The Riders will have to experiment with their defensive pressures, looking to capitalize on the match-ups that will present themselves in the playoffs. Expect to hear of a few player changes as the Riders get some last minute evaluations in, possible at defensive back, maybe a linebacker, and definitely a receiver.

The Riders have definitely progressed in the last two games, but the outstanding issue will be their mental state of mind or focus. On the one hand, the Riders don’t really need the game against Edmonton, but if they don’t break the losing habit, they could very well be one and done in the playoffs.

So right now the Riders are inventorying their weapons for the playoffs. Last year the Riders had definite game plans for BC and then Calgary in the playoffs and they didn’t tip their hand in their last game against Edmonton. Expect the same to continue.

So would the appearance of Darian Durant swing things around? Considering the conjecture of the effect his is absence in the huddle, the answer appears to be maybe. It all depends on whether Durant can contribute offensively to perhaps 80 per cent of his ability.

The intangible is leadership and you have to think that if the team sees Durant give his all, they will be motivated to do all they can to keep him upright and keep their chances of repeating alive. What is interesting is that Joseph has stepped up to provide the stop-gap leadership the team needs and if Durant is unable to go the distance, then Joseph can step in.

The trick with Joseph is recognizing his limits. Even if Durant does not dress for the Edmonton game, I want to suggest something radical. IF Joseph seems like he is slowing down with his passes, put in Tino Sunseri. Sunseri does better coming off the bench and if his performance is best as a relief pitcher, then he provides something else for teams to worry about.

That requires a deft touch for ongoing evaluation of players during a game, something the Riders have been rather ham-handed about. This bye has come at a good time to allow for coaches to evaluate not just the players as they put together a playoff roster, but their own performances as well. Half the Rider Nation feels the season is over, the other half is holding on to hope that a miracle can happen in the playoffs.

I prefer to be practical and try to figure out what they are doing and why. If that evaluation matches somewhat what they doing, then when the playoffs begin, all bets are off.

So this week we start with Hamilton at Ottawa – the last regular season game for the Redblacks and following the Hamilton implosion against Toronto, something of a must need win for Hamilton just to make things interesting.  Ottawa’s lack of a deep threat and erratic quarterbacking has basically doomed this team – they are not on the same page and lack enough guns to push through for 60 minutes. Hamilton has the guns and they have the motivation. Ottawa wins if emotion carries the day, Hamilton wins because they have more talent and don’t have Henry Burris 23-18.

Winnipeg at Calgary – This is a game that means absolutely nothing except for injuries. Calgary remembers what happened a year ago when they played BC and blew out the interior of their defensive line. They have nothing to play for here except staying healthy. Winnipeg got their offensive line blown up last week and Drew Willy may be considering renegotiating his contract to add combat pay for the hits he is taking. Winnipeg has tanked beautifully and has nothing but pride to play for. This is will be interesting to see if the Bombers rise to the occasion for their coach as they play for their jobs next season. Calgary 26-Winnipeg 20.

BC at Edmonton – this is the second of two games played by these teams and Edmonton won the first game. If BC has any hope of finishing second, they need to win this one. The problem is the status of Kevin Glenn, who was taken off the field last week and whose status will be determined later on in the week.  If Glenn is unable to start, then John Beck takes over and this game will be kind of an exhibition as the Lions will go vanilla and wait for the western semi-final. Edmonton will be looking to tune up for the western semi-final and want to send a message, but if BC does not field a full team, will anyone be listening? Edmonton 22-BC 20.

Toronto at Montreal – This is the big game of the week, with Toronto taking the advantage over Hamilton for one of two playoff spots. Montreal has the other, and a Toronto win would put them into the driver seat for the playoffs. The problem is Montreal is on a roll and they are playing at home where they are hard to beat this year. This will be a heavyweight match with an emphasis on capitalizing on mistakes. Montreal’s defense probably gives them a slight advantage – Montreal 24-Toronto 23.