The Best Laid Plans of Riders and Fans

So here we are at the end of the season and yes, Darian Durant was throwing on Monday.

Will he be throwing on Saturday?

Monday was considered an extra practice day for the Riders and a fair number of people including yours truly came out to view Darian Durant and how he looked prior to the season ending clash against the Edmonton Eskimos.

When Durant injured his elbow, it was thought he was out for the season, but then reports started that Durant might be back for the season ending finale against Edmonton and definitely in the playoffs. Maybe it was a straw of hope, but Doug Flutie had suffered a similar injury when in the CFL at roughly the same time and made a return.

I think there are a few factors at work here to consider. The Riders are tied with BC for third and both teams will be making the playoffs but there are pros and cons to either going east or west. Calgary will finish first but lost Jon Cornish to concussion although he is supposed to be back for the western final. This is Cornish’s second concussion of the season so let me say Cornish coming back is a maybe.

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The Rider game against Edmonton is the last of the regular season and follows the game Friday night of Calgary at BC. Last year Calgary lost the interior of their defensive line and a wide receiver and we ran over them in the western final. Injuries at this stage of the season can be fatal to one’s championship chances and Calgary may be looking to rotate players through, but as Cornish showed by playing last week, he is a me-first player like most of Calgary and those looking to pad stats will want to play. If they get injured, I like the visitor’s chances in the Western Final.

The three eastern teams battling for two playoff spots also play prior to the Riders. Ricky Ray went down last week against Montreal and may not play against Ottawa. If Toronto wins and Hamilton loses, we will play Toronto, and I like our chances against Toronto without Ray. If Montreal and Hamilton beat the crap out of each other, I also like that scenario and I also like that despite the addition of Nic Grisby by Hamilton, Hamilton has no running game to speak of. Hamilton may be undefeated so far at their new facility, but there comes a time when those shortcomings come home to roost.

So if Calgary beats BC, third place is ours for the taking, but I think the injury report will be more indicative of where the Riders will finish. The Riders even had Taj Smith practicing, but more people like Korrie Williams and the speed he brings to the wide receiver position. The Riders will be further auditioning middle linebackers with an eye towards stopping the run.

Run stopping is the biggest problem the Riders have had in the second half of the season and if they can stop Edmonton’s running game, that will be the last positive sign prior to the playoffs. So where does that leave Darian Durant?

I see Durant getting dressed, but depending on his elbow, not playing all that much unless circumstances dictate. Having Durant in the line-up will force teams to plan against him, but the longer he sits out, like one more game, the more able he will be when it counts in the playoffs. So if the Rider offense operates at a credible level, the defense gets their act together and special teams learn how to tackle, there may be no need for Durant to see the field except maybe at the end of the game in victory formation.

That uncertainty will help the Riders against whoever they face. Teams will have no idea if Durant’s elbow is at 100 per cent effectiveness or not. If Joseph is credible, then teams will have to plan harder to match the Riders.

With this game not meaning anything to Edmonton, there are questions whether Edmonton will go with its full line-up. I can see that, but that opens up the possibility that one hit in the first half will take out Edmonton quarterback Mike Reilly. Take Reilly out, and his style of play makes that more likely, and Edmonton is not the same team.

After seeing Edmonton crush BC, I think the ego level in Edmonton is approaching 1989 levels and they will want to crush the Riders to demonstrate they should be considered the likely western representative in the Grey Cup. I’m less worried about what Edmonton does than what we can do and ensuring we get through the game injury free.

The offensive line will be a topic of concern, depending on whether Brendan LaBatte and Chris Best come back from injury. If they do and they are effective, then the Riders running game moves up a notch which will be crucial in the playoffs.

Is it crucial to win this game? No, because the Riders are looking at the playoffs and getting the right people in the right spots. It would be nice, but what happens Friday night and earlier Saturday before the Rider game is more crucial and may well dictate what course the Riders take in their last game. If the teams above them lose players prior to the playoffs, going west has more incentive. If BC wins, then it doesn’t matter what the Riders do until next weekend.

So what will happen next week?

Ottawa goes to Toronto on Friday for the first game in a game that means a lot for the Argonauts. Toronto needs to win while Ottawa needs a win to salvage some sort of respect from a close but no cigar season. Toronto may be without Ricky Ray which may level the playing field with Ottawa, but Toronto has more talent and more depth  and more importantly, more incentive – Toronto 25- Ottawa 21.

Calgary goes to BC for the second half of the Friday doubleheader. Jon Cornish is out for this game and John Hufnagel likely remembers last year and losing crucial players in a game that means nothing. For BC, there is motivation to win and clinch third place because they do not travel well going out east. However, after losing to Winnipeg, Calgary will be looking to get back in the saddle and prove they deserve to go back to BC in a month’s time to play in the Grey Cup – Calgary 23 – BC 20.

Montreal at Hamilton will likely be the marquee game of the week as Hamilton fights to get into the playoffs after an expected Toronto win on Friday night. Hamilton has no running game, a good defense, while Montreal has a good defense and a sporadic, yet effective passing attack. Montreal does well at home but does not travel relatively well while Hamilton has enjoyed Tim Horton’s Field and not lost there yet. Hamilton despite their faults has motivation for this game and the chance to knock off Toronto is just too good to pass up. Expect a close one – Hamilton 22 – Montreal 21.

Edmonton at Saskatchewan closes things up and while the Riders will play things close to the chest right up to kick off, I think Kerry Joseph will start the game. As I mentioned, the result will not be important, but how the team performs will be more important. I’d be happy with a close loss, although a win preferably against Edmonton starters would be better. Edmonton has more invested in this and just remember, the games mean more next week – Edmonton 25 – Saskatchewan 20.