Stagefright Costs Riders Grey Cup berth

Other than two weeks ago in the western semi-final when Calgary was an ice-box, the temperatures were actually pretty good in the west, and I am curious at how Calgary is responding to their team not being in the big dance.

The irony of Collaros facing his former team, who knocked him out on the third play of the first game of the year, makes for a compelling story line, but the real question to decide Grey Cup 107 is how well the Winnipeg defense can stop the Hamilton receiving corps.

Hamilton’s offense this year offers a variety of weapons including Brandon Banks, and the challenge is deciding how to cover them effectively. Hamilton has speed and they have the inclination to use crossing patterns and picks to get someone into the open. The weather forecast takes some pressure off the Hamilton running game, or what passes for one, to show up and provide some semblance of balance.

While the Bomber defense shut down the Rider offense, they were aided by poor playcalling and an implacable goal post. They were also helped by a quarterback in Fajardo with two torn oblique muscles whose passes were OK, but in some cases not fast enough to seriously hurt the Bombers.

Tommy Condell, who will get some head coach interviews this year, has done a masterful job of running the Hamilton offense, even after Jeremiah Masoli went down with an ACL injury leaving Dane Evans in charge. Evans is part of a new wave of CFL quarterbacks who are getting a chance due to injury and even better, making the most of it.

With Richie Hall running the Bombers defense, the Bombers are likely going to run a bunch of zone defense to force Evans to make reads and perhaps give Winnipeg’s pass rush a chance to get to Evans. I would think that if Evans shows patience, he can move the ball down against Winnipeg, the trick will come inside the 10 yard line if Hamilton has to run the ball and either overthinks their play selection or toss some deep fade passes.

For Winnipeg’s offense, the running game has been their bread and butter, but it appeared in the western final that teams have figured out how to stuff Winnipeg’s running game and are forcing Winnipeg to rely on their passing game to beat them.

Collaros has done well in the western semi-final and final in exploiting man coverages for his receivers and I suspect Winnipeg will once again rely on Collaros threading the needle deep to move the ball against Hamilton. The problem with this is Winnipeg’s receiving corps is not nearly the equal of Hamilton’s and an aggressive man defense on their receiving corps will give Hamilton’s defensive line time to exchange Christmas cards with Collaros in the Winnipeg backfield.

I would like to see Winnipeg win because I am a Richie Hall fan and I admire Collaros for having the perseverence if not the common sense to continue after getting knocked out by Simoni Lawrence. But Winnipeg’s receiving corps is not the equal of Hamilton’s and if the Riders can shut down the Bombers running game, anyone can do it.

I think this will be an entertaining game and well the conditions are great for a shoot-out, this is Calgary and the weather can change at the drop of a dime. Bomber fans have claimed all season the Riders have been lucky in their season and playing Hamilton the first game after Masoli gets knocked out is cited, along with the rain delay in Montreal and playing Winnipeg twice without Andrew Harris and Matt Nichols – but Bomber fans lucked out playing a team with a worse receiving corps than theirs – Calgary, and playing a team with a quarterback with two torn oblique muscles and unable to throw harder than a cat chasing a yarn ball in the Riders.

Hamilton has it together and while I suspect and dread the Bombers may come to Mosaic next year and win the Grey Cup, this year I think Hamilton has more depth to win a narrow 26-24 Grey Cup win over the Bombers and keeping #1990 alive for yet another year.

Meanwhile in Riderville the talk has been whether or not to let Stephen McAdoo walk after some headscratching play calls inside Winnipeg’s 10 yard line and to end off the first half. The Riders poor time clock management seems to result from a combination of inexperience in running the plays and slowness in getting the calls out to the QB. Fajardo had problems with the time clock in Toronto and BC and to some extent in Calgary.

So while no one will doubt the heart of Fajardo in playing in the western final with two torn oblique muscles, in retrospect, the Riders might have been better off using their full arsenal of quarterbacks. Inside the 10 yard line, using their big money running back in Powell and letting the O line tee off against Winnipeg is an honest way of trying to score.

If the Riders do that three times and the Bombers stop them three times, the Bombers deserve to win. Needless to say, the Bombers did that several times to the the Riders and fully deserve their win. So for the Riders who have gone 13-5 and did better than anyone would have expected or predicted, will a year of experience for Fajardo as a starter and perhaps a change in playcalling philosophy be the difference that puts them back in the Grey Cup next year?

Looking back I would have to think the Riders 2019 season was remarkable because despite having been jilted by their coach/GM in Chris Jones, the staff held together and adapted and used roughly the same gameplan they used in previous years to finish in first.

One wonders with the opportunity to review everything, how the Riders will approach this season, and which coaches from the staff may decide to move on. I think the Riders were overthinking themselves and worse, not making timely decisions to ensure they took advantage of every situation they were in.

Now that they know what they have, I think the focus will now move to how best to take advantage of the talents of say, Fajardo, and how to ensure the other quarterbacks get enough meaningful reps to be able to step in because as we saw last season, it is just a matter of time before you lose a starting quarterback.

So at quarterback, all three quarterbacks are back for next season, the question is whether the CFL will continue with a half-baked idea to shut down the third QB position and open up that roster spot for another international player. Personally, I think it might take three to five years for international players to have the skills enough to make a meaningful contribution to CFL rosters and this year we saw that quarterbacks do not grow on trees and need time to develop before getting a shot.

At running back the Riders are looking at RB Marcus Thigpen (I), Kienan LaFrance (N) and FB Albert Awachie (N) as free agents. Thigpen ran some kicks back for TDs and can be used as a Swiss Army knife kind of guy in different spots who can make a contribution and has the gears to break long plays now and then.

Thigpen coming back would be good for depth, but here you need an offensive coordinator who can figure out a use for Thigpen and use him so he has value late in the season and is not burned out. LaFrance made a name for himself for a great eastern final as a running back in Ottawa, came here as a free agent, didn’t do much, went to Winnipeg, did less, and came back and established himself as a special teams player. Awachie was used as a blocking fullback and might have potential, but again, it is tough to judge based on a limited amount of touches.

So if I was GM, offer Thigpen a contract with incentives, along with LaFrance and Awachie. If the players don’t show further growth, or in the case of Thigpen have hit zero in the tank, then let them go and let younger and cheaper players come in and take their place if they have the skills.

At receiver the Riders have some interesting questions – Emmanuel Arceneaux (I), Shaq Evans (I), Naaman Roosevelt (I) and Cory Watson (N). Arceneuax might have not had the stats, but he adapted his role as receiver and even better, brought in the chain as a team building exercise. Arcenaux had some looks in the western final, but I suspect his legs are going on him and even while he demonstrates leadership by blocking on running plays, the Riders need a playmaker at receiver and Arceneaux may choose to retire, making the Riders decision somewhat easier.

Evans I suspect will try the NFL, but there he has age against him and two years ago I thought Evans would not be a good cold weather receiver. I backed away from that somewhat this year and Evans showed he could work to improve the weak points in his game. If he still has the same fire, I look forward to him coming back in Rider green next year, but Rider fans should be prepared for him trying the NFL and not being back until Labour Day.

Roosevelt has adjusted his role from a burner on the receiver corps to a possession receiver who makes the crucial second down reception. I would bring him back and if he has learned from Arceneaux about leadership, then the Riders will certainly be better with Roosevelt back in the fold.

Watson had his moments and he appears to have brought in to mentor the young Canadian receivers. Watson also has the injury prone label attached to him and the term load management should be used with him, along with Thigpen, in deciding what role he can play in the Rider offense. This is time where the Rider Canadian receivers will have to decide whether or not they are CFL players or tourists and can actually contribute on a regular basis to the team.

On the offensive line we have Dariusz Bladek (N), Philip Blake (N), Dan Clark (N), Takoby Cofield (I) and Thaddeus Coleman (I). The Rider offensive line has managed to give players like Bladek and Dakota Shepley the opportunity to develop their skills.

Bladek last year came in and played well enough for the Riders to cast former number one draft pick Josiah St. John adrift. Bladek may also be injury prone so this is where the Rider medical and training staff have to earn their money in getting Bladek back into game shape and keeping him there. Bladek also got schooled last year and ran up a lot of holding penalties, usually a sign of being outmatched. But I like the guy’s moxie and he is a good fit.

Blake came over from Montreal and broke a limb this year before coming back onto the roster. The offensive line’s inability to push Winnipeg back has me wondering if maybe Blake was not completely ready for the challenge, but the prospect of him being in the lineup all year and keying a running game and keeping Fajardo vertical makes me think Blake should get an offer.

For Clark this was an interesting year starting with a car accident in the pre-season and then having an injury partway through the year forcing Brendan LaBatte back into centre. Clark was the teams’ offensive lineman nominee and while he may have short arms which may disadvantage him in dealing with some defensive linemen, I think back to when Clark was just a junior player trying to show he belonged with the pros. An inventive offensive coordinator and offensive line coach is just what Clark needs.,

Cofield and Coleman were brought in by Chris Jones when he came to Saskatchewan, but they have managed to be a bit of consistency on the offensive line and at first glance, their play was pretty good this year. They did get beaten up at the end of the year and again, I look at the Riders inability to score inside the 10 yard line and compare that to the physical Winnipeg line and wonder if the Riders may be ready to rethink the way they attack on the offensive line.

On the defensive line we have Charleston Hughes (I), Micah Johnson (I), A.C. Leonard (I), DL Lavar Edwards (I), DL Chad Geter (I), Makana Henry (N) and Jordan Reaves (N).

Hughes was apparently playing wit a broken arm and after a DWI his first year in Riderville, he has led the league in sacks, although his production falling in the second half of the season indicates teams were figuring out how to handle him and Hughes at his age cannot play the same amount of minutes, but used in the right situations can be just as effective. Hughes seemed to indicate a new contract had yet to be announced but was apparently done.

Johnson is an interesting situation. Johnson is apparently the highest paid defensive player in the CFL because he has/had the ability to disrupt plays in the middle of the defensive line. Johnson’s production did not match the expectations of his contract, but in Johnson’s situation, the Riders did cut loose their defensive line coach because apparently he couldn’t coach. If Shivers and his focus on aggressiveness continues on the Rider D, resigning Johnson at a lower salary would be a good value for the Riders.

One lineman who has come into his own, especially at the end of the year, was AC Leonard, who was probably the Riders best D lineman in the last three games. Leonard has become a bit of Willie Jefferson type player whose physical attributes can create havoc for offenses. Leonard should be a priority signing for the Riders.

Edwards is best remembered for hitting Bomber long snapper Chad Rempel and knocking him out of the game, bringing out the bully in Mike O’Shea. Edwards was a situational player who got more playing time towards the end of the season and perhaps has learned he has to do more to be a professional other than showing up.

Geter is a special teams demon who also has spot duty on the Rider defensive line. His versatility and willingness to play special teams makes him another solid signing unless the Riders draft or scout well enough to come up with someone younger, cheaper and more more talented.

Henry got more reps in the middle of the defensive line as the season progressed and Zach Evans went out with some kind of injury. Henry has improved, but he has also proved to be more prone to stupid penalties which are the result of emotion. Those type of undsiciplined plays hurt the team and Henry needs the coaching to show him that disciplined aggression is the way to go.

Reaves was out for the season for an injury and the former basketball player at Brandon University is an intriguing physiucal specimen who needs to mature enough and develop enough to justify coming back. Reaves measureables are in the Willie Jefferson neighbourhood and he has done exceptionally well on speciall teams in the few times he has been featured there. For Reaves to make a contribution, he needs to work on his strength and techniques and show that at the very least, he can be a rotational player on the defensive line.

At linebacker there are some players the Riders could use back next year -Brandyn Bartlett (N), Dyshawn Davis (I), Solomon Elimimian (I), Alexandre Gagne (N), Sam Hurl (N), Cameron Judge (N), Derrick Moncrief (I).

I would expect Moncrief to end up in the NFL last year, much like Sam Equoven. Moncrief had a solid year and if he comes back, the Riders should be really good, but at this point, don’t expect to see him back until Labour Day.

Cameron Judge will be looking to explore some opportunities in the NFL, but Judge is another player who two years ago I thought was a wasted draft pick but has picked up his socks and by his own admission, was playing his best football this year and having fun.

Judge is an Alex Singleton type of player and if he can be showcased in this defense, he will be helping to raise a Grey Cup next November. But Judge should be getting alook in the NFL and it will depend on who looks at him and what kind of money they throw him.

Elimimian arrived late on the scene and his first game as a Rider against Calgary showed a linebacker who was not in game shape. But by the end of the season, Elimimian was showing why he is among the best linebackers to play in the CFL.

Elimimian is a solid tackler but he is also a solid leader on the defense and a cooler head to some of the hotheads the Riders have on the defensive line. BC GM Ed Hervey said Elimimian didn’t have much left in the tank, the Riders Elimimian gets tremendous mileage with what he has. A must sign.

Sam Hurl was once upon a time alternatiing with Judge at linebacker but at the end of the season Judge was a starter and Hurl, well, not so much. Hurl provides depth, if not size, and he also plays special teams but considering the number of long kicks the Riders surrendered for touchdowns, that unit has to up its game next year.

Hurl might be a good depth signing if the price is right. It seems he has hit his ceiling in terms of potential so if he comes back, it might be interesting to see if he can reinvent his game or even better, get bulked up on his upper body while retaining some sideline to sideline speed.

Davis was a free agaent signing last year and the Riders brought Davis in because of his special teams play, but he also managed to contribute as a starting linebacker. Bringing Davis back may be a cap decision or it may depend on whether the team feels Davis can replace Moncreif on the linebacking corps. If he is resigned, then the answer to that appears to be yes from a Rider point of view.

Gagne was primarily a special teams player and he could even be a backup long snapper, so this is someone who needs to be on the roster because he fulfills an identifiable need. I’m not sure if Gagne can be an everyday player, but the more he shows on special teams, the more likely he will be to see game action.

Bartlett was one of Chris Jones supplemental draft picks who was injured, but may have enough to show he is a contender on special teams and perhaps can be used as a rotational player on defense. If Bartlett comes back, and maybe even shows he is more than just potential, then the Riders should explore that. If not, let him walk.

At defensive back there is an interesting mix of free agents – Elie Bouka (N), Ed Gainey (I), Nick Marshall (I), Loucheiz Purifoy (I) and Denzel Radford (N).

Bouka is the on-again, off-again draft pick with NFL asprirations whose physical build usually sees him injured in NFL camps and he returns to Canada. In his infrequent starts, Bouka had an interception, got beat now and then deep, but also played on special teams and demonstrated some skills. He may have NFL aspirations, but a contract offer with an NFL window might be enough to keep him around.

Gainey had an all-world year in 2018, not so much last year. Gainey even had a few games where mentally he was thrown off by the refs or the situation and teams took advantage of that. I am not sure if Gainey can fit within the aggressive framework Shivers has brought to the defense, especially when it comes with discipline. When you are getting older, you have to get smarter and adjust your game to belong and this will be interesting if Gainey comes back and if he can maintain that edge where he plays so well.

Marshall is an interesting situation and I suspect the former Auburn cornerback may get some NFL interest. Marshall was a great third down quarterback two years ago, but this year teams managed to get under his skin and take advantage of his confidence to respond to the ball in the air. Marshall got beat deep a few times, but that is not unusual for a defensive back. It is how they respond that is interesting and if Marshall returns, will he play smarter this year?

Purifoy is a player I was not that keen about when he came to the Riders and who managed to shut me up by rebounding impressively from his mistakes. Purifoy is also a pretty good kick returner who uses the kickoff returns to compensate if he got beat deep and he managed to run a kick back for a TD last season. Purifoy was a good addition to the Riders and it would be nice to see him back.

Radford is a Canadian defensive back who has done mostly special teams and perhaps a few defensive back packages. A depth signing who should be looking to improve his playing time this year.

On special teams we have LS Jorgen Hus (N) and P Jon Ryan (N). Hus is a long snapper who has been really consistent and a guy who will likely play 20 years in the league. Ryan on the other hand came back to the CFL and fulfilled a childhood dream kicking for the Riders, but eventually had to learn to directionally kick instead of kicking the crap out of the football. Ryan was the highest paid punter last year, but this year he needs to come into camp having learned a few new tricks, like not out-kicking the coverage and pinning the other team down instead of kicking singles.

Assuming the Riders have locked up a fair number of their players already as hinted by Hughes, the signings will announced after Grey Cup week as the Riders look to unveil the slogan for the 2020 Grey Cup. It will be fascinating to see how the Riders react to this past season and how they adjust and most importantly, learn heading into 2020. Otherwise at this time next year they will be watching someone else enjoy their locker room for the Grey Cup.

by Greg Urbanoski

Stagefright Costs Riders Grey Cup berth

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