Riderville Report May 30

The Riders continued signings with linebacker Darren Stone, formerly of the Stampeders, defensive lineman Mick Williams formerly of the NY Jets, and Canadian running back Nathan Riva of the University of Western Mustangs and receiver Bogdan Raic of the University of Laval. The Riders then but linebacker Tony Taylor.

Stone played under Chamblin when he coached in Calgary and played in eight games last year. Pencilled in as a starter to step in for Brandon Browner, who left the Stamps for the NFL, Stone did not play up to expectations, but Chamblin seems convinced he can work wonders with Stone. Williams was with the Jets and the Bears and seems to have been brought in to bolster the defensive line in the event Odell Willis is late after coming off his DUI trial and whatever delay Canada Customs places on him. Raic is a dark horse who has good size and soft hands and could well step into a starting position given some experience.

You may remember Milt O’Donnell, a giant offensive lineman who after being drafted by the Riders tried out for the Boston Celtics of the NBA before signing with the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad.

The Bengals apparently liked what they saw and extended O’Donnell for another two years. If O’Donnell doesn’t make the regular squad by then, the NFL collective agreement stipulates O’Donnell must either be promoted to starter or released. If he is released, the Riders still retain his rights and if they bring him in, the Rider offensive line will be massive and likely all-Canadian as he will fill in the valuable left tackle position.

The Riders also had another signing coup by signing Dwayne Jarrett, a monster of a wide receiver with USC who was released by Carolina. The Riders also signed defensive back Jalil Johnson and Canadian defensive back Dominic Noel, who was a hitter with Laval.

While the Riders did come out and say they were looking at a Canadian middle linebacker, they are looking at various combinations in their defensive backfield. Craig Butler was fantastic as a rookie at safety, but the Riders also have James Patrick, who was a safety and picked more quarterbacks pockets for interceptions than most.

The Riders are looking at their Canadian ratios and with a Canadian middle linebacker, Keith Shologan at defensive tackle, the Riders also have Paul Woldu, who they signed as a free agent from Montreal who could be the wide side defensive back. Woldu could be backed up by another Canadian, possible Butler. But if the Riders put Patrick back at safety in an effort to get more turnovers, Butler could be moved down to a cover linebacker position, where his hitting would be more helpful in jarring the ball from receivers coming over the middle.

The signing of Jarrett, who was a high NFL draft pick, has led to talk about how the Riders have been able to sign so many former high NFL draft picks compared to previous years. The failure of the UFL has put many players on the market, and the NFL collective agreement has forced NFL teams to either play their draft picks off the practice roster or release them after three years.
Other CFL teams have done well in signing highly regarded former NFL players, but one source I talked to said the credit for the Riders getting ahold of the players they have signed is due to Chamblin. Chamblin is an outgoing character with astounding NFL contacts who has been able to steer a lot of these players the Riders way. If one or more of these receivers and running backs the Riders have signed pans out, then the Riders will be markedly improved and Chamblin could have the Riders back in the playoff this year.

There are some tentative efforts at guessing the Rider roster along the following lines. At quarterback, the Riders will start Durant, and Jt O’Sullivan will be retain as the back-up because of his football experience and Levi Brown will be retained because of his poise and arm. Colt Brennan may end up on the practice roster. At fullback, which has been a Canadian position, Neal Hughes will return as the starter, but Riva could well end up at the heir apparent.

Running back will be a competitive position and DeShawn Wynn is the early favorite at starting backed by Louis Rankin. Both players have NFL experience. This leaves Brandon West out of it, because even though he has great outside speed, his ability to get yards up the middle remains in doubt.
Weston Dressler has one slotback position sewn up while Chris Getzlaf has the other. It’s unclear who their back-ups will be, but expect to see Rob Bagg at one wide receiver position while Sinorce Moss, Justin Harper and Efrem Hill battle it out for the near side wide receiver position.

The Rider offensive line seems set with Xavier Fulton at left tackle, Brendon LaBatte at left guard, Dominic Picard at centre, Chris Best at right guard and Dan Goodspeed at right tackle. Rider number one draft pick Ben Heenan will back up the three offensive middle positions.

With Willis being a wild card in terms of availability, Brent Hawkins will fill out one defensive end spot and perhaps Chris Ellis or Kevin Rowe at the other spot. In the middle, Keith Shologan has one defensive tackle spot lined up while Boo Robinson is the early leader at the other defensive tackle spot.

As mentioned earlier, Mike McCullough is the early leader at middle linebacker, flanked by Chris Graham and perhaps Jamar Williams at the other linebacker pot. Our defensive backs seem to be Patrick, Macho Harris, Nick Graham and Paul Woldu, with Craig Butler at safety, although all this is very much subject to change. Chris Milo will continue with field goals but expect to see Chris Bodnar handle kick offs and and perhaps punting. Bodnar can also kick field goals and is also useful as a receiver.

That’s the early line on the Rider line-up, but this is all subject to change once the players hit the field where rosters are made, not on paper. But that’s part of the fun while waiting for June 3 and the kick-off of training camp.

news@panow.com

by Riderville

Riderville Report May 30

By Greg Urbanoski

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