Johany Jutras/CFL.ca
There is no denying the Saskatchewan Roughriders are figuring it out.
The problem is it is too little too late for the 2016 edition of the team, with any chance at the playoffs officially turfed.
What’s ahead is where Rider Nation can find some solace that maybe all wasn’t lost this season. It was a rebuild from the get go with the final goal of Chris Jones being the ‘sustained success’ his boss, president and CEO Craig Reynolds is looking for.
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Chris Jones’ moves to rebuild Riderville is slowly but surely starting to pay off (CFL.ca)
Jones attacked the roster immediately with dozens of veteran players cut or left unsigned. The moves left giant holes to fill across the roster. In the receiving corps, linebackers, defensive line, secondary, running back, the team went searching far and wide.
And the team used the philosophy quantity equals quality when searching for players. Thousands evaluated in the off-season and over a hundred have come through the doors since the beginning of rookie camp.
You can expect to see the same this off-season for the Riders, although the 2017 edition of the Riders will be starting on a lot more solid footing with more evaluating for that team to come in its final four games of this season.
Most importantly, quarterback. Darian Durant is still not signed for the 2017 season, although both parties have stated publicly that they want to get a deal done. A deal will get done, that shouldn’t be too big of a problem, especially now that you’ve seen Durant get three straight wins on the board with the team starting to gel.
However, in the final four games, Jones needs to get a look at Mitchell Gale and maybe more importantly his current third string quarterback Brandon Bridge. For sustained success you need to turn into a quarterback factory like the Stampeders or Lions. First, the team needs to see what it has behind Durant when it gets the chance, because once the 2017 season begins the Riders’ opportunities will likely be few and far between to get into game action.
Around the team there are now smaller holes to fill this off-season, not the giant gaps that were there going into 2016.
Some of those:
RUNNING BACK
Curitis Steele has rushed 54 times for 314 yards in seven games this season (CFL.ca)
Curtis Steele has been solid in pass protection and has also been very consistent when the running the ball. But he hasn’t been that break away, big play back like John White was for this regime in Edmonton. Although there could be other factors for that like if the O-line was good enough to open those big holes for Steele consistently.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Veteran Brendan LaBatte signed an extension earlier this month to remain with the Riders through 2017 (CFL.ca)
Brendon LaBatte being signed for next year and again practising has to be a sigh of relief for the Riders. LaBatte’s injury combined with Chris Best’s injury has led to a patchwork interior for the Riders’ O-line.
LaBatte, Andrew Jones, Josiah St. John, Matt Vonk, Marcus Hall, Jarriel King and Kennedy Estelle have all rotated through right and left guard this season. The team has now settled on three import offensive lineman which has impacted the ratio in other places. The Riders want to be back to three next season. With Best’s career even in question it’ll be a priority at free agency and on draft day. St. John’s development as the 2016 first overall pick is also vital for this team’s future success.
RECEIVER
Naaman Roosevelt is another player who needs a contract for the Riders but assuming that gets done, Caleb Holley and Armanti Edwards have made the team’s future at receiver look good. After trading for Tommy Streeter, signing Jeff Fuller last week and Ricky Collins showing well early, there is a solid depth chart of young receivers. On the national side, Shamawd Chambers has been disappointing while Rob Bagg continues to be that reliable vet and Nic Demski still has to grow as an every down receiver. More depth here is less urgent, but still an area to address.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Willie Jefferson collected his first sack as a Roughrider last week against Ottawa (CFL.ca)
This maybe the highest priority this off-season. Shawn Lemon and Justin Capicciotti were the big signings and they didn’t work out. The team needs better pressure up front and Willie Jefferson’s signing last week could solve some of the deficiencies but the team is at the bottom of the league in sacks. Jonathan Newsome and AC Leonard have been inconsistent.
Up the middle is another position that could get upgraded though Jonathan Williams’ injury didn’t help the matter but Corvey Irvin has been the most consistent lineman. The team’s trade for Linden Gaydosh helps the Canadian depth at defensive tackle, which needs more help as that has been another busy rotation all season. They have the quantity there but the quality needs to get better.
LINEBAKER
I have no problems at linebacker for the Riders going forward. Jeff Knox Jr., Greg Jones, Sam Eguavoen, Korey Jones and newly signed Henoc Muamba, along with SAM linebacker Otha Foster. It may actually mean they have assets to use to address needs elsewhere.
SECONDARY
If you asked me six weeks ago, I’d say this was of most concern but Justin Cox and Ed Gainey have been making more plays and look a lot more comfortable at the halfback. Fred Bennett has helped solidify this group this season, though it’ll be interesting if they stick with a 33-year old next season or look for a younger player. Kacy Rodgers is another young player who has come along. Remember Buddy Jackson has also been on the injured list and many young players continue to make their way through the doors to assess.
SAFETY
This deserves its own spot. Kevin Francis, Shane Herbert (no longer in SSK), Matt Webster, Jeff Hecht have all played there and now they’ve traded for Andrew Lue. Graig Newman has also been on the injured list.
It’s another Canadian position that’s had a revolving door and has seen teams be able to beat the Riders deep, especially earlier in the season. Again, this seems to be another position that has plenty of quantity but the team will likely give Francis another shot in year two, but could also be checking out other options to improve. Hecht has been a stabilizing and hard hitting force back there.
Their kicking game is just fine as is with Tyler Crapigna, Josh Bartel and rookie Quinn van Gylswyk.
The bottom line and common thread is Canadian depth. It appears all those American free agent camps have paid off. Now they need to find Canadians. The team traded for two picks in 2017 already and has a high pick coming its way again. The Riders can’t afford to miss on draft day, but they do have cap room to be aggressive in free agency to address needs, potentially on the offensive line.
The foundation for a competitive 2017 season in Saskatchewan is set.
