Murray McCormick
The Leader-Post

It appears that the Saskatchewan Roughriders won't be allowed to move forward without looking back at the 2009 Grey Cup game.

That scenario is based on some of the inquiries the team's representatives fielded during Thursday's CFL conference call with members of the media. The first series of a number of wide-ranging questions dealt with the Riders' 28-27 loss to the Montreal Alouettes during the Grey Cup game in Calgary.

The Roughriders appeared to have the game won when Montreal placekicker Damon Duval was wide on a 43-yard field-goal attempt after time had expired. Duval was given another opportunity after the Roughriders were penalized for having too many men on the field during the missed attempt. Duval nailed a 33-yard field goal on his second attempt to give Montreal the win.

"The ending of that game will be with me always,'' said Riders head coach Ken Miller. "It's just something that I have to push into the past. Very often in the middle of night, when I wake up, it's a thought that goes through my head. It's something you have to deal with and you have to look at the future.''

Jim Hopson, the Riders' president and CEO, said the night and the morning after the loss were particularly difficult.

"For me it was getting back to Regina, the fans greeting us and the way so many of our players responded to it,'' Hopson said when asked about his recovery. "We've moved on and we're excited about the season."

There has been a great deal of speculation about the identity of the 13th man. The Riders have declined to disclose who that was and haven't altered that stance. It remained the same when Miller was asked if revealing that name would help put closure on the mistake.

"It may help you but as far we are concerned we aren't going to give the name,'' said Miller.

Miller conceded that the manner in which the Riders were beaten in the Grey Cup game could be a distraction heading into training camp.

"It will always be a part of us,'' said Miller, who is headed into his third season as the Riders' head coach. "We have to get that behind us and look forward to doing ground-breaking work as we start the new season.''

There will be some new faces when the Riders' main camp opens June 6 at Mosaic Stadium. Among the personnel changes were the losses of four defensive starters. Eddie Davis, a veteran defensive halfback, retired during the off-season. Defensive ends John Chick and Stevie Baggs signed with the NFL's Indianapolis Colts and Arizona Cardinals, respectively. Middle linebacker Rey Williams signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Miller said that general manager Brendan Taman has been busy finding replacements and plugging holes with other signings.

"Brendan has done a really good job in finding people,'' said Miller. "Being able to draft Shomari Williams (in Sunday's CFL draft) is going to help us fill that hole as well.''

Taman expects that returnee Joe Sykes will be able to make a strong push for one defensive end position. Willie Evans, who spent time with the Riders in 2009, and Brent Hawkins, who was recently signed, should be in the mix for the other defensive end spot. Williams isn't expected to start but is being counted on to contribute on special teams.

Taman added that CFL veteran Barrin Simpson, who was also signed by the Riders during the off-season, should be able to fill in for Rey Williams.

courtesy of www.leaderpost.com