Mitchell Blair
Riderville.com

REGINA -- Saskatchewan Roughriders head coach and vice president of football operations Ken Miller knows that everywhere they turn this year that people will dredge up the past. He says what’s important though is concentrating on the future and not looking back.

“The Grey Cup loss is something we have to get behind us,” Miller said this week as the team makes final preparations for training camp. “It’s a difficult situation to lose a game the way we did. That night and the day after was a day of despair. We will be reminded of that day from time to time, but like any negative thing that occurs in life, it’s something we have to put behind us and move forward. There’s no denying that it’s something that will be there. We just can’t let it affect us. Hopefully racking up some wins in 2010 will have people forget about our 2009.”

Miller says that process begins on day 1 of training camp and that all thoughts of 2009 good or bad must be stripped away.

“One thing I have to establish right off the bat with this bunch is that we have to go back to the basics and do the groundwork again,” stated Miller. “We have to rebuild from the very bottom and lay a great foundation. How that foundation is laid in training camp is important for the success we hope to have down the road.”

As was the case last year, all eyes will be on quarterback Darian Durant, however, this year people won’t be looking at him wondering if he is the guy to run the offence. They will look at him to see if he can build on what was a great 2009 and become even a better quarterback. Miller believes he certainly can be and that his quarterback has matured over the last few months.

“I see a more confident Darian,” said Miller. “He’s in town working out this year; he’s been seen throughout the community and the province over the last couple of months. I think he’s taken a real leadership role and embraced it by putting that responsibility on his shoulders of being a leader. I think that will pay huge dividends when he gets on the field.”

When Durant gets on the field, he will be operating what could very well be the most potent offence the CFL has seen in a long while. The trade that brought wide receiver Prechae Rodriguez to Saskatchewan means he joins the likes of Andy Fantuz, Weston Dressler, Rob Bagg and Chris Getzlaf in what definitely is the most talented receiving corps in the league. Add to that a very talented offensive line that will be bolstered by the addition of Dan Goodspeed and the return of Wayne Smith and Miller becomes excited. However, it is the play of his starting tailback that has him feeling optimistic.

“I expect to see a different Wes Cates this year.” Miller said. “I think he has taken a different level of preparation in the off-season than what he did last year. People talk about the fact he didn’t get one-thousand yards last year, but they forget that he didn’t play all 18 games. I expect Wes and he expects it as well to be the running back he was in 2007. Wes is a big key to our offence, he runs the ball well, he catches the ball well and he is an excellent pass protector. He will help make our offence great and help make our team great.”

While fans drool over the prospects of what the offence can do, they wonder what the defence will be like after losing star defensive ends John Chick and Stevie Baggs to the NFL along with middle linebacker Rey Williams who also signed an NFL deal and the retirement of defensive back Eddie Davis. Miller realizes replacing those individuals is not an easy thing to do, but he is hoping their absence allows others to take an increased role.

“We have major holes to fill on defence, but in the last two to three years when we have had someone step down or step out, we have had people who have stepped in and stepped up.” Miller said.  “We did lose four major players on defence, but we are confident we have guys to replace those who have left. It will be tough replacing what John Chick and Eddie Davis brought both on and off the field with their play and leadership, but I am hoping young guys like Joe Sykes, Shomari Williams and Tamon George start to become impact players. “

As teams start to get ready for another long, grueling season, Miller thinks his team has now earned the respect of many across the country who for some reason have predicted bad things for the club over the past two years. In fact, he believes those who have picked gloom and doom for his club in the past will be predicting prosperity in 2010.

“I think our team has earned a lot of respect. As I talk with coaches and fans around this country, they see on TV or on person just how hard our team plays and the effort we give game in and game out. I think we are starting to get that respect,” Miller states. “As for finishing the season on top, I think excellence is a decision, and not just bravado. Making intelligent decisions to move forward is the key and our goal this year is to make enough intelligent decisions so that we can win the Grey Cup this year.”

If the Riders are successful in doing that, it will certainly end the first century of Saskatchewan Roughrider football on a high note.