THE CANADIAN PRESS
REGINA — Expect the worst and hope for the best – at least for some, that’s where the bar’s been set.
We’re talking about the 2016 Riders, a team coming off a three-win season and one of the largest three-month overhauls put on record: a makeover that started with the hiring of a football czar in Chris Jones and culminated with the reshaping of a coaching staff and roster at every position but quarterback.
Tread carefully, Riders fans, yes – there are a lot of moving parts here and while Jones is a fast worker and proven winner, a Grey Cup Championship in year one might be aiming too high.
Then again, don’t let low expectations fool you either.
Jones likes to win and so do Riders fans, not to mention the many players suiting up in Green and White for the first time ever this season.
“That’s the whole reason for me coming here,” said defensive back Ed Gainey. “I just want to win.”
Jones is known for his reliance on American scouting. But with the opportunity to build a roster from the ground up this off-season, he along with assistant John Murphy were free agency’s busiest men.
Gainey is among the 14 notable, proven CFL players Jones brought in throughout free agency, whether by signing or trade, that want to be part of the culture change in Riderville.
“It’s a fresh start,” said the former Ticat. “It’s a great experience to be able to play under Chris Jones and everything he has going for us. He has a great resume and a winning attitude so I’m happy to be a part of it.”
NOTABLE RIDERS FREE AGENT ADDITIONS
| Player | Position | Transaction | Former Team |
| Graig Newman | DB | Signed (2/9/16) | WPG |
| John Chiles | REC | Signed (2/9/16) | NFL |
| Andrew Jones | OL | Signed (2/9/16) | EDM |
| Dylan Ainsworth | DL | Re-signed (2/9/16) | – |
| Greg Jones | LB | Signed (2/10/16) | TOR |
| Curtis Steele | RB | Signed (2/10/16) | TOR |
| Ed Gainey | DB | Signed (2/10/16) | HAM |
| Shamawd Chambers | REC | Signed (2/10/16) | EDM |
| Otha Foster | LB | Signed (2/10/16) | EDM |
| Kendial Lawrence | RB/REC | Signed (2/10/16) | EDM |
| Bruce Campbell | OT | Acquired via trade (2/10/16) | TOR |
| Tevaughn Campbell | DB | Acquired via trade (2/11/16) | CGY |
| Justin Capicciotti | DE | Signed (2/11/16) | OTT |
| Corvey Irvin | DT | Signed (2/12/16) | MTL |
Culture change, fresh start, whatever – it has some optimistic that the Riders’ turnaround in the CFL standings could be quick. Chemistry is one thing but if the roster can meld quickly, few disagree that the talent is there.
Darian Durant offers a decade’s experience at the helm of the offence and his new targets, while some of them less familiar, are defined by speed, size and overall athleticism. But while that unit may take the most time to gel, a new-look defence could buy Durant and Stephen McAdoo and co. some extra time.
Justin Capicciotti and Shawn Lemon form one of the best pass rush tandems in the CFL, as proven last season on a REDBLACKS team that led the league in sacks and played in the Grey Cup following a Cinderella second year.
“We’re good, I’m most definitely very happy to have him with me,” Lemon said of Capicciotti. “We have great chemistry as you could see last year in Ottawa and it’s good to play with a guy that you’re very familiar with.”
Lemon’s career as an elite defensive end has come full circle, as he returns to the Roughriders after spending time with the Eskimos, Stampeders and REDBLACKS. He won a Grey Cup with Calgary in 2014 and then after spending time in the NFL returned to appear in one with Ottawa last year.
Now Lemon, 27, is hoping he’s found a longer-term fit in a familiar place.
Related:
Schedule | Tickets
A team-by-team look at free agency
Steinberg, Dunk weigh in on Riders’ chances
12 to Watch: Breaking down the schedule
“I’d love to be here long-term, and that’s the main reason I came here,” said Lemon. “With Chris Jones and John Murphy, they’re proven winners in this league and I’d love to be here with them.”
“I was here before and I was a lot younger then, I didn’t really understand the culture behind the CFL game and the rules and stuff,” he added. “It’s good to finally be back here with Rider Nation and I owe this city some good football so I’m looking forward to putting some great days on the field.”
While Gainey and nationals Tevaughn Campbell and Graig Newman shore up a defensive secondary that’ll feature plenty of competition this spring, Greg Jones and Otha Foster will team up with last year’s rookie standout Jeff Knox to form a highly-talented and veteran linebacker tandem.
Foster flew under the radar as a free agent after winning a Grey Cup with the Eskimos, but was highly-coveted by his past coach in Jones.
“Shawn Lemon and Justin Capicciotti instantly form a formidable duo on the edges,” said CFL.ca analyst Justin Dunk. “Foster is a perfect fit as a SAM (strong-side) linebacker in Jones’ defensive scheme. That’s what made him a highly coveted asset for the Riders in free agency.”
So if the early returns are any indication, a Riders’ defence that was part of the problem in 2015 could be made a strength only a year later thanks to the new injection of talent and the leadership of Jones.
“Saskatchewan’s defence will be vastly upgraded from 2015,” said Dunk. “Chris Jones’ defences are always aggressive and not easy to move the ball against. Count on the Riders being competitive for sure.”
“Saskatchewan’s defence will be vastly upgraded from 2015 . . . Count on the Riders being competitive for sure.”
The key being, of course, on paper.
“It definitely looks good on paper,” acknowledged Lemon.
“We’ve just got to come out and do what we need to do in training camp and build chemistry together and I think we’ll be real good.”
For now all that’s left for Riders fans to do is wait.
– With files from Riderville.com
