Patrick Doyle/CFL.ca
There is no doubt the Saskatchewan Roughriders are very close to appearing in a Grey Cup. A few bounces their way likely would have been enough to get them through the Eastern Final and into the 105th Grey Cup Presented By Shaw.
But the Riders are still fourth in the West, albeit a very tough division.
Head Coach and General Manager Chris Jones knows there is room for improvement. Where does he see those deficiencies, he wouldn’t specify on garbage bag day but here are five things I believe would put the Roughriders not in a cross-over conversation but able to challenge Calgary for top spot in the division.
1. Quarterback
There is no doubt that Kevin Glenn and Brandon Bridge had a heck of year when you combine their numbers. They led the league with 35 touchdown passes. But the yo-yo of this dual quarterback system won’t work on a consistent basis in 2018.
Brandon Bridge spent the second half coming out of the ‘bullpen’ to relieve veteran Kevin Glenn. (Dave Chidley/CFL.ca Photo)
The team either has to give the ball to Brandon Bridge and see where he goes or head into free agency or trade to bring a proven number one quarterback. Kevin Glenn can definitely still play but can you rely on the 39-year old next season to carry the load all the way to a Grey Cup? I think it showed this season that against the aggressive pass rush of opponents like Calgary or Toronto, he had trouble getting it done.
Of course James Franklin’s name gets thrown around first as Jones helped bring him into the league with the Edmonton Eskimos and that would likely be the first thought of which quarterback would start for the Riders, if it isn’t Glenn or Bridge next season.
2. Offensive Line
The Riders offensive line did have their struggles with injury as Dan Clark, Brendon LaBatte and Derek Dennis all missed time. However, they were only down one starter at one point or another this season.
The other issue was the Riders had to slide to three international offensive linemen for a good portion of the season in a situation that made for a lot of ratio juggling.
Peter Dyakowski helped solidify the right guard spot after Chris Best’s retirement before the season but there was still something missing with this group as Glenn’s problems handling the rush were in part due to the play up front.
Bruce Campbell and Brendon LaBatte didn’t get a lot of opportunities to play on the left side together, but improvements need to be made and maybe it’ll be rookie Dariusz Bladek who helps upgrade the offensive line in his second year.
2016 first overall pick Josiah St. John needs to come into camp next year ready to start or Jones will have to be on the lookout again to find expensive veteran Canadian O-line talent.
3. Running Game
The Saskatchewan run game was ranked last in the CFL in terms of yards-per-game but definitely showed promise down the stretch with Trent Richardson and Marcus Thigpen both having 100-yard games in the final third of the season.
Marcus Thigpen emerged as a force on the ground for the Riders late in 2017. (Patrick Doyle/CFL.ca)
There is reason to believe the Riders offence will be able to find much better balance in 2018 with strong competition heading into training camp. Cameron Marshall, Trent Richardson and Marcus Thigpen are all under contract with Canadian Kienan LaFrance looking to carry the load for the team after being put behind the eight ball with an injury early in his first training camp with the Riders.
More balance also helps the offensive line slow down a pass rush, and also helps the quarterbacks get a little more time to chuck the ball.
4. Defensive Tackle
I look at the two Grey Cup teams and compare them to the Saskatchewan Roughriders and this is one glaring difference. Cleyon Laing, Dylan Wynn, and Micah Johnson are all a force in the interior of the defensive line.
I think the best the Riders played at times this year was when big man Nick James was on the roster, although it was only for three games.
Eddie Steele is good enough to be an every down DT but the Riders need someone opposite their Canadian who is going to be a nightmare for the opposing centre.
An improvement in the middle and I could only imagine what type of year Willie Jefferson would have had, which brings me to number five.
5. Willie Jefferson’s pass-rush partner
Willie Jefferson, in my opinion, is the best athlete on the defensive line in the Canadian Football League. He showed all of it with sacks, pressures, knock downs and even an interception on Ricky Ray in the Eastern Final.
Now, I picture the Riders with a pass rusher on the other side who can impact the play.
I’ll again cite the two teams battling for the Grey Cup. Calgary’s Charleston Hughes has Cordarro Law or Ja’Gared Davis. Toronto has Victor Butler and Shawn Lemon.
Jamie Nye believes Toby Antigha must elevate his game to be a regular in 2018. (David Stobbe/CFL.ca)
Maybe Toby Antigha or A.C. Leonard can become those players but in 2017 they were nowhere as consistently disruptive as the above defensive ends.
I saw some problems in the secondary as well, but a stronger presence up front always makes the defensive backs look better.
