In 1985, the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders celebrated their 75th anniversary as a franchise by naming an All-Time team. In 2010, for the 100th anniversary the fans of the organization were asked to select the aptly named Riders All-Century team.
Not all of the selections met my approval. The first group was selected prior to an entire era of players and needed correction to include recent Rider royalty. In the latter, popularity led to the inclusion of certain players that, by my standard, did not deserve the honour over others.
Riders All-Time Team
All-Time rosters are a fun and effective way to honour the best players that teams have fielded in their history. Many factors are included in the selection. Era of play, time spent with the club, stats, championships, and intangibles are all qualities that must be evaluated. Personal favourites should be left for other types of lists.
It’s clear that the time has arrived to update the Saskatchewan Roughriders All-Time team. All of the selections are my own and were made considering all of the aforementioned areas, especially era of play and each player’s time spent with the Riders, but not necessarily in the role that they appear in on the list.
I was as objective as possible in my determinations and, still, some of my personal favourites made the grade.
Without further ado, here is my Saskatchewan Roughriders All-Time team.
Quarterback
- Darian Durant (2006- )
I can hear you now. “Really? Durant???” Yes! Durant has broken half of the Riders QB team records, some of them Kent Austin’s, in less than half the time. One record he has not broken is the all-time CFL career interceptions leader, which Lancaster still holds. That, combined with his sky-high totals in pass attempts, really is telling.
Durant is also a more than capable runner – he’s feared, in fact. The same can not be said for Lancaster or Kent Austin if you want to go that route.
It’s a completely different era and Durant’s opposition around the league offers more parity than the Little General’s did. Defences tend to rule our game these days. Lancaster stood at 5’5″. He would be as effective as his grandson Marc Mueller, a defensive assistant in Calgary, in a CFL offense today: not at all.
Running Backs
- George Reed (1963-’75)
- Chris Szarka (1997-’10)
Reed is Reed. I chose Szarka because no one was as popular among fans or instrumental to his coaches. For a big man he had soft hands and could catch any decent pass thrown his way. The “Canuck Truck” played an extremely physically taxing role for an unusual number of years.
Receivers
- Don Narcisse (1987-’99)
- Ray Elgaard (1983-’96)
- Weston Dressler (2007- )
- Hugh Campbell (1963-’67,’69)
No need to defend these selections other than to say, what a great group of Hall-of-Famers! Don’t sleep on Dressler.
Centre
- Jeremy O’Day (1999-’10)
O’Day has impressed since day one both personally and professionally. His leadership qualities provided the Riders with an undisputed captain to rally behind. I’ve never seen him outplayed at his position with the green and white. Sorry, Bob Poley, I love you too.
Guards
- Roger Aldag (1976-’92)
- Jack Abendschan (1965-’75)
It’s difficult to choose linemen because stats are untracked or unavailable to media and fans. I don’t care to justify Aldag or Abendschan, so I’ll go with my gut. These guys were feared by opposing players.
Tackles
- Vic Stevenson (1982-’92,’98)
- Gene Makowsky (1995- ’11)
In the all-important battle in the trenches, you have to have a couple of warriors. These two offensive tackles are just that. Both are mountains of men, whom defensive ends describe as the best at their craft.
Defensive Line
- Bobby Jurasin (1986-’97)
- Scott Schultz (2002-’09)
- Ron Atchison (1952-’68)
- John Chick (2007-’09,’13- )
Some notable omissions from the ’85 and ’05 lists here. Once again, the athleticism required to play in today’s CFL is so much different than in Bill “the Undertaker” Baker’s day. That did not stop me from including Atchison, the manbeast famous for striking opponents with a plaster cast he wore even after his broken forearm healed.
Linebackers
- Reggie Hunt (2002-’07)
- Cleveland Vann (1976-’80)
- Eddie Lowe (1983-’91)
It’s Hunting season! “The Reaper” was as good as it gets for a CFL outside linebacker. His range on the field, hitting ability, and sure handed tackles are why he beat out some other great players.
Defensive Backs
- Terrell Maze (2012- )
- Eddie Davis (2001-’09)
- Glen Suitor (1984-’94)
- Richie Hall (1994-’00)
- LaDouphyous McCalla (2000-’05)
The player talent pool in the CFL gets better with every passing year. It is often regurgitated that Terrell Maze is one of the top two cover corners in the league today.
And yes, his name is LaDouphyous. Known as “the Sandman” during his time in Saskatchewan, McCalla would routinely put a blanket on wide receivers and make them seem asleep.
Place Kicker/Punter
- Dave Ridgway (1982-’95)
I chose to pick only one because our best punter historically was Glen Dobbs and he only played two years. Ridgway, while known for his kicking, could punt too.
Head Coach
Kent Austin (2007)
I chose Kent Austin, with only a year as coach, over the previous favourite on both lists, Eagle Keys. Both won a Grey Cup as a coach, but coach Austin’s additional 1989 Grey Cup victory as a player earned him the nod.
General Manager
- Brendan Taman (2010- )
Taman has the highest winning percentage in the GM’s chair. I continue to trust and admire the decisions he makes in the best interest of the organization.
Executive
- Jim Hopson (2005-’15)
What can you say? Player, teacher, father, and CEO. All of these hats were used to steer the Riders to the promised land. Hopson ushered out the “can’t and won’t” language and attitude, and brought in “cans and wills”. The team he assembled and the likeable leader that he is changed the culture from top to bottom.
Were this team ever assembled in simulation, they’d be next to impossible to beat even for the most decorated CFL All-Time roster.
Maze, Chick, Dressler, and Durant all have an opportunity this season to show you why they made the cut. Look for the four active members of this roster to do great things in 2015.
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