The first season for the Saskatchewan Roughriders under head coach and general manager Chris Jones was bad to say the least, especially considering it was the franchise’s last year at the historic Mosaic Stadium. They dropped 10 of their first 11 games and lost by an average margin of 16 points in those losses. The league also fined the Roughriders for multiple roster violations. Riders faithful expected something better than what they got after Jones’ Grey Cup victory with the Edmonton Eskimos the prior year.
The team improved over the season, but a host of issues needed to be addressed in the off-season. Saskatchewan brought in pieces that make them look better on paper, but some questions still need answers. So what does the Roughriders preview look like, going into the new season?
2017 Saskatchewan Roughriders Preview
Quarterback Questions
Jones is a defensive coach, but it doesn’t matter how good his defence is on its own. If the offence can’t stay on the field consistently, the defence will get tired, which leads to mental errors. Sustaining long, successful offensive drives to let the defence rest starts with the most important position: the quarterback. Jones’s search for his long-term pivot continues as the team heads into this new season, as none of the signal callers who were at training camp last year remained with the team.
We can expect Kevin Glenn to be under centre in week one. The 16-year veteran is still a good quarterback and will keep the team competitive in most games. The only concern is whether or not he can lead this squad to the promised land this late in his career.
Following Glenn on the depth charts are Vince Young, Bryan Bennett and Brandon Bridge. Young needs time to adjust to the Canadian rules, which he struggled with in camp, while Bennett has reportedly been impressive in the off-season. In a mock game he completed 10 of 11 passes for 150 yards, including three touchdowns and one interception. The CFL is a more quarterback-driven league than the NFL, and there could very well be some substantial speed pumps at the position for the Roughriders.
Skill Position Questions
However, no matter who’s starting under center, they will have help at the skilled positions. One of the offensive bright spots last year was receiver Naaman Roosevelt. Despite the number of different pivots who threw his way, Roosevelt still ranked ninth in receiving yards and in 2017, he has some new teammates who will make things easier on him.
Jones brought in former Alouette Duron Carter, who at one point was considered the most dangerous receiver in Canada, and also added veterans Chad Owens and Bakari Grant to the mix. Both receivers can play in the slot and have the potential to take over games. The only question with these two, however, is their health. If they stay healthy, the Prairies could see one of their best receiver groups ever. Ricky Collins and Canadian Rob Bagg are also on the team, providing a great deal of depth at the position.
Some Answers on Offence
The Roughriders also improved significantly on the offensive line. They signed last year’s Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman Derrick Dennis from Calgary and recently acquired 10-year Canadian veteran Peter Dyakowski from Toronto for wide receiver Armanti Edwards. Last year’s first overall pick, Josiah St. Johns, will have a full camp under his belt for the first time. St. Johns was impressive down the stretch of his rookie season. These improvements should allow the quarterback, whoever he may be, more time in the pocket and limit the number of sacks they concede. The unit ranked second last in 2016.
Saskatchewan has a crowd of options at running back with no true number one. They brought in Canadian Kienan LaFrance from Ottawa after an impressive Grey Cup run. After LaFrance, they do have talented personnel, but two of them are rookies and the rest have had little playing time.
With all the additions to the offensive side of the ball it’s hard not to see them making noise, compared to last year when they scored the least amount of points in the league. If the offense does what it’s supposed to do, the next step is the Roughriders’ defense stopping opposing offenses.
Answers on Defence?
People around the league know what type of defense Jones likes: long, athletic, and very aggressive. The Jones-led Eskimos defence that captured the 2015 Grey Cup symbolized just that. They ranked in the top three in points allowed, sacks, interceptions, and forced fumbles. Compare that with Saskatchewan, who sat near the bottom in most categories. It all starts with the front seven getting consistent pressure.
The Roughriders were 1-9 in their conference last year. If they continue to give talented Western division quarterbacks time to build plays, the riders will be shredded every time, whether the secondary does their job or not. And they were strong last year, for the most part, posting 71 pass knockdowns, trailing only behind the Stampeders for most in the league. The front line are where the most important questions will be asked.
Answers Needed – Now
In the inaugural season of the New Mosaic Stadium, Saskatchewan needs to get off to a fast start – the complete opposite of 2016. They open their season against Montreal, then host Winnipeg and Hamilton. The personnel on the roster are more talented than last year’s, but some foggy areas remain on this team. If the pieces fall into place, though, the Roughriders could experience the 180-degree turn that their fans–and Chris Jones–desperately need.
Main Photo:
