The new normal for the Saskatchewan Roughriders club, the Saskatchewan media, and the fans is the expectation, every year, that the team will be a contender for the Grey Cup. Nothing’s changed: that is absolutely true of the team in 2015.
After racing out to an 8-2 start in 2014, the Riders had a very tumultuous last eight games that only garnered two more victories. In some years that might be acceptable, but not in a year as defending Grey Cup champions. And that led to change – player personnel changes and new coordinators on offence and defence.
On to 2015. The Riders have done their best to address key deficiencies at linebacker, on the offensive line, and in the kicking game. For the very attentive, the Riders scheme will have a slightly different look as they hired a new offensive coordinator, Jacques Chapdelaine, and a new defensive coordinator, Greg Quick.
New linebackers Jeff Knox Jr. and Telvion Clark along with established journeyman Shea Emry join the Riders linebacking corps, making up for the offseason losses of Brian Peters and Sam Hurl.
Emry will play in the middle. He said he hopes to “bring wisdom to a youthful group.” When asked about working with defensive coordinator Quick, he also said, “It’s a baptism under fire. We can work together week by week to get better, to ultimately reach the Grey Cup and win.” They sound like they are on the same page, and good thing, because Emry needs to be a leader.
My observation, and word around practice, is that Jeff Knox Jr. will start in the rotation at LB; the linebackers will also feature newcomer Telvion Clark. Both impressed through training camp and made the 46-man roster.
The Riders offensive line lost two players of note and are hoping one will return to form. Dominic Picard and Ben Heenan were scooped up by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts, respectively. Levi Adcock moves over to right tackle from the left side where, in 2014, he had been filling in for injured starter Xavier Fulton.
Even when Fulton returned to health for the Riders last season, Adcock could not be bumped from the starting role after his stellar play while filling in. Fulton spent the offseason training and improving and warded off strong competition in camp. He will start the season at his familiar left tackle spot. Randy Richards will bide his time on the practice roster and wait for an opportunity as the next up.
Sometimes receiving weapon and nightmare for defensive backs, Dan Clark won the vacant centre position in training camp. Clark and backup Corey Watman have “improved leaps and bounds,” according to head coach Corey Chamblin. “He understands the game now. He’s had a couple of offensive coordinators and he’s risen to the occasion.”
The kicking game is what could have the deepest impact on the 2015 Saskatchewan Roughriders. New punter and kickoff specialist Ray Early will prove a definite upgrade in those two statistical categories. The 44 yard punt average achieved by the platoon of Josh Bartel and Chris Milo was barely satisfactory in 2014.
Early will have the Riders closer to 50 yards per punt in 2015 and those are a precious six yards in field position. He also launches his punts with a high-arching trajectory, which creates the hang time needed to get the second wave of coverage in position to stymie any potential returns–especially given the new punt return rules in place this year.
This is just one of many adjustments made for the 2015 CFL season by the Riders players and coaching staff. The Riders are not having any issues implementing new techniques in preparation for their first test this Saturday against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
The usual Labour Day Classic will take place in early September, followed by the Banjo Bowl, making three games total with the Bombers this year. The Riders have four games on Friday nights, eight on Saturdays, and six on Sundays this season. The club will have their byes in weeks 8 and 17 this year. They will also play host to the Calgary Stampeders on August 22nd in the CFL’s annual Hall of Fame game.
Look for the Riders to finish anywhere from third to first in the CFL’s west division. That is the LWOS season preview of the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Feel free to comment below.
