GREEN AND WHITE’S BRIGHT LIGHTS
In the interest of balance, there are indeed some positives from season-opening loss
Precious seconds ticked off the clock, leaving many fans ticked off, period.
Keystone Klock Management contributed to the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ season-opening, 17-16 loss to the host Montreal Alouettes on Thursday.
Since then, the strategies of head coach, etc., etc., Chris Jones have been widely dissected by frustrated followers of the Green and White. Other loyalists are more forgiving, asserting that there are indeed positives to extract from (cue negative stat) the Roughriders’ 36th loss in their past 46 meaningful CFL games.
So, in the interest of balance, here is the “sunny ways” version of a Roughriders critique — a list of bright spots following a regularly scheduled defeat.
KEVIN GLENN
The 38-year-old quarterback completed 31 of 44 passes for 298 yards during his first game as a third-time Roughrider. He answered Montreal’s first touchdown drive by guiding Saskatchewan to a major of its own. In the final stages, he marched the Roughriders into field-goal range — converting three third-down gambles — before a last-second field-goal attempt went awry.
THE OFFENSIVE LINE
Last year, the Roughriders’ Darian Durant was sacked a league-high 41 times. On Thursday, the Alouettes felled the Riders’ passer only once. Afforded excellent protection, Glenn was sharp for most of the game. The O -line also blocked effectively for tailback Cameron Marshall, who rushed 11 times for 84 yards.
CAMERON MARSHALL
Marshall had three runs of at least 10 yards, including a 26-yard advance — during which he thoughtfully gave several would-be tacklers a lift downfield. Granted, Marshall also lost a fumble, but the overall impression he left was positive.
SHORT-YARDAGE TEAM
Unlike last year, the Roughriders gambled on third-and-short late in the game and did not turn the situation into a mess of Republican proportions — at least until the next 13 seconds were frittered away. But enough negativism. Sunny ways, remember? (Or is it Sonny Wade? It does get confusing. Onwards ...)
NIC DEMSKI
Elevated into a starting role because of an ankle injury to wideout Rob Bagg, Demski registered career single-game highs in catches (seven) and receiving yards (87). There has been some blather over whether Demski should continue to start when Bagg is ready to go, but let’s not get carried away. Bagg is a productive, widely respected veteran who should not be supplanted for any reason. Demski, however, has demonstrated that he can make plays and the coaches must therefore use their ingenuity to ensure that his talents are used advantageously.
BAKARI GRANT
In his first game as a Roughrider, Grant did justice to a number (81) that was previously worn by Ray Elgaard and Geroy Simon. The 6-foot-4 Grant is a reliable, inviting target who can be overshadowed by the presence of star wideouts Naaman Roosevelt and Duron Carter. Despite little pregame fanfare, Grant caught six of the eight balls that were thrown in his direction, including one touchdown strike. Carter was targeted nine times, but made only two receptions for 12 yards. (But here’s another positive note! In 1981, Joey Walters had two catches for a mere six yards in the Roughriders’ regular-season opener. Yet, he finished the season with 1,715 receiving yards, an enduring franchise single-season record.)
JOVON JOHNSON
The 33-year-old cornerback joined the Roughriders early last week and, despite having only two practices to prepare for a game against his former Alouettes teammates, he was a solidifying presence in the secondary.
WILLIAMS AND DARGAN
Sounds like a law firm, doesn’t it? For the Riders’ sake, let’s hope Sam Williams and Erick Dargan don’t charge $300 per hour. The salary-cap consequences could be dire. But, in all seriousness, Williams and Dargan enjoyed auspicious CFL debuts while flanking middle linebacker Henoc Muamba. Starting two rookie linebackers could be a recipe for disaster, but Williams and Dargan look like keepers.
CHRIS JONES
The Roughriders’ defence performed in a manner that one would expect from a unit co-ordinated by Jones, who prepared his entire team in laudable fashion. Although the Roughriders did not register an interception or a quarterback sack, in the offensively oriented CFL, any team that surrenders 17 points should win. However, these are the Roughriders and ... BZZZZT! ... Sorry. Time has expired.