ROUGHRIDERS’ SIGNINGS BEGINNING TO PAY OFF
Robservations ...
The Saskatchewan Roughriders look like an improved team — a primary reason being some inspired free-agent signings. Defensive end Willie Jefferson and middle linebacker Henoc Muamba joined the Green and White last autumn. During the off-season, the Roughriders added quarterback Kevin Glenn, offensive tackle Derek Dennis, special-teams dynamo Glenn Love, tailback Cameron Marshall, defensive tackles Eddie Steele and Zach Minter, cornerback Jovon Johnson and receivers Duron Carter and Bakari Grant.
Special teams are bound to improve when Love comes to town.
Grant arrived with little fanfare, despite being an accomplished CFL veteran. He was signed when the Roughriders appeared to already have an excess of quality receivers. Regardless, Grant has emerged as the Green and White’s top red-zone threat, having scored a touchdown in each of this season’s first three games.
Marshall’s hustle was impressive after Glenn was intercepted on the goal-line during Saturday’s 37-20 victory over the Hamilton TigerCats. Justin Rogers appeared to have an unimpeded path to six points, but Marshall came out of nowhere and made it a challenge for the Hamilton defensive back to reach the end zone.
On the trade front, the Roughriders’ acquisitions of guard Peter Dyakowski and safety Mike Edem have also proven to be inspired moves.
Roughriders offensive co-ordinator Stephen McAdoo espouses a ball-control approach and, judging by the stats, the formula is working. Saskatchewan leads the CFL in average time of possession (33 minutes 20 seconds), plays from scrimmage (191) and first downs (79).
Newly appointed CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie should make it a priority to address one aspect of video review. Illegal contact on a receiver should no longer be a challengeable call.
I’m all for vigilance aimed at preventing defensive backs from clutching, grabbing and impeding receivers downfield, but the challenge process causes too many delays and fishing expeditions. If the call is made by the officials, wonderful. Failing that, the game should move right along.
Overblown story: The Roughriders’ release of defensive end Jonathan Newsome, who went on to voice his disenchantment via Twitter. Newsome registered a mere two sacks in 20 games with the Roughriders. A.C. Leonard, by comparison, had two sacks in his first game with Saskatchewan.
Memo to any Tyler Crapigna detractors: He has hit 49 of 57 field-goal attempts — an 86-percent accuracy rate — since joining the Roughriders late in the 2015 season. Hall of Famer Dave Ridgway was also 49-for-57 when he enjoyed his first great season with Saskatchewan, in 1987. • Wardrobe malfunction: The Roughriders’ predominantly green jerseys are not a good mix with the artificial turf. A greater emphasis on the “white” in “green and white” would make the players easier to spot, especially during telecasts. At times, it seems they are camouflaged.
The new Confederation Park is a joy to visit. Love the fountain!
This boggles the mind: The Tiger-Cats have lost 12 of their last 16 games. This is not what one would expect from a Kent Austin-coached team.
Losses aren’t an entirely negative concept for Austin. He has lost 47 pounds and is down to 181 — his lightest weight since high school.
Bodog on Wednesday released its odds to win the 2017 Grey Cup. Unsurprisingly, the Calgary Stampeders were the favourite at 11/4. However, it was surprising to see Hamilton (9/1) tied for fifth with the Ottawa Redblacks, ahead of the Montreal Alouettes (10/1), Toronto Argonauts (10/1) and Saskatchewan (12/1). Saskatchewan just finished dominating Hamilton. Toronto has a 2-1 record and is behind two winless teams (Hamilton and Ottawa).
The Roughriders’ Greg Morris generally impresses when he handles the ball as a tailback or a kickoff returner.
The Rock for President of the United States! The former WWE star should seriously throw his hat in the ring. Honestly, Brutus Beefcake, Damien Demento or Doink the Clown would be an improvement over the current chief executive — who, for all we know, may have had covert discussions with Nikolai Volkoff.
Nice people who deserve a plug: Don Millard, Al Kroitor, Brutus Beefcake (I met him!), Austin Gorski, Greg Dukart, Clayton Ackerman, Tim Cyr, Gary Butler, Barry Clarke, Jeff Stusek, Carla Dorwart, Craig Baird, Frank Zicarelli, Elaine Shein, Darren Lang, Eva Lawrence, Gerry Klein, Kevin Clive, Yvan Cournoyer, Kevin Wood, Ashley Prest, Jim Gallagher, Bianca Millions, Andrew Hamilton and, celebrating 70 years of marriage, Bill and Esther Hamilton.