RIDERS’ REPORT CARD
We grade the team’s performance
The Saskatchewan Roughriders’ final grade was strongly influenced by Sunday’s West Division semifinal.
A 23-18 CFL loss to the visiting Winnipeg Blue Bombers ended the Riders’ 2018 season — one in which they posted a 12-6 record and hosted a home playoff game for the first time since 2013.
However, the struggles of the offence offset solid performances by the defence and special teams, and contributed to the team’s final grade: B-minus.
With that mark in mind, here’s how the Riders’ final grades break down, position by position, with some thoughts on what’s ahead for the off-season.
QUARTERBACKS
The Riders signed Zach Collaros during the off-season, gambling that he would be the quarterback to carry them to the Grey Cup game despite his injury history. No such luck. He missed four regularseason games and the semifinal while dealing with concussion and neck issues.
The Riders were 10-4 in games that Collaros started and finished, even though he completed only nine touchdown passes against 13 interceptions.
Collaros and backup Brandon Bridge are pending free agents, leaving David Watford as the only quarterback under contract for 2019.
Who the Riders sign to fill the void will determine the Riders’ fate in 2019. Until then, their grade will be an ugly one.
Grade: F.
RUNNING BACKS
The Riders boasted one of the league’s best rushing attacks while employing a rotation of Tre Mason, Marcus Thigpen and Cameron Marshall in the second half of the season.
The strategy was effective until the West Division semifinal, in which Marshall and Thigpen amassed just 29 yards on a combined 12 carries.
The Riders announced the resigning of Thipgen on Tuesday, leaving only Marshall as a pending free-agent running back. The effectiveness of the ground game in 2018 gives the Riders something to build on.
Grade: B.
RECEIVERS
The Riders’ young receivers improved in the second half of the season.
Jordan Williams-lambert is the West Division’s nominee for rookie of the year after leading the team in receptions (62). Shaq Evans led the Riders in receiving yards (785), yet didn’t score a touchdown.
Naaman Roosevelt — a pending free agent — was slowed by injuries, but remained a veteran leader.
With most of the receivers under contract for 2019, the future looks bright. Now, if only the Riders can find a quarterback who can take advantage of their skills.
Grade: C-plus.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
Saskatchewan and Calgary allowed the fewest sacks in the league (27). However, Saskatchewan surrendered 14 sacks in the last five regular-season games, with injuries being a contributing factor.
The same group then allowed four sacks in the West semifinal with Bridge at quarterback.
The offensive line — including perennial all-star Brendon Labatte — deserves a decent grade for dealing with adversity this season.
The Riders need to address their Canadian depth along the line in 2019.
Grade: B.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
Saskatchewan’s defensive front was the foundation of the defence.
Charleston Hughes recorded a league best 15 sacks while fellow defensive end Willie Jefferson — who was named the Roughriders’ most outstanding player — added 10 sacks and two touchdowns on interception returns.
The Riders absorbed a hit at defensive tackle when Mic’hael Brooks was sidelined for the final two regular-season games and the playoffs with a broken foot. His absence was noticeable when Bombers running back Andrew Harris rolled up 153 rushing yards.
Questions loom with Jefferson and defensive tackle Zack Evans, both of whom are pending free agents. They both love playing for the Riders, so it may not be too difficult to re-sign them — although Jefferson could have NFL options. If Jefferson and Evans return, the future looks bright.
Grade: A.
LINEBACKERS
Samuel Eguavoen’s performance assured the Riders of a solid grade at linebacker.
Playing on the weak side, Eguavoen led the teams with 81 defensive tackles and scored on an interception return and a blocked punt.
Sam Hurl and Derrick Moncrief also had solid years.
Eguavoen and Hurl are both pending free agents, which creates some uncertainty for 2019. Jones tends to find players to fill those roles and it’s expected he’ll keep doing that.
Grade: B.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
The addition of Loucheiz Purifoy in Week 8 was a key move to boost the defensive backfield. He picked off three passes and was a difference-maker on kickoff returns.
Cornerback Nick Marshall returned two of his three interceptions for touchdowns in his first CFL season. He was so respected that rival offensive co-ordinators rarely tested him.
Safety Mike Edem had a solid season with three picks and 71 defensive tackles. Defensive halfback Ed Gainey was an all-star for the second consecutive season.
Purifoy and Edem are pending free agents and should be resigned.
Overall, the defensive backs benefitted from the pressure generated by the defensive line.
Grade: B.
SPECIAL TEAMS
West Division all-star Brett Lauther connected on 90 per cent of his field goal attempts and accounted for 56.3 per cent of the Riders’ offensive points.
The special teams produced, but also allowed, four return touchdowns.
A big decision facing the Riders is what to do if placekicker Tyler Crapigna returns after missing the entire 2018 season due to hip surgery. Crapigna has hit 86.4 per cent of his field goal attempts for the Riders.
The Riders didn’t miss a beat with Lauther and will have a decision to make about who to keep as the team’s placekicker. It’s a nice problem to have.
Grade: B.
COACHING
The performances of the defence and the special teams boost the Riders’ grade.
The Riders led the CFL with 11 returns for scores on defence. The special teams (under co-ordinator Craig Dickenson) were solid in all phases. On Sunday, the Riders’ returners consistently produced excellent field position.
Not all of the offensive woes can be blamed on offensive co-ordinator Stephen Mcadoo. He worked with the talent he had at his disposal and that contributed to an offence that scored a league low 25 offensive touchdowns.
Head coach and general manager Chris Jones said Mcadoo will return in 2019. The team will therefore need to find a quarterback who can flourish within Mcadoo’s schemes.
Jones extracted 12 wins from a team that was woeful on offence. He could very well be named the CFL’S coach of the year.
Grade: B.
THE FUTURE
The Riders’ record has improved from 5-13 to 10-8 to 12-6 over Jones’ three seasons.
If he can find a quarterback, the future looks promising. If not, then there might be another early end to the 2019 season.
Grade: Incomplete — in keeping with the quarterbacking.