DAVIS UNANIMOUS PICK AS RIDERS’ BEST DB EVER
Panel of football historians cast eyes back at impressive array of defensive talent
Eddie Davis was an easy pick.
Davis, a 2015 inductee into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame, was a unanimous choice as the best defensive back in Saskatchewan Roughriders history.
He received a first-place vote from each member of a panel consisting of three football historians — Bob Calder, Tom Fuzesy and yours truly — as part of the latest Regina Leader-post poll.
Davis is the fourth unanimous choice, following Ron Lancaster ( best quarterback), George Reed (running back) and Ray Elgaard (receiver).
The other winners, by onepoint margins, were Gene Makowsky (offensive lineman), Bobby Jurasin (defensive lineman) and Wayne Shaw (linebacker).
This is the seventh of 11 bestof polls, which will eventually list (appropriately enough) 110 names in conjunction with the Roughriders’ 110th anniversary.
In the days and weeks to come, we will also rate the top 10 special-teams players, builders and early-era players (1910 to 1945).
To conclude the series, the top 10 players in Roughriders history will be ranked.
All three panellists listed 10 people in each category. A firstplace vote is worth 10 points, a second-place vote is worth nine, etc.
1.
Eddie Davis (30 points)
Davis was a Roughrider for the final nine seasons of a 15-year CFL career. As a Roughrider, he was a CFL all-star in 2004, 2005 and 2006. In 2007, he helped Saskatchewan win the third Grey Cup title in franchise history. The Plaza of Honour came calling in 2013.
2.
Ken Mceachern (23) A Roughrider for 10 of his 11 CFL seasons, and a 1993 Plaza of Honour inductee, Mceachern was a CFL all-star in 1980 and 1981. He was named the Roughriders’ most outstanding player in 1980 after registering 10 interceptions. With 38 interceptions, he is second on Saskatchewan’s all-time list. He is first in interception-return yardage (799).
3.
(tie) Lorne Richardson (21) This 1997 Plaza of Honour inductee was a CFL all-star in all four of his seasons with Saskatchewan (1973, 1974, 1975 and 1976). He was named the West Division’s top rookie in 1973 after registering seven interceptions, a total he matched in 1976. He was also adept at blocking field-goal attempts.
3.
(tie) Glen Suitor (21) Suitor started at safety as a rookie in 1984 and owned that position for all 11 of his seasons as a CFL player. He was named a league all-star in 1991, 1992 and 1993 and also made the West’s dream team in 1989 and 1990. As the Roughriders’ all-time-leading interceptor, with 51, he was an obvious choice for the Plaza in 1998.
5.
Omarr Morgan (19)
This reliable cornerback, a
CFL all-star in 2002, 2003 and 2005, also made the West’s all-star team in 2001. He was a Roughrider for 10 of his 11 CFL seasons, the lone exception being 2007 — when Saskatchewan won a Grey Cup. He subsequently helped the Green and White reach the championship game in 2009 and 2010.
6.
Bruce Bennett (15)
Bennett, a 1991 Plaza enshrinee, was a West all-star in each of his final six CFL seasons (1967 to 1972), earning all-canadian honours in 1969. He is third on the Roughriders’ all-time list in interceptions (35) and interception-return yards (606). On Aug. 27, 1972 against the visiting Stampeders, he registered the longest interception return in Roughriders history (112 yards).
7.
Bob Kosid (8)
A 1997 Plaza inductee, Kosid spent all nine of his CFL seasons (1964 to 1972) with Saskatchewan. Kosid was named an all-canadian in 1968 after making a career-high eight interceptions, one of which he returned for a 79-yard touchdown. He was also a West all-star in 1966, when he helped Saskatchewan win its first Grey Cup title. He had 32 career interceptions.
8.
Larry Isbell (7)
A remarkably versatile player, Isbell could play quarterback, running back, receiver or defensive back. He also excelled as a punter. He registered 12 interceptions over five seasons (1954 to 1958) with Saskatchewan, earning West all-star honours in each of the final three years. He entered the Plaza in 1999.
9.
Dale West (6)
West (Plaza, 1997) was the runner-up for the CFL’S most-outstanding-canadian award in 1963, when he returned 10 interceptions for 226 yards and added five receptions for 174 yards — an average of 34.8 yards per catch — and three TDS. A West all-star in 1963, 1964 and 1965, he made a key interception to set up the Roughriders’ first touchdown in their 1966 Grey Cup victory.
10.
(tie) Ted Dushinski (5)
With 33 interceptions, Dushinski and Steve Dennis are tied for fourth on the Roughriders’ all-time list. This two-time West all-star entered the Plaza in 1993.
10.
(tie) Ed Gainey (5)
A CFL all-star in 2017 and
2018, Gainey registered a leaguehigh 10 interceptions — including four in one game — in 2017. Also receiving votes: Tyron Brackenridge (3), Gabe Patterson (2).