KEEPING COLLAROS UPRIGHT WILL BE KEY TEST FOR RIDERS
After the Love is gone, what’s left? That question was pondered during Transaction Tuesday.
The Roughriders’ first announcement of the freeagency period did not pertain to acquisitions, but the releases of three internationals — linebacker Glenn Love, defensive lineman Antonio Longino and offensive lineman Derek Dennis.
Dennis had signed with Saskatchewan in 2017, a few months after being named the league’s most outstanding offensive lineman. The hefty contract was commensurate with his 6-foot-3, 341-pound dimensions.
As a Roughrider, Dennis did not reprise the form he displayed with the Stampeders in 2016. A release was inevitable.
Love? His exit was moderately surprising, considering his excellence on special teams, but a move involving a non-starter isn’t going to cause any tremors.
Longino? He played in five games last season before being released.
The list of departees also included free agents Nic Demski (who signed with the hometown Blue Bombers) and A.C. Leonard (Ottawa Redblacks).
Demski, who had seven catches in each of the first two games last season, is unquestionably a talent. Losing a skilled Canadian player is never a cause for celebration, but the Roughriders can weather his departure when you consider the composition of their receiving corps.
The presence of Duron Carter, Naaman Roosevelt, Bakari Grant, Caleb Holley and Chad Owens all but guarantees that Saskatchewan will use four international pass-catchers with some frequency. Given the likelihood of needing only one regular national receiver, the team is sufficiently stocked (see: Rob Bagg, Devon Bailey, Mitch Picton, Joshua Stanford).
As for Leonard, 3DownNation. com’s omnipresent Justin Dunk reported that the uber-athletic defensive end signed a one-year deal worth $145,000, including a $50,000 signing bonus.
There was little need for the Roughriders to spend six figures on Leonard after acquiring future Hall of Fame defensive end Charleston Hughes via the trade route. Hughes, Willie Jefferson and Tobi Antigha give Saskatchewan three stud defensive ends.
The big news concerns the addition of Regina-born Zack Evans. The 27-year-old defensive tackle is a difference-maker, and a homegrown one at that.
As of this writing on Tuesday, the Roughriders had also signed nationals Spencer Moore and Dan Clark.
The retention of Moore is important. The sixth-year fullback is under-rated by everyone except teammates and coaches.
Clark will be part of an offensive line that must perform at a considerably higher level in 2018.
Last season, Saskatchewan allowed 44 sacks — the thirdhighest total in the league.
Matador pass protection prompted head coach Chris Jones to routinely remove last season’s starting quarterback, 38-year-old Kevin Glenn, in favour of the younger, nimbler Brandon Bridge.
Glenn, who was released in January, has resurfaced with the Eskimos. Bridge is likely to be the understudy to Zach Collaros, who was obtained from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Jan. 3. Collaros subsequently signed a restructured one-year deal calling for a reported $430,000.
Now the priority must be to ensure that a considerable investment is protected.
Dennis is gone, but one comparably massive question remains: Can the Green and White keep the passer upright?