Roughriders are destined for an eight-win season
As one of the foremost sports writers in my family, I am often deluged with inquiries from adoring (abhorring?) readers.
FAQ #1: Rob, what brand of cologne are you wearing?
Raid.
FAQ #2: Ron, how are the Saskatchewan Roughriders going to do this year?
Eight wins.
The Roughriders are coming off a five-win season, which has been known to portend an eightvictory followup season.
That was the progression from 1996 to 1997, and from 2011 to 2012. Moreover, the 2002 Roughriders posted a record of 8-10-0-2 following seasons of five and six victories, so the next-level number (eight) seems to be established. It is the logical, traditional next step.
In a different situation, the Roughriders might be poised for a breakthrough season, as opposed to a modest improvement. However, Saskatchewan has the misfortune of playing in the ultracompetitive West Division.
Considering the landscape, it is a tall order to expect the Roughriders to double their victory total and hit double digits.
Granted, this is just one scribbler’s assessment. Perhaps the Roughriders’ offence can be a destroyer of defences and, well, predictions.
“We can be very good,” quarterback Kevin Glenn said in advance of Thursday’s CFL regular-season opener against the host Montreal Alouettes. “We have a lot of athletes.
“With the type of offence that we run, it puts the skilled guys in position to make plays. It takes a lot of pressure off the quarterback as far as getting the ball out of your hands. The reads are pretty cool, where we’re getting it to the open guy.
“We have the potential to be really, really good, but we’ve got to go out and put it on the field. We can’t just say it in meetings or in interviews. We’ve got to show it on the field.”
Glenn should provide the Roughriders with solid quarterbacking. His quick release should allow Saskatchewan to deal with any recurring protection issues, and the high-profile signing of left tackle Derek Dennis will buy the quarterback more time. Also consider the presence of premier playmakers such as receivers Naaman Roosevelt and Duron Carter.
Defensively, expect the Green and White to take a significant step forward under second-year head coach, general manager and vice-president of football operations Chris Jones.
Everywhere Jones has been in the CFL, dating back to 2002, his defences have created fits for rival teams. Now that Jones has had a full year in which to put the requisite pieces in place, why wouldn’t the Roughriders enjoy a marked improvement?
There is also the imperative of improving upon the pre-season finale — Friday’s 42-10 loss to the B.C. Lions.
The Disgrace at BC Place has fostered skepticism regarding the Roughriders’ chances, but it is important to put that contest — as excruciating as it was to watch — in perspective.
“The pre-season is very skewed, I’ll tell you that, because a lot of defensive co-ordinators play a lot of man-to-man in the first game so they can find out if guys can cover in man-to-man up here,” Glenn noted. “It’s different when you’re coming from the U.S., with the waggle and all that stuff.
“Pre-season games are different. When you look at it, it’s because of the evaluations that the coaches have to make. They have to make sure that they get enough stuff on film to evaluate and make the best decision as far as keeping certain guys.”
The Roughriders, for example, played a vanilla defence during the pre-season. Expect some Heavenly Hash on Thursday, with more variety and Jones’ signature unpredictability.
Much more predictable is my tendency toward flawed prognostications. Valiantly, we shall forge ahead.
WEST DIVISION: 1. Calgary Stampeders; 2. B.C. Lions; 3. Winnipeg Blue Bombers; 4. Saskatchewan Roughriders; 5. Edmonton Eskimos.
EAST DIVISION: 1. Hamilton Tiger-Cats; 2. Ottawa Redblacks; 3. Toronto Argonauts; 4. Montreal Alouettes.
GREY CUP: Calgary 29, Hamilton 27. The Stampeders’ Grey Cup loss in 2016 will fuel this year’s championship run, I think ...
FAQ #3: Why are you so indecisive?
It’s tough to say for sure.
We have the potential to be really, really good, but we’ve got to go out and put it on the field.