RIDER REPORT CARD
Sizing up Saskatchewan’s season
The Saskatchewan Roughriders’ final report card is one they should be proud to display.
The Riders closed out the 2017 regular season by winning four of six games in the final third of the 18-game schedule. The strong finish was a marked contrast to the first segment, in which they had a 2-4-0 record. Since then, the Riders are 8-4-0.
Saskatchewan (10-8-0) finished fourth in the West Division and earned a crossover berth in the CFL playoffs. The Roughriders are to play the host Ottawa Redblacks in Sunday’s East Division semifinal.
The biggest tests are ahead but, in the interim, here are the Riders’ grades:
Quarterbacks: The rotation of Kevin Glenn and Brandon Bridge was effective down the stretch. They combined for a league-leading 35 touchdown passes in 18 games. Questions remain, however, as to who will quarterback the Roughriders in the future. Grade: B.
Receivers: Duron Carter, Naaman Roosevelt and Bakari Grant all surpassed 1,000 receiving yards. Carter and Roosevelt tied for the team lead with eight touchdown receptions, followed by Grant and Caleb Holley with five each. Concussions prevented Roosevelt from playing in three of the final six games, but veteran Chad Owens stepped up in Roosevelt’s absence. Saskatchewan’s receiving corps was pegged as a strength before the season began and expectations were met. Grade: A.
Running backs: Cameron Marshall led the team in rushing yards (543) despite missing eight games with a knee injury. Trent Richardson and Marcus Thigpen both looked solid in limited work, but Marshall’s overall production is unmatched. Injuries contributed to the Riders’ overall mark. Grade: C.
Offensive linemen: Saskatchewan’s pass protection was suspect at times, especially with the lessthan-mobile Glenn at quarterback. Glenn’s inability to escape the pressure contributed to the utilization of the younger, more elusive Bridge. Still, the line withstood an injury to centre Dan Clark. Guard Brendon LaBatte, whose left leg was injured in the regular-season finale, is expected to miss Sunday’s game. Grade: C.
Defensive linemen: Willie Jefferson cooled off down the stretch, but nonetheless had a fine season. Teams game-plan against the 6-foot-6 defensive end, who led the CFL with 37 quarterback pressures and paced the Riders with eight sacks. Jefferson and fellow defensive ends A.C. Leonard and Tobi Antigha combined for 18 of the team’s 27 sacks. Freeagent signing Eddie Steele was a fine addition at defensive tackle.
Grade: B.
Linebackers: Henoc Muamba anchored the middle with a teamhigh 87 defensive tackles and chipped in with two interceptions and three forced fumbles. A knee injury sidelined Samuel Eguavoen for three of the last six games, but Jeff Knox Jr. filled in admirably. Derrick Moncrief has been consistent at strong-side linebacker.
Grade: B.
Defensive backs: Ed Gainey led the CFL with 10 interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown. The Roughriders won all five games in which Gainey registered at least one interception. Cornerbacks Kacy Rodgers and Jovon Johnson were solid and Crezdon Butler is an emerging star at halfback. Jeff Hecht has been the strongest of the safeties. The defensive backs improved from an F in the first third of the season, to a C in the middle third, to ... Grade: B.
Special teams: Tyler Crapigna connected on 86 per cent of his fieldgoal attempts and all 43 converts. Josh Bartel averaged 44.2 yards per punt and is among the league’s best in terms of directional kicks. Christion Jones was a sparkplug for the Riders, returning two punts for touchdowns. Denzel Redford, also a rookie, was tied for fourth in the CFL with 24 special-teams tackles. The kick coverage was generally sound. Grade: B.
Coaching: Head coach and general manager Chris Jones quickly realized he had to get Glenn out of games when there is too much pressure. Bridge provided a stylistic alternative to Glenn, making it challenging for defences to prepare. Jones started Carter at cornerback Oct. 20 and the multitalented receiver responded by returning an interception 43 yards for a touchdown during a 30-7 victory over the Calgary Stampeders. There had been a blip a week earlier, when the Riders blew a 3220 lead late in the fourth quarter and lost 33-32 to Ottawa. Overall, Jones and his coaching staff did a commendable job. Grade: B.