Focus on veteran leadership as Riders ring in a new season
REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders were a little too green in 2012.
The CFL team’s average age was reduced, but at the unquantifiable cost of experience.
It became obvious last season the Roughriders could use a few more savvy veterans. And, yes, some moves were made in that direction, as general manager Brendan Taman signed middle linebacker Joe Lobendahn and linebacker Diamond Ferri around mid-season.
Despite that infusion of seasoning, it was painfully apparent that the Roughriders of 2012 had not mastered the fine art of learning how to win. The team’s second five-game losing streak of the season was punctuated by a 36-30 defeat at the hands of the Calgary Stampeders, who won the West Division semifinal on a last-minute, 68-yard touchdown bomb to Romby Bryant. That play was a microcosm of the season for Saskatchewan, which habitually gassed fourth-quarter leads.
Nonetheless, it was a season of progress. After an excruciatingly boring five-win campaign in 2011, the revamped Riders won their first three games — and eight of their first 14 — under rookie head coach Corey Chamblin before enduring one final, irreversible slide.
Could the tailspin have been arrested with a stronger, more-experienced leadership group?
Judging by the Riders’ transactions during this most productive off-season, the answer is yes.
In recent weeks, Saskatchewan has added four players who own a combined six Grey Cup rings.
Defensive end Ricky Foley and linebacker Tristan Black helped the Toronto Argonauts capture the 2012 CFL title. Foley also enjoyed a championship season as a rookie with the 2006 B.C. Lions, with whom another recent Roughriders signee — CFL career receiving-yardage leader Geroy Simon — earned his first of two rings. Simon was also a member of the Lions when they won in 2011.
Defensive back Dwight Anderson was a part of the Stampeders’ championship in 2008. That was the first of five successive seasons in which Anderson started for a team that boasted a doubledigit victory total.
That trend must continue now that Anderson is a Roughrider. A winning season is imperative as Saskatchewan strives to stage not one, but two home playoff games — a West Division semifinal or final, followed by a Regina-based Grey Cup on Nov. 24.
With that in mind, the Grey Cup experience is invaluable. The Roughriders’ roster is not laden with players who have been major contributors to a championship effort. That is where the likes of Simon, Anderson and Foley — all of whom have started for Grey Cup champions — can leave an imprint that transcends receptions, sacks, interceptions or touchdowns.
The leadership qualities are an important part of the equation but, most crucially, these established stars must establish that there is plenty remaining in the tank.
Simon turns 38 on Sept. 11. Anderson’s 32nd birthday is on July 5. Foley turns 31 on June 9.
Players of their demographic were not nearly as welcome a year ago.
Leading up to the 2012 season, the Roughriders released 30-somethings such as tailback Wes Cates, left tackle Alex Gauthier, centre Marc Parenteau, defensive tackle Dario Romero, middle linebacker Barrin Simpson and defensive halfback Lance Frazier. Two future Hall of Famers — offensive lineman Gene Makowsky and receiver Jason Clermont — retired. Right tackle Dan Goodspeed attended training camp, only to encounter an injury and end up serving in a coaching capacity.
The 30-plus set was also depleted a year earlier, when fullback Chris Szarka and cornerback Omarr Morgan were released, and centre Jeremy O’Day retired.
Turnover is a fact of life in the precarious profession of football, but a delicate balance must be established. The exodus, as inevitable and unavoidable as it was, created a leadership vacuum that the team is still looking to address.
After turning over half of their lineup within a year, the Roughriders identified their remaining voids and acted aggressively to fill them by adding players who have enjoyed long and successful CFL careers.
It is not an accident that Simon, Anderson and Foley are the proud owners of Grey Cup rings. If the plan unfolds as designed, they will add to the collection.