The disappointing Saskatchewan Roughriders lost 22-18 to the Calgary Stampeders on Saturday night, falling to 0-and-3 at Mosaic Stadium this year, and 1-and-4 overall.
Local media members and fans alike continue to bemoan the loss of receivers Andy Fantuz and Rob Bagg as well as defensive end John Chick and are pointing to those holes in the line-up as the main reason for the big fall from grace that has seen them appear in three of the last four Grey Cups.
Here's the bottom line as far as Fantuz' absence is concerned: he's gone and there isn't anything that can be done otherwise other than find someone else to replace him. It's a tall order as he was the most productive receiver in the CFL last year. Perhaps replacing him is the wrong word. However, they do need to get someone into the line-up that is, at least, a big enough threat for there to be more room for Weston Dressler and Chris Getzlaf. It's not impossible. Calgary's secondary looked pretty good tonight without Brandon Browner (NFL) and Dwight Anderson (Montreal). The Alouettes have done okay without the likes of Ben Cahoon and Brian Chiu (both retired). Winnipeg's defense is still fearsome despite not having Philip Hunt (NFL). I'm tired of hearing about 'no Fantuz'. Life goes on.
I've been a long supporter of Darian Durant, but I think it's time he watched a bit from the sidelines. His touchdown pass to Dressler tonight was a fluke. It should have been picked off. If you take that major off the board, we are looking at about 8 points produced from him this evening and none in the week three Hamilton game. Furthermore, the Riders dropped four of their last five to end the 2010 regular season. Tonight's game was a winnable one at halftime despite substandard play from Durant. I would've opened the third quarter with Ryan Dinwiddie and given him, at least, ten minutes to try and jumpstart the offense. Hopefully within ten minutes the game is still within reach if Dinwiddie sputters. If he succeeds, then leave him in there. You have to win the football game. I wonder if Durant's performance would improve if he was being pushed for playing time.
Full marks to defensive co-ordinator Richie Hall, as he has turned what looked like a lazy group on defense into a pretty good unit. Sure, they were beaten a couple of times tonight, but I really like that the tackling has improved and the athletes look like they are buying into Hall's system, which is drastically different than that of former defensive boss Gary Etchevarry. Linebacker Jerrell Freeman stood out tonight. Now, if he could only get more out of Shomari Williams on the defensive line.
Unfortunately, the Riders don't have a single player on either side of the ball that would scare me if I was an opposing team's coach. I do wonder if they could figure out a way to integrate Brandon West and Hugh Charles a little more if that would change at all.
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