John Chick and Rider Quarterbacks

The Saskatchewan Roughriders' power trio is in Regina getting ready for the CFL season.
Darian Durant, Steven Jyles and Dalton Bell, the three Roughriders quarterbacks under contract for 2009, are spending a few days in the city taking part in community events and making appearances on behalf of the Riders.

"It's good for us to develop some camaraderie and get around the city a little bit,'' Durant said Thursday. "It's also a good thing for bonding and getting to know each other.''

On Thursday, the trio showed their support for Riders defensive end John Chick during a Learn and Lunch program at MacNeill Elementary School.

The three watched Chick's presentation on overcoming challenges presented by life and football. It was a timely presentation considering the challenges ahead for the unproven quarterbacks.

"We've been playing quarterback all of our lives, so I don't think we're unproven,'' said Durant, who threw for 1,122 yards, seven touchdowns and six interceptions in 2008. "People just need to see more of us. If we go out there and win games, you won't hear that term anymore.''

Head coach Ken Miller is committed to the trio of quarterbacks despite their limited starting experience in the CFL. That's where the term unproven rises. Jyles, who was acquired in a 2008 trade with the Edmonton Eskimos, said unproven is being used to describe them because the Riders' don't have a No. 1 quarterback.

"We have all pretty much proven ourselves but there are still areas where we can get better,'' said Jyles, who threw for 533 yards, four touchdowns and six interceptions in 2008. "That's really the fans saying we don't have a proven guy. You look at Calgary, they have Henry Burris. Edmonton has Ricky Ray and Montreal has Anthony Calvillo. They all have proven guys who are designated as the starter. Here, we have three guys who have the ability to start.''

Durant has been appointed the starter heading into training camp, which opens June 7 in Regina. Jyles is all right with Durant's top spot on the pecking order.

"I respect Coach Miller's decision because he's a wise guy,'' said Jyles. "He also told me that I'm still going to compete and prepare like that because you never know. Especially after a season like last year where we all got to play. I'm going to prepare like I'm the starter even though Durant is the guy. I'll be ready to play.''

Bell was added to the Riders' practice roster Oct. 9. He spent two NFL seasons on the practice rosters of the Carolina Panthers, Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks before making his way to Regina. He knows he's third on the depth chart heading into training camp.

"I'm OK with that right now,'' said Bell. "I'm going into camp with the expectations of doing my best and seeing what happens.''

It was an interesting 2008 season tracking the Riders' quarterback carousel to a 12-6 second-place record in the West Division. Marcus Crandell, Durant, Jyles and Michael Bishop all started at quarterback. Durant made three straight starts and threw for more than 700 yards and five touchdowns before being sidelined with a rib injury.
Jyles started one game late in the season. The Riders closed out the season with Bishop at the controls in a 33-12 loss to the B.C. Lions in the West Division semifinal. Two days later, the Riders showed their confidence in their young quarterbacks by releasing Bishop.

The coaching staff showed a similar type of confidence during the offseason when veteran quarterbacks Kevin Glenn and Casey Printers became available. The Riders didn't show any interest in those quarterbacks, preferring to remain with the players they have under contract.

"It shows that what we have accomplished is enough to lead this team,'' said Durant. "It's good to know that the organization has your back and they didn't have to get a veteran guy to come in here and do the job.''