DURANT COMES FROM A FOOTBALL FAMILY

Quarterback Darian Durant at Rider practice earlier this week.
Photograph by: Troy Fleece, Leader-Post

REGINA — Darian and Justin Durant have two leagues covered when it comes to professional football.

Darian is the starting quarterback with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, who open their 2009 CFL regular season Friday (7 p.m.) against the B.C. Lions at Mosaic Stadium. Justin is a third-year linebacker with the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars. Justin, 23, started 12 games in 2008 and eight in 2007 and has recorded 119 tackles as an outside linebacker.

"We talk about (playing professional football) all of the time,'' Darian, 26, said Thursday after the Riders completed their final preparations for Friday's CFL game. "We know how blessed we are to both be playing professional football.''

Football runs deep in the Durant family, which is based in from Florence, S.C. Keyshawn Durant, Darian's 36-year-old brother, was a quarterback at South Carolina State. Darian would go on to become a record-setting quarterback with the University of North Carolina Tar Heels, graduating with a degree in African American studies.

In 2005, Darian attended training camp with the NFL's Baltimore Ravens. One year later, Durant joined the Roughriders.

Justin, 6-foot-1 and 240 pounds, was selected by Jacksonville in the second round (48th overall) of the 2007 NFL draft after starting 39 of 43 games at Hampton University. Darian was at the draft-day party and celebrated his brother's accomplishment without feelings of regret or envy.
"I was the happiest person around for him,'' said Darian, who is 5-foot-11 and 214 pounds. "God has things planned for everybody and it wasn't in His plans for me to play in the NFL. I'm totally fine with that. I'm up here, I'm playing and I have an opportunity to start. Of course, I would like to make millions of dollars but I'm still living the dream.''

It took time for Durant to earn the starting nod as the Riders quarterback. He was a backup until 2008 when starter Marcus Crandell went down with a hamstring injury in the second week of the season. Steven Jyles was first off the bench but struggled. Durant came in later in the game and helped guide the Riders to a 26-16 victory over the Lions.

"He brings a lot of intangibles to the game that you have to prepare for,'' said Lions defensive end Brent Johnson. "If he doesn't see what he likes, he can beat you with his feet.''
Durant is more than a scrambler. Jamie Barresi, the Riders quarterbacks coach, said that Durant plays the game in his mind before taking to the field.

"He thinks it out and does a lot behind the scenes,'' said Barresi. "He goes through scenarios and talking over coverages. People don't see him doing that but he spends a lot time at it.''

That's how Durant planned on spending Thursday night. Durant and some of the other receivers were to gather at the home of slotback Jason Clermont to watch the Winnipeg Blue Bombers play the Edmonton Eskimos. It won't be all football talk but there will be some communication that will help the Riders on the field.

"Jason is cooking too,'' Durant said with a laugh.
Durant earned the start based on his experience in 2008 and his knowledge of the team's offensive system. The Riders won all four games that he started, although he suffered a rib injury early in one start and was pulled at halftime in his final start. On the season, he completed 77 of 129 pass attempt for 1,122 yards, with seven touchdown passes and six interceptions. He showed some of his rushing ability with 204 yards on 24 carries.

Those modest statistics have led to concerns about the Riders' experience at quarterback. Durant knows it will take time to prove himself to the fans.

"Until you prove yourself, there are always going to be questions,'' said Durant. "This is a game I've played all of my life so there isn't any pressure. I'm comfortable in the system and there isn't any reason why I shouldn't be able to succeed.''

mmccormick@leaderpost.canwest.com