DURANT INTERVIEW

By Rob Vanstone Mon, Aug 31 2009 COMMENTS(0) Rider Rumblings

How was it staying here during the bye week? “I stayed around and didn’t take the trip home. I was in the film room pretty much the whole break, basically, just trying to break down what we’ve been doing as an offence and what we need to get better at.’’

What did you see? “I see a very explosive offence. I see that we have the potential to have something special here. We just need to cut out the turnovers. They’re huge for us. I think that if we can cut down on turnovers, it’s a whole ’nother season for us.’’

When you looked at the films, did you think, ‘How could I do that?’: “Not all the time. Those guys on defence get paid, too, and they’ve made some good plays. I can control a lot of the things that have been going wrong for us as an offence. That’s my goal. There were no real head-scratcher throws, but there were a lot of them that you want back.’’

How would you grade your performance? “I would give us a C — just average. I think there’s a lot of room for improvement with all 12 guys out there. We’ll focus on that and we’ll be a whole ’nother team.’’

How would you grade yourself? “I think I’m right at average, too. I have high expectations for myself. Even though I’ve done a couple of good things out there, there’s still a lot of room for improvement. I’m getting better.’’

Do you see things on tape that you don’t realize you’re doing on the field? “As far as bad things go, I don’t question why I’m doing it. I just need to do it a little quicker or maybe need to put a little more oomph on some of my throws, if ‘oomph’ is a word. It’s just little things. Every mistake is correctable and you best believe I’ll correct it.’’

How important is it to have Andy Fantuz back in there this week? “That’s huge. Andy’s a hell of a talent and to have a big talent like that on the field is great. I can’t wait to get him back out there. I love working with him. He’s my best friend on the team. I just love being around him and working with him.’’

Given the nature of that relationship, have you given any advice regarding the contract situation? “I told him to do what’s best for Andy. That’s all that he can do. It’s tough in this game. You’re one hit away from a career (ending), so you have to make the best decision possible for Andy, and that’s what I told him.’’

Why was it so important to you to stay here and keep working on the mental part of your game? “Because I know the type of potential we have as a team. I knew that a lot of the guys were going home already. There’s nothing really at home except family, and my family will be coming up for a couple of games. The thing I wanted to do was take care of my family here in Saskatchewan and that’s this football team, and make sure that I’m on my game. As long as I’m on my game, that will help everybody else out.’’

What did the coaches say about what you saw on film during the bye week? “We talked this morning. It’s just coincidental that coach LaPo (offensive co-ordinator Paul LaPolice) and coach (Jamie) Barresi watched every interception that I threw. They told me some of the same things that I’ve been saying. It’s not that I’m not seeing what’s going on. I just need to be more emphatic with some of the things that I do. That’s not hard to do. It’s just a matter of me making up my mind, believing in what I see, and pulling the trigger.’’

What do the other guys on the team think? “We’re definitely on the same page. We’re one of the more explosive offences in this league, so we’re definitely on the same page. We just have to cut out the mistakes.’’Do you sense that everyone came back focused and ready to go? “I think so. We had a good talk in the locker room after Montreal and everyone knows the type of potential that we have. Everyone was anxious to get back to work. You can see it in the locker room. It was like the first day of school in there, with everyone happy to see each other. We definitely realize our potential. Now it’s about getting out there on the field and executing.’’

RIDERS BACK AT PRACTICE ON MONDAY

By Murray McCormick Mon, Aug 31 2009 COMMENTS(0) Rider Rumblings

They’re back.After a week off, the Saskatchewan Roughriders returned to the practice field Monday. It was a shorter practice than usual because the Riders have six days to prepare for Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Sunday.

Here’s the news from Monday’s practice.

— There was new face at practice, offensive lineman Antonio Hall. He was with the Riders in 2006 for four games. Here’s a link to his bio with the Calgary Stampeders last year. Our Greg Harder will have more on Hall online later and in Tuesday’s Leader-Post.

— There is help, well old help, on the way for the Riders’ special teams. Riders head coach Ken Miller said the former Riders’ returner Jason Armstead will be at practice on Tuesday. Armstead was the Riders in 2006 and 2007 but was traded to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats mid-way through the season for Chris Getzlaf and Corey Holmes. I’m not sure how much of an impact Armstead will have but he should help with the Riders’ dismal field position on kickoff and punt returns.

— Bobby Harris, Denatay Heard and Chris Jones, were all absent from practice Monday. They all had problems with their connections out of Denver.

— Fullback Neal Hughes was running with the scout team on Monday. He looked pretty good and fast. He’s on the nine-game injured list, so I doubt if he will return until after Labour Day.— Slotback Andy Fantuz was the man on Monday as we all tried to find out more about his contract status. As expected, he said he’s concentrating on rehabbing his hamstring and trying to avoid the distractions associated with working on a contract. He’s leaving those talks up to his agent and Riders’ general manager Eric Tillman. I’ll have more on this online later and in Tuesday’s Leader-Post.

— Offensive tackle Belton Johnson is ready to return from a torn pectoral muscle. Whether that will happen will be up the coaches but Miller doubted if they were willing to use an exception from the nine-game list in the first half of the season. A players’ salary while on the nine-game list doesn’t count in the salary cap unless they are activated. Then every game they missed while on the list counts. That would be a seven-game hit for the Riders with Johnson. Hall gives them some flexibility if Harris isn’t able to go. Harris has essentially been playing on one leg with an injured knee. The Riders want to assess Harris’s progress on Monday.

—Finally, Miller had a meeting slated for Monday afternoon with former Riders linebacker Reggie Hunt. The Riders need some depth there with injuries to Rey Williams and Kye Stewart. Tillman has said the decision on whether Hunt will be play is up to the coaches. Apparently Hunt would have to agree to a lesser role than starter. Miller promised us more news on that front Tuesday.

FANTUZ AND HUNT UPDATE

The Saskatchewan Roughriders are just days away from returning to the football field for their first practice since this current bye week. However lots has been going on behind the scenes. G.M.

Eric Tillman apparently had a very good meeting with free agent LB Reggie Hunt, and he has given the coaches a "thumbs up" from his perspective, with regards to his signing. It's now appears to be a coaches decision. .

From what I'm hearing, the coaches have been very happy with the play of Tad Kornegay the past couple of games, and they also seem to be real happy with the McCullough-Freeman combo in the middle. That would seem to mean they see Hunt as a role player, not a full time starter.

Maybe I'm wrong, but that's the feeling I'm getting. . So, maybe that's why the coaches' meeting with Hunt is so important. . Both sides need to be comfortable with what appears to be a different role for the Reaper if he comes back. The coaches have taken some time off during the bye week, but that meeting will take place, with a decision probably being made one way or the other, before the team returns to the practice field next week.

Regarding star slotback Andy Fantuz, who's missed the past four games with a hamstring injury and is poised to become a free agent at season's end, the Riders are continuing to play wait-and-see. The offer's been made, and Fantuz continues to mull it over with his agents and perhaps his family as well.

From what I can gather, money won't be a factor. What Andy's grappling with is the strong pull to re-sign with the Riders, whom he loves, and the allure of heading home to southern Ontario near friends and family. He's got to know full well either the Argos, Ticats, or both will back up the Brink's truck come free agent season. As it stands, the Riders have no idea which way he's leaning but they've been trying to avoid making this a pressure decision. RP

INTERVIEW WITH DARIAN DURANT

Rob Vanstone Fri, Aug 28 2009 COMMENTS(0) Rider Rumblings

I spoke with Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Darian Durant about staying in Regina during the bye week. Here is a complete transcript of our conversation:

What made you decide to stay in Regina for the bye week? “The main thing I wanted to do was stay focused, keep working out, and make sure I’m in the film room so I could correct some of the things that have been going wrong early in the season. I knew that if I improved my reads and my play, it will help the football team out tremendously.’’

When did you decide to stay? “It was about two weeks ago. I was thinking about getting my flight and whatnot. I just decided it would be better for me and for the team for me to just stay up here. I knew everybody else was going home, and there’s nothing wrong with that, but the thing I wanted to do is just continue to focus on this season.’’

What kind of things were you contemplating doing before you decided to stay here? “I was just going to go home and see the family for a little bit and just relax. I was going to go to a couple of my brother’s practices. It was just things like that. Nothing major.’’

How many hours a day are you in the film room or what kind of exciting life are you leading this week? “I try to get in at 10 every morning and get a good lift in and good cardio. Then I watch film for about two hours. I’ve been doing that since Monday. I’m pretty caught up on Winnipeg and how to attack those guys. Hopefully what I’ve been looking at matches the coaches’ game plan.’’

Are you evaluating yourself as well or are you just looking ahead at your next opponent? “I’ve definitely been evaluating myself. I’ve watched our past three games just to see what’s been going on and see what I can improve on and try to make sure I don’t continue to make the mistakes that I’ve been making.’’

How do you like what you see? Are you generally pleased? “Overall, I’m pleased with the way I’ve progressed. I’m pleased with a lot of the things that I’ve been doing. I feel like if you take back four or five throws this season, it changes our record and it changes the way I critique myself. If I can limit the mistakes and don’t try to force it too much, a sack is always better than an interception. Those are the little things that I have to get better at. This week is helping me just focus in on those things and make sure I make a conscious effort to do that.’’

As productive as it is to do what you’re doing during the bye week, did you consider that a mental break might be helpful? Everywhere you go in this city, people are going to know who you are. Is there a price to be paid for staying here because you can’t get yourself away from the pressure-cooker? “A little bit, but I like to sit at home a lot and do things at home, so I’m not getting around much. I’m definitely using the week to relax. It’s OK. This is my job. This is what I’ve chosen to do. I just have to deal with the, quote unquote, pressure-cooker. It’s no big deal. People are passionate about the game and there’s going to be criticism along the way.’’

Is it tough to have a bye week after a game you didn’t win? You’ve got 16 days before your next game. “Of course, you always want to go into a bye on a good note with a win, but we played a good game out there in Montreal. We have a lot to build on. We just have to take the positives from that game and just try to get better. There were a lot of things that went well for us in the Montreal game. Let’s build on those and continue to get better.’’

Can you see the real crucial part of the season now that the second half of the season is about to begin? “Oh yeah. It’s here. I feel like it has already passed. We needed a couple of those games and we let them slip. The thing is to learn from it and not make the same mistakes or do the same things that got you to the point where you are. We’ve got a tough schedule coming up but we know the type of team we are. If we play to our abilities, then it’ll be tough for anybody in the league to beat us.’’

DURANT UNDERSTANDS THE IMPORTANCE OF PERSONAL SACRIFICES

Roughriders quarterback Darian Durant
Photograph by: Don Healy, Leader-Post files

REGINA — Darian Durant decided against saying "bye'' during the bye week.
Many of Durant's teammates with the CFL's Saskatchewan Roughriders are scattered across North America, but the 27-year-old quarterback resisted the temptation to emulate them.

"The main thing I wanted to do was stay focused, keep working out, and make sure I'm in the film room so I could correct some of the things that have been going wrong early in the season,'' Durant said. "I knew that if I improved my reads and my play, it will help the football team out tremendously.''

Durant had intended to embark for Jacksonville, Fla., where his brother Justin plays linebacker for the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars. Those plans were altered about two weeks ago.

"I was thinking about getting my flight and whatnot,'' the Riders' pivot recalled. "I just decided it would be better for me and for the team for me to just stay up here. I knew everybody else was going home, and there's nothing wrong with that, but the thing I wanted to do is just continue to focus on this season.''

That is one more reason to be impressed with Durant.

As the key player on offence — and as a leader on the team — he recognizes the importance of making personal sacrifices for the good of the collective.

Nobody stands to derive more benefits from additional film study than the starting quarterback. Immersion in video was one reason why Kent Austin was so productive as the Roughriders' starting quarterback, and that absorption also served him well during one magical season as the team's head coach.

Durant was a CFL sophomore when the Austin-led Roughriders won the 2007 Grey Cup. Clearly, the Austin influence has rubbed off.

"I've definitely been evaluating myself,'' Durant said. "I've watched our past three games just to see what's been going on and see what I can improve on and try to make sure I don't continue to make the mistakes that I've been making.''

Durant has been a microcosm of his team, in that there have been successes and struggles. Saskatchewan has a 4-4-0 record entering the Labour Day Classic, a Sept. 6 date with the visiting Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The Roughriders are to visit Winnipeg one week later for the Banjo Bowl.

"I'm pretty caught up on Winnipeg and how to attack those guys,'' said Durant, who watches two hours of film per day in addition to working out at Mosaic Stadium. "Hopefully what I've been looking at matches the coaches' game plan.''

The game plan was inspired in many respects for the Roughriders' Aug. 21 game against the league-leading Montreal Alouettes, who won 34-25. Durant repeatedly scorched the Alouettes on deep passes, only to end up lamenting the Roughriders' fourth defeat in a six-game span.

"You always want to go into a bye on a good note with a win, but we played a good game out there in Montreal,'' Durant said. "We have a lot to build on. We just have to take the positives from that game and just try to get better.''

Durant threw two touchdown passes in Montreal while amassing 326 aerial yards, but was also intercepted three times. After eight games, he has thrown as many TD passes (11) as interceptions.

"Overall, I'm pleased with the way I've progressed,'' Durant said. "I'm pleased with a lot of the things that I've been doing. I feel like if you take back four or five throws this season, it changes our record and it changes the way I critique myself. If I can limit the mistakes and don't try to force it too much, a sack is always better than an interception.

"Those are the little things that I have to get better at. This week is helping me just focus in on those things and make sure I make a conscious effort to do that.''

The extra effort of this past week should help along the way.

"We've got a tough schedule coming up but we know the type of team we are,'' Durant concluded. "If we play to our abilities, then it'll be tough for anybody in the league to beat us.''

rvanstone@leaderpost.canwest.com
© Copyright (c) The Regina Leader-Post

CLERMONTS CORNER

Saskatchewan Roughriders' Jason Clermont
Photograph by: leaderpost.com, photo illustration

Some odds and ends on a week where no Rider game will be played ...
Wonderstruck:

I fully expected to hear AC/DC rocking Mosaic Stadium from my house but didn't expect to see the massive lineups at the malls to get onto the bus before the concert. In this instance, the use of the word "massive" is an understatement as the lineup at the Victoria Square Mall alone wrapped around the entire building with thousands of people waiting to take advantage of the free service provided by the city. Great idea, by the way, to reduce congestion and increase safety for the event.

We had tickets, but opted to stay home with our seven-month-old son. My wife was adamant that we get our money back for the tickets while not trying to turn a profit. She advertised them on UsedRegina.com and sold them at face value. In trying not to be a scalper, she overlooked the service charges and premium that I had paid to get the tickets in a pre-sale. In the end, one lucky family got a heck of a deal on some good AC/DC tickets, while I probably saved a good chunk of change not buying concert food, drinks and T-shirts.

Good Bye Week:

Many players have headed home to see their families for the first time since before training camp. Others are using this opportunity for some rest and relaxation away from home. The timing of the bye week this year allows a few teams to evaluate their rosters and possibly make some moves during the week off before Article 15 of the CFL Collective Bargaining Agreement comes into effect.

Article 15 deals with the release of a veteran player, and states that a veteran of six years is entitled to his full compensation after the ninth game (a five-year veteran after the 10th, a four-year vet after the 11th and all other veteran players after the 14th game). With the bye week coming after the eighth game, there exists the possibility of some roster movement, much like what was done with Marcus Crandell last season.

Get Schooled:

This week also marks the end of summer holidays, even though the weather makes it feel like summer has just begun. Mailboxes are filled with Back to School flyers and soon the streets will be filled with back-to-school traffic in the mornings. With schools opening back up, high school and university football seasons are set to kick off. The University of Regina Rams start Sept. 4 against Manitoba, and the Regina Intercollegiate Football League 3A and 4A seasons get started the following week.

If you are looking to get your football fix this weekend at Mosaic Stadium, watch the Regina Thunder take on the Edmonton Huskies on Sunday at 1 p.m. You just might see the next Stu Foord or Chris Getzlaf ...

(Clermont's Corner appears weekly throughout the football season.)
© Copyright (c) The Regina Leader-Post

MORE ON REGGIE HUNT

By Ian Hamilton Fri, Aug 28 2009 COMMENTS(0) Rider Rumblings

The Saskatchewan Roughriders continue to kick around the idea of signing linebacker Reggie Hunt.Hunt, 31, has met with general manager Eric Tillman and is expected to meet in the coming days with some of the Roughriders’ coaches.

It’s believed that conversation will cover such topics as the team’s defensive scheme and Hunt’s role if he was to sign.Hunt, who was cut after the pre-season by the Montreal Alouettes, hasn’t played this season. He began his CFL career with the Roughriders in 2002 and played in Regina through ’07.

The Roughriders are in need of linebackers due to knee injuries to Rey Williams and Kye Stewart, both of whom are on Saskatchewan’s nine-game injured list.

The Roughriders are on their bye week and don’t resume practising until Monday. When they do return to Mosaic Stadium, it’s expected there will be some new faces at practice — but a source inside the organization said that doesn’t include Hunt.

RIDER SONGS

FOR COLOUR THE WORLD GREEN

CLICK HERE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHQdikkOtk0&feature=related

GREEN IS THE COLOUR

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2jkaUiSgQw&feature=related

COLORADO RESIDENT LOVE THE CFL ( AND OUR RIDERS )

THIS IS A GREAT LETTER THAT WAS RECEIVED BY THE CFL FROM A RESIDENT OF COLORADO. HE DISCOVERED THE CFL AND SPECIFICALLY THE SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS.

CLICK HERE http://www.cfl.ca/article/fan-blog-an-american-s-view-of-the-cfl

STEVIE BAGGS DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Saskatchewan Roughriders Stevie Baggs reacts to winning his CFL football game against the Calgary Stampeders in Calgary August 1, 2009.
Photograph by: Todd Korol, Reuters

REGINA — Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive end Stevie Baggs was a unanimous selection as the CFL's defensive player-of-the-week when the selections were announced Tuesday.

Baggs had 10 tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble in Friday's 34-25 loss to the host Montreal Alouettes. He leads the CFL with seven quarterback sacks and is tied for the league lead in forced fumbles with three.
It's the second time this season that Baggs has been named the defensive player-of-the-week. He also won the award in Week 1 after Saskatchewan beat the B.C. Lions 28-24.

Two Alouettes also were unanimous selections as players-of-the-week for their efforts in Friday's game.
Larry Taylor earned special-team honours after returning four punts for 74 yards, including a 68-yarder for a touchdown, and a kickoff 51 yards to help set up another Montreal major.

Safety Matthieu Proulx was the top Canadian after he had three tackles, two interceptions and one special-teams tackle.

The offensive player-of-the-week also was a unanimous selection.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers running back Fred Reid set a club record with 260 yards rushing and scored two touchdowns in the Bombers' 37-10 destruction of B.C. on Friday.

Reid leads the league in rushing with 795 yards, 160 more than the second-place man, Montreal's Avon Cobourne.

© Copyright (c) The Regina Leader-Post

DURANT AND CATES HAVE TO CONTROL THE GAME

By Rob Vanstone, Leader-PostAugust 20, 2009Be the first to post a comment


REGINA — Darian Durant has a certain Flair for the English language.

That was obvious when the Saskatchewan Roughriders' quarterback was asked about Friday's game against the Montreal Alouettes — whose 6-1 record is the CFL's best this season.

"As a competitor, you love the challenge,'' Durant said. "You love the opportunity to play the best. Ric Flair always used to say, 'To be the man, you've got to beat the man.' Right now, they're on top, so we're coming after them.''

Flair, for the uninitiated, is a legend of professional wrestling. In that arena, the outcome is pre-determined. Skeptics may suggest that the same applies to this evening's game at Percival Molson Stadium, given the fact that Montreal won 43-10 in Regina on July 18. Prior to that, the Roughriders had not lost at home by 33 or more points since 1992.

Such a disparity seemed to be unlikely during the first half of the Roughriders-Alouettes clash. Montreal led 14-8 before assuming control of the game during the third quarter, when Saskatchewan customarily falters.

The third-quarter woes have been frequently cited by the Roughriders' critics. Saskatchewan has also been inconsistent on offence and defence, and dismal on special teams. And now the Roughriders have to play in (gulp) Montreal against the high-powered Alouettes.

"They're considered to be the best team in the league,'' Durant said. "To go over there and beat them in their place, it would definitely give us a confidence boost going into the bye week. It would show us where we are as a team.

"When they came here, we don't necessarily feel we gave them the game, but we had our opportunities and we just didn't capitalize on them. We have to make sure we do that this time around.''

Or else . . .

The Roughriders would like to render Alouettes quarterback Anthony Calvillo ineffective, but he is rarely neutralized by any team. As a result, the most practical method of silencing Calvillo is to force him to stand on the sideline. The Roughriders cannot hope to do that without deploying tailback Wes Cates to great effect.

"We have to establish the run,'' Durant said. "That's each and every week. We have to make sure we give Wes enough carries so he can get going and stay on the field.

"Our defence was on the field a lot during that (July 18) game, so we definitely have to give those guys a rest. The key is always keeping Calvillo off the field. They have a very potent offence, so the best defence against them is to not even let them on the field.''
Hence the need for a productive ball-control offence.

The Roughriders were successful in that regard during each of their past two victories. Cates rushed for 98 yards in a 24-23 victory over the host Calgary Stampeders on Aug. 1, and 117 yards in Sunday's 33-23 conquest of the visiting Hamilton Tiger-Cats. In both games, offensive co-ordinator Paul LaPolice kept the opposing defence off balance by adroitly mixing the run and the pass.

LaPolice can only do so much, however. The onus is on Durant to run the offence in efficient fashion, especially when his opposite number is seemingly destined to win the CFL's most-outstanding-player award for the second consecutive season.

"It's just a great opportunity to compete against a future Hall of Famer,'' Durant said. "It's just an honour for me. I just take advantage of it and try to put my team in the best situation possible and try to come out on top.''

In his young career, Durant has started twice against the Calvillo-led Alouettes. The Roughriders have split those games, the first of which was a 41-33 victory at home last season.
"It's not necessarily pressure (facing Calvillo), but it makes you that much more aware of what you have to do out there,'' Durant said. "I'm not saying that every game isn't the same, but you have to be conscious of that going against Montreal.

"They're a ball-control team. They move the ball up and down the field and try to keep your offence off the field, so to beat a team like that, you beat them at their game. That's our goal and hopefully we can do some of the same things that they do.''

rvanstone@leaderpost.canwest.com
© Copyright (c) The Regina Leader-Post

NO TRUTH TO RUMOUR !!!

By Murray McCormick, Leader-PostAugust 20, 2009


MONTREAL — Ken Miller was quick to put to rest the rumours about the Saskatchewan Roughriders trading slotback Andy Fantuz.

"There is absolutely no truth to that rumour," the Riders' head coach said Thursday after arriving in Montreal for today's game against the Montreal Alouettes. "Why would we trade away one of our key players? It doesn't make any sense to me that there would be a rumour in that regard. If there is, I certainly don't know about it."

It's not known where the rumours started but they are likely based on the fact that Fantuz is in the option year of a three-deal with the Riders. If he doesn't re-sign he would be eligible to test free agency on Feb. 16. That's a scenario that Riders quarterback Darian Durant doesn't want to consider.

"I want to be wherever Andy is," said Durant, who is scheduled to start Friday against the 6-1 Alouettes. "He's my guy. He's a great receiver and I hope I can play with him through my career and his."

The Riders have sent a multi-year contract proposal to Fantuz's Atlanta-based agents, Hadley Engelhard and Jim Ulrich. Miller said that that general manager Eric Tillman, who is on paid administrative leave, is dealing with those negotiations. It's not known if Fantuz has seen the contract offer.

It's also believed that Tillman wanted to deal with the contract negotiations during the bye week, which starts for the Riders after Friday's game. That process has been accelerated by the persistent trade rumours.

Even now, the negotiations with Fantuz are still in their preliminary stages. Durant said Thursday that he talked to Fantuz before meeting with the media at the Olympic Stadium.
"He didn't say what he's going to do," Durant said. "He did say it was a long process and you can't go into it making any quick decisions. He wants to think it through and weigh his pros and cons."
Fantuz didn't make the trip to Montreal because he's sidelined for the fourth game with an injured left hamstring. Fantuz has been limited by injuries the last two seasons. In 2008, he was limited to seven games after suffering a broken left leg. This season, he has 15 receptions for 219 yards and a touchdown.

Those injures haven't diminished the value of Fantuz, at least in Miller's mind. Miller laughed when asked what the Riders might get in return for Fantuz, who has 2,093 yards and 14 touchdowns on 137 receptions in his CFL career.

"Maybe Montreal's defence?" Miller said.

Miller did get serious when asked about the possibility of Fantuz not being part of the Riders.

"To say the Saskatchewan Roughriders and not have a few of our key players, particularly Andy, would be wrong if those names weren't related," said Miller.

mmccormick@leaderpost.canwest.com
© Copyright (c) The Regina Leader-Post

RIDERS FACE DISTRACTIONS !!

Riders defensive tackle Marcus Adams at practice Wednesday morning.
Photograph by: Bryan Schlosser, Leader-Post

REGINA — The challenges and distractions are formidable when looking at a road trip to play the Montreal Alouettes.

For the Saskatchewan Roughriders, there is the arduous travel associated with making the trip to Montreal. This year, the team faces an eight-hour trip, including a four-hour layover in Calgary, while making the excursion to Montreal for Friday's game at Molson Stadium.

If the travel wasn't enough, the Riders were to leave today after a short work week. They beat the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 33-23 on Sunday and after a day off Monday, had just two days of practice.

Adding to the distractions, the players also know that Friday's game is the final one before embarking on their bye week. The Riders' next game is Sept. 6 against the visiting Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

"We've talked about the distractions,'' Riders head coach Ken Miller said after Wednesday's rain-soaked practice ended at Mosaic Stadium. "We've talked about the distraction of time, of being in Montreal and going on a break. We also talked about keeping their primary focus on the things that are important. Those things are proper rest, preparation and to play the game with full-out effort.''

Flying to Montreal requires some effort. The Riders are leaving Thursday at 6 a.m. and are scheduled to arrive in Montreal around 5 p.m. There are plans to conduct some positional meetings in Calgary but there is still a lot of time spent sitting in an airplane and in the Calgary airport.

"I hate it,'' Riders defensive tackle Marcus Adams said when asked about making the trip to Montreal. "It's the longest day ever because we're all bunched up and sometimes we're sitting three to a row. We need some money so we can afford a charter but we have to do it.''

The seating on the small jets is a challenge for the larger players. The jets aren't designed with 300-pounders in mind, so space is at a premium.

"You pray that you get an empty seat beside you,'' said centre Jeremy O'Day. "If that doesn't happen, then you hope that you're not sitting beside another offensive lineman. It can be really tight.''
The travel challenges may also contribute to the Riders' struggles in Montreal, where the Riders are 2-8 in their last 10 games. Their last win in Montreal was June 29, 2007 when they beat the Alouettes 16-7.
"That was big for us because it was early in the year,'' said O'Day. "Still, it's no secret that we haven't played well in Montreal. If I knew the solution, then I would try to clean it up.''

The weather may also be a challenge for the Riders. It's expected to be 28 C in Montreal on Friday and, combined with the humidity, it should feel like 38 C. That's a huge change from Wednesday's practice where it was 14 C with rain showers.

"I'm from the East Coast and I like the hot weather but practising in cold weather isn't good for our team,'' said Adams. "We have to adjust and I know that we will.''

The Alouettes on their own present a challenge for the Riders. Montreal leads the East Division with a 6-1 record and are 3-0 at home. The Alouettes are among the CFL's leaders in all of its offensive and defensive categories. The Riders are 4-3 and tied for first place in the West Division with the Edmonton Eskimos.
"Montreal defends their home pretty well,'' said Riders cornerback Omarr Morgan. "It's not just the Riders.

They play well at home against everyone.''

NOTES: Riders slotback Andy Fantuz is expected to miss a fourth straight game with an injured left hamstring. Miller said that Fantuz could have played but felt it was wiser to rest him with the bye week looming . . . Left offensive tackle Bobby Harris was working with the first-team offence on Wednesday and Miller said it was possible that he would play on Friday. Harris is nursing a tender left knee. If Harris doesn't play, it's expected Gene Makowsky would move from left guard to the left tackle and Chris Best would start at guard . . . After Friday's game, the Riders are off until Aug. 31.

mmccormick@leaderpost.canwest.com
© Copyright (c) The Regina Leader-Post

RIDERS OFFER FANTUZ MULTI-YEAR DEAL

Slotback Andy Fantuz may miss Friday's game against the Montreal Alouettes but it appears the Saskatchewan Roughriders would like him to play a few more years in Regina.

According to CJME Radio, the Roughriders have offered a multi-year extension to Fantuz, who is slated to become a free agent at the end of the season.

While the report indicates Fantuz's agents have seen the deal, the University of Western Ontario product may look at it himself over the bye week. The Roughriders have put no deadline on the Fantuz camp to accept or reject the offer.

In four games this season, the former Hec Crighton Award winner has 15 catches for 219 yards and one touchdown. Over his four-year career, he has amassed 137 receptions for 2,093 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Despite rumours to the contrary, the report indicates the Roughriders have not engaged in any trade talks with other teams involving Fantuz. The CFL trade deadline is October 14.

TEX FROM REGGIE HUNT

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Text From Reggie **UPDATE

We're on our way back from the States and I'm hearing all kinds of buzz about Reggie Hunt undergoing a physical with the Riders?

So I got ahold of him. This was his reply:

"01/02:Sup Rod! Talk 2 the team. Mutual interest. Haven't taken a physical. Not worried about a physical. Healthy as a horse. I will play again."

So now I await word from Eric Tillman.....UPDATE: Àfter speaking with the Riders, here's a thumbnail of what's going down -- Reports of Reggie's physical are premature.- The club is waiting for official medical diagnosis of the knee injury to Kye Stewart. That will come by late-week.- If it's a two-gamer, the Riders will likely go with what they have till Stewart returns (Freeman and McCullough).-

It it's long-term, the door may open for Reggie to sign but he'll have to adhere to (or agree with) some conditions.That's about all I can report about right now since I'm DRIVING!
So much for the last day of vacation.. :(

at 8/19/2009 5 comments

HUNT COULD BE BACK

By Ian Hamilton, Leader-PostAugust 19, 2009


REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders could look to a familiar face if linebacker Kye Stewart's knee injury keeps him out for the remainder of the CFL season.

A source within the organization said general manager Eric Tillman spoke with Reggie Hunt on Tuesday. Hunt, who played with Saskatchewan from 2002 through '07, hasn't played this season since being released in training camp by the Montreal Alouettes.

The source stressed Hunt, 31, is currently nothing more than one option for the Roughriders to consider if Stewart is done for the season. The rookie suffered an injury to his right knee on the opening kickoff of Sunday's 33-23 victory over the visiting Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Roughriders head coach Ken Miller told the media Tuesday that the results of an MRI on Stewart's knee "are a little bit mixed," so the Roughriders don't know exactly what his status is.
"We're going to try to get some more information on the reading of the MRI so we have a more definitive answer just what the situation is," said Miller, who noted the reading may show the injury is "not as serious as we once thought."

In the meantime, the Roughriders plan to bring in linebacker Allen Nelson — a recent cut of the NFL's Washington Redskins — once he gets a passport.

DRESSLER BECOMING BIG PART OF RUNNING ATTACK

Saskatchewan Roughriders receiver Weston Dressler
Photograph by: Troy Fleece, Leader-Post files

REGINA — Saskatchewan Roughriders tailback Wes Cates has a bone to pick with receiver Weston Dressler.

Cates was chuckling as he discussed Dressler's sudden emergence as a running threat — which constitutes a direct intrusion into Cates' domain.

"He gets enough love out there receiving the ball," Cates said, tongue in cheek, after the Roughriders practised at Mosaic Stadium. "I was a little insulted he got a rushing touchdown."
Dressler rushed three times for 25 yards in Sunday's 33-23 CFL victory over the visiting Hamilton Tiger-Cats. His 13-yard TD run in the fourth quarter snapped a 23-23 tie and helped propel Saskatchewan to its fourth win in seven games this season.

"It's fun for me," said Dressler, who's sixth in the team's rushing derby this season with 47 yards on seven carries. "I like getting the ball and trying to make plays.

"I thought our guys up front did a great job blocking. For our receivers on the perimeter, it's hard for them because they've got to hold their blocks for a long time. It's not an easy block, but they kept fighting and that's why we were successful with it."

Carrying the ball isn't foreign to Dressler. He said he got chances when his college team, the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux, used what's now known as a Wildcat formation.
The 5-foot-7, 179-pounder didn't carry the ball for the Roughriders last season, but he's happy to do so in 2009. Each of his other two carries Sunday came two plays before Saskatchewan touchdowns.

"When I have the ball, I'm trying to get as many yards as I can to try to help the team," said Dressler, who had more carries than receptions (he had two catches for 27 yards) against Hamilton.

"Whether it's getting a first down or, when we're in the 'score zone,' getting into the end zone, I'm just trying to make the most out of every play and every time I have the ball."

Roughriders offensive co-ordinator Paul LaPolice said the so-called "speed sweep series" on which Dressler runs the ball involves bringing the receiver across the formation before the snap. Dressler's defender in man-to-man coverage also is coming across the field, but he has a lot to deal with as he tries to stop the run.

One of the issues for the defender is Dressler's speed around the corner.

"He's a talented player with the ball in his hands; he's probably the fastest guy on the field . . .," LaPolice said. "We usually try to scheme it once a week — 'Here's the best way to get the ball outside to Wes' — but this past week we had three."

There also are issues on running plays for Dressler, not the least of which is his size. Luckily for him, he isn't expected to go up the middle.

"It's definitely a little bit easier taking a hit from a DB than one of those linemen or linebackers," said a smiling Dressler, who leads the Roughriders in receptions (27) and receiving yards (407) this season. "Most of the runs that I have are outside, so I'm able to run away from those big guys."

That was the case on Dressler's game-winning major. He took a handoff from quarterback Darian Durant, sped around the right end of the Roughriders' offence and dived into the corner of the end zone just as the defenders arrived.

As for the facetious suggestion that he and Cates should come to some kind of agreement — Cates handles the rushing and Dressler sticks to receiving — Dressler just chuckled.
"We're both happy when the other makes a play," he said. "We don't care who's running it or catching it."

ihamilton@leaderpost.canwest.com
© Copyright (c) The Regina Leader-Post

THERE ISN'T A QUARTERBACK CONTERVERSY

Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Darian Durant dodges a Hamilton Tiger-Cats defender in first half of CFL action on Aug. 16 at Mosaic Stadium in Regina.
Photograph by: Troy Fleece, Leader-Post files

REGINA — There isn't a quarterback controversy in the Saskatchewan Roughriders' camp.
It's more of a quarterback co-operative, especially after Sunday's 33-23 victory over the visiting Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Darian Durant started and finished the game for the Riders, who improved to 4-3 and maintained a share of first place in the West Division with the Edmonton Eskimos.

Backup quarterback Steven Jyles also contributed by throwing for a touchdown and rushing for another as the Riders raced into a 23-0 lead. After the Tiger-Cats rallied to tie the contest 23-23, Durant generated 10 fourth-quarter points. A touchdown came on a four-play 42-yard drive that culminated in Weston Dressler running for a 13-yard touchdown. Placekicker Luca Congi added a 15-yard field goal.

"In this locker room, we know what the deal is,'' Durant said Sunday. "I don't think there is a quarterback controversy. We have two good quarterbacks and we can both spell each other at any given time. Steven and I understand that I'm the guy until we see anything different. We want everyone to realize that it's not just my show. He's a great quarterback too and whenever he gets his opportunity he shows it.''

Jyles's opportunities occurred Sunday in short-yardage situations. He connected with defensive tackle Keith Shologan on a one-yard pass, that combined with Congi's convert gave the Riders a 7-0 lead. Jyles later scored on a two-yard run, which provided the Riders with a 17-0 second-quarter lead.

"What happened to me is thanks to Durant and the whole offence,'' Jyles said after offence rolled up 27 first downs and 388 yards of total offence. "They got me in position to do that. The short-yardage goal line is all mine but without them I couldn't get down there to score.''

Durant moved the team, especially in the first half when the Tiger-Cats weren't able to generate much offence. The Riders had 253 total yards of offence to Hamilton's 16. Durants also helped the offence's cause by rushing for 49 yards on five carries.

"It was a positive game for us, especially for Durant,'' said Jyles. "He started and finished the game, which is big on his part. I'm proud of him because he did what we know he can do.''
The offence was grounded in the third quarter as the Tiger-Cats rallied to tie the contest 23-23. Durant's only completion in six third-quarter attempts was a 14-yard pass to Dressler. Durant was also sacked for an 11-yard loss.

But it was in the fourth quarter when the Riders' offence returned. Durant was 5-for-7 for 63 yards in the final quarter as the Riders were able to pull out the victory. Veteran tailback Wes Cates also rushed for 43 of his total 117 total yards in the last frame.

"I got the win and it wasn't pretty, especially in the second half when I made a couple of bone-headed decisions,'' said Durant. "At the end of the day, all that counts is winning. I hope everyone looks at the big picture and that's winning.''

The Riders were off Monday. They return to the practice field today to begin on-field preparations for Friday's game in Montreal against the Alouettes. It's a short week for the Roughriders but Miller said the coaches doubled up on their preparations last week. They worked on a game plan for Sunday's game and created one for Friday's game.

"The most important thing for our players to was to get some rest,'' said Miller. "We'll have a game plan that has a lot of similarities to (Sunday's game) both offensively and defensively.''

mmccormick@leaderpost.canwest.com

© Copyright (c) The Regina Leader-Post

LEGEND - GEORGE REED

Former Saskatchewan Roughrider George Reed
Photograph by: Bryan Schlosser, Leader-Post files

REGINA — Even for Saskatchewan Roughriders legend George Reed, game day at Mosaic Stadium really isn't all that different than for many fans.

His first few minutes after walking into the stadium at 3:30 p.m. before Sunday's contest with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats were not spent seeking out the Roughriders for an inspirational speech or being paraded in by the pep band. Instead, Reed's first order of business was checking for an update on the PGA championship on the televisions in the Green and White Lounge, followed shortly by propping up the wobbly table at which he was seated with his wife, Angie.

Of course, as the day wears on, Reed tends to pose for a few more photographs, sign a few more autographs and make a few more speeches and introductions than does the typical fan.

Just a half hour before Sunday's game, Reed is called away from his usual pre-game mingling in the lounge to meet the Plemel family from Humboldt.

Turns out that Maurice and Grace Plemel's daughter Megan takes classes from Reed's daughter Georgette, a professor and track and field coach at the University of Alberta.

"I ended up talking to her and how my dad loved watching his favourite player of all time," explains Megan. "I got him a George Reed jersey and e-mailed (Georgette) this week to see if we could set something up that he would autograph it. Georgette set it up with her dad that we could come an hour early and get it done."

Reed gladly spent a few minutes talking to the family, signing the jersey and posing for a photo with Maurice, even making sure they were in the right light so the picture turned out.
"He so humble," Grace says after the encounter.

"Obviously it was a thrill," adds Maurice. "And our daughters conspired to make it happen, which makes it even more special. His fame is pretty long-lasting. He's as popular today as he was when he played football."

That's something that still takes the ex-running back by surprise. And given that he is indeed humbled each time someone approaches him for an autograph or photo, Reed is always happy to accommodate.

"If you don't like it, it's time for you to go into hibernation," Reed says, laughing. "I'm very honoured that people still want it. If they want it, I have time to give it."

In between all the reminiscing with fans, Reed also has time to serve as a pseudo master of ceremonies in the Green and White Lounge — making announcements, introducing special guests and the like — before he and Angie head out to their seats in the first row of the west-side stands.

"When it's nice," notes a chuckling Reed after heading back inside to escape a cold, wet Sunday evening in Regina. "I didn't bring any rain clothes today so I couldn't be sitting out there."
Instead, Reed finds an unoccupied corner of the lounge to watch the contest on one of several widescreen TVs.

"You've got the best seat in the house, George," says one server.
"Today I do," comes the reply.

Throughout the game Reed watches it through the eyes of a player.

"It depends on who is playing," Reed admits. "I'm probably more critical watching a Saskatchewan game than I am watching a regular game. I watch all the games that I can. But

I'm more on edge watching Saskatchewan games and I'm watching different aspects of it."
Sometimes it's the special teams, sometimes it's the defence and sometimes it's his old stomping grounds at running back.

Even on a seemingly meaningless play that doesn't appear to warrant any analysis, Reed can come out with something noteworthy to say.

Case in point: Near the end of the first half Roughriders tailback Wes Cates is held up by a wall of Tiger-Cats defenders before eventually being thrown to the ground. The first thought through Reed's head is how he loved defenders attempting to throw him rather than stop him in his tracks.

"Any time a guy grabs you and throws you, he doesn't know it, but he's throwing you toward the first down," said Reed. "I kind of watch everything, but it's different phases of the game that I watch closely. In that case, of course you like to see the running back and if he's hitting the right holes and what he's doing with the football. That time, Wes did an excellent job of it and the guys just grabbed him."

That's about as into the game as Reed, who will turn 70 in October, gets anymore. He doesn't meet with players beforehand ("I let them get prepared to play and get ready to go," he said) and completely stays out of the way of the team.

"I'd don't get fired up about it anymore," he said. "There's certain plays at certain times you have that feeling like, 'I could do it on this play.' They cause you to want to be in the game. There's a few plays each year that that happens, but outside that, no, I just kind of relax."
And when the game is over and the Roughriders have escaped with a 33-23 win, Reed slips out as quietly as he slipped in. No fanfare, no need for any extra attention — although he probably signed an autograph or two on the way home.

tswitzer@leaderpost.canwest.com
© Copyright (c) The Regina Leader-Post

GRAHAM HARRELL - NEW RIDER QUARTERBACK

This is an interesting interview with Graham Harrell's Grandfather and Mom.


CLICK HERE http://www.inthehuddle.ca/huddle.php?titl=76

CATES CAN STILL PLAY

Roughrider Wes Cates (20) takes a hand off from quarterback Darian Durant.
Photograph by: Troy Fleece, Leader-Post

REGINA — Wes Cates appeared tired and satisfied after Sunday's 33-23 victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders' veteran tailback rushed for a season-high 117 yards on 19 carries in the win before 30,650 spectators at Mosaic Stadium.

"This is just something to re-solidify that I can still play the game,'' said Cates, who missed the first two games of the CFL season while recovering from off-season shoulder surgery. "They don't have to worry about it because I'm still going to provide plays and play some good minutes.''

Cates did that in the fourth quarter when he rushed for 46 of his total yards. That performance was especially timely because the Tiger-Cats had rallied from a 23-0 deficit to tie the contest 23-23 early in the fourth quarter.

"I feel they came in with a little more confidence than they should have had,'' Cates said after the Riders improved to 4-3 overall and 2-2 at home. "They knew we have been playing up and down and haven't been playing that well at home. They had been playing well but they weren't ready. We got a big lead and we were able to put away the game when we needed it.''

The Tiger-Cats tied the contest on an eight-yard run by DeAndra' Cobb. That's when Cates came to the front.

"It was definitely a confidence-booster for us because we haven't been running the ball as well as we have wanted to,'' said Riders quarterback Darian Durant. "The fourth quarter gave us an opportunity to give Wes the ball and allow him to do what he does best. That was huge and hopefully we can keep this thing rolling.''

Cates did that and more. In the fourth quarter, he recorded runs of 12, five and three yards that helped run down the clock and eventually led to Luca Congi's 15-yard field goal. Cates was also handed the ball late in the fourth quarter when the Riders were killing the clock.

"That was really good,'' said Riders head coach Ken Miller. "You compare this game to what he

did in Calgary (98 yards on 16 carries) and you see what he can do.''
It wasn't all Cates. Durant rushed for 49 yards on five carries and Weston Dressler ran for 25 yards and a go-ahead touchdown. Regina product Stu Foord also contributed to the running game with four carries for 21 yards.

"Stu is a good player in his own right and it's a long season,'' Miller said when asked about using Foord. "We want to space out the numbers of reps that Wes gets.''

mmccormick@leaderpost.canwest.com
© Copyright (c) The Regina Leader-Post

Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive linemen during practice at Mosaic Stadium.
Photograph by: Bryan Schlosser, Leader-Post

REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders are getting defensive about their run defence.
That's what happens when a team is sixth in the CFL with 814 rushing yards allowed and has given up an average gain of 6.5 yards. But the members of the Riders' beleaguered run defence feel that statistics don't tell the whole story. They think that they have been improving, especially in the last two games.

"In the last two games, when we've needed to stop the run, we've been damn near 100 per cent,'' defensive co-ordinator Gary Etcheverry said Friday after the Riders completed their final preparations for Sunday's game (5 p.m.) at Mosaic Stadium against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. "To me that is where the traditional stats fail the fan who is dependent on the media to teach them the game. The fallacy is all yards are three feet but all yards are not equal. There are times when game situations take precedence over the stats.''

Instead of looking at the overall statistics, the Riders (3-3) prefer to look back at their effort in last Friday's 35-20 loss to the B.C. The Lions managed just one fourth-quarter first down — on a 13-yard touchdown run by Martell Mallett with 37 seconds remaining. With the exception of that play, the Riders were able to force the Lions into punting four straight times.

"In that situation, the Lions weren't playing the Roughriders, they were playing the clock,'' said Etcheverry. "The idea is by running the ball, they keep the clock moving. They couldn't do that. So, we took those relatively important yards out and when they needed to do it, they couldn't gain a first down in the fourth quarter. We had four times when we gave the ball back to our offence.

"We would like to keep them from gaining a year on every single play and taking the ball away from them. That's an ambitious goal. Overall, I would like to improve on the running game in terms of yards but I don't look at the stats and I don't believe in them. They are just something for people to talk about.''
People are talking about the Riders' play against the run. Some members of the defensive line have read comments from fans on www.riderville.com and those comments have raised their ire.

"The fans always have something to say about our defence or our offence,'' said Riders' defensive tackle Marcus (Chunky) Adams. "If we win a game, they love us. If we lose. some fans hate our guts. We're just trying to do our jobs to the best of our abilities. We don't try to lose on purpose, it happens but we try to win every game we play. When we lose? Life goes on.''

The Riders are well aware of the concerns raised about their run defence. Some of the defensive linemen are taking those comments personally.

"It's a personal blow because we're trying to stop the run with five people in the defence that we're running,'' said defensive tackle Keith Shologan. "They are obviously saying that we're not getting the job done. You have to look past those things. We're not responsible for gaps or anything like that. We're responsible for an area and we're trying to make plays.''

The concerns about the Riders' run defence have been heightened with Sunday's game against the Tiger-Cats looming. The Tiger-Cats (4-2) boast the CFL's second-best record into heading into Week 7. The Riders (3-3) are to face an explosive offence and rookie running back in DeAndra' Cobb, who is fourth in the CFL with 400 rushing yards on 61 carries.

Cobb has exhibited a flair for breaking long runs, which has even the most loyal of Riders fans worried about what he might be able to accomplish at Mosaic Stadium. Cobb sounds more impressed with the Riders' defence than the fans.

"They do a good job of swarming around the ball,'' said Cobb, who is averaging 6.6 yards per carry. "Their defence is different but you have stay patient and let them all come to you. You know that there will be a lot of different looks but you have to stay focused.''

mmccormick@leaderpost.canwest.com

LANCASTER, AUSTIN AND DURANT AFTER 10 GAMES

Because I have no life, I decided to crunch some numbers — comparing Ron Lancaster, Kent Austin and Darian Durant after their first 10 starts as a Roughrider.

Statistically, Durant is the clear winner. The quarterback ratings after 10 starts are as follows:

Darian Durant: 85.94
Kent Austin: 73.83
Ron Lancaster: 61.76

The other numbers break down as follows:

W-L COMP ATT PCT YDS TD INT
Durant 7-3 149 249 .598 2,131 15 12
Austin 5-5 203 328 .610 2,568 9 17
Lancaster 5-4-1 100 208 .481 1,719 12 17

At the 10-game mark, Durant is approaching his 27th birthday (the big day is Aug. 19). Austin and Lancaster were 25 when at the 10-game mark.

Durant is in his fourth CFL season, but only the second in which he received significant playing time. His numbers are from 2007 and 2008.

Austin's first 10 starts came over his first two CFL seasons (1987 and 1988).
Lancaster's first 10 starts were all in 1963. He had spent the previous three seasons with the

Ottawa Rough Riders, splitting time with Russ Jackson.

McCullough and Freeman Vie for the Middle

Saskatchewan Roughriders linebackers Mike McCullough (left) and Jerrell Freeman.
Photograph by: Bryan Schlosser, Leader-Post

REGINA — In the early stages of the Saskatchewan Roughriders' practice Tuesday at Mosaic Stadium, Mike McCullough and Jerrell Freeman appeared to be playing "Follow the Leader."
Everywhere McCullough went, Freeman followed. That could be the way things go Sunday, when the Roughriders play host to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

With Rey Williams — Saskatchewan's starting middle linebacker for the first six games of the CFL season — out with a damaged medial collateral ligament in his right knee, McCullough and Freeman are vying for the No. 1 job. There's also a chance they could rotate, so the veteran (McCullough) had the rookie (Freeman) in tow during defensive drills.

"I've been around a while," said McCullough, a seventh-year Roughrider who started games in the middle from 2005 through '07. "Jerrell's new. He's confident and he's a good football player, but he just asked me about a couple of nuances of the defence.

"It's a new defence for me, too, but a lot of the things are the same from the last few years — some of the coverages and some of the schemes — so I know it pretty well. I think Jerrell knows it pretty well, but I think he might be a little bit rusty on a few things. I can help him out, no problem."

"Mike and Rey are seasoned vets," noted Freeman. "They've been doing this for a while, they know the ins and outs, they know Canadian football. They can let me know what's going to go on."

In reality, even the coaches claim they don't know what's going to go on Sunday. Defensive co-ordinator Gary Etcheverry said a decision on a starter hasn't been made and head coach Ken Miller suggested a rotation is possible.

"Mike McCullough has maybe more experience going in," Miller said. "Freeman has his own physical assets. His quickness and agility are assets for him. We'll just have to evaluate that as the week goes."

McCullough, 29, made his first start as the Roughriders' middle linebacker in the 2005 season. He started 13 games in '06 and two in '07 before settling into his current role as a backup and special-teams player.

He admitted Tuesday he has been eager to return to the starting lineup.
"Every backup wants to start and every starter wants to stay starting," he said. "Rey's doing a great job, so I can't really complain when Rey's doing so well. I've just got to bide my time.

"This is not the way you want to do it because Rey hurt his knee (during Friday's 35-20 loss to the host B.C. Lions). He should be back in a few weeks and I'll just fill in for him until he gets back and then go back to my usual role."

In the meantime, having 110 regular-season games under his belt would help McCullough if he's given the starting assignment in the middle.

"If it was my first start ever, there'd be a little more nerves, a little more uncertainty," he said. "But I've been around the block and I've seen a few things and most of the offences in the league and know what to expect. I think I'm pretty reliable in there and I don't think I'll get too rattled."

Etcheverry said McCullough's experience would be helpful — if that's the way the coaches go.
"The bottom line is, with whoever plays, what has happened in the past really doesn't matter," Etcheverry said. "It's only going to matter what happens in this game and if that person continues to move in the direction we need."

Freeman, a 23-year-old rookie out of Mary Hardin-Baylor, simply is looking to do whatever he can to help out.

"Playing some on special teams, there's a lot of effort and everything," said Freeman, who has made six special-teams stops through six games.

"Getting all the intricacies and understanding the defence from being on the sidelines is kind of hard. I'm still a little green in some areas, but Mike helps me out a lot and (so does) Rey."

ihamilton@leaderpost.canwest.com

WILLIAMS THE REAL DEAL

Roughriders linebacker Renauld Williams
Photograph by: Roy Antal, Leader-Post

VANCOUVER — Rey Williams has done more than replace Maurice Lloyd at middle linebacker.
In five games with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Williams boasts more tackles (30-19) and sacks (2-1) than does Lloyd, who signed with the Edmonton Eskimos during the off-season as a free agent. There were concerns about middle linebacker when Lloyd left after three seasons and being named a CFL all-star in 2008 and West Division all-star in 2007. Riders defensive back Lance Frazier feels that Williams has addressed those concerns.

"We have a lot of respect for a guy like Mo,'' Frazier said in advance of today's game at BC Place against the B.C. Lions. "It did create some question marks in the off-season but we have full confidence in (Williams). Nobody really panicked because Rey is a character guy who has filled in very well.''

Williams joined the Riders as a free agent in September of 2007. He got to know Lloyd through that season and in 2008. Williams has maintained that he's not trying to replace Lloyd.

"It was about me being the best middle linebacker that I could be,'' said Williams, who is third in the league

with 30 tackles. "Every week I want to be better than I was last week.''

Williams may be hard-pressed to improve on his performance in the Riders' 24-23 victory over the Calgary Stampeders on Saturday. He had six tackles, two sacks and helped the Riders salvage the win with a knockdown of a pass intended for slotback Nik Lewis in the last minute of the fourth quarter.

That type of play was expected from Williams, who dressed for 15 games in 2008 and started four games at outside linebacker. Williams filled in for Anton McKenzie, who signed with the Lions as a free agent. Williams finished the 2008 season with 39 defensive tackles, three sacks, 18 special teams tackles, two forced fumbles and returned an interception for a touchdown.

"We knew what we had in Rey because he had been here a year and a half,'' said Alex Smith, the Riders linebacker coach. "We would have loved to have had Mo come back but we also knew that the cupboard wasn't bare if he didn't and we had people here to move forward.''

Williams has moved forward and then some. He has emerged as a leader of the Riders' defence and is the "energy guy" when the team lines up before games. It was a role that Lloyd used to fill.

"(Williams is) the guy and he leads the chants,'' said Frazier. "He wears many different hats.''

Williams has a similar style to Lloyd. Both middle linebackers are among the most ferocious on the field. Off the field, the players are ersonable and engaging.

"The hardest hitters and most angry guys are always like that,'' said Frazier. "They are mellow guys and a lot of fun to be around. They are truly nice guys.''

Williams could be bitter about how his career has turned out. He was the defensive player-of-the-year in his senior season as Hofstra and had his sights set on the NFL.

In 2004, he had stints with the Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots. He attended the Cleveland Browns' training camp in 2005. In 2006, had had two tackles while dressing for three games with the San Francisco

49ers. After failing to land another job in the NFL, Williams signed with the Riders.

"I wish I could have stayed longer in the NFL,'' said Williams, a 28-year-old native of Westbury, N.Y. "I'm just happy that someone is allowing me to play football, a game that I love. There are a lot of guys who want to play but can't play. I thank my blessings every day that this organization gave me an opportunity to show my talents.''

mmccormick@leaderpost.canwest.com

CLERMONT ALL ABOUT BUSINESS

Roughriders slotback Jason Clermont
Photograph by: Roy Antal, Leader-Post

VANCOUVER — Jason Clermont touched down Thursday in Vancouver with his feet firmly on the ground.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders slotback is treating Friday's game against the B.C. Lions as a business trip and nothing more. Friday's game (8:30 p.m.) is Clermont's first at BC Place since since he was released by B.C. in December after seven seasons with the Lions.

"I've seen the town and I've been back a couple of times,'' Clermont said Thursday. "Since December, I've cleared out my condo and I've been back for a wedding. There will be plenty of time to see Vancouver for the rest of my life. I'm here to help my team win a football game.''
Clermont will pursue that goal in familiar surroundings.

"I know the field because I've probably played 50 games there,'' said Clermont. "I know what the stadium is like and I know where the lights are. It will just be a little bit different being on the visitors' side.''
The circumstances are also different from when Clermont was a star slotback with the Lions. B.C. is reeling at 1-4 and is last in the CFL's West Division. The Riders are tied for first in the West with the Edmonton Eskimos at 3-2.

The Lions have made changes, including demoting starting middle linebacker Javy Glatt. He has been replaced by JuJuan Armour, who was with the Lions (2004 and 2005), the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2006 and 2007) and the Calgary Stampeders in 2008.

Glatt and Clermont are close friends. They were both in each other's wedding party, were roommates, and they lived together for a few years. They are in constant contact and Clermont sympathizes with his friend's plight.

"I feel sorry for him but football is a game where you have to make the most of your opportunities,'' said Clermont. "I'm confident that we will have other opportunities to make the most of them they come up.''
Glatt had started five games before being demoted by Lions general manager and head coach Wally Buono. Glatt, a West Division all-star in 2008, said he will still be involved on special teams but is unsure how much he will play on defence. Glatt said Thursday he appreciated a call from Clermont earlier in the week about what transpired.

"He told me about the respect they had for me as a team,'' said Glatt. "When you get beat down like I have been, it's nice to hear guys say that. Life throws you curveballs but you have to deal with it.''
It's hardly a triumphant return for Clermont, who signed with his hometown Riders on Dec. 12. Clermont has been limited to seven receptions for 81 yards over the last five games. Those are hardly the numbers that helped Clermont win the CFL's most outstanding Canadian in 2004 and 2007 and the league's top rookie in 2002. Clermont has publicly accepted his limited role with the Riders.

"You would never hear him complain'' said Glatt. "First, he's accomplished way too much in his career to whine. He's won three major awards in seven years and everyone knows how tough he is. He didn't go from an A-plus football player to a non-factor overnight. He's just not getting the opportunities.''

Clermont was part of an off-season purge of veterans by Buono. Clermont doesn't take any particular joy in watching his former team struggle.

"I want every team in the West to struggle with the exception of the Roughriders,'' Clermont said. "Every game we win, I want the West teams to lose. I want to separate ourselves from them. That's all that I care about.''

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© Copyright (c) The Regina Leader-Post

SCHULTZ RETIREMENT BITTERSWEET FOR STADNYK

Roughriders defensive lineman Michael Stadnyk at practice.
Photograph by: Roy Antal, Leader-Post

REGINA — Mike Stadynk had mixed feelings after hearing that veteran defensive tackle Scott Schultz was retiring Monday.

Stadnyk, a Regina product, grew up watching Schultz play for the Saskatchewan Roughriders through eight-plus seasons. Stadnyk was surprised by Schultz's sudden retirement to become president of the Schultz-Gareau Insurance Agency. Stadnyk also understood what it meant for him.

"He was an amazing guy and he lit up the whole locker room,'' said Stadnyk, who is expected to be on the Riders' active roster Friday when they play the B.C. Lions at BC Place. "He was a great influence on me right through training camp because he never let me get down. He will be missed but we have to move on. Even though he left, it's a great opportunity for me.''

Stadnyk, 6-foot-4 and 247 pounds, thought about that chance Monday but wasn't sure where he fit into the coaches' plans. Stadnyk was on the Riders' 46-man roster for four of the first five regular-season games. He wasn't on the 42-player roster for games, though. That changed on Monday.

"When I came back, I had a special teams sheet in my locker,'' said Stadnyk, a graduate of Miller High School. "I knew then that I would be playing.''

Mike Scheper, the Riders' first-year defensive line coach, said that Stadynk will see playing time as part of the three-player rotation at defensive end with Stevie Baggs and Luc Mullinder. Scheper added that game situations will determine how much Stadnyk will play.

"Should we be in the unfortunate situation where we're on the field for a very long time, those reps will increase,'' said Scheper. "We have to go with the flow but he's ready to play. He will definitely be part of our plans for Friday night.''

Stadnyk has been in part of the Riders' plans since 2008 when he was selected in the second round (14th overall) in the CFL draft after playing four years with the University of Montana Grizzlies.
After being drafted, Stadnyk returned to the Grizzlies for his senior year. In his two seasons as a starter with the Grizzlies, he recorded 35 tackles and 11 sacks. He was named an All-Big Sky Conference Honourable Mention in each of the past two seasons.

Stadnyk made the Riders out of training camp. He had been biding his time on the scout team while waiting for a chance to be added to the active roster. Those repetitions on the scout team helped Stadnyk land his latest opportunity.

"Mike is a man of few words but a lot of action,'' said Scheper. "He has done a nice job on the practice roster, which is as thankless a job as you might imagine. Among the players, he's the low man on the totem pole and he just kept grinding away. He's paid his dues, especially as a first-year player.''
Scheper also understands that it required Schultz's retirement to create an opportunity at this point of the season for Stadnyk.

"It's the irony of life, especially in football and it's another amazing twist of things,'' said Scheper. "As a matter of being able to suit up, Mike isn't going to complain too much.''
Stadnyk will be active on the Riders' special teams. He has already been part of the kickoff teams, which is a drastic change from being scratched before each game.

"This is huge,'' said Stadnyk, who turns 23 on Saturday. "It's the best feeling of my life because I will be putting on that jersey and not just for a pre-season game but for a game that matters.''
The Riders are 3-2 and tied for the Edmonton Eskimos for first place in the West Division. The B.C. Lions are 1-4, which is last in the four-team division.

mmccormick@leaderpost.canwest.com
© Copyright (c) The Regina Leader-Post

CATES KICKING BACK INTO GEAR

Riders running back Wes Cates
Photograph by: Bryan Schlosser, Leader-Post files

REGINA — It might be premature to declare that the Saskatchewan Roughriders have resurrected their once-vaunted ground game, but tailback Wes Cates is certainly showing signs of life.

"Unless you're scoring on every play, I don't know if it's ever right where you want it to be," Cates noted following Wednesday's practice at Mosaic Stadium. "I think we've still got some work to do. People forget we've been moving guys in and out of the offensive line all season. With that comes a little bit of a learning curve. But we're getting it together and as the season goes on you'll see better and better performances from us."

Cates raised the bar on Saturday with a breakout performance in Saskatchewan's 24-23 win over the Calgary Stampeders. Aided by the return of veteran guard Gene Makowsky, Cates rushed 16 times for 98 yards, falling just short of the team's first 100-yard game this season.
Cates' output surpassed his season total from the previous two outings — both losses — during which he combined for 65 yards on 17 carries. The all-star tailback missed the first two games of the regular season due to off-season shoulder surgery.

When he returned, it was tough to hit the ground running.
"It's definitely easier said than done," said Cates, who was limited to non-contact drills in training camp. "Obviously I didn't get off to that great of a start my first two games but the start is behind me right now. I'm just trying to kick it into gear and finish strong."

So far, his body seems to be co-operating.

"Every week I'm getting stronger, getting back into the groove of things," continued Cates. "Based on the fact I wasn't really getting a chance to do much upper-body (work) during the off- season because of the shoulder, I got a chance to focus on my legs so my legs are feeling pretty good right now. I know I'm a little behind but it's almost a blessing in disguise because it's helping me focus on keeping my body right and get stronger as the weeks go on."

The Riders are hoping to see the trend continue on Friday against the host B.C. Lions, who've had their share of trouble stopping the run this season (a league-worst 150 yards per game). Saskatchewan's ground attack is ranked second-last in the CFL with an average of 93 yards per outing.

"I don't know that we have a great advantage but certainly Wes played well (against Calgary) and I expect him to play well again," said Riders head coach Ken Miller. "He played with great energy and great purpose and intensity. I would say if we can hold that level with him, that's about what we need."
Cates was a workhorse last season, leading the CFL in yards from scrimmage with 1,680 in 15 games (1,229 on the ground, 451 through the air) while finishing second in the league with 14 touchdowns. He also became the focal point of the Riders' offence due in part to a rash of injuries in the receiving corps.

"Hopefully we don't have to go back to the way it was last year when everybody was getting hurt and I was one of our only (proven) guys," Cates added. "But definitely (he wants) to be one of the mainstays and focal points because that opens up a lot of options for the other guys."

gharder@leaderpost.canwest.com

MILLER CONSIDERING PLAYING BOTH DURANT AND JYLES ON FRIDAY

Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Darian Durant
Photograph by: Troy Fleece, Leader-Post files

REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders' game of musical quarterbacks struck a positive chord with head coach Ken Miller.

As a result, Miller is "considering'' the continuation of a rotation that involves Darian Durant and Steven Jyles when the Roughriders return to action Friday in Vancouver against the B.C. Lions.
Durant started on Saturday, when the Roughriders posted a 24-23 CFL victory over the host Calgary Stampeders. As Miller had prescribed, Durant was replaced by Jyles for two series — the latter of which was a 14-play, 74-yarder that culminated in a field goal right before halftime. Despite Jyles' impressive work on that extended drive, Miller handed the ball to Durant for the second half.

"We had a pretty definite plan going in,'' Miller said after Tuesday's practice. "As opposed to being whimsical, arbitrary or capricious, I thought it was best to follow through with a plan that I had established beforehand, as opposed to going with emotion.''
Jyles completed five of seven passes for 35 yards, and also rushed twice for 18 yards. Durant was 16-for-27 for 257 yards, with one interception and three touchdowns — including the 65-yard game-winner to Chris Getzlaf with 1:17 remaining in the fourth quarter. The combined stats: 21-for-34 for 292 yards.

"It did work well,'' Miller said. "I was really pleased that we had two quarterbacks who performed admirably well — one not at the expense of the other. It really demonstrates the fact that our quarterbacks are developing nicely.''

Durant was sharp after re-entering the game, completing seven of 11 passes for 137 yards — including a 19-yard TD toss to Weston Dressler — in the third quarter.
"That was the plan,'' Miller said with a laugh. "That's why we did it. We anticipated that being on the sideline for a bit and seeing what was going on on the field would help his game, and it seems to have worked — although his first drive was admirable as well. After that first drive, we had an interception which wasn't entirely his fault, and then we had a two-and-out. After he came back in, he managed the game and made some great throws.''

Entering the Calgary game, Miller told the quarterbacks and the media that Durant would play the first three or four series, after which Jyles would be deployed. The head coach did leave himself an out in case Durant was on a roll during the early stages of the game.
Saskatchewan scored a touchdown on its opening possession — a six-play, 75-yard march that ended with Durant's nine-yard scoring pass to Getzlaf.

After that, there was a two-and-out, a four-play possession that concluded with an interception, and another two-and-out. Jyles then entered the game, recording a two-and-out before marching the team from its 25-yard line to Calgary's 11.
Durant felt there were benefits to watching the game from the sideline throughout the second quarter.

"There were some things that I was able to see from a different angle — mainly just the coverages they were in and the different postures of the DBs back there, to see how they disguise things,'' Durant said. "From that aspect, it helped, but as a competitor it's kind of tough. I'm all about winning, and winning comes first.''
Given his druthers, Durant would prefer to be in the game for the duration.

"As a competitor you always want to play,'' he said. "You want to be out there and not miss any moment of the game. There's definitely that 90 per cent of me that wants to be out there, but the other 10 per cent is whatever the coach sees as best for the team, that's what I'm all about.''
Until Saturday, Jyles had been used in short-yardage or blowout situations. He appreciated the increased playing time against Calgary.

"It felt great,'' Jyles said. "I learned a lot from it. You just have a little more experience every time you go out there and play. It was big for me. It helped build my confidence a little more and let me know what I need to work on and get better.''
rvanstone@leaderpost.canwest.com

RIDER NATION CHEERS ON RIDERS IN CALGARY