When Kerry Joseph played for the Roughriders, Darian Durant watched how the starter dealt with the off-field pressures that came with being the Riders’ No. 1 quarterback.
Photograph by: File photos, Canwest and Leader-Post
Photograph by: File photos, Canwest and Leader-Post
REGINA — Eddie Davis isn’t surprised that fond feelings seem to remain among Saskatchewan Roughriders followers for quarterback Kerry Joseph.
“This is Saskatchewan and they are always going to remember the Grey Cups,’’ the veteran Roughriders defensive halfback said Friday. “There have only been three and what he did will go down in history as being one of the best.’’
Joseph returns to Saskatchewan Saturday to play the Roughriders for the second time since being traded to the Toronto Argonauts on March 6, 2008, after guiding the Riders to the 2007 Grey Cup. On Friday, Argos head coach Bart Andrus announced that Joseph would start Saturday’s game (7 p.m., CKRM, TSN) against the Riders at Mosaic Stadium. It’s the first start for Joseph since Aug. 7 with the struggling Argos.
“We feel after evaluating all of the factors that Kerry gives us the best opportunity,’’ said Andrus, who elected to start Joseph ahead of Cody Pickett. “Coming into Saskatchewan and with the weather conditions that are expected, it’s appropriate to have someone who has played several games in these conditions.’’
Joseph dressed for 35 regular-season games for Saskatchewan over the 2006 and 2007 seasons after being selected first overall in the dispersal draft of the defunct Ottawa Renegades. In 2007, days after being named the CFL’s most outstanding player, Joseph led the Riders to a 23-19 victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the Grey Cup game at the Rogers Centre.
Joseph’s success in 2007 wasn’t enough to keep him with the Riders. He had accepted a pay cut of $125,000 in 2007 to help the Riders deal with the newly implemented salary cap and was looking to return to his previous salary of $350,000 in 2008. Riders general manager Eric Tillman elected to trade Joseph to the Argos rather than meet his salary demands.
Joseph’s influence is still being felt on the current Riders roster, especially with quarterback Darian Durant. Durant spent two seasons learning as much as he could from Joseph and Marcus Crandell, who now is an assistant coach with the Riders.
“I didn’t really pinpoint what Kerry was doing for me until he left,’’ said Durant, who joined the Riders in 2006. “When I didn’t have him and Marcus talking into my ear all of the time, that’s when I realized the importance and how much he brought to the table. (Kerry) taught me so much about this game and this league.’’
Durant watched how Joseph dealt with the off-field pressures that come with being the Riders’ starting quarterback. Joseph guided the Riders to a Grey Cup but there were some bumps along the way. Durant, who has struggled at times in his first full season as the Riders’ starting quarterback, has talked to Joseph about handling those issues.
“He knows first-hand what it’s like,’’ said Durant, who has thrown five interceptions over his last two starts. “When you can lean on a guy who has been there and felt like I’m feeling right now, it’s a good thing.’’
Durant has been under scrutiny after a sub-par performance in a 19-16 loss to the B.C. Lions on Oct. 2 dropped the Riders’ record to 7-6. Joseph is aware of what the atmosphere is like in Saskatchewan after Riders losses.
Durant has been under scrutiny after a sub-par performance in a 19-16 loss to the B.C. Lions on Oct. 2 dropped the Riders’ record to 7-6. Joseph is aware of what the atmosphere is like in Saskatchewan after Riders losses.
“You have a lot of people telling you what to do but that’s because football is all that they have here,’’ said Joseph. “It keeps you humble on and off the field. If things aren’t going well, they are going to be on you. If they are going great, they will love you.
“At the end of the day they are great fans. Darian understands that because he’s learned that in the years that he’s been here. I told him to keep a smile on his face because at the end, they are going to love you.’’
Joseph, 36, and Durant, 27, are at different stages of their careers. Durant is a young quarterback who is still learning the game with one of the best teams in the West Division. Joseph is slowly winding down his career with a franchise that is last in the East Division.
Joseph, 36, and Durant, 27, are at different stages of their careers. Durant is a young quarterback who is still learning the game with one of the best teams in the West Division. Joseph is slowly winding down his career with a franchise that is last in the East Division.
Durant may be considered the future of the franchise, but Joseph isn’t sure what it holds for him with the Argos.
“I’m not looking towards that right now,’’ said Joseph, who is 2-4 as a starter this season. “I just want to help us win and stay alive in a playoff push. I’ll deal with long term after the season.’’
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