RIDERS EXPECTATIONS RISE

The Montreal Alouettes' Matthieu Prouxl tackles the Saskatchewan Roughriders' Weston Dressler during a game at Percival Molson stadium in Montreal last season.
Photograph by: John Kenney, Montreal Gazette files

REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders are accustomed to being the favourites — at least in the hearts and minds of their fervent fans.

Being favoured, however, is a new experience.

The Roughriders have been classic underdogs for most of their 100 years. At times, the label of lovable losers has been applicable. Even in the glory years, when Ron Lancaster and George Reed were prominent, the Roughriders were still an operation of modest dimension in the CFL's tiniest market.

Look at them now.

Sellouts and soaring, seven-figure profits are routine. These are also times of prosperity on the field. The Riders won the Grey Cup in 2007 and lost 28-27 to the formidable Montreal Alouettes in the 2009 league final. Over the last three years, the Riders have won more regular-season and playoff games (38) than anyone else in the eight-team circuit.
Still, over those three seasons — as successful as they have been — the Riders have tended to surprise people.

The 2007 Grey Cup title was a shocker, considering that then-general manager Eric Tillman had pared more than $700,000 from the payroll leading up to the season so that the team could adhere to an enforceable salary cap. There was an exodus of prominent players (see: Nate Davis, Andrew Greene, Jackie Mitchell, Kenton Keith), with the result being that the Rider Nation wasn't teeming with optimism. By year's end, the people of Saskatchewan were celebrating an unlikely Grey Cup victory.

In the months to follow, there were more notable departures. Head coach Kent Austin was successfully wooed by the University of Mississippi. Quarterback Kerry Joseph, who was the league's most outstanding player in 2007, was dealt to the Toronto Argonauts. Yet, the 2008 Riders won 12 games and staged a second straight home playoff game.

There was more turnover leading up to the 2009 campaign. All-stars Maurice Lloyd and Anton McKenzie fled as free agents, leading to concerns that the linebacking corps would be a shambles. Not only that, there were burning questions as to whether Darian Durant was a bona-fide starting quarterback.

So much for those concerns. Durant is a returning all-star. The offence, as a whole, is oozing with talent. That should compensate for any regression on defence, where the Riders are attempting to replace two all-star pass-rushers (John Chick and Stevie Baggs), an impact middle linebacker (Rey Williams) and an elite defensive halfback (Eddie Davis).

Also worth considering is the Roughriders' anticipated prowess on special teams. Luca Congi is among the league's most accurate placekickers. Louie Sakoda is capable of launching punts into orbit. Kick returner Dominique Dorsey should also help Saskatchewan win the ever-important battle for field position ... and more games.

As a result, the Roughriders are a strong candidate to win the West.

Prior to last season, they had not finished first since 1976. At times, it seemed like the protracted drought would never end. Now the expectations are stratospheric.
How will the Roughriders handle being perceived as a favourite? For a change, they won't be able to sneak up on anybody. As the reigning division champions, the Roughriders are suddenly a target as they complete preparations for Thursday's 2010 debut against the visiting Alouettes.

Ken Miller does little to discourage the projections of greatness. After the final cuts were announced, the two-time coach-of-the-year finalist said: "Now that we're in a situation where we'll coach to game-plan as opposed to coach to evaluate, we'll be a dominant force.''
Durant has a comparable outlook.

"We have the expectation that we're a championship team, and that's the way we carry ourselves,'' he said. "We've earned the respect now to be considered favourites by some people. It's nothing different for us. That's the expectations we have. If you don't play to win championships, then you shouldn't even play. We definitely look at this as something that we expect.''

For a change, that sentiment appears to exist outside the Roughriders' dressing room. How the team responds to this unfamiliar role will contribute to the success, or failure, of its 2010 season.

rvanstone@leaderpost.canwest.com

LOUIE SAKODA LOOKING FORWARD TO 2010

By ROB VANSTONE, Leader-Post June 29,

REGINA — Louie Sakoda came close to being a Grey Cup hero.
Late in the fourth quarter on Nov. 29, Sakoda launched one of the most impressive punts in Saskatchewan Roughriders history — a towering 53-yarder that got the West Division champions out of a hole.

Not only that, the punt was fumbled by the Montreal Alouettes' Brian Bratton, who retreated seven yards to pounce on the bouncing ball. After Sakoda's punt and Bratton's bobble, Montreal was on its 34-yard line with only 40 seconds left while trailing 27-25 — mere seconds after Saskatchewan had snapped the ball from its 16.

Anthony Calvillo proceeded to march the Alouettes into field-goal range, only to have Damon Duval miss a potential game-winner from 43 yards away as time expired. However, the Roughriders were flagged for too many men on the field, and Duval seized a second opportunity from 10 yards closer to give Montreal a 28-27 victory.

If not for the game's shocking conclusion, Sakoda's punt would have been widely celebrated and long remembered by Saskatchewan fans as one of the key plays in the game. Although the clutch kick has been overshadowed, the fact remains that Sakoda — in only his fifth game of Canadian professional football — launched a prodigious punt in a pressure-packed situation at McMahon Stadium in Calgary.

"I'd have to say that's one of the better-hit punts I've had in a game,'' Sakoda said Monday after the Roughriders practised on Taylor Field. "It couldn't have happened at a better time. I just went out there, took a deep breath, and told myself, 'Don't shank it. Get them out of field-goal range. You don't want this game to fall on your shoulders.'

"The ending didn't end up how we wanted, but just having that sort of punt in mind kind of gives me something to strive for out here at all times. Hopefully we'll get it again this year.''
In the meantime, the Roughriders will have to settle for a Grey Cup rematch. The visiting Alouettes are to oppose Saskatchewan on Thursday, 5 p.m., in the CFL's regular-season opener.

The 23-year-old Sakoda is to handle the punting and kickoffs for Saskatchewan. Luca Congi, 27, returns as the placekicker.

Both kickers are able to perform double duty if need be. Sakoda excelled on punts and placements at the University of Utah. Congi was the Roughriders' full-time punter as a rookie in 2006, and also bridged the gap between Jamie Boreham's injury and Sakoda's arrival last season.

Congi actually outpunted Sakoda in the pre-season opener, averaging 46.4 yards on five boots during a 19-17 loss to the visiting B.C. Lions on June 13. Sakoda, who was recovering from a minor quadriceps injury at the time, had punts of 34 and 32 yards against B.C.
However, Sakoda returned to form the following week, averaging 44 yards on eight punts during a 41-17 loss to the host Calgary Stampeders. Sakoda's command of directional kicking also earned plaudits from special-teams co-ordinator Jim Daley.

With that in mind, the Roughriders plan to begin the season with two kickers on the roster, even though Congi has punted well in practice following an excellent pre-season opener.
"We have not talked about going with one guy,'' Daley said on Monday. "We are so happy with Luca's punting. Today, he just hammered a few, when we were doing our punt return. He's giving us tremendous backup depth to Louie Sakoda. That's certainly the plan at this point in time.

"We've never discussed the alternatives. You do need two kickers to go through a 20-game schedule, counting pre-season, so we feel really good with what we have.''
Sakoda, meanwhile, feels good about beginning the season with the Roughriders after arriving in midstream last autumn.

"It's great,'' he said. "Anytime a team goes through training-camp cuts, it creates a strong bond around a group. Everyone's sweating and working. Even us kickers are sweating. They say it's rare, but it happens. We all work our hearts out here.

"It's great getting out here and being able to gel with the team right from the get-go an kind of having the backing of the brotherhood.''

rvanstone@leaderpost.canwest.com

A HEALTHY FANTUZ IS A KEY FOR THE RIDERS

By ROB VANSTONE, Canwest News Service June 29, 2010

Andy Fantuz is the best receiver in the Canadian Football League who does not have a 1,000-yard season to his credit.
For now, anyway.

Saskatchewan Roughriders head coach Ken Miller figures that Fantuz is good for "1,200 or 1,500 yards" if he can remain healthy. Roughriders quarterback Darian Durant is thinking in terms of CFL awards instead of numbers.

"If we can keep him healthy and put him in the right positions to make plays, I definitely see at least top Canadian in Andy," Durant said. "To me, he's one of the best receivers in this league, if not the best. Injuries have been hampering him a little bit the past couple of years, but he came to camp feeling good this year and hopefully it will carry over throughout the season."

Fantuz came close to 1,000 yards as a sophomore in 2007, making 56 catches for 978 yards. The former University of Western Ontario star would have almost certainly cracked the statistical milestone if he had not been rested in the regular-season finale, a meaningless game.
In the most meaningful game of Fantuz's CFL career, he caught four passes for 70 yards and a touchdown as Saskatchewan defeated the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 23-19 in the 2007 Grey Cup. Afterwards, Fantuz was named the game's outstanding Canadian.

Fantuz was limited to seven regular-season games the following year because of a broken fibula. He had 36 receptions and 488 yards in 2008. The yardage total, extrapolated over a full 18 games, works out to 1,255.

In 2009, a torn hamstring limited Fantuz to 13 games. Nonetheless, he led the Roughriders in receptions (with 67) and registered 882 receiving yards.

Those numbers, extrapolated once again, compute to 93 catches for 1,221 yards.
"That's a nice little landmark to get to but, more importantly, I want a ring," the 26-year-old slotback said. "I would sacrifice 10 1,000-yard seasons for a ring. That's the goal, and they go hand-in-hand."

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CATES MOSTLY TO START SEASON

Saskatchewan Roughriders' Wes Cates

REGINA — A faction of the Saskatchewan Roughriders' fan base is mad about Hugh.

The good name of Hugh Charles has been strenuously advanced by people who advocate the relegation of Wes Cates — the Roughriders' featured tailback for the past three CFL seasons.
Charles is younger, faster, quicker and flashier. At this stage, however, he is not demonstrably superior to Cates — leading head coach Ken Miller to lean toward the incumbent as the starter for Thursday's regular-season opener against the visiting Montreal Alouettes.

"My gut instinct is that it will probably be Wes in this particular game because, in order to replace someone, somebody has to demonstrate that they're significantly better, not just the same or as good,'' Miller said after the team practised Monday.

Miller made that comment after Cates fielded questions about his status from a merry triumvirate of media types, consisting of this scribbler, CKRM's Rod Pedersen and CBC's Dean Gutheil.

Early in the yak session, it became evident that Cates is tired of speculation about whether he is still a front-line tailback. Given that such chatter is in the ether, one would suspect that Cates has a little extra to prove in the opener.

"It seems like from the way people talk that, no matter what I do, I'm going to have something to prove every week,'' Cates responded. "So I'm just going to go out and do my best to prove it and we'll take it from there.

"I can only do what the coaches ask of me. If it's blocking, I'm going to do that. If it's running with the ball, I'm going to do that. If it's receiving, I'm going to do that. We'll just let Thursday come and see how it plays out, and you guys can talk good or bad about me based on how you feel.''

At that point, I attempted to recall any recent media story in which Cates was disparaged. There have been reports of the Cates/Charles competition, but that is an unavoidable storyline when the returning starter does not receive an unequivocal endorsement from the coach. Failing to pinpoint an example of a critical story, I asked Cates if we had really talked badly about him.

"I wouldn't say you talked bad about me, but the speculation's in the air,'' the 6-foot-0, 215-pounder responded. "There's good and bad talk. You just take it with a grain of salt. I appreciate the people who talk good about me, and 'whatever' to the people who talk bad about me. That's as far as it goes.''

Gutheil followed up by inquiring as to the origin of the speculation.

"You guys know,'' said Cates, 30. "You guys write this stuff. It hasn't come out of my mouth, and I really don't read the papers and the blogs. I just get third-person hearsay — Cates is this or that, or washed up, or he shouldn't be the starter. Whatever the case may be, I'm not worried about it. I'm just out here to be the best human being and the best football player I can be.''

Cates has been one of the best football players on the Roughriders since he joined the team in 2007. As a first-year Roughrider, he helped the Green and White win the Grey Cup. He was named the team's most outstanding player the following year before his statistics declined in 2009. Last year, Saskatchewan was the only CFL team without a 1,000-yard rusher. He would have reached that milestone, however, if not for shoulder surgery that forced him to miss the first two regular-season games.

The end of the season provides a fairer appraisal of Cates. In the 2009 Grey Cup against Montreal, he rushed 13 times for 91 yards, caught two passes for 34 yards (including a 26-yarder over the middle) and blocked with typical effectiveness. If not for a key block by Cates, a 16-yard touchdown run by Darian Durant is perhaps a six-yard gain.

The latter play is most illustrative of Cates. His varied contributions are not always reflected by the statistics. Even when the numbers are flattering — such as the 1,229 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns Cates produced over 15 games in 2008 — the manner in which they are compiled isn't always dazzling.

If you are looking for a 90-yard touchdown run, Cates is not the first choice. But if long-distance runs were the sole measure of a running back, Pete Van Valkenburg and Tommy Reamon would be in the Plaza of Honor.

Wes Cates will be enshrined someday. And he will help his cause in 2010.
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DURANT VOTED ONE OF THE CAPTAINS

By ROB VANSTONE, Leader-Post June 25, 2010
REGINA — Darian Durant's peers have spoken.

The 27-year-old quarterback has been named one of the Saskatchewan Roughriders' captains for the 2010 CFL season.

"I got a great vote of confidence when they voted me offensive captain,'' Durant said. "That's a huge honour for me and it's just a tribute to what I've been doing, trying to build my relationship with the guys as a leader.''

Durant is opening the season as the Roughriders' No. 1 quarterback for the second consecutive year. Before the 2009 campaign, head coach Ken Miller asked Durant to be more assertive as a leader, and strides were certainly made in that direction.

"I think I just have to build on what I started relationship-wise with the guys and just continue on from there,'' Durant said.

He also wants to continue to develop as a quarterback following a breakout year in which he was named a West Division all-star. Not only that, he piloted Saskatchewan to first place in the West and a Grey Cup berth.

"With more and more success, confidence comes,'' said Durant, who also started four games in 2008. "I really don't think I've reached close to the amount of success that I'm capable of. I'm just trying to build on that and get better every day and reach a higher level.''

Level of performance is a key factor. Words or gestures have their place, but they have to be backed up by productivity on the field.

"You definitely have to pick and choose when you want to be more vocal and when you have to lead by example,'' Durant said. "I guarantee if I wasn't going out there and playing my butt off every game day, it wouldn't even be possible for me to lead these guys. You have to find the right balance. In order to talk a good game, you have to make sure you're walking the walk, also. I think I'm doing a little bit of both.''

And he is doing it well, according to Miller, but the Riders' field boss expects a continued progression.

"Certainly, there's room for growth in all of us,'' Miller said. "For a quarterback who was a starter just for one season, you would expect continued growth in every aspect.''

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RIDER AIR SHOW SET

Andy Fantuz is one of six exceptional Saskatchewan Roughriders' receivers heading into the regular season.
Photograph by: Troy Fleece, Leader-Post

REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders are pleased to employ six highly reputable receivers — but there's a catch.

Only five of them can play at once.

"I think our biggest problem is going to be getting everyone touches,'' Roughriders slotback Andy Fantuz says with a smile, knowing full well that such depth is a luxury, not a problem.
Fantuz is part of a receiving corps that includes fellow slotbacks Weston Dressler, Chris Getzlaf and Jason Clermont, along with wideouts Prechae Rodriguez and Rob Bagg.

"I am truly blessed to be in this situation, to have six guys of the calibre we have here,'' Riders quarterback Darian Durant says. "It's going to be great working with them all year long. Hopefully we can all stay healthy and be able to accomplish what we're capable of.''

The Roughriders are so loaded at receiver that Clermont — the most accomplished member of the splendid sextet — is not designated as a starter.

"He had an incredible camp and it is hard to fathom, really, that he won't be on the field to start the game,'' Fantuz marvels. "But he will get in there and get his reps and get his touches. He's just an incredible leader in the locker room and on the field. He's someone I look up to and I learn a lot from. He is a big part of this team and it just shows the depth that we have at receiver.''

On paper, the Roughriders have never been this deep at receiver — which is saying something.
When Saskatchewan won its first Grey Cup in 1966, Ron Lancaster directed passes towards Hugh Campbell, Jim Worden, Alan Ford and Gord Barwell. All of them are in the Plaza of Honor.

Ten years later, Lancaster's primary targets were Rhett Dawson, Steve Mazurak, Tom Campana and Bob Richardson. Being that the team used two running backs in that era — a contrast to today's one-back set — a fine receiver named Leif Pettersen was usually a backup.
In 1981, the Roughriders dazzled fans while relying on a passing attack that utilized the talents of Joey Walters, Chris DeFrance, Emanuel Tolbert and Dwight Edwards.

By the late 1980s, Saskatchewan's terrific troika of Ray Elgaard, Don Narcisse and Jeff Fairholm was exploiting secondaries. The wideout opposite Narcisse was often an afterthought (see: Ray McDonald, James Hood, Gene Taylor, Mark Guy, B.K. Williams, Tre Everett, Willis Jacox, Reggie Brown and Willie Culpepper).

Elgaard and Fairholm — the Slot Machines — were so dominant that another excellent inside receiver, James Ellingson, rarely stepped on the field. His talents were obvious when he was deployed, most memorably in the 1989 Grey Cup.

Since then, there have been other talented receiving corps. The 2000 quartet of Curtis Marsh, Dan Farthing, Eric Guliford and Demetris Bendross (no snide remarks, please) comes to mind. Matt Dominguez, D.J. Flick and Andy Fantuz were showcased during the Grey Cup championship season of 2007.

But, honestly, have Roughriders fans ever seen anything quite like the current group?
Fantuz was named the most outstanding Canadian in the 2007 Grey Cup. If he can remain healthy, a 100-catch year is not out of the question. Neither is the CFL's most-outstanding-Canadian award.

Dressler was named the CFL's rookie of the year in 2008 after catching 56 passes for 1,123 yards, an average of 20.1 yards per grab. The runner-up for the award was Rodriguez, who had 70 catches for 1,099 yards for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2008. Rodriguez was acquired from the Tiger-Cats in February.

Bagg was recognized as the Roughriders' top Canadian in 2009. Getzlaf, who had a team-high six touchdown catches, also merited consideration. And then there is Clermont, who had three 1,000-yard seasons with the B.C. Lions, and was twice named the league's top Canadian. He also earned outstanding-Canadian laurels in the 2004 Grey Cup, two years after being decorated as the CFL's rookie of the year.

Clermont deserves an expanded role in the Roughriders' offence, but who do they sit in order to accentuate his talents? If you think that is a problem, imagine the predicament faced by opposing defensive co-ordinators.

"If you want to take someone away, we definitely have other guys who can pick up the slack,'' Durant says. "Teams really can't key in on Dressler like they've been doing the past couple of years when Andy's been hurt. Now that we have those guys healthy, and with the emergence of Robbie and Getz, it opens it up across the board.''

And why not open it up? At various times in their history, the Roughriders have had three, four or five gifted receivers. But six?

Stay tuned for the Saskatchewan Air Show.

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RIDERS NAME DEFENSIVE ENDS

The Saskatchewan Roughriders rookie Brent Hawkins has earned one of two starting defensive end positions. The other spot goes Luc Mullinder, who is entering his seventh season with the Roughriders,
Photograph by: Don Healy, Leader-Post files

REGINA — It won’t have a catchy nickname like Chick ’n’ Baggs, but the tandem of Brent Hawkins and Luc Mullinder has been assembled to man the defensive end spots for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Hawkins and Mullinder officially won the jobs Thursday, when the CFL team announced it had released Joe Sykes. His departure — and those of other ends who were cut earlier this week — left Hawkins and Mullinder as the last men standing in the race to replace NFL signees John Chick and Stevie Baggs.

“(Hawkins and Mullinder) have done a great job athletically as far as what we ask, within this defence, our edge players to do,” defensive line coach Mike Scheper said Thursday after the Roughriders practised at Mosaic Stadium.

“As far as picking up mental reps and the scheme and knowing where to be and when to be there, they’ve both done a great job. At this point, they’ve earned the opportunity to be the starters at the defensive end positions.”

Hawkins, 26, spent the 2006 and ’07 seasons with the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars but hasn’t played in either of the past two campaigns.

After Saskatchewan signed him in April, Hawkins was considered a front-runner for a starting job — and he did nothing to hurt his chances with a stellar performance in rookie camp.
He was slowed by a knee injury during main camp, but did enough to win a starting spot. Now he plans to keep it.

“It’s an opportunity; it’s not something set in stone,” Hawkins said. “If I do badly in practice, Coach may change his mind and start someone else. So I’ve got to keep up my intensity and energy levels during practice to make sure I keep that spot.

“But you don’t think about that. If you come out here and play how you can and play hard every day, then thinking about starting shouldn’t even matter — and to me it doesn’t at this point.”

Mullinder is entering his seventh season with the Roughriders. He had 20 tackles and two sacks in 18 games in ’09 as part of a rotation along the line — but he’s no longer the third man in. Now a starter, Mullinder isn’t operating under the radar anymore.

“You can say that, but I didn’t prepare this off-season and I didn’t prepare (during) this camp to be in the spotlight,” said the 29-year-old product of Mississauga, Ont. “I prepared to help this team win football games and I prepared to be the best player that I can be.

“Spotlight or no spotlight, the objective is to win and the coaches are going to put in the guys that they feel can get the job done. If that’s me, great, so be it, I worked hard, I deserve it. At the same time, if it’s not that way, I have to be ready to do whatever we can.

“We’ve got to win the Grey Cup. That’s the goal — the only goal.”

The Roughriders got down to Thursday’s CFL-mandated roster limit of 46 players under contract by releasing nine players, but only Sykes and defensive tackle Josh Miller actually were gone.

Defensive backs Willie Byrd and Ladarius Key, defensive linemen Ikenna Ike and Ryan Lucas, linebacker Christian Houle and receiver Cary Koch all were on the field and appear destined for the practice roster when it’s announced Saturday. Receiver Aaron Fairooz also was cut, but he’s still around with a broken foot.

Receiver Obed Cetoute and linebacker Kye Stewart were put on the waived-injured list, while offensive lineman Kelly Bates was placed on the nine-game injured list. Stewart and Bates practised Thursday.

Offensive lineman Dan Clark remains with the Roughriders, but he currently doesn’t count against their roster because he’s still junior-eligible.

Head coach Ken Miller said Sykes — who dressed for five games in ’09 — was done in by a lack of consistency on defence and an inability to play on special teams. Miller noted that Mullinder has been the picture of consistency during camp and that Hawkins has the potential to be a “dominant defensive end.”

Mullinder likes the combination of power and speed that he and Hawkins offer — “Hawk’s first step is absolutely ridiculous; he should be a 100-metre dash guy,” Mullinder said — as they try to replace Baggs, Chick and the 23 sacks for which they combined in ’09. In Hawkins’ mind, the duo has developed good chemistry thus far.

“We’re trying to be on the same page as much as we can,” he said. “If we can get into the same synch that Baggs and Chick had last year, then I think we’re going to be great.”

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RIDER LEGEND PASSES AWAY

RON ATCHISON
NOSE TACKLE

RON ATCHISON AND RON LANCASTER

RON ACTCHISON AND CLYDE BROCK

RON ATCHISON AND JACK ABENDSCHAN

GALEN WAHLHEIMER, UNKNOWN, EAGLE KEYS

RON LANCASTER, RON ATCHISON, GEORGE REED.

UNKNOWN, HANK DORSCH

By Rob Vanstone Thu, Jun 24 2010 COMMENTS(0) Rider Rumblings

Ian Hamilton phoned me on Wednesday with the sad news. Ron Atchison had died.The news was hardly surprising. I had heard that Atch was declining as a result of congestive heart failure. Nonetheless, there is that sinking feeling when you hear the news, as inevitable as it may be.

I never had the pleasure of watching Ron Atchison play for the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He retired during training camp in 1969. My football awakening did not occur until two years later, when I was seven. Even so, I heard so much about Atch from the time I developed an interest in the Roughriders. I heard about the Hush Puppies. I heard about the cast that he used to daze opposing linemen. I heard about this venerable vet who played 17 seasons with the

Roughriders.I presumed he was a grouchy, miserable, hard-boiled ogre of a man, based on all the depictions of his playing career. He sounded like a merciless, irascible character.With that in mind, I phoned him — with some trepidation — in December of 2005. I was beginning a

Leader-Post series commemorating the 40th anniversary of the 1966 Grey Cup, and Atch was an obvious person to interview.To my surprise, he was a nice, mild-mannered man, without the gravelly voice that I expected. He talked to a complete stranger for well over an hour, telling stories about a Hall of Fame career, and about Hall of Fame teammates. Much of the content of that interview ended up appearing in West Riders Best, my book about the 1966

Roughriders.Atch’s good name first appears on Chapter 2. It last appears on Chapter 26. That tells you something about the breadth of his career. For each chapter title, I used a quote from the chapter.

Four of the 38 chapters began with a Ron Atchison quote — “The Toughest Thing I’ve Ever Had To Do,’’ “Beautiful Satisfaction’’ and “Well, This Is It, Atch.’’Atch was 80 years old when he died Wednesday morning at Pasqua Hospital. Sadly, he was the fifth member of the 1966 team to leave us since the reunion (following Sandy Archer, Jim Worden, Ron

Lancaster and Reg Whitehouse). I am so glad that the reunion was held, so that all those amazing people from the ’66 team could spend precious time together, one last time. And it was very cool to be a fly on the wall, watching them interact.That said, I couldn’t help but spend much of Wednesday thinking of a photo.

The 1966 reunion festivities included an autograph signing at the F.W. Hill Mall. That week, a picture of Ronnie and Atch appeared on the front page of our sports section. Four short years later, they’re both gone. I still can’t wrap my head around that.Thank goodness that we had players, and people, of that calibre in our midst. Despite being Hall of Famers, they were down-to-earth and approachable. Such is one of the joys of following, and covering, the CFL. However, the ability to get close to these people leaves you feeling a little emptier when they pass on. But what priceless, vivid memories remain, thanks to people like Ron Lancaster, Ron Atchison and their teammates.

RIDERS REDUCE ROSTER

By IAN HAMILTON, Leader-Post June 23, 2010


REGINA — Despite releasing 15 players over the past two days, the Saskatchewan Roughriders likely aren't finished retooling their roster.

Ken Miller, the Roughriders' head coach and vice-president of football operations, said Wednesday that general manager Brendan Taman and assistant GM Craig Smith have been poring over the transaction wire as CFL teams pare down their rosters.

It's believed the Roughriders' key area of interest is at receiver.

"We would like to find a couple of nuggets (on the wire), which would mean that we'd have to make another roster move or two because we are up to the limit in numbers," Miller said.
"In the next few days, there's likely going to be another roster move or two in places where our numbers are big and the number of starting positions doesn't justify that large a number."

The cuts Wednesday left the Roughriders with 59 players in camp. More moves could happen today, after which CFL teams can have only 46 players under contract, seven on the practice roster and others on the one- and nine-game injured lists.

Two import receivers — Dwayne Eley and Jeremy Gilchrist — were among the nine players Saskatchewan released on Wednesday. Import receiver Aaron Waldie was cut Tuesday.
Cary Koch and Aaron Fairooz were the only rookie receivers to survive the first two rounds of cuts, but Fairooz is injured. The receivers left in camp after Wednesday were Koch, Fairooz, Prechae Rodriguez, Rob Bagg, Weston Dressler, Obed Cetoute, Jason Clermont, Andy Fantuz and Chris Getzlaf.

Gilchrist had a sparkling resume as a returner, but the Roughriders are set at that position with Dominique Dorsey. Eley simply didn't do enough as a receiver during training camp to win a job.

"Eley showed some spurts of playing well," Miller said. "But he had that big drop in the game against Calgary (in Sunday's 41-17 pre-season loss) — and that was how he practised. He would make plays and then not make plays."

Willie Evans, an import who was one of those trying to replace NFL signees Stevie Baggs or John Chick at defensive end, also was released Wednesday.

"That's primarily consistency of effort and production," Miller said of Evans. "He would flash periodically, but just didn't perform consistently."

Import defensive backs Brandon Foster, Brandon Register and Carlos Thomas were cut. Miller stressed their departures won't affect the Roughriders' depth in the secondary.

"When you consider our outside linebacker positions — which we really consider to be more DB positions than linebacker positions — we have 12 players for seven positions," Miller said.

"Depth there isn't as big an issue as it might appear."

Depth also wasn't a concern at tailback, as the Roughriders released import Marcus Thigpen.
"(The decision to release) Thigpen is tough," Miller said. "He is so much like Hugh Charles. (Thigpen) had a pretty good camp, but in order to win a spot, you really have to knock out the champion or knock out the guy who's ahead of you, not just be in a race with him. You have to step up and show that you're better.

"You can argue whether he's as good maybe, but again, he didn't demonstrate that conclusively."

Two Regina products — defensive back-linebacker Joel Lipinski and defensive end Michael Stadnyk — also were released Wednesday.

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RIDERS ROOKIEs ADAPTING TO THE SPEED OF THE GAME

The Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Cole Bergquist throws a pass in the second half against the B.C. Lions in a preseason game on Sunday, June 13, 2010 at Mosaic Stadium in Regina, Sask.

Photograph by: Troy Fleece, Leader-Post

REGINA — Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive back Brandon Foster came away from his CFL debut largely unscathed — except for a minor case of whiplash.

The same went for a number of Saskatchewan Roughriders rookies following Sunday's pre-season opener at Mosaic Stadium — a 19-17 loss to the B.C. Lions. Foster chuckled as he recalled how his head was spinning early in the contest while players darted around him at break-neck speeds.

"They were like this ... (whipping his head side to side) ... going across my face," Foster said in front of his stall in the Riders' dressing room. "It's definitely a big difference (from the U.S. college game), starting from just the field being bigger and the motion. It was a fast pace and it doesn't slow down. My adrenaline was pumping so fast. When I got my jitters out in the second quarter, it kind of slowed down. It was definitely an experience, put it that way. It was a great time out there."

Rookie linebacker Byron Bullock agreed, noting that it's easier said than done to get up to speed on the Canadian game.

"It's way faster than American football," he offered. "The vets were telling me (beforehand) that the game is totally different and they're right. I thought I was prepared but it's my first pro game. That first quarter was a little tough. The jitters were coming out in the beginning but once you get that first hit you're good to go. It's still football."

Bullock tied for the team lead with four defensive tackles and one pass knockdown. He earned praise from head coach Ken Miller, who suggested the youngster could be "around here for a while."

Miller was also encouraged by the play of defensive end Shomari Williams, the first overall pick in the 2010 Canadian college draft. Williams was less enthused about his own performance, which included one defensive tackle.

"It just opened my eyes to what I have to get better at and what I'm going to have to do to be able to contribute to this team," he said. "I wasn't 100 per cent on everything but I was OK. The mistakes I did make are correctable. I know they drafted me to be a pass rusher so I definitely have to be more consistent on my pass rush to contribute on defence.
"It's the first (game). I got it out of the way. I'm not making any excuses. Just build from it, learn from it and try to get better."

Those sentiments were echoed by third-string quarterback Cole Bergquist, who joined the team early last year but didn't get into a game — pre-season or otherwise. Sunday's contest was his long-awaited debut.

"I'm just stoked to be out here and get a chance to play and show my teammates and my coaches what I can do," he said after completing seven of nine passes for 102 yards, with on touchdowns and no interceptions. "It was the first time in about a year and a half I woke up with butterflies. That was a good feeling to remember."

Like his fellow rookies, Bergquist's first game was a learning experience.

"I haven't played in a CFL game before; this was my first one," he added. "It just goes to show that you can never really emulate a game-type scenario in practice. I learned that the hard way with the first play. I went out there and got the delay of game (penalty). That never makes the coaches happy but I learned a lot and I'm glad I got an opportunity to get out there. There's a lot of obstacles but hopefully I can watch the film and learn from them."

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BARIN SIMPSON FEELS LIKE HE WAS IN EARLY 20s

By MURRAY McCORMICK, Leader-Post June 14, 2010

REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders' Barrin Simpson doesn't look or act his age.

The Riders middle linebacker is 32 but doesn't seem to have lost a step as he heads into his 10th CFL season. He is ripped at a solid 6-foot-0 and 235 pounds and was among the most enthusiastic Roughriders in Sunday's 19-17 pre-season loss to the B.C. Lions at Mosaic Stadium.

"I feel like I'm right in the middle of being 22 to 25,'' Simpson said after recording a defensive tackle and a special-teams tackle Sunday. "That's how good I feel.''
Simpson hasn't discovered some secret elixir or potion to keep going. It requires a great deal of training and work during the off-season to be as fit as he is during the season.

"This is easy,'' Simpson said. "This is the product of what I've done in the off-season. I've always prided myself on what I do in the off-season as a means to getting myself ready to go. I still feel fast, good and fit. I still feel like I'm 25.''

Simpson started his CFL career in 2001 with the B.C. He remained with the Lions before signing with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers as a free agent in 2006. Simpson was with Winnipeg before being released during the off-season. Simpson endured a public spat with Blue Bombers head coach Mike Kelly during the 2009 season. He missed four games but still finished with 84 defensive tackles and two sacks.

Simpson joins a team that has started two different players at middle linebacker over the previous two seasons. Mo Lloyd was a CFL all-star in 2008 before signing with the Edmonton Eskimos as a free agent in 2009. Rey Williams started most of the regular season and playoff games in 2009 and has signed with the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers.

Simpson has played in 143 regular-season and eight playoff games and has been named a CFL all-star six times. Despite an impressive resume and the Riders' needs at middle linebacker, Simpson feels he still has to make the team.

"Every year of my entire career has been a competition to play,'' said Simpson, who is first on the Riders' middle linebacker depth chart followed by non-import Mike McCullough and import Jerrell Freeman. "I've never looked at anything as being given to me and the coaches don't look at it that way either. They want the best guys on the field. I always come on the field with the rookie mindset of having to work hard. Then I try to be the leader who I am and play to the best of my ability.''

Simpson guards against coming into camp in a condition he calls "fat.''

"Fat means like I have everything made,'' said Simpson, who is nicknamed the Minister of Defence due to his off-season job as a minister. "There is never a time in professional sports where you can do that. It's all about what you did for me today. Not nine years ago or not even yesterday. You have to stay on top of your game week in and week out.''

Simpson does that while continuing to contribute on special teams. On Sunday, Simpson exhibited his abilities while covering a second-quarter kickoff return. Simpson raced down the field and rocked Toddrick Pendland with a special-teams tackle.

"I've always been the guy to raise my hand, especially for the kickoff and punt teams,'' said Simpson, who has 44 career special-teams tackles. "Defensive guys want to be on special teams to make a play and get us in field position defensively. This a field-position game and you want to get them backed up.''

Sunday's game marked Simpson's first time on the Mosaic Stadium sidelines as a member of the Roughriders. The always enthusiastic Simpson loved being there.

"It was beautiful,'' said Simpson. "The atmosphere was great and I had a lot of fun. You don't normally have a sellout for a pre-season game.''

Simpson was disappointed that he wasn't able to reward the huge crowd with a win.

"You always want to win,'' Simpson said. "You want to win every time you're on the field and that's the mindset of professional sports. If this game doesn't mean anything, why play it? You want to get a win.''

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CATES WANTS TO LEAVE HUMBLING 2009 SEASON BEHIND

By IAN HAMILTON, Leader-Post June 10, 2010

REGINA — Wes Cates displayed a quick burst Thursday at Mosaic Stadium.
Asked in a post-practice interview to pick a word to describe his 2009 CFL season, Cates didn't waste any time.

"Humbling," the Saskatchewan Roughriders' running back said. "I'm a rookie (with the Calgary Stampeders) in 2006 not even knowing if I'm going to stick in this league. Then in 2007 I win a Grey Cup (with Saskatchewan). In 2008, I'm an all-star, feeling like I'm on top of the world, top of the league sort of thing. And then I kind of got knocked down off the pedestal a little bit (in '09).

"We still had success as a team, so I had that to hang my hat on. But at the end of the day, people judge you off of your personal performances from time to time and I think I've got to bounce back and definitely perform better than last season."

In his third season with the Roughriders, Cates rushed for 932 yards on 195 carries (a career-low average of 4.8 yards per carry) and five touchdowns. He was the only starting tailback in the CFL to fall short of the 1,000-yard mark.

Granted, the 6-foot-0, 215-pound product of Columbus, Ohio, missed the first two regular-season games while recovering from off-season shoulder surgery. But in 2008, when he missed three games, Cates managed to gain 1,229 yards on 216 carries with 12 rushing touchdowns.
"Humbling is a good thing," Cates said. "You fall down, you get back up. It's one of those things where I might never have gotten to be the player that I'm going to be this season if I hadn't had that little setback. That motivates me and drives me to be better."

In fact, Cates has promised the Roughriders he'll be better. He had an off-season conversation with offensive co-ordinator Doug Berry in which Cates laid out his plans for the 2010 campaign.
"I just told him that I was feeling good, I was ready to roll and that I wanted to get back to the Wes Cates of 2008 and I felt like I was definitely capable of those numbers if not better," Cates said of that chat.

To attain that goal, Cates trained differently over the off-season, working on his flexibility and his joints instead of bulking up. He estimated he lost five pounds, which has been evident on the field during training camp.

"From what people have been telling me, I've got a little pep in my step," Cates said. "If you've got people coming up to you telling you that, it must be true. I'm not just imagining it."

Then there's his mental approach. Head coach Ken Miller said he has seen "a tighter focus" out of Cates thus far and suggested that was something the veteran running back "came to the realization that he needed to do."

Cates noted he's being more "cerebral" by trying to understand the whole offence. As well, he has tried to put his role in the team's offence in 2009 into perspective.

"You go from being one of the few options (in '08 due to injuries on offence) to not getting the ball as much (in '09), so it took a little adjusting," he said. "Now I'm kind of back on the ball and I've got my feet back under me and I'm running, ready to go for 2010."

To many, Cates hit his stride at the right time last season. He was a force in the Grey Cup loss to the Montreal Alouettes, rushing 13 times for 91 yards, catching two passes for 34 yards and — as he had throughout the season — providing good pass protection for quarterback Darian Durant.

"We all know what Wes can do," fullback Chris Szarka said Thursday. "We saw what he did in the Grey Cup; he came out and lit it up. We know that's in him and I'm sure that's what we're all expecting of him."

Cates certainly is. He's also expecting to earn a measure of redemption.

"Injuries hampered me a little bit and some people thought my career was looking like it was over," he said. "I definitely have to prove to those naysayers that that's not the case and prove to myself that I've still got fuel in the tank and I'm ready to go for a few more years."

ihamilton@leaderpost.canwest.com

RESIGNING DRESSLER A TOP PRIORITY

By GREG HARDER and IAN HAMILTON, Leader-Post June 9, 2010

REGINA — Weston Dressler is catching up fast.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders' game-breaking slotback was on the field for a third straight day Wednesday at Mosaic Stadium after returning ahead of schedule from a broken leg and sprained ankle suffered late last season.

With Dressler back at full speed, the Riders' next goal is to get his name on a contract extension. He's entering his option year and is slated to become a free agent after this season.
"That's one of our top priorities is to get him re-signed," offered Ken Miller, the Riders' head coach and vice-president of football operations. "(GM) Brendan (Taman) has been talking with his agent. It's something we really are interested in getting done."

Meanwhile, Miller was pleased with Dressler's progress on the field. He was also quick to dismiss suggestions that the speedster had lost a step.

"He's running faster than our guys in green right now," Miller said in reference to the defence. "He's running his routes very smoothly. He has those soft hands and really it has given everybody a lift to have him out here running with the offence."

* * *
The Riders are scaling back their two-a-day workouts to one session for the rest of the week in preparation for Sunday's pre-season opener against the visiting B.C. Lions.

As far as initial impressions, Miller singled out a few areas — and names — that have caught his eye in the first four days of main camp.

"From the receiver point of view, it's a journeymen group," noted the bench boss. "(Jason) Clermont is having a real good camp. (Rookie import) Aaron Fairooz is doing a real good job.
"When you go over to the defence, (veteran middle linebacker) Barrin Simpson (an off-season free-agent signee) has been playing well. And our defensive line, their battle for who's going to be the starting defensive ends. Joe Sykes has had some really good practices. Those are some guys who come to mind right now."

* * *Read more:

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OUT AND ABOUT WITH ABOU-MECHREK

Leader-Post columnist and former Saskatchewan Roughrider Mike Abou-Mechrek
Photograph by: Leader-Post

During my playing career, I really enjoyed my interactions with the media, and I hope the fans enjoyed me, too. I think it was because I rarely read the company line: "We win as a team and lose as a team,'' "We have to take one game at a time," etc., etc.

These quotes could come from anyone at any time in any sport. Professional athletes are in a rare situation where people actually care about what they say, so why not give them something other than blah blah blah? When you are finished playing, no one will ask you how your day went other than your wife (no, ladies, not even your husband).

Every athlete looks at the media and says to himself, "I can do that!" All they have to do is show up after practice, shove a microphone into the face of a half-naked fat man and press "record'' on their tape recorder. I mean, if Rob Vanstone can have such a successful career at it, anyone can do it, right?

Well, here is my chance to prove it -- but be gentle, Regina. I am fragile and I promise to get better.

As the weather heats up on the Prairies, so do the Riders. It is finally football season, which means it's time for everyone to start telling each other why the Riders won't win the Grey Cup this year. But, as you know, since I came to the province in 2007, the football landscape around here has changed, and even though the championship game is in Edmonton this year, the Grey Cup has to come through Saskatchewan.

Here is why I think we will be spending a little more time with Lord Grey's Mug:

Andy Fantuz: As a fellow Western Ontario Mustangs grad, I have followed Andy's career since long before his green jersey wallpapered Taylor Field. Undoubtedly, he is a great athlete who can do whatever he wants out there. Having the privilege to watch Andy work up close, I became intrigued by how he worked. When it's time to work, he gets better on EVERY rep. After every catch, he gently flips the ball to the ref, smoothes out his jersey (because you gotta look good), then struts back to the huddle. What could be more "in your face" to a DB than that?! I am waiting for him to win multiple CFL outstanding Canadian awards -- so many that he will be able to afford to give one to his fellow Mustang.

Joe Sykes: This year we get a chance to see what this animal can do over 20 games. When I saw him in practice last season, I was glad that I was retired. What were those other two guys' names who played defensive end last year?
The offensive line: Saskatchewan for a long time has had the best offensive line in the league, thanks in large part to Gene Makowsky, Jeremy O'Day and Andrew Greene. This year, my good friend Dan Goodspeed joins the mix at tackle. Add the best athlete in the league (Wayne Smith), last year's starters (Marc Parenteau, Belton Johnson and Chris Best) as well as Kelly Bates and ... they're STACKED! I will be visiting with these fat guys a lot through the season so I won't talk too much about them ... yet.

Darian Durant: One of the greatest leaders I ever played with. As an offensive lineman, I don't know about arm strength or accuracy, and I know nothing about anything to do with a football. What I do know about is that "feeling'' you get from the quarterback when you get back to the huddle. Even when Doubles (Durant's nickname) was buried on the depth chart, we knew who was in charge of the huddle. No matter what the score was, good or bad, his "coolness" in the huddle made us know that we had them right where we wanted them. This is exactly what I want in my quarterback.

Tad Kornegay: I don't have the words. Just watch him. In my opinion, he should have won an award last season ... and he's hilarious.
It is an exciting time in Riderville. If you didn't know that before, now you do.
I look forward to your feedback. Contact me at mike.abou-mechrek@investorsgroup.com.Read more:

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McKENZIE HAS BIG CLEATS TO FILL

REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders will be glad to know Chris McKenzie already has flourished alongside Omarr Morgan.

"He was next to me in the dorms last year when we first got here and we got along great," Morgan recalled Monday at Mosaic Stadium, where the CFL team is holding its training camp. "I hung with him all year and he was my ride to practice every day, so we already have some off-the-field chemistry."

That's a good sign for two defensive backs who could line up beside each other this season.
Morgan, the Roughriders' veteran boundary cornerback, must get used to having someone other than Eddie Davis beside him at halfback. Davis retired in the off-season after playing 15 CFL seasons, including the past nine with Saskatchewan. In eight of those campaigns, Davis lined up on the same side of the defence as Morgan.

McKenzie, meanwhile, is entering his second season with the Roughriders. He started three games as a rookie when Davis was injured and that stint — along with his experience as Morgan's neighbour and driver — should help McKenzie this season.

"All last year, (Morgan) was basically my mentor and kept me under his wing," said McKenzie, a 28-year-old New Yorker who had stints in the NFL and Arena Football League before coming to Saskatchewan. "When I jumped in there last year for E.D., (Morgan) was like, 'You already know what to do, you know what it is and I've got you. Let's do it.' "

Now, McKenzie could get to do it again if he can win the battle for the spot. Despite his history in the position, the 5-foot-9, 190-pounder doesn't feel he has a leg up on the competition.
"I'm trying to win a spot just like anybody," said McKenzie, who finished the '09 regular season with 18 defensive tackles, two special-teams tackles and two pass knockdowns. "They could cut me tomorrow. You never know — and this game is really funny.

"I'm just going to give my best. If it isn't enough, then they've got to replace me. If it is, then I'll be starting."

"He's terrific," noted defensive backs coach Nelson Martin. "When he got in last year, he made plays — pass breakups, recovering fumbles. He's got a nose for the football, he's a very intelligent guy, he's aggressive and he's working well with Omarr in the boundary."

Morgan concurred, saying working with McKenzie has been "kind of easy — so far." While that may have been a dig at McKenzie, who was standing within earshot, Morgan admitted there are some adjustments he'll have to make.

"Eddie was like a coach on the field; he saw things before they developed," Morgan said. "Chris does some of the same things, but he doesn't have the experience. Sometimes he'll say something to me and I'm like, 'What the hell are you talking about, Chris? You don't know yet. You might think you know, but you don't know yet.'

"Really, he's doing pretty good right now."

He's also doing well with the notion of taking over from a player whom McKenzie described as "definitely a Hall of Famer in my books." It may be daunting, but McKenzie isn't feeling that way.

"I'm either going to do the job or I'm not; there isn't any pressure," he said. "I'm here to play football, to do what I know to do, do what I love to do, so pressure for what? So I can mess up? No."

"That's the right approach," Martin added. "You're not going to replace Eddie Davis. You're not going to come in in your second year in the league and replace a guy who played 15 years.
"We'll line up another person at that position, but it's not going to be Eddie Davis. He was a defensive leader, a team leader, on and off the field. It would be foolish for (McKenzie) as a young man to think he's going to step in and replace that. He's going to go out and be the best boundary halfback we have — and that's the right way to go."

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FANTUZ AND DRESSLER GETTING READY FOR 2010

Andy Fantuz, left, and Weston Dressler at the Saskatchewan Roughriders training camp in Regina on Monday.
Photograph by: Roy Antal, Leader-Post

REGINA — It was like old times Monday at the Saskatchewan Roughriders' training camp.
Those feelings of nostalgia were produced when Andy Fantuz and Weston Dressler were seen running and stretching together at Mosaic Stadium. It's the first time the star receivers were on the field together since Oct. 10, 2009, when Dressler suffered a broken right fibula and severely sprained ankle in the Riders' 32-22 victory over the visiting Toronto Argonauts.

The injury ended Dressler's season despite speculation that he might return for the CFL playoffs. Fantuz played through the remaining four regular-season games and helped the Riders reach the 2009 Grey Cup game. Monday's reunion was unexpected because it was suggested that the Riders had planned on keeping Dressler out of the first week of training camp while he continued his rehabilitation.

"For me it feels later than expected because I wasn't out here (Sunday),'' Dressler said after taking part in each drill Monday. "Everything went well and I was able to do everything that I wanted to. I hadn't been able to do anything at full speed like that since the injury. We'll get some ice on it and see what it feels like tomorrow.''

Dressler said he needed Sunday off after pushing his rehabilitation on Saturday.
"Unfortunately we did something that forced me to take a day off,'' said Dressler, who was the CFL's rookie-of-the-year in 2008.

That could mean another day off today for Dressler as he tries to regain his playing form.
"I haven't pushed it this hard all off-season,'' said Dressler, who was named a 2009 West Division all-star after finishing the season with 62 receptions for 941 yards and four touchdowns over 14 games. "I don't know how it will respond. Hopefully it's a little sore like after a normal day of rehab and I can push it again.''

It was the health of Fantuz during the previous two seasons that may have led to Monday's on-field reunion. Fantuz was to be eligible to file for free agency but elected to re-sign with the Riders in October under the stipulation that he was allowed to see if any NFL teams were interested in him. The 26-year-old slotback remained with the Riders when that didn't take place.

"It was just the fact that I had two seasons in a row where I missed some games with injuries,'' Fantuz said when asked about the lack of interest by NFL squads. "It's more of a question of trying to be productive and staying healthy.''

In 2008, Fantuz missed 11 regular-season games with a broken left fibula. He still finished with 36 receptions for 488 yards and three touchdowns.

Last year, Fantuz was sidelined for five games with a torn hamstring. He recovered to appear in 13 regular-season games, the West Division final and the Grey Cup game. Fantuz had 67 receptions for 882 yards and scored four touchdowns in the regular season. In the playoffs, Fantuz had 10 receptions for 156 yards and recorded two touchdowns.

Fantuz, who is heading into his fifth season with the Riders, is aware that approximately 20 CFLers signed with NFL teams during the off-season. That list included Riders defensive ends John Chick (Indianapolis Colts) and Stevie Baggs (Arizona Cardinals) and middle linebacker Rey Williams (Pittsburgh Steelers).

Jordan Sisco, the Riders' second pick (eighth overall) in the 2010 CFL draft, also signed with the Colts during the off-season. Fantuz didn't know that the Regina native and University of Regina Rams slotback had signed with the Colts straight out of university but he was pleased that a CIS player has the opportunity to play in the NFL.

"That's good for him and I'm glad to see more Canadians get the chance,'' said Fantuz, who was the Hec Crighton Award winner as the top CIS player in 2005. "It's great for Canadian football and CIS across the country. It's good to have guys who have the ability to play in the NFL to come out.''

Fantuz signed for a year and an option with the Riders. That means he has another opportunity to impress NFL teams with a strong regular season. Then he can see what the off-season brings in terms of chances.

"I just have to keep working hard and doing everything that I can to make sure that I'm in good shape and that my body is healthy,'' said Fantuz. "I'm not really thinking about that right now. That's stuff to worry about at the end of November after we hoist the Grey Cup.''
The Riders' main training camp continues today at Mosaic Stadium.Read more:

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JOE SYKES HOPES HE CAN REPLACE DEPARTED ONES

Defensive end Joe Sykes takes part in training camp at Mosaic Stadium on Sunday, June 6, 2010.
Photograph by: Troy Fleece, Leader-Post

Joe Sykes didn't come into the Saskatchewan Roughriders' training camp looking to replace Stevie Baggs or John Chick.

Instead, Sykes was aiming to beat them out of a job.

"I approached it as if they were still here so I could keep my preparation going in the off-season," Sykes said Sunday after the first day of training camp at Mosaic Stadium. "We're good friends, so I wish them well in the NFL. I just wanted to have my mindset that they were here so I could keep pushing."

Sykes, 27, was mentioned as a candidate to play defensive end for the Roughriders this CFL season as soon as Baggs (Arizona Cardinals) and Chick (Indianapolis Colts) signed NFL deals in the off-season. Sykes claimed Sunday that he didn't hear that talk -- nor did he want to, based on his notion of competing with those players.

Now, he's eager to replace them.

"I can't be those guys, but I'm ready to be that type," said the 6-foot-4, 275-pound product of Grenada, Miss. "They did well for themselves, but I'm a different type of player. I'm ready to play."

If he gets to play a lot, that would be a departure from 2009.
Sykes arrived at Saskatchewan's rookie camp last season with numbers befitting a player in a video game.

During the 2008 season with the af2's Green Bay Blizzard, Sykes led the Arena Football League's satellite loop with 22 tackles for losses, 19.5 sacks and eight forced fumbles in the regular season and added 6.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in the playoffs. Sykes later was named the af2 defensive player-of-the-year and defensive lineman-of-the-year.
But he played in just five games with the Roughriders last season, registering only one special-teams tackle.

"Joe needed to adjust to the Canadian game, both the field dimensions and also the scheme we were running," defensive line coach Mike Scheper said when asked why Sykes didn't play more. "Those things were very much unique and different to the style and what he had been comfortable with and accustomed to in his prior career.

"After a year in the system and grinding through on our practice roster, I think he's ready to assume a leadership role and take his swing at the opportunity that's here in front of him."
Sykes admitted it was difficult to sit out much of the '09 season, but it served a valuable purpose for him.

"I didn't know anything about the game, so I wanted to get my feet wet," he said. "In those five games, I learned a lot. I was playing behind some great players, so I didn't mind sitting back.
"A lot of players sit back a year or two in different positions and learn instead of getting thrown in the water. I embraced that and it prepared me for this year because I know what to expect ... I'm ready to unleash it this year."

He has some work to do before he gets that chance, though. Scheper said Sykes has to improve

his consistency and attain the level of play expected of a professional athlete on a daily basis.
"One day in, so far so good," Scheper said. "Now it's about being consistent and doing it every day so that it's not the exception but rather the rule."

Sykes lost some weight in the off-season in preparation for the competition for a starting job on the D-line. He also plans to use the lessons he learned from Baggs and Chick, both on the field and off, to give himself an edge.

"I love competition and it's a battle," said Sykes, who vowed to work harder this season. "Nothing has been given to me. I'm coming in like I was a rookie; I take the same approach every year. I'm just ready to get out there and shine like Stevie and Chick."

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RIDERS ACQUIRE ANOTHER CANADIAN RECEIVER

Toronto Argonaut Obed Cetoute during practice in a file photo.
Photograph by: Peter J. Thompson, National Post

MISSISSAUGA, Ont. — The Toronto Argonauts traded wide receiver Obed Cetoute to the Saskatchewan Roughriders for offensive lineman Jonathan St-Pierre on Sunday in a swap of non-imports looking to bounce back from season-long injuries.

“We thought we had an abundance (of talent) at that position with (Mike) Bradwell, Spencer Watt, Keith Godding, Steven Turner, so we had a depth there and we had a chance to get a guy that’s a top quality Canadian offensive lineman so we just felt it was the right thing for us to do right now,” said Argos head coach Jim Barker.

Cetoute missed all of last season with an Achilles injury. The Argos drafted the six-foot-two, 213-pound receiver in 2006. The following year he caught 22 passes for 367 yards en route to being named the club’s most outstanding rookie. The Montreal native missed most of the 2008 season due to injury.

Earlier this week Cetoute said he has put his injury woes behind him and was confident of making the Argos.

The Roughriders selected St-Pierre in the second round (10th overall) in the 2008 draft. The Longueuil, Que., native missed of all last season with a left knee injury, which required surgery.
Barker said St-Pierre was on his radar back in 2008 when he served in the Calgary Stampeders front office.

“Jonathan St-Pierre is a guy that we had ranked at the top of our draft board in Calgary . . . You know he’s a French Canadian so he’s familiar with (Dominic) Picard and (Cedric) Gagne-Marcoux and he’s just a solid player.”

The six-foot-three, 310-pound Illinois State product becomes the 15th offensive lineman on the Argos roster.

“He can play centre, he can play guard . . . I think guard might be his best position, but he’s got real good feet and you don’t even know a guy like that may even be able to play tackle so he’s just a real good football player and I just think at this time of the year you can’t have enough quality Canadian offensive lineman.”

Earlier this week St-Pierre said he had moved beyond the knee injury that kept him out of action last year.

“I came to camp healthy and it makes a big difference . . . I don’t want to use (the injury) as an excuse as to why I didn’t play last year,” said St-Pierre. “But definitely the mindset now is that I’m healthy and I’m making the most of it.”

National Post

With a file from the Regina Leader-PostRead more: http://www.leaderpost.com/sports/Argos+send+Cetoute+Riders/3120009/story.html#ixzz0qCFOwPWW

RIDERS TRADE ST. PIERRE

By Murray McCormick Sun, Jun 6 2010

It didn’t take long for the Roughriders to start dealing with their excess of offensive linemen: Here’s the first deal. I have to wonder if they have been talking with the Calgary Stampeders, too. They are also looking for O-linemen. Here’s the Riders release:

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have acquired non-import wide receiver Obed Cetoute from the Toronto Argonauts. In exchange the Argonauts will receive non-import offensive lineman Jonathan St-Pierre.Cetoute (6’2 – 213 lbs) has spent the last three seasons with the Argonauts after being selected by Toronto in the fourth round (31st Overall) of the 2006 CFL Canadian Draft. Over the course of his first two seasons with Toronto, Cetoute played in 24 games and tallied 31 receptions for 461 yards and three touchdowns. The 27-year old missed the 2009 season due to injury. Cetoute played four seasons at Central Michigan.

LOBOTOMY ROOM IN EDMONTON

THIS IS A NEAT VIDEO OF A DIE-HARD RIDER FAN, WHO LIVES INSIDE ENEMY TERRITORY


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UNITY PAINTS THE STREETS GREEN

CHECK OUT UNITY, SASKATCHEWAN


http://www.leaderpost.com/sports/football/riders100/virtual-museum/Video+Town+Unity+paint+streets+green/3114388/story.html

QUESTIONS HEADING INTO THE 2010 SEASON

REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders open their main training camp Sunday with fewer question marks than in the past.

That's a good thing and a sign of how the team has progressed over the last few years. Last season, for example, the team was bombarded with questions surrounding its starting quarterback. Darian Durant emerged from that training camp battle. He heads into the 2010 season as the team's established starter and one of the league's top quarterbacks.

This season the biggest question involving the quarterbacks is who will back up Durant. That's a huge step from what has taken place in the past.

There are other questions. Determining who will replace John Chick and Stevie Baggs at defensive ends will be one of the most scrutinized of all training camp competitions. The health of Wes Cates, what's going to happen along the offensive line, who will step into the void created by the retirement of defensive back Eddie Davis, and how will the Riders rebound from the 28-27 loss in the 2009 Grey Cup game are among the concerns.

With that in mind, here are five burning questions, in no particular order, facing the Riders as they head into the 2010 season.

* Who will be the backup quarterback?

Durant spent most of the rookie camp watching the four candidates — Ryan Dinwiddie, Cole Bergquist, Kent Smith and Todd Reesing — battle to see who would earn an invitation to main camp and handle the backup position. Dinwiddie may have a leg up on the other three due to his experience in the CFL with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The Riders really need an experienced backup in case Durant does get injured.

Head coach Ken Miller has waffled between taking four or five quarterbacks to main camp. Four is quite possible because there aren't enough repetitions available for five QBs. Still, the Roughriders could take five in order to give each prospect a fair chance of showcasing their skills with the team's top receivers. Who will be on the roster at the end of training camp remains to be seen. The only sure thing about the quarterback position is Durant remains the starter.

* Who will emerge as the replacements at defensive end?

The departures of Chick and Baggs to the NFL added a great deal of fuel to the off-season discussions about the Riders' defence. The Riders lost 23 sacks and a strong presence on the defensive line when both players left. The Roughriders recognized the loss of Chick and Baggs by bringing eight defensive linemen to rookie camp — four ends and four tackles. Import Brent Hawkins has emerged as the top prospect after rookie camp but he hasn't played since 2008. It remains to be seen what he'll do against the veterans when camp opens. Shomari Williams, the first overall pick in the 2010 CFL draft, has looked impressive in rookie camp but it appears he'll start the season on special teams and look to contribute later on the defensive line. Joe Sykes spent the 2009 season with the Riders but didn't register a defensive tackle or sack in his five games on the roster. Willie Evans also spent time on the practice roster in 2009 and has looked impressive in rookie camp. Non-imports Michael Stadnyk and Luc Mullinder are also part of the mix at defensive end.

* What can be expected of Cates?

Much has been made of the fact Cates was the only starting running back in the CFL who failed to rush for more than 1,000 yards in 2009. Cates would have exceeded that mark if he hadn't been sidelined for the first two regular-season games while recovering from off-season shoulder surgery. It took a while for Cates to regain his triple-threat form. In fact, he never really did that until the playoffs when he resembled the Cates of old. At 31, Cates is the oldest of the Riders tailbacks but he returns in 2010 as healthy as he has ever been. There is also depth at tailback. Hugh Charles has speed and quickness. The signing of free agent Dominique Dorsey may also provide the Riders with another speedy weapon out of the backfield. Charles and Dorsey shouls see some time at tailback but for the most part the job remains in the capable hands of Cates.

* What will the Riders do with all of their offensive linemen?

As of Friday, there are 14 offensive linemen on the Riders' 81-player roster. Because of that, only four offensive linemen were on hand for rookie camp. Three of those four — Jonathan St-Pierre, Nick Hutchins and Dan Clark — were with the Riders for the 2009 season on various rosters. Those youngsters could be considered the future of the Riders' offensive line so they should claim roster spots in 2010. The middle of the line looks solid with centre Jeremy O'Day and guards Gene Makowsky, Marc Parenteau and Chris Best. Kelly Bates was signed during the off-season, which should increase the competition at guard. Bates had played eight seasons as a guard with the B.C. Lions and Blue Bombers. The tackle positions are up in the air and could be filled by imports. Joel Bell returns after a solid rookie season and Belton Johnson is healthy after missing most of the 2009 season with chest and shoulder injuries. The Riders signed import Dan Goodspeed during the off-season and he will surely be in the hunt. Then there are non-imports Wayne Smith, who returns after missing all of the 2010 season with a torn Achilles and Jordan Rempel, who didn't dress in 2009 after being acquired from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in an off-season trade. In 2009, the Riders kept 12 offensive linemen in town after training camp. It's unlikely that will happen in 2010. The good news is there's enough depth at the position to carry them through a long season. The bad news is some of those talented linemen aren't going to get a lot of playing time in 2010.

* What effect will the loss in the 2009 Grey Cup game have on the Riders in 2010?

The Riders were a penalty away from opening the 2010 season as the defending Grey Cup champions. The too-many-men-on-the-field penalty that gave Montreal place-kicker Damom Duval a second chance at a game-winning field goal has earned its place in Riders lore. The Alouettes won the game 28-27 when Duval connected on a 33-yard field goal with no time remaining. Much has been written about the 13th man, which remains the simple and easy explanation about the Riders' loss. Often overlooked is the Riders surrendering a 27-11 lead, an untimely fourth-quarter interception and the manner in which Montreal roared back. It was a team loss and one that the Riders haven't been able to respond to on the field since that fateful night in Calgary. There isn't any doubt the defeat looms over the heads of the returning players. The Riders were the second-best team in the league in 2009. They will spend the 2010 season using that en route to proving they are the best team.

mmccormick@leaderpost.canwest.comRead more: http://www.leaderpost.com/sports/questions+heading+into+Riders+training+camp/3115043/story.html#ixzz0pz06qYvN