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.
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.
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.
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.
No comments:
Post a Comment