SIMPSON HITS HARDER AND STUDIES HARDER

Saskatchewan Roughriders middle linebacker Barrin Simpson practicing at the University of Regina on Thursday.
Photograph by: Roy Antal, Leader-Post

REGINA — Saskatchewan Roughriders middle linebacker Barrin Simpson appears to be getting better with age.

In his head coach's eyes, even one month has made a difference.

"Early on (this season), he was adequate," Saskatchewan bench boss Ken Miller said Thursday. "Last week (in a game against the Calgary Stampeders), he was better.

"He's becoming reacquainted with the defence he operated in in 2001. As he has become more accustomed and really fit into our scheme, he has done better and better. I think that we'll see his level of play continue to rise."

Simpson, 32, is in his first season with the Roughriders but his 10th in the CFL. As a rookie in 2001 with the B.C. Lions, his defensive co-ordinator was Gary Etcheverry — who now holds the same job with the Roughriders.

Etcheverry doesn't think a lot has changed with one of his star pupils.
"I considered him back in '01 a student of the game, but now he has really honed his studying techniques and he knows what he's looking at when he's studying video," Etcheverry said. "As a preparation week unfolds, he really knows how to go about his business."

"Ten years in the league, I definitely know what to expect, how to study film, how to break down opposing offences and what to look for when they come out on the field," said Simpson, who played five seasons with B.C. and four with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

"When a team comes out in a formation, I know the top three plays that they like to do out of that formation so it makes me that much more in tune and that much more faster to get into plays."

Simpson was the CFL's rookie of the year in '01 after registering 115 defensive tackles. He was named a West Division and a CFL all-star that season — his first of six career appearances on a division all-star team and on the league's dream team.

He entered Week 5 with a Roughriders-leading 19 defensive tackles, which tied him for eighth in the league. He's obviously still effective, roaming sideline to sideline to make tackles.

"I still feel fast, still doing the same things I've always done," said Simpson, a noted workout fanatic. "There's no difference in playing for me, but the recovery time is a lot different than it was five years ago."

"In his 10th year, a guy's not going to get faster," Etcheverry noted when asked if Simpson had lost a step. "But an old comment I heard — and I've shared it with him — is a guy says, 'Has he lost a step?' and I always say, 'A veteran knows where to step.' He definitely falls into that category."

Simpson is among the elder statesmen in terms of CFL middle linebackers. Shea Emry of the Montreal Alouettes is 24, Calgary's Juwan Simpson is 26, Jason Pottinger of the Toronto Argonauts, Maurice Lloyd of the Edmonton Eskimos and Joe Lobendahn of the Blue Bombers are each 27, and B.C.'s Anton McKenzie is 29.

Only Otis Floyd of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats — who played with Barrin Simpson in B.C. in 2004 and '05 — is older. He's 34.

"At least Otis is the oldest," said a chuckling Simpson, whose squad plays the Tiger-Cats on Saturday at Mosaic Stadium. "I'm still 25."

In Simpson's mind, he and Floyd have been able to survive in the league — when younger players haven't — largely because of the work they do during the weeks before games.
"That's been our niche: Being prepared," Simpson said. "The old saying is, 'If you fail to prepare, then prepare to fail.' We know how to prepare, we know what we're doing, we know how to study film and we know how to practise. It all runs together."

Miller admitted the Roughriders may have to make a decision at linebacker if Rey Williams — who signed an option-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the off-season — doesn't stick in the NFL and returns to Saskatchewan. In the meantime, the Roughriders will continue to rely on a player who doesn't act his age.

"Barrin has shown us that he's really athletic, he still has great quickness and he's able to capitalize on the experience that he has," Miller said. "I don't see his age being a detriment right now."

ihamilton@leaderpost.canwest.comRead more: http://www.leaderpost.com/sports/Riders+Barrin+Simpson+hits+hard+studies+harder/3339250/story.html#ixzz0vAZz9rv0

FANTUZ FLAKES FLYING OFF THE SHELVES

By IAN HAMILTON, Leader-Post July 30, 2010
REGINA — Fantuz Flakes were flying Thursday.

Vic Huard, the vice-president corporate affairs for Federated Co-operatives Ltd., said cereal boxes bearing the name and smiling face of Saskatchewan Roughriders slotback Andy Fantuz were big sellers on their first day on the shelves of Co-op food stores in Saskatchewan.

"Twenty-four thousand boxes are being sold," Huard said late Thursday afternoon. "By the time this (story) goes to print (today), I wouldn't be surprised if they're all sold."

Huard noted that the top-selling cereal at Co-op stores in Manitoba and Saskatchewan over the past four weeks generated about $30,000 in sales. When Fantuz Flakes sells out — which is expected to happen in just two days — it will have generated nearly $96,000 in sales.

A portion of the proceeds of the cereal's sales is to go to the Children's Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan. Each box also includes a coupon for $5 off any purchase of $50 or more at the Rider Stores.

Fantuz was at the Co-op store on Quance Street on Thursday to autograph boxes of the cereal. Huard estimated there were 150 people lined up for Fantuz's autograph at 2 p.m. — 30 minutes before Fantuz was to arrive.

"We had every expectation that we would sell out (during the campaign)," Huard said. "Did we expect to sell out this quickly? Probably not."

Asked if the demand for Fantuz Flakes would result in more boxes being produced, Huard replied: "Stay tuned. There are lots of conversations about what we're going to do next."

ihamilton@leaderpost.canwest.comRead more: http://www.leaderpost.com/sports/Rider+Nation+eats+Fantuz+Flakes/3339282/story.html#ixzz0vAYWhEaK

Bon Jovi in Rider hat

Fantuz flakes and now the Double D Burger !!!




JON BON JOVI in Rider hat

RIDER WEEKEND - 2010

IT SHOULD BE A GREAT WEEKEND....AND FOLLOWING A FEW INTERESTING PICTURES

HORROR GAME FILM SESSION

By Rob Vanstone,

REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders' most-recent game was uglier than, well, pick virtually any Adam Sandler movie.

Head coach Ken Miller watched footage of Saturday's 40-20 CFL loss to the Calgary Stampeders and could not suppress his emotions, even though he had already witnessed the horror in person.

"I can't look at it clinically yet,'' Miller said Tuesday when asked about the video session. "It's a hard thing to look at that and evaluate and to see your players not playing as well as they need to be playing. There isn't any way I can take emotion out of that.

"On the other hand, starting right now it's important for me to not dwell on that, but get the team focused. We tried to do that today — get the page turned and get focused. We just can't dwell on the past. We need to continue to make corrections. We can't dwell on the negativity as a result of that game.''

Oh, is there negativity!

Judging by some of the fan feedback received since Saturday's slaughter, the Roughriders need to improve in several aspects of the game. According to correspondence received since Saturday night, the offensive line provides less resistance than papier mache, the defensive linemen need GPS to locate the quarterback, Riders pivot Darian Durant needs more experience, the assortment of 30-something starters have too much experience, the term "special teams'' is a gross exaggeration, the hyperbolic media is complicit ...

Leading up to Saturday's game, the Roughriders had been portrayed in some reports as invincible, only to be invisible during the second half at McMahon Stadium. The Roughriders were built up so energetically, by fans and media types, that a letdown was almost inevitable.
But a complete meltdown? What's with that?

When asked Tuesday what needs to improve for Saturday's home game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Miller replied: "Just about every area.''

Or, just about everyone except Weston Dressler (at least in this assessment).

"We all have to be better, including myself,'' Durant declared.

Durant is always quick to point the finger at himself, which demonstrates his accountability and his excellence as a leader. But you have to wonder whether Ron Lancaster, Kent Austin, Frank Tripucka, Glenn Dobbs or Peyton Manning could have fared any better than Durant on Saturday, given the porous pass protection.

It is borderline miraculous that Durant was able to throw for 354 yards and leave the stadium without assistance, considering the pressure to which he was subjected. Entering Saturday's game, nothing is more important than upgrading the offensive line play.

"It wasn't the best game in the world, but that's over now,'' veteran offensive lineman Gene Makowsky said. "I've pretty much forgotten about it. I gave myself 24 hours to sulk and pout, and now we're on to Hamilton. I think that's the way you have to be during a long season.''
Makowsky can remember a lonnnnnnnnnnng season. He was a member of the 1999

Roughriders team that won a mere three games. The 2010 edition had equalled that victory total in July before losing in Calgary on Saturday. So, obviously, it could be much worse.
"I don't think we'll ever have a game like that again,'' Durant said. "It was just one of those days.''

The Roughriders did not resemble the Edmonton Eskimos, who seemingly sleepwalked through Saturday's 47-21 loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The subsequent Roughriders-Stampeders game was tied 7-7 at halftime before the hosts exacted a measure of revenge for having failed to defeat Saskatchewan in four meetings last season.

"Everyone's going to play us like it's their Grey Cup, so we have to make sure we match everybody's intensity,'' said Durant, who quarterbacked Saskatchewan to the 2009 West Division title. "For whatever reason, we didn't get it done. But we're going to get everyone's best shot, so you'd best believe we'll be ready.''

Precedent suggests that Durant is correct. The Roughriders' resilient nature is one reason why they have been one of the CFL's premier teams in recent years. When the Green and White (and Burgundy and Black) has experienced a headache-inducing game, it typically responds with an improved performance.

The Roughriders have established that they can block out the negativity, the distractions and any potentially irksome issues that may arise. Now they need to ensure that they can block, period.

rvanstone@leaderpost.canwest.comRead more: http://www.leaderpost.com/sports/VANSTONE+Horror+game+film+session/3330045/story.html#ixzz0uyxtiiQY

JAMES PATRICK TAKING CHARGE IN THE SECONDARY

By MURRAY McCORMICK, Leader-

REGINA — There is no standing pat for James Patrick.
Patrick is in his second season as the starting safety with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He has successfully made the conversion from cornerback to handling the demands of a different position in the secondary.

Defensive backs coach Nelson Martin has encouraged Patrick to take on more of a leadership role with the defensive backs. Martin feels that Patrick is in an ideal position to help fill the leadership void that was created by the off-season retirement of defensive halfback Eddie Davis.

"I'm picking up what Eddie used to do,'' Patrick said after the Riders completed Tuesday's practice at the University of Regina. "I want to direct the secondary and be aware of where everyone is supposed to be.''

That means being more vocal. Patrick, who is in his third CFL season with the Riders, doesn't have any problem with being a stronger voice among the defensive backs.
"It's my job, so it's what I have to do,'' Patrick said. "I wanted to take advantage of it and I feel good about doing it.''

Patrick and Martin spend a great deal of time together during practice. Martin, who was a safety for seven CFL seasons with the B.C. Lions, initiated the in-practice meetings in 2009. Martin felt the meetings were needed after a regular-season game on July 11, 2009, against the Toronto Argonauts.

"We'd had a couple of broken coverages in the secondary and I realized then that he had been a corner throughout his career,'' Martin said. "He wasn't accustomed to playing free safety and I needed to spend more time with him so he can understand the position because it's different than any other in the secondary. I've continued to do that in Eddie's absence because as the safety Patrick's right in the middle of the secondary. He's in the best spot to lead the defensive backs.''

Patrick has been doing that. He intercepted two Henry Burris passes in the end zone in Saturday's 40-20 loss to the Calgary Stampeders. Patrick also recorded eight defensive tackles and had one special-teams tackle.

Patrick's two interceptions lead the Riders and he's tied with six others for second in the CFL. He also recorded two interceptions in the Riders' 27-17 victory over the Stampeders in the 2009 West Division final.

"I don't know if he's improved because of my input or if he's just getting more comfortable with angles that he has to play,'' Martin said. "It's a different position from being on the corner where everything was on one side of you. I think he's better because he's just getting more familiar with the position.''

Patrick, 5-foot-11 and 175 pounds, plays the position like a cornerback. He's not going to deliver the knockout blow for which more physical safeties are renowned
"I can do it if I have to,'' said Patrick, who had two interceptions while dressing for 18 regular-season games in 2009. "But if I see the ball, I'm going after it. That's my primary goal.''
Riders head coach Ken Miller acknowledged Patrick's strong game Saturday. Miller also pointed out that Patrick, like all members of the Riders in the lopsided loss, suffered some breakdowns.
"He missed a couple of tackles on some long runs,'' Miller said "He played well but there is still room for improvement.''

Patrick has already turned his focus towards Saturday's game when the Riders play host to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

"I always take it a week at a time,'' said Patrick, who is third on the Riders with 16 defensive tackles. "The previous game is behind us and there isn't anything we can do about it. I'm just thinking about the game ahead of us.''

The Riders have been moved out of Mosaic Stadium because of tonight's Bon Jovi concert. The team is to be back on its home turf Friday.
mmccormick@leaderpost.canwest.comRead more:

OFFENSIVE LINE HAS TO GET BETTER

Riders offensive line coach Tom Freeman watches over his O-lineman practicing on Tuesday at the University of Regina.
Photograph by: Roy Antal, Leader-Post

REGINA — Marc Parenteau feels Darian Durant's pain.

Parenteau, the Saskatchewan Roughriders' right guard, was still bothered Tuesday that his struggles during Saturday's 40-20 CFL loss in Calgary resulted at times in Durant — the Roughriders' starting quarterback — getting rocked by Stampeders pass-rushers.

"That's what pissed me off the most," Parenteau said after Saskatchewan practised at the University of Regina. "No one likes to lose, but to see your quarterback get hit three or four times that first half because of me, that's what hurts. It's like seeing your brother get hit in the face and you can't do anything about it. That was very disappointing."

"The worst thing in the world as an O-lineman," added left guard Chris Best, "is to look back and see your quarterback getting hit by the guy you're supposed to be blocking."
The Roughriders surrendered only two sacks to the Stampeders, but Calgary keeps track of what it calls "delivery sacks" — legal hits on a quarterback just as or right after he delivers the ball. The Stamps say they had 10 against Saskatchewan, with defensive tackle Tom Johnson responsible for five of them.

Johnson, who was a menace throughout the contest, did most of his damage against Parenteau.
"I always hate when we beat a team and they say, 'It was our fault,' and they never give credit," Parenteau said. "But I'll give credit to Johnson. He had a very good game against me."
Parenteau noted he did everything the same way leading up to Saturday's game, from watching extra video to working on his technique in practice. As he put it, "it just didn't click that game."
"It's hard to explain why," he continued. "I don't even know why. Looking at the tape, I know I did some stuff wrong that I didn't realize I was doing in the game and those are things that maybe I have to catch faster in the game.

"Usually if I've had a bad set, I'm pretty good at correcting things for the rest of the game. It just wasn't the case this game."

He wasn't alone.

Best admitted he has to play better, saying Saturday's showing "was a long way from my best game." Right tackle Dan Goodspeed noted "we just didn't feel like we were in synch," then added the video showed what the linemen did right and what they did wrong.

And that was ...?

"What we did wrong was we lost the game," Goodspeed said. "What did we do right? It's hard to say because when you lose, nothing feels right."

Roughriders head coach Ken Miller said his charges didn't have trouble with the Stampeders' scheme, noting instead that it was one-on-one matchups that were the problem. That must be addressed before the Hamilton Tiger-Cats visit Mosaic Stadium on Saturday.

"It does concern me a little bit that (Durant) got hit, but I feel really good about the fact that our offensive line is a veteran group and has proven that they have tremendous ability," Miller said.

"It wasn't so much scheme as we were just out of synch a little bit in that game (in Calgary) and I fully expect us to recover fully in that area."

Practice this week no doubt will focus on technique and assignments as the offensive linemen look to rebound. Asked if he bought Durant an extra doughnut or something this week, Best chuckled.

"What we can do for him is do our jobs better so that he doesn't get hit anymore," the guard said. "That's probably the best thing we can do for him."

"I bought him a lot of ice," Parenteau added, tongue in cheek. "After games, I never sleep well. I always think about the bad plays. Well, two nights in a row, I thought about those plays.
"They stick with you. That's extra motivation this week to make sure I get better and make sure my brother doesn't get hit again."

ihamilton@leaderpost.canwest.comRead more: http://www.leaderpost.com/sports/Riders+line+feeling+bruised+after+Stampeders+stomping/3329555/story.html#ixzz0uwW1mPkm

Sask Cgy
Rushes-Yards 20-111 20-239
Passing Yards 354 285
Yards Lost 22 49
Total Yards 443 475
Passes 2-37-3 27-40-2
Sacks Allowed 2 1
Punts-Avg. 6-42.2 7-48.3
Fumbles-Lost 2-1 1-1
Individual Leaders
Rushing: Sas - W. Cates 16-83, D. Durant 4-28; Cgy - J. Reynolds 15-93, J. Cornish 5-77, A. Tate 2-42, H. Burris 3-35.
Passing: Sas - D. Durant 22-37-1-354; Cgy - H. Burris 22-33-4-285.
Receiving: Sas - W. Dressler 9-125, A. Fantuz 3-68, R. Bagg 3-61, C. Getzlaf 4-56, P. Rodriguez 3-44; Cgy - R. Bryant 7-116, P. Sam 5-54, N. Lewis 5-50, D. Murphy 2-25, J. Cornish 1-20, J. Reynolds 1-14, J. Forzani 1-6.
Att. at Calgary, Alb.—35,650Read more: http://www.calgaryherald.com/sports/Game+Story+Calgary+Saskatchewan/3320512/story.html#ixzz0uhIetvWI

RIDERS INCONSISTENT IN 2ND HALF

Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Darian Durant makes a pass against the Calgary Stampeders during the first half of their CFL football game in Calgary on July 24, 2010.
Photograph by: Jack Cusano, Reuters

REGINA — Head coach Ken Miller expressed concerns earlier this month that someone in the community was attempting to pass himself off as a member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
The ranks of the imposters swelled exponentially on Saturday night, when the Roughriders lost 40-20 to the host Calgary Stampeders.

Who were those guys in green and white?

The Roughriders' offence — the most explosive in the CFL three weeks into the 2010 season — was erratic in the opening 30 minutes and invisible when it mattered in the second half.
After keeping the visitors in the game in the first half, the Saskatchewan defence had more holes than Lindsay Lohan's alibis.

And the special teams continue to be a liability.

Miller keeps emphasizing the need for consistency, but Saturday's uniformly inept performance is not what he had in mind — especially in light of the circumstances.

Given a delicious opportunity to remain undefeated and establish some breathing room atop the West Division, the Roughriders instead imploded and extended a life preserver to a Calgary team that appeared to be unravelling.

Henry Burris, who had served up four interceptions in his previous game, was twice picked off in the end zone by Saskatchewan safety James Patrick during Saturday's second quarter. One of the thefts resulted from an aimless pass route by wide receiver Romby Bryant, who was deservedly berated on the sideline by Stampeders head coach John Hufnagel.

Although the Roughriders had struggled in the game's early stages, they appeared to be regrouping at the same time that Calgary was self-immolating.

Uh, you know the rest ...

There was a drastic, irreversible shift in momentum after a forehead-slapper of a call by the Roughriders early in the second half.

The third quarter began auspiciously for Saskatchewan — albeit for only a handful of seconds.
After the Roughriders fielded the opening kickoff, Darian Durant handed off to Wes Cates on first-and-10. Cates gained 9 1/2 yards. So far, so good.

At that point, a first down should have been automatic, but the Roughriders outsmarted themselves (instead of the Stampeders). The Roughriders opted to hand off to Cates out of shotgun formation. He was trapped in the backfield for a loss of three, with the result being an unnecessary punt.

Memo to the Riders' coaches: If you are going to run on second-and-short, call for a quarterback sneak to guard against a loss. Why make this more difficult than it needs to be?
The Roughriders paid dearly for a grievous gaffe. On the second play of the next drive, Burris threw a 67-yard touchdown bomb to Bryant. The Stampeders receiver, like his team, was off to the races.

Burris ended up with four touchdown passes — including two to Bryant. Durant, by contrast, did not perform at his accustomed level (as evidenced by three interceptions that ran his season total to four). It did not help that Calgary applied consistent pressure and forced Durant to hurry several of his throws.

Durant still amassed 354 passing yards, but that total should have been lower. It would have been advisable to remove Durant from the game once it was out of hand, considering the risk of injury. Points for and against are unlikely to be a factor in the season series, being that it consists of three games.

There was little reason to keep Durant in the game after Miller opted to attempt a field goal on third-and-two in the fourth quarter. Luca Congi ended up missing from 46 yards away with 6:56 left, at which point Saskatchewan trailed 33-11. Hindsight is 20-20, but the Roughriders should have gambled at that point. Failing that, it was time to deploy backup quarterback Ryan Dinwiddie.

Another problem was the defence, or lack thereof. The Saskatchewan defence specializes in disrupting the opposition but, on Saturday, it was the Roughriders who looked confused as Calgary started piling up the points. Missed tackles, including matador defence by Omarr Morgan and Tad Kornegay on Bryant's second touchdown, were also costly.

Calgary appears to have exposed the vulnerability in the Roughriders' defence. The pressure Saskatchewan thrives on exerting can be counteracted by an effective running game and a ball-control passing attack. For the most part, the Stampeders were able to avoid second-and-long predicaments, thereby creating a long night for the Roughriders.

Even so, Saskatchewan was able to emerge with a share of first place. The Roughriders and Stampeders are deadlocked with 3-1-0 records. But after an exasperating night like Saturday, you can understand why many Roughriders fans are fit to be tied.

rvanstone@leaderpost.canwest.comRead more: http://www.leaderpost.com/sports/Stamps+trample+Riders/3319876/VANSTONE+were+those+field+impersonators/3320861/story.html#ixzz0uhGuC0Zw

STAMPS TRAMPLE RIDERS

Calgary Stampeders' Juwan Simpson, right, tries to catch Saskatchewan Roughriders' Wes Cates during their game at McMahon Stadium in Calgary on Saturday night.
Photograph by: Leah Hennel, Calgary Herald

CALGARY — The Saskatchewan Roughriders are no longer perfect.
Not that they ever admitted to being that but it was clearly evident in Calgary on Saturday that there is still loads of room for improvement despite opening the 2010 CFL season with three straight victories.

The Calgary Stampeders beat the Roughriders 40-20 on Saturday. Calgary's win accomplished three things — it helped the Stampeders improve to 3-1, knocked the Riders to 3-1 and the teams now share first place in the West Division.

"We're still in first place,'' said Riders running back Wes Cates. "We just took a nice little butt kicking. Nobody has anything to hang their heads about. We have to see what we did wrong and get ready for next week.''

There are a lot of things that went wrong before Saturday's sold-out crowd of 35,650 for the Roughriders. Head coach Ken Miller felt they were outplayed in all three facets of the game.
"They played very well in the second half and we didn't play nearly up to our capability,'' Miller said. "We turned over the ball on offence and we couldn't get them stopped on defence. Our (special) teams were just average.''

Average was not the way to describe Calgary's run over the Riders. The Stampeders bounced back from a 27-24 loss to the Toronto Argonauts on July 14 with the lopsided victory over the Riders.

"It was a good win,'' said Stampeders head coach John Hufnagel. "We knew coming into the game that to do what we want to accomplish this year, we need to beat Saskatchewan. We need to keep level heads, it's only one game in the season. There's still a lot of football to play, but I thought our team took a step to get better tonight.''

The Riders felt it was one of those games that tends to surface during the long CFL season.
"It just seemed like it was one of those games where everything we did in the second half didn't go our way,'' said Riders cornerback Omarr Morgan.

That was true early in the second half. The Riders and Stampeders were tied 7-7 after the first half. On Saskatchewan's first offensive possession of the third quarter, Cates rushed for nine yards. Cates was held to minus three yards on his next carry.

Two plays later, Romby Bryant slipped behind Morgan for a 67-yard touchdown pass. The Stampeders had a 13-7 lead and never looked back.

"That was a huge momentum shift,'' said Cates, who had 16 carries for 83 yards and a first-half touchdown. "We got good yardage on first down and then we got caught in a bad call on the second one. They got the ball and made a big play. If we sustain a drive there or even put up a field goal, it's a completely different second half. That's the way the game goes and you have to commend the Stamps for taking advantage of the opportunity.''

Bryant paced the Stampeders with six receptions for 116 yards and two second-half touchdowns. Receivers Nik Lewis and P.K. Sam, and running back Joffrey Reynolds also scored for the Stampeders. Rookie placekicker Rob Maver connected on a 21-yard field goal attempt.
Riders placekicker Luca Congi had a field goal and a single. Saskatchewan slotback Weston Dressler scored late in the fourth quarter but by then the game was out of hand.

Saskatchewan quarterback Darian Durant was 22 for 37 pass attempts for 354 yards and the touchdown pass to Dressler. He was also intercepted once in the first half and twice in the

second half.

"That was pretty bad,'' said Durant. "It was one of those days and every game isn't going to be perfect. You have to give Calgary a lot of credit. They made a lot of plays.''
Calgary opened the scoring in the first half when Burris connected with Sam on an eight-yard touchdown pass. The Riders responded when Cates scored on a 16-yard run in the second quarter.

Saskatchewan safety James Patrick did his part to contribute to the defensive struggle. Patrick intercepted Burris twice in the end zone to snuff out Calgary drives.

"It was great play by the defensive line to get great pressure on him to get rid of the ball,'' said Patrick said. "We didn't contain him as well in the second half as we did in the first. We'll correct the mistakes we made and be ready for next week.''

Burris was 22 of 32 pass attempts for 277 yards. He didn't have any interceptions in the second half.

"We learned a lot tonight,'' Burris told reporters. "More than anything else. Saskatchewan is a great team and our defence played a heck of a game. They gave us opportunity after opportunity. I had those two interceptions in the first half; it's the same thing, I had to learn some things about our offence tonight and I had to learn it that way. But I think we found our identity, of how we need to play on offence, and we were able to come out and respond in the second half and take the pressure off our defence.''

NOTES: The Riders scratches were OL Joel Bell, SB Obed Cetoute, P Louie Sakoda and LB Byron Bullock ... The Riders are off Monday before returning to practice on Tuesday. Practices are to be held at the University of Regina field due to the Bon Jovi concert at Mosaic Stadium on Wednesday ... The Roughriders play host to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Saturday.

mmccormick@leaderpost.canwest.comRead more: http://www.leaderpost.com/sports/Stamps+trample+Riders/3319876/story.html#ixzz0uhF1GGHq

LERON MITCHELL TO START AT CORNER

By ROB VANSTONE, Leader-Post July 22, 2010

REGINA — Saskatchewan Roughriders wide-side cornerback Leron Mitchell knows he will be tested by Calgary Stampeders quarterback Henry Burris during Saturday's CFL game at McMahon Stadium.

"I hope so,'' Mitchell stated Thursday after the Roughriders practised on Taylor Field. "I'll welcome the challenge. I'm not worried about that.''

Mitchell is to start in place of fellow non-import Donovan Alexander, who injured a hamstring during Saturday's 24-20 victory over the visiting Edmonton Eskimos.

A hamstring injury to Alexander also resulted in Mitchell starting a game last season, but he injured a groin during a 23-20 victory in Edmonton on Sept. 26.

Mitchell is accustomed to injury-related setbacks, having suffered a season-ending broken leg during Week 2 in 2008. He dressed for four regular-season and two playoff games in 2009, serving primarily on special teams.

This season, Mitchell and linebacker Jerrell Freeman are tied for the Roughriders' lead in special-teams tackles, with four.

"He has been playing (special) teams like a fiend, really, so I think he's as healthy as he's ever likely to be,'' Roughriders head coach Ken Miller said of Mitchell. "He is so athletic that I'm anxious to see him play out there.''

Mitchell is also anxious to be a starter on defence, even though injury replacements in the defensive backfield are often targeted by experienced quarterbacks such as Burris.
"Just being new, they're going to test you, and that's to be expected,'' Mitchell said. "I really can't be concerned about that. It's mainly about doing my job on defence.''

Mitchell, from London, Ont., was selected by the Toronto Argonauts in the second round (12th overall) of the 2006 CFL draft. He spent two seasons with the Boatmen before being traded to Saskatchewan for import running back Jamal Robertson in June of 2008.

rvanstone@leaderpost.canwest.comRead more:

RIDERS TO CHANGE PUNTERS ON SATURDAY

Saskatchewan Roughrider punter Eddie Johnson during practice at Mosaic Stadium on July 22, 2010.
Photograph by: Roy Antal, Leader-Post

REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders are making an early-season change at punter.
Head coach Ken Miller said Thursday that Eddie Johnson will handle the punting duties Saturday in Calgary against the Calgary Stampeders. The 29-year-old Johnson is to replace

Louie Sakoda, who struggled in Saturday's windy conditions as the Riders beat the Edmonton Eskimos 24-20 at Mosaic Stadium. Sakoda averaged 26.6 yards on five punts and was eventually replaced by Luca Congi, who is principally the Riders' placekicker.

Johnson started the 2009 CFL campaign with the Toronto Argonauts, but suffered a separated shoulder while tackling a returner on the opening kickoff of the regular season. He didn't kick again and was released before training camp this year.

The Riders brought in Johnson for a tryout on Wednesday. On Thursday, Miller confirmed the change. Johnson and Sakoda are both imports.

"(Johnson) has shown us that he has a very strong leg,'' Miller said. "We put him through a variety of situations and he has an opportunity to do a good job for us.''

Johnson, 29, is a native of Newport Beach, Calif., and a graduate of Idaho State University. He was selected in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL draft by the Minnesota Vikings. He played in 14 games with the 2003 Vikings, averaging 39.1 yards on 56 punts before being replaced by journeyman Leo Araguz.

Subsequently, Johnson had NFL stints with the Cincinnati Bengals, New York Giants, Jacksonville Jaguars, Washington Redskins, Denver Broncos and Detroit Lions, although he did not see game duty with any of those teams.

Miller said that Sakoda is to remain on the Riders' 46-man roster, adding that the demoted punter accepted his situation with maturity. Sakoda could always be reinstated as a roster player if Johnson does not make an immediate impression.

"Every game is a job interview,'' Miller said. "(Johnson) will have to perform well to stay on (the roster).''

* * *

Roughriders middle linebacker Barrin Simpson is expected to start Saturday.
Simpson's status was in doubt when he left Wednesday's practice after aggravating a turf toe injury. Simpson said Thursday that he was fine.

"It flamed up and then it settled back down late (Wednesday) night, so I was able to come back out and run without any pain or anything,'' said Simpson, who was hampered by turf toe last year with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. "Usually when you have a turf toe or something like that and you lose a little bit of range of motion in there, when you do it again you feel like, 'There it is again.' But it wasn't like last year or anything. I was back out there running full-speed today.''
The same applied to Regina-born slotback Chris Getzlaf, who had been nursing a bruised right calf. Jason Clermont would have started in Calgary if Getzlaf had not recovered in time for Saturday.

"It's good to have Getz back out there,'' quarterback Darian Durant said. "He and Clermont, they're both great receivers. It's good to have Getz, but if he can't go for whatever reason, J.C. will definitely be a great add-in.''

* * *

The Roughriders are headed to the University of Regina for next week's practices.
The team has been moved from its regular home at Mosaic Stadium due to the Bon Jovi concert on Wednesday. The Riders are to practice at the Rams field when they resume preparations Tuesday for a July 31 game at home against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

mmccormick@leaderpost.canwest.com

BIG PLAY ....BIG HAIR RECEIVER

Saskatchewan Roughriders' big-play and big-hair receiver Andy Fantuz after Thursday's practice at Mosaic Field.
Photograph by: Roy Antal, Leader-Post

REGINA — Andy Fantuz's progress as a slotback may only be surpassed by the growth of his hair.

The veteran Saskatchewan Roughriders receiver leads the team on the field and with the fluffiest hairstyle. It's hidden under a Riders helmet during games and practices, but a full head of dark hair becomes conspicuous when Fantuz is off the field.

"In 2007, I had it this long and I shaved it off (as a fundraiser) for breast cancer,'' Fantuz said Thursday after the Riders completed their on-field preparations for Saturday's CFL game against the host Calgary Stampeders. "(Former Riders offensive lineman) Glenn January and I did it and it was the same length. People often forget that, but maybe I wasn't getting as much publicity back then. I'm sure it will get much longer than that, because I'm just going with the flow.''

Bob Dyce, who is in his first season as the Riders' receivers coach and passing-game co-ordinator, has watched Fantuz's hair grow out since training camp.

"He had it puffed up pretty nice for the first day of pictures,'' Dyce said of the fifth-year slotback. "I hadn't seen that before, because it was shaved in all of the pictures I had seen.

We're all reinventing ourselves and that's a new reinvention for Andy.''

Fantuz doesn't need his mop top to attract attention. He was well-publicized even before being selected in the first round (third overall) of the 2006 CFL draft by the Riders after four stellar seasons with the University of Western Ontario Mustangs (with whom he won the 2005 Hec Crighton Trophy as the top player in the CIS). Since then he has evolved into one the league's premier receivers despite battling injuries.

This season, Fantuz has 14 receptions for 193 yards and three touchdowns. He picked up his third major in Saturday's 24-20 come-from-behind victory over the Edmonton Eskimos. His 37-yard touchdown reception pulled the Riders to within 20-19 early in the fourth quarter.

"These guys are all leaders in their own way but Andy has stepped up in that regard,'' Dyce said. "I wasn't here before to know about the evolution of him as a player, but he certainly fills his role as a leader well.''

Wide receiver Rob Bagg said that Fantuz stepped forward during the 2009 season, one in which the native of Chatham, Ont., missed five games with a torn hamstring. Fantuz, who is 26, and slotback Chris Getzlaf (27) are the oldest starters among the Riders' receivers. That maturity and experience makes it easy for teammates to follow Fantuz.

"We all look up to him,'' Bagg said. "We have some good receivers but he's obviously one of our better ones. Everything he does and says is followed and listened to by the other guys.''

Fantuz is so well respected that he was elected one of the Riders' two CFL Players' Association representatives. Fantuz took over as player representative from Eddie Davis, who retired during the off-season after nine years with the Riders.

"The players come to you with a lot of questions and most of the time they are important ones regarding their personal situation or any of the other rules,'' said centre Jeremy O'Day, who has served as a player rep for 10 of his 12 seasons with the Riders. "It definitely is a show of maturity. He came to the meetings this year and participated in them. That's something that usually doesn't happen with an alternate.''

Fantuz agreed to serve as alternate because Davis was nearing the end of his career. Fantuz said that younger players have to step forward to fill the looming voids.

"It was also a CBA year so I was able to be involved more than a normal alternate,'' Fantuz said. "Because of that I had a better appreciation for the whole gig. I was always a leader on the team and people would come to me more for this and that in the dressing room, anyway. Jeremy does most of the stuff. I just try to help him out with anything he needs.''

Each CFL team has two player representatives. Stu Laird, president of the CFLPA, said that Fantuz is one of the youngest players in that role.

"Usually it's a long-serving member, but not always,'' Laird said Thursday from his Calgary office. "I actually recruited Eddie Davis personally because I knew how much respect he would have. You want someone who has the respect of the guys in the locker room. He has to have good people skills and understand the league and our professional environment. He also has to be able to communicate effectively with players, fans and media.''

Laird said that having an older player like O'Day paired with a young veteran such as Fantuz is a partnership that works best.

"It helps us in the transition if you have one guy who has been in the position for a season or two,'' Laird said. "I don't have any doubt that Andy will do a great job in representing his teammates.''

Fantuz is doing that on and off the field. He was the named the most outstanding Canadian in the Riders' 23-19 victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the 2007 Grey Cup game. On Thursday, Fantuz Flakes are to hit the grocery shelves at Co-op stores throughout Saskatchewan. The breakfast cereal and the proliferation of Fantuz jerseys among the Rider Nation are signs of Fantuz's blossoming popularity. That has kept pace with Fantuz's maturity.

"I like to think that I'm getting more mature as a player as I get older,'' Fantuz said. "We have our captains and those are our leaders. In our group, people aren't afraid to come to me because of my age. I like the responsibility and I don't mind doing it.''
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ROB VANSTONES OBSERVATIONS

Robservations ...

* Wes Cates became the first member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders in his lifetime to rush for 83 yards on a single play when he took off down the left sideline during Saturday's 24-20 CFL victory over the visiting Edmonton Eskimos. A Roughriders running back had not gained that many yards on one play since Aug. 20, 1976, when Pete Van Valkenburg scored on a 90-yard run against the host Calgary Stampeders. Cates was born Oct. 3, 1979.

* Cates also had a 53-yard run in a season-opening 54-51 victory over the visiting Montreal Alouettes on July 1. The 83- and 53-yarders are Cates' two longest runs with the Roughriders, whom he joined in 2007. So much for the notion that Cates is in decline.

* You will not see a more picturesque play than Darian Durant's 37-yard touchdown pass to Roughriders slotback Andy Fantuz in Saturday's game. Durant threw a perfect deep pass. Fantuz displayed soft hands and textbook pass-catching form while reaching up and grabbing the ball just across the goal line. Fundamentally, a play of that calibre is difficult to top.

* I don't understand the fuss over Eskimos middle linebacker Maurice Lloyd visiting the Riders' locker room after Saturday's game. Lloyd spent three years with the Roughriders and made many friends here. Many of those friends are still with the Roughriders. This is a sport — not warfare — and it's an exaggeration to refer to this as fraternization. What other opportunities does he have to catch up with his buddies? It's an eight-team league. Players are more nomadic than ever. Everybody knows everybody. What's the big deal? Hostilities, if there are any, can be suspended when the game is over. Kudos to the Riders' brass for not subscribing to the militaristic, us-against-them mindset.

* The scenario was reversed after the 1989 Grey Cup. After Saskatchewan's classic 43-40 victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Roughriders slotback Ray Elgaard visited the losing team's locker room. He wanted to commend the Tiger-Cats on a fine showing. It was a classy gesture.

* Last season, Roughriders fans often lamented a perceived lack of halftime adjustments. This year, nary a word has been heard on that topic. The 2010 Roughriders are a terrific second-half team . . . so far. Several ingenious calls by offensive co-ordinator Doug Berry have helped matters.

* "On Roughriders'' should be played at every Saskatchewan home game during an anniversary season — and that includes the 101st, 102nd, 103rd and 104th anniversaries. Etc.
* Memo to the Roughriders: Bring back the halftime dog show!
* When suggesting possible endorsements by Roughriders employees, how could I have forgotten Brent Hawkins Cheesies and Ken Miller Genuine Draft? And, honestly, local florists should have been all over Richmond Flowers III. (Thanks to Mitchell Blair, Rod Pedersen and Doug Russell for pointing out the glaring omissions.)

* Unfortunately for the fine people of Indian Head, the Kraft Celebration Tour will land elsewhere in Saskatchewan — namely Outlook — on Aug. 25. As part of the tour, TSN's incomparable duo of Jay Onrait and Dan O'Toole will host an edition of SportsCentre from Outlook. It promises to be must-see TV. There is not a finer duo of sportscasters, anywhere, than the highly comedic and always informative Onrait and O'Toole.

* Can somebody, somewhere, please explain why Darryl Sutter is still the Calgary Flames' general manager? The recent return of the hopeless Olli Jokinen to Calgary — at $6 million for two years — should have spelled the end of the Sutter regime.

* Only 52 more sleeps until NFL Sunday Ticket.

* Everyone should visit New York City in their lifetime. It doesn't even have to be an expensive trip. Just spend every day vegetating in Central Park.

* Nice people who deserve a plug: Darian Durant (there is not a better interviewee in the CFL), Paul Godfrey, Jay Onrait, Dan O'Toole, Troy Mick, Richie Hall, Jim Daley, Karen Brownlee, Cari Speers, Bev Greenfield, Eric Dove, Eileen Forrieter, Shawn Knox, Roger Currie, Dave Arnold and Michelle Hugli.

* And let's not forget Henry Burris!
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FANTUZ FLAKES HIT THE CO-OP GROCERY STORES

Fantuz Flakes are to be sold at Co-op stores across Saskatchewan.
Photograph by: Don Healy, Leader-Post

REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders are accustomed to having several men in the box. But only one Roughriders player is on the box.

Roughriders slotback Andy Fantuz is preparing to formally launch a breakfast cereal — Fantuz Flakes. Of course, his face will be prominently displayed on the product.

Call it a one-receiver package.

“It’s kind of like an oatmeal nut cluster with almonds — almost like an oatmeal crisp type of thing,’’ the popular pass-catcher says. “It’s really good. Make sure you try it.’’
Does it come with gravy?

Although the fifth-year Roughrider was displaying boxes of Fantuz Flakes in the dressing room after Saturday’s 24-20 CFL victory over the Edmonton Eskimos, the actual release date is not until July 29. The cereal has been prepared for Federated Co-operatives Ltd., and will be available at Co-op locations across Saskatchewan.

“The fans seem to love every kind of unique little promotional thing that we throw at them,’’ Fantuz says. “The Riders and Co-op came up with this idea and presented it to me. I jumped all over it. I think it’s a great idea. It’s a great opportunity for me.

“I’ll get a lot of razzing in the dressing room but overall, it’s going to be pretty cool to have something like that in the future. I’ll ship some back to Ontario and get all my family to eat Fantuz Flakes. It’s a pretty cool thing. I’m pretty happy about it.’’

The concept is not unlike that of Flutie Flakes, which were hot sellers in the late 1990s when quarterback Doug Flutie was starring for the NFL’s Buffalo Bills. (Given Flutie’s diminutive physical stature, he should have endorsed Mini-Wheats. But we digress . . .)

It has taken nearly 20 years, but the Roughriders have finally found something to go with the milk. Remember when defensive halfback Richie Hall lent his good name to dairy products? That was a rare instance of a Rider acting as a pitch-man for food or beverages.

Think of all the marketing opportunities that have been squandered over the years.

How did the beer industry ignore David Pitcher, Doug Brewster, Wayne Drinkwalter or Alli Abrew?

Steve Mol(n)ar, Homer Cavitte and Dave Albright were tailor-made for toothpaste ads.
McGavin’s Bread Basket should have been all over Craig Yeast.

Pancake houses would have loved Bobby Flippin.

Scott Burger had so much potential. That was especially true for J.T. Frankenburger.

And what if Roland Cola Jr. had advanced beyond rookie camp a few years back?
Joey Jauch — who played for the Roughriders when his father, Ray, coached the team — was

also woefully underutilized. What better way to start your day than with some Ray’s-Son Bran?

Let’s not forget other food-friendly names such as Cookie Gilchrist, Tony Rice, James Curry (or Almondo Curry, if you prefer), James Capers, Paul Spicer or Stew Fraser (see also: Stew Hill).
Local entrepreneurs should be advised that it is not too late to establish fruitful partnerships with other Roughriders of note.

If you are craving a nutritious snack, how about trying out a Doug Berry? (Once upon a time, Reuben Berry would have worked on both levels — as a sandwich or something from the vine.)
It boggles the mind as to why the smiling face of defensive tackle Marcus (Chunky) Adams does not appear on a can of Chunky Soup. Come on, people! Do we have to send this one via courier?
Burger Baron really should contact middle linebacker Barrin Simpson.

Weston Bakeries Ltd., could capitalize on the popularity of slotback Weston Dressler. (Which reminds me: How did Bill Baker, Terry Baker, Shannon Baker or Dek Bake get overlooked?)
And, honestly, could the owners of the Grab Bag Confectionery ask for a better spokesman than Rob Bagg? Local grocery stores may also want to contact the affable wide receiver. The possibilities are infinite.

Bagg was self-effacing when asked about Fantuz Flakes by the Leader-Post’s Ian Hamilton.
“Bagg Flakes just doesn’t have the same ring to it,’’ Bagg noted.

Fantuz aside, another obvious candidate for immortalization on a cereal box is Darian Durant. He is, after all, the Roughriders’ most prominent player.

Jokingly, I said to Durant: “Shouldn’t the quarterback be the first Roughrider to appear on a cereal box?’’

“Those are my guys,’’ Durant said with a grin. “I can sit under the radar all day. They can have the pub. I just want to go out there and win football games. I’m all about making history and I’m going to continue to fight and strive toward that goal. I don’t care about being in the spotlight and things like that. I just want to win. I really mean that.’’

I would not relent, pointing out to Durant that New York Yankees slugger Reggie Jackson once had a candy bar named after him. Given the fervour with which Roughrider football is followed, and the degree to which Durant is beloved, shouldn’t he cash in?

“I get that Grey Cup, and then we can see how things like that come up,’’ Durant said. “We haven’t done anything yet.’’

Despite my best attempts at inciting a food fight, Durant was not biting. But that will assuredly change once he sinks his teeth into Fantuz Flakes.

rvanstone@leaderpost.canwest.com
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JERRELL FREEMAN PROVIDES FLEXIBILITY

Saskatchewan Roughriders linebacker, Jerrell Freeman (C) #50 during practice.
Photograph by: Don Healy, Regina Leader-Post

REGINA — In a way, Jerrell Freeman’s linebacking career with the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders has come to an end.

The 24-year-old product of Waco, Texas, remains a linebacker with the team, but he’s having more of an impact as a rush end in certain packages.

“He’s a helluva pass rusher,” Roughriders defensive co-ordinator Gary Etcheverry said after Wednesday’s practice at Mosaic Stadium. “He could play several positions for us, but we’ve kind of stumbled on to him in a substitution pattern that we have.

“(Linebacker) Mike McCullough is the headliner in that substitution pattern, but (Freeman) is quickly becoming a headliner right alongside McCullough.”

The six-foot, 220-pound Freeman hasn’t been a defensive end since he was at University High School in Waco. He was a linebacker at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and was a backup middle linebacker in 2009 during his rookie season with the Roughriders.

Freeman still plays that position, but he has become a fixture at end in one of Saskatchewan’s alignments.

“It’s a way to get on the field,” he said. “In this defence, you can be playing defensive end one play, linebacker the next and covering the slot receiver the next. You can’t just put a stamp on the position. There’s a lot of flexibility in the defence with me being out there and guys like (McCullough) being out there. We can do a lot of different things.”

Freeman’s ability to do several things earned him the look at end.
“Fundamentally, he’s a middle linebacker for us and usually middle linebackers are not overly gifted pass rushers,” Etcheverry said. “But we knew that he has a lot of abilities. The thing we try to avoid is having guys think that they can only do certain things . . .

“Last year there were times when he was playing man to man on the second receiver in from the short side of the field in certain things. We know he can still do that. This is just another significant tool that he has in his belt.”

In ’09, Freeman had 15 tackles, a pass knockdown and a fumble recovery as a backup

linebacker in 17 regular-season games. He also led the Roughriders with 25 special-teams stops.

He didn’t have a defensive tackle in the Roughriders’ 54-51 double-overtime victory July 1 over the visiting Montreal Alouettes, but recorded three special-teams tackles. He had one stop on defence and one on special teams in Saturday’s 37-18 win over the host B.C. Lions.
He also could have claimed a sack of Lions quarterback Travis Lulay. Freeman appeared to get to Lulay first, but defensive end Brent Hawkins hit the quarterback high to force a fumble that Hawkins recovered and returned 40 yards for a touchdown.

“I don’t know if that was my sack or not,” Freeman said with a laugh. “I’m not going to take it away from (Hawkins) because he was flying in there.

“I’m just happy to be on the field, happy that they trust me enough to put me on the field in certain situations.”

That said, he has more work to do. He’s relatively unfamiliar with the position, so he’s still adjusting.

“I didn’t know it took that much out of you to be a pass rusher,” said Freeman, whose squad plays host to the Edmonton Eskimos on Saturday.

“I saw Stevie (Baggs) and (John) Chick do it last year and they did it effortlessly. I thought it was going to be like that, but it isn’t. You’ve got to get your wind up, your steps right, your technique and everything.

There’s a lot that goes into being a pass rusher. I’m all ears when it comes to any suggestions.”
He credits the other defensive linemen, especially end Luc Mullinder, with helping him get used to his new role.

“When I talk to (Freeman), I just try to give him little hints and tips to utilize his speed to his advantage,” Mullinder said. “It’s one thing just to try to run past a guy, but it’s another thing when offensive tackles come into the game knowing you’re faster than anybody.
“The good thing about (Freeman) is that he has really watched guys. He has developed such a pass-rush range . . . He looks really good out there.”

Regina Leader-Post
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LANCE FRAZIER KEEPS LOW PROFILE

Saskatchewan Roughriders' Lance Frazier prevents B.C. Lions' Emmanuel Arceneaux from catching the ball during first half CFL play in Vancouver, B.C., on July 10, 2010.
Photograph by: Andy Clark, Reuters

REGINA — Every week, Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive back Lance Frazier is asked to shadow receivers on opposing CFL teams.

Frazier wouldn't have it any other way. In fact, he's more than comfortable operating in the shadows.

"I've never been in a situation, whether in football or in life, where I've been in the spotlight," the 29-year-old product of Delray Beach, Fla., said Thursday after the Roughriders' practice at Mosaic Stadium. "I've never been a spotlight guy. I've been like a blue-collar, hard-working guy that's always fighting to make it and succeed.

"Throughout my career, I've never been the guy who was actually 'The Guy' or in the limelight — and I prefer it that way because being an underdog makes you that much hungrier."
Frazier is in his fifth season with the Roughriders and his seventh in pro football. The 5-foot-10, 192-pounder was with the NFL's Dallas Cowboys in 2004 and '05 and went to training camp in '06 with the Seattle Seahawks before signing with Saskatchewan in October of 2006.

Frazier played one regular-season game with Saskatchewan that season, recording two tackles. He had 24 tackles and an interception over nine games in '07, 37 tackles and five interceptions over 17 games in '08, and 38 tackles, six knockdowns and five picks (with 197 yards in returns) in 15 games in '09 en route to West Division all-star honours.

Yet he always seemed to be overshadowed by other defensive halfbacks, including his own teammate, Eddie Davis.

"After 15 years in the league, Eddie has earned that," Roughriders defensive backs coach Nelson Martin said of Davis, who retired in the off-season. "There are a lot of intangibles that Eddie brought to the table in leadership and perspective of the game and a young guy like Lance, who has learned a lot from Eddie, would defer to that. Now this is Lance's time."
Frazier said his mother, Valerie Crudup, stressed hard work even when her son was playing Pop Warner football. He has continued that approach through his college career at West Virginia, in the NFL and in the CFL — and it appears to have paid off.

"Honestly, I think he's the best defensive back in the league," said cornerback Donovan Alexander. "I don't know if he's under-rated because I think a lot of other teams really respect his play. He's definitely one of the best. You could make an argument that he shouldn't be here, that he should be down south playing football."

"I've been extremely impressed with Lance from Day 1 in terms of his work ethic, his approach to the game and his approach to practice," Martin added. "He's becoming a leader by example. He's not a rah-rah guy, not a holler guy. He just goes out there and makes plays."
Frazier faces another test Saturday, when slotbacks Kelly Campbell and Fred Stamps visit Mosaic Stadium with their Edmonton Eskimos teammates.

Frazier's short memory already is at work — a busted coverage in Saturday's 37-18 victory over the B.C. Lions resulted in him getting beat on a 98-yard touchdown by Geroy Simon — and so is his desire to support his teammates.

"You don't want to let them down," Frazier said. "You know the day after or two days after the game, they're going to put on the film and you don't want to be the guy that's pointed out getting scored on or not executing a particular play. You take a lot of pride in that.
"You transfer that from football to life and it's the same way. I'm comfortable with myself and my play and, off the field, I'm comfortable with my life."

EXTRAS: Roughriders head coach Ken Miller said he was meeting GM Brendan Taman right after Thursday's practice to discuss the roster for Saturday's game. The Roughriders have been trying to figure out how to handle the import/non-import ratio in the wake of the knee injury suffered by non-import tackle Wayne Smith. The Roughriders have to decide whether to add import tackle Joel Bell or keep import tailback Hugh Charles on the roster . . . Saskatchewan could go with the status quo and keep Gene Makowsky at left tackle. Miller said that if either Makowsky or right tackle Dan Goodspeed gets hurt Saturday, right guard Marc Parenteau would move to tackle.
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OUR CHICK IS GONE, BUT NOW WE HAVE A HAWK

The Saskatchewan Roughriders' Brent Hawkins grabs a hold of B.C. Lions quarterback Casey Printers during first half CFL play in Vancouver, B.C., on July 10, 2010.
Photograph by: Andy Clark, Reuters files

REGINA — Brent Hawkins made significant strides between his first regular-season start in the CFL and his second.

As far as Saskatchewan Roughriders head coach Ken Miller is concerned, Hawkins still hasn't reached top speed.

In the wake of the defensive end's breakout showing in Saturday's 37-18 victory over the host B.C. Lions, Miller was asked if he thought the light bulb had gone on for a former NFLer trying to adjust to life in the CFL.

"I'm not so sure about that, and I'm not so sure that the transition is over for him," replied Miller, whose squad plays host to the Edmonton Eskimos on Saturday. "I still think there's a lot more there than even what we saw (in Vancouver)."
Such as ...?

"More plays," Miller continued. "Bigger plays more often. I think he has that kind of potential."
Hawkins, 26, has been touted since his signing in April as a possible replacement for NFL signees Stevie Baggs and John Chick on the Roughriders' defensive line.
After registering five tackles against the Montreal Alouettes in his regular-season debut July 1,

Hawkins was all over the field in Vancouver.

He had two tackles and two sacks, and forced a fumble that he recovered and returned 40 yards for a touchdown. He continually harried Lions quarterbacks Casey Printers (who left the game with a pulled left quadriceps muscle suffered when he tried to elude Hawkins' first sack) and Travis Lulay while drawing rave reviews from the TSN telecast crew.

"I appreciate that," Hawkins said of the on-air praise from Chris Cuthbert and Glen Suitor. "What means so much to me is that the community has accepted me so well. They gave me the hype when I first got here, but I wasn't really paying attention to it. I love it. I just hope they keep backing this team and we'll evolve and keep moving forward."
That's his own personal goal as well.

Hawkins, a fifth-round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2006 NFL draft, played 20 games with the Jags over the '06 and '07 seasons. Now he's trying to resurrect his football career in a league to which he's still adjusting.

Things such as starting a yard off the line of scrimmage took some getting used to, but he's catching on. That said, he knows there's more work to be done.

"Yeah, there is — but you don't worry about that," Hawkins said. "You take care of that in practice and when the game comes, you just do what you were taught the week before. There's a little adjusting, but I'm emptying my bucket every day as (defensive line coach Mike Scheper) says."

The Roughriders' defensive coaches suggested after the Montreal game that they needed to see more out of Hawkins and fellow defensive end Luc Mullinder. Hawkins said he wasn't hurt by those comments — but he certainly seemed inspired by them on Saturday.

That was just one explanation for his play in Vancouver.

"(I'm) buying more into the scheme the coach is throwing at us," said Hawkins who, with his linemates, took advantage of an inexperienced Lions offensive line. "(I'm) more comfortable on the field.

"As you go on and you learn the plays, you don't have to think as much, which means you can play faster. That's what I did. I just played faster. I was more comfortable out there."
That's allowing him to continue his education in the CFL game.

"I think I'm taking on everything pretty well," Hawkins said. "Each week, even (today), I'll be doing different things. (Scheper) is going to coach me up and tell me, 'Hey, this is wrong. We need to fix this next week. Let's get it.' And when we do, we're going to be great."

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DURANT AND FANTUZ WIN PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Darian Durant gets ready to throw a pass against the Montreal Alouettes during CFL action in Regina on July 1, 2010.
Photograph by: Troy Fleece, Leader-Post files

REGINA — There is more to the chemistry between quarterback Darian Durant and slotback Andy Fantuz than an obvious on-field connection.

The veteran Saskatchewan Roughriders are also best friends away from the turf at Mosaic Stadium. That means when the two aren't playing CFL games, they can be found playing other games during their off-time.

"We play Monopoly, X-Box, board games ... we do it all,'' Durant said after Tuesday's practice at Mosaic Stadium. "Along with those board games comes competitiveness and we always mix in a little football talk along the way. We're only here for a couple of hours a day, so there is only so much you can do in those hours. When you can talk football at home at 7, 8 or 9 o'clock at night, it always helps.''

The results of those chats and board games were recognized Tuesday when the CFL announced its Gibson's Finest player-of-the-week awards. Durant was unanimously named the offensive player-of-the-week after guiding the Riders back from a 33-12 third-quarter deficit to a 54-51 double-overtime win over the Montreal Alouettes on Thursday. Fantuz was named the Canadian player-of-the-week after hauling in two touchdown passes in the Canada Day shootout. Wide receiver Rob Bagg was also a runner-up for the Canadian award.

It seems natural that Durant and Fantuz would become friends. They both joined the Riders in 2006 and shared in the 2007 Grey Cup win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Durant has grown into his role as the team leader and starting quarterback. Fantuz has been an offensive star since signing with the Riders after winning the Hec Crighton Award winner with the Western Ontario Mustangs in 2005 as the top player in the CIS.

The two clicked in 2009, which was Durant's first season as a starter. Fantuz had 67 receptions for 882 yards and four touchdowns despite missing five games with a torn hamstring. Durant threw for 4,348 yards and completed 24 touchdown passes.

It doesn't look like they have lost a step this year, especially in Thursday's regular-season opener. Fantuz had eight receptions for 77 yards and scored a touchdown that eventually sent the contest into overtime. Fantuz then scored on the Riders' first possession of overtime on a 10-yard pass from Durant.

"He seems to know my body language when I'm running routes,'' said Fantuz. "He always has a knack of putting the proper touch on the ball. We have that confidence in each other that we know when and where the ball will be coming. It seems to be getting better each week.''

Fantuz added that the time the two are together away from the field helps establish those ties.
"He doesn't feel there is a hierarchy on the field,'' said Fantuz. "We have an open communication in meetings and with the receivers and quarterbacks on the field. That helps in communication if you have guys in the locker room who aren't afraid to ask questions.''

Bob Dyce, the Riders' receivers coach and passing game co-ordinator, has seen just how much effort all of the receivers and Durant put into preparing for games and practices.

"They are in here early in the morning and late at night,'' said Dyce, who is in his first season with the Riders. "They are all in there watching film and talking about what they would expect here and if that happened. The extra work they have done is really paying off.''

It did for Durant on Thursday. He was 30 of 44 for 478 yards with five passing touchdowns and rushed for another major. He also accomplished that without throwing an interception and recording a pass efficiency rating of 140.4.

"That's unheard of for me to have that kind of rating,'' said Durant, who garnered his first player-of-the-week award after his career-best outing. "It can only get better.''
Fantuz didn't even mention Durant's statistics when asked what impressed him most about his quarterback's performance Thursday.

"It was his leadership and bringing the team together even though things weren't looking so good,'' said Fantuz. "He stayed positive and kept us focused. He kept being our leader and told us to take it one play at a time. It did come true and it was a snowball effect.''

The Riders are now looking to build on Thursday's win. They are travel to Vancouver on Friday for Saturday's game against the B.C. Lions, who are also 1-0.

"We're trying to go 2-and-0,'' said Fantuz. "The stats are the stats but as long as you get the W, that's all that matters. We're trying to do what it takes to win.''

Winnipeg linebacker Joe Lobendahn, who had two sacks and eight tackles, was the defensive player-of-the-week. Hamilton Tiger-Cats returner Marcus Thigpen — whom the Riders released after training camp — was the special teams POW after returning the opening kickoff for a touchdown and a missed field goal for another TD in a 49-29 loss to the Blue Bombers.

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CATES STARTS SEANSON OFF WITH A BANG

By MURRAY McCORMICK, Leader-Post July 2, 2010

REGINA — Wes Cates was in a rush Canada Day.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders' veteran running back hurried to Mosaic Stadium for the CFL regular-season opener against the Montreal Alouettes. Cates then proved that he deserved to be on top of the running back depth chart with a performance that brought back memories of his earlier seasons with the Riders.

Cates rushed 13 times for 112 yards and scored a touchdown as the Riders rallied from a 33-12 third-quarter deficit to pull out a 54-51 double-overtime victory over the defending Grey Cup champions.

"When you're going into the season, you know the stigma associated with 30-year-old running backs,'' Cates said Thursday in the Riders' Mosaic Stadium locker room. "I can't say there is a chip on your shoulder but you have to go out there with something to prove. I felt I owed it to all of the veterans and the guys who are still in the league or were released this season. I just wanted to show them that I'm still out here making plays and doing what I can do to make this team successful. I'm thankful that the Lord has given me the body and the strength to do that.''
Cates may have needed some divine intervention in the Riders' unbelievable win. Head coach Ken Miller waited until Wednesday to officially notify Cates that he would be starting. Cates and Hugh Charles, who is in his third season with the Riders, were apparently locked in a competition to determine Thursday's starter.

Cates, who turns 31 in October, showed that he remains the team's top tailback when given the opportunity.

"We have a lot of depth at tailback and I'm sure that at certain points of the season you're going to see other guys in there,'' said Cates, who is in his fourth season with the Riders. "I'm just trying to do what I can when they call my number.''

Cates' number 20 was called often and effectively. In the first half, he had five carries for 60 yards. He picked up 53 yards on a run that was capped by quarterback Darian Durant's nine-yard touchdown scamper. In the second half, Cates had eight carries for 52 yards and a touchdown.

Cates blasted off runs of 14, 20 and 10 yards, on which he scored a touchdown to help the Riders tie the Alouettes 33-33 in the fourth quarter.

"He was really solid,'' said Miller. "He had some big runs, ran for a touchdown and set up another. He was tremendous in pass protection when we asked him to be a pass protector.''
Cates still has to prove that the 2009 season was an aberration more than a sign of decline. Cates was sidelined for the first two games of the season while recovering from off-season shoulder surgery. He rushed for 932 yards on 195 carries and scored five touchdowns as the Riders were the lone CFL team whose premier running back failed to break the 1,000-yard rushing mark.

In the 2009 playoffs, Cates appeared to regain some of the form he showed in 2008, when he rushed for 1,229 yards on 216 carries and scored 12 touchdowns. Still, it was difficult building the confidence in his surgically repaired shoulder to allow him to hit holes like he did en route to being named a CFL all-star in 2008.

"It's hard to come back from the kind of injury he had, especially with the position he plays,'' said slotback Weston Dressler, who scored the game-winning touchdown in the Riders' second possession of double overtime. "He really takes a beating and it takes time to come back from an injury like that. It was great to see him out there.''

Cates declared that the shoulder injury is behind him. The fact he has recovered from it made it easier for him to prepare for the 2010 season during the off-season.

"I came into the 2009 season not feeling like myself,'' said Cates. "I was dragging myself through the season. I'm not making excuses but it was good to have the whole off-season to be healthy and build for this coming season. I think it showed (Thursday).''

NOTES: The Riders are off today and Sunday before resuming preparations for an encounter with the B.C. Lions in Vancouver next Saturday ... Thursday's game was the highest-scoring regular-season opener in the CFL. The previous high was set on July 6, 1993 when the Calgary Stampeders beat the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 54-34 .... It was also the third-highest-scoring regular-season game in CFL history. The record was set on Sept. 1, 1990 when the Toronto Argonauts beat the Lions 68-43. Second on the list took place on Oct. 28, 2000 when the Riders beat the Edmonton Eskimos 54-52 ... Durant tied several players for second in the Riders' record book with five touchdown passes in a game. Kent Austin leads with six touchdown passes versus the Lions on Sept. 21, 1991 ... The Riders recorded 657 total yards, breaking the franchise's single-game record of 558 yards established in overtime against the Lions on Aug. 13, 1992 ... A total of 1.06 million viewers watched Thursday's game on TSN, making it the most viewed regular-season opener in history for the network.

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LITTLE GENERAL II

Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Darian Durant gets ready to throw a pass against the Montreal Alouettes during CFL action in Regina on July 1, 2010.
Photograph by: Troy Fleece, Leader-Post

REGINA — Darian Durant produced an unforgettable Canada Day fireworks display.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback threw for 478 yards and five touchdowns in Thursday's 54-51 CFL overtime victory over the visiting Montreal Alouettes.

In the process, Durant outgunned his opposite number — future Hall of Famer Anthony Calvillo — while rallying the Roughriders from a 32-11 third-quarter deficit.

So what can Durant do for an encore?

It seems like a tall order for Durant, or anyone, to top Thursday's command performance. But remember this: Some commentators were questioning how Durant could possibly improve on his showing of 2009.

Last season — Durant's first as a full-time starter — he earned West Division all-star honours en route to quarterbacking Saskatchewan to first place and a Grey Cup berth.
But that was only one year. Calvillo has been performing at an elite level for a decade. Since 2002, the Edmonton Eskimos' Ricky Ray has been among the CFL's premier passers. Henry Burris of the Calgary Stampeders is also in that echelon.

As for Durant, questions lingered. Could he cut down on his 21 interceptions of last season? Could he build upon last year's breakthrough? Or was he destined to remain a notch below peers who have been doing it for years?

Durant provided emphatic answers on Thursday, treating Roughriders fans to one of the most remarkable demonstrations of quarterbacking in the franchise's 100-year history.
This is a subjective assessment, of course, but Durant now belongs in a discussion that also includes the likes of Ron Lancaster and Kent Austin.

Austin routinely exceeded 400 yards — eclipsing 500 on four occasions — during his peak years as the Roughriders' pivot. One fine evening in 1991, he threw a team-record six touchdown passes against the B.C. Lions.

Granted, two of Durant's five TD tosses were in overtime, but remember that he also rushed five times for 52 yards and one touchdown against the defending Grey Cup champions.
And, once again, he reminded a seasoned scribe of The Little General.

That sentiment first appeared in this space last year. "Too soon,'' several readers responded. Maybe they were right.

Now the comparison has more validity. Durant repeatedly rallied the Roughriders in 2009, but he ascended to another tier on Thursday.

With barely five minutes left in the third quarter, the Alouettes went ahead by 21 points after Tim Maypray returned a missed field goal 125 yards to paydirt. It was a 10-point swing and, assuredly, a fatal blow ... right?

So much for that angle.

I grew up watching Lancaster quarterback the Riders. Time after time, Mom said, "As long as there's time on the clock, Ronnie gives them a chance.''

Durant is instilling the same mindset in his teammates and the fans. If he isn't completing touchdown bombs or selling out for crucial first downs, he is escaping pressure and, somehow, hitting receivers to move the chains.

All of Durant's attributes were evident on Thursday, when he played an integral role in what he correctly labelled as "an instant classic.''

"Wow,'' Durant said afterwards. "That's the only way I can describe the game. It was an incredible game — an incredible fight by our team. We never gave up. We never quit. That's what we've been doing for the past couple of years and that's why we're a good team.''
Durant is the first to point out that it is a collaborative effort. Wes Cates, for example, rushed 13 times for 112 yards. Receivers Weston Dressler, Andy Fantuz, Prechae Rodriguez, Rob Bagg and Chris Getzlaf also contributed mightily to the season-opening victory.

"The plays they made out there aren't out of the ordinary for those guys,'' Durant said of the receivers. "I expect them to make those plays. They expect to make those plays themselves. I just try to put the ball out there and let them go get it.''

Durant makes it sound so simple, until you realize how difficult it has been for the Roughriders to find a quarterback of his calibre.

And, at 27, he is just getting started.

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