REPORT FROM GLOBE AND MAIL

Allan Maki
From Monday's Globe and Mail Published on Sunday, Aug. 22, 2010 11:25PM EDT

Wally Buono likes what he sees, only he’s not looking at his B.C. Lions. He’s sizing up the Saskatchewan Roughriders: How they’ve played, who’s played well for them and where they’re positioned coming off the bye week.

According to the most successful coach in CFL history – the same guy whose team sits slumped at 1-6 – Saskatchewan has both a dominant force on defence (lineman Brent Hawkins) and the best player in the West on offence (quarterback Darian Durant).

You may not know it, but Buono was criticized by some last year for suggesting Durant should have been the West’s most outstanding player over Calgary Stampeders running back Joffrey Reynolds. This year, “the guy has come into his own world,” Buono said of the ‘Riders’ pivot. “He’s got good leadership skills. He’s smart, has a tremendous arm. He’s the next big thing, if he keeps progressing.”

As for Hawkins: “He’s an impact player,” Buono insisted. “He single-handedly manhandled us and destroyed Montreal.”

The Western teams will be out to rough up one another this weekend (Calgary at B.C., Saskatchewan at Edmonton Eskimos) as they near the midway point in the schedule.
Will the ‘Riders make good on Buono’s praise? Will the moribund Eskimos win another game?
Here’s a look at the four squads and what to watch for in the bashing ahead:

Calgary.

If quarterback Henry Burris doesn’t pop a hamstring, if Reynolds doesn’t bust a shoulder, if middle linebacker Juwan Simpson doesn’t roll an ankle, the Stampeders will finish first. They could use some minor upgrades, say, at defensive halfback, but overall this is a solid outfit – providing it stays healthy.

Saskatchewan.

The defence was vandalized in a 20-point loss to Calgary last month. The ‘Riders need more than just a destructive Hawkins levelling opponents. Offensively, Saskatchewan could get more out of receiver Perchae Rodriguez and running back/kick returner Dominique Dorsey. Saying that, this is still a slick attack unit.

B.C.

It’s all about the quarterbacking – the Lions get some and they can finish third. Casey Printers stayed in Vancouver last week for treatment on his right knee and to throw passes to receivers. That’s a good sign, maybe this is, too: The team brought in a new linebacker, Chase Bullock. He’d better.

Edmonton.

What can we say about the Eskimos that hasn’t already been said about gingivitis? Bad drafts, poor trades – its all caught up to them and you can smell the funk. Reports are linebacker Maurice Lloyd is a locker-room irritant and needs to be removed. This may get worse before the air gets cleared.