By Rob Vanstone, Leader-Post August 19, 2010
REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders have reached the halfway point of the CFL's 2010 regular season, having played seven of 18 games.
Please forgive the erroneous calculation, but I failed math in Grades 11, 9, 12, 8 and 10.
But, uhhhhh, doesn't it feel like halftime?
But, uhhhhh, doesn't it feel like halftime?
The Riders' bye week — an intermission in the regular season — provides an opportunity to sit back, take a breather, and assess the state of the team. So here, without any further preamble or lame rationalizations, are the positive and negative aspects of the Riders' performance through seven games:
POSITIVES
* Quarterback Darian Durant continues to develop into a CFL superstar. There are times when he seemingly wills the Riders to victory — as was the case with his mentor, Kerry Joseph, during the Grey Cup season of 2007. If Durant keeps producing at his current pace, he will boast single-season passing totals that are more reminiscent of Kent Austin. His propensity for bringing the Roughriders from behind evokes memories of Ron Lancaster. Heady company indeed. With Durant at the controls, the Riders lead the league in points scored (235), touchdowns (23), first downs (178) and net offence (3,162 yards).
* Tailback Wes Cates is enjoying a terrific bounce-back season after the mediocrity of 2009. Cates has a league-high eight touchdowns (seven on runs and one on a reception) and continues to be an effective blocker. With 558 rushing yards in seven games — an average of 5.8 yards per carry — Cates is on pace to gain 1,439 yards this season. After seven games, he already boasts his two longest rushes as a Roughrider, scampering for 83 and 53 yards. So much for the notion, oft-advanced before the season, that Cates is in decline.
* Weston Dressler and Andy Fantuz continue to power the Roughriders' passing attack. Dressler, with 37 receptions and 542 yards, is on pace for a 95-catch, 1,394-yard season. Fantuz's stats to date — 36 catches, 485 yards — compute to 93 grabs and 1,247 yards over a full regular season. It is especially imperative that Fantuz play every game after missing significant time due to injury in 2008 and 2009. If healthy for the duration, Fantuz could be the CFL's most outstanding Canadian.
* Some concerns about the absences of John Chick and Stevie Baggs have been allayed due to the development of defensive end Brent Hawkins. Baggs, now of the Arizona Cardinals, had 12 sacks last season en route to being named a West Division all-star. Chick, who returns to action tonight at the Rogers Centre when he suits up for the Indianapolis Colts in an NFL pre-season game against the Buffalo Bills, had 11 sacks last season and was named the CFL's top defensive player. Even without them, the Roughriders have been able to register a league-high 20 sacks in seven games.
NEGATIVES
* The defence was exposed July 24 in a 40-20 loss to the Calgary Stampeders. If a team can peck away with the running game and short passes, the Riders' defence can be exploited. Any team that lacks patience plays into the hands of defensive co-ordinator Gary Etcheverry.
* The unrelenting pressure to which Durant was subjected against Calgary creates fears that he will not be able to make it through the regular season. Although the Riders have surrendered the second-fewest sacks in the league (13), Durant is absorbing too much punishment.
* Much more was expected from wide receiver Prechae Rodriguez, who was the runner-up to Dressler for CFL rookie-of-the-year honours in 2008. Rodriguez has yet to come close to reprising his freshman season with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
* The special teams are an eyesore. The return game is virtually non-existent — despite the presence of reputable kick returner Dominique Dorsey — because blocking appears to be optional. The kick coverage teams also need an upgrade. On a positive note, punter Eddie Johnson's moonshots are something to behold, and placekicker Luca Congi is enjoying a fine season, hitting 19 of 23 field-goal attempts. But he cannot afford to miss, because (gulp) half of his errant field-goal attempts have been returned for touchdowns.
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