REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders proved they aren't going to stand pat heading into the stretch run of the CFL season.
Sunday's 31-2 loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers was the impetus for two and possibly more rosters moves that may shake up the CFL team.
"It's not a wakeup call,'' Riders general manager Brendan Taman said Tuesday. "I don't believe in that. If a guy isn't performing well, you have to make changes.''
On Tuesday, the Riders released wide receiver Prechae Rodriguez and added returner Dominique Dorsey to the nine-game injured list with hamstring issues and a dislocated finger. Riders quarterback Darian Durant was surprised by Rodriguez's release but understands it's part of the business side of football.
"That's a sad part of the business,'' Durant said. "Unfortunately, one day we will all have to face that. I wish things had worked out better for Prechae. It's sad when people get released, but it's part of the business that we chose to do for a living.''
Rodriguez and Dorsey have both struggled this season. Rodriguez had 30 receptions for 375 yards and two touchdowns. He was acquired Feb. 24 from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats for non-import receiver Adam Nicolson and a third-round pick in the 2011 Canadian college draft.
"He didn't have the confidence of our staff,'' said Taman. "We came to the conclusion that he wasn't in our plans going forward.''
Dorsey was last among the league's regular returners with an averages of 6.2 yards on punt returns and 20.8 yards on kickoff returns. Dorsey, who was the CFL's special teams player of the year in 2008, muffed three kicks in the first half of Sunday's loss to the Blue Bombers.
Dorsey apparently dislocated a finger in the Riders' 27-23 win over the Blue Bombers on Sept. 5. Taman said the damaged digit wasn't the reason for Dorsey's struggles on Sunday.
Dorsey apparently dislocated a finger in the Riders' 27-23 win over the Blue Bombers on Sept. 5. Taman said the damaged digit wasn't the reason for Dorsey's struggles on Sunday.
"I don't know where his ability went, but we didn't see it this year,'' Taman said. "He is as disappointed as anyone and so are we. It just didn't work out.''
Riders head coach Ken Miller, who had pushed for the acquisition of both players, made the decision with Taman to move forward without them.
"It's a situation that all of us are disappointed with,'' said Miller, adding that Dorsey had lost some of his burst because of the hamstring injuries. "At some point, whether that's for me or the players, it all comes down to production and getting the job done.''
That will now be the responsibility of Hugh Charles, Weston Dressler and Cary Koch. Down the road, it could be the role of Ryan Grice-Mullen. Taman said it was possible that Grice-Mullen, who was cut by the NFL's Miami Dolphins on Aug. 18 after spending two seasons with the Lions, could be added to the practice roster next week.
"Without our return game succeeding very well, he's one of the options we felt we wanted to look at,'' said Taman, adding that Grice-Mullen had yet to sign with the Riders.
In the immediate future, Hugh Charles is to become the team's primary kickoff returner for Friday's game against the Calgary Stampeders. Charles, hasn't dressed for a game since Week 4, is also expected to spell veteran Wes Cates at tailback.
Dressler will handle the majority of punt returns. He has done that in his past two seasons, but the Riders were leery about asking too much from one of the team's star receivers. Dressler is looking forward to the opportunity.
"I'm excited about taking a bigger role with the team,'' said Dressler, who filled in as a punt returner during the second half of Sunday's game for the struggling Dorsey. "I don't think one guy will change a whole lot about the return team. It's all about all the guys working together and that's the best way to having success.''
Koch has been on the Riders' practice roster since the start of the season. The import rookie is expected to start as the boundary receiver against the Stampeders. Koch could also figure into the mix as a returner.
Taman said it's likely there may be other moves ahead, possibly with offensive line. Import tackle Joel Bell is still battling a pectoral injury and hasn't been able to practice. It's possible that Bell could return for the game on Sept. 25 against the host Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
Taman is considering adding an import offensive lineman to bolster the performance of the struggling Riders' line.
Taman is considering adding an import offensive lineman to bolster the performance of the struggling Riders' line.
"There aren't a lot of Canadians waiting on the street or looking for a job,'' Taman said. "That's probably the way we'll go.''
No comments:
Post a Comment