Saskatchewan Roughriders' Darian Durant (4) celebrates after throwing a fourth-quarter touchdown against the B.C. Lions during the CFL's West semifinal in Regina on November 14, 2010.
Photograph by: Fred Greenslade, ReutersRead more:
Saskatchewan Roughriders supporters zeroed in on targets of their own.
Ken Miller.
Gary Etcheverry.
Doug Berry.
Jim Daley.
And, yes, even a once-in-a-generation quarterback named Darian Durant. Tough crowd.
There were grumblings of discontent as the Riders struggled into the third quarter of Sunday's CFL West Division semifinal against the B.C. Lions. By the time the Lions assumed a 19-7 lead, you had to wonder: "If this persists, what are the next few months going to be like? Will it be a winter of discontent?''
Perhaps the concerns will resurface, at least to a degree, if the Riders fall to the host Calgary Stampeders in Sunday's division final. After all, a "Grey Cup or bust'' mentality exists inside and outside the organization. Anything short of a return trip to the championship game will signal a regression.
But, for now, the aforementioned individuals have a reason to feel vindicated. All of them contributed mightily to one of the most riveting playoff games you will ever see — the Roughriders' 41-38 double-overtime conquest of the Lions.
Durant is receiving plenty of credit, and rightfully so, for rallying the Roughriders to victory. It is sheer folly to count out Saskatchewan as long as Durant is behind centre. He has demonstrated this so many times before.
Yet, there are skeptics. Anytime Durant is described in this space as an elite CFL quarterback, there will be objections from people who contend that he is not yet in the stratosphere of Anthony Calvillo or Henry Burris. Until Durant quarterbacks a team to a Grey Cup title, as he nearly did last year, the lack of championships will be raised.
It should be noted, though, that the 38-year-old Calvillo has been a CFL quarterback since Durant was in elementary school. Burris, at 35, is seven years Durant's senior. Durant is in his second full season as a starter. Time is on his side, even if some critics are not.
Consider this question: If you were starting a CFL team today, with the future in mind, who would you want as your quarterback? In this assessment, Durant is the automatic choice.
Durant's second-half success can be attributed, at least in part, to a halftime discussion with Miller. The Roughriders' field boss spoke with Durant about his mechanics, and also encouraged him to just "play catch'' with his receivers. That he did.
At times, fans have wondered whether any adjustments were made at halftime. Did those people happen to see Sunday's game?
Miller's opposite number on Sunday was Wally Buono, who will assuredly end up in the Canadian Football Hall of Fame. You do not defeat a Buono-coached team by accident. Considerable acumen is required on the other side.
It helps that the Riders' coaching staff includes Berry, the offensive co-ordinator. Inexplicably, some Saskatchewan fans seize every opportunity to pick him apart. But when Durant picks apart the Lions, as he did on Sunday, the Berry influence has to be credited.
Many of Berry's play calls were inspired, such as a 75-yard touchdown bomb from Durant to Weston Dressler in the fourth quarter. Berry knows his football. Just ask the Lions, wherever they may be.
Etcheverry has also been under fire due to the inconsistency of his unconventional defence. On Sunday, however, the Riders' defence — choreographed by Etcheverry — held the team in the game until the offence could awaken. In the second overtime period, the defence registered a crucial stop to force the Lions into a field goal. Durant hit Jason Clermont for a game-winning, 24-yard touchdown pass on the next possession. And there was much rejoicing.
As a bonus, the Roughriders' special teams were not victimized by a backbreaking play. Save for a 31-yard punt return by Yonus Davis, the Riders' kick coverage was generally sound.
Davis had derided the Riders' special teams leading up to the game, noting that they didn't even compete.
Daley, the special-teams co-ordinator, is far too much of a gentleman to engage in a war of words. But, deep down, he has to feel somewhat vindicated by Sunday's outcome. In that respect, he is certainly not alone.
rvanstone@leaderpost.com
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