REGINA — The ever-obliging Darian Durant has been signing countless autographs of late, but the most important signature has yet to be provided.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders must sign the 27-year-old quarterback to a long-term contract extension. In light of Durant's recent achievements, there isn't any reason for the CFL team to allow him to enter his option year in 2010.
Durant deserves more money and additional security. The Roughriders and their fans deserve some good news after enduring Sunday's devastating 28-27 Grey Cup loss to the Montreal Alouettes.
The exasperating conclusion to that game has raised an assortment of lingering questions. But, over the course of the 2009 season, Durant emphatically answered the dominant question — pertaining to the team's quarterbacking situation.
"I think he is the next elite quarterback in the league,'' Roughriders head coach Ken Miller said Tuesday. "As the people who have held that position over the last two or three years finish their careers, like (Anthony) Calvillo and (Ricky) Ray and (Henry) Burris, he's going to fit into those spots and he's going to be the top dog, or certainly one of the top dogs, at the quarterback position.''
During the lean years, the Roughriders have had some dogs at the quarterbacking position. But top dogs? That is another matter entirely.
At long last, the Riders have developed a quarterback from scratch. Miller and his staff exercised the requisite patience with Durant and were rewarded when Saskatchewan finished first in the West Division for the first time since 1976. Moreover, Durant quarterbacked a team that was within one unfathomable too-many-men-on-the-field penalty of winning its fourth Grey Cup.
In recent weeks, Durant has repeatedly stated that the Roughriders are assembling a team that will perennially contend for a championship. There is every indication that Grey Cup appearances and home playoff games will become routine — providing, of course, that the key player on the team is part of the equation.
When asked about the future on Tuesday, Durant said that he is amenable to discussing a new contract instead of waiting for his existing pact to expire in February of 2011.
"It's something that I've been thinking about for a long time,'' he said. "I just didn't want to let it affect my play and let it affect the team. We'll sit down and see how it goes.''
Durant has already spoken informally with Riders president-CEO Jim Hopson about a long-term commitment.
"I've talked to my representation,'' said Durant, a 2009 West all-star. "I've had a couple of discussions with Mr. Hopson. It seems like we're on the same page. We should be taking all the steps in the right direction here pretty soon. We have to definitely wait and see what happens with Mr. (Eric) Tillman and that (legal) situation but, as far as myself and Mr. Hopson and the organization, it seems like we're on the same page.''
The page has turned from one year ago, when the Riders' quarterbacking situation was shrouded in uncertainty.
The page has turned from one year ago, when the Riders' quarterbacking situation was shrouded in uncertainty.
"Things change,'' Durant said. "Opinions about me change. Last year, I never would have thought that I'd be in a situation where I could be talking about something long-term. It's just a great feeling. It's a great accomplishment.
"I have to thank my teammates for that. Without them, this wouldn't even be possible. It's just a great feeling to know that you're wanted and I'm ready to take my game to a whole other level. This year has been an experience for me — a learning experience, definitely — and I'm just ready to go to a whole other level.''
Namely to the stratosphere, as far as CFL quarterbacks are concerned.
Namely to the stratosphere, as far as CFL quarterbacks are concerned.
"I'm 27,'' Durant said. "It'll be seven, eight, nine years before I even get to where Hank (Burris) is, at his age. He's at the top of his game right now and I feel like I'm still getting up there. When you talk six, seven, eight years, that's what I'm talking about.''
Even then, Durant would be younger than 37 — the age of Sunday's victorious quarterback, Anthony Calvillo.
"I'd love to play the game as long as he has,'' Durant said. "It would truly be a blessing to be able to do that. To do it in one place would be even better.''
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