By Rob Vanstone, Leader-Post September 9, 2010 1:02 AM
REGINA — Despite not performing as expected, the Saskatchewan Roughriders are meeting expectations.
Confused? That makes two of us.
The Roughriders were widely projected to be one of the CFL's better teams in 2010. Saskatchewan's 6-3-0 record at the midpoint of the regular season demonstrates that the forecasts were in the ballpark.
However, the manner in which the Riders have played over the first nine games is surprising, if not shocking.
Entering the season, it stood to reason that the offence would sparkle and the special teams would be better. Proficiency in those facets of the game, it was theorized, would more than offset an anticipated regression on defence.
Turn it all upside down and you have the 2010 Roughriders.
Saskatchewan's offence is erratic, and not as explosive as envisioned. Rare is the game in which the Riders do not bemoan a special-teams implosion. But the defence, after a porous start, has been sensational over the past month.
The offence was supposed to benefit from continuity, given that Darian Durant is in his second season as the full-time starting quarterback. There was every reason to expect Durant to thrive in collaboration with returning receivers Weston Dressler, Andy Fantuz, Chris Getzlaf and Rob Bagg, plus newcomer Prechae Rodriguez.
The season opener did proceed as envisioned. Durant threw for 481 yards and five touchdowns to lead Saskatchewan to a 54-51, double-overtime conquest of the visiting Montreal Alouettes. In Week 2, the Riders efficiently disposed of the host B.C. Lions, 37-18.
Since then, the offence has been inconsistent, as Durant has repeatedly emphasized. Considering the personnel, it should be a high-octane unit. By season's end, that label could apply.
Another label — that of special teams — is a misnomer. This unit melts down more often than Naomi Campbell.
The ever-reliable Luca Congi has missed only four of 24 field-goal attempts this season, but two of those errant kicks have been returned for touchdowns. A blocked punt played a key role in the Roughriders' inexplicable, 17-14 loss to the putrid Edmonton Eskimos on Aug. 28. During Sunday's 27-23 victory over the visiting Winnipeg Blue Bombers, the Roughriders surrendered a 27-yard reception on a fake punt, and turned over the ball when Dominique Dorsey mishandled a punt.
Dorsey, who won the CFL's special-teams player-of-the-year award as a member of the Toronto Argonauts in 2008, was expected to provide consistent field position. There were some flashes during the Labour Day Classic, but the return game remains a liability. (As a counterbalance, the Riders have done a fine job of covering punts and kickoffs.)
At the outset of the season, it was written in this space that Dorsey and Louie Sakoda would be difference-makers. Sakoda, a punter of some promise, was dumped after only three games and replaced by Eddie Johnson. Some of Johnson's punts — the moonshots in particular — have been awe-inspiring.
Ideally, the Roughriders should not be as reliant on Johnson. Again, the onus is on the offence to improve.
The defence, meanwhile, needs to maintain what has become a high standard of play.
Over the past 3 1/2 games, the Roughriders' defence has surrendered only four touchdowns, one of which was a meaningless major in the waning seconds of Sunday's game.
Over the past 3 1/2 games, the Roughriders' defence has surrendered only four touchdowns, one of which was a meaningless major in the waning seconds of Sunday's game.
The defence has become the strongest component of Saskatchewan's game, despite the absences of defensive ends John Chick and Stevie Baggs, middle linebacker Rey Williams, and defensive halfback Eddie Davis. Chick, Baggs and Williams landed NFL tryouts. Davis retired at the tender age of 37.
Much of the credit for the Riders' ability to withstand those departures should go to defensive co-ordinator Gary Etcheverry, whose wacky schemes baffle rival quarterbacks and strategists.
The confusion extends to anyone who thought they had a read on the Roughriders as the 2010 season dawned.
The confusion extends to anyone who thought they had a read on the Roughriders as the 2010 season dawned.
If you subscribed to my view that the offence would be formidable, the special teams would be improved, and the defence would be a concern, then we are both 0-for-3. But the Roughriders are 6-and-3, and that is the bottom line.
rvanstone@leaderpost.canwest.comRead more:
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