By MURRAY McCORMICK, Leader-Post September 3, 2010
REGINA — It's difficult to shake feelings of deja vu with the 2010 Saskatchewan Roughriders.
That's because this year's team finds itself in a similar situation to what took place at this point of the 2009 CFL season. Heading into the 2009 Labour Day Classic against the visiting Winnipeg Blue Bombers, the Riders were 4-4-0. They were also dealing with concerns about their offensive and special-teams systems and the development of quarterback Darian Durant.
That's because this year's team finds itself in a similar situation to what took place at this point of the 2009 CFL season. Heading into the 2009 Labour Day Classic against the visiting Winnipeg Blue Bombers, the Riders were 4-4-0. They were also dealing with concerns about their offensive and special-teams systems and the development of quarterback Darian Durant.
At the time, Durant had thrown 10 touchdown passes and been intercepted 12 times.
This season, the Riders are 5-3-0 heading into Sunday's Labour Day Classic (2 p.m., TSN, CKRM) against the Blue Bombers (2-6-0). Similar to 2009, this year's edition was beaten in the game before the Classic. The Edmonton Eskimos upset the Riders 17-14 on Saturday. In 2009, the Riders went into the bye week after a 34-25 loss to the host Montreal Alouettes.
This season, the Riders are 5-3-0 heading into Sunday's Labour Day Classic (2 p.m., TSN, CKRM) against the Blue Bombers (2-6-0). Similar to 2009, this year's edition was beaten in the game before the Classic. The Edmonton Eskimos upset the Riders 17-14 on Saturday. In 2009, the Riders went into the bye week after a 34-25 loss to the host Montreal Alouettes.
Edmonton's win sparked much debate about the Riders' offence and special teams. Durant was once again a target. Durant, who is in his second full season as a starter, has thrown 11 touchdown passes and been intercepted 12 times. He has rushed for four touchdowns,
compared to one at this juncture in 2009.
There was a great deal of validity to the concerns in 2009, just like this year. Last year, the Riders rallied to beat the Blue Bombers 29-14 in Regina and 55-10 in Winnipeg. The wins helped the Riders finish 6-3-1 in the second half of the season en route to finishing first in the West Division.
"After we lost that game last year (against Montreal), we got more focused,'' Riders veteran cornerback Omarr Morgan said after Friday's practice at Mosaic Stadium. "We took care of the little things and we're trying to do that this week. I don't really remember last year because the only game I really remember is the Grey Cup. I just know that after a loss, you tend to focus a little more. You should already be doing that but it's human nature. You always focus more after bad things happen.''
Durant remains the focus of the Riders regardless of what happens. He had some challenges during his first season as a starter and was even benched for a quarter against the Calgary Stampeders on Aug. 1.
Riders head coach Ken Miller felt that Durant could benefit from watching the offence while then-backup Steven Jyles was in control. Durant returned to lead the Riders to a 24-23 victory over the Stampeders. The Riders lost two of their next three games before settling in to play the Blue Bombers.
"When you win, it's easy to overlook your flaws,'' said Durant, whose Riders have lost two of their past three games this season. "When you lose, you go back to square one and try to figure out what's wrong. That's what we've been doing. We did that last season, too. You try one thing and it doesn't work. Then you try another. It's all about fundamentals 101, which is playing the game and taking care of the ball. We also have a good defence, so let them play like they can.''
Durant did a better job of ball control in 2009. He completed 14 second-half touchdown passes and was intercepted just nine times. Durant didn't leave any doubt about who the starter was as he guided the Riders to the 2009 Grey Cup game.
Durant did a better job of ball control in 2009. He completed 14 second-half touchdown passes and was intercepted just nine times. Durant didn't leave any doubt about who the starter was as he guided the Riders to the 2009 Grey Cup game.
Durant wasn't the only member of the Riders to enjoy a resurgence in the second half. Wide receiver Rob Bagg had 26 receptions for 364 yards and two touchdowns before the Classic. Bagg's contributions increased as he had 33 receptions for 443 yards and three touchdowns down the stretch.
"We're way ahead this year of where we were last year,'' said Bagg, who has 27 receptions for 429 yards and a touchdown this season. "We're operating better as a unit. Last year we were all young and still learning about each other. This year, we're advanced in our relationship with Darian in regards to how he reads our body language and how we run our routes. When you combine that with our relationship with the playbook ... that's why we're farther ahead.''
The fact this is a new team compared to the 2009 edition that was beaten 28-27 in the Grey Cup by the Alouettes was emphasized early in the season. Tad Kornegay, who was an all-star linebacker in 2009 but has been pressed into duty as a cornerback in 2010 due to injuries, said it takes time for all teams to come together.
The fact this is a new team compared to the 2009 edition that was beaten 28-27 in the Grey Cup by the Alouettes was emphasized early in the season. Tad Kornegay, who was an all-star linebacker in 2009 but has been pressed into duty as a cornerback in 2010 due to injuries, said it takes time for all teams to come together.
"Things just started to go our way last year,'' Kornegay said. "When you play together for a
while, things just get better. We all played together and we all trust each other.''
The Blue Bombers may also be a cure for whatever ails the Riders. Saskatchewan has outscored the Blue Bombers 163-89 while winning the past five Labour Day Classics. The Riders have also boosted their second-half hopes by sweeping the second half of the series — the Banjo Bowl in Winnipeg — in each of the past two seasons.
The Blue Bombers may also be a cure for whatever ails the Riders. Saskatchewan has outscored the Blue Bombers 163-89 while winning the past five Labour Day Classics. The Riders have also boosted their second-half hopes by sweeping the second half of the series — the Banjo Bowl in Winnipeg — in each of the past two seasons.
"It's a great way to start the second half of the season,'' Kornegay said. "They are both big games and it's a great feeling when you win those games back-to-back.''
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