RIDERS HAVE PLENTY OF OPTIONS AT RECEIVER

Andy Fantuz, wide receiver.
Photograph by: Bryan Schlosser, Leader-Post files

REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders deployed arguably the best crew of Canadian receivers in the CFL in 2009.
Those pass-catchers may get the opportunity in 2010 to repeat that performance — or they may not.

“We know we have options; that’s the biggest thing,” Roughriders offensive co-ordinator Doug Berry says when asked about the team’s depth at non-import receiver. “Whether we play with four (Canadians), three, two or one, we have a lot of options there.

“The thing is, we have enough to be able to play three or as many as four. I think it’s going to be somewhere around two or three.”

Saskatchewan started four non-import receivers down the stretch in 2009, so someone may not get to reprise the role he played last season — and that will create competition among the Canucks.

“It depends on the quality of imports that we have coming in,” Berry says. “Offensively, we have room to move. But we do have enough Canadians to field a good football team with three or potentially four Canadians.”

Rob Bagg (59 catches, 807 yards, five touchdowns in 2009) had a breakout season at wide receiver, Chris Getzlaf (41 receptions, 531 yards, six TDs) was a revelation at slotback, and Andy Fantuz (67 catches, 882 yards, four TDs in 13 games) was again a force inside.
Jason Clermont (23 catches, 317 yards) didn’t get a lot of opportunities last season, but Berry says he’d “like to be able to get Jason involved a little more.” As well, David McKoy is finally healthy and may get a shot.

“We’ve got good depth there,” Berry says. “I like what I see.”
In terms of import receivers, the Roughriders in the off-season released Jason Armstead, Chris Jones, Eric Morris and Johnny Quinn and bid farewell to Gerran Walker (who signed as a free agent with the Toronto Argonauts). That left just one import receiver — slotback Weston Dressler (62 catches, 941 yards, four TDs in 14 games) — on the roster who played with the Roughriders in ’09.

Because Dressler is still recovering from a broken leg suffered late last season, he’s expected to miss the first week of training camp. However, it’s believed he’ll be ready for the regular season.

The only other American receiver now on the roster who was in Saskatchewan last season is Jeremy Gilchrist, who was signed as a potential return man. He didn’t dress for a game in ’09.
In desperate need of import receivers, the Roughriders went shopping in the off-season.

Among those brought in is Prechae Rodriguez, who was acquired from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats for non-import receiver Adam Nicolson.

The 6-foot-5, 208-pound Rodriguez caught 70 passes for 1,099 yards and seven TDs in 14 games in 2008, when he lost to Dressler in balloting for the CFL’s most outstanding rookie award. Last season, injuries limited Rodriguez to 12 games, during which he made 45 catches for 495 yards and three scores.

Berry says Rodriguez offers the club “a different element” because of his size and speed on the outside.

“As Hamilton proved, you can put the ball up in the air and he’s going to go get it,” Berry says. “That’s a strength that a 6-foot-5 guy has . . . We’re looking to get him back to the level he was at.”

Berry uses the word “interesting” to describe import Aaron Fairooz, a 6-foot-6, 210-pounder who tried out for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers when Berry was their head coach.
At 6-foot-0, Cary Koch is the tallest of the other import receivers expected in camp. Dwayne Eley (5-foot-10), Aaron Waldie (5-foot-9) and Aaron Love (5-foot-8) round out the hopefuls.
“With the guys we have, we have great quality there,” Berry says. “If somebody comes in who’s better, we’re going to be OK. If we don’t find somebody like that, we’ll go with what we’ve got — which isn’t bad, because there’s some good talent there.”Read more:

ttp://www.leaderpost.com/sports/Plenty+options+among+receivers+Saskatchewan+Roughriders/3083923/story.html#ixzz0pK8WuWkM

Ken Miller's Wife With the Rider QBs

Ken Miller's wife with the Rider Quarterbacks at the Wascana centre

DOUBLE CLICK ON THE PICTURE TO MAKE IT LARGER

INTERVIEW WITH DARIAN DURANT

By Rob Vanstone Wed, May 26 2010 COMMENTS(0) Rider Rumblings

The media interviewed Darian Durant today, for the 832nd time. Here's a portion of the scrum. For the rest, turn to tomorrow's column:

You have the No. 1 job. What is your mindset this season? “My mindset is just to improve in every area of my game and try to make sure that I work on the little things. If you do that, then it will make for a better season.

’’What are those little things? “Number 1 is my decision-making. If I cut down half of those turnovers, we score a bunch more points. Next comes the little fundamental things — footwork, how high I hold the ball, and things like that so I can quicken up my release and have consistency with my velocity so we can complete more of those deep balls.’’Obviously, it has been a pretty long offseason.

How bad is the itch right now to get going with training camp? “It can’t come soon enough. I’m so glad we’re just about a week away. It feels good to be able to get back working with the guys. When you end the season like it did last year, you’re ready to get back to work as soon as you can. With it being here, it’s definitely exciting.

’’You were on the sideline in 2007 when (the Roughriders) faced the Blue Bombers in the Grey Cup and Ryan Dinwiddie. What do you know about him? “I know he’s a winner, from his time at Boise. We pretty much came out of college at the same time. I’m a fan of the game first. I remember him and the success he had at Boise (State). Also, he has won some games in this league. He’s going to be a great addition to our team and he’s going to be a great help for me.

’’Are you happy with the way the off-season has gone to get you over that hump and bring the Cup home? “I’m definitely excited about the direction we’re headed. If you ask me, we were one play away from winning, and we’re better this year. I definitely think we’ll be right back where we belong.

’’How much of a comfort level is there having a guy behind you in camp who has taken some snaps in this league instead of three guys who have never played a down here? “It’s definitely a lot more comfortable for me. The biggest thing is your in-game adjustments. You definitely need a guy who has seen every coverage there is to see in this league who can come to you and talk to you on the sidelines and let you know what he sees and where to attack a defence next if we’re not hitting on all cylinders at the time.

’’I know it’s early, but what can the fans expect this year from you and the team as a whole? “Excitement. We’re stacked on offence. They should expect us to come out every game and be a very, very explosive team. We basically won the Grey Cup and I feel like we’re better offensively, and a better team. It’s just exciting, man, and I’m looking forward to the fan support of this year. I know that they’re looking for something special and we’ll give it to them.

’’How different does it feel this year? Ken Miller was saying that a year ago, he didn’t know who the starting quarterback was going to be, and now there’s really no debate. “It’s a different feeling — it definitely is. It’s a better feeling. There’s more comfort and you’re more relaxed. I know what to do now. I know what to expect from all of our receivers. I know how to approach our O-line now to give them motivation. It’s a different role. The guys look up to me, and now I can be a little bit more vocal. They know I’m the guy and, if they just follow, we can make it happen.’’

Does it feel a little strange? Two years ago, you were in the same position (as Cole Bergquist, Todd Reesing, Ryan Dinwiddie and Kent Smith)? “It’s crazy, actually. It has been a crazy past two years. I’m just thankful that my parents raised me to have patience, especially at the quarterback position.

Very, very few guys come in and play right away at quarterback, and you definitely have to have patience. Being patient for a couple of years has allowed me to sit back and learn a lot about the game. It has enabled me to be in this position right now.’’In those first couple of years, how tough was it to stay patient? “It’s very tough. As a competitor, you want to play. It’s tough sitting back, but you know that at quarterback you have to pay your dues and you have to be patient. If you’re thrown out there too early and you’re not ready, you could lose your career, basically. I’m just thankful. God puts things in your path for a reason. He saw success in me and He made sure I sat and watched the game and learned from two great guys like Kerry Joseph and Marcus Crandell before I was ready to go out and play.

’’Did you ever reach a point where you thought your patience might be exhausted? “To be honest, sometimes you really do feel like you’re just waiting, waiting, waiting and you don’t see light at the end of the tunnel. You have to persevere. You see guys who have played 12, 13, 14 years and don’t even make it to a Grey Cup. You see different things while you sit back and watch and it allows you to learn patience.

’’(Reesing, Dinwiddie and Smith) are interviewed right away. How long was it before you were interviewed here? “Years . . . years! Really! I didn’t get any interviews in ’06 or ’07, really. But, hey, it’s a little different. It’s crazy that I’m four years into the game and now I’m considered the vet and the old guy. It’s a great feeling. I look forward to passing some leadership down to these guys and I look forward to embracing the role of being the leader of this franchise from start to finish.

’’What do you make of all the commotion over the other quarterbacks? “I don’t worry about it. I’ve been here going on five years now and I’ve seen so many quarterbacks come and go — highly touted ones. If you look at the starters around the league, none of those guys were really highly touted coming out of college. It’s all about coming out here and producing on the field. It’s a different game. What you did in college doesn’t matter anymore. You have to make a name for yourself now. I don’t really worry about the hoopla and things like that. If I go out there and do my job, I really have nothing to worry about.’’It’s amazing, though, with how much people are consumed with that position. Is that just life as a quarterback? “I don’t know. For a couple of years, I’ve heard that the most popular guy here is always the backup. I was in that role before, too. I remember when the fans were calling for me to play. It’s just part of the game. If I go out there and produce every game and do what I’m capable of doing and I keep stacking up wins, you’ll hear the guys talk about Darian just as much as they talk about the backup.

’’There’s so much talk about the young quarterbacks here, but you’re a young quarterback. You could be the quarterback here for another 10 years. Where does a young quarterback fit in when you’re a young quarterback and you’re already an all-star? “I don’t know. That’s a great question. I guess because I’ve been here for a couple of years, I’m kind of like the old guy now. Whenever there’s new blood coming in, that’s what the people want to see, and I understand that. It’s just like a new movie. You hear about it and then you want to see for yourself. That’s what everyone expects, and there’s nothing wrong with that. When you’re in a province like this where they love their football so much, our fans don’t just care about the quarterback, but about every position. It’s just part of the territory. I really don’t let it bother me. It takes time to learn this game. It takes time to adjust to the game. If I do what I’m supposed to do, then I really don’t have to worry about whatever else or whoever else is behind me.’’

RIDER QUARTERBACKS

Fr left: Cole Bergquist, Todd Reesing, Ryan Dinwiddie, Darian Durant & Kent Smith)

The Riders held a media gathering today at Mosaic Stadium to show off the five quarterbacks headed to training camp in Regina next week. We'll hear from all of them today on 620 CKRM's Sports Cage in the 4:00 - 5:00 hour. From 5:00 - 6:00, we want to hear from all Saskatchewan communities who are in the Riderville contest for the 100 Year Anniversary celebrations. Why is YOUR town Riderville?Give us a call today...

--Some Wednesday quotes:COACH KEN MILLER:I'm really excited to have those two men signed. Ryan Dinwiddie, he brings some experience with him and I'm looking forward to seeing him on the field. And Todd Reesing was a tremendous player in college so I'm excited to see him throw in the next couple of days.As we talked about possibilities, certainly Doug Berry and Brendan Taman's evaluations of Dinwiddie having a strong work ethic, being a great character guy and a hard worker, all those things came into consideration. And then when I viewed the tape of the 2007 Grey Cup, I saw a really good quarterback.

RYAN DINWIDDIE:I wouldn't have seen this coming three years ago! But I'm glad it did. I've been around town a little bit and got to meet some of the players and some people and coaches in the office. I'm excited to be here. It's a class act organization and I'm happy to be a part of it.I was supposed to work out with the Sacramento team in the UFL a few weeks ago but once I knew I was coming here, I cancelled that. I've been working out the past couple months, waiting for an opportunity. I wasn't ready to call it quits. Last year was tough for me because I didn't feel I deserved to be cut the first day of training camp last year in Winnipeg. It is what it is. Life has its ups and downs but I'm looking forward to taking more ups than downs this time around.

DARIAN DURANTCompared to last year at this time, it's night and day. I'm 100% confident now in my situation. My leadership role, my community role, everything has changed for me for the good. I'm just so excited about the obstacles ahead for me and

I'm just ready to roll.

RIDERS SIGN DINWIDDIE AND REESING TO CONTRACTS

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have signed import quarterbacks Ryan Dinwiddie and Todd Reesing to contracts. Financial details of the contracts were not released.
Dinwiddie, who played three seasons with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers after signing with the team in 2006, completed 207 of 417 pass attempts for 1,581 yards and six touchdowns during his time there. The 29-year old was a three-year starter and a two time first team All-Western Athletic Conference all-star at Boise State.
Reesing spent four seasons playing at Kansas University where he completed 313 of 496 pass attempts for 3,616 yards and 22 touchdowns

REESING REMINDS YOU OF FLUTIE

By Rob Vanstone, Leader-Post May 25, 2010

REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders' off-season has been notable for, among other things, a farewell to arms.

Three quarterbacks — Steven Jyles, Dalton Bell and Graham Harrell — have departed by various means, creating uncertainty as to the pecking order behind Darian Durant.

Jyles was next in line last season, during which Durant was decorated as a CFL West Division all-star before piloting Saskatchewan to a Grey Cup berth. Durant figures to be entrenched as the Roughriders' starting quarterback for several years to come. Realizing that, Jyles tested free agency and signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Bell was soon traded to the Toronto Argonauts.

Not long after Jyles and Bell went elsewhere, Harrell conveyed displeasure with his lot in Saskatchewan. He was then released, and has since resurfaced with the NFL's Green Bay Packers. Graham, we hardly knew ye.

So what now?

Cole Bergquist, who spent most of last year on the practice roster, is still part of the equation. Kent Smith, a 6-foot-5 southpaw, recently signed a contract.

The Roughriders' brass has also chatted with Ryan Dinwiddie, who started against Saskatchewan in the 2007 Grey Cup after Blue Bombers first-stringer Kevin Glenn suffered a broken arm. Dinwiddie is likely to be signed before training camp opens June 6.
And then there is Todd Reesing — the most intriguing of all the prospective understudies to Durant.

Reesing, a former University of Kansas Jayhawks star, is expected to sign with Saskatchewan by Thursday at the latest. Listed at 5-foot-11, he is hardly a prototypical NFL quarterback. Hence his amenability to playing in Canada, and the Riders' reciprocal interest.

Eric Tillman was the Riders' general manager when Reesing was placed on the team's negotiation list in the autumn of 2007. Reesing was only a sophomore at the time but, even then, the Roughriders' hierarchy was salivating at the possibility of eventually landing Reesing, while raving about his character and leadership qualities.

His skill set is said to be similar to that of (cue hyperbole) Doug Flutie. There may never be another player like Flutie, who turned the expansive CFL field into his own personal playground. But many of his attributes — elusiveness, anticipation, and an ability to throw on the run — have also been associated with Reesing. Their height, or lack thereof, also invites comparisons.

If you are craving entertainment, search for "Todd Reesing'' on YouTube. A 94-second clip entitled "Todd Reesing Magic'' is a must-see, unless you are one of the defensive players whose attempts to corral the slippery quarterback proved to be comically futile.

The Roughriders' pursuit of Reesing appears to have been more successful. In conversation Friday with Ian Hamilton of the Leader-Post, Reesing sounded upbeat about journeying to Regina. It is, after all, the ultimate garden spot.

Reesing assured the readership that he would not perceive Saskatchewan as a way station, which would differentiate him from Harrell. Three cheers for Reesing.

It is important to remember, though, that Reesing has yet to play a down of pro football, and that college credentials do not necessarily portend success in the CFL.

Once upon a time, Homer Jordan arrived in Saskatchewan with an impressive resume, having quarterbacked Clemson to the NCAA title in 1981. Tony Rice also piloted a college team — Notre Dame — to a national title. Rice, who celebrated No. 1 status in 1988, never panned out in the CFL.

However, neither Rice nor Jordan were renowned as pure passers. Reesing, by contrast, threw for 10,990 yards and 87 touchdowns over his final three seasons at Kansas, peaking at 33 TDs (2007) and 3,888 yards (2008).

In that sense, Reesing might be more comparable to Harrell, who was the NCAA's all-time leader in touchdown passes (134) after four seasons at Texas Tech. But he barely touched down in Regina before feeling uncomfortable about his status. He craved the playing time to which he was accustomed, but he was not going to supplant Durant.

Will Reesing, while not inclined toward complaint, end up in the same situation? Durant is not yet 28. His best years almost certainly lie ahead, barring injury or a surprising regression.
Of course, things can change in a heartbeat. Durant has experienced life as third or fourth on the Roughriders' depth chart. Injuries and/or ineffectiveness — the latter being highly unlikely in Durant's case — can alter the equation and create an opportunity for an unproven passer.
Having seized that opportunity, Durant is the best CFL quarterback who has yet to turn 30. This raises questions as to when, if ever, the Rider Nation will see the multi-talented Reesing in action.

In the meantime, there's always YouTube.Read more:

http://www.leaderpost.com/sports/Battle+over+Riders+starting+defensive+spots+slated+training+camp/3070048/VANSTONE+Riders+recruit+Todd+Reesing+reminiscent+great+Doug+Flutie/3070491/story.html#ixzz0p2TmTwLU

BATTLE TO REPLACE CHICK AND BAGGS

Could the Saskatchewan Roughriders coaches experiment with moving tackle Marcus Adams to the end position during training camp? Adams had 33 tackles and one sack in 2009.
Photograph by: Troy Fleece, Leader-Post files

REGINA — The ends will justify the means for the Saskatchewan Roughriders during training camp.

The CFL team is searching for two defensive ends to replace Stevie Baggs and John Chick, who signed during the off-season with the NFL's Arizona Cardinals and Indianapolis Colts, respectively.

As a result, the battle will be joined when camp opens.

"We're going to compete there," Roughriders defensive co-ordinator Gary Etcheverry says. "Nobody is an incumbent. Nobody has the edge. It's going to be a full-blown competition to find guys to play those positions."

Baggs was named a West Division all-star last season after tying for the CFL lead with 12 sacks and adding 55 defensive tackles, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and an interception.

Chick was named a division and CFL all-star and was voted the league's most outstanding defensive player following a season in which teams devised game plans specifically to defend him. He finished the season with 32 tackles, 11 sacks, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

Etcheverry says the loss of the duo is "significant" to the Roughriders' defence, but he suggests finding replacements won't add stress to his life.

"Every year, we as coaches are doing our best work if we're ready to coach whoever comes off the bus," the veteran coach says. "In part, that gives rise to (players like) Stevie Baggs and John Chick."

Someone is going to have to produce sacks for the Roughriders in 2010. The team finished third in the CFL with 39 sacks last season, but only six of those came from returning defensive linemen.

To replace the ends, the team has assembled a group of players with varying levels of experience.

Joe Sykes spent the entire season with the Roughriders, but didn't register a defensive tackle or sack in the five games he was on the roster. Regina product Michael Stadnyk, whom the Roughriders selected in the 2008 Canadian college draft, was on the roster six times and finished the season with one defensive tackle.

Kitwana Jones, who had 17 sacks for the Roughriders from 2005 through '08, played eight games with Saskatchewan last season after being released by the Edmonton Eskimos — but mainly on special teams.

Willie Evans joined Saskatchewan's practice roster in mid-October, but didn't play. Imports Brent Hawkins and Ikenna Ike signed during the off-season, and Shomari Williams (who also can play linebacker) was the first overall pick in the 2010 Canadian college draft.
The Roughriders also may sign another end before camp opens, and changes may be in the offing during camp as well.

"Nothing is going to be off the table as a possibility," Etcheverry says cryptically. "That includes moving guys to that position, including maybe guys who many (people) may not think of (as ends)."

The Roughriders are flush with veterans at tackle, with import Marcus Adams (33 tackles, one sack in 2009) and non-imports Luc Mullinder (20 tackles, two sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery) and Keith Shologan (27 tackles, three sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble returns in his first full season as a starter).

Import Josh Miller was in camp for much of the '09 season but didn't dress for any games. Vaalyn Jackson, another import, had a brief stay on the practice roster last season and was re-signed during the off-season.

It's expected the Roughriders also will add a couple of defensive tackles before camp opens.
"A guy who has been here has the inside track because he has been exposed to our language," Etcheverry says of the D-line battle. "At the same time, if you're one of the guys who wasn't here, you can't dwell on it. You have to come in, have a positive attitude and believe when it's all said and done that you're going to be better than the competition."

ihamilton@leaderpost.canwest.comRead more: http://www.leaderpost.com/sports/Battle+over+Riders+starting+defensive+spots+slated+training+camp/3070048/story.html#ixzz0p2SjvQ9z