DRESSLER IS BACK........!!

By IAN HAMILTON, Leader-Post July 2, 2010
REGINA — Like any good receiver, Weston Dressler knows to come back to the football.

He appears to be doing well with a different kind of comeback, too.

In his first regular-season game since suffering a devastating injury on Oct. 10, the Saskatchewan Roughriders' slotback caught 10 passes for 154 yards and scored the game-winning touchdown in Thursday's 54-51 CFL victory over the Montreal Alouettes at Mosaic Stadium.

"It's good for me just to get that confidence back, to get back into game speed," Dressler said. "It's a little different than practice. Things are moving a little bit faster and it's tougher to see some coverages sometimes. But just to be out there again was a lot of fun."

Last fall, Dressler suffered a broken right fibula and severely sprained ankle in a 32-22 victory over the visiting Toronto Argonauts. He didn't play again in the '09 regular season or the post-season as the Roughriders made a run at the Grey Cup.

His 2010 return began on a slightly tentative note, as he took a day off early in training camp after pushing himself too hard a day earlier. Since then, however, Dressler hasn't missed a day or — judging by Thursday's effort — a beat.

When Ken Miller was asked Thursday if Dressler has surprised him at all since returning, the Saskatchewan head coach replied: "Not so much."

"Not after a couple of days when he landed on it pretty hard a couple of times in practice," Miller continued. "From that point forward, he has just motored on and really gotten better."
"Initially, coming into camp, that was something that I had to gauge and take it day by day, see how it was feeling and know when to push it and know when to kind of ease off of it," Dressler added. "The last two weeks now, I've had zero problems with my ankle and I don't think it's a problem anymore."

One of his colleagues in the receiving corps hasn't seen any hesitancy from the 2008 rookie-of-the-year, either.

"I was training with him in Texas in March and he looked great there," noted wide receiver Rob Bagg. "Obviously it shows. What'd he put up today, 250 (yards)? I think he's ready to go."
Dressler had a stellar game going even before Thursday's overtime session began, but he stepped to the fore in the extra periods.

His 24-yard reception on a second-and-13 play in the Roughriders' first OT possession helped set up the Andy Fantuz touchdown catch that gave Saskatchewan a 48-40 lead.

The Als tied the game on their first possession and then went ahead 51-48 with a field goal on their second drive in OT. On the first play of Saskatchewan's second possession, quarterback Darian Durant hit Dressler for 32 yards to the Montreal three-yard line — and then found the slotback in the end zone on the next play for the deciding points.

While it may seem like old times for Durant and Dressler, both men suggest there's work to be done to make up for lost time caused by Dressler's injury.

"Chemistry between a receiver and a quarterback can always improve," Dressler said.

"Throughout a full season, throughout years together, you can do different things and get on the same page different ways.

"There were a few situations today where I was thinking one thing and Darian was thinking another. As the season goes on, the more practice time we get and the more games we get together, that will just continue to get better."

"You have to refine your craft and make sure that you know where he's going to be on every play," Durant noted. "When you're working with him every day, you know. When he's gone for five, six, seven weeks and you get used to throwing to other guys, you kind of lose that rhythm.

It's good to have him back out there."

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CANADA DAY 2010

RIDERS STAGE AMAZING COMEBACK

Montreal Alouettes Kerry Watkins runs in this catch for a touchdown against the Saskatchewan Roughriders during CFL action at Mosaic Stadium in Regina on July 1, 2010.
Photograph by: Troy Fleece, Leader-Post

EGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders took huge strides toward burying the ghosts of a season past Thursday at Mosaic Stadium.

The Roughriders pulled out a 54-51 double overtime victory over the Montreal Alouettes in the regular-season opener for both teams at Mosaic Stadium. The wild Canada Day shootout featured just about everything that the wide-open CFL game has to offer.

There was a desperate comeback by the Roughriders that sent a sell-out crowd of 30,048 spectators home deliriously happy. A total of 13 touchdowns were scored, there were video challenges and a play that harkened back to the 2009 Grey Cup game between the Alouettes and Roughriders.

The Alouettes won the Grey Cup game 28-27 after a penalty for too many men on the field wiped out Damon Duval's missed 43-yard field goal attempt in the closing seconds of the fourth quarter. Duval made the next attempt from 33 yards and the Riders went from being introduced as the defending Grey Cup champions to the Alouettes having that honour yesterday.

On Thursday, the Riders appeared to have the game wrapped up in the first overtime session when Alouettes quarterback Anthony Calvillo overthrew Jamel Richardson in the end zone on Montreal's third-and-10 attempt. The Riders started to celebrate only to have the play called back for having too many men on the field. Two plays later, S.J. Green hauled in a Calvillo pass for a touchdown and caught the subsequent two-point convert to tie the game 48-48.

Under a new rule in the CFL, teams must attempt a two-point conversion in overtime rather than kicking a convert.

Duval connected on a 42-yard field goal in the second overtime possession for the Alouettes. Then Riders quarterback Darian Durant hit Weston Dressler on a 32-yard pass and a three-yard touchdown toss, ending the third highest scoring game in CFL history.

"I wouldn't want to be on the team who lost that one,'' said Riders veteran cornerback Omarr Morgan. "I really hated to be on the losing end of the Grey Cup ... These are two of the best teams in the league and we all worked our butts off. If our offence is going to do that, I'll take it every game. If we get the win, I could care less if we gave up 100 points a game.''

The 13th man penalty took place this time in a different situation because the Riders still had a life remaining. There wasn't anything left for them to after the loss in Calgary.

"What happened in the Grey Cup didn't flash before my eyes because it wasn't the last play of the game,'' said Morgan. "We still had time and we were still winning. I did chuckle about it because it was so unbelievable but it was a real different scenario.''

The Riders could be seen counting the players on the field after the penalty flags flew. When the officials announced the penalty, even the fans threw their hands up in amazement.
"My heart did sink,'' said slotback Andy Fantuz, whose fourth-quarter touchdown helped tie the contest 40-40 after 60 minutes and added another on the Riders' first overtime possession. "A one in a thousand chance of that happening two games in a row is crazy. This time I won't dwell on it too much because we got the result. Hopefully we can clean up those logistics and not let it happen again.''

The Alouettes appeared to be rolling towards a season-opening victory after grabbing a 24-10 half-time lead. That was really only a launching pad as the Riders exploded for 44 second-half points. The team talks of a never-quit attitude but it was never as tested like it was against the Alouettes.

"I don't know if it was a miracle but it was all about a team fighting and never giving up on itself,'' said Dressler, who had 10 receptions for 154 yards. "We always believed.''
Riders quarterback Darian Durant outgunned Montreal's Anthony Calvillo. Durant completed 30 of 44 passing for 478 yards, threw for five touchdowns, including two in overtime. Durant also rushed for a touchdown. Calvillo, who was named the CFL's most outstanding player the last two years, was 28 of 42 passing for 368 yards with four touchdowns and an interception.
"I think we have the best quarterback in the league and the best receivers,'' said Morgan. "The sky really is the limit.''

Kerry Watkins and S.J. Green each caught two touchdowns for the Alouettes. Montreal returner Tim Maypray returned a missed Luca Congi field goal 125 yards for a third-quarter touchdown. Als running back Avon Cobourne also scored a rushing touchdown.

Fantuz, with two, Rob Bagg, Prechae Rodriguez and Dressler scored for the Riders. Riders veteran running back Wes Cates rushed for 112 yards on 13 carries and scored a touchdown.
The Riders are off until Monday. They travel to Vancouver to play the B.C. Lions on July 10. The Alouettes are to play the Eskimos in Edmonton on July 11.

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RIDERS READY TO START 2010 SEASON

The Roughriders held their final walk through prior to their July 1, 2010, matchup against the Grey Cup champion Montreal Alouettes.
Photograph by: Roy Antal, Leader-Post

REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders' Darian Durant is not one for statistics — save for the numbers that appear in the victory column and on the scoreboard.

"I feel like we can score 35 or 40 points a game,'' the Roughriders' quarterback said Wednesday. "It's just up to us to do it. It's up to all of us to be on the same page.

"I want to make sure everyone is on the same page and that we're doing everything we're supposed to do to be the most explosive offence in the league.''

Saskatchewan and the Calgary Stampeders were the second-highest-scoring teams in the CFL last season, each producing 514 points over 18 games. The Grey Cup-champion Montreal Alouettes led the way with 600 points.

Montreal will oppose Saskatchewan on Thursday, 5 p.m., at Mosaic Stadium in the league's 2010 regular-season opener. Given the potency of the Alouettes' offence, which is led by future Hall of Fame quarterback Anthony Calvillo, Saskatchewan will likely need some firepower of its own.

"We have to score every game,'' Durant said. "I can't really worry about what Anthony does. I just have to make sure that, come the fourth quarter, I have my team in a position to win. That's what it's all about, and I'm pretty sure he feels the same way.''

Durant is surrounded by an array of weapons. Saskatchewan is especially strong at receiver, boasting weapons such as Andy Fantuz, Weston Dressler, Prechae Rodriguez, Chris Getzlaf, Rob Bagg and Jason Clermont. The Roughriders' depth is such that there are more starting-calibre receivers (six) than starting spots (five).

"I'm pretty excited to be working with these guys,'' said Durant, who threw for 4,348 yards, with 24 touchdowns and 21 interceptions, en route to earning West Division all-star honours in 2009.

"If we're having success as a team, numbers will come. I'm not really worried about numbers. I led the league in picks last year and I was in the Grey Cup, so that shows you that numbers don't really matter at the end of the day. I'm not really a numbers guy. All I know is that if the team is having success, my numbers will be good.''

Durant & Co. hope to enjoy success on Thursday against a perennial powerhouse.

"What better way to see where you're at as a team and what you need to work on than going out against the champs?'' Durant said. "As of right now, they're still the best team in the league. We'll see how we stack up against them.''

As excited as he is, he also admits to being nervous.

"There's a lot of butterflies going around,'' Durant said. "There's nothing like the start of a new season. There's nothing like being able to do what you love for a living. That's what brings you the joy. Whenever you can start fresh and be able to build something, it's always a good thing.''

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RIDERS EXPECTATIONS RISE

The Montreal Alouettes' Matthieu Prouxl tackles the Saskatchewan Roughriders' Weston Dressler during a game at Percival Molson stadium in Montreal last season.
Photograph by: John Kenney, Montreal Gazette files

REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders are accustomed to being the favourites — at least in the hearts and minds of their fervent fans.

Being favoured, however, is a new experience.

The Roughriders have been classic underdogs for most of their 100 years. At times, the label of lovable losers has been applicable. Even in the glory years, when Ron Lancaster and George Reed were prominent, the Roughriders were still an operation of modest dimension in the CFL's tiniest market.

Look at them now.

Sellouts and soaring, seven-figure profits are routine. These are also times of prosperity on the field. The Riders won the Grey Cup in 2007 and lost 28-27 to the formidable Montreal Alouettes in the 2009 league final. Over the last three years, the Riders have won more regular-season and playoff games (38) than anyone else in the eight-team circuit.
Still, over those three seasons — as successful as they have been — the Riders have tended to surprise people.

The 2007 Grey Cup title was a shocker, considering that then-general manager Eric Tillman had pared more than $700,000 from the payroll leading up to the season so that the team could adhere to an enforceable salary cap. There was an exodus of prominent players (see: Nate Davis, Andrew Greene, Jackie Mitchell, Kenton Keith), with the result being that the Rider Nation wasn't teeming with optimism. By year's end, the people of Saskatchewan were celebrating an unlikely Grey Cup victory.

In the months to follow, there were more notable departures. Head coach Kent Austin was successfully wooed by the University of Mississippi. Quarterback Kerry Joseph, who was the league's most outstanding player in 2007, was dealt to the Toronto Argonauts. Yet, the 2008 Riders won 12 games and staged a second straight home playoff game.

There was more turnover leading up to the 2009 campaign. All-stars Maurice Lloyd and Anton McKenzie fled as free agents, leading to concerns that the linebacking corps would be a shambles. Not only that, there were burning questions as to whether Darian Durant was a bona-fide starting quarterback.

So much for those concerns. Durant is a returning all-star. The offence, as a whole, is oozing with talent. That should compensate for any regression on defence, where the Riders are attempting to replace two all-star pass-rushers (John Chick and Stevie Baggs), an impact middle linebacker (Rey Williams) and an elite defensive halfback (Eddie Davis).

Also worth considering is the Roughriders' anticipated prowess on special teams. Luca Congi is among the league's most accurate placekickers. Louie Sakoda is capable of launching punts into orbit. Kick returner Dominique Dorsey should also help Saskatchewan win the ever-important battle for field position ... and more games.

As a result, the Roughriders are a strong candidate to win the West.

Prior to last season, they had not finished first since 1976. At times, it seemed like the protracted drought would never end. Now the expectations are stratospheric.
How will the Roughriders handle being perceived as a favourite? For a change, they won't be able to sneak up on anybody. As the reigning division champions, the Roughriders are suddenly a target as they complete preparations for Thursday's 2010 debut against the visiting Alouettes.

Ken Miller does little to discourage the projections of greatness. After the final cuts were announced, the two-time coach-of-the-year finalist said: "Now that we're in a situation where we'll coach to game-plan as opposed to coach to evaluate, we'll be a dominant force.''
Durant has a comparable outlook.

"We have the expectation that we're a championship team, and that's the way we carry ourselves,'' he said. "We've earned the respect now to be considered favourites by some people. It's nothing different for us. That's the expectations we have. If you don't play to win championships, then you shouldn't even play. We definitely look at this as something that we expect.''

For a change, that sentiment appears to exist outside the Roughriders' dressing room. How the team responds to this unfamiliar role will contribute to the success, or failure, of its 2010 season.

rvanstone@leaderpost.canwest.com

LOUIE SAKODA LOOKING FORWARD TO 2010

By ROB VANSTONE, Leader-Post June 29,

REGINA — Louie Sakoda came close to being a Grey Cup hero.
Late in the fourth quarter on Nov. 29, Sakoda launched one of the most impressive punts in Saskatchewan Roughriders history — a towering 53-yarder that got the West Division champions out of a hole.

Not only that, the punt was fumbled by the Montreal Alouettes' Brian Bratton, who retreated seven yards to pounce on the bouncing ball. After Sakoda's punt and Bratton's bobble, Montreal was on its 34-yard line with only 40 seconds left while trailing 27-25 — mere seconds after Saskatchewan had snapped the ball from its 16.

Anthony Calvillo proceeded to march the Alouettes into field-goal range, only to have Damon Duval miss a potential game-winner from 43 yards away as time expired. However, the Roughriders were flagged for too many men on the field, and Duval seized a second opportunity from 10 yards closer to give Montreal a 28-27 victory.

If not for the game's shocking conclusion, Sakoda's punt would have been widely celebrated and long remembered by Saskatchewan fans as one of the key plays in the game. Although the clutch kick has been overshadowed, the fact remains that Sakoda — in only his fifth game of Canadian professional football — launched a prodigious punt in a pressure-packed situation at McMahon Stadium in Calgary.

"I'd have to say that's one of the better-hit punts I've had in a game,'' Sakoda said Monday after the Roughriders practised on Taylor Field. "It couldn't have happened at a better time. I just went out there, took a deep breath, and told myself, 'Don't shank it. Get them out of field-goal range. You don't want this game to fall on your shoulders.'

"The ending didn't end up how we wanted, but just having that sort of punt in mind kind of gives me something to strive for out here at all times. Hopefully we'll get it again this year.''
In the meantime, the Roughriders will have to settle for a Grey Cup rematch. The visiting Alouettes are to oppose Saskatchewan on Thursday, 5 p.m., in the CFL's regular-season opener.

The 23-year-old Sakoda is to handle the punting and kickoffs for Saskatchewan. Luca Congi, 27, returns as the placekicker.

Both kickers are able to perform double duty if need be. Sakoda excelled on punts and placements at the University of Utah. Congi was the Roughriders' full-time punter as a rookie in 2006, and also bridged the gap between Jamie Boreham's injury and Sakoda's arrival last season.

Congi actually outpunted Sakoda in the pre-season opener, averaging 46.4 yards on five boots during a 19-17 loss to the visiting B.C. Lions on June 13. Sakoda, who was recovering from a minor quadriceps injury at the time, had punts of 34 and 32 yards against B.C.
However, Sakoda returned to form the following week, averaging 44 yards on eight punts during a 41-17 loss to the host Calgary Stampeders. Sakoda's command of directional kicking also earned plaudits from special-teams co-ordinator Jim Daley.

With that in mind, the Roughriders plan to begin the season with two kickers on the roster, even though Congi has punted well in practice following an excellent pre-season opener.
"We have not talked about going with one guy,'' Daley said on Monday. "We are so happy with Luca's punting. Today, he just hammered a few, when we were doing our punt return. He's giving us tremendous backup depth to Louie Sakoda. That's certainly the plan at this point in time.

"We've never discussed the alternatives. You do need two kickers to go through a 20-game schedule, counting pre-season, so we feel really good with what we have.''
Sakoda, meanwhile, feels good about beginning the season with the Roughriders after arriving in midstream last autumn.

"It's great,'' he said. "Anytime a team goes through training-camp cuts, it creates a strong bond around a group. Everyone's sweating and working. Even us kickers are sweating. They say it's rare, but it happens. We all work our hearts out here.

"It's great getting out here and being able to gel with the team right from the get-go an kind of having the backing of the brotherhood.''

rvanstone@leaderpost.canwest.com

A HEALTHY FANTUZ IS A KEY FOR THE RIDERS

By ROB VANSTONE, Canwest News Service June 29, 2010

Andy Fantuz is the best receiver in the Canadian Football League who does not have a 1,000-yard season to his credit.
For now, anyway.

Saskatchewan Roughriders head coach Ken Miller figures that Fantuz is good for "1,200 or 1,500 yards" if he can remain healthy. Roughriders quarterback Darian Durant is thinking in terms of CFL awards instead of numbers.

"If we can keep him healthy and put him in the right positions to make plays, I definitely see at least top Canadian in Andy," Durant said. "To me, he's one of the best receivers in this league, if not the best. Injuries have been hampering him a little bit the past couple of years, but he came to camp feeling good this year and hopefully it will carry over throughout the season."

Fantuz came close to 1,000 yards as a sophomore in 2007, making 56 catches for 978 yards. The former University of Western Ontario star would have almost certainly cracked the statistical milestone if he had not been rested in the regular-season finale, a meaningless game.
In the most meaningful game of Fantuz's CFL career, he caught four passes for 70 yards and a touchdown as Saskatchewan defeated the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 23-19 in the 2007 Grey Cup. Afterwards, Fantuz was named the game's outstanding Canadian.

Fantuz was limited to seven regular-season games the following year because of a broken fibula. He had 36 receptions and 488 yards in 2008. The yardage total, extrapolated over a full 18 games, works out to 1,255.

In 2009, a torn hamstring limited Fantuz to 13 games. Nonetheless, he led the Roughriders in receptions (with 67) and registered 882 receiving yards.

Those numbers, extrapolated once again, compute to 93 catches for 1,221 yards.
"That's a nice little landmark to get to but, more importantly, I want a ring," the 26-year-old slotback said. "I would sacrifice 10 1,000-yard seasons for a ring. That's the goal, and they go hand-in-hand."

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