A very active off season for the Saskatchewan Roughriders is coming to an end on Sunday when 80 players will step on to the field at Griffiths Stadium in Saskatoon to begin, what has become a highly anticipated 2017 season.
The off season actually began before the 2016 season even ended, when In October the Riders were eliminated from the playoffs. When asked by a reporter for his thoughts on missing the playoffs for one of the few times in his career, Head Coach and General Manager Chris Jones replied that he was "sick to his Stomach". He shortly there after announced that he would be "hitting the ground running", scheduling one of the many off season Mini Camps for the same week the Grey Cup Game would be played.
It was also around this time that Contract negotiations with, Franchise Player, and Star QB, Darian Durant stalled. Despite constant queries from the Media no progress was announced, as the season ended, and the Holidays approached, the two sides seemed to grow further apart, and it seemed more likely that Durant would enter the Free Agent Market on February 15th. As a result the Riders made headlines throughout the Canada, when they announced in January that Durant had been traded to the Montreal Alouettes for a couple of Draft Picks. The move angered many in Rider Nation. As far as Chris Jones was concerned, it was strictly a business decision. with the Dollars they would save paying Durant, they could pay 2 or 3 other players. The Riders, however would act quickly to get some insurance at the QB position, signing veteran CFL Pivot Kevin Glenn for his third go around in Saskatchewan, and on March 9th, made Headlines throughout North America, when they signed former Texas Longhorn, and NFL QB Vince Young to a one year deal. Young, who's 34 years old, has not seen any significant action since the 2011 season, and will have to learn the CFL Game. Those two signings confused many in the Fan base, since Jones used Durant's age as one of the issues for wanting to make the change... But replace him with a 37, and 34 year old??
Undaunted, Jones and the Riders carried on. He would give a bit of a head fake when he said in an interview this year's Free Agency would be "quieter than 2016". The silence was deafening. They ended up signing the league's top international Offensive Lineman Derek Dennis, along with Safety Marc-Olivier Brouillette, Running Back Kienan LaFrance, Receiver, and Kick Return Specialist Chad Owens, Receiver Bekari Grant, and Linebacker Glenn Love, and a few weeks before in January signed Receiver Duron Carter. Owens, Grant, and Carter join returning Veterans Rob Bagg, Nic Demski, Armanti Edwards, Caleb Holley, Joe Craig, and Naaman Roosevelt, for what, on paper could be the Best receiving corps in the CFL. One thing is for certain, who ever plays Quarterback will have no shortage of targets to throw the ball to!
On to Vero Beach, Beach Florida for the Mini Camp, all Eyes were on Vince Young, but there were other stand outs. Most Notably Zavian Bingham. The Jackson State University product stood out both on the field with his shut down coverage, and off it with his out going personality. Good news for the Riders who have some holes to fill in the Defensive Secondary. Another Stand out was QB Bryan Bennett. Very good news because of the unexpected retirements of both Jake Waters, and GJ Kinnie which left the Riders short staffed at the QB Position. When asked of his thoughts of the Camp at its completion, Chis Jones was pleased, saying most of the participants received an invite to main camp.
All that remained was the Draft. The Riders used their 1st pick (2nd overall) to select Linebacker Cameron Judge from the UCLA Bruins. However 4 of their 9 picks were Offensive Lineman, a spot that needed reinforcements after being decimated by injuries last year. The most notable pick in the 2nd round (11th overall) Dariusz Bladek from Bethune- Cookman. He joins the likes of the aforementioned Derek Dennis, Brendon Labatte, Josiah St John, Dan Clark, and Thaddeus Coleman. It will be their job to provide Pass Protection, and Run Block. in the 5th round (37th overall) a local product, Receiver Mitchell Picton from the University of Regina was Chosen. The Riders have always prided themselves on having good local talent on their roster, and hope Picton will continue that tradition.
Like all good General Managers in any sport, Chris Jones has shown that he isn't afraid to make the difficult, and unpopular Player Personnel decisions. Weather it was releasing John Chick, Chris Getzlaf, and Weston Dressler in 2016, or trading Darian Durant in 2017, he was and is willing to face the wrath of a ravenous fanbase. He would tell them that he didn't come here to win any popularity contests, but to win Football Games, and all the moves he made is to achieve that goal.
In a League where your hired to be fired, Chris Jones has put his job on the line, especially regarding the Durant trade. The pressure is on, its win, and win now, no more free passes! Nothing short of a Playoff Appearance will do. Has he put together the team to do it? Will be one step closer to finding that out starting on Sunday.
Its gonna be a fun ride!