Rod Pedersen
CFL.ca
It didn’t take very long to fully understand the values that new head coach Greg Marshall intends to implement throughout the 2011 season.
Marshall has been working at length with new special teams coordinator Craig Dickenson to improve the team’s efforts on when they aren’t on offence or defence.
It’s no secret that the “third phase of the game” was the Riders’ achilles heel in 2010 and the new staff has gone back to the basics to beef that area up.
“Wherever I’ve been I’ve been a big believer in special teams,” Marshall explained.
“I know how important it is. You can’t watch a CFL game without special teams plays having an impact on the outcome so if you’re going to put the work in on offence and defence, you’d better put the work in on special teams as well.”
Marshall stopped short of criticizing the team’s 2010 performance in the kicking and return game, but made it clear that it will be one of the team’s many strengths as long as he’s at the helm.
“I can’t comment on what’s gone on in the past but our players are getting the message of how important we feel it is and hopefully they buy in,” Marshall offered.
In the off-season the Riders released returner Ryan Grice-Mullen whose fumble in last year’s West Final nearly cost the team the a trip to the Grey Cup. To replace Grice-Mullen, the Riders went out and signed the oft-injured Tristan. Marshall, however, isn’t fazed by Jackson’s injury-plagued past.
“He may have had some injuries but I also remember him taking the ball to the house so hopefully he can bring that to our special teams,” Marshall said.
One of the issues the Riders didn’t have last season was scoring points, ranking second in the West division with 497.
However, with the losses of Andy Fantuz, who is currently in NFL limbo, and Rob Bagg who is undergoing surgery for his injured knee, the Riders are looking for emerging players.
Rookie receiver Terrence Nunn may just fit that role. The former Tampa Bay Buccaneer and New England Patriots has been a standout at camp and appears to have earned himself a starting spot.
While the veterans have admitted that training camp is a tad tedious, they’ve still been going full-out. Four year veteran receiver Weston Dressler has been head-and-shoulders above the competition despite being generously listed at five-foot-seven on the club’s official roster.
The other interesting note is the Riders plan to deploy an all-American defensive secondary for the first time in many years. Right now the starting unit appears to be (from left to right): Nick Graham-Chris McKenzie-James Patrick-Lance Frazier-Tad Kornegay.
Meanwhile Marshall says the only player whose starting job is safe is quarterback Darian Durant. The battle rages for the no.2 job between Ryan Dinwiddie, Cole Bergquist and Chris Leak.
The Riders open the preseason Friday night at 7:00 at home to the Edmonton Eskimos.
