Jamie Nye
CFL.ca
The Saskatchewan Roughriders head into ‘garbage time’ with three burning questions within the organization that likely won’t go away through these remaining games.
With the Roughriders eliminated from playoff contention, all the questions are based on the future.
What is best for 2012 and how that will impact the end of the 2011 season.
To play or not play
One of the big debates is whether or not quarterback Darian Durant should play in the final three games, or if so, for how long?
Durant has played the last two games with a small fracture in a toe joint. Although his mobility is improving, there is a big concern in Rider Nation that Durant could possibly make the injury worse and impact next season.
Is it worth it?
Head coach Ken Miller has always maintained the odds of Durant making this injury worse are no more than suffering any other injury.
On Tuesday he sent a very direct message, “He is our starting quarterback and he will start in this coming football game.”
Durant, however, is contemplating the pros and cons of the decision. He wants to sit down further to examine what would be best for the team.
And the decision will definitely be an unselfish one. With contract bonuses within reach, Durant says he won’t hang on and play just for the money.
“I’ll definitely pass up the money in order to come back healthy next year and be able to make a good Grey Cup run. A couple of grand isn’t worth breaking a bone or getting concussed or anything like that.”
So we’ll see how this plays out in the coming weeks, with Durant expected to start against Calgary on Friday night.
Who’s in and who’s out
The other big topic of discussion is the ability the Roughriders have to evaluate talent for 2012.
Theoretically, the team could overhaul the lineup with younger players who have been stuck on the practice roster for portions of the season.
Miller says he isn’t going to force veterans out of the lineup unless it’s a necessity.
“We ask our players for loyalty. If you ask for loyalty and don’t give loyalty that’s a bit of a sham. That’s insincerity. You’re asking for something that you’re not willing to give in return. We have players who have contributed to us in good times and bad that don’t deserve to be shut out.”
“Integrity is an important part of what this organization is.”
With that in mind the organization would love to get a closer look at receivers like Freddie Barnes and Patrick Brown, as well linebacker Chris Graham.
On the non-import side, don’t be surprised to see Patrick Neufeld and Alex Krausnick-Groh get some reps along the offensive line to see if the CIS star offensive linemen are ready to hold their own in the pros.
As for a complete overhaul of the lineup, there are some very realistic salary cap implications that prevent teams from doing so at this point in the season.
Miller’s future
The biggest question facing the team that will have the biggest impact on the future is the decision to be made by the Roughriders Vice President of Football Operations and Head Coach Ken Miller.
Miller, who just turned 70 over the weekend, is facing serious questions about what his plans are following the 2011 season.
Miller resigned after the 2010 season from his coaching duties but the love for coaching and the desperate situation the team found themselves after eight games pulled him back to the sideline.
Now what?
Does Miller want to coach beyond 2011? Does he want to be a part of the rebuild as the VP of Football Operations? Does he want to retire? Or, will the organization make the decision for him?
The decision isn’t an easy one for Miller who says it’s weighing on him ‘100 per cent’.
Miller tried to put the questions to rest on Tuesday after he blew up at a reporter who questioned his commitment to next season following Sunday’s loss to B.C.
“Really, it’s a decision that I’ll make in a timely manner. I will be forthright and forthcoming with a decision when the time is right.”
Last season Miller resigned his position of head coach just days after the team’s loss in the Grey Cup.
Such a prompt decision this season would benefit the Roughriders and allow them to begin the process of fixing the problems that have led to the Roughriders worst season in a decade.
