Finally, it’s here!
The first week of the CFL season, or any season for that matter, is why fans are fans and why we can’t wait to see the ball sail through the air for the opening kick.
So much has been put into the off-season and training camp to set a team up for the unknown and in Saskatchewan, the unknown also comes with the image everyone in this province has been yearning for since Mark Cohon announced the 2013 Grey Cup was to be played at Mosaic Stadium; Darian Durant and his teammates hoisting the Cup in front of sea of green in their home stadium, the shrine of all things football in Saskatchewan, and a great send off for a stadium that will be replaced in 2017.
But it’s a long way before anybody knows if that dream comes true although it’s a goal the coaches, players, management and fans can’t help but think about.
When Rider Nation goes to bed on Friday night, these are the types of things they will ponder?
Is Darian Durant going to take the next step?
There is no doubt Darian Durant has to be great. Most quarterbacks do for their team to win, especially in the CFL. It’s very rare to find a team win a championship in spite of their quarterback like the Baltimore Ravens did with Trent Dilfer a decade ago.
The Grey Cup Champion quarterbacks have been Ricky Ray, Travis Lulay, Anthony Calvillo, Anthony Calvillo, Henry Burris in the last five years.
Durant is taking the next step as a quarterback by protecting the ball. His touchdown to interception ratio has improved each of the last three years, as has his completion percentage.
Signs the once self described ‘gunslinger’ is understanding while the mentality has it’s big play upside can turn around and bite your team in the end.
Will the offensive line get it together?
The Riders offensive line wasn’t a big concern coming into the season but a freak incident in practice that broke Patrick Neufeld’s leg all of a sudden has fans worried.
Durant was hit early and often in the pre-season finale against Calgary. Ben Heenan is at a new spot to replace the right tackle but for the other four, they have no excuse. Xavier Fulton, Brendon LaBatte, Dominic Picard and Chris Best are all-star calibre linemen.
How good can this offence be?
With Durant’s 2010 5,500 yard year a not too distant memory, Geroy Simon’s arrival, the emergence of Kory Sheets, the consistency of Weston Dressler, the preseason of Taj Smith and the non-import duo of Getzlaf and Bagg, many are thinking this Rider offence is going to put up some major numbers with many majors.
The top offence in the league last year had nearly 7,000 yards. Can the Riders eclipse that mark? On paper it seems that way.
Is this defensive line going to become the 2nd coming of ‘The Gang’
A text message into ‘The Green Zone’ was curious if this defensive line could become as synonymous with rushing the passer as the one in the ‘89 with Bobby Jurasin, James Curry, Gary Lewis, Chuck Klingbeil and Vince Goldsmith.
Those are the type of expectations Rider Nation has.
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John Chick looks like he hasn’t missed a beat since leaving the CFL after his 2009 Defensive Player of the Year Award.
Ricky Foley is promising big things after his stats took a big drop in a different role with the Argonauts last season.
Tearrius George’s two sacks in the first pre-season game and his intensity since day one of training camp has many expecting a big year for the defensive tackle.
Oh, and the ‘man that makes it all tick’ as stated by Foley, Keith Shologan will hold down the nose tackle spot to allow the play makers to get after it.
Add to that mix a veteran like Jermaine McElveen and rookie standouts Antonio Coleman and Will Davis, this unit might have to come up with a nick name.
Is the Wolfpack going to have a bite to match their bark?
One of the mandates this offseason was to improve the secondary. Just play Romby Bryant’s touchdown at the end of the West Semi Final in 2012 and you’ll find out why.
Terrell Maze and Tyron Brackenridge have stayed but everyone else is gone and Craig Butler and Macho Harris will be asked to do more.
In comes the loud and proud Dwight Anderson, Weldon Brown and Carlos Thomas.
They’ve dubbed themselves the ‘Wolfpack’ and look to bring a swagger to the defense.
What will happen in the kicking game?
The first time Chris Milo trots on to the field on Saturday to kick a field goal, he’ll either have fans rest easier or increase anxiety.
Milo has been money in practice but his 1 for 3 performance in the pre-season was reason for concern.
Milo should be fine. He can kick in the pros. He did it with amazing efficiency in 2011. While 2012 was a let down, he just needs to find his swing to make sure Corey Chamblin isn’t knocking down Brendan Taman’s door to find a kicker like they did last year with Sandro DeAngelis.
So if Rider Nation doesn’t sleep well on Friday night, the above is why. There are so many expectations and some major questions.
I just hope they realize there are 21 more weeks until they’ll be able to know for sure if the ’Celebration in Rider Nation’ involves their team.
