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INDEPTH: 2005 CFL PREVIEW
Saskatchewan Roughriders
CBC Sports Online | Last updated June 21, 2005
Kenton Keith is expected to play a huge role in the Riders' offensive scheme this season.
(CP File Photo)
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2004 RECORD: 9-9-0, third in the Western
Division (lost to B.C. in the division finals)
ARRIVALS: QB Marcus Crandell, OL Tango McCauley, WR Ibrahim
Tounkara, OL Antonio Hall, OL Doug Kaufusi
DEPARTURES: QB Henry Burris, DB Lawrence Deck, DL Phil Gibson,
OT Charles Thomas
OFFENCE: Nealon Greene, who broke his leg in last year's
season opener in Toronto, is pencilled in as the starting quarterback.
Former Calgary Stampeder Marcus Crandell could challenge for the
No. 1 job, but the 2001 Grey Cup MVP must be more consistent than
a year ago when he finished last among starting pivots (2,389 passing
yards in 10 games).
Kenton Keith and Corey Holmes form what many consider the CFL's
best 1-2 punch in the backfield. The pair combined for 1,789 rushing
yards and 11 touchdowns in 2004.
The Riders should benefit greatly from having wide receiver Matt
Dominguez at the start of the season. After returning from a failed
attempt with the NFL's New York Jets, Dominguez caught 28 passes
for 331 yards and three TDs in five regular-season games.
His presence takes the pressure off Jason French, a six-foot-two
inch wideout who finished second on Saskatchewan with 829 reception
yards. Team leader Travis Moore (1,025) returns for a 12th CFL season.
Elijah Thurmon, Corey Grant, Karsten Bailey and versatile Holmes
round out a deep receiving corps.
The play of offensive lineman Gene Makowsky is a key reason the
Roughriders led the league in rushing yards per game a year ago
(139.1) and stood third in fewest sacks allowed (28). Veteran Fred
Childress, 2003 defensive lineman of the year Andrew Greene and
centre Jeremy O'Day are the other returning starters.
DEFENCE: Saskatchewan welcomes back the front four of Terrell
Jurineack, Scott Schultz, Nate Davis and Daved Benefield, who helped
the Roughriders post 49 quarterback sacks last season.
Jurineack, 27, shone down the stretch with nine takedowns over a
five-game stretch after taking over from defensive end Lamar Bryant.
Linebacker Reggie Hunt, who led the Roughriders with 72 defensive
tackles, is entering his fourth season in Saskatchewan. The 2004
all-star had seven special teams tackles, six quarterback sacks,
and 10 tackles for losses. Linebackers Jackie Mitchell and Mike
McCullough also should have starting roles.
Defensive back Eddie Davis and sophomore halfback Santino Hall highlight
a strong secondary.
Davis, 32, is entering his 11th CFL season and fifth with the Riders.
The all-star recorded 61 defensive tackles, two quarterback sacks,
and led the team with six interceptions last season.
The six-foot, 195-pound Hall was Saskatchewan's nominee for rookie
of the year honours after racking up 51 defensive tackles and three
interceptions.
Corners Omarr Morgan and Daven Bush and safety Darnell Edwards also
are expected to start.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Paul McCallum tied Winnipeg's Troy Westwood
for the league lead in field goals with 39 – 73.6-per-cent
efficiency – and averaged a respectable 39.9 yards per punt
last season.
Despite placing third in the CFL with 172 points, the 12-year veteran
will be remembered for shanking an 18-yard field-goal attempt in
overtime during last year's Western final against British Columbia.
Holmes will be the Roughriders' primary returner. He was fifth in
the CFL in both punt return yards (705) and kickoff return yards
(702) last season. Saskatchewan's nominee for most outstanding player,
Holmes's 2,704 combined yards also was tops in the league.
COACHING: Danny Barrett enters his sixth season at the helm
of the Roughriders after guiding the team to a second consecutive
winning season and third straight playoff berth. After losing in
the last two division finals, Barrett will be looking to take his
team to the Grey Cup for the first time since 1997.
GAME BREAKER: KENTON KEITH
The 24-year-old running back is one of the most explosive runners
in the CFL. He finished third in league rushing last season with
1,154 yards on 190 carries (6.1-yard average) in 14 games. He also
ran for nine touchdowns and caught 29 passes for 295 yards and two
majors.
EXPERT OPINION: "The biggest problem with Saskatchewan is
that they are way too conservative for the type of talent they have
on their team," said CFL on CBC analyst Greg Frers. "They
have great athleticism on offence and yet they are very conservative.
"They've got to open it up. They also need their defence, which
is very good, to step up and create turnovers."
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