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INDEPTH: 2006 CFL PREVIEW
Saskatchewan Roughriders
CBC Sports Online | Last updated June 15, 2006
Greenriders fans hope Kerry Joseph can
bring some stability to the QB position, plagued by inconsistency
last year.
(Canadian Press file photo)
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RECORD: 9-9, fourth in the West.
Lost to Montreal 30-14 in the East semifinal.
ARRIVALS: QB Kerry Joseph, WR Jason Armstead, FB
Cory Hathaway, K Luca Congi, DB Almondo Curry, SB Andy Fantuz
DEPARTURES: K/P Paul McCallum, QB Nealon Greene,
RB Corey Holmes, S Scott Gordon, WR Elijah Thurmon, DL Daved Benefield,
LB Trevis Smith, DB LaDouphyous McCalla, SB Travis Moore, OL Marcel
Bellefeuille
OFFENCE: Troubled by inconsistencies at quarterback,
injuries and an often one-dimensional running attack, the Roughriders
struggled to put points on the scoreboard last season.
The Regina-based club hopes its fortunes will change in 2006 with
the addition of versatile quarterback Kerry Joseph via the Ottawa
Renegades dispersal draft.
The Roughriders paid a big price to get the highly coveted Joseph,
dealing last year's CFL outstanding player nominee – running
back Corey Holmes – Canadian safety Scott Gordon and a 2007 first-round
draft pick to Hamilton.
Last season, Joseph became just the third passer in CFL history to
rush for more than 1,000 yards (1,006) and top 4,000 passing yards
(4,466) in the same season.
With Holmes gone, Joseph will add some yards on the ground along with
standout running back Kenton Keith, who rushed for 911 yards in 12
games during an injury-plagued season.
Former Renegades receiver Jason Armstead, who also excels on special
teams, was taken third overall in the dispersal draft. He was Ottawa's
leading receiver last year and fifth in the league with 1,307 reception
yards.
Also boosting the aerial attack is the return of wide receiver Matt
Dominguez, who missed most of the 2005 season with a knee injury.
Dominguez registered 1,000-yard receiving in 2004.
Veterans Fred Childress, Andrew Greene and Gene Makowsky anchor an
offensive line that recorded a league-low 23 sacks a year ago.
DEFENCE: Saskatchewan finished among the top three
in almost every defensive category last season.
Beefy defensive linemen Scott Schultz and Nate Davis lead the way
up front. Schultz was second on the team in sacks with nine –
Fred Perry was tops with 11 – with Davis adding four while battling
injuries all season.
The Roughriders' secondary is perhaps the envy of the league. Eddie
Davis, Davin Bush and Omarr Morgan have played together for several
seasons and are as cohesive a unit as any. Almondo Curry, a former
all-star acquired from Montreal, will slide in for veteran LaDouphyous
McCalla, who retired.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Armstead is expected to assume the
kick return duties with the departure of Holmes. He was third in the
league in kickoff returns and fourth in punt returns. With veteran
kicker-punter Paul McCallum now in B.C., the Roughriders will look
to Canadian Luca Congi, a second-round draft pick out of Simon Fraser
University in Burnaby, B.C. Congi connected on three of four field
goal attempts in exhibition play, including a 52-yarder.
COACHING: Danny Barrett serves as both coach and
assistant general manager of the Roughriders. Since taking the coaching
reins in 2000, Saskatchewan has steadily improved, but has yet to
win the big prize. Barrett will have plenty to coach for - he's in
the final year of his contract.
GAME BREAKER: KERRY JOSEPH
Joseph is, pound for pound, the most talented quarterback in the CFL,
but he will have to learn a completely new offensive scheme. Still,
having a legitimate No. 1 pivot in their camp gives the Roughriders
a shot at challenging for the Grey Cup.
EXPERT OPINION: "Will [quarterback] Kerry Joseph
come in and throw for 5,000 yards like many expect him to? We'll see
as he has, arguably, the best offensive line in the CFL in front of
him," CFL on CBC analyst Greg Frers said.
"Their ball-control offence and short pass attack is designed based
on geography with half their games played in windy Regina. It'll be
interesting to see if new offensive co-ordinator Tommy Condell changes
the offence and goes downfield more.
"The biggest concern is the departure of [running back-receiver-kick
returner] Corey Holmes, so the return game takes a hit. Dominique
Dorsey could get a shot to be his replacement.
"They're also going with a young kicker Luca Congi [to replace Paul
McCallum]. I would never feel comfortable as a coach or GM starting
a season with such an unproven kicker because it's such a huge part
of the CFL game.
"I could see them finishing in the bottom half of the West Division."
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