in Regina, SK, July 22, 2016 Photo Electric Umbrella/Liam Richards
1. NEW MOSAIC STADIUM
The Riders are set to headline a new era of football in Saskatchewan in what is slated by many to be Canada’s premiere outdoor sports facility heading into in 2017.
The 33,000-seat Mosaic Stadium will provide fans a state-of-the-art game day experience complete with a 360-degree bowl ideal to lock-in noise from a raucous Rider Nation crowd, completed with two mind-blowing Maxtron screens designed to bring spectators closer to the Green & White than ever before.
The Roughriders Football Club will house all their football and administrative operations within the stadium. An expansive locker room, spacious training area and multiple meeting rooms are sure to provide the team the best opportunity for player retention and recruitment while giving the team the best opportunity for success.
2. A RIPENED CROP OF RECEIVERS
Led by Naaman Roosevelt, the Riders could boast one of the deepest and most potent receiving corps in the CFL next season.
The former Buffalo Bills wide out is one of the league’s top receiving threats in the league, surpassing 1,000 yards in just 11 games before suffering an injury which kept “#82” on the sidelines for the remainder of the season.
25-year-old Caleb Holley joined the Riders mid-season, and had a quick impact, picking up 121-yards in just his third game. With the ability to stretch the field, Holley collected 655-yards in 11 games and will contend as a bona fide 1,000-yard threat.
Not to be outdone – Ricky Collins (720 yards), Rob Bagg (658), Nic Demski (338), and Armanti Edwards (231) have all shown to be elite receivers with big play capabilities.
3. THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT
Currently, 33 players on the Riders roster are 25 years of age and younger, and the injection of youth in Riderville was noticeable for all the right reasons.
Nic Demski blossomed into an offensive-tool belt for coordinator, Stephen McAdoo throughout the season. Seeing snaps as a returner, running back, and receiver (both in the slot and out wide), the University of Manitoba product will enter his third professional season in 2017, and will have an opportunity to play a greater role in the offense going forward.
One player Rider Nation should be looking forward to seeing consistently, is former Texas Tech standout at linebacker: Samuel Eguavoen. The Garland, Texas native was sidelined for the majority of 2016 due to injury, but posted an impressive 21 defensive-tackles in six games played.
Simply put, Eguavoen’s athletic ability is second to very few in the CFL with a full bill of health for the new year.
4. RIDERS DEFENCE
The Riders finished the 2016 season with arguably one of the deepest linebacker sets in the league. Jeff Knox Jr, Otha Foster, Henoc Muamba, Greg Jones and Samuel Eguavoen provide an unparalleled dynamic. The Green and White have created depth at a crucial position, with Knox and Foster pending free agents.
Up front, Jonathan Newsome, and A.C. Leonard led the way, combining for 7 sacks, and 60 defensive tackles on the year. Re-signing pending free agent defensive lineman, Willie Jefferson (eight defensive tackles, three sacks in five games played in 2016), will be a certain priority for Chris Jones.
Having snuffed out deep-ball threats consistently, the Riders’ Most-Outstanding-Rookie nominee at defensive back, Justin Cox, provides an added layer of security for that aforementioned defensive-front. The 24-year-old signed an extension to remain with the team through 2018, after finishing the regular season tied for fourth in the CFL with four interceptions. Cox and veteran leader, Ed Gainey served as excellent complimentary pieces within the secondary – most notably at the forefront when defensive depth was fleeting during the summer months.
With an optimistic CFL rookie season now listed on Cox’s resume, alongside other newcomers to this defence and league – Chris Jones is getting closer and closer to the dominant defence he has always had and envisioned here.
5. CHRIS JONES: CHECK THE RESUME
Year one of the Chris Jones era had more bumps than anyone had hoped for. An up and down season ultimately concluded with a 5-13 record.
However, the guy is simply a winner! Averaging over ten wins a season, Jones has registered 31 wins in three career CFL seasons as a head coach. The defensive guru and four-time Grey Cup champion is known as a fierce competitor and will leave no stone unturned looking for the next superstar.
There was reason for optimism through all the bumps in the road in 2016. The season was highlighted by a four game winning streak and included four losses by seven points or less, with one of those in overtime.
Year two with Chris Jones at the helm will only help solidify the foundation and push the team towards sustained success.
6. IMPROVING CANADIAN CONTENT
The Riders made more roster moves than any other club in 2016, with many of those aimed at bolstering home-grown talent within the roster.
The most notable addition may have been the late season signing of linebacker, Henoc Muamba, who owns extensive pro-experience from both sides of the border.
The St. Francis Xavier alumnus made an immediate impact for the Green and White, recording 18 defensive-tackles and two sacks in just five games played to finish the regular-season.
A healthy offensive line will instantly help the required National contingent. Reinserting four-time CFL All-Star, Brendon LaBatte into the lineup will be a good starting point.
7. CFL DRAFT
After selecting offensive lineman Josiah St. John first overall in 2016, the Riders will enter the 2017 CFL Draft with the second overall selection. There is plenty of talent at an array of positions at the top of the prospects list. The selection is valuable to the Riders in many ways. Adding a young up and coming Canadian is never a bad thing, but the possibility of flipping the pick for a proven commodity with an immediate impact could also be an option.
The team holds seven additional selections – 11th, 30th, 37th, 46th, 55th, 57th and 64th overall – in the eight round draft.
8. CONTINUITY
The old adage of expecting different results with the same process, interestingly enough, may just be the tipping point in sustained success for the Riders.
With the number of players who dressed for the club in 2016 eclipsing the century mark, the sight of familiar faces as early as mini-camp in the spring can only help the Riders hit the ground running on a new season.
Offensively, Rob Bagg, Naaman Roosevelt, Caleb Holley, Nic Demski, Brendon LaBatte, Dan Clark and others highlight the solid nucleus that has been developed and ready to return to Riderville in the new year.
The opposite side of the ball will look for stability around a developing core of Henoc Muamba, Justin Cox, Ed Gainey and Fred Bennett.
9. TESTING THE WATERS IN FEBRUARY
When the CFL announced the collection of potential free agents, the complete list included over 200 players – 22 of which were 2016 Division All-Stars.
Upon season’s end, Chris Jones mentioned to local media that the Riders would likely be less active than they were a year ago – albeit consider those words in relative terms.
The previous 12 months have allowed the club’s front office to craft their blueprint as they see fit for the club, and free agency could provide a focused approach for future improvement.
10. #CFLWEEK MOVES WEST
November saw Commissioner Jeffrey Orridge in Regina, announcing details of the inaugural CFL Week, to be held in Saskatchewan, March 20-26.
The week will be anchored by the annual CFL Combine, in which draft eligible prospects are invited to attend and workout in front of representatives from all nine teams.
Traditionally held in Toronto, the Combine will roll into the prairies for the first time with increased access for fans and media.
CFL Week is also scheduled to include a Fan Expo, kiddie Combine, meet-and-greet with star players from across the CFL, cheerleading displays and a dinner announcing the 2017 Canadian
