Brent Just/Electric Umbrella
Mitchell Blair is a sports reporter for 620 CKRM radio and a contributing columnist for riderville.com.
The old adage is “defence wins championships”. If that is the case, Riders Head Coach and General Manager Chris Jones is on the way to having the Saskatchewan Roughriders compete for a Grey Cup sooner than later. There are several players coming back for 2017 who should be the foundation for a defence that took its lumps in the first half of the season before recovering to make it difficult for the opposition in the final nine. Here is how the Rider defence is looking as the calendar year begins.
DEFENSIVE LINE:
This is a unit that looked completely different at the end of the season from when it started. The off season acquisitions of Shawn Lemon and Justin Capicciotti didn’t prove to be a lasting moves. The reason for that may be the play of two players who will be back, and two players who turned some heads with their play in 2016.
A.C. Leonard made a successful conversion from inside receiver to defensive lineman. The same A.C. Leonard who caught two touchdown passes for B.C. in a victory over the Riders in July, 2015, was tied for the team lead in sacks last season with five. With a season of playing on the defensive line now under his belt, Leonard is expected to be one of several impact players next season.
Jonathan Newsome adapted well to the Canadian style of game after spending time in the NFL and showed he is a guy who can create problems for offensive lines.
Willie Jefferson didn’t play many games for the team after testing NFL opportunities, but the 25-year-old (26 when the season begins) made an impression; recording three sacks. Jefferson is hoping to get another shot back at the NFL as he is a free agent. If he does return to Saskatchewan, he will strengthen a young line that improved with each rep.
Jefferson isn’t the only free agent of note along the D-line as Corvey Irvin, who shared the team lead with Leonard for sacks, is also a free agent. Former number one overall draft pick Linden Gaydosh hasn’t had a chance to show what he has, so the Peace River, Alberta native is hoping a new home will give him a chance to show why Hamilton selected him with the number one choice in 2013. A healthy and productive Gaydosh would give the Riders a strong Canadian inside presence.
LINEBACKERS:
There is no doubt this is the strength of the football team at this time.
Jeff Knox Jr. and Otha Foster are looking to gain employment south of the border, but if one or both should leave, the cupboard is still full with a lot of talent.
The free agent signing of Greg Jones was a successful addition. The former Argo was second on the team with tackles and was a leader providing much needed experience and leadership. Henoc Muamba joined the team late in the season giving the team perhaps the best Canadian linebacker in the league while Sam Eguavoen looked to be a special player before having his rookie season derailed by a season-ending injury. If Knox and Foster do return, the team will have an embarrassment of riches at a key position.
DEFENSIVE BACKS:
A young group that learned some lessons early in the season managed to rebound to put together a nice second half showing what the future may hold.
Veteran Ed Gainey was the best of the bunch, while Justin Cox had an impressive rookie season. The 24-year-old had an outstanding first season in the CFL and he was rewarded for it by being named the Riders Most Outstanding Rookie. Cox had four interceptions and seemed to improve with each and every game before an injury ended his season prematurely. Cox showed he is one of the best young players in the game and should be considered as one of the CFL’s top sophomore players going into 2017.
The addition of Fred Bennett from Calgary midway through the season also solidified the unit while Kacy Rodgers had his moments in what was also his rookie season.
Matt Webster, Tevaughn Campbell, Jeff Hecht and Graig Newman provide solid Canadian talent, but Webster and Hecht are free agents.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
While there are positives on the offence and defence, one would also have to say the kicking game is in good shape. Josh Bartel did not disappoint in his 2nd stint as a Rider while Tyler Crapigna was one of the CFL’s best kickers as he converted on 86-percent of his field goals including 13 between the 40-49 yard line and another 3 from 50 or over.
Rookie Quinn Van Gylswyk did not see much action, he was a high selection in the 2016 draft because of his abilities to do both while at UBC. His future with the football club would appear to still be secure going into 2017.
Training camp is still several months away meaning there will be many transactions before players report for the first of two-a-days. It is evident the building blocks are in place as the team has many players that can be considered as players who will help take the team from being a 5 win squad in 2016 to one that can compete for a playoff spot in 2017. While lots of work will have to be done, there are signs that better days are ahead.
