Toronto Argonauts @ Saskatchewan Roughriders
For Tickets Click Here
Mosaic Stadium
Regina, Saskatchewan
8:00pm (CST) Kickoff
TV: TSN 1/3/4/5
Radio: Rider Radio Network
CKRM 620am – Regina
CJGX 940am – Yorkton
CFWD (Cruz fm) 96.3fm – Saskatoon
CJNB 1050am – North Battleford
CJNS 102.3fm – Meadow Lake
CKBI 900am – Prince Albert
CKBI 92.5fm – Big River
CKBI 95.9fm – LaRonge
Estimated temperature at Kickoff: Sunny 18C (64F)
Hi friends! Football is finally back and there hasn’t been such a myriad of emotions heading into a season in many years in Rider Nation.
After the 3-and-15 season in 2015, change was a must, and change was granted. We all know the story that gets us to today and the season opener against the Toronto Argonauts. I don’t want to delve into the past, instead let’s going to stick to today’s match-up with the Double-Blue and some of the pieces to watch.
The Argos are coming off a 42-20 loss at the hands of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at the inaugural game of BMO Field in Toronto. Defensively, Toronto didn’t look great allowing Jeremiah Masoli to pass for 318 yards and three touchdowns and losing the turnover battle 4-1.
Offensively, there was some questions around the play of Ricky Ray. His stat-line says he had a good game with 282 yards and a couple of scores, albeit most of that came in the second half after Toronto was already down 25-6, which was helped by a Simoni Lawrence pick-six of Ray.
This will be a different Argo team tonight, they will be better and they have always played well at Mosaic Stadium winning three of the past four games in Regina. The last coming in a 42-40 overtime victory in the Riders home opener last season.
At least we know a little about the Argos and what challenges they present, on the other side of the football, a different story.
The Riders lost both pre-season games, but without diving deep into the tape, as an overall picture that doesn’t give a great indication of how this team will play.
First on defence, one thing this team will be is aggressive!! When you look at the starting depth chart, just use that as a guide and not the rule. Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator, Chris Jones has these players playing all over the field.
There will be so many different sets, player packages and blitz disguises that when things are clicking it will be a symphony of organized chaos.
One player to really watch as an example of this is Jonathan Newsome. The former Indianapolis Colt is a proven pass rusher (7.5 sacks in his rookie NFL season in 2014), has linebacker size (6’3”, 247lbs) with the speed and agility to play safety. Watch #0 line up as a defensive end, linebacker and also stretch out in deep coverage.
Offensively, it’s simple and has been the most talked about topic since the beginning of training camp, and that’s the health of Darian Durant. There are a few things to really drive home here: he is in the best shape of his life, he is one of the most prepared quarterbacks in the CFL and most importantly, has the drive and the burning inside to bring this franchise back to the pinnacle of CFL supremacy.
He will have a lot of weapons to give the ball to, some familiar, some not so much. New to the offence are running backs Curtis Steele and Matt Walter, slots John Chiles and Ricky Collins Jr. and receiver Shamawd Chambers. With all of these new faces, returning Riders Rob Bagg and Naaman Roosevelt may see the ball a lot until Durant has complete comfort with the rest of the pass catchers and runners.
One player that will see the ball more is Spencer Moore. In Edmonton, offensive coordinator Stephen McAdoo had no hesitation giving the ball to fullback Calvin McCarty in key situations. Expect Moore to see the ball more this season than he has in his previous three seasons combined.
As to what will happen tonight, like everyone else in Rider Nation, I have no clue. All I can tell you is with the perfect storm of the Farwell Season at Mosaic Stadium, Chris Jones and the staff he has brought in and the athletes on the field, it will be a fun kickoff to the season.
Fast Facts:
– This will be the 13th time that Darian Durant and Ricky Ray have met each other as starting quarterbacks. Ray has the edge with seven wins (one coming with him as the starter in early 2010, but he was replaced with Jared Zabransky who led a come-from-behind 17-14 win in Edmonton).
– This is Rob Bagg’s 100th career CFL start (106 overall).
– Darian Durant is starting his 99th career CFL game.
– Darian Durant is 332 yards away from 25-thousand yards passing for his career.
– Argos Head Coach Scott Milanovich and Riders Head Coach Chris Jones were on the same Alouettes staff in 2007.
– Jonathan Newsome, Ricky Collins Jr., B.J. Coleman, Kevin Francis, Sam Eguavoen are playing in their first CFL game. Newsome has two years of NFL experience. Coleman spent time on Green Bay’s practice roster and has pro experience in the Arena League. Collins Jr., Francis and Eguavoen are playing in their first pro football game.
– The Riders have nine players that are in their 30s while the Argos have 13.
