Rob Vanstone: Roughriders Fans Ache For ‘Shake-and-Bake’ — But The Pain Is Only Temporary

Denizens of Rider Nation all felt the incision, at least figuratively, upon discovering that receiver Kian Schaffer-Baker had undergone hip surgery. 

The popular, productive pass-catcher — affectionally known as “Shake-and-Bake” — is to miss perhaps the first few weeks of the 2023 Canadian Football League season while recuperating from a recent procedure that was performed to repair a torn labrum. 

As the news began to circulate, sundry Saskatchewan Roughriders supporters reacted with everything ranging from disappointment to alarm. 

The emotional response is understandable, considering Schaffer-Baker’s importance to the offence. He was, after all, the Roughriders’ leader in catches (68), receiving yards (960) and touchdown grabs (five) last season. 

And, approaching 25 and his third season of professional football, the surface has barely been scratched. 

So, yes, the news regarding Schaffer-Baker is a cause for concern. 

However, history has demonstrated that these situations, as unfortunate as they are, can be managed and overcome. 

In fact, the Green and White has endured circumstances that were initially thought to be more injurious to the Roughriders’ offence and, ultimately, outlook. 

In 2007, for example, Matt Dominguez was leading the league in receiving yards (761) when he suffered a season-ending knee injury near the end of the Roughriders’ 10th game. 

It was a devastating blow, but one that did not prevent Saskatchewan from ultimately winning the third Grey Cup title in franchise history. 

Two years later, the Roughriders finished first in the West Division and reached another Grey Cup game despite encountering significant injuries to two key pass-catchers. 

Andy Fantuz missed five games — numbered six through 10 on the Roughriders’ 2009 schedule — after injuring a hamstring. Saskatchewan was able to win three of those contests, partially because of the timely emergence of Chris Getzlaf. The Regina-born slotback caught two touchdown passes, including a 65-yard game-winner late in the fourth quarter versus the Calgary Stampeders, in the Roughriders’ first appearance sans Fantuz. 

When he returned, it was with a flourish.  

Over the final nine regular-season games, Fantuz registered 52 catches for 663 yards. Most notably, he caught 12 passes for 123 yards as the Roughriders defeated the visiting Stampeders 30-14 on Nov. 7, 2009 to clinch top spot in the division for the first time in 33 years. 

He then caught 10 passes for 156 yards over two post-season games, scoring a touchdown in each one. 

By then, alas, the Roughriders were without Weston Dressler. The speedy slotback’s season had ended when he suffered a fractured fibula during a 32-22 victory over the visiting Toronto Argonauts on Oct. 10. 

As it turned out, Fantuz and Dressler were both in the lineup for only nine of the 2009 Roughriders’ 20 regular-season or playoff games. 

However, injuries to the team’s two leading receivers and other forms of adversity did not prevent that edition of the Green and White from enjoying a successful season. 

The 2009 Roughriders (10-7-1) were decided underdogs when they faced the 15-3-0 Montreal Alouettes in the 97th Grey Cup game. Montreal ended up eking out a 28-27 victory. 

Dressler’s absence was noted, to be certain, but the Roughriders’ depth allowed them to throw a scare into an Anthony Calvillo-led powerhouse. 

The following November, Saskatchewan again reached the Grey Cup game — won 21-18 by Montreal — even though wideout Rob Bagg had suffered a season-ending knee injury in mid-October. 

Moral of story: These things do happen. 

Moreover, if Schaffer-Baker is to miss playing time, it is preferable to weather that situation early in the season and have him in the lineup for the stretch run and, optimally, beyond. 

“We are definitely going to miss his playmaking ability and his toughness,” Roughriders head coach Craig Dickenson said Wednesday. 

“He makes the tough catches in traffic and he is an outstanding blocker in the run game.” 

In the short term, solace can be derived from the fact that the receiving corps — already deep in terms of Canadian content — has been bolstered during the off-season. 

Via free agency, the team has added American pass-catchers Jake Wieneke, Derel Walker and Shawn Bane Jr., along with national receiver Juwan Brescacin. 

Brescacin will be an immense addition if he can stay healthy. 

Brayden Lenius, also a national, is a lock for one starting spot. 

Former University of Regina Rams star Mitch Picton typically contributes when he is given front-line responsibilities. 

Samuel Emilus, a first-round draft choice in 2022, could also be called upon to fill the void created by Schaffer-Baker’s absence. 

The stockpiling of Canadian receivers could very well prove to be beneficial in the summer months. 

Another factor to consider is the presence of Toronto-born offensive lineman Philip Blake, who could allow for a ratio flip if he starts at left tackle. That position has traditionally been occupied by an American, but Blake provides flexibility that could be additionally beneficial in light of Schaffer-Baker’s setback. 

It must be reiterated that none of this is ideal.  

The intention here not to paint over or minimize the anticipated impact of Schaffer-Baker’s absence, which might not extend beyond one-third of the way into the regular season. 

At the same time, these are the often-painful realities of a great, albeit gruelling, game. 

Depth and, at times, patience will be tested. That is true for any team, during any season.  

Several seasons can be cited as examples of how adversity, in various forms, can be counteracted. 

This, too, shall pass — even without any passes being directed toward Schaffer-Baker at the outset.