Rob Vanstone: Fine, Patterson create difficult decision for Roughriders’ brain trust

Cue the deliberations in Rider Nation.

Now that the Saskatchewan Roughriders have concluded their 2024 pre-season slate, decisions must be made regarding who to retain.

A full week separates the pre-season finale — Saturday’s 28-27 victory over the host Edmonton Elks — and the CFL’s final cutdown deadline.

The extra time will be beneficial, because the Head Coach Corey Mace and the entire Roughriders brain trust will have to make some tough calls.

For example: Who will be the No. 2 quarterback?

Mason Fine and Shea Patterson are the finalists.

Both 27-year-old signal-callers helped their cause at Commonwealth Stadium on Saturday.

Fine went 9-for-11 for 75 yards and produced the Roughriders’ only offensive touchdown — a four-yard connection with Dohnte Meyers.

Most impressive was the manner in which Fine responded to second-and-long predicaments.

After first-down runs, the Roughriders needed seven, eight, eight, nine and 12 yards to move the chains. Fine was able to generate a first down in the latter two situations. He also converted a second-and-10 after a first-down pass fell incomplete.

Fine’s passes travelled an average of 8.82 yards beyond the line of scrimmage. Patterson, who was 5-for-8, had an average distance of 8.88. Length-wise, it was a virtual dead heat.

With Fine at quarterback, the Roughriders recorded six first downs over 21 snaps and nearly two full quarters.

Patterson, who was at the controls for all 17 of the Roughriders’ fourth-quarter snaps, produced six first downs and 80 aerial yards.

Although the Roughriders did not reach the end zone while Patterson was in the game, he did produce the team’s longest drive (54 yards). That six-play march included back-to-back crisp completions to Meyers (18 yards) and Joe Robustelli (34).

Fine’s longest drive was a five-play, 25-yarder that included his nicest pass of the day — a second-and-10 strike to Geronimo Allison, who caught the ball 19 yards downfield and gained 21 in total.

Poring over these numbers, one can make a case for Fine and Patterson.

As a result, the battle to back up Trevor Harris is too close to call — at least in this assessment — following pre-season play.

What else is there to extract from Saturday’s game?

Meyers made the most of his two receptions.

On the four-yard touchdown, he made a contested catch while Kai Gray provided tight coverage. The follow-up was a diving 18-yarder down the right sideline.

Factor in the kick-return skills Meyers exhibited over the past two games and he has made a compelling case for a roster spot.

Defensive tackle Lake Korte-Moore also turned heads, infiltrating the offensive backfield and recording two tackles for a loss. Could that signal a breakout year for the third overall pick in the 2023 CFL Draft?

Among the linebackers who suited up on Saturday, the most conspicuous performer was Antoine Brooks Jr.

Along with returning an interception for a 46-yard touchdown, he led the Roughriders in tackles on defence (seven) and special teams (two).

Other highlights:

• Kosi Onyeka recovered two fumbles, one of which he returned for the first touchdown of the game.
• Rodney Clemons, impressive throughout camp, had a pass knockdown.
• Adam Korsak, the West Division’s All-Star punter last season, unloaded an 80-yarder that netted 79 and left Edmonton on its two-yard line. An earlier Korsak kick bounced out of bounds at the seven-yard line.
• Clint Ratkovich, listed as a fullback, continues to run like a halfback. His receiving skills, evident in college, are also noted.
• Defensive tackle Miles Brown stuffed a second-and-two quarterback sneak, forcing a field-goal attempt, and pancaked Javon Leake on a missed field goal return.
• And, let’s not forget, the Roughriders finished with an unblemished pre-season record (2-0) for only the seventh time in franchise history. The last time the Green and White went 2-0 with a first-year Head Coach, the year was 2007, the chief strategist was Kent Austin, and a storybook season had the happiest of endings.