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2004 CFL Western Preview - Saskatchewan Roughriders
From The Sports Network
Dan Ralph, CFL Editor


FACTS & FIGURES: Division - West. 2003 record - 11-7-0-0. Playoff result: Beat Winnipeg in Western semifinal before losing to Edmonton in final. Stadium - Taylor Field. Capacity - 27,732. Club Colors - Green and White.

These are heady days for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

The franchise is out of debt, has adopted a program to sell public shares and on the football field the Roughriders are loaded with talent and pose a legitimate Grey Cup threat

The Roughriders posted an 11-7-0-0 record last year, their first winning mark since 1994. But the promising campaign ended with a loss to eventual Grey Cup champion Edmonton in the West Division final.

But nowhere does that talent shine through than at quarterback, where the Roughriders are three deep with veterans Nealon Green and Henry Burris and youngster Rocky Butler. Saskatchewan was so deep at quarterback that it was able to trade Kevin Glenn to Toronto, who subsequently dealt Glenn to Winnipeg for future considerations.

Saskatchewan's offence will be minus running back Kenton Keith and receiver Matt Dominguez, who both bolted in the off-season for the NFL. But kick- returner Corey Holmes is expected to replace Keith in the backfield and the Roughriders still have veteran receiver Travis Moore to play catch with the quarterbacks.

The offensive line is anchored by Andrew Greene, the 6'3", 304-pound tackle who was named the CFL's top lineman last season after being a finalist for the award in 2002. Greene was the catalyst for an offensive line that helped Saskatchewan lead the league in rushing (2,525 yards) and rushing touchdowns (24). His stellar play was amazing, especially when one considers that Greene underwent neck surgery in October 2002 and there were serious questions about whether the seven-year veteran would ever play football again.

The Roughriders looked to seriously upgrade its front wall with the off-season signing of free-agent Scott Flory from the Montreal Alouettes. But the scenario got messy when Flory, a Regina native, signed a deal with the Als after signing with Saskatchewan. The CFL ruled that Flory's deal with Saskatchewan was valid, but Flory decided against reporting to the Roughriders because he wanted to play in Greene's spot. The Roughriders eventually dealt Flory back to Montreal for a 2005 first-round draft picmc

The Roughriders also tinkered this off-season with a defense that was the CFL's second-stingiest unit last year. The club dipped into free agency to add veteran ends Daved Benefield, Lamont Bryant and Wayne Weathers. The 36- year old Benefield, a 12-year CFL veteran, spent the last two years with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, where he posted a team-high nine sacks last season to boost his career total to 66.

The 6'3", 255-pound Bryant spent the last two seasons with the Hamilton Tiger- Cats, where he registered 57 tackles and six sacks over that span. Bryant, 27, who played his college football at Notre Dame, also spent a season with New York/New Jersey of the now-defunct XFL.

The 6'4", 225-pound Weathers, a native of Oshawa, Ontario, played for the Toronto Argonauts last season, where he recorded a career-high 57 defensive tackles. He also had three sacks and two tackles for losses. But he was released by the Argos for financial reasons. Weathers spent his first five CFL seasons with Winnipeg.

Kicker Paul McCallum is one of the CFL's best. He connected on 41-of-48 field goals last year (85.4 percent) and finished fifth in league scoring with 181 points. And McCallum is also a capable punter, posting a 41.3-yard average in 2003.

The skinny: In a nutshell, the Roughriders have all the ingredients for a championship team. The club is solid at quarterback, has a proven receiver and solid offensive line, its defense is among the CFL's best and the kicking game is top-notch.

Another factor is head coach mcgdo Barrett, who fittingly was named a finalist in voting for the CFL's coach of the year. The former CFL quarterback, hand- picked for the Roughriders job by GM Roy Shivers, has done a remarkable job in Regina. The club has steadily improved since he took over in 2000.

And Barrett is loyal. While many Roughriders fans have called for Burris to start -- he showed tremendous promise as the club's No. 1 quarterback before bolting to the NFL -- Barrett has steadfastly stuck by Greene as his starter.

Having two quality quarterbacks is a huge key to success in the CFL. But if the Roughriders start the season slowly, Barrett could find himself embroiled in a quarterback controversy in Regina. It will be interesting to see how that plays out this year.

Sports Network predicted finish: Third

2004 CFL Western Preview - Winnipeg Blue Bombers
From The Sports Network
Dan Ralph, CFL Editor


FACTS & FIGURES: Division - West. 2003 record - 11-7-0-0. Playoff result: Lost 37-21 to Saskatchewan in West Division semifinal. Stadium - Cannad Inns Stadium. Capacity - 29,544. Club Colors - Navy blue and metallic gold.

Once again, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers will be in the thick of it in the West Division.

Winnipeg posted an 11-7-0-0 record last year to finish in a three-way tie for second last year with Saskatchewan Roughriders and B.C. Lions behind first- place Edmonton (13-5-0-0). But the Blue Bombers were eliminated in the division semifinal, losing 37-21 to Saskatchewan.

Winnipeg spent the off-season tinkering with both its football team and front office. Brendan Taman was promoted to general manager, taking that position off head coach Dave Ritchie's resume. And Taman was busy, re-signing such key players as offensive lineman Dave Mudge, defensive tackle Doug Brown and veteran kicker Troy Westwood while dipping into free agency to sign cornerback Eric Carter, a perennial all-star, and receiver Kamu Peterson. Quarterback Kevin Glenn and fullback Randy Bowles were acquired in separate trades with Toronto, while the Bombers also acquired receiver-kick returner Keith Stokes from Montreal.

Taman also added a new offensive co-ordinator in R.D. Lancaster, who had served in that post for many years in Hamilton as a member of his father, Ron Lancaster's, staff.

But Winnipeg will be without fullback Mike Sellers (Washington Redskins) and offensive lineman Andrew Carter (Miami Dolphins).

Winnipeg's fortunes this year will rest, in large part, on the capable shoulders of quarterback Khari Jones. The five-foot-11, 195-pound Jones is just two years removed from being named the CFL's outstanding player and remains one of the league's best despite an off-year in 2003. Jones was 274- of-502 passing for 4,016 yards with 25 touchdowns against 15 interceptions, but consider the two previous seasons he had completed over 60 per cent of his passes and combined for 76 TD strikes.

Jones has two big reasons to play well this year. First, he's looking for a new contract and secondly, the Bombers acquired Glenn in the off-season. Glenn showed flashes of brilliance with the Saskatchewan Roughriders and requested a trade from Regina because the Riders had a dearth of talent under center. He gives Winnipeg a bona fide backup and insurance, should Jones be injured or struggle.

Veteran Milt Stegall remains the Bombers' go-to receiver, although he too suffered a down year, at least by his standards. Stegall still had 68 catches for 1,144 yards with 15 touchdowns, but in 2002, when he was named the CFL's outstanding player, Stegall registered 105 receptions for 1,862 yards and a league-record 23 touchdowns.

While Jones and Stegall are the unit's lynchpins, it's running back Charles Roberts who makes it go. The five-foot-six, 171-pound dynamo is a big-play threat. He led the CFL in yards rushing (1,554), combined yards (3,147) and yards from scrimmage (2,102) and also contributed 51 catches for 548 yards. What Roberts lacks in size he more than makes up for in speed and agility. The fourth-year CFL veteran is a threat to go all the way whenever he touches the ball and provides fans with instant excitement.

Ritchie's signature throughout his CFL coaching career has always been a tough rugged defense. But the Bombers' unit will be minus some familiar faces in 2004.

Safety Tom Europe retired in the off-season after 11 CFL seasons, the bulk of which were spent playing for Ritchie. As well, the Bombers lost linebacker Brian Clark (Calgary) and rush end Daved Benefield (Saskatchewan) to free agency, although it should be noted Winnipeg wasn't exactly in a rush to re- sign either player for financial reasons. Benefield, 36, a 12-year CFL veteran, posted a team-high nine sacks with the Bombers last year to boost his career total to 66.

Other notable defensive players not back with Winnipeg include linebacker Inoke Breckterfield and defensive backs Marvin Coleman, Dave Donaldson, Milo Lewis and Harold Nash Jr.

The skinny: Winnipeg undoubtedly still has enough talent to seriously challenge in the West Division. But with so many older veterans, the Bombers will have to escape the injury bug, something that didn't happen last year.

Jones was hobbled by a high ankle sprain late in the season that forced to play at less than 100 per cent in the West Division semifinal loss to Saskatchewan. Stegall sat out the second half of the semifinal after aggravating a hamstring injury. And Mudge tore his anterior cruciate ligament late in the year.

Winnipeg's offence should have no problem scoring points. The question will be, though, just how effective the club's defense will be in light of all the players the unit has lost.

Predicted finish: Fourth.
 
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