Who should the Riders keep for 2012?

Today, the Riders take on the Edmonton Eskimos, and their chances of making the playoffs are all but gone. Hamilton would have to lose 4 times, and the Riders win 4 times to close out the season for them to cross over into the East. With Durant's foot hurting, Ryan Dinwiddie gets the start. Yep, it's over.


So, with only pride left to play for in 2011, we can start looking to 2012 and those who should be key players for the Saskatchewan Roughriders. What players would YOU keep if you were General Manager of the team?


Here's mine, and my buddy Coach Gord's look at the offense and special teams:


Offense
QB
Francis - Darian Durant is mighty capable, and has proved it over the last 3 seasons. While 2011 has been a disappointing season, Durant is capable not only of taking this team back to the Grey Cup for a third time, but winning it. He's on my team in 2012.

Coach Gord - Darian Durant has gone from hero to goat.  He was given slack at the beginning of the season based on a statistically marvellous 2010 season and a berth in the Grey Cup.  However, after the firing of Greg Marshall and Doug Berry, followed with Ken Miller back at the helm, expectations rose. Durant had looked invincible during a three game winning streak following Miller’s return (8 TDs – 2 Ints), and totally inept against the Lions and Stamps the following two weeks (27-46 for 316 yds with 0 TDs and 2 Ints and 8 total points in two games).  He can no longer blame the coach as Darian got his coach back.  Durant looked lost in these losses and will start to feel the pressure that being a QB in SK on a losing team brings.  He needs to start making some better throws on the long outs and using his legs to break down defensive contain and coverages.

Where does this leave us for 2012?  Well, Durant is clearly the starter in SK, Dinwiddie is a capable back-up and Bergquist, based on preseason observations, is still a third string QB.  We need someone like a Drew Tate (irony) in SK to challenge Durant to get better, much like how Jyles did in 08/09.

RB

Francis - I would still keep Wes Cates, even if he is getting up in years. He is a bruising back, great blocker, and a team leader. My team could use his veteran experience. I would also keep Brandon West for his explosiveness, but let's be honest. Running backs are a dime a dozen. A good one isn't all that hard to find.

As for fullbacks, keep Hughes and Bell. Hughes is one of my favourite players, but is criminally underused. The whole tight-end/fullback position didn't really exist in Doug Berry's or Paul LaPolice's offense.

Coach Gord - Wes Cates in running back years is getting old.  He longer has the speed to exploit the holes that do get opened or breakaway speed when he is in the open field.  He is a fantastic blocker, picks up the blitz well and a good receiver out of the back field.  Prognosis; re-sign to a one-year contract, closer to veteran minimum.  If he doesn’t take this deal then we should part ways.

Hugh Charles: has shown flashes of brilliance, tempered by an inability to pick up the blitz and is small for an RB.  He cannot move the pile, and is no good in short yardage.  He is good in open space and is good on screens and swing passes.  I would release him if we re-sign Wes Cates.

Stu Foord: will never be more than a special team player seeing spot duty at the RB position due to injury.  Keep as a ratio player and home town kid.

Brandon West: has improved as the season has progressed with limited touches.  He is worth keeping around for a second look.  He has also done a decent job returning kicks and punts.

Neal Hughes: is an excellent receiver out of the back field or Tight end position, good special teamer and ratio player.  He is also another Home Town Kid.

Graeme Bell: is the only FB, a special team player and ratio player.  He is also a “home” town boy.

WR/SB

Francis - I wouldn't change a lot, as long as Fantuz re-signs with the team. He is the key here. Keep the Canadian Air Force ( I hate that moniker)  together. The question is whether Rob Bagg can get back to playing how he used to. I'd also hang on to Dallas Baker to get a better look at him. Finding someone for the wide side position has been difficult, but I'm not sure either Hill or Robinson are the answer.

Coach Gord - Fantuz, Getzlaf, Bagg (assuming his injuries aren’t career ending), Baker, Dressler and Hill all have places on my team.  I would like to see another receiver over 6’03 on the team, and another speedster besides Dressler to help spread the field for the possession type receivers. Release Robinson and Nunn outright.  Koch, Clermont and Wheelwright are on the bubble.  Wheelwright has the size but 1 catch for 7yds and a stint on the 9-game injured list is not impressive.  Koch has not impressed on his return off the 9 game, but has 5 more games left in the season.  Clermont is a personal favourite, much like Ray Elgaard and Dan Farthing were in the past.  Unfortunately I think time and the beating he has taken going over the middle have caught up with him.  It may be time to use his roster spot on a younger Canadian player.  Re-sign Fantuz to whatever he wants, or the fans will riot.

O-line

Francis - This is a hard one to judge, but the bottom line is this unit needs to get younger in a hurry. Who do you keep? I imagine lots will depend on whether Makowsky will keep playing beyond 2011, what with him running in the provincial election. I think it's easier to determine who you don't keep in this situation, and in that case Goodspeed is the odd man out. Replacing an import tackle can't be that hard, can it?

Coach Gord - Let’s face it, we are old.  I think Gene is going to win his riding and retire so we need a new, young, Canadian guard, maybe Patrick Neufeld can fill that spot.  Parenteau needs to start doing a better job with the shot-gun snap at this stage in the season.  He also needs to do a better job reading the blitz/stunt schemes the opposing defenses are throwing at the Riders.  Goodspeed and Gauthier as tackles have been susceptible to the speed rush.  Is this age or the blocking scheme?  Either way we need more out of these vets.  Releasing Goodspeed and Gauthier may not be a bad idea if we can pick up a good free agent at either position.  Best is good for at least one holding call a game but is good for the ratio.

Special Teams

K

Francis - Congi or Milo? I'm going with Milo because he can punt, and he can punt extremely well. While he may not have Congi's accuracy in the kicking game, I think with experience it will come. Meanwhile you can trade Congi and get back a good Canadian or draft pick. Also, this means the mustachioed wonder Eddie Johnson is gone.

Coach Gord - Milo stays in my Riderville.  Congi and Johnson are out.  Johnson ties up a valuable import spot and Congi can’t punt or do kick-offs.  Milo has gotten better at FG’s and his punting and kick-offs are good enough to make Johnson and Congi expendable.

KR/PR

Francis - Kick and punt returns have been at times the highlight for the entire team this year. I believe that has more to do with Craig Dickenson than anything else, but Brandon West and Tristan Jackson have done a good job. While the kick return position is not one you usually worry about, I'm happy to keep these two.

Coach Gord - Jackson has probably been the best off season pick-up the riders have made.  He has made a difference in the return game, and is the starting CB on defense.  Jackson’s average has also taken a few hits due to long returns called back due to penalty.  West is the other returner in this formula.  Looking for a KR specialist can be possible if Eddie Johnson is released.