REGINA – Darian Durant looks like he’s back to his old self, and that’s a relief for the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Saskatchewan’s franchise quarterback suffered a season-ending right elbow injury in Week 11 last season, and the Roughriders had a miserable time trying to replace the man who guided them to a Grey Cup title in 2013.
Tino Sunseri and Seth Doege each received opportunities to start under centre, and both showed they were not ready for the big stage. The Riders then coaxed 41-year-old Kerry Joseph out of retirement. Joseph managed to get the Roughriders into the playoffs, but they lost to the Edmonton Eskimos in the West semifinal.
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Durant has shown during the 2015 pre-season that his elbow injury is a thing of the past and that he’s capable of returning to elite status in the league and helping the Riders improve on last season’s 10-8 record.
“The stability he brings to this team is so helpful,” said slotback Weston Dressler. “He has taken us to the top. We know what he is capable of and we know he is going to lead us on and off the field every day.”
The lack of depth at quarterback was addressed during the off-season when Saskatchewan brought in a proven backup in 14-year veteran Kevin Glenn.
The Riders hope they won’t have to rely on Glenn, but Durant’s health could depend on how well the Roughriders’ depleted offensive line plays.
The Riders lost starting centre Dominic Picard to free agency in the off-season, and starting right tackle Ben Heenan was signed by the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts. That means the Riders will have two new starters on the offensive line to go along with injury-prone right guard Chris Best and tackle Xavier Fulton, who is coming off a subpar 2014 campaign.
“You don’t want to see (Durant) getting flushed or getting hit, so there’s more pressure there on us,” said veteran left guard Brendon LaBatte. “In Saskatchewan, (Durant) is the guy that everyone wants to see back there. You don’t want to be that guy that lets him take a shot that he doesn’t need to take.”
The receiving corps could be the strength of the offence, led by the speedy Dressler. Chris Getzlaf, Rob Bagg, Taj Smith and Jamel Richardson round out a formidable stable of weapons for Durant.
“We know there’s only one football to go around. We need to use each other as best we can to get open and make sure everyone is doing his job within each play,” Dressler said. “Everyone is going his fair share of opportunity.”
Add rookie Nick Demski to that mix as a receiver and kick returner, and the Riders have multiple playmakers.
“It’s probably the best group I have been around, especially when you add (Richardson), Ryan Smith, Korey Williams in that mix,” Durant said. “We have a lot of receivers that can make plays and I would my guys up there with anyone in the league. You add their experience to their ability and I don’t think there’s a better group.”
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Offensively, the Riders should be solid, if not explosive. Expect new offensive co-ordinator Jacques Chapdelaine to take advantage of a new rule that prohibits defensive backs from contacting receivers beyond five yards from the line of scrimmage, and could be a major advantage to the route runners.
“It’s going to be tough on defenders,” Dressler said of the rule change. “They used to rely on putting their hands on a guy and rerouting guys that way, so it’ll be an adjustment for some of the veteran guys.”
The Riders are loaded with experienced performers both in the defensive backfield and along the defensive line. John Chick, Alex Hall and Tearrius George are forces in the trenches. Chick and George combined for 27 sacks in 2014.
Tristan Jackson, Marshay Green, Weldon Brown and Terrell Maze all return to the defensive backfield, but safety Tyron Brackenridge was limited during training camp with an undisclosed injury.
The Riders will kick off the regular season on Saturday at home versus the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
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