Inside the CFL:Riders make discipline focus of the offseason

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on May 11, 2023.

sports@medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews

After rookie head coach Craig Dickenson led the 2019 Saskatchewan Roughriders to the top of the Western Division for the first time in 10 years and followed that up with a second trip to the Conference Final, ecstatic citizens of Rider nation wanted to change the name of Elphinstone Street by which Mosaic Stadium sits to Craig Dickenson Way.

After missing the playoffs last season, they were ready to run him out of town, along with GM Jeremy O’Day. Standing pat in professional sports usually means you regress. O’Day did that after the 2021 campaign. He explained, ”We have a lot of good players and we didn’t feel we needed to change much … We feel comfortable with our team.” He badly misread the situation. The 2021 Rider Western Finalists were eighth in total offence. The 2022 team finished fourth with a record of 6-12, ninth in total offence. They surrendered a horrendous 77 sacks and were the most penalized club in the CFL. Discipline is Craig Dickenson’s first priority heading into full training camp.

”We’re going to address this in a couple of ways. The first is we did make a few roster moves this off-season. Some of the guys who gave us trouble last year are no longer with us. I’m making discipline a real priority. I did a lot of thinking during the off-season about how I can improve the discipline on our team. We’re not going to take anything for granted. On Day 1 we are going to talk about the core values of this organization, what is the culture we’re trying to establish as a football team and what does that look like on a daily basis.

”I’m going to put real emphasis on being a smart football team having a high football IQ. Part of that is knowing how to play within the rules. Our goal is to be the least penalized team in the CFL. Being more disciplined will be my focus.”

The offence will be completely overhauled. The much maligned offensive co-ordinator Jason Maas has been replaced by the little-known but highly experienced Kelly Jeffrey. Last season’s running back coach, he also had CFL experience with Toronto and Edmonton, as well as eight years as head coach of Mount Allison University. He has an impressive record for making teams better.

Replacing fan favourite Cody Fajardo is the much travelled Trevor Harris. I asked Dickenson what Harris brings to the Rider table. “Experience as a quarterback playing winning football. He brings leadership and wisdom to the position. He’s seen a lot of things in a lot of different systems. He wouldn’t be playing pro football at 37 years of age if he wasn’t a talented guy who understands the meaning of hard work. He knows he’s in a special position being the starting quarterback of the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He embraces that responsibility.” Harris has a great personalty who should win over the Fajardo fans. He is good enough to lead the Riders to the Grey Cup.

So a new offensive scheme is dawning? “Yes,” enthused Dickenson. “It is a complete reboot with new running and passing schemes, you’re going to see new protection. Kelly and Trevor are going to put their stamp on the offence.”

After surrendering 77 sacks last season, a new line is an obvious priority. “We’ve got to see what our tackles can do. We cleaned house at the tackle positions.” They signed free agents Philip Blake and Peter Godber who replaces the retired Dan Clark at centre. There are five Americans in camp all over 6′, 4” and between 300-340 lbs.

The Rider receiving corps is deep with Canadians Kian Schaffer-Baker, Juwan Brescacin, Mitchell Picton and Brayden Lenius plus imports Derrell Walker, Shawn Bane Jr., Jake Wieneke and Mario Alfred. The high paid but under performing Duke Williams and Shaq Evans are gone. Frankie Hickson is the running back.

Defence? Despite losing end A.C. Leonard and middle linebacker Darnell Sankey, “We feel good about (DE) Pete Robertson,” said Dickenson. We need to find someone on the other side to complement him. With Larry Dean in the middle there won’t be much drop off there. We’re hoping Micah Teitz is healthy and ready to occupy the Will position.

If the new offence pans out and they keep their noses clean, they’ll be tough.”

Graham Kelly has covered the CFL for the Medicine Hat News for 51 years. Feedback for this column can be emailed to sports@medicinehatnews.com.