After the Riders 45-12 loss on Wednesday, the team touched down in Regina yesterday afternoon, something they only managed once in Edmonton. But the team is putting on the "its preseason and the score doesn't matter" face.
Coach Miller said the teams had 'different agendas' and the Riders was to evaluate their young talent. However true that may be, it also seems that things may have gotten away from them on the offensive side of the ball.
The QB position is far from clear. By all accounts, Steven Jyles looked to be the top pivot on the field while Durant's numbers are very pedestrian. Ok, it is the first game action and I for one still believe Darian is the number one guy on this roster.
Another player at the top of his respective depth chart, Wes Cates, didn't play because of his lingering shoulder issue. In fact, nobody has been able to say when he might play. That would have me looking hard at his fill in replacement. But the Riders only handed off the ball 11 times. Stu Foord had 4 carries while Hugh Charles toted the ball 3 times.
Maybe the team is set to go with these guys, but I would have thought a little more evaluation could have went into what has generally been a big part of the team's offence.
At the receiver position things are just as odd, although it is harder to complete a pass than to hand off to a back. Now, while I accept that Jason Clermont would be my target in the hurry-up like he was for Steven Jyles, I'm fairly certain the staff has to be comfortable with the 7-year vet. After his 4 receptions, only 6 other balls were caught by Rider receivers and 4 of those went to Bam Childress. Johnny Quinn and Chris Getzlaf picking up one each.
Where are all the rest of the receivers? Chris Jones & Todd Blythe have looked good in camp, but were shadows in this game. Maybe that is the evaluation, maybe they couldn't get open? Tough to believe that two receivers catch 80% of the balls. That will need to be rectified.
I won't talk evaluating the offensive line because these guys will be fine when the season starts, although as a team they did give up 5 sacks. However, the young guys played a lot in this one. When July 3rd rolls around, this group will be solid as a rock as always.
So as it goes, the team has alot of evaluating to do and only one game to do it, home against the defending Grey Cup champs from Calgary. It'll be interesting to see who gets what reps and what the evaluating process might be in that game.
But remember, this is pre-season...Yeah, we're talking about pre-season.
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