You would truly have to be here at 2013 Roughrider training camp to believe it. And this is no exaggeration.
The talent assembled by Rider GM Brendan Taman and his staff reads like a veritable CFL All-Star team. Highlight-reel plays have become the norm through the first week of training camp due to the stunning stable of big names in Green & White.
Let's go down the list:
SB Weston Dressler (2012 CFL All-Star) SB Chris Getzlaf (2012 CFL All-Star) SB Geroy Simon (CFL's all-time leading receiver) QB Darian Durant (named the CFL's 3rd-best player in a TSN poll two years ago) RB Kory Sheets (1277 yards as a rookie in 2012) DE John Chick (2009 CFL Most Outstanding Defensive Player) DE Ricky Foley (2012 Grey Cup Top Canadian) LB Rey Williams (2012 Ticats tackles leader) DB Dwight Anderson (regarded as the league's best) S Tyron Brackenridge (2012 Rider defensive MVP)
That's not even to mention two-time Grey Cup champs, and former Alouettes, linebacker Diamond Ferri and defensive lineman Jermaine McElveen. Throw in receiver Kierre Johnson, who caught a touchdown pass in the 2011 Grey Cup for the champion B.C. Lions, and the list is truly staggering. I'm probably even forgetting a few.
Of course this doesn't mean a waltz to the Grey Cup in November in Regina for the Riders. The 2013 Blue Jays and 2012-13 Lakers have reminded us that all the talent in the world doesn't add up to success, or even championships. And at this point, the Rider braintrust knows it.
"The biggest thing is, of course, there are a lot of big names, there are a lot of veteran guys," said head coach Corey Chamblin. "Those guys have made plays in previous stops and we want to make sure they're making big plays here.
"The biggest thing is making sure they buy into what we do and how we do it. I think the guys are headed in that direction. It won't happen overnight but we'll push those guys so they understand where we are now. We're not looking for individual guys, we're looking for individual players who play within the scheme."
It won't be up to one person to bring it all together. Rather it will be a collective effort. However Dwight Anderson figures with all the offensive talent, if will come down to the guy pulling the trigger to get the job done.
"You really gotta pay attention to Geroy, you already had to pay attention to Getzlaf and Dressler, so it's just putting more weapons out there for Durant," Anderson surmised. "It's all on his shoulders. He's got a lotta weapons out there so it's gonna be up to him to find the right guy!"
Durant laughed when told of the expectations placed on him by Anderson.
"Me and D.A. have a good relationship," Durant smiled. "I'm glad he's on our side.If he's saying the offense is on my shoulders, then the secondary and the defense is on his because he's come over with a lot of expectations also."
Whatever it takes boys. Just get it done!
We'll get our first look at how things are coming together when the Roughriders visit Edmonton Friday night.
