Are those storm clouds forming around Mosaic Stadium in Regina, home of the Roughriders? Or more specifically is that one very large dark cloud forming over the stadium, the one which wouldn't leave for close to 20 years until 2007 when the Riders finally won the Grey Cup?
It's tough to say, but a couple of off-season developments caused Rider fans' knees to knock a bit as the club prepares for 2011 training camp. As if back-to-back losses in the Grey Cup weren't bitter enough, the Riders lost most-popular player Andy Fantuz to the NFL's Chicago Bears in February and days before camp, they learned star wide receiver Rob Bagg aggravated a knee injury and is likely to miss all of 2011.
Undaunted, the Riders plan to get past these setbacks and challenge for a Grey Cup title which would be the fourth in franchise history. However there are five burning questions surrounding the team as they get set to embark on the journey.
How will Greg Marshall fare in his first season as head coach?
That's a great question and this scenario reminds me a lot of Kent Austin's rookie season in 2007. Marshall is a much-decorated career defensive assistant who first broke into the league with Saskatchewan in 1994. Like Austin, he's been training for an opportunity such as this for a very long time.
One key to Marshall's philosophy is his approach to special teams. He plans to play his starters on special teams and if they need a rest, they'll take it on offense or defense. He hopes to win three or four games with special teams rather than lose that many. This approach might have led the team to first-place last year, or perhaps even a Grey Cup title.
Who will replace Andy Fantuz?
That's another great question. Right now that slotback position appears to be on a platter for rookie receiver Jordan Sisco, a Regina Rams product. However Sisco has yet to suit up for a CFL regular season game and has a lot to prove in training camp. They may go with an American there.
What will the Rider secondary look like?
Within days of returning to the Riders as defensive coordinator, Richie Hall cut the team's two starting cornerbacks in Donovan Alexander and Omarr Morgan. Both were victimized in the 2010 Grey Cup so those spots are up for grabs.
At the three interior positions, returnees Chris McKenzie, James Patrick and Lance Frazier appear to be a lock but you never know with a new coach.
Who will back-up quarterback Darian Durant?
Who knows and it may not matter since Durant proved to be so durable in 2010 that he started all 18 games plus playoffs. He seems to be this generation's answer to Ron Lancaster yet he still doesn't have a Grey Cup title to show for it.
There are three quarterbacks battling for two spots behind Durant: Ryan Dinwiddie, Cole Bergquist and newcomer Chris Leak. Training camp and preseason games will sort this out.
Will the Riders get back to the Grey Cup?
Saving the best for last. It's a pivotal year for Canada's Team. Greg Marshall was hired simply to keep the momentum created by Ken Miller rolling. The team has appeared in three of the past four Grey Cups and are two-time defending West Division champs. Yes, I'm talking about the Riders. Long-time fans may still have a tough time realizing this as they look for the next storm cloud on the horizon.
However Greg Marshall is a no-nonsense coach who is loved by his players. His release of veteran Chris Szarka just before camp signals he's not here to make friends, and has the club's best interests at heart. To win a championship everything has to go right and we're six months away from seeing if it does.
Comparisons of Marshall to Kent Austin may be a good thing since Austin won a Grey Cup in his rookie season on the sidelines in 20077. In 2011, with a strong core of returning players and a sound foundation already in place, another title is there for Marshall and the Riders' taking.
