After yet another ugly loss, there doesn't seem to be much doubt that the Saskatchewan Roughriders need to make some major changes - both to set themselves up for 2012, and to try to improve on the play that's been nowhere near good enough for much of the 2011 season. But let's look on the relative bright side, as there are at least a few areas where the team doesn't figure to need a lot of work.
To start with, while the 'Riders' receiving corps has been painfully inconsistent due to departures, injuries and new additions this year, there's no doubt that it includes tons of talent if everybody's back and healthy in 2012. Which means that while it's well worth testing out some new faces, the more important task for now may be to sort out where the team's depth receivers (Getzlaf, Koch, Hill and Baker) figure to slot in compared to primary targets Weston Dressler and (hopefully) Andy Fantuz along with a returning Rob Bagg.
At quarterback, the backup spot should absolutely be up for grabs. But there's no reason to even consider taking the starter's position away from Darian Durant, a still-young franchise player who led the 'Riders to Grey Cups in his first two years in the job and has had plenty of strong moments even in an otherwise disappointing season.
On defence, the secondary has actually been fairly effective through most of the season - meaning that the biggest change I'd want to see there is the return of James Patrick to a coverage role to free up Tristan Jackson to spend more time on special teams. And on the defensive line, Keith Shologan and Shomari Williams should both be at the centre of the 'Riders' plans, while a strong debut by Kenny Rowe gives the team reason to test whether he can distance himself from the pack of utility players otherwise taking snaps on the line.
And the 'Riders' special teams, long an Achilles heel even as the team went through its run of success, have finally come around this year despite some key injuries. Chris Milo has proven to be an effective kicker, and both the return game (led by Jackson and Brandon West) and kick coverage have been genuine strengths under coordinator Craig Dickenson.
As for the areas most in need of attention, the aging offensive line is surely at the top of the list. And I'd also add the linebacking corps, where it wouldn't be the least bit surprising to see wholesale changes before next year (especially if Jerrell Freeman sticks in the NFL).
But at the very least, the 'Riders are far from starting from scratch. And while there's obviously a long way to go between where the team is now and where it wants to be, it's well worth keeping focused on closing that gap rather than duplicating the team's existing strengths.
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