Mitchell Blair
When Jim Hopson became the Riders president and CEO in 2005, he wanted the Saskatchewan Roughriders to be the franchise that others in the CFL envied. It’s something he has accomplished. However, as the Saskatchewan Roughriders get ready for the beginning of the 2014 season, the team’s general manager wants to emulate another team which has had tremendous success over the last number of years.
“I want our team to be like the San Antonio Spurs.” Brendan Taman said. “They have won a lot of championships in a short time and it’s because of their organization. It’s the same coach, the same GM, the same players, the same approach over and over and over again. I like looking at other sports and pick out good things about them. I like what the New England Patriots do with their draft strategy when it comes to adding draft picks and it’s a philosophy I embrace and try to emulate. This is a copycat business so you pick and choose what other teams and leagues do. When I see the Spurs win the trophy, you don’t see the coach and GM because it’s all about the players and it’s about their egos. When you think you are above the players and above the team, you aren’t going to win.”
This was Taman’s first off-season as a Grey Cup champion. He had had many shots at being a part of a CFL championship but his teams weren’t able to jump that final hurdle. As he prepares to go into the 2014 season, he firmly believes he can add another title to his resume and bring the 5th Grey Cup championship to Saskatchewan as early as this year.
“I’m not going to tell you that we didn’t take a big hit in the off-season, but I can tell you we have the best quarterback in the division, I think we have the best offensive line in the division and I think we have one of the best secondary’s in the division.” Taman says with a tone of confidence. “I don’t want to sound cocky, but I think we’ve got a great chance to be back in the Grey Cup and win it. We have as good a chance as anyone.”
That’s a statement some might laugh at considering the Riders have lost the likes of Weston Dressler, Kory Sheets, Keith Shologan, Mike McCullough and Geroy Simon, but Taman says that’s OK with him.
“I love it if people think we can’t do it again,” Taman said. “I welcome the fact people consider us as underdogs. If they want to think Calgary and B.C are the best teams in the West, that’s fine with me because we will sneak up on teams and beat them. We have a good team and we will show that.”
One of the reasons why Taman feels the football team is a good one that has a great chance to repeat is the guy who calls the shots and that is Head Coach Corey Chamblin. Taman expects Chamblin to be a better head coach in 2014 than what he was last year.
“Corey just keeps getting better and better every day.” Taman insisted. “He sees the big picture and he asks me some tough questions each and every day. He knows what buttons to push and he knows how to motivate guys. He has a big challenge to motivate the guys this year after what happened last year and I know he won’t tolerate guys who have a Grey Cup hangover. He needs to get their heads right and remind the guys they are 0-0 and that 2013 is gone. He is looking at improving this team every minute of every day. “
Taman and the coaches have determined their 46 man roster to start the season and that was no easy task because of the talent assembled over the off-season.
“Making cuts is never a fun thing to do,” Taman said. “We had some really tough decisions to make in a variety of positions. It wasn’t fun and it wasn’t easy and I still think it’s a work in progress if you want to be honest. “
One thing Taman is not happy with is the fact his planned middle linebacker had to go on the six game injured list as Chad Kilgore broke his thumb in Friday’s pre-season loss to the Eskimos. It leaves the team with a variety of options as to who will be in that spot when the team opens the season Sunday night at home against Hamilton.
“We still have Brian Peters and Sam Hurl there so we’ll make some of those guys go back and forth a little bit. Tristan Black played well as well but I don’t necessarily think he’ll start.” Taman concluded. “We are happy for the most part with our final roster, but we’re not content by any means. If we see a spot where we can upgrade, we will do that and I include running back and defensive line when I say that.”
What the future holds for the 2014 edition of the Saskatchewan Roughriders is not known, but what is known is the Riders are more than confident they can repeat as Grey Cup champs and do what they feel is necessary to get to Grey Cup 102 and do what they did last season and the Spurs did this season and that is feel the championship glory once again. Don’t bet against them!
