This, dear reader, is my first interaction with Artificial Integgilenec … er, Intelligence.
Considering that such new technology is foreign to this oldster, you should not be even remotely surprised to discover that I required another form of AI: Arielle’s Inquisitiveness.
Arielle Zerr, the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ Director of Communications, posed a few questions to ChatGPT (an AI conversation tool) to satisfy her curiosity and, ultimately, send me off and running on today’s exercise.
Arielle’s introductory inquiry: Who are the best Roughriders players since 2000?
The response was prompt, albeit with a preamble that is longer than (eek!) many of my interminable introductions.
“While I can provide information up until my last update in January 2022, I don’t have real-time data, so I won’t have information on events or player performances that occurred after that date,” ChatGPT replied. “However, I can offer a list of notable Saskatchewan Roughriders players from the 2000s based on their impact and contributions up until that time. Keep in mind that opinions on the ‘top’ players can vary and this list is not exhaustive.”
Unlike the preamble.
Moving right along …
PART ONE
Here is the top 20 of the 2000s, courtesy of my new friend ChatGPT:
- Darian Durant (QB)
- Weston Dressler (REC)
- Andy Fantuz (REC)
- Kerry Joseph (QB)
- Gene Makowsky (OL)
- Rob Bagg (REC)
- Omarr Morgan (DB)
- Chris Getzlaf (REC)
- Brendon LaBatte (OL)
- John Chick (DE)
- Reggie Hunt (LB)
- Eddie Davis (DB)
- Jeremy O’Day (OL)
- Corey Holmes (RB/KR)
- Stevie Baggs (DE)
- Scott Schultz (DL)
- Jerrell Freeman (LB)
- Marcus Adams (DT)
- Matt Dominguez (REC)
- Luca Congi (K)
Now for the postamble from ChatGPT: “This list is not in any particular order, and opinions on the rankings may differ. The Roughriders have had many talented players over the years, and the list could be subject to personal preferences and biases. For the most up-to-date information and rankings, I recommend checking with official team sources, fan forums, or sports news outlets.”
My thoughts?
- Although the list is “not in any particular order,” per ChatGPT, the first of the 20 names mentioned is that of Durant. He is the best fit for No. 1. Well done, ChatGPT.
- The intent here is not to downplay the contributions of the 20 players who were listed, so I am not going to play the “he should be subtracted in favour of …” card. However, I will point out that the following players should have been included or, at the very least, strongly considered: Tyron Brackenridge (DB), Chris Best (OL), Dan Clark (OL), Wes Cates (RB), Cody Fajardo (QB), Ed Gainey (DB), Andrew Greene (OL), Charleston Hughes (DE), Willie Jefferson (DE), Kenton Keith (RB), Brett Lauther (K), Paul McCallum (K), Mike McCullough (LB), Derrick Moncrief (LB), Naaman Roosevelt (REC), Kory Sheets (RB) and Chris Szarka (FB).
PART TWO
As a follow-up, Arielle asked ChatGPT to rank the top Roughriders players since 1960.
Again, there was a preamble: “Creating a definitive list of the ‘top’ Saskatchewan Roughriders players dating back to 1960 is challenging due to the subjective nature of such rankings. However, I can provide a list of notable players who made significant contributions to the team over the years. This list is not in any particular order and may not include every deserving player.”
That said, here goes …
- Ron Lancaster (QB)
- George Reed (RB)
- Roger Aldag (OL)
- Ray Elgaard (REC)
- Gene Makowsky (OL)
- Darian Durant (QB)
- Ron Atchison (LB)
- Neal Hughes (FB)
- Don Narcisse (REC)
- Kerry Joseph (QB)
- Bobby Jurasin (DE)
- Joey Walters (REC)
- Omarr Morgan (DB)
- Jeff Fairholm (REC)
- John Chick (DE)
- Eddie Davis (DB)
- Steve Mazurak (OL)
- Dale West (LB)
- Chris Getzlaf (REC)
- Wes Cates (RB)
My thoughts?
- The positions for Atchison (who was actually a defensive lineman), Mazurak (a receiver) and West (a defensive back who doubled as a receiver early in his CFL career) are incorrectly listed.
- Also worthy of consideration: Jack Abendschan (OL-K), Mike Anderson (OL), Kent Austin (QB), Bill Baker (DL), Al Benecick (OL), Clyde Brock (OL), Ed Buchanan (RB), Hugh Campbell (REC), Weston Dressler (REC), Ted Dushinski (DB), Garner Ekstran (DL), Alan Ford (everywhere), Ralph Galloway (OL), Bob Kosid (DB), Brendon LaBatte (OL), Eddie Lowe (LB), Bill Manchuk (LB), Ed McQuarters (DL), Ken McEachern (DB), Jeremy O’Day (OL), Bob Poley (OL), Dan Rashovich (LB-ST), Dave Ridgway (K), Wayne Shaw (LB), Vic Stevenson (OL), Glen Suitor (DB) and Ted Urness (OL).
PART THREE
Just for fun, Arielle asked ChatGPT for a second take on the Roughriders, 1960 and beyond. The results …
- Ron Lancaster (QB)
- George Reed (RB)
- Roger Aldag (OL)
- Ray Elgaard (REC)
- Gene Makowsky (OL)
- Don Narcisse (REC)
- Bobby Jurasin (DE)
- Jack Abendschan (OL)
- Lancaster “Lance” Walls (DB)
- Jeff Fairholm (REC)
- Kerry Joseph (QB)
- Paul Hill (DB)
- Bob Poley (OL)
- Dave Ridgway (K)
- Jim Hopson (OL)
- Jim Young (REC)
- Neal Hughes (FB)
- Brendon LaBatte (OL)
- Bob Kosid (OL)
- John Chick (DE)
My thoughts …
- Reed could be labelled a running back, but he lined up at fullback while wearing No. 34 for the Green and White. Plus, if Hughes is referenced (correctly) as a fullback, the same should be applicable to Reed. Picky, picky …
- Paul Hill, listed as a defensive back, is actually the quarterback … of Harvard Developments! A successful businessman and a legendary supporter of the Roughriders (as evidenced by his 2021 induction into the SaskTel Plaza of Honour), he has been a major player in many contexts. He has not, however, lined up at defensive back for the Roughriders.
- Jim Young did not play receiver, or any position, for Saskatchewan. “Dirty 30” was a premier pass-catcher for the B.C. Lions from 1967 to 1979.
- The most obvious omissions (not including those cited following the previous list): Ron Atchison (DL), Eddie Davis (DB), Darian Durant (QB) and Joey Walters (REC).
- Tangential aside: Only once in Roughriders history has there been a player with the initials A.I. That would be defensive back Aaron Ivory, who tried out for the team in June of 2018.
- Ummmm … who is Lancaster “Lance” Walls????!!!!
