Courtesy CFL Digest:

It seems like just yesterday the Riders raised the cup in Toronto. It was just seven months ago and a lot has changed. I’m not going to bore you with the off-season changes as many have been talked to death already. Instead, I’m going to make a bold move and look forward.

Marcus Crandell is the man in charge of this offense this time around and he may have the best supporting cast that we have ever seen in Rider Nation. The O-Line is just something else. Watch for Glenn January all year long, the guy is an absolute machine.

The guys playing catch with Crandell are pretty darn good too, and that’s without Matt Dominguez at the current moment (due to injury). Andy Fantuz may just be the best Canadian Player in the CFL and I have a feeling he is going to emerge as one of the top threats in the CFL this season. The crew around him, not so bad either. DJ Flick will be looking to have another strong campaign after a very good 2007 season. Corey Grant just makes plays and still has a lot in the tank. The guys I’m most excited to watch are two of our rookie signings in Adarius Bowman and Weston Dressler. Both these guys have had very good college campaigns and look to be a big part of the Saskatchewan offense this year.

Next we got the guy who screams heart and soul in Wes Cates. I think Cates is going to have a breakout year. It would not surprise me one bit to see him up at the top of the league in rushing yardage and majors this year. This may be the most explosive offense we have ever seen in the Rider Nation. I know I’ve said it before, but I can’t say it enough right now.

Our Defense is looking strong too. Reports in training camp said that Omarr Morgan didn’t look that great but once it comes to game time Omarr is going to be a play maker. He knows the defensive scheme and Richie Hall is still holding the fort down as the boss. Scott Gordon is an impact player and can really drop the hammer out there, so look out, because when he does he strikes fear into the opposition. And of course, the biggest re-signing of the off-season, the captain of the defense Eddie Davis is back and boy oh boy are we looking good.

Up front, we lost one of my personal favorites of the last couple years, but we also saw the emergence of John Chick who is looking to capitalize on his 2007 breakout year. Scott Schultz is back and a new face up front will be that of Kitwana Jones on the end. I like this move, I loved Kit’s pass rushing ability and I think he is going to shine in this role.
Bottom line, the Riders are back and it’s time to defend that championship that we won seven short months ago. For now, I’m Brodie Hallett signing off.