The radio and the newspapers are full of the question. Can the Saskatchewan RoughRiders get to the Grey Cup and win it without their leader quarterback Darian Durant? An entire province gasped when Darian went down Sunday in Winnipeg against the Blue Bombers. It's reported that one television commentator speculated "The Riders season just walked off the field" as Durant made his way to the sidelines. Well with all due apologies to Mr. Suitor or Mr. Cuthbert the Riders season does not and did not end with the season ending injury to Darian Durant.To be sure it's going to hurt but no team lives and dies with one man and the Riders especially can overcome this set back for at least five important reasons.
1) The defence rests it's case - The Riders have likely the best defence in the league. This is a defence that can play lights out and on more than two occasions the Rider defence has won a football game this year for the Green and White. The injury to Darian Durant doesn't change how the defence will go about it's business. If anything the injury to their starting quarterback will highlight the necessity for the defence to play even better. If they are great now…how good will they be when they are even better.
2) The Riders running game - To be sure Darian Durant played a part in the success of the Saskatchewan running game but any of the Riders backup quarterbacks, Sunseri, Doege, or even the new arrival Keith Price can handle getting the ball to any of the three Rider running backs. Will Ford, Anthony Allen and Jerome Messam, the running back by committee tandem, are the best in the league.
As in the case of the defence when these three step up the game how much better will they be.
3) The Riders O Line - the best offensive line in the line along with the Calgary Stampeders. Every O line will give up a sack now and then. They can't be perfect every game. But again with the Riders knowing their young inexperienced quarterbacks need more help then Darian did, this line will be even better stepping up their game.4) The Riders Special Teams - Weston Dressler took back a touchdown in the game against Winnipeg. The special teams have really been special and they will continue to be. Include in that the Riders kicking game and this is a team that can get to the Grey Cup.
5) Tino Sunseri - Ok so he's not Darian Durant. And he's not Henry Burris who some fans think the Riders need to trade for to save their season, but Tino Sunseri has excellent credentials. He was a star at the University of Pittsburgh which we outlined a few days ago. He exudes a quiet confidence and you just get the feeling that he can get the job done. Sunseri came on in relief of Durant and won a game against the BC Lions earlier in the season and after Durant was injured against the Bombers, Sunseri came on and held on to the win. I get the feeling this guy can do the job. You never want to minimize the opposition but the next two games against Hamilton and Ottawa give Sunseri a chance to really get his legs under him before facing the tougher West Division teams.Will the Saskatchewan RoughRiders miss Darian Durant? Of course they will. You can't take one of the league's top three quarterbacks out of the line up and not miss him. But great things can come out of adversity. Look at the Calgary Stampeders. Bo Levi Mitchell was third on the depth chart before injuries gave him his chance to start. Subsequently Kevin Glenn went to Ottawa and Drew Tate became the back up and Bo Levi Mitchell is now the top quarterback in the league.
The same thing could happen here. Which is why the Saskatchewan RoughRiders would be wise to watch Sunseri closely and give him an extension to his contract to ensure they he doesn't escape to Ottawa.