Tuesday Morning Sentimonies: 3 and 3

We are a month out from training camp, let that one sink in. As we start to turn our heads to the 2026 season there is a wide range of views on what to expect this season. Some will say the Riders are gonna run it back. Some are saying we are gonna take a big step back. And pretty much everything in between. 

Rather than definitively answer the question (where would the fun be in that?), I will instead give you 3 reasons to be hopeful that the first repeat in franchise history is possible and 3 reasons why you should stock the liquor cabinet and expect a season that ends pretty much like every other one of the 100+ ones in our existence. 

3 Reasons To Be Skeptical

 

1)    D-End

I quite like how our roster is shaping up at pretty much every position… except one. The current state of our D-ends instills hope in about the same way that American politicians instill hope that the Stright of Hormuz will soon be opened. In passing league you need the ability to disrupt the passer. I don’t want to say the state of our D-ends is dire but if the Riders signed me today I would rank 5^th on the team in career sacks by a D-end, 3^rd if you only count sacks as a Rider. Until one of the new recruits or guys who spent last year on the practice roster prove they can be an impact starter, this remains the biggest question mark on this team.

 

2)    Depth

You need depth to maintain success over the length of a season. Last year the Riders had unbelievable depth. Maier stepped in for Harris; Baldonado stepped in for Ray; Nield and Robustelli made key contributions when called on; Allen stepped in for Avery; Reavis moved positions to balance out our roster. Those guys are all gone. Our depth is by no means completely eroded, but is has taken a hit.

 

3)    Special Teams

When he makes his retirement official, there will be Jorgen Hus appreciate post coming. But for now consider that we will enter the new season with a new snapper and new kicker. The most “veteran” member of special teams is a mediocre punter. Other than returner we have a lot of question marks. I am at least happy we brought in a veteran snapper. But anyone not named Hus will unfortunately be a downgrade.

3 Reasons To Be Hopeful

 

1)    Offensive Continuity

Harris, Ouelette, Johnson/Emilus/Baker/Ajou/Duncan-Busby, Tommy Stevens. They are all back. Harris is coming off one of his best years. You gotta go back a while to find the last time we had the same OC and QB 3 years in a row. Most importantly, almost all of our O-line is back (an o-line that tied for second in sacks allowed last year). This team is far from an offensive juggernaut but they did finish 3^rd in offensive TDs.

 

2)    Secondary

Speaking of continuity, the entire secondary is back. While you can debate whether the Lokombo/Fields part of that is a good thing or not, amid a lot of defensive changes we should benefit from continuity in a group where communication is paramount.

 

3)    Coach Mace

The number reason you should be hopeful is the man leading the team. Mace has won everywhere he went (except Buffalo but no one wins there so its hardly a him issue). He has a ring as a player, as a D-line coach, as a D-coordinator and now a Head Coach. He has never had a losing record in his entire CFL coaching career.  The improvement in his game management from his first year as a head coach to last year was visible and significant. The only knock against the guy is he curses too much… and personally that makes me like him more. With a quality coach like Mace at the helm there is good reason to expect sustained success.