Riders vs. Stampeders: Preseason Game 1

Monday the CFL preseason opens with the Riders in Calgary. At this point I do feel obligated to join the masses who point out that giving the Riders a bye in the final week of the preseason and the first week of the regular season, such that your defending champions disappear from the spotlight for close to a month is so stupid it would not even make the cut in the Manitoba education system. 

With 2 preseason games in 5 days (also stupid) I expect a heavy dose of the newer players in the first game and saving the veterans for the “home” game. That means plenty of opportunity for the young guys… and likely plenty of reason why the game won’t be shown on TV.

Offensively all eyes will clearly be on the QBs. Can Coan establish himself as a viable #2? Can Stevens be more than just a runner? Can Schager shown enough to stick around? How many reps will old man Harris try and sneak himself in for against coach’s wishes? Normally RB would be something to watch but there is no battle there. Ouelette will start, Hudon is the utility back up and Anderson is waiting in the wings in case of injury. This game will be a good chance to evaluate what we have for OL depth. Our starters will be rock solid. But I would feel better seeing at least one or 2 of the back-ups hold their own (preferably without actually holding). In particular Andersen and Bell our 2 most recent draft picks is what I will be watching. American receiver remains a wide open competition. Janneh and Jaylen Johnson are the ones that most intrigue me. 

Defensively its all about D-end. I have been harping on it all offseason and will continue to until I have seen some consistent pressure off the end. The reports out of camp are that Desmond Evans is the guy to watch. As the tallest guy on defense he should be easy to spot. I’ll be curious to see who gets significant reps at AJ Allen’s old LB spot. Woods appears to have the inside track on the starting spot but Miller is still in the mix. Also curious to see what guys like Straker and Wiebe can do with some time on defense. Both have bided them time as special teamers and like Allen could be ready to step into a larger role. Secondary is all about seeing what we have for depth. We all want to see first round pick Malcom Bell but I’m tempering expectations given that he was a late arrival camp and played American ball his whole career (he'll need some time to adjust to things). Oladipo and Hollis are also names that keep popping up so keep an eye out for them. 

More than even special teams will be a focal point. Not only do we have a kicker battle going on between Kim and Hale. We have a new snapper. He may get better in year 2 but Jesse Mirco was never more than a mediocre punter last year. Will Chapman push him? Can either of them hold? With the consistency of Hus and Lauther (ok not towards the end but generally speaking) we have been spoiled these last few years. Prepare yourself for some sloppiness (and I’m not just talking about me after I try and drink a preseason game pretty).

I am just happy football is back. Even if its low grade preseasons ball being played by the future unemployed it it’s a great way to spend a holiday Monday.  

Sunday Morning Sentimonies: Three Lists of Three

Football is back! And in honour of the new season you get a special Sunday edition of my Sentimonies. Truth be told I was pretty sure that if I waited until Monday that something would happen Sunday that would force me rewrite everything. 

**This post did not even make it an hour before the Riders annouced their first round of cuts and rendered part of this post irrelevant. This is what I get for trying***

Training camp opens today and the quest for the first ever repeat in franchise history is on. Today I want to highlight some of the things I will be watching for throughout the camp and the preseason. It specifically excludes Saskatchewan’s most talked about position (back-up QB) because quite frankly if it matters this season who our backup is then we better be petitioning the CFL to expand the playoff format early.

To get you primed for training camp I present 3 lists of 3.

Three Position Battles To Watch

Defensive End

I have said all offseason that D-End is the most important position coming into 2026. Offseason departures of pretty much anyone to ever have a sack leaves us without one established starter at DE… let alone the 2 we actually need. If we can’t find a solid DE rotation amongst the 19 D-lineman we have in camp then our defense is going to regress to the point it won’t matter how many all-stars you have in the secondary and linebackers. There’s a mix of veterans like Vaughters, Korte-Moore; second year guys Patrick, Bennett, Charles; and ton of new recruits. Finding 2 solid starters amongst this group is priority number one for training camp

American Receiver

We will be returning largely the same starting offense as last year so there are very few legitimate openings for starters. But with Meyers in the NFL and Robustelli in Edmonton, American wide receiver is more open than whoever Nelson Lokombo is supposed to be covering. There’s guys with NFL experience like Freddie Swain, Jaylen Johnson, Juwann Winfree and Tyrie Cleveland. Guys with time on our practice roster like Abdul Janneh and Siaosi Mariner. And raw rookies like Ali Jennings. A few of these guys impressed in rookie camp but it will be interesting to see who can still hold their own when lined up against veterans.   

Linebacker

AJ Allen’s departure leaves not only a vacant starting spot, but a decision as to whether or not the position is filled by an American or Canadian. I think odds are we go American and Aubrey Miller is favourite with a veteran like Josh Woods there to push him. Seth Hundeby’s retirement is less than ideal but we have Wiebe, Straker and newly signed Ryder Varga if we wanted to go Canadian.

Three First Year Players to Watch

WR Daniel Wiebe

He is making the team. He caught my eye multiple times last year. After another year developing in university (where he was one of the top WR’s in the country), he’s back and catching eyes again already. We are desperate for Canadian WR depth. I think Wiebe not only makes this team but when he gets a chance to get reps with the starting offense he will make plays.

WR Tyrie Cleveland

We are looking to replace an explosive player in Meyers. While I inherently distrust anything bearing the name Cleveland, Tyrie has the speed to step into that role as well as a number of years bouncing around the NFL.

DL JJ Weaver

A productive college career but undersized by NFL standards, Weaver is the kind of guy that excel in the CFL. Why I have my eye on him is that we know that Coach Mace likes character guys, and per his bio “Weaver has been consistently recognized for his outstanding commitment to the community”. This the kind of guy that fit very will in this province.

Three Second Year Players to Watch

** Antoine Brooks would obviously top this list but to me he is already a bona fide starter so I am excluding him.

DL Ali Saad

Last year’s first round pick had a solid rookie season rotating at D-tackle. He even got to sack Zach Collaros. He’s a guy I think is poised for a big jump in year two. Much like Keith Shologan who took until his second year to really show why he was a first round pick, Saad is ready to take on a larger role this season.

DB Benny Sapp

Had he not retired, this space would have gone to Sheldrick Redwine. While not to the same degree as Redwine, Sapp still did not look out of place in his limited playing time in 2025. Sayles, Milligan and Campbell are all great but the wrong side of 30. The only DB under 30 is far from solid. Having a guy like Sapp step up would help with depth now and have us ready for the future. 

DL Chico Bennett 

**This was orginally Aaron Patrick but he was released within an hour of me posting. Sorry Aaron. The Prophet curse is a real thing**

Guys who spend a season on the practice roster and then get brought back the next year are always worth watching. Obviously the team sees something in them to keep them around. With 2 games played in 2025, Bennett finds himself as one of the most experienced guys vying for a DE spot (yes that is sad). Other than a mini-camp invite from Philly Bennett has not been through the NFL ringer. He's young and ready to make a name for himself. 

Monday Morning Sentimonies: 2026 Draft Class

Last week both the Canadian and Global Drafts went down. In an amazing stat per @CFLStats it marked the first time since 1986 that every team made a first round pick. While we likely won’t know the true value of this draft for 2-3 years, at first blush it looks like O’Day did what was needed, addressing depth at OL, WR and getting a potential playmaker on D. The only thing that really surprised me was that we took zero DL. But that may have just been a product of picking late and not having anyone available worth reaching for.

In the CFL to have sustained success you need to hit on 2 of your first 3 round picks and hope to get lucky by finding 1 or 2 depth guys in the later rounds. Year over year O’Day has been doing that, which is a major reason we had the Canadian depth we had last year.

Round 1 - DB Malcom Bell

Based on how the first round went this was a very logical pick for the Riders. We start 2 Canadians in the secondary and don’t have much for depth, particularly behind Campbell. All Rider fans should collectively thank O’Day for taking steps to prevent Exume from ever needing to line up a corner again. 

Bell was a starting corner in D1 NCAA. He has good size and knack for making plays. He has a mini-camp invite from the Cleveland Browns but odds are good he will be in camp following that. Bell can immediately contribute on teams and provide depth. He also has a high enough ceiling to be a starter down the road. 

Round 2 – WR Dylan Djete

While I’m somewhat bummed that the guy taken before Djete was named Shakespeare, he is a good pick nonetheless. With Ajou, Picton and Neild all gone (off-field issues, retirement, banished to Winnipeg respectively), we need to start restocking our Canadian depth at WR. O’Day says they liked Djete from the beginning of their evaluation process. Given his recent track record in identifying and drafting WR that bodes very well. He’s a smaller WR but speedy and described by O’Day as “a willing blocker”. 

Round 3 – OL Darius Bell

In an effort to draft all the Bell’s O’Day added Darius (who I can only assume is Malcolm’s brother). For a 3^rd round pick this Bell offers potential good value for a team in need of OL depth. He can play centre which is important. He is not the most refined in terms of technique but certain has the size and athleticism needed. With a coach like Edwin Harrison he could be developed into a solid depth option. 

Round 4 – LB Osasere Odemwingie

The surprise retirement of Seth Hundeby makes this pick even more important and creates an immediate opportunity for Odemwingie. He made a ton of tackles for Calgary. He didn’t test well at the Combine but the Riders like his game film (which quite frankly is about 100 times more important than the combine) 

Round 5 - OL Jez Janvier

When you draft an OL this late in the draft it means they are a long-term development project. Janvier played some D-line in college in addition to OL. He started 5 games in 2024 and played sparingly in 2025. We are banking on his measurables… long arms, solid speed, impressive broad jump. Odds are he never develops into a contributor but the Riders like him enough to give it a try.

Round 6 – OL Albert Reese IV

As he has done every year, O’Day once again showed that he is more than willing to take a chance on a guy with an NFL contract. Reese would have been a first round pick if not for signing a free agent contract with the Carolina Panthers. He may never play in the CFL but if he does, securing his rights for the low price of a 6^th round pick is well worth it.

Round 7 – WR Shemar McBean

McBean was a Can-West all-start last season who put up impressive numbers in his career with the Thunderbirds. But obviously falling this far down tells you that GMs have some concern about his ability to develop into a pro. Best case scenario is either practice roster or sent back to school (like Daniel Wiebe last year).

Round 8 – TE Ryan Speight

8^th round picks are always just lotto ticket picks. Overwhelming odds are they don’t pan out but great value for the few that do. Speight is coming off major injury so we might have to wait on him. He would project as a special teams/FB (think Awachie/Runge) if he makes it.

Global Round 1 – LB Mapalo Mwansa

As you can clearly guess by his name, Mwansa is from England. This is a futures pick. Mwansa was also a part of the NFL International program and currently on the Carolina Panthers.

Global Round 2 – K Kansei Matsuzawa

Whether or not he ever comes to Saskatchewan, Matsuzawa is likely the most interesting story you will read. Known as the Tokyo Toe, he taught himself to kick by watching YouTube while working at a restaurant to pay for college. He ended up becoming a star at the University of Hawaii and was signed by the Las Vegas Raiders. Let that be just another reminder that no job in North America is safe from outsourcing to cheaper and more productive Asian labour.

Thursday Morning Sentimonies: Playoffs?!?

What a week to take a couple days off!

I had planned to give an overview of the Riders’ draft picks but that will have to wait until Monday because Stewart Johnston (a guy who somehow is making people walk back their hatred of Randy Ambrosie) came out with another bombshell to rock the CFL world. 

First let me explain something that I think is super important to understanding Stewart Johnston and what he is doing. There is another commissioner I know who is universally reviled by fans… Gary Bettman. You know who loves Gary Bettman? The NHL Owners. Why? Because he makes them crazy amounts of money. No one at the NHL gives two craps about whether the Commissioner is liked as long as he makes money. 

Enter Stewart Johnston. As CFL Commissioner he exists to do what the owners tell him. And I can assure you that that owners have not told him to work on being viewed as a likeable guy. The owners have told him “make us more money”. 

That is the entire context of the playoff format change… $$$$$. More playoff games means more ticket sales and most importantly more games to market to broadcasters and advertisers. It’s the same reason the NFL expanded their playoff format. Playoff games make money and more games equals more money. No matter what anyone says, this and this alone is the reason for the change. 

Now do I personally like it? 

Like most people I don’t love that all but one team makes the playoffs. It cheapens the regular season and will mean that a 5-13 team can make the playoffs despite sucking for the entire regular season and still have a shot at a championship. If you miss the playoff now the head coach of that team should need to parade through the streets while people yell “Shame” like on Game of Thrones.

 

I don’t mind the page playoff system (non-curling fans will need to Ask Jeeves, anyone under the age of 30 will first need to google Ask Jeeves, maybe try Alta Vista). I like the reseeding to ensure the top seeds always play the lowest seeds. The advantage to finishing 1^st is greatly reduced (2^nd is almost as good) but the risk of a top team being one and done is removed so that part is ok.

So while I am generally a traditionalist and would have been fine with the old system I am open to given this a try. But as I mentioned in the opening the only measure of success for this will be $$. If it makes the league more then Stewart Johnston will gladly let you call him all the bad names in the book as he lights cigars with $100 bills. Whether Johnston will be right in the end I do not know. But I do know doing nothing different will make the League $0 so the owners are more than will to risk it. 

Monday Morning Sentimonies: Draft Musings

A week from tomorrow the CFL Canadian Draft goes down. The next day is the Global Draft.. or as it is more accurately known the Kickers and Punters from British Colonies Draft. To start getting you primed for the draft(s) here are some of my random draft musings:

 

-        I see many writers saying that the Riders will target a linebacker due to the departure of AJ Allen. This is nothing but lazy writing (and I know a thing or two about lazy writing). I don’t buy that logic for a number of reasons. First, there is no guarantee we plan to continue playing a Canadian in that spot. Second, we just so happen to have the best defensive players in U-Sports from both 2023 (Wiebe) and 2025 (Hundeby) so its not like our cupboards are suddenly bare. We also have Malique Straker who has been playing very well on special teams… which is exactly how AJ Allen started his career.

-        I am not saying that any of those guys are guaranteed to be the next Allen. I am just saying that if O’Day drafts an LB in Round 1 or 2 it will be because someone was too good to pass on, not because of any particular need.  

-        I have to think the priorities are OL, DL and WR in that order.

-        We have 5 Canadian OL on the roster and need to dress a minimum of 3. Given that we lost 2 OL before the first preseason game last year I would have to think that either O’Day has a line on some reinforcements (McEwen, Gagnon, Hergel) or he intends on drafting a couple.

-        As I said last week, it appears to be a draft thin on top end OL so I expect by the time we draft the top ones will be gone and we will have to use a second rounder on a guy with NFL interest (ala Hergel) or a guy we send back to school for one more year (ala Andersen)

-        Ajou’s unfortunate life choices don’t suddenly create an emergency at WR. We still are fine with Emilus, Baker and Duncan-Busby. But unless both Mimbs and other Wiebe pan out depth is starting to look a little thin there. I expect O’Day to take at least 2 WR in Rounds 3 through 7 and hope his string of always finding a Canadian WR late continues.

-        Speaking of the Punter draft… err I mean Global draft, as much as this is a much maligned initiative I still stand behind it. It may be slow moving but it is progressing. In the inaugural Mexican draft in 2019 we took an O-lineman (Rene Brassea) who was only good enough to stand on the sidelines for all but 1 snap (where I'm oretty sure he just snuck on the field). Now we have guys like Baldonado who are legitimately good players.  

-        Not sure anyone cares but we nailed the 2023 Global draft with Adam Korsak and Baldonado.

-        It balances with the 2024 Global draft where neither pick has ever reported to the CFL (Tyrone Taleni, Jordy Sandy)

CFL Draft Preview: Saskatchewan Roughriders

The CFL Draft is two weeks away. Much like March Madness its amazing how many people suddenly become experts on a college sport they did not previously pay attention to and have no intention of paying attention to in the future. 

While the Riders enter the draft with no glaring holes, they do need to restock the shelves a bit as offseason departures: Allen, Nield to other teams; Picton and Hus likely to retirement will impact depth.   

Based on O’Day track record we should be very confident. He has done pretty solid with his top picks (Emilus, Saad, Korte-Moore) but where he excels is the back half of the draft. Just look at what he has been able to find after the first 3 rounds. Dalke (6), Ajou (7), Baker (4), Betrand-Hudon, (4), Daniel Johnson (5), Straker (4). 

Picks: 8 picks, first selection is 9^th Overall

Potential Pipeline: DL David Oneymata (NYJ/Never coming to the CFL), DL Neville Gallimore (Chicago, probably never coming to the CFL), OL Sidy Sow (Houston), DL Tavius Robinson (Baltimore), OL Kyle Hergel (Chicago), QB Kurtis Rourke (San Francisco)

Current Strengths:

Overall the Riders have some elite talent at the top end. Emilus, Campbell and Ferland are among the best at their positions regardless of passport. Biggest strength has to be receiver. We have enough to comfortably start 3 Canadians. Emulis is a stud. Add in Baker, Duncan-Busby and Ajou and you are pretty solid.

Specials Teams and depth is another strength. Straker and Exume are studs on teams. We have guys like Hudon, Dalke, Wiebe, Marion, Ford, Awachie who contribute on teams but can step in and play meaningful snaps as well (not Exume clearly but the others). 

A big strength I see is the pipeline that O’Day is building. He built up solid Canadian depth and no longer has to rush new draft picks into action. Just look at the 2025 draft class. We sent the following players back to their final year of University:

OL Erik Andersen – J.P. Metras Trophy winner as the top lineman in U-Sports in 2025

LB Seth Hundeby – President’s trophy winner as best defender in U-Sports in 2025

WR Daniel Wiebe – Hec Creighton nominee in 2025

Those guys would all be drafted higher this year than what O'Day got them for in 2025. The ability to invest in development is massive. This means we can be patient with the 2026 class if needed too. 

There were long stretches were our draft was questionable and we had no ability to retain any of our prospects long-term. Credit to O’Day and his scouting staff for flipping the script (probably one of the reasons they won an award recently). 

Current Needs:

As mentioned no glaring needs but depth is definitely needed. 

I know we only start 2 Canadian OL so ours needs are a lot less than most teams but we only have 5 Canadian OL on the roster currently. That is an insanely low number. There have been times where that would not last us through June. Unless Hergel unexpectedly shows up we need to build some more depth here. 

With Saad expected to take on a greater role with the retirement of Micah, we will want to build depth there. In theory Korte-Moore can be added back to the D-line rotation but beyond that we ain’t got much (espicially with Dabire now gone). 

If last year taught us anything its that it would be nice to have someone not named Exume as depth behind Campbell. 

Prediction:

Would not surprise me to see us follow a similar script to last year. Target an impact defender in Round 1 (DL Wesley Bailey, DB Malcom Bell) and then look to get an O-lineman in Round 2. Like Andersen it could be a guy who could go back to college, or it could be a guy likely to try the NFL who we need to wait on.  I think our preference would be OL in round 1 but with picking 9 the top end ones will be gone before it gets to us. 

Speaking of NFL guys, the Potential Pipeline above shows that O’Day is not afraid to roll the dice on a guy in the NFL. He will do it again in 2026 and I love it. Other than Hergel all it has cost is 3^rd round picks or later (CFL late round picks are no guarantee anyway). If just one of those guys shows up it worth it. It’s like a lottery ticket. Most won't every amount to anything but just one is a potential game changer.

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.