As the Grey Cup loss sets in as reality for Saskatchewan Roughriders fans, the water cooler talk of the day was on Darian Durant and the interception he tossed up late in the fourth quarter in Edmonton.
Inceptions have always been his Achilles Heel and Sunday, again, it was the final nail in the coffin for what we hoped would be a Saskatchewan Roughrider comeback. Yes, it was a costly turnover, but I don't think you can really fault him?
He scrambled for his life, as Montreal turned up the heat on what was a sure sack. Durant escaped and he looked to make something out of nothing. With one Alouette wrapped around his ankles and another rushing at his head, after already shedding two tacklers, he had nowhere to run, nowhere to hide and tried to will his team to victory.
Two more yards on an off balance desperation throw and the result could have been different, but it wasn't. Had he taken the sack and put the Riders in a second and long situation, Rider Nation would have faulted him for that. Durant showed a ton of guts throughout the game and the final offensive play of the Roughriders' season was just one example of his determination. Another was in the first half when he scrambled for an eight-yard run, refused to slide and came up two yards short of the first down. You could tell by Durant's expression he wanted to go for the third and two gamble, but the punt team made their way onto the field and kicked the ball away.
Both those examples of his gutsy effort didn't result in a first down, but you can't say it was a lack of effort from the Riders on Sunday.
The Riders' offence has always featured a big play component since their Grey Cup success in 2007, but Sunday that was nearly a non-factor. Cary Koch and Andy Fantuz had huge receptions to put the Riders in great field position, but Montreal's defence was well prepared and executed well, keeping the Roughriders' offence at bay.
I think Roughrider fans can look forward to minimal changes on the offensive side of the ball, but I believe some tweaking will be made before the kickoff of the 2011 season. Coach Miller was a bit of a question mark, but still should be hungry to be back at the helm. Now Durant has to prove he is an elite quarterback who can win the big game. He said at Mosaic Stadium Monday that Rider fans should get used to the Roughriders playing in the Grey Cup, because he feels they can make it a tradition.
I'd expect the West Division to be better next year and the top two playoffs spots won't be decided with five weeks left. The Riders will have their work cut out for them, but after losing twice in the Grey Cup, I guarantee there will be even more hunger in the Saskatchewan locker room and Darion Durant will be lined up at the buffet table ready to lead the charge. That's who the Rider players want as their leader and that is who Rider Nation will be behind once the frozen tears from Sunday's loss evaporate and the interception replay is put into the archives and forgotten.
