Vanstone: Who will play Roughriders's defender?

The man under the hat will fit under the lid?

Several CFL teams will probably have to reflect on this question while dealing with the free-kicking agency of star mike Reilly – his elegant chapeau.

Reilly is expected to order up to $ 600,000 a year, assuming he does not re-sign Edmonton Eskimo before the deadline of February 15 for free agencies.

It just happens that Saskatchewan Roughriders needs a backdrop.

What are their chances to land Reilly?

Slim, it is said here, simply because Roughriders can not give Reilly the assurance that it will be surrounded by plenty of playmakers.

Saskatchewan would have had to make some major moves to improve the receiving bodies to properly attract one of the league's first passers-by.

Money is unlikely to be the problem. Reilly, who at the age of 25 will be 34, will lead a top dollar wherever he goes. Anyone will make him know what it takes to offer a credible offer.

Therefore, the decision must finally come down: What is the best match?

Roughriders have some factors in their favor, such as: (1) the prestige of the team, which is blessed with first class amenities; and, (2) Reilly enjoyed success under the leadership of Chris Jones and offensive coach Stephen McAdoo.

Jones – now head coach of the Roughriders team, general manager and vice president of football operations – led the Eskimo to the 2015 Gray Cup title. McAdoo was the offensive coach of that championship team.

McAdoo's system, which can lead to quite a lot of football, is one in which Reilly has enjoyed success.

"If you learn it and you learn how to operate in it, it can be a very successful offense, but it is structured," Reilly told Jamie Nye at CJME earlier this year.

"It's not like crimes where you can just go out there and put yourself and the libertarians and get rid of it. This is not what this crime is designed and built around. be your eyes and how it should be your needs, and the ball must come out on time based on what it is doing.

"Once you learn it and feel comfortable, it's the best thing you can have as a defender, because you will never be there finding out what's going on.

"You will have an answer for anything and there will be something built to take care of every cover they have."

That being said, Reilly made a warning note during talks with the Green Zone host.

"It's not something you learn overnight," he said. "It's something that takes a lot of work and lasts a long time. In this situation pain will develop.

Reilly should not have experienced this discomfort, however, because of his familiarity with the system.

Despite criticism that McAdoo has received this past season as a result of the offensive Roughriders offensive, the scheme can work if talented players are part of the equation.

In 2017, for example, Kevin Glenn and Brandon Bridge combined to drop a touchscreen crossing 35 points for Saskatchewan.

The Roughriders Arsenal includes three 1,000-meter receivers (Duron Carter, Bakari Grant and Naaman Roosevelt) along with key veterans like Rob Bagg and Chad Owens. Caleb Holley also contributed to spurts.

The passing game, so productive in 2017, collapsed a year later. Glenn was placed in favor of Zach Collaros, whose $ 430,000 salary proved to be excessive, and Bridge moved from the differentiator manufacturer to the duddy.

Collaros has thrown nine passes in 14 starts. Bridge and David Watford each grabbed a single pass for an air attack from Saskatchewan (?), Which was worrying to look.

A bright spot was Jordan Williams-Lambert, who scored 62 passes for 764 meters and four touchdowns on his way to being named Beginner of the West Division of the Year.

According to Williams-Lambert, however, there are too many questions.

Shaq Evans caught 50 assists for a team of the best 785 yards but did not score a touchdown.

Roosevelt, returning on December 31, 24, had one year after seasons for 1000 years. He is eligible to test the free agency.

Kyran Moore was unregulated, although he is the last Roughrider to get a pass-pass – 23 seconds ago.

Kenny Shaw tried to get a face mask crossing.

K. D. Cannon seemed to have the potential, so he was basically ignored in Roughriders playoffs.

Holley suffered injuries and, when available, was ineffective. He regressed after making such an impressive debut in 2016.

Suppose you are Reilly and consider the countless options. Even if there is a precedent of a prosperous association with Jones and McAdoo, how is the fact that receiving bodies is not a deterrent?

In view of this question, this skeptical writer discovers the likelihood that Reilly will return to Riderville.

If I'm right, for the first time in eons, what (or who) is Plan B?

McLeod Bethel-Thompson: Despite the flashes with Toronto Argonauts, he is 30 years old and another ongoing work.

Brandon Bridge: Roughriders' lack of trust in Bridge was evident in 2018. It is too bad, indeed, given the promise he made in 2017.

Zach Collaros: That ship sailed. Everyone looks forward to the arrival of the Carpathians.

James Franklin: Jones and Franklin were together with the Eskimos in 2015. Several Rider pilots requested a meeting in Saskatchewan. The problem: Why would Argos deal Franklin? Probably will be their beginner in 2018.

Kevin Glenn: The most classic of the pros, Glenn landed in Edmonton after being knocked out of Saskatchewan. He did not throw a single pass in 2018. A positive note is that his 39-year-old throwing arm must be fresh.

Trevor Harris: On Sunday, he must put Ottawa Redblacks back into the Gray Cup game. He threw six touchdown passes, a record-breaking record for CFL, in the 46-27 victory over the weekend on Hamilton's tiger cats. Although the free agency might be on the horizon, why would it let Redblacks escape? And if they look elsewhere, Roughriders' receiving bodies should be a red flag – especially for someone accustomed to throwing Greg Ellingson, Brad Sinopoli, and Diontae Spencer.

Jonathon Jennings: Only 26 years old threw for 5,226 meters and 27 touchdowns for 2016 BC. Lions.

Travis Lulay: A free wait agent who reconciled Lions with the 2011 Gray Cup title, Lulay has 35 years of fragility.

Johnny Manziel: Some Roughriders fans have suggested that Johnny Football will be purchased from Montreal Alouettes. The same fans can use legalized marijuana.

Nick Marshall: He did a great job as Saskatchewan's defender in 2018. But he was even better than a spring CFL. Yes, he played the defender at Auburn, but he was more than a runner (winning 1,068 yards across the junior ground) than a passerby.

Bo Levi Mitchell: Calgary Stampeders' pivot can test the free agency, but it will probably attract significant interest from the NFL. Otherwise, he will return to Calgary.

Antonio Pipkin: If Manziel leaves Montreal, maybe Pipkin will be consumable. But, indeed, who knows if it can be the answer?

Chris Streveler: A defender with the speed and mobility of a back, Streveler threw 11 passes – as many as Collaros, Bridge and Watford combined – in just 140 attempts. However, Streveler is contracted for next season. Why would the blue bombers in Winnipeg throw a life tank to a divisional rival?

David Watford: Saskatchewan's only defender, who is in the contract for the next season, played very little last season and is therefore an unknown product. In college, he threw more interceptions (33) than touchdown passes (32), with a completion rate of 54.1. Average test sites: Low 5.7.

So, which is the best, or the most plausible scenario?

If Reilly wins the lottery in the form of a contract with Roughriders, Green and White will share the surprise.

Given the unlikely possibility that this scenario, how to shake another background away from Edmonton?

Glenn knows the system, one in which he threw 4038 meters and 25 touchdowns – with a 100% effectiveness in efficiency – in 2017.

His return will give Saskatchewan a known commodity and will buy Roughriders some time to develop a younger passerby.

Glenn, who is adaptable to any situation, could benefit Roughriders in a mentoring role, in addition to committing the offense competently.

Such a scenario would put John Murphy, the Roughriders' staff guru, to find a star that can be cared for by a star.

There is defeat there.

In three years with Roughriders, Murphy has not yet offered a considerable promise. Instead, the team attended auditions – in short, in most cases – such as Marquise Williams, Bryan Bennett, Maty Mauk, B. J. Coleman, B.J. Daniels, G.J. Kinne, Jacob Huesman, Phillip Sims, Bryant Moniz, Vad Lee and Jake Waters.

And where did you go, Vince Young?

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