A few of us were chatting last night and I brought up the ominous 2nd pre-season when the game...the Riders lost 34-6 to BC...well before BC got hot. DD played something like a quarter and a bit of really bad ball then stood on the sidelines motioning his hands in a downward motion, telling Rider Nation not to panic...that all was fine.......
Then 2011 happened
This should be the season where DD hits his stride...the next 3 seasons should really be the best of his career based on his experience and age. Last season he suffered from a rotating door on WRs, probably around a dozen INTs where the receiver touched the ball first (and thus it should not be intercepted), a lackluster running game-plan (Ds were always in pass cover or pass rush defense), and a line that was struggling at times (also, likely largely due to the O being one dimensional), plus he had lost Marcus as a QB coach...someone he seemed to respond well to.
Hopefully at least a few of these things are corrected this year. The QB coach is in place, and the HC seems to recognize a lot of the changes required. This is a huge year for DD. It is the final year of his contract, so I am sure he wants a big first third of the season so he can re-sign on the spot. Games 3-6 should tell a lot on how DD will play in 2012...