There is a saying that stuck with me while I was playing: "If you are not improving, you are actually getting worse because everyone else is getting better."
Every week, teams are experimenting with different lineups in order to find the right mix of players that give them the best shot at making it to the Grey Cup. Some are happy with the rosters they have and are working to hone their field skills, some are tinkering with slight personnel changes, while others are making wholesale changes.
When the Roughriders decided to address the on-field performance, they sure didn't mess around as they fired both their head coach and their offensive coordinator. Making a coaching change in-season is always a huge gamble, but it has been nothing short of amazing to see how new coach Ken Miller and the Riders fit together.
However, the other key offensive addition for the Riders is receiver Dallas Baker, who was recently acquired in a trade that sent rush end Luc Mullinder to Montreal.
Dallas was the leading receiver in Saskatchewan's 45-23 win over Winnipeg on Sunday. Like Fantuz, he is also tall and presents a deep threat they did not have previously.
Baker has learned to be a big-game receiver during his four years with the Florida Gators. He also has a level of maturity and should become a strong leader for this team.
The fact Saskatchewan was able to put up 72 points in two games against Winnipeg, which boasts the stingiest defence in the CFL, has caught everyone's attention.
The defence also needed to patch up some glaring holes. The front seven was not getting nearly enough pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Prior to the Week 11 matchup with Winnipeg, the Riders' defence had the fewest number of takeaways in the league.
Since being rotated into the lineup, defensive ends Shomari Williams and Shawn Lemon have made a huge impact. The Baker trade was only able to happen because of the play of Williams.
Defensive coordinator Richie Hall has decided to use smaller rush ends and bring a level of creativity that can only happen with greater levels of speed.
The other move that's boosted the defence has been the insertion of rookie safety Craig Butler. The University of Western product has been fun to watch as he has shown a nose for the football.
His solid play has also allowed James Patrick to be moved to the dimeback position, a cross between defensive back and linebacker.
Sunday's game was very telling of the type of defence Saskatchewan is now running. The Riders were flying around in the Banjo Bowl and created six turnovers resulting in 28 points.
Despite their 3-7 record, the Riders are for real and will be a force that other teams will now need to take note of.
Two guys that I believe will pay big dividends for the Eskimos are Prechae Rodriguez and Jason Armstead. Both receivers have experience and, at 6-foot-5, Rodriguez brings another big receiver into the fold.
Adversity is never fun to go through, but often it makes you stronger. Edmonton is finally getting healthier and now a stronger team with tremendous depth at receiver.
Harrison was Calgary's most outstanding rookie nominee in 2010, but was slotted in to replace outstanding lineman Ben Archibald, who signed with the B.C. Lions.
The up and down start to the season for Calgary has largely been due to the constant personnel changes along the offensive line. Over the course of the first nine games, the Stamps have had four different starters.
Unfortunately, Harrison has been recovering from a pectoral tear that he sustained while lifting weights in the off-season. Tony Washington played in Week 10 but was getting worked on by Marcus Howard. In the previous two games Washington was penalized for five procedure calls.
Offensively, Henry Burris had one of his worst games last week while facing relentless pressure by the Eskimos' front seven.
Burris threw for 132 yards, with two interceptions and two fumbles. Running back Joffery Reynolds averaged only 2.2 yards per carry and managed only 13 yards as the Stamps were embarrassed by Edmonton, 35-7.
However, Calgary looked like a different team in Week 11, beating the Eskimos 30-20 at Commonwealth Stadium. Burris had time in the pocket and was helped by a rushing attack that produced 182 yards.
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