Jamie Nye: Riders scrimmage not enough to properly evaluate who should stay or go

The Green and White game on Saturday proved one thing for this observer — the chance of properly evaluating the talent without preseason games is impossible.

The controlled scrimmage just can’t be enough to tell who has what it takes to hit the field on game day and execute. Practice is one thing but it isn’t game action. Even the controlled scrimmage on Saturday limited hitting and being able to show your ability to chase someone down and tackle them or use your strength and speed to elude on coming defenders.

Evaluating quarterbacks without the threat of being sacked. Impossible. Coach Dickenson admitted that much, though he was very diplomatic saying they think they got what they needed, though conceding it is nothing like a preseason game against an opponent.

So what will happen on cut down day later this week. The obvious guys who have shown they don’t belong will be gone but games one and two of the regular season will be preseason. Moves will be made and by week three, we should really get to know who belongs and who doesn’t.

Too bad for the Riders and everyone else in the CFL, those first two or three games count in the road to the Grey Cup.