Heartbreak, anxiety, excitement fill Roughriders locker room on final day

For the first time since 2011, the Saskatchewan Roughriders cleaned out their lockers before the CFL playoffs even started.

Taking away some of the sting of a disappointing 3-15 record was the fact the team closed out their season with a win in Montreal. It's the team's worst record since 1999

During the off season, the organization will focus on hiring a general manager and head coach.

Interim head coach Bob Dyce said he has yet to speak with Rider president and CEO Craig Reynolds about his role.

"To speak directly to Craig right now, I would let him know I'm definitely interested," Dyce said. "But there's so many things that have to fall into place before that even gets to the next step."

• 'One of those years:' Rider fans welcome end of dismal football season

Interim general manager Jeremy O'Day will address the media on Tuesday.

Following what was at times an agonizing season for players and fans, defensive end John Chick said he's excited about the future.

"Right now, to me it's excitement. (We) can turn that page. The bad's behind (us)," Chick said. "For me personally, I'm looking forward to my off-season training, what I can do to be better for next year."

Future uncertain for several players

For running back Anthony Allen, there is more anxiety than excitement for next season. Allen is set to become a free agent in February.

"Right now, I'm just chillin' I guess I could say," Allen said with a laugh. "I got bad anxiety so it's a little scary because I want to know what's going on. But it's a blessing as well, because I might have options."

While Allen said it's been a "heartbreaking" year, he's proud of how his team improved in the second half of the season.

"I'm grateful though that we went 3and 6 with Dyce as the head coach," Allen said. "I really liked his leadership. I liked the way he brought the team together and helped us stay together. And (he) allowed the team to kind of lead itself."

Veteran Canadian receiver Chris Getzlaf is heading into unfamiliar territory. The former University of Regina Rams star has been a staple for the Riders in the past few seasons. However, this year Getzlaf missed multiple games due to injuries and finished the season with his worst receiving total 402 yards since joining the Riders in 2008.

The 32-year-old is set to become a free agent in February.

"I think I've got a few years of football left in me for sure," Getzlaf said. "I work my tail off every off-season and during the season no matter what the circumstances are. It's real unfortunate I had to miss multiple games this year due to my foot. I'm looking forward to getting that all cleared up and getting back into hard training mode."

Have Riders found Durant'sheir at QB?

Many fans will say the Roughriders season was lost in the first half of the first game of the year.That's when starting quarterback Darian Durant tore his Achilles and missed the entire 2015 season.

The Riders would end up deploying four other quarterbacks to try and replace Durant, including Kevin Glenn, Tino Sunseriand Keith Price.But only rookie Brett Smith was able to lead the team to multiple victories.

• 'I will be better': Saskatchewan Roughriders QB Darian Durant

Smith, 23, finished the season with 1,822 passing yards, 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He also added 444 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns.

"I thought there were some good things. Obviously some mistakes quite a few," Smith said. "But that's what the off-season is forto correct those and to try and do what you can to improve on it so that next year you come back better than ever.

Smith said he already has several months of training scheduled, which he'll begin in a few weeks. He added that hehopes the team will maintain confidence in him into the future.

"That's kind of my goal," he said. "I've said it before, I know this is Darian's team, but I love the guys here and I want to contribute in any way I can. So that's my main goal."