IT'S TIME TO WEED OUT THE PROBLEMS

The once-promising Saskatchewan Roughriders season appears to be going to pot.

The rapidly regressing Roughriders -- who have lost four of their past five CFL
games, and five of their past seven -- are now facing an off-field problem.

Today, Roughriders defensive end Shont'e Peoples is to be represented by a
lawyer in a Saskatoon courtroom. Peoples has been charged with possessing fewer
than 30 grams of marijuana.

It should be emphasized that Peoples is innocent until proven guilty.

It is also worth noting that Peoples has not been charged with a serious
offence, considering the federal government's increasingly lenient stance
regarding matters involving marijuana.

But, all that being true, the case of Shont'e Peoples is another stain on an
organization which does not need any more adversity.

Here is a summary of what went right for the Roughriders on Monday.

The plane landed.

After that, it was chaos.

Peoples and Roughriders head coach Danny Barrett were greeted at the Regina
airport by a swarm of reporters, who had several questions about the marijuana
charge.

"Talk to my lawyer, man,'' Peoples said before turning away from the media
scrum. "I'm good.''

Uh, welcome back.

Barrett maintained that he was completely unaware of the situation, even though
Peoples had been arrested July 26 in Saskatoon and had requested an adjournment
Aug. 12.

"I don't know anything about it,'' Barrett stated. "Is that what this is all
about? I don't know anything about it. This is the first I've heard of it -- as
soon as you guys put the mike in front of me.''

Barrett was asked whether he was surprised that he would not be advised of such
a matter until being inundated with inquiries at the airport.

"Yeah, pretty much,'' Barrett said. "As I look at it, if it's something that's
been already in the process, usually you would know already ... someone in our
organization would know. But this is the first knowledge I have of it.''

Roughriders general manager Roy Shivers said that he was not aware of Peoples'
legal situation until Monday.

It has come to this: The two highest-ranking paid employees in the Roughriders
organization were completely unaware of a legal matter which dated back to late
July.

How could that be?

After all, some people who follow the organization were aware of the situation
well in advance of Monday. Even so, Peoples' legal issue was news to Barrett
and Shivers on Monday.

Now that anyone with even a passing interest in football is acutely aware of
the charges facing Peoples, it is time for someone in the organization to adopt
a take-charge, no-nonsense attitude.

Barrett must seize control of the situation -- if he hasn't already done so --
for reasons which transcend legalities.

Peoples reportedly missed curfew on the eve of Sunday's 28-23 loss to the
Montreal Alouettes.

Such conduct at a critical juncture of the season is inexcusable for a veteran
- -- especially for a high-profile player who should be one of the team's
leaders.

Barrett cannot condone the latest indiscretion.

It is time for the Roughriders' head coach to make an emphatic statement in
terms of his words and actions.

Peoples should be released.

The head coach's reasoning should be spelled out, loud and clear.

The players and fans should be told, in no uncertain terms, that the team's
current plight is unacceptable.

Barrett cannot allow players to tarnish the image of the team.

He cannot continue to tacitly condone failure.

Following Sunday's game, Barrett lauded the players for a "great team
performance.''

Enough of the que sera sera attitude.

The Riders' fourth-year field boss must seize control and assert his authority.

No more Mr. Nice Guy.

If Barrett has to shock some people with drastic measures, so be it.

His floundering team is clearly in need of a jolt.