DOMINGUEZ BIDES HIS TIME
October 7, 2004
Herb Zurkowsky, Saskatchewan Gazette
He caught the game-winning touchdown in the final
preseason game played by the New York Jets and
remains convinced he's talented enough to play in the
National Football League.
But sometimes, things just aren't meant to be. And
so Matt Dominguez has returned north, to the
Saskatchewan Roughriders. He isn't bitter, remaining
convinced his time will come.
"I was mad for a couple of hours. And then I put it
behind me," Dominguez said yesterday. "This isn't so
bad. I like it here. But I know I'm good enough to
play there.
"It's bittersweet, because I played well enough."
In a perfect world, Dominguez, 26, would be playing
for the Jets, preparing for a game this weekend at
Miami. In a perfect world, the Jets would have
retained him on their 53-man roster as the sixth
receiver.
But New York ran into injury problems in the
secondary, electing to keep an extra defensive
back.
Dominguez returned to the Riders more than a week
ago, content to fulfill the option year of his contract,
making him eligible to become a free agent next
winter. What then? Who knows?
The NFL remains a viable option, provided there's a
signing bonus involved and a legitimate playing
opportunity. Nor will Dominguez rule out remaining
in Saskatchewan or signing with another CFL
team.
"I've come back here and I'll play as hard as I can,"
Dominguez said. "I'm taking it game by game. Team-
wise, we're trying to get as many wins as possible.
I'm trying to help this team get into the playoffs."
Dominguez was the Riders' leading receiver in 2003,
catching 75 passes for 1,071 yards. He was a big
reason why Saskatchewan posted its first winning
season since 1994. It has been a struggle this year,
for various reasons, but Dominguez's return
undoubtedly will help. The Riders have been seeking
an impact receiver to complement slotback Travis
Moore (another ProStar client). It will be more
difficult now for teams to double-cover Moore.
"He adds a proven dimension," head coach Danny
Barrett said. "He can be a go-to guy and takes some
pressure off Travis. Matt makes us a better team
offensively just by his presence."
Dominguez made his season debut last Sunday,
against Ottawa. Although he didn't catch a pass until
late in the second quarter, the 6-foot-2, 220-
pounder finished with seven catches for 95 yards and
one touchdown in the Riders' 36-22 win.
