DAY 11 WITH THE RIDERS: ST. JOHN IS BACK
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| David Watford runs the Redzone Offense on Wednesday |
SASKATOON – It’s rained off and on in the Bridge City over the past few days but the Saskatchewan Roughriders have been able to stay dry through 11 days of Training Camp. The Riders were able to get Wednesday’s workout in under an overcast sky, and a temperature of 12 degrees Celsius before thundershowers hit in the afternoon.
Here are some notes from the session:
– Head Coach & GM Chris Jones seems to be pleased with the way his team is coming together in Week 2 of camp. “It was a good, crisp practice,” Jones observed. “It got a little bit too mouthy there at the end, so I had to cut it a few plays shorter than I’d wanted. But we wanted to come out and get 120 good competitive reps, plus our individual and special teams periods. I thought it was good, crisp work.”
– The linebacking corps was an area of concern heading into the season whatwith the losses of Henoc Muamba and Jeff Knox Jr. but Jones feels they’re in good shape there. The coach said free agent signee Sam Hurl has been very good and will “factor into our equation”. He also noted the solid play of veteran Sam Eguavoen, plus there are “3 or 4” Americans who’ve shown well and will fit in in some fashion. Jones said last year’s #2 pick Cameron Judge is “playing good football” as well. Judge did not participate on Wednesday due to injury.
– D-linemen Eddie Steele and Zack Evans will be expected to play on both sides of the line of scrimmage if necessary, and will take practice reps on the offensive line.
– Duron Carter wore a green jersey and took up position at cornerback on Wednesday. Jones was asked how many plays on Offense and Defense that Duron could manage. “Well he’s not Superman,” Jones smirked. “So I’d have to monitor where he played and how many reps he’d get. I’d say somewhere in the neighbourhood of 85-90 plays is about all that’s humanly possible. But I don’t want to fatigue him too much in practice.”
– Veteran offensive tackle Josiah St. John made his first appearance of training camp on Wednesday. The #1 overall pick in the 2016 Draft missed Week 1 due to injury. “Unfortunately he got hurt,” Jones explained. “He looked really good when he came in and we were excited about him. He looked a little leaner and in good shape and unfortunately he had an injury right prior to us going to camp. It’s hindered him from getting on the field. The trainers did good work with him and he was back out there today.”
– If there’s a training camp Top Performer (formerly the Terrence Nunn Award), it would be rookie CB Nick Marshall. He came up with another interception on Day 11.
– The Riders will be back on the field at 9:00 am on Thursday for Day 12. Saturday is the annual Green & White Game at SMF Field at 2:00 pm.
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