THE DAY 6 BLAHS

SASKATOON – The Saskatchewan Roughriders waited until Friday’s Day 6 of 2017 Training Camp to flatten out. Head Coach & GM Chris Jones described the workout at SMF Field as “lethargic” and noted that he was disappointed in their effort.

This comes on the eve of the team’s annual Mock Game (4:00 pm Saturday at SMF Field), which will be the club’s first official dress rehearsal complete with CFL officials.

After last year’s mock scrimmage, Jones said he “wanted to throw up”. How can players avoid illiciting the same nausea from their coach this time around? Jones said energy and effort will overcome blown assignments.

Clearly the energy was lacking on Friday.

Some other Friday notes:

– OG Brendon Labatte missed the session while WR Caleb Holley left the field with injury. Jones said neither malady is considered serious. WR Rob Bagg left the field momentarily with a twisted left ankle, but returned.

– Through five days Kevin Glenn led all quarterbacks in completion percentage at 81.1%. Vince Young was next while the stats of Brandon Bridge and Bryan Bennett were virtually even. Young has also had the most passes dropped out of all quarterbacks.

– The club added veteran RB Anthony Allen (pictured) on Friday and he participated in the workout wearing #35. He said he was home in Florida waiting for an opportunity and that call came from the Riders’ Jeremy O’Day. He gladly accepted and was on the first flight to Saskatoon.

Chris Jones said Allen adds a veteran presence and “character”.

Asked about missing almost a week of camp and being behind in the playbook, Allen quipped that “I’m kind of like a genius!” and that it’s been simplified for him by O.C. Stephen McAdoo.

– QB Vince Young addressed the media for the first time since Day 1. He described the first week of training camp as “fun and a lot of hard work”.

I asked Young if he’s willing to stick around this season as Kevin Glenn’s back-up if he’s not named the Week 1 starter.

“Yeah I’m here. I’m good baby,” said Young, who seemed surprised by the question. “Like I said, I’ll fight hard to be a Roughrider and first, make the team. After that, I’m a Roughrider. Whatever it takes. It’s not about me. It’s not about Kev. It’s not about Bryan or Brandon. It’s not about one guy. It’s about doing whatever it is to lead the team, no matter who the quarterback is.”

RP
@rodpedersen