DAY 1 RIDER ROOKIE CAMP NOTES

#9, 1st round pick Nic Demski, zeroes in on a pass Wednesday

Some quick thoughts from Day 1 of 2015 Roughrider Rookie Camp at Mosaic Stadium on Wednesday.  More coming up on the SportsCage on 620 CKRM:

– First and foremost, rosters weren’t provided so that made things a crapshoot. Someone said there were 44 players on hand so we’ll go with that.  It’s virtually impossible to compose a detailed summary when you only know who a half a dozen players are.

– The two QB’s participating were Brett Smith (Wyoming) and Noah Picton (Regina). Smith showed that he’s got some pro experience – with the Argos last year and the Riders’ Florida minicamp – as he had quite a burst when he rolled out. He’s got an arm, but Noah’s is deceptively strong too.

– Tino Sunseri watched in a t-shirt and shorts. Darian Durant and Kevin Glenn are here, but didn’t come onto the field.

– Noah had to handle some bad snaps and said he didn’t know who the centres even were. On one, he found an open Nic Demski as a safety outlet. Picton said there was no way to prepare for the increase in speed of the defenders but figures he’ll get used to it. He’s already taken more snaps during the team period than I thought he would and Coach Chamblin advised me to make sure I got a photo.

– Rider GM Brendan Taman said, if he had to pick one rookie standout, it would be first round pick REC Nic Demski (pictured above). Demski was sensational making acrobatic grabs and holding on field goals.  He’s fortunate his college number was available due to the club’s release of quarterback Seth Doege.

– When pressed, Taman said he predicts a 12-6 record for his club this year.  Apparently he was sticking by his tongue-in-cheek comment from a Wednesday morning appearance on the Wolf 104.9 FM morning show.

– There will be at least one opening on the roster at the receiver position.  Taman reported veteran Chaz Schilens has informed the club he plans to retire.  The 7-year NFL veteran saw spot duty with the Riders in 2014.

– An interested observer for the entire 55-minute workout was new club President Craig Reynolds.

– There were two kickers attempting three-pointers including the one from the U of S. There will be big competition there but the Riders have confidence in veteran Chris Milo. Now it’s up to him to show it.

– So now we know by some point this year the Riders could have a starting Canadian nose tackle on defense. The rookies who play that position, including Rory Connop, are salivating at the golden opportunity. Maybe by Labour Day, we’ll have a Keith Shologan-type of player in there.

– Rory Connop is big, but not as freakishly-so as has been portrayed.

– RB Melvin Abankwah from St. Mary’s says he’s sorry for using PED’s and promised it won’t happen again. He had the lecture from Ass’t GM Jeremy O’Day Wednesday morning.

– #10 got the work at tailback and I can only assume it’s incumbent Steven Miller.

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That good for now?

RP