GLENN TO 6-GAME / SMITH TO START FRIDAY
The Saskatchewan Roughriders’ situation at quarterback became more desperate Wednesday after the team placed Glenn on the six-game injured list with a torn pectoral muscle. The veteran suffered the injury in the club’s 31-21 home loss to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Sunday.
That means rookie Brett Smith will make his first CFL start Friday night when the Riders visit the Edmonton Eskimos (3-1). Saskatchewan (0-5) is the league’s lone remaining winless squad.
Glenn took over starting duties after Durant suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in Saskatchewan’s season-opening 30-26 loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Head coach Corey Chamblin said Glenn won’t require surgery.
“Just to have two back to back at that same position that’s the biggest thing,” Chamblin told reporters. “Things that Darian did Kevin did differently.
“Things that Kevin does Brett will do different so I really think it’s an opportunity for that kid to grow.”
Smith will have big shoes to fill as Glenn, 36, leads the CFL in passing yards with 1,483 and has six TD tosses and five interceptions.
“I’m not putting pressure on him, it’s football,” Chamblin said of his rookie starter. “He doesn’t have experience but he has youth.
“He has a good arm and also has legs and that’s the thing. Jacques (offensive co-ordinator Jacques Chapdelaine) will do a good job of giving him what he needs to be successful.”
Smith’s mobility could be severely tested against an athletic Eskimos defence that likes to get after opposing quarterbacks.
“It gives him the opportunity to get out of trouble,” Chamblin said. “You don’t want to sit in there and take that heat.
“We understand who we’re playing we understand that he’s going to have to get on the move.”
And Chamblin isn’t expecting Eskimos head coach Chris Jones, who also orchestrates the club’s defence, to change his game plan given the Eskimos will be facing a first-time CFL starter.
“Nothing more than he’s dialling up every week, every damn blitz he can find,” Chamblin said. “I mean, that’s what Chris does.
“I can tell you, I’ve been with Chris and it doesn’t matter if it’s Kevin Glenn, Darian or Brett Smith, he views all quarterbacks the same. It’s time to blitz them.”
Tino Sunseri, who saw action last year after Durant’s season ended with an elbow injury, will serve as Smith’s backup during Glenn’s absence. Chamblin said the Riders will look to add another quarterback shortly.
“I don’t know if it’s going to be a veteran at this point but I do know we will be bringing in a new quarterback,” he said. “The time frame on that, I’m not sure of.
“I know we’ve discussed it and we do have a list of names.”
(Canadian Press)
Will be interesting to see what the guy has. Just hope he is not pressing too hard as I suspect some of our guys are now. Looking forward with my glass half full.
Oh boy….
Uh oooooooo.
If your glass is half full then it better be straight liquor. What's the CFL record for sacks in a game ?
Zzzzzzzzz
eskies 44 riders 12
As of late in Sask it never rains, it pours!
That's tough news. I sure hope the defence finally shows up and keeps the game close to give Smith a chance.
Well now those fans saying we need to develop young QB's finally get their wish! All the best for 22 year old Brett Smith – he will need it.
But if it was up to me as senior armchair GM for the Riders, I would now make a trade with the Argos to pick up Ricky Ray.
Brendan Shaman
People the season is lost. Time to sit the old and the tired and let the young in. We will see if Taman can recruit. If he can we will win 4 or 5 games. If not, we'll be 0-18. I'm actually starting to feel bad for Chamblin.
Hi,
Don't trade for Ricky Ray. That would be 9 week rental and cost us more draft picks that we don't already have. Let the young guys play. Chapdelaine will be better on them than Cortez was in my opinion. Fans have been saying for years that we have to develop a QB or two to succeed Durant. We developed Willy for Winnipeg and many others!! Perhaps Smith or Price is one we can have here for depth. Glenn will be healthy about the same time as Ricky Ray this anyways!!
Aaron Anderson
If you are going to trade for a QB trade for the kid backing up Nichols in Edmonton. At least he's young. Who would Toronto want for Ricky Ray? Nobody!
and then have ricky ray and darian Durant for next year….complete stupidity from another rider dumb ass
It's possible that by Labour Day Tino is the starting quarterback. Who would have thought that given last year and being cut this year?
I'm fine if we don't win a game all season, granted we take the time and develop the two young guys we have. Both have proven they can play in their college careers and can easily be solid starters in this league with playing time. Lets face it, Durant could come back and be his former self or a shadow of his former self with the severity of the two inures he has now had (both being very serious for a QB). Now is not the time for a rental QB, development and thinking forward is the only positive from… Read more »
Thank you Cory Watman for taking the Procedure call on 2nd and short which forced the 2 and 6 where Glenn threw the pick.
Preventable penalty.
Unpreventable stupidity.
May be time to bring in a QB coach to help out with the younguns.
Sad to see Glenn go down too – he was on pace for a 6000 yard year and Dressler was also heading for a huge year receiving.
Wally and The Beav
To those wanting to trade for Ray, why? Let's develop a quality potential back-up and or starter for next season this season is done.
Y'er Welcome,
Obama's mother-in-law's neighbour's nephew's step-son's twin
If they could get a guy like Ray, they would be smart and probably using foresight. A lot of great minds here don't realize the nature of DD's injury. If he makes it back in time is a huge question mark, what he might be like if he does, and how susceptible will he be for further injuries. There are fewer success stories than not with this type of injury. Just because he says he will be ready doesn't mean he will. Bravado is often running rampant. If for any reason he doesn't then who would be our starting QB.… Read more »
I am waiting to see who Taman will bring in as a QB. Sorry to say, but both DD and KG are getting older, and the Riders need to develop their future.