MOSAIC PLACE MONDAY MORNING GOALIE
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| Photo by Chad Hudson |
MONDAY NEWS & NOTES
1 – FLORIDA: Paradise to some. I still prefer Arizona but the locals are in love with this state and it’s easy to see why. Florida truly has a landscape unique to the world (as a PBS documentary told me over the weekend) and they’re as crazy about football here as anywhere on the continent. At most, 16 fans at one time took in the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ workouts over the weekend at Bradenton’s IMG Academy. Some of them were vacationing or transplanted Saskatchewanians while others were locals with various ties to players on the field. We’ll get into that later, and introduce you to some of them. At some workouts there were no fans present while others had as many as 16 onlookers as I mentioned. Part of that has to do with the maze-like nature of IMG which brings me to…
2- THE IMG ACADEMY: The high performace academy hasn’t grown in size since we were here last year but a lot of the land has been developed to include more baseball diamonds, football and soccer fields. There may have been more constructed that I didn’t see, as we were confined mostly to the football area. But the grounds cover 500 acres which, if you come from an agricultural background, is close to a 640-acre ‘section’ of land. That’s absolutely huge! You certainly wouldn’t want to walk that much on a daily basis and there are trams similar to Disneyland to take students and staff around the grounds which include an 18-hole golf course.
Most of the athletes here are high school-aged and I’m told they pay around $75,000 per year in tuition and they come from all over the country. If not the world. The rich parents see the tuition as an investment which they hope will turn into a full ride scholarship down the road. The students specialize in such sports as golf, tennis, soccer, lacrosse, football and baseball. They’re not that interested in hockey and likely never will be.
NFL stars such as J.J. Watt and Josh Freeman have come here to train in the off-season as well as tennis greats like Monica Seles and Eugenie Bouchard.
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Here’s a wrap from Sunday’s final workout of the camp which was posted earlier on Sunday:
The Saskatchewan Roughriders wrapped up their 2015 minicamp at Bradenton, Florida’s IMG Academy with a roughly 80-minute session Sunday morning. Here are some notes which will become part of an expansive Mosaic Place Monday Morning Goalie tomorrow:
IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER
– Veteran receiver Jamel Richardson raised eyebrows across the CFL when he signed with the Roughriders on December 23. Why? Because he hasn’t played football since 2013 when he suffered a major injury to his left knee, and was released by Montreal in June of 2014.
Richardson participated in Saturday morning’s walk-through with a clunky brace on his left knee but watched from the sidelines Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning. GM Brendan Taman reported when camp broke that there’s still a chance Richardson won’t be recovered in time for the 2015 season however they remain optimistic. As far as J-Rich is concerned, he’s intent on coming back.
– If Richardson can’t go, that will present an opportunity for someone else because it appears #14 was pencilled in as one of the starting five. Amongst those who may have a leg up are Naaman Roosevelt, LaQuan Williams and Greg Hardin who all took turns doing good things on the weekend. Roosevelt and Williams are NFL journeymen while Hardin had a tryout with the Denver Broncos last year but hasn’t taken a regular season snap in pro football.
– I forgot how lightning-quick slotback Chris Getzlaf is but having had a chance to watch him from the sidelines again, I was reminded of his moves. Getzlaf was hampered by injuries in 2014 but told me Sunday afternoon he “feels great” and training in Anaheim this winter was a benefit because he could run outdoors. His speed is no longer deceptive to CFL defenses but that’s not because it’s waning. It’s because teams now know he has to be feared and accounted for at all times.
– Returning Canadian WR #83 Alex Anthony had a very strong showing. At times I confused him for #89 because he displayed great speed and made several athletic grabs.
– #87 rookie Alex Carroll out of Queen’s was described as “dominant” by a Rider scout.
– Darian Durant had his scheduled reps increased over the weekend when he informed the coaching and medical staff that he feels 100% and experienced no soreness. It appears it will be “all systems go” with the Roughriders’ top pivot for the 2015 season which has to be a major relief.
– Canadian RB Jerome Messam stated a few weeks ago he plans to be a force in 2015 and it appears the Roughriders agree. Messam got some action with the first grouping and appears to be in fantastic shape and mindset. However returning imports Anthony Allen and Steve Miller still figure to be the featured backs.
– As far as Kory Sheets goes, he doesn’t appear to be in the Riders’ plans and that has as much to do with his pair of achilles injuries than anything else.
– The Riders plan to go with a pair of American offensive tackles this year and head coach Corey Chamblin said that’s no secret to anyone. He said there are a few intriguing tackles available in this year’s draft however it’s unrealistic to expect they’d be ready to start in 2015. I’ve noted in reports over the weekend who some of the prospects are but the best bet is returnee Levy Adcock who spelled off left tackle Xavier Fulton at times last year.
– On the interior of the offensive line, the guards this season will be Brendon Labatte and Chris Best with either Dan Clark or Corey Watman at centre. The two rotated at that position over the weekend with mostly good results. However there were some foibles too as they adjusted to the quarterbacks’ cadence. Durant unsuspectingly fielded one bullet snap in the groin while Tino Sunseri took one off the facemask.
– As far as a review of defensive players goes, I’m inclined to go with Corey Chamblin’s assessment that they “all look the same”. Chamblin reasoned that they all looked good, and no one seemed out of place. However no one particularly jumped out at me other than cornerback Tyree Hollins who recorded at least a pair of interceptions. He’s a raw rookie to pro football out of Grambling State and has experience returning kicks.
– The defenders will have lots to think about between now and the start of training camp in Saskatoon in June. Chamblin reminded them during skelly and team sessions that “the fullback is a receiver” and it’s one more player to be accounted for in space. That, coupled with the whacky Canadian rules on punt returns, means these players will be learning a whole new ball game.
– At the conclusion of camp, Riders Assistant GM Jeremy O’Day told the players on field that they can now go home and wait for the club’s evaluation of their individual play. He told them to be in contact with their agents. In an interview afterwards, O’Day told me the signed players will be hoping they won’t be getting a call and they can come straight to camp while the unsigned players will be waiting by the phone.
– And finally Chamblin told the players that they did “an excellent job” this weekend and they now know the pace at which this team practices. He told them to be mentally and physically ready for the start of training camp.
– I have to say at this point that I’m truly fortunate to have been given the opportunity to come down here and cover this camp for you. It’s always a career highlight!
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PHOTO GALLERY
The front entrance of IMG. You have to clear security at each and every portal…
The home facilities of IMG’s football team..
A peak inside the meeting rooms…
Veteran Rider receiver Rob Bagg came prepared with a tilley hat to keep the blazing sun off his neck. A vet move.
See — Florida has living skies too…
Weston Dressler awaits a punt…
These two are competing for the same job, but are hip to hip. Dan Clark and Corey Watman.
NDSU star Ryan Smith is back for another kick at it. He had the play of the day on Saturday…
Jamel Richardson appears to wince in front of team doctor Rob MacDougall…
Offensive coordinator Jacques Chapdelaine..
Defensive coordinator Greg Quick…
Defensive line coach Mike Sinclair puts his troops through the paces…
This gentleman hails from Central Butte, SK but has lived in the Bradenton/Sarasota area for the past 20 years…
Riders’ U.S. scout Ron Salesky…
Former Riders offensive coordinator and long-time CFL coach Doug Berry stopped by for a visit. He’s living in nearby Port Charlotte, FL…
The Riders’ Dan Plaster and I brought you the SportsCage on Friday from this location…
On Saturday our broadcast spot overlooked IMG’s football field. It doesn’t get more professional than that! Thanks by the way, to the Saskatchewan Roughriders for bending over backwards to ensure we had nothing but top-of-the-line broadcast facilities…
And finally Jeremy O’Day and Corey Chamblin address the team as they break camp…
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MONDAY RANDOMS
– They roll fast and loose down here in Florida. It truly is the wild, wild west. They ride motorcycles with no helmets, talk on their cell fines while driving, IF they’re even wearing a seatbelt, and some even have a gun in the “glove box”. With that all comes great responsibility, but they seem just fine with it.
– At home you’re apt to see moose, deer, a coyote or a fox. That’s our wildlife. Down here you’re likely to run into an alligator, shark or gecko. Fascinating!
– The biggest thing in the news is the Charleston, SC police officer who’s been charged with murder for shooting that middle-aged black man who was running away earlier this month. It’s been in the newspapers and all over the news networks. It’s just added fuel to the fire from the Ferguson stuff. Here’s one thing I’d like to see the media do — interview some U.S. policers and give them the opportunity to tell the world what their job is like these days.
– Our dining choice each evening for supper: Buffalo Wild Wings, Hooters, Hooters, Golden Corral and finally Hooters. You need to experience culture! And go to places you don’t have at home.
– We solved the mystery of the size of the footballs. Riders Assistant GM Jeremy O’Day told us on the weekend that NFL and CFL footballs are the exact same size so quarterbacks should not be having an issue with them. He noted that it’s a popular misconception. So why did the CFL come out with the slogan of “Our Balls Are Bigger” in 1999 if they knew differently?
– The Riders continue to set the standard across the CFL. All of the players’ laundry (jerseys, t-shirts, sweats and socks) were washed and dried in between the two-a-days by equipment manager Gordy Gilroy and his staff. Have you ever participated in two-a-days as a player? I have. And it’s disgusting to pull on wet gear for the afternoon workout. That’s not the case anymore.
– This is why the Roughriders have habitually sent their staff down to NFL and NCAA football programs to get “best practices” during the Hopson era. They’ve returned with the knowledge of the best way to do things and have put them to work. Then it spreads across the CFL, making the Riders the leader north of the border.
– Defensive coordinator Greg Quick was a funny and engaging guest on the SportsCage on Saturday live from the football facility. The Ohio product – who now makes his home in Michigan – said this football coaching staff is all on the same page as are all phases of the team. “Usually offense takes the elevator and the defense takes the stairs,” Quick laughed. “But not on this team.” He also had a long discussion with Darian Durant after one of the workouts in which he told the quarterback he’s not only the leader of the offense, but of the whole team. That means they’ll ALL be looking up to him for guidance and leadership and will respect his words.
– It was hard to miss the frustration on the face of special teams coordinator Bob Dyce when discussing the CFL’s new rule changes live on the radio. Dyce mentioned that they’d spent all winter reviewing film and preparing for 2015 under the old rules and then the rug was yanked out not long before the season. He didn’t say whether he’s a fan or not of the new rules however he felt the 32-yard converts aren’t fair for prairie teams compared to those who can kick in domed stadiums of B.C. and Toronto. Sadly, when I asked Dyce if the ‘football fan’ in him approves of the rule changes, he replied “After coaching this long, there’s not much fan left in me anymore”.
– For those with the popular Fitbit body tracking device, Dyce performed 28,000 footsteps on Saturday!! I generally hit 10,000 around 6:00 pm each day at home. What Dyce has been doing is remarkable. Most coaches are wearing them these days.
– Regarding the Regina Pats’ first round series with Brandon – which the Wheat Kings lead 2-0 – well, Regina is in a lot of trouble. If you hear anyone say this week, “You’re never in trouble until you lose at home”, smack that person upside the head. The Wheat Kings are halfway to the finish line and the Pats aren’t even out of the starter’s blocks yet. Does anyone want to tell me what’s gone on in this series since I’ve been away?
I likely won’t be able to see any games of this series since we’re flying home tomorrow night and Wednesday evening will be spent with my girls. (Unless I can convince them to come to the game).
– The NHL must be clicking its heels with their first round playoff match-ups. For sure the Canadian networks are with the Montreal-Ottawa and Calgary-Vancouver pairings. The Canadiens and Flames should win those but at least it guarantees a Canadian team into the second round.
– The Riders’ Christ Getzlaf understandably predicts the Anaheim Ducks will take out the Winnipeg Jets in Round 1 however, as the older Getzlaf put it, “The Jets might win a game”.
– You can imagine how geeked up they are here in West Florida with the Lightning lining up against the Detroit Red Wings in the opening round. It’s Stevie Yzerman against his old team!
– The Lightning also achieved 50 wins on Saturday night with their home win over Boston and I’m told the joint was going nuts. I was listening to the radio postgame show while driving around and before a live audience in an arena sportsbar, the hosts could hardly ask questions to Tampa coach Jon Cooper because the rowdy crowd was changing, “Let’s Go Cooper! Let’s go Cooper!”
– The Arizona Coyotes should load up a plane of staff and fly them out here to discuss with Lightning marketing personnel how they made the NHL such a big deal in Florida. You think 25 years ago when the Lightning came here that people had any idea what hockey was? Not on your life. Not even close. So it CAN be done but the Coyotes are behind getting out of the gate.
– Perhaps most importantly as it pertains to sports marketing, when I asked one guy why people are so gung-ho about the Lightning, he said, “Because they’re gunning for another Cup.” You’ve gotta win no matter where you are because people don’t buy tickets to watch a crappy team and they certainly don’t want to wear merchandise from one.
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That’s all for this week. Talk to you tonight from Florida on the SportsCage…
Thanks for reading!
RP
Good reporting this year. Way better than last year!!
I know that this is a tough camp to look at the LBs but did any stand out to fill some holes
Did Scott McHenry get reps, and if so how did he look, coming off his serious injury. He does good things for the offense.
Great job Rod. Thank you for keeping us in the loop.
Terry in Saskatoon
Can we get the calender moved from early April to June!! I'm pumped.
A bit puzzled that Messem is not considered a feature back. Canadian..er I mean the stupid term National..who can pound the ball, is a decent receiver and a ratio buster. I suspect it would be easier to replace an "International" back with a quality similar type back than to find a quality (Jeez I hate this term)"National" one.Does anyone else out there prefer the terms Canadian , American and International. That is more accurate and doesn't sound so weird. Is it because of political correctness or some Executive who can brag to his buddies that he changed our traditional term… Read more »
I fully agree with previous anon. This change in wording is ridiculous. Go back to Canadian and import
Hey Rod you said you got people in Regina in contact with the franchisee's of Hooters to try and get one built here. Whatever came out of that? Regina and Stoon both could use one.
They don't seem to be in a rush to do that. Particularly since Calgary just shut down both of their locations.
IMG Academy sells itself like Martin Academy in Regina. When the locals who don't got there see who's in the team pictures they give a big laugh. – Sucker is born on minute and standing on every corner. I watched the video several times – the man ran away and was shot in the back several times for good measure. The emails from the Dept. in Ferguson were leaked and it's systemic racism. I'll tell you how Cops jobs are these days. You have a higher liklihood of risk being a cab driver than you do a Police Officer, but… Read more »
Serious?? Boy that's some pretty bad management if you can't make a go of it with Hooters. It's like the Tim Hortons in Humboldt, their old management was so bad that customers stopped coming and the mother ship had to take over. Now they have awesome management and the place is back up and hopping again.
You've got $$$$ Pedersen, why don't you bring a Hooters to Regina?
ya with Calgary shutting down both locations, Regina isn't on their radar
Hooters is a dated 90's concept.
Young women in orange tight orange t-shirts, probably isn't going to provide many thrills to people who grew up in the Internet age while the rest of the Hooter's business is deep fried wings and burgers which are available everywhere.
In short, Hooters has too much competition. Hard to make money. Bad business.
Before the US expansion experiment our footballs were indeed bigger. That changed in 1995 (I think), probably as a concession to the US franchises. We switched ball suppliers that year to a US company and 'Lords of the J5V' ceased to exist.
A Hooters franchise In hickville Saskatchewan? The government of that province currently in the midst of drafting legislation to ban strippers and the like. Hooters In Saskatchewan, that's never going to happen in a place that resembles 1950's Hooterville of the television show Pettycoat Junction.
I would think that any police officer who saw the video of the execution of the citizen in North Charleston would be appalled as we all are and would hope that the justice system puts the cop in jail for the murder a very long time. Also consider those rotten apples in the RCMP up here in Canada who harass and degrade fellow officers because they are female. Yes, police have tough jobs, but like in any occupation there needs to be oversight and a very tough response to those cops who abuse the public trust and break the law.… Read more »
Saskatchewan is probably the only place that a Hooter's would be successful nowadays.
Did you hear about your boy Abou-Mechrek on Saturday night at the Rams dinner?
What a tool!
Seems that Mike Abou-Mechrek has won himself an obsessive hater. Go figure.