MOSAIC PLACE MONDAY MORNING GOALIE

Sunday’s afternoon workout was sloppy and not at all fast.  However remember it was Day 5 last year when Chamblin blasted the group, labelling them an “average football team”.  They then went on to start the year 8-2.

6 – DAY 1 OBSERVATIONS:  Roughly 100 fans turned out for the morning walk-through and although there wasn’t much action, the fans seemed generally enthused to see their beloved players once again.  However the stands were 90% full for the afternoon session.

– Veteran centre Dan Clark worked with the first group on the offensive line on Day 1.  He appeared to do a great job and will benefit from the tutelage of guest coach Angus Reid who was a brawler and a battler during his CFL career with the B.C. Lions.  Former first round pick Corey Watman will have other ideas however, and he was nothing short of ferocious in one-on-ones.  Never mind a penalty – he could’ve been charged with assault.  I was actually surprised a fight didn’t break out.

– The first injury was #42 linebacker Phillip Steward (Houston) who left the field with medical staff however returned later in the workout.

– It’s no surprise who the first group of receivers was: Bagg-Getzlaf-Dressler-Richardson-T. Smith and the running back was Jerome Messam.  Although head coach Corey Chamblin said after the morning workout that he expects Jamel Richardson to participate at full speed, he moved gingerly in the afternoon.  He’s recovering from a leg injury which has kept him out since 2013 but perhaps it’s more mental than physical.

– There’s certainly an adequate stable of receivers to fill in if Richardson can’t go.  The second group included Alex Pierczalski, Alex Anthony, Ryan Smith, Devin Wilson and Korey Williams with the tailback being Anthony Allen.  Alex Anthony had a nice day, even if he didn’t have a lot of balls thrown his way.  He certainly seemed to have his placing down pat.

– The third group of ball-catchers included Greg Hardin, Naaman Roosevelt, Scott McHenry, Nic Demski and Alex Carroll.  Roosevelt made some nice grabs while Demski was victimized by a glaring drop.  Roosevelt ran the wrong route on one play, looking back at Darian Durant and smacking himself on the helmet with both hands.

– The fourth group included Melvin Abankwah, Roosevelt, Preston Bews, Eric Thomas and Ryan Smith.  The first turnover of the day was a forced fumble from Eric Thomas by DB Marshay Green.

– Veteran defensive tackle Tearrius George cut into the backfield like a hot knife through butter in drills.  He seems ready to pick up where he left off from his 2014 All-Star campaign.  This looks too easy for him.

– 2015 draft pick Rory Connop – son of Eskimos legend Rod Connop – saw some work with the 1’s on the interior of the defensive line.

– The Riders should lead the CFL in sacks again in 2015.  With the likes of John Chick, T. George and Alex Hall, CFL offensive linemen will be seeing them in their nightmares.  Hall, who led the CFL in sacks in 2013, spent last year with the NFL’s Carolina Panthers and was an unheralded addition by the Green & White this off-season.

“That’s what everybody’s said!” Hall laughed.  “That’s all I’ve been getting the whole time, that it’s a surprise.  I’ve always been a bit of an under-the-radar guy.  You never know when I might pop up.”

That includes in QBs’ faces.  Incidentally, Hall has changed his number from 99 to 0.

– Newly-signed CFL veteran defensive lineman #94 Cameron Sheffield joined the team on Sunday and saw some good work with the first unit.  He played in 10 games with the Eskimos last year.

Kevin Glenn follows a pass

– Illinois State product Kevin Glenn is back for a 15th CFL training camp after originally joining the Roughriders in 2001 as a Roy Shivers’ find.  In the time since, he’s worked his way into the Top 10 of all-time CFL passing leaders.  He’s also become a restaurateur in that time, but prefers to prolong his pro football career for as long as possible.  There’s plenty of time to run his Tim Hortons.  As usual, Kevin showed poise on Sunday and was calm, cool and collected.  He can effortlessly still zing the ball 40 yards downfield with a flick of the wrist.  It’s great to have him back in Green & White and again, should something happen to Darian Durant, it appears he’ll be the first tapped to go in.

– Quarterback apprentice Noah Picton saw limited reps but in his first pass attempt in half-skelly, it was intercepted by #30 Jeremy Gray (North Carolina).

– There’s a job open at outside linebacker with the departure of Brian Peters to the NFL and newcomers Eltoro Freeman (Auburn) and Telvion Clark (Towson) saw work with the 1’s.  Freeman is very vocal, an onfield leader, and isn’t afraid to ask questions of his coaches.  He’ll be heard from before all is said and done.  Chamblin said Freeman’s a guy who “can play linebacker but runs like a safety.”

– Luc Mullinder and I watched most of the afternoon workout from the press box and during punting situations, we continually heard loud “Oooos and ahhhs” from the crowd.  We wondered what the heck they were cheering but it was the booming punts by kicker Ray Early who was officially signed on Sunday.  They were routinely 50-plus yards, aided by the wind.

– Newcomer Hugh O’Neill, a CFL veteran and placekicking specialist, boomed his first punt out of bounds and was victimized by the strong winds once they flipped directions.  One has to wonder where he’ll fit in when all is said and done.

#17 Hugh O’Neill, amidst kickers Denton Kolodzinksi and Ray Early

– The Riders have an embarrassment of riches in terms of punt returners.  There was a large group back there including Weston Dressler, Alex Carroll, Melvin Abankwah, Tristan Jackson, Ryan Smith, Steven Miller and Korey Williams.

– I mentioned after the rookie camp that the speed of the defensive backs was abundantly evident.  That increased on Sunday when the veterans got onto the field, knowing the proper angles to take on the wide field.  And they didn’t take too kindly to watching from the sidelines while the rookies got reps.  “Hey I need some work!” Macho Harris bellowed to secondary coach Tony Missick.  2014 Rider interceptions leader Mark Legree chimed in with, “Ya I need to eat!”

– Canadians Keenan McDougall and Matt Webster saw some work in the secondary.  Webster seems to be a little more limber.

– New defensive coordinator Greg Quick is doing plenty of coaching in his Foghorn Leghorn style.  “DON’T grab his jersey!” Quick yelled to the defenders. “Did I stutter?”

– At the conclusion of the workout with the team gathered at midfield, Chamblin was overheard telling the players to “LEARN YOUR PLAYBOOK!” and to “GET YOUR A$$ MOVING!”

– Great move by the Riders to have their players sign autographs along the fence after the afternoon practice.

– The Riders will be back on the field Monday morning at 8:30 am for a two hour workout.

– And a big THANK YOU to Darren Dupont of DupontMedia for the new Monday Morning Goalie logo!

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7 – THE REAPER IS BACK:  Although not with the Roughriders.  2014 Plaza of Honor inductee Reggie “The Reaper” Hunt was named as a guest coach at Calgary Stampeders training camp on Sunday.  Reggie’s been coaching high school football in his hometown of Denison, Texas, just outside Dallas.  Rider fans reacted on social media that they’re happy Reggie’s back in Canada, but bemoaned the fact he’s not in Saskatchewan.

8 – ROUGHRIDER COVERAGE:  Former Rider defensive lineman Luc Mullinder is with me in Saskatoon and we’ll be broadcasting the SportsCage live on 620 CKRM each day at 4:00 pm from training camp from the press box … In The Huddle on Access 7 will air its season premiere episode NEXT Tuesday, on June 9 from Griffith’s Stadium at 7:00 pm.

9 – WHERE LIFE MAKES SENSE:  Forget about Swift Current!  Davidson, Saskatchewan is where life makes sense.  On the very early morning drive to Saskatoon Sunday from Regina, I stopped at a gas station in Davidson for a coffee.  It was a wonderful trip back into the 1980s, with a gray haired lady at the till named Betty.  She had Elvis Presley on the stereo and six full cannisters of strong, steaming java.  Add to that a stunning selection of ball caps and a rack of nudie magazines that would make a trucker blush, and it made for a wonderful pitstop into rural Canadiana.

10 – HOCKEY TALK:  Congratulations to the Oshawa Generals, champions of the 2015 Memorial Cup. They can change the name of Oshawa to “Title Town” given the fact they boast a CHL-best five Memorial Cup titles.  They beat Kelowna 2-1 in overtime Sunday evening in Quebec City.  What a crushing way for the Rockets to lose! …  It was nice to see the stands almost full at Le Colisee after attendance concerns during the week … Next year’s going to be infinitely exciting in Red Deer.  Hopefully the host Rebels or the WHL champion will bring the trophy back to reside in the west.  However I don’t ever recall the Memorial Cup running into Rider training camp like it did this year.  It certainly did not in 2013 in Saskatoon.  Why did it run so late? … The Regina Pats wrapped up 2015 spring camp on Sunday.  One can only imagine the possibilities the 2015-16 season has in store for the Queen City Kids when you consider the fact John Paddock was only hired on August 7 of last year.  He performed magic last year when being rushed and wound up being WHL Coach of the Year.  What can he do with an entire spring and summer to plan? … The Stanley Cup final begins Wednesday with Chicago taking on Tampa Bay.  It’s tough to find a rooting interest however there is a pair of Saskatchewanians on the Lightning in Braydon Cobourn (Shaunovan) and Brendan Morrow (Carlyle).  Generally however, Saskatchewan sports fans have turned their attention to the Roughriders and that suits me just fine.

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THAT’S ALL FOR TODAY! TALK TO YOU LATER FROM SASKATOON…

RP
@sportscage
Instagram: ridervoice