RIDER MINICAMP WRAPS UP

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have wrapped up their 2014 free agent camp in Bradenton, Florida.  Here are some photos of Sunday’s events.  This one is from Saturday’s second workout where defensive players were taken to an adjacent field to get their work in…

Riders strength & conditioning coach Dan Farthing is along to warm the players up.  The Hall of Famer might be in better shape than when he played with the Green & White…

The newest addition to the coaching staff – running backs coach Avon Coburne.  When asked for an assessment of his work, Rider head coach Corey Chamblin joked, “He’s still on probation!”

Just three Rider fans turned out for Sunday morning’s workout…

Coburne warms up the running backs early in the workout…

DB coach Barron Miles works with the secondary…

Defensive line coach Todd Howard gets the defenders ready…

Receivers coach Jason Tucker warms up the receivers in the “Hot Box”…

The player we’ve been talking a lot about … #86 receiver/returner Ryan Smith from NDSU.  More about him in the recap below…

This shot gives you an idea of Smith’s diminutive stature – 5’7″…

Last year Rey Williams participated in the minicamp.  This year he helped run it.  I told him he looks like an action movie star.  Assistant coach Bob Dyce joked, “Yah!  The Predator!”

A better look at Ryan Smith..

Coach Chamblin addresses the group at the end of the workout.

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DAY 2 RECAP

– Nobody walked out of camp from Day 1 to Day 2.  That’s always a bonus!

– The grass field at IMG Academy was covered with morning dew once again which presented problems.  Very early on complaints were heard about wet balls.

– One quarterback walking to a drill drew the ire of one assistant coach you yelled, “Hurry up!  Hurry up! HURRAY UP!”

– Among the veterans participating in camp: QB Tino Sunseri, OL Matt Vonk, OL Corey Watman, LB Morty Ivy and CB Rod Williams.  I’m told Williams was invited to camp because he wasn’t in training camp with the Riders in 2013 plus he missed significant time during the year with a broken arm.

– In the “Gauntlet” drill there were 29 consecutive passes completed beginning with receiver Brett Swain and it ended with a drop by Roy Roundtree.  They switched hash and completed 13 straight before a drop by Chaz Schilens.

– A coach yells to a receiver, “Finish! Finish! You’re jogging!  That won’t get you on the field!”

– Offensive coordinator George Cortez has great route instruction for the receivers, telling them which shoulder of the DB to line up on to disguise their route.  He told them also to keep their shoulders forward to prevent them from slipping on the grass.

– It’s amazing how quickly the slot receivers picked up the waggle although their timing wasn’t always perfect.

– CB Rod Williams injected himself first in the one-on-one session yelling, “Lemme get the first one!”  He was promptly beaten and called out for grabbing the receiver’s jersey.  “You a referee?” Williams chirped.  He’s got swagger.  It reminded me of the Seahawks’ Richard Sherman.

– Linebacker #50 Scott McKillop drew plaudits from coaches and teammates alike for his play.  He had great coverage and long-snapped on Day 1.

– Rookie quarterback #17 Jon Jennings came a long way from Day 1.  He launched a 60-yard bullet which sailed through the hands of receiver Martel Moore.  One defensive back squealed from the sidelines in a high-pitched voice, “They can’t catch ’em today!”

– Riders’ Director of Player Personnel Craig Smith described the talent at the minicamp as “spectacular” and said they’re very comfortable with the idea of filling the holes left behind by Dressler, Sheets and company.

– Jon Jennings threw a 50-yard arrow to Sammie Stroughter who found the endzone behind DB Greg McCoy.

– Jennings was the top pivot to this point of the workout.

– Receiver Brett Swain, a veteran of three NFL teams and college teammate of Chaz Schilens and Terrell Maze was leaps and bounds ahead of Day 1.  Due to travel snafus, he got in late from San Diego and missed all of Friday’s meetings.  However on Sunday, he shone.

– In the seven-on-seven session the quarterbacks were Tino Sunseri, Seth Doege and Jon Jennings.  One of the few interceptions on the day came from Greg McCoy (a former Bear, Viking and Cardinal) off of Tino Sunseri.  Tino recovered and completed hook-ups to Stroughter and Ryan Smith in the same grouping.

– The workout lasted exactly 1:15 and went from 8:45 AM to 10:00 AM ET.

– At the conclusion of the workout Corey Chamblin told the group Sunday was a much better day, especially on the mental side.  He told them between now and training camp to get in shape and get their mind right.  He said they’re a long ways from a championship group but “it’s here”.

– In the media period QB Seth Doege felt he could have performed better but was pleased with the fact he got better in each session.  Coach Chamblin wasn’t sure how many quarterbacks will be brought to training camp in Saskatoon because it all depends on numbers, but he guessed four.

– When asked about the impressive showing by receiver Ryan Smith from NDSU, Chamblin cautioned, “We’re not going to win the 2014 Grey Cup because of Ryan Smith.  Let’s not hype him up too much.”  He was looking directly at me.

– DB Greg McCoy said Rider DB coach Barron Miles is the best position coach he’s had since Pop Warner (minor) football.

– Immediately following the workout the players were bussed to the airport and flew home.  A handful of Rider staff will be sticking around for the next 24 to 48 to complete the details of the mini-camp.

– The next time we’re on air from Florida will be Monday at 4:00 pm with a SportsCage on 620 CKRM live from Hogan’s Beach Bar in Tampa Bay.  We’ll hear from coach Chamblin, Ryan Smith, Greg McCoy, Brett Swain and Seth Doege.

– Hope you enjoyed the coverage!

RP