Dan Plaster
Hi there Rider fans, day one from Riders Training Camp 2015 is officially over. so it’s time for an update presented by the good folks from Coors Light. Throughout training camp you can always find the latest information about training camp right here. We are going to give you a feel of what is happening on the field and what it’s like off the field for the players, coaches and support staff here at Griffiths Stadium on the campus of the University of Saskatchewan.
Training Camp kicked off yesterday Saturday with the players arriving on campus and checking into their dorms. This is a funny mix of emotions. Most of the vets drive themselves to Saskatoon and this makes it feel more like family reunion as they reunite with their teammates or those newcomers to the Green and White that they have faced over the last few years in the CFL. The first timers to the Riders are a complete different story, wide-eyed, quiet, and very serious as they proceeded up to their rooms and then off to the first meetings of the night.
The week always begins with an all personnel meeting; players, coaches, training staff, doctors, scouts, and support staff all receive a rundown from the management and coaches on what it means to be a Saskatchewan Roughrider and how important it is to win, not just for themselves, but for the very passionate fans. The best speech of the night is always from Coach Chamblin. This is the third season I have had the opportunity to listen to him speak at this training camp kick-off meeting and it is amazing how he has matured in that short time and also how he approaches the game and his players. Chamblin now realizes how important the mental side of the game is and it can be managed by breaking down the daunting 20+ game season (including preseason, playoffs and Grey Cup) into smaller more manageable parts.
For an example of this breakdown let’s look at training camp:
– 28 practices (approximately, this is coaches discretion and can be cut down depending on how camp is progressing)
– One mock game (Fan day on Saturday, June 6th)
– Two preseason games.
This doesn’t account for the many, many meetings, weight lifting days, treatments, mental coaching, meals, and all the other pieces that are a part of training camp life. With over 90 players in camp, this will give the team enough time to implement the Jacques Chapdelaine offence and the Greg Quick defence as well as incorporating the evaluation process.
Another key point that Coach Chamblin brought up is that training camp is a process and the players must build towards week one of the regular season. You will not make the team in the first day of camp, so while full effort is needed, there is no need for a player to jump right into full mid-season mode. That’s a tough message for some, because it’s in an athlete’s nature to jump in and compete at 100% on every snap and drill.
Every day is an early wake up call with weights and meetings and on-field at 9:45 with a walk through to get ready for the afternoon practice.
First thing you will notice from these first few practices is the veterans leading the way in the individual unit drills; Shea Emry with the linebackers, Weldon Brown/Tyron Brackenridge/Macho Harris with the defensive backs, Weston Dressler with the receivers…well, you get the picture. There are some obvious leaders on the team and they have already taken it upon themselves to lead by example on and off the field.
Special teams will play a very critical role during training camp. This is one of the only times during the year that all six units will get significant on-field work. Once the regular season hits, special teams will get a few quick spots during practice, and that’s about it. So Special Teams Coordinator, Bob Dyce will be a busy man, and with the numerous rule changes regarding the kicking game, there’s that much more for the players to learn.
Defensively, a lot of emphasis has been put on forcing turnovers, with many of the unit drills revolving forcing fumbles and recovering them. There are also a few new twists, most noticeable on the defensive line where a 30-front was employed at one point with John Chick and Alex Hall on the ends and Tearrius George at nose tackle/0-technique.
Offensive had it tough today, but offence always has it tough during the first few practices. This will be an interesting process as Darian Durant and the rest of the offence learns the Jacques Chapdelaine offence with its myriad of hand signals and line calls. Once this offence is completely installed, you will notice two things; the various options Durant has at his disposal to throw the ball and the quick pace of the offence.
Two practices on the slate for Monday, starting at 8:30am, and will wrap it up with RidersLive at 10:45am on riderville.com/riderslive. We promise we’ve worked out the bugs and you can look forward to a great show.
Tweet of the Day:
Quotes from the day:
“Like anything else, we monitor all of the guys. That’s an area of concern, we know that. It’s stated that [Durant’s] fine, he’s 100% in that area, but will look at it, we will monitor it because it was an injury and just like all of the other guys that have had injuries making sure that we monitor that we don’t wear them out. We have to be smart about how they practice.”
Head Coach Corey Chamblin on quarterback Darian Durant
“I feel good, nothing has changed since Florida, if anything, I think I have gotten stronger, the elbow feels even better so I’m just anxious to get out there this afternoon and put it to work, especially into this wind.”
Darian Durant on his elbow
“There is such a build-up coming into camp, both emotionally and physically, and being able to come out here with the guys and get into the huddle for the first time it was great and it will be exciting to get out there with the helmet on and fly around a little this afternoon. But that build up, it’s something, it’s a bit of a roller-coaster, but that’s why we play the sport, it’s fun.”
Shea Emry after his first practice with the Riders
