Hello Rider Nation we’re through Day two of Riders Training Camp 2015 and still all smiles, for now. So far, the way the coaching staff has laid out the schedule has been in the best interest of the players by keeping them fresh, while still evaluating and implementing the offence, defence and special teams.
There hasn’t been a hit laid in practice, yet. While some old-schoolers will pull out the “back in my day” trope, this is for the good of the Football Club. Right now there is way too much thinking on both sides of the football and when a player thinks, there is less time to react…then boom! Injuries. Don’t get me wrong, there will be a lot of contact over the next three weeks in Saskatoon to get a feel on who can and can’t tackle and see who will fit best within all facets of the Riders, but for now learning the concepts is more important.
With over 90 players in camp, it looks like madness on the field and it’s tough for a layman like me to make any judgement at all. Everyone has great moments and everyone has bad moments. The Football Operations staff has an unbelievable plan in place in regards to evaluation. With three different cameras and the expanded coaching staff, no great play or mistake goes unnoticed. Another addition is three spotters in the press box tracking plays, units and personnel so that when the practice is over there is already an instant snapshot of what has happened. For example, there is a detailed report on receiver/running back targets and drops at the end of practice.
I could do a day-to-day focus on who played well and who didn’t, but that is a frustrating endeavour and I do not have the football acumen to do such a thing. So instead, I will give you a little background on each player in camp and focus on a position a day. We will begin with the linebackers, this is an interesting group with one veteran all-star National [Shea Emry], National special teams standouts and fantastic youngsters that have to overcome rollercoaster college careers.
Linebackers (*International):
#45 – Akwasi Antwi (Mt. Allison): The veteran linebacker is a special teams whiz. Great size and moves well. Akwasi will be a key cog for Bob Dyce’s cover and return teams. He was acquired via free agency after playing with the B.C. Lions a season ago.
*#13 – Telvion Clark (Towson): Telvion (TELL-vee-on for those of you at home wondering how on the pronouncer) began his college career at Virginia Tech. He was excused from the Hokies for disciplinary reasons before moving to the Towson Tigers. He bounced back on the field and with his maturity as he was able to turn things around and have a standout college career at outside linebacker. Great feet and pursues to the football. He always is always smiling and has a great attitude.
*#50 – Jake Doughty (Utah St.): He is a rugged middle linebacker that will stick anything that moves, but watch out for his sneaky speed. Jake finished an outstanding college career with the Aggies by picking up first team all Mountain West honours and played four pre-season games with the Packers in 2014 before being released. He also participated in the first ever NFL veterans combine this past March.
#11 – Shea Emry (UBC): Not much left to say about the all-star CFL linebacker that hasn’t already been said. He is a leader on and off the field and will need to use every leadership tool he has in the box to help out a potentially young group of Rider linebackers. Barring injury, Emry will have a great year in the middle.
*#48 – Eltoro Freeman (Auburn): Eltoro has been out of professional football for the last three seasons since being released by the Baltimore Ravens in 2012. The natural outside linebacker played on the Tigers 2010 BCS National Championship team. He was discovered at the Riders free agent camp in Birmingham this past winter.
#51 – Joash Gesse (Montreal): (Pronounced, Josh Jessie) Another veteran National special teams ace who played in two games last season with the Eskimos before being placed on the injured list. Joash was originally selected by the B.C. Lions in the third round of the 2010 CFL Draft.
*#49 – Jeff Knox Jr. (California {PA}): Jeff began his college career at the University of Pittsburgh before transferring to California University of Pennsylvania and played two seasons with the Vulcans. He is an incredible athlete that played running back, defensive back and returned kicks during his college career. Off the field, he is a motivational speaker with a focus on young student athletes.
#76 – Nehemie Kankolongo (Wyoming): The Coquitlam, B.C. native played predominantly on special teams for the Cowboys and that is how he will have to make the Riders. Nehemie (pronounced NAY-Mee) was originally recruited as a running back out of high school.
#43 – Kevin Regimbald (Sherbrooke): The veteran linebacker had a tough, injury filled season with the Riders in 2014 and his loss was felt throughout the special teams units. He has recovered nicely and is moving very well to begin training camp. If Kevin plays well, he could have a shot at spot duty at linebacker.
*#42 – Phillip Steward (Houston): Phillip was a four year starter for the Cougars and played last season for the Boston Brawlers of the Fall Experimental League, which is attempting to become a developmental league for the NFL. He was injured late in day one of training camp and is currently day-to-day.
Quotes from the day:
“Shea has that energy; he has that good energy, that good mind set and toughness. For myself, he’s a little different than Rey Williams and guys like that in the past, but he has that mould. He understands what defence is about, he understands my mindset, he understands coach Quick’s mindset. He’s a natural leader, he’s a positional leader and I think he’s a proven leader.”
– Head Coach, Corey Chamblin on Shea Emry
“Camp is camp and it’s always going to be hard. But it’s fun, it’s fun to be around your friends, your teammates, and run around a little bit because all you have been doing is training in the off-season and to finally put it to use, that is the fun part.”
– Riders defensive back, Terrell Maze
