in Saskatoon, SK, June 1, 2017 Photo Electric Umbrella/Liam Richards
SASKATOON — The Saskatchewan Roughriders already are ahead of the game.
After the CFL team staged its mock game at training camp in 2016, head coach-GM Chris Jones said he wanted to throw up. On Saturday, Jones had no desire to toss his cookies after the Roughriders held their mock game at Saskatoon Minor Football Field.
“Way better than last year,” Jones said after the contest, which he described as “much cleaner” than the 2016 game.
He also said that Saturday’s showing constituted “a much cleaner, more crisp day” than Friday, when he wasn’t at all pleased with the Roughriders’ effort during practice.
The mock game wrapped up the first week of Saskatchewan’s training camp, which has featured some solid performances throughout the lineup. That said, Jones also wants to see more consistency in Week 2 — and that starts at the quarterback position.
Kevin Glenn played just one series Saturday and completed all five of his pass attempts for an unofficial total of 60 yards. The 37-year-old was sharp throughout the first week of camp and remains the frontrunner for the starting job.
But despite Glenn’s play to date, Jones isn’t feeling secure in the knowledge that the No. 1 spot appears to be in good hands.
“You need three solid quarterbacks because you never know,” Jones said. “Montreal, in Game 1 two years ago, got to No. 3 in a hurry (because of injuries). You have to make sure that the other guys know what they’re doing and can run your offence as well.”
Vince Young was the second quarterback into the fray Saturday and he had some ups and downs, just as he has throughout camp. Unofficially, he was 6-for-10 passing for 59 yards with two interceptions and two time-count penalties in six drives.
“He did some good things,” Jones said of Young, a former NFLer who is trying to resurrect his career with the Roughriders. “It’s the first time he has really been put under the live gun with the clock and a full set of officials and things like that. It has been a (while) for him. He had a couple of delays of game. He’ll be better next week.”
Next up was Bryan Bennett — and the rookie was impressive. He led the offence to three touchdowns in his five possessions, throwing scoring passes to Antwane Grant, Naaman Roosevelt and Duron Carter. Bennett’s unofficial totals were 10 completions in 11 pass attempts for 150 yards with three TDs and an interception.
Brandon Bridge led the offence on four drives and unofficially was 3-for-7 for 50 yards, with a 13-yard TD pass to Mitchell Picton.
“Bennett and Bridge, they both threw the ball very well,” Jones said. “They’ve got big arms anyway. Now it’s just a matter of making sure they throw it to the right-coloured jersey.”
Marquise Williams had two possessions and was 1-for-4 for 30 yards with an interception.
According to Jones, the quarterbacks must improve their consistency in the second week of camp — but they’re not alone.
“The quarterback position is under such a microscope,” he said. “The other positions, it’s basically the same thing. DBs have to cover every down.”
The Roughriders deployed 16 defensive backs during Saturday’s game, so Jones couldn’t say who really stood out. But rookie Zavian Bingham and veteran Ed Gainey had interceptions, as did defensive tackle Ese Mrabure and newly signed linebacker Derrick Moncrief.
Willie Jefferson had two sacks and Zach Minter and Tobi Antigha each had one for the defence, which also took four offside penalties. An illegal-contact penalty wiped out an interception by Mike Edem.
“We certainly have some things to clean up,” Jones said. “We were offside three or four times today. We need to clean that up because we can’t continue to extend drives.
“I do think this is going to be a little bit more poised team than what we had a year ago.”
EXTRAS: Several veterans didn’t play Saturday due to injury. Receivers Rob Bagg, Ricky Collins Jr., Nic Demski and Caleb Holley, guard Brendon LaBatte and defensive end Jonathan Newsome were among the spectators. Jones said most of the players were held out to avoid aggravating their injuries … The on-field officials who called the game were instructed to blow their whistles as soon as the ball carrier was touched, so plays that could have gone for more yards — assuming a running back or receiver broke an arm tackle — didn’t result in their full potential. Then again, defenders weren’t allowed to lower the boom on running backs and receivers … The Roughriders are taking Sunday off. The next practice is set for Monday at 9 a.m., at Griffiths Stadium.
