SASKATOON – One down, two to go.
The CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders officially have completed one week of their training camp in the Bridge City, with Week 2 beginning Monday at Griffiths Stadium on the University of Saskatchewan campus.
The Roughriders are to play their first pre-season game Saturday against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Game time at Mosaic Stadium is 7 p.m.
Here’s one man’s take on some of the goings-on at camp so far.
Glenn’s the guy: Head coach-GM Chris Jones has said a few times that he has yet to decide on a starting quarterback, but Kevin Glenn clearly is the frontrunner for the No. 1 job. Glenn, who turns 38 on June 12, has taken first-team repetitions in every practice — and he has been sharp from Day 1. According to statistics kept by the Roughriders, Glenn has completed 80.9 per cent of his passes in team and pass skeleton drills in camp (that percentage includes accurate passes that receivers have dropped) and 59.1 per cent of his throws over 20 yards. He goes into Monday’s practice with the team lead in attempts (157), completions (116) and passing yards (1,285).
The backup battle: In terms of experience, former NFLer Vince Young would appear to be next in line behind Glenn. But Bryan Bennett was impressive during the Roughriders’ mini-camp in Florida in April and he has been equally good in Saskatoon. The team’s statistics say Bennett enters Monday’s practices second to Glenn in completion percentage (75.8), completion percentage on deep attempts (39.1) and yards passing (1,018) — but the rookie leads the team with six interceptions. Young has a completion percentage of 68.1 with 760 yards and five interceptions, but he also has been sacked 10 times — twice as many as Glenn, who’s second. Brandon Bridge has a completion percentage of 73.8, with 765 yards and four picks.
The good hands people: The receiving corps has been as advertised during camp, with pass-catchers like Rob Bagg, Duron Carter, Caleb Holley and Naaman Roosevelt playing as expected. To date, the most sure-handed receivers based on the Roughriders’ statistics are rookie Antwane Grant (23 catches on 28 targets, for 82.1 per cent) and veteran Bakari Grant (28-for-35, 80 per cent). The top receiver in one-on-one drills has been rookie Ahmad Fulwood, who is 13-for-16 (81 per cent) entering Monday’s workout.
The big boys: When camp opened, the starting five appeared to be Derek Dennis at left tackle, Brendon LaBatte at left guard, Dan Clark at centre, Josiah St. John at right guard and Thaddeus Coleman at right tackle. LaBatte has been dealing with an ankle injury, so the Roughriders’ insurance policy — veteran left guard Peter Dyakowski, who was acquired a week ago from the Toronto Argonauts — has been cashed in. Veterans like Jarriel King and Matt Vonk and rookies such as Dariusz Bladek and Dillon Guy provide insurance, as does Emmanuel Adusei. Saskatchewan selected Adusei — a defensive tackle out of Carleton — in the May 7 draft and moved him to the offensive line, where he has been feted a few times by Jones.
Willie won’t wilt: Defensive end Willie Jefferson has been tremendous during camp, consistently getting into the backfield to stuff running plays or to sack quarterbacks. He was all over the place during Saturday’s mock game, being credited with a D-line-leading seven disruptions by the Roughriders’ statistical crew. Veteran defensive end A.C. Leonard also has been evident during camp, while Zach Minter — a free-agent signing in the off-season — has done his thing without much fanfare. Minter was credited with one disruption per six snaps during the mock game, tying Jefferson for the lead among defensive linemen.
Backs to the future: One side of the Roughriders’ secondary in camp has featured veteran starters in Kacy Rodgers on the corner and Ed Gainey at halfback. Rodgers has been particularly impressive, using his length to seemingly battle Carter to a standoff in every practice. Veteran Jeff Hecht has been working at safety, with Mike Edem next in line. The other side has been up in the air, though, with defensive backs like Royce Adams, Zavian Bingham, Tevaughn Campbell and Sam Williams taking reps with the starting unit. Throw in former NFLer Alfonzo Dennard and other CFL rookies like Erick Dargan, Warren Gatewood and Mark Roberts and the look of the Roughriders’ secondary seems to change every day.
