The Saskatchewan Roughriders open the 2017 CFL pre-season today against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
To set up the contest (7 p.m., Mosaic Stadium), here’s one man’s list of a few Roughriders who bear watching:
1A. Brandon Bridge and 1B. Bryan Bennett: The Roughriders are letting these two battle it out to see who will be the primary backup to starting quarterback Kevin Glenn. With Glenn slated to dress but not play today, Bridge (who’s getting the start) and Bennett (second man in) can stake their claim to the No. 2 job. Bridge has improved steadily during training camp, displaying his strong arm to connect on deep throws and using his legs to get himself out of trouble. Bennett arguably has been the best quarterback not named Kevin Glenn during training camp in Saskatoon, making some tremendous tosses and showing impressive speed when escaping the pocket. Roughriders head coach Chris Jones wants to see his quarterbacks be efficient and be careful with the football today while also getting the offence in and out of the huddle in good time.
2. Brendon LaBatte: The veteran left guard has been hobbled by an ankle injury in training camp, leaving him more of a spectator for much of the past week. In his absence, recent acquisition Peter Dyakowski was playing left guard and Josiah St. John was at right guard. With LaBatte expected to play in today’s game, Dyakowski will move to the right side — a position he played earlier in his career with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. LaBatte sat out 15 games during the 2016 regular season with a bruised nerve in his neck and the Roughriders missed him. The former University of Regina Rams star typically provides toughness and leadership to Saskatchewan’s offensive line; his first opportunity to do so in 2017 occurs today.
3. Zach Minter: The defensive tackle has been feted during training camp for his effort — Jones told reporters in Saskatoon that, while watching videos of the defence, “the only thing you see is No. 90 running to the football” — and Minter will get to show that level of commitment to Saskatchewan fans today. He’s a former NFLer who previously played for the B.C. Lions and Calgary Stampeders before signing with the Roughriders as a free agent this off-season. The 6-foot-2, 300-pounder will team with Eddie Steele in the interior of the defensive line and the tandem will be asked to stuff the run and provide a consistent inside pass rush — something that was lacking in 2016. Minter has five sacks in 15 career CFL games, so he can be a force.
4. Derrick Moncrief: The 24-year-old product of Prattville, Ala., was signed last Saturday and, by Wednesday, he was working out with the starting defence as the strong-side linebacker. The 6-foot-2, 220-pounder was a safety during his days at Oklahoma State University (and Auburn University before that) but he appears to have seamlessly made the move to outside linebacker with the Roughriders. Moncrief has the size and physical tools to play in the box but he also has the mobility required to cover receivers. The Roughriders are looking for someone to replace the departed Otha Foster III at the Sam spot and Moncrief currently is holding his own in a battle with veteran Tyler Hunter.
5. Mark Roberts: Like many players in camp, Roberts played a different position before joining the Roughriders. The 6-foot-3, 187-pounder was a receiver in college (he attended the University of Houston before transferring to Lamar University) but was moved to defensive back by Jones. The Roughriders’ bench boss joked early in camp that he shifted Roberts to defence because the 25-year-old didn’t have the hands to be a receiver, but all Roberts did in Saskatoon was intercept four passes in his first two days on the field. He has the length that Jones likes in his cornerbacks and the athleticism that has helped him cover some talented receivers in camp. Jones wants DBs who can play man, so Roberts will have to prove he can do so consistently.
