MONTREAL — Makana Henry may be his own worst critic.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders’ defensive lineman has shown marked improvement since joining the CFL team midway through the 2016 season, progressing to the point that he has started two games for them this season.
And yet …
“I’ve done OK, but I need to get a lot better,” Henry said Friday after the team continued its preparations for Sunday’s game against the host Montreal Alouettes (11 a.m., CKRM, TSN).
“Everything that I do OK or good, I want to be able to do it great or amazing. I can always improve on some stuff.”
Henry played junior football, but his playing career was interrupted by a period of incarceration. He returned to the game in 2016, going from flag football to a semi-pro team and then to the Roughriders.
He played in six games for Saskatchewan in 2016, registering five tackles. He got into 15 games during the 2017 regular season, recording 26 defensive tackles, three special-teams stops and one sack.
The 6-foot-1, 275-pounder was one of the most dominant defensive linemen in the Roughriders’ training camp this summer before a sprained ankle slowed him down. He played in three games (with two starts) before injuring the ankle again — and he missed the Roughriders’ next six outings.
“I had practised a lot and trained a lot, so when my ankle was messed up, that was bad,” said Henry, a 31-year-old product of Caledon, Ont. “I’m used to playing regardless, but they didn’t let me practise or play so I didn’t get to do anything.
“I feel like I’ve got to keep sharp. You’ve got to keep sharpening that knife every day. When I couldn’t, that was tough.”
Henry returned to Saskatchewan’s lineup four games ago, eager to continue working on some things. He enters Sunday’s game with 11 defensive tackles and one sack this season.
“I feel like I’ve improved a lot mentally since training camp and a little bit physically, but I need to improve,” said Henry, whose playing time Sunday could increase due to the absence due to injury of Mic’hael Brooks. “I have to get off blocks better — and I can’t take penalties.”
So far, Henry has been flagged twice this season for roughing the passer.
“I can’t take any of those penalties, that’s for sure,” he said sheepishly when the topic was raised. “It’s hard now; (officials) baby (quarterbacks) so much. I’ve got to adjust to that and make sure I stay off the quarterback when I’m not supposed to hit him.”
•••
Henry is ready to do some running Sunday.
Such is the life of a defensive lineman who’s trying to chase down Als quarterback Johnny Manziel.
“It’s going to be a little workout; I’ll get my cardio in,” Henry said with a chuckle. “It’s going to be fun.
“I’ve always watched NFL football and he was something to watch, so I look forward to hitting him.”
The Roughriders know Manziel is capable of extending plays by moving around inside the pocket or by getting outside, meaning keeping the former Texas A&M star between the tackles is key.
“We’ve got our work cut out for us,” Saskatchewan head coach-GM Chris Jones said. “He has played in a lot of big football games down in the SEC and he has seen some very good defensive lines before. He has played in the NFL.
“We’ve got to have a workmanlike mentality, give him a few different looks and do a great job of keeping him in contain.”
•••
It looks like Jovon Johnson’s time has come again.
The veteran cornerback is expected to be on the roster for Sunday’s game after he was scratched in the previous two contests and in four of the previous five.
“When you get the opportunity to play, you’ve got to make the most of it and know that, when those chances come around, you’ve got to play well and give the team everything you’re capable of giving,” said Johnson, 34. “At this point, I’m getting used to (the rotation) and I know we’ve got fresh guys, so that’s important.”
Saskatchewan has been rotating some of its older defensive backs, with Johnson, Crezdon Butler and the since-released Will Blackmon getting opportunities. This week, it appears to be Johnson’s turn.
“I wouldn’t say there’s pressure (to perform), but it’s another opportunity to prove that you belong — and not only prove to this team but also prove to all the other teams that you can still play at a high level,” he said.
“I know that I have a lot left in the tank and that I can still play, so it’s just a matter of making the most of this opportunity.”
•••
Alexandre Chevrier has been in the market for tickets this week.
The Roughriders’ rookie special-teamer grew up 35 minutes from Percival Molson Stadium in the town of Saint-Clet, Que., so a large entourage of friends and family is expected to be on hand to watch Chevrier play a CFL game in his home province for the first time in his career.
His dad bought some tickets but, with more than 20 people planning to attend, Chevrier had to hit up teammates for unused tickets.
Chevrier was selected by Saskatchewan in the seventh round (55th overall) of the 2017 CFL draft and he attended its training camp that year. But he returned to the University of Sherbrooke for his final season of U Sports eligibility, meaning he didn’t get to visit Montreal with the Roughriders last season.
Now that he’s a full-fledged member of the team, he’s ready to make his first live appearance at Percival Molson Stadium as a CFL player.
“When I was young, I watched the Montreal Alouettes and one of my dreams was to play there,” Chevrier said. “It’ll be nice being on that field and playing against them. I hope we get the W.”
