Montreal Alouettes quarterback Trevor Harris (7) during CFL Eastern Final action in Toronto on Sunday, November 13, 2022. (CFL PHOTO - Peter Power)
Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Trevor Harris is employing some strong-arm tactics.
There isn’t anything sinister about the process, even though it is designed to be threatening — toward rival defensive backs.
“I know he did work on his arm this winter,” newly appointed Roughriders running backs coach Andre Bolduc said the other day. “He hired somebody to get stronger. He felt like he needed a little (extra) strength in his arm.
“He told me that before Christmas when we had a talk. I’m like, ‘OK … he’s nearly 37 and he wants to get stronger.’ ”
Such is the determination of Harris to lacerate opposing secondaries when the Green and White begins its 2023 regular season.
Bolduc is eminently qualified to offer insights into Harris, considering that they were both employed by the Montreal Alouettes until a few months ago.
Edmonton traded Harris to Montreal on Oct. 17, 2021. Last season, he threw for 4,157 yards and 20 touchdowns while starting 15 games.
Harris then signed with Saskatchewan on Feb. 14 — the first day of the CFL’s free-agency period. One week earlier, the Roughriders had announced that Bolduc had become a part of their coaching staff after spending eight years with the Alouettes.
While in Montreal, Bolduc developed an appreciation for Harris and Jake Wieneke, the latter of whom debuted with the Alouettes in 2019.
Wieneke was named the East Division’s rookie of the year after catching eight touchdown passes. He followed up in 2021 by catching a league-best 11 touchdown passes and being named a CFL All-Star.
He brings those credentials, and others, to Saskatchewan after signing with the Green and White as a free agent.
“You have to like and love Jake,” Bolduc said. “He’s the best teammate. He’s always smiling. He’s always in a good mood and supporting everybody.
Wienke, Harris and an assortment of other players were signed by General Manager and Vice-President of Football Operations Jeremy O’Day in order to bolster the offence.
Wieneke, Derel Walker, Juwan Brescacin and Shawn Bane Jr. were added as part of a receiving-corps renewal. O’Day also signed centre Peter Godber and all-purpose offensive lineman Philip Blake.
“Trevor’s preparation helps everybody,” Bolduc noted. “He’s a pro and he prepares himself like a pro.”
The ability to make instant connections will also be evident on the field.
“The ball’s going to be out quickly,” Bolduc said. “There will be a very high completion percentage.
“With the run game or the pass game, it’s very reliable for us to have a quarterback where you know the ball’s going to be gone quickly and going to the right place. That takes some pressure off the offensive line, of course.”
So does a formidable ground attack — an area in which Bolduc’s expertise can be highly beneficial.
“If you provide a good run game for Trevor, he’s going to be fine,” Bolduc said. “We’re going to stay on the field. We’re going to sustain drives and utilize that run game.
“He wants to trust it. When he does trust it, that ball is just getting out, and everywhere. It could be short passes, quick passes, medium passes and then, of course, deep passes.”
A deep and talented running backs room, which includes returnees Jamal Morrow and Frankie Hickson, provides the foundation for a balanced attack.
They will be joined at training camp by fellow American running backs B.J. Emmons, Javian Hawkins and Rodney Smith.
“You’ve got to have that dual threat in the CFL,” Bolduc said. “If I look at Frankie and Jamal, they have that naturally, and we have some good guys coming over (as newcomers). These guys look pretty good on film and they’re natural catchers.
“Of course, I could help in that area, also, but especially in the run game up front.”
Morrow was front and centre from the outset of last season, when he seized the opportunity to become a full-time starter in the CFL.
In 12 games, Morrow rushed for 666 yards while averaging 5.3 yards per carry. He also caught 43 passes for 366 yards.
He was leading the league in rushing yards, with 564, after 10 games before undergoing surgery to repair a broken hand. The injury forced him to miss six games.
Hickson — the Roughriders’ rookie of the year in 2022 — rushed for 533 yards and averaged 6.3 yards per carry over 13 games.
“They complete each other,” Bolduc said of Morrow and Hickson, “and they bring so much to the table.”
That much, they have in common, but the running styles are “different” in the assessment of the learned Bolduc.
“Hickson is so productive,” he said. “Every time he touches the ball, he’s going to find a way to get an open spot and fall forward. His average is unbelievable — over six yards per carry.
“Jamal is more methodical. He knows his talent and he trusts himself. He’s going to make the right read and then make people miss. He has a natural feel for blockers. He’s going to stop and wait.
“They’re fun to watch.”
Throw in some long(er) passes and it could be quite a show.
