By Jamie Nye

Roughriders getting closer look at future linemen

Oct 28, 2011 | 7:13 AM

Are they old or experienced?

That was the question that surrounded the Saskatchewan Roughriders offensive line before the 2011 season kicked off.

The three elder statesmen on the team also made up three of the five starters along the line for the Roughriders. (38-year-old Gene Makowsky and 34-year-olds Dan Goodspeed and Alex Gauthier)

Their positional coach Steve Buratto believes the linemen were more experienced than old.

“I say they've played at a really high level. We've had a couple of games where we kind of got out of sorts and people gave us some things that were hard for us to visualize so we weren't as good. But game in and game out they've played very very well and certainly well enough to win the game.”

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Changing of the guard

With his candidacy in the upcoming election, Gene Makowsky's future with the team is in question with an option year remaining on his contract.

Makowsky has been able to keep the decision about his football career in the back of his mind as he prepares for what could be his final game at Mosaic Stadium.

“I like to think I take every game seriously and with some emotion because all of us don't know when our last game may be.”

“The reason I came back was I wanted to get to another Grey Cup. At the end of the year you take all the pros and cons and make a decision based on that.”

In the past two weeks, Makowsky has been watching more plays during practice as the team rotates in rookie Alex Krausnick-Groh at left guard as well as centre.

The veteran Roughrider has seen good things from the first-year pro.

“The biggest thing is he doesn't make a lot of mistakes for a rookie. It shows he's been paying attention and he's obviously learned as the season has gone on. He could be a good player for us. All he needs is some game time and game speed because that's where you show what you're made of.”

'Groh'ing up

Krausnick-Groh has been on the active roster the entire season for the Roughriders but hasn't been able to see significant time on the offensive line until coming in for 16 plays last week.

The experience is invaluable for a young offensive lineman trying to show the team he can be part of the future.

“Getting those reps out on the field and playing guys you don't play against in practice, it's good game experience to have coming back into camp next year.”

Although Krausnick-Groh has more experience than many other up and coming offensive linemen within the organization, the University of Calgary product isn't going into the off-season with any expectations that he'll be starting next season.

“I'll come out and give it my best shot. With Geno up for election and stuff like that there might be a spot open. I'm going to do everything I've got to get it but the best man will win.”

News and Notes

Krausnick-Groh isn't the only rookie offensive lineman to see time with the first team offense. Patrick Neufeld has also been rotated in at both left and right tackle during practice this week.

When Krausnick-Groh and Neufeld hit the field they won't be blocking for Wes Cates. The veteran running back is out for Saturday's game. Head Coach Ken Miller doesn't believe Cates will miss the season finale in Edmonton.

news@panow.com