By Jamie Nye

Roughriders moving on without All-Star Freeman

Jun 7, 2012 | 4:56 PM

The Saskatchewan Roughriders are looking to replace not one but all three linebackers this season. But replacing the West Nominee for Most Outstanding Defensive Player, Jerrell Freeman is going to be the toughest hole to fill.

And it may be no coincidence one of the top contenders is wearing Freeman's old number 50.

“I'm a little bit smaller than him but I'm trying to bring the same thing, high intensity,” states Daren Stone, who enters his second year in the CFL after a stint in Calgary that saw him play in eight games.

“(Freeman) was all over the field from sideline to sideline and I plan on being all over the field, getting to the quarterback when I'm blitzing. I plan on doing the same thing so I guess I'm wearing his number for a reason.”

The shoes will be hard to fill after Freeman led the league in tackles and also led the Roughriders in sacks in 2011.

Vise grip driver

Vise grips not a steering wheel: RCMP

12h ago

Patient supports

'Misuse' of free parking passes attributed to cancellation: SHA

14h ago

Golf season approaching

Local golf courses target opening days following late season snowfall

Apr 20, 2024

Defensive coordinator Richie Hall doesn't feel the task will be too difficult to replace him.

“I think sometimes people forget that Jerrell Freeman only (started) one year. Before him there was Reggie Hunt there. There is always somebody there. Can you fill it? Yeah. But you also have to give those players the opportunity to make a name for themselves regarding the attributes that they have.”

Hall says he's excited to show up to work every day to watch the linebackers compete with not only Freeman's spot open but at the other outside linebacker spot and at middle linebacker.

“To a degree it's a game every time because they all understand they have the opportunity to be the guy at that position. But in order to be the guy at that position you have to perform at a high level and a consistent level.”

One of the players up for a linebacking spot is Chris Graham. Graham was in and out of the lineup last season but to earn a spot, the man dubbed 'The Brick', needs to sharpen his skill set, as a cover guy, blitzer and run stopper.

“We're not building this team of one spot guys,” says Head Coach Corey Chamblin, “You have to do more than one thing. The (running) backs got to be able to catch, so (Graham) is just going to fight his way through like the rest of them and once game time comes you have to make the plays. Like I told him, it's not our decision, it's their decision whether they make the team.”

The team added Davonte Shannon on Wednesday, who joins Abraham Kromah, Daniel Sheffield, Graham, Stone, Chris Francis and Tyron Brackenridge for the fight at outside linebacker.

Notes: Play of the Day – Jason Chery made a tough catch in double coverage as the defensive backs converged on him. All five quarterbacks also made nice touch throws on Thursday to receivers who were well covered.

The Riders announced receiver Dwayne Jarrett has retired. Lance Frazier joined Macho Harris, Patrick Brown, Dallas Baker, DeShawn Wynn and Nerraw McCormack on the sideline nursing injuries.

The Roughriders are have two workouts on Friday (8:15 and 3:30) before heading to Saskatoon for the Green and White game on Saturday.

news@panow.com
@princealbertnow