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2013 Roughriders training camp begins

Jun 2, 2013 | 8:55 AM

At long last, the Saskatchewan Roughriders are back, and football is front and centre once again in the province.

After the winter we all went through, the off season felt a little longer. It certainly didn't help that the Riders season ended in a very dramatic and heartbreaking way.

That's all in the past now, and spring always brings a sense of optimism in the CFL, especially in Riderville. For the first time in a few years however, that optimism is very warranted considering the moves the Riders made to bolster the line up in a year where they will host the Grey Cup.

Today marks the first time we're going to be able to see all of the new, and returning faces in action together. Something that is exciting for the fans, and the team.

“Craig (Smith), Jeremy (O'Day) and myself, that's probably one of our favourite days,” said General Manager Brendan Taman. “Once we get to Sunday and get on the field and play.”

It's Taman who may be the most interested out of everyone to see how it all works out, considering he's the one who made the moves.

“Seen them on paper, seen them on video from a far,” he said. “Now we get them here, and get them playing.”

Certainly there will be stories to tell, but right now all we have is questions. How will the new secondary look? Who will start along the defensive line? Can Chris Best stay ahead of Ben Heenan? Will Levi Brown threaten Drew Willy for the backup quarterback spot? Will Chris Milo win back the field goal kicking job? Who will return kicks? Who will back up Craig Butler?

That's what this month is about.

How they go about answering those questions will be a little different this year than in years past. The league and the players union recently worked together to try and make camp safer for the players by only allowing one practice per day where there is contact and where the players are in full pads. It's a move Taman supports, but he knows they still have to watch out.

“We had a pretty significant injury or two during camp last year, so it can definitely still happen.”

With those rules in mind, head coach Corey Chamblin has tweaked the schedule compared to last year. Every second morning the team will have a walk through instead of a full practice, presumably to make sure players are a little fresher coming out of camp. Practices are also a little more spread out with work outs at 8:15 or 9:45 a.m., and the afternoon session being at 3 o'clock.

Unlike last year, there doesn't appear to be many starting jobs that are up for grabs in the lineup. Camp last year of course featured a lot of rookies and first year players. This year, not so much. Most of the jobs that are for sure open are back up positions, and special teams. That being said, certainly great performances can always get someone on the field.

Just a few weeks ago, defensive lineman Keith Shologan pointed out import Will Davis as a new defensive lineman who could make an impact. Taman is pretty confident in some of his draft picks too.

“(Spencer Moore) is sort of an under the radar kind of guy, he's a big guy, he's very physical,” noted Taman. “Spoletini is no slouch.”

Look for Levi Steinhauer from Moose Jaw and the University of Saskatchewan to get a good look at long snapper, with the departure of Jay Alford, there is an opening for some of those duties. One thing is for certain, he has the hair to fit in with the “Canadian Hair Force.”

First practice is at 8:15 a.m. at Griffiths Stadium. The team will practice there until their first pre-season game in Edmonton on June 14th.

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