By Joel Gasson

Roughriders getting creative with linebackers

Jun 6, 2013 | 4:47 PM

So far a lot of attention has been paid to the Riders defensive line, and rightfully so.

There's been a lot of change there, and there's certainly a lot of pressure on that group to be better.

However, one of the most interesting developments at training camp so far this year has been the linebackers. There's been plenty of rotation in and out, not only of guys who normally play linebacker, but those who don't.

“The thing we've always asked our players to do is we want football players, and not halfbacks or this and that,” said defensive coordinator Richie Hall. “They all have the ability to play more than one position; therefore it makes us a more effective defense.”

This is hardly a new idea for the Riders since head coach Corey Chamblin took over last season, he's always wanted players who could play more than one position. That usually meant bringing in players with a history of doing so, but this year, certain players such as Craig Butler, Weldon Brown, and Tyron Brackenridge have been thrust into other jobs.

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“(Butler) is a great football player,” said linebacker Sam Hurl. “He's got a great nose for the ball, and he just flies around out there.”

Hurl also thinks Brown is fitting in well with the linebackers.

So why are they moving all of these guys around? Hall says it's all about getting the most out of their players, building schemes that suit their strengths.

“We get our players to play within their package,” said Hall. “20, 30, 40 snaps and when they're out on their field they give us everything they have.”

Just how this will all play out come the season, that's yet to be seen, but having players of that quality being able to work different jobs, it will give Hall the ability to get very creative and mask different things.

One player who is looking to make an impact with the linebackers this year is natural linebacker Sam Hurl.

The Riders traded up in the 2012 draft to pick up Hurl from the Dinos, and it already began to pay off in spades last year when Hurl was one of the team's best special teams players.

Now it appears Hurl is catching the eye of others on the roster.

“Sam Hurl is ready to breakout,” said linebacker Mike McCullough. “He's a good young Canadian linebacker; I'm excited to watch him.”

High praise from a guy who has been there and done that in the CFL, something that isn't lost on Hurl.

“That's big, that's good to hear, that's cool,” said Hurl. “Obviously I hope so, I just got to play hard, keep working.”

It's not just McCullough that has good things to say about Hurl either.

“He's smart, he's fast, he's physical,” said linebacker Rey Williams who believes Hurl can be a starter. “He's a good football player.”

Hall has been very impressed with Hurl so far this camp as well. However, head coach Corey Chamblin has some concerns.

“I don't even know who Sam Hurl is anymore now without the hair,” joked Chamblin. “I just call him 31 now; I don't even recognize him without the hair.”

You'll remember last year, Chamblin used to always joke about the Canadian Hair Force, and how they weren't allowed to trim back their locks or risk losing their abilities. While McHenry and Newman have been growing theirs back, Hurl doesn't appear to be, and when asked about it, he said we'll see.

In all seriousness though, Chamblin sees good things in Hurls future.

“Good young player, you can see he'll progress,” he said. “I don't know if he'll have a breakout year, I think he will be able to get more time on defense.”

Training camp notes:

– Weston Dressler and Geroy Simon were both absent on Thursday morning. Chamblin said they were just minor injuries, and they could be back in the afternoon. The official report says they're dealing with abdomen and quad problems respectively.

– Milt Collins (wrist) and Patrick Neufeld (calf) are also day-to-day.

– Taj Smith is definitely going all out so far. The second year receiver seems to be all over the field, making just about every catch thrown his way. He and Durant have also connected on a few long bombs.

– Stephfon Green is also looking pretty solid in the backfield.

– Ben Heenan was back after being sick, Chamblin doesn't think there's a bug going around, just some of the guys adjusting to new eating habits.

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