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Riders offensive line flying under the radar

Jun 8, 2013 | 4:24 PM

The off season for the Saskatchewan Roughriders was filled with change.

Just about every position has a number of new faces, that is except the offensive line. Basically the five players who finished last season as the starters, will be the starters this year when healthy.

“It's a big help,” said Brendon LaBatte about having the same group back. “It's a lot of smoother when you know what the guy beside you, how he's going to fit it.”

The chemistry is already there, now LaBatte says they just need to work on some of the little things to make sure they're doing their job.

“Just a matter of getting in the play books and knowing all the calls, and exactly how we want to communicate out there,” he said.

Offensive linemen are notorious for being under the radar kind of guys, just quietly go about doing their job. This time last year they were definitely in the spotlight thanks to a number of changes, and big name acquisitions. With the same group returning that isn't the case this year.

“If nobody is talking about us, that's a good thing,” said LaBatte.

One thing that has changed of the offensive line this year is their position coach. After only one season Kris Sweet was pushed out the door, not leaving too many broken hearts behind. Doug Malone is now the man working with the hogs.

“(Malone) spends a lot of time teaching,” said left tackle Xavier Fulton. “We'll do that in the classroom, bring it out the field, work on the drills that apply directly to those plays.”

Head coach Corey Chamblin thinks the offensive line has been tested pretty well this year with the defensive line playing as well as they have this year. He thinks they've passed that test reasonable well.

“I think they're still gelling with the new system we're putting in, but they're getting used to it.”

As for the returning group, Chamblin thinks they're actually better than last year.

“I think they look one year better,” he said.

This is Fulton's second go around with the Riders after his nearly flawless rookie campaign last year, one where he was named the team's rookie of the year, and frankly should have been not only the team's top lineman, but the leagues as well.

Fulton says he's definitely applied some lessons he learned in last years camp, this year.

“Biggest thing I learned last season is to be patient,” he said. “It's a different kind of game here in the CFL, you can't rush anything too much, you have to be patient.”

Training Camp Notes

– Darian Durant was back on Saturday morning after sitting out Friday's workouts with that mysterious illness that has hit a few players.

– Ricky Foley took part in a few drills, and stretch. Weston Dressler is still day-to-day.

– Taj Smith made yet another great catch in the end zone , he also took a tumble into the track at Griffiths Stadium but appeared to be okay.

– DB Woodny Turenne had probably his best day of camp so far, he was in on a number of plays and nearly had a few interceptions.

– The Riders got their first taste of rain on Saturday, probably the one day they didn't want it, with fanfest set for the afternoon.

– Kierrie Johnson, Rod Harper and Jock Sanders were returning punts.

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