Last few days before training camp are hectic

The wing flaps are down and the trays are up and locked in their upright position as the Saskatchewan Roughriders prepare to kick off their 2013 training camp in Saskatoon this weekend.

The Riders are adjusting their roster and last week released corner back Tristan Jackson and defensive lineman Jay Alford. Jackson didn’t see much work in the defensive backfield and made an impact returning kicks last year, including a missed field goal for a touchdown. It appeared Jackson had gotten himself in Rider head coach Cory Chamblin’s doghouse, but Jackson’s lack of size and his tendency to take risks on the corner were likely more responsible, along with the addition of taller and talented defensive backs who seem more willing to play more physical than Jackson appeared to capable of.

Jackson is not going to be out of work for long; having taken part in a Montreal free-agent camp and either has or will sign with Montreal.

Alford is a curious case because as a former NFL player with a Super Bowl ring, he came into camp last year, was out of shape, went home, got back into shape and not only did well on the defensive line, but also was a long snapper. However, in the off-season Alford was making noises about not really wanting to come back, and while it appeared he might come back, when Alford was released, Chamblin mentioned not wanting to getting in someone’s way to try getting back in the NFL. That decision may have been influenced by the hearing in Hamilton where all star Chris Williams (who once upon a time was on the Riders negotiation list) was attempting to get the last year of his contract negated so he could try the NFL. Williams’ problem, or rather his agent's, was instead of signing a one year contract with an option, he signed a two year contract with an option. Williams does not want to play in Hamilton and having players who are not willing to play for a team is a good start for a cancer to start in the locker room. Whether Alford gets an NFL shot will be interesting, but the door is apparently open for him to return if he wants.

The release of these two players seemed tied to the Riders getting rid of an awful lot of salary, particularly for Jackson, which could be used to sign John Chick.
Chamblin said he would like Chick to be in training camp, and there is a feeling that Chick will sign before training camp, perhaps Wednesday or Thursday. But then the Riders showed they were going ahead, even with no Chick in the fold.

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The Riders traded receiver Lyle Leong Jr. to Hamilton for defensive lineman Jermaine McElveen. McElveen had played for Montreal winning two Grey Cups before going to Hamilton where he had six sacks last year. McElveen has the ability to play both defensive end and defensive tackle, which is something that Chamblin will be emphasizing in camp. Chamblin wants players who are capable of playing more than one position, which is invaluable in the CFL, an 18-game schedule and the inevitability of injuries. So worst case scenario, McElveen will fill the spot that Brent Hawkins had filled before his retirement.

On Monday,  the Riders signed two offensive linemen, Kyle Hill, who played for Duke University and signed with the New England Patriots; Jose Valdez, who spent four years on the Atlanta Falcons practice roster; and defensive back Johnny Towalid, who tweeted his signing much earlier and which we covered in an earlier report.

So defensively, the Riders have Antonio Coleman, 11 games of NFL experience with Buffalo; Will Davis, who did well at the Rider April mini-camp in Florida; Zach Evans, who had a strong pre-season with the Riders last season; Ricky Foley, top Canadian in the 2012 Grey Cup for Toronto; McElveen; Kenny Rowe, who has been with the team off and on since joining at the end of 2011; Keith Shologan, long time interior lineman; Levi Steinhaeuer, fifth round draft pick in 2013; Hilee Taylor, North Carolina player of the year in 2007; David Veikune, three sacks in nine games in 2012 with the Riders; Ryan Wellman, signed from the University of Regina Rams; Mick Williams, dressed with the Riders for nine games last year and Terrius George, who can play defensive tackle or end.

Obviously signing Chick will change the chemistry here, but even if Chick signs, the Riders will doing a rotation of not only defensive ends, but defensive tackles, to ensure fresh legs and to ensure players are put into situations where they can excel, whether it is rushing the passer or stuffing the running game. The Riders need Canadian back-ups for Foley and Shologan so they don’t screw up their Canadian – import ratio. Evans showed a good motor, and Wellman has a tremendous ability off the edge and has a huge wingspan to knock down passes. Steinhaeuer has the ability to also be a long-snapper. Who emerges from the group, either as a starter or back-up, will be fascinating and important for the Riders to start their defense off right.

At linebacker, the Riders have Tristan Black, a Canadian free agent who won a Grey Cup with Toronto last year; Tyron Breckenridge, the Riders top defensive player last season; Aaron Crawford, a Canadian who joined the Riders after being cut by Toronto last year; Diamond Ferri, a long-time Montreal player who joined the Riders last season; Anthony Heygood, who has practice roster experience with Seattle and Carolina; Cory Huclack, who also handles the Riders long-snapping; Sam Hurl, who was a special teams ace in 2012 and should be a full-timer starter next year; Abraham Kromah, who had a hot start with the Riders getting injured; Mike McCullough who is the longest serving Rider and special teams captain; Craig Newman, a former Saskatoon Hilltop who excels on special teams; Brian Peters, all-time leader tackler at Northwestern University; Brett Pisio, four year veteran of the Hilltops; Kevin Regimbald-Gagne, fifth round pick by the Riders in 2012; Thomas Spoletini, sixth round draft pick from the University of Calgary; and Rey Williams, former Rider and eastern all-star at middle linebacker with Hamilton.

Williams seems to be the only certainty, and even though Breckinridge was the Riders top defensive player, he did try free agency and could lose his spot but could also get a look at safety. McCullough seems to be Williams back-up, although Hurl will likely see some time there and is the heir apparent. Hurl knows how to get to the football. Craig Butler, who seems to be the starting safety, could also line up in the linebacker position as well because Butler hits like a Mack truck with no brakes. Peters will be interesting to watch, based on his mini-camp performance, work ethic and his build.

In the defensive secondary, the Riders have loaded up on talent and attitude. Competing for spots will be Dwight Anderson, cover man and mouth that roared; Weldon Brown, a free agent signing from Edmonton; Milt Collins, who was a late season starter at half back; Craig Butler, western division all-star safety in his rookie year in 2012; Macho Harris, who was used sparingly by the Riders last year; Reshard Langford who played 11 games with Kansas City in 2011; Terrell Maze who started at cornerback and got burned by Romby Bryant of the Stampeders for the winning touchdown in the western semi-final; Bryce McCall, who starred with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies; Ramzee Robinson, who signed with the Riders in October 2012; Carlos Thomas, who was a free agent signing from Hamilton; Eddie Russ, starting halfback last season who can play corner and dropped a number of sure interceptions; Woodny Turenne, starting cornerback until he got injured last year; Chip Vaughn, fourth round pick by New Orleans in 2009; Paul Woldu, Regina born cornerback who provides depth and Towalid.

The word here is versatility and having the ability to play more than one position. The Riders want options so they can structure their defense to be better than the second ranked defense they had in the CFL last year. The Riders secondary and their defense have a number of players who have also had injuries and they need to ensure in case a starter goes down, the players they move around can do the job without the unit losing anything as a whole.

In a day or so, I will review the Riders offense, because they are still making moves and you never know – maybe some of the biggest or more interesting moves will come in the next few days before camp opens.