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I love the Smell of Rookie Camp in the Morning – Smells Like a 12-6 Team!

May 28, 2015 | 9:02 AM

And that ladies and gentlemen, with just a hint of hyperbole, is what seemed to happen to Rider GM Brendan Taman who went out in front of the media and predicted a 12-6 Rider season on the opening day of rookie camp.

Rookie camp is for all rookies to get acquainted with the schemes and procedures of the club prior to the main camp starting this weekend in Saskatoon. To the many that showed up to enjoy a pretty nice day in Regina, it was sheer heaven to finally blow off the winter doldrums and separate internet fantasy from gridiron reality.

There were anywhere from 44-48 players, depending on bathroom breaks and hobbling between the locker room and field. While the defense took one end of the field, I watched the new offense being installed under Jacques Chapdelaine and I have to admit, you are going to have to really keep your eyes on the ball this year.

Just one rookie practice is no basis on which to predict how an offense will unfold, especially when you have two rookie quarterbacks, running backs and receivers to try to translate the classroom work to on field success. But, even excusing Brett Smith, the fourth string QB formerly of the Argos and Noah Picton of the U of R Rams, and their relative newness to the offense, you got the impression that in more experienced hands, this offense will keep opposing defenses honest by not making it clear who has the ball.

There were handoffs practiced that I have never seen, with cuts extremely close to the line of scrimmage and involving three players. Watching passing plays develop was an experience because everyone was in motion and Chapdelaine was directing traffic like a Regina Cop during a noon hour rush.

Now this is the interesting/scary thing about the whole experience. Despite the number of times Chapdelaine had to remind receivers of which patterns they were running, it was not as awkward watching as you might have initially thought. This is an offense that the offense seems to understand and whoever gets the ball will be the result of whoever makes the right reads.

There was an interesting phrase from the Florida camp about this offense being like a basketball offense. It was hard to figure out until you saw it in motion. If, like with many camps, more concepts are introduced for tomorrow, then the idea of Darian Durant as a point guard serving the ball to whoever is open, running wide to open up the field, is probably as good a reason as any to say this team can finish 12-6.

On the offensive side, our draft pick Nic Demski is going to be fun to watch. He will not be a Canadian receiver who does special teams for a couple of years while working his way into the lineup. Demski will see a lot of action because of his size, speed and ability to catch on the run. If you look at our receiving corps, will the exception of Weston Dressler, as more possession type receivers and not anyone you have to worry about burning you deep, then Demski is the first of several shots of adrenaline this team needs.

The offensive line consisted of the most part of rookies, so it would not be fair to evaluate them, nor would it be fair to review the rest of the receivers and running backs. They are being called on to play greater roles and depending on high fast they learn their responsibilities and then are able to execute them will determine their job success in the CFL.

Philip Steward made applause worthy pick six on defense, and the aggression that Rider Head Coach Cory Chamblin wanted to see from his defense was definitely there as the Riders got after the ball from a number of directions. A better evaluation of the defense will come in exhibition play or when the offense figures out where the players are going on whatever routes they are calling.

Part of the problem was the Riders were not handing out any programs to help people identify the new guys. This might have been a good idea depending on their contract status like receiver Chaz Schilens who will not be back with the team this year. Schilens was touted for his blocking ability and being a big target for Darian Durant, but had enough problems after Durant went down.

The Riders have all their draft choices signed, and there wasn’t much to see unless you wanted to stay after for the kicker’s competition.  The real fun for special teams starts when the practices begin and incorporate the new rule changes. How the Riders manage to cope and perhaps thrive will be one of the more interesting questions of the year, in addition to whether Rider Kicker Chris Milo can find his groove back.

So Rider Nation, the long winter is over, the guys are on the field, it is just three weeks until we see them on TV in Fort Mac battling out of work Newfie contractors for hot dogs and Gatorade in the first exhibition game. I’ve been trying to be the voice of reason, but looking at the variety of offensive formations, I have to say the Riders will be different, and how successful they will be depends on how quickly they pick up the offense.

But didn’t we say that last year?