Riders Prepare for Fort Mac Attack

A week ago the Saskatchewan Roughriders made their first team appearance in Prince Albert; something that had been expected since the days of Ray Jauch who actually sent out a scouting party to Prince Albert in the mid-1990s looking to check the viability of such a venture.

If I recall correctly, and I may have done a story or two on it back then, the Riders were fine with the idea of coming to PA, especially with then sponsors Weyerhaeuser and PA Northern Bus Lines, but then money got tight and the idea was dropped.

So Prince Albert football fans got a taste of what the Riders are trying to do this year, and this Saturday on TSN at 8 p.m., we get to see the results of the first two weeks in camp. However, a few explanatory notes may be in order.

The Riders have gone with walk through practices and no pads in an effort to reduce injuries. This is wise when you look south of the border and see the Denver Broncos lose their first round draft pick in a practise with pads, the Jacksonville Jaguars losing their number one pick to a drill, which did not include pads. There is no reason to beat up your own team at this stage of the season when health is the wild card that usually decides who gets to hoist the Grey Cup.

However the Riders are not without their own set of injuries. Tyron Brackenridge has a strain of some sort and will not be going to Fort Mac, expect to see Keenan MacDougall, the former Stampeder and slash U of S Huskie in his spot. I don’t think we will see Weston Dressler make the trip; the Riders want to further explore the abilities of Ryan Smith and a number of other receivers.

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Expect the action to be heavy on the offensive line with the battle for centre between Corey Watman and Dan Clark. They seem to be neck and neck, but the ability to recognize and call out blocking protection will be major against Edmonton and their evil head coach Chris Jones who also handles their defensive coordination.

The Riders made a couple of moves cutting Alex Anthony at receiver this week and adding Robert Singletary. Anthony had been said to be having a great camp, but the Riders now seem to have amassed a variety of riches at receiver and Anthony was released to supposedly give him a better chance to catch on elsewhere with another team looking to add a Canadian receiver.

You have to figure the Riders will have Demski in the line-up, so there would be maybe one or two max Canadian receivers in the picture. Anthony did line up in the backfield, so I am wondering if the coaches feel comfortable with the Canadians they brought in for the full back position.

Singletary is not new to the team. He was here if not a year ago, then two years ago, but got cut either due to injury or to an impending NFL try-out. His appearance back in Riderville is interesting because while the Riders added a bunch of budding Canadian defensive line stars, this American could either be a back-up or take the other defensive tackle position and force the Riders to look elsewhere for a Canadian starter. And yeah, Singletary is the son of former Chicago Bear line backing legend Mike Singletary.

It would seem that the first game will look at thinning the herd at receiver solidifying the offensive line and seeing just how well the defensive line and linebackers respond. Remember the Riders are pretty well rebuilding their line backing corps and looking for a run stopper.

Fortunately on Saturday the Riders will not have to concentrate too much on Edmonton’s running game with John White out for the season with an Achilles tendon injury. The Eskimos brought in some former Winnipeg Blue Bomber and I suspect Edmonton will look to use their quarterback running as a substitute.

Rider Coach Corey Chamblin says Edmonton will go all out to win this one while the Riders are concentrating on player evaluations. Let’s not kid ourselves; the Riders are also looking to execute a win, courtesy of a defense that chases Edmonton further into the bush of northern Alberta. Let’s go Riders and be happy they are on television!