By Jamie Nye

Roughriders looking to Robinson to help receiving corps

Aug 3, 2011 | 5:55 PM

There is something lacking within the Saskatchewan Roughriders receiving corps.

Size.

The team believes they'll fix that problem as 6'3 James Robinson is expected to line-up against the B.C. Lions on Friday night.

“He's a big guy, he can run, can be a physical presence, hopefully and we don't have the biggest receiving corps so he adds some size to it, like we were hoping to get from Ernie (Wheelwright) earlier in the year,” Head Coach Greg Marshall explained following the Roughriders final practice before heading to Vancouver.

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The former Toronto Argonaut receiver has been able to get a good feel for the offense after being signed just over three weeks ago and this week his teammates have been making sure he's good to go in his Roughrider debut.

“The guys embraced me, they've met with me in the morning. (Quarterback Darian) Durant met with me this morning to just to make sure I've got everything okay and make sure I know everything so it's been a good positive feeling.”

Robinson is also aided by the fact he's all of a sudden one of the most experienced receivers on the Roughriders roster after spending four years with the Toronto Argonauts.

And Robinson feels that experience has helped him land on the roster as the team looks for help, “I had a good coach in Toronto that helped last year and a little this year before I got cut and Coach (Bob Dyce) has been working with me every day, taking the time and making sure I know everything so it's mostly on the coaches that are getting me ready and getting me prepared for this game.”

Catching on

Robinson has been on the sideline watching as players have dropped key passes in the last few weeks but he's not putting any more pressure on himself to become a go-to target for Durant.

“At the end of the day (catching the ball) just comes down to focus. All these guys are great receivers and have all made great big plays throughout their career so that's not even an issue. Right now, I'm just trying to add in and pick up where a lot of the injured guys left off and just hopefully take us to the next level.”

Quarterback Darian Durant says there's no question that Robinson has the ability but it is early in his Roughriders career. Durant believes Robinson will take a little more time to be a fixture on offense but right now feels there are times when the new receiver can help.

“Were trying to put him in spots where he can use his ability to the fullest and hopefully we can get some opportunities to get him the ball because he's a big guy who can run and he can make plays.”

News and Notes

Coach Marshall says it's looking as though running back Wes Cates will be unable to play for the second straight week. He also said he feels as though kicker Luca Congi is going through his training camp, which puts him about two to three weeks away from returning.

Receivers Weston Dressler, Chris Getzlaf and Jordan Sisco honoured their injured teammates as they wore the practice jerseys of Cary Koch, Rob Bagg and Ernie Wheelwright on Wednesday.

Linebacker Mike McCullough missed practice because of personal reasons.

The Roughriders will leave for Vancouver Thursday and kick off is 8:30pm Friday.

news@panow.com